Clayton, Mich.
Militia group busted: Authorities have arrested nine members of a self-styled Christian militia group on charges that they conspired to kill police officers and incite an anti-government uprising. The members of the Hutaree, which the group says means “Christian warrior,” were arrested during raids in three states. The nine defendants, including group leader Brian Stone, 45, his wife, and two sons, allegedly planned to murder a police officer, then detonate homemade bombs during the officer’s funeral to kill other cops in attendance. The group’s website says members believe that the government is the enemy and that “all Christians” must prepare for war. “On the inside of this man’s brain, something evil lurks,” said Andrea Harsh, Stone’s former fiancée. “Until you get to know him, you don’t know it.”
Los Angeles
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Questionable expenses: The Republican National Committee fired a staffer after campaign-expense filings revealed that the party committee had reimbursed a GOP consultant almost $2,000 for charges run up at a Los Angeles strip club that features simulated sadomasochistic sex between women. The consultant, Erik Brown, was among several “Young Eagles”—Republican donors under age 45—who’d visited Club Voyeur, known for its hostesses clad in fetish gear, after a group dinner. RNC staffer Allison Meyers had attempted to put the tab on her credit card, but it was rejected. She then asked Brown to put the charges on his card, promising him the RNC would reimburse him. Meyers was fired after the charges came to light; Brown has lost several GOP clients.
Philadelphia
‘Flash mobs’ run wild: Local merchants are calling for a stricter curfew and police have stepped up patrols in Philadelphia’s Center City, following several incidents in which “flash mobs” rampaged through the city’s main shopping district. Organized via postings on social-networking sites, as many as 1,000 young people flooded several blocks of Market Street last week, unleashing “total mayhem,” in the words of one store manager, jumping on cars, vandalizing stores, and knocking down pedestrians. One man was arrested for attacking and robbing a 54-year-old man cycling home from work. Mayor Michael Nutter has pledged “no tolerance” of mob violence and urged parents “to keep better track of their children.”
Los Angeles
Hecklers roust Rove: Former Bush administration advisor Karl Rove cut short a public appearance this week, after members of Code Pink, an anti-war group, heckled him and accused him of “war crimes.” Rove was at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills discussing his new memoir, which defends President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, when about 10 members of the audience of 100 began to shout at him. Then, Code Pink co-founder Jodie Evans approached the stage brandishing a pair of handcuffs and yelling, “You lied to take us to war.” Rove departed the theater before the book-signing portion of the event, saying the incident reflected the “totalitarianism of the Left.”
South Hadley, Mass.
Bullying indictments: Nine high school students—seven girls and two boys—were indicted this week on charges that they drove a classmate to suicide with a “relentless” campaign of physical and verbal bullying. Phoebe Prince, 15, hanged herself in January, following months of alleged abuse by classmates, some of which was reportedly witnessed by school officials who didn’t report it to authorities. Prince, a recent immigrant from Ireland, apparently angered other students when she briefly dated a star athlete at South Hadley High School. Many parents have criticized school officials for not intervening. “I don’t think you can trust them to protect the safety of the students,” said Darby O’Brien, whose stepdaughter attends the school.
Baltimore
When harassment pays: A federal appeals court has ordered the father of a Marine killed in Iraq to pay some of the court costs of anti-gay activists who picketed the soldier’s funeral. In 2006, members of the Westboro Baptist Church, including their leader, Fred Phelps, waved signs reading “God hates fags” and “God hates the USA” during the funeral of Cpl. Matthew Snyder. Phelps preaches that soldiers’ deaths are God’s punishment for America’s tolerance of homosexuality. Albert Snyder, the slain Marine’s father, sued Phelps for infliction of emotional distress, winning a $5 million judgment. But that ruling was overturned, and Phelps then sued to recover his court costs, winning a $16,500 judgment against Snyder. “I don’t think I’m going to be writing a check until I hear from the Supreme Court,” Snyder said.
