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Terrorism - Latest Stories

Clinton, McCollum, Blackburn challenge Bachmann’s ‘gangster’ remarks

By Andy Birkey | 04.19.10 | 8:00 am

Rep. Michele Bachmann is taking heat over statements she made at a Tea Party gathering in Washington, D.C., last week when she called the Obama administration and Democratic Congress a “gangster government.” Those remarks have prompted a strong rebuke from…

McCollum calls for civility on anniversary of Oklahoma City bombing

By Andy Birkey | 04.13.10 | 4:09 pm

Rep. Betty McCollum took to the House floor Tuesday afternoon to remember the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people. She chastised members of Congress and the talking heads in the media for fanning the flames…

MSNBC takes on Bachmann, Palin

By Andy Birkey | 04.08.10 | 11:59 am

Immediately following yesterday’s rally with Rep. Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin, two MSNBC hosts targeted the conservative duo. Minnesota-based host Ed Schultz brought on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and Bachmann’s opponent,…

McCollum sent shredded flag, condom by health reform foes

By Andy Birkey | 03.26.10 | 7:30 am

“Betty McCollum you’ve been dry f***** by the liberal party.” So read a letter, which also contained a condom removed from its packaging, received by Rep. Betty McCollum’s office on Monday. Another letter contained a shredded American flag drenched…

‘Fear mongering,’ little substance in Hagedorn’s terror ‘white paper’

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.21.10 | 11:20 am

In his new “white paper” on terrorism, First Congressional District Republican Jim Hagedorn offers some controversial rhetoric: “Young men from Islamic-dominated nations, who have no legitimate reason to visit the United States, should not be granted access to our country,” he writes. And: “Terrorists should be given last rites, not Miranda Rights.” But when asked by the Minnesota Independent for details on specific terror-fighting strategies, the Blue Earth Republican’s response was all of 25 words long — delivered by cellphone text message.

DFL calls on Quist to apologize for terrorism comment

By Andy Birkey | 01.12.10 | 6:04 pm

The state Democratic party called on Republican candidate Allen Quist to apologize on Tuesday for statements he made at a Wabasha Republicans Christmas party that called the battle against Democrats bigger than the battle against terrorism. Quist told the Minnesota Independent over the weekend that his comments were taken out of context by liberal bloggers.

Experts question efficacy of profiling

By Spencer Ackerman | 01.12.10 | 8:47 am

The enhanced screening of airline passengers from the Muslim world in the aftermath of the failed terrorist attack on Flight 253 has set off a shockwave of disappointment from supporters of President Obama and surprise from security experts. Few believe, based on experience, that de facto profiling is an effective anti-terrorism tactic. But they do view it as playing into al-Qaeda propaganda that the United States is at war with Islam.

Quist defends statements on battle against terrorism, Democrats

By Andy Birkey | 01.11.10 | 1:50 pm

Allen Quist, a Republican hoping to secure the nomination to run against Rep. Tim Walz in Minnesota’s First Congressional district, responded to criticisms over a YouTube video in which Quist said the battle against Democrats was bigger than the battle against terrorism. In emails with the Minnesota Independent, he says his words were taken out of context.

Amid flurry of security-related activity, Schneier action figure launches

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.07.10 | 1:50 pm

-Picture-_5122The Bruce Schneier Action Figure (pictured) we wrote about in November is finally out, just as the noted Twin Cities–based security consultant is seeing a flurry of action following the attempted Christmas day attack on…

Walz on Quist terrorism comments: ‘Poisonous, spiteful, incredibly distasteful’

By Andy Birkey | 01.06.10 | 8:34 am

Rep. Tim Walz appeared on the Ed Schultz Show on MSNBC Tuesday night to respond to opponent Allen Quist’s comments that the “battle” against Democrats is bigger than fighting terrorism. Walz called the comments “poisonous, spiteful [and] incredibly distasteful,” and said “it poisons the dialogue” over public policy differences.