I got this following text in my email: This morning I received the following e-mail from the Michigan Northern Regional Militia. I'm only posting the most current press release from Norm Olson: ------------------

Please. I need everyone's help to distribute this material. Please send it to every organization that is involved with land rights, Y2K planning, child abuse prevention, everywhere. The following are the Press Releases sent last night. If any recipient has the ability to forward these press releases to media or interests that might be interested in a headline such as:

"JUDGE RULES Y2K PREPARATIONS ILLEGAL, PUTTING FAMILY OF EIGHT IN PERIL" then by all means, please get these press releases out.

If any recipient wants to call the tyrants who are destroying this family, here are the principles:

Bill Westcott, Township Supervisor 231-634-7372

Clover Schlund, Clerk (the leader of the pack, also the next door neighbor to the Stitts. Can't stand the Stitts and their animals as neighbors. Uses position as Clerk to foment persecution of them) 231-634-7500

Gary Wagner, Trustee 231-634-7240

David Rittinger, Zoning Inspector 231-634-7260

Cheryl Stevenson, Treasurer 231-634-7200

Lani White, Trustee (who is also the teacher who stands to lose her salary because the children were withdrawn from the school)231-634-7440

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Norman Olson, 231-548-5878,

Mike & Chris Stitt 231-634-7030,

Clover Schlund, Township Clerk 231-634-7500,

Bill Westcott, Supervisor, 231-634-7372, Township Attorney c/o Peck & Assoc. 906-635-6286

Island Officials May Try to Block Militia on Saturday - Emergency Strategy Meeting by Township Held - Echoes from Ruby Ridge and Waco heard

Bois Blanc Island, MI (August 12) - An emergency meeting of the Bois Blanc Township board was called today to plan a strategy to deal with the Northern Michigan Regional Militia. Graham Whipple, Sheriff of Bois Blanc Island attended. What started as a show of support to a beleagured family may be taking on a more ominous and frightening spectre. The militia is determined to stand with Michael and Christine Stitt and their six children in opposition to a Township Board and the County that is waging a war of persecution against them.

On Saturday, August 14, the militia will attempt to assemble on the Stitt's property. Last week, the commander, Norman Olson and chief of staff, Ray Southwell went to the island to measure the severity of the problem and the potential for confrontation. Olson said in a press release Thursday, "I can tell you that this situation is becoming frightenly like Waco and Ruby Ridge. We have a family being driven into the ground by a vindictive and hateful government body. The family is determined to stand their ground. They have no choice, no where to go, no one to help. The court and deceitful lawyers have forced this family into a corner. If they comply and dispose of all their animals and garden, they place their children at great risk. If they refuse to comply they will be arrested and jailed for contempt and possibly lose their children. They've asked me for help. I can't say no.

The battlelines are forming and escalation may result in another armed standoff...this time with well trained militia defending a helpless family. I'm deeply troubled that this little matter might turn into another Waco or Ruby ridge. It starts like that, you know, and before we can stop it, it takes on its own energy. In the aftermath, we analyze where the mistakes were made and we vow to prevent it from happening again. Well, it is happening and I'm trying to stop it."

The problem has a simple solution, but the township board refuses to negotiate with Olson who offered to withdraw the militia if a 1-year variance or waver is granted to the Stitts to keep their animals and buildings and garden on their 37-acre property on Bois Blanc Island near Mackinaw. "Is it too much to ask that a frightened family be given one year to ride out Y2K? Is it too much to ask that the children be told they can stay and that mom and dad are not criminals? Is a township board so insensitive that it cannot understand that people are frightened about Y2K and the animals and garden are the means ofpreparation to survive?"

On Saturday, the militia will go to Bois Blanc Island. No one knows what to expect between now and October 7, the deadline imposed by the District Court of Mackinaw County. Olson said late Thursday night, "I pray that Waco and Ruby Ridge are far behind us, but I fear that cold unfeeling and corrupted government bureaucrats are everywhere. First it was Idaho, then Texas. Let the record show that I have tried to offer a fair and rational solution. Failing that, the next American nightmare may come to Michigan.

End Press Release

-- Hello There (question411@home.com), August 13, 1999

Answers

You can read the local newspaper account of this at www.petoskeynews.com Friday 13th issue. This militia may be of no help, not respected locally.

-- noname (noname@upnorth.com), August 13, 1999.

Militia warns of incident like Waco

By: Paul Wheatley Petoskey News-Review

BOIS BLANC ISLAND

A zoning scuffle between township officials and a family preparing for Y2K mishaps is apparently turning into a dispute between the board and the Northern Michigan Regional Militia.

Using coin words such as "Waco" and "Ruby Ridge" - where violence erupted between government agents and gun-wielding citizens - regional militia leader Norm Olson is preparing to head over to the island tomorrow, fully equipped, to defend the Stitt family, and attend a chicken barbecue. They plan to leave, via ferry, from Cheboygan at 10:30 a.m. to head to the large island that neighbors Mackinac Island.

Mike and Chris Stitt moved there in 1996 to raise their six children in a Y2K safe environment. Their children, now ranging in age from four months to 15 years-old, were the only ones attending a one-room school house on the island. They started a farm, under what Chris said was the approval of township officials, to create their own self-sufficient environment.

For a while Chris Stitt said things were fine, people were buying her eggs, meat and produce - until they built a barn without a permit.

The Stitts claim a Michigan farm act allows them to construct buildings, such as a barn, without a permit.

However, legal action has been brought against the Stitts by the township, requiring them to tear down and remove all buildings on their property that do not meet township ordinances, except for their home, by Oct. 7.

In fact, a letter from the townships attorney claims the Stitts must pay the township a $500 fine, also by Oct. 7, for the violation or face a tax lien being placed on their property.

As far as their Y2K preparation goes, the statement reads: "There is nothing that prevents the people on the island from fishing should Y2K occur."

The Stitts claim they are out of resources to fight the township, having gone through three years of legal proceedings.

"My children are scared and were scared," said Chris.

She said her last resource was the militia.

Olson said the militia will arrive in full battle dress with "everything we need with us at that time."

He said the only way to alter their action is for the board to meet and provide a one-year extension to their judgment or grant the Stitts a variance to farm.

"We dont know what to expect tomorrow, but we do know yesterday there was an emergency meeting over in St. Ignace with the sheriff in attendance," Olson said.

Olson said he doesnt want a bloody resolution but that someone must face off against "corrupt local governments."

Olson claims many board members are corrupt in some way.

The township clerk and the Mackinac County Police declined to comment. Other members of the board could not be reached.

-- biker (y2kbiker@worldnet.att.net), August 14, 1999.

bold off

-- (bold off@here.now), August 14, 1999.

The solution to this sort of crap can be found in the book "Unintended Consequences" by John Ross. (do a search on Amazon Books or Loompanics -- http://www.amazon.com or http://www.loompanics.com)

-- A (A@AisA.com), August 14, 1999.

this is the kind of situation where Y2K aware folks, end up looking stupid, and dangerous precedents are set. A barn, and some other buildings were built, apparently without all of the various government beaurocrats being fed their daily ration of ink and paper. It has escalated to where an armed confrontation with the government is likely. If the situation isn't diffused, the following will happen:

First, the armed rebellion will be crushed. I use the phrase armed rebellion deliberatly, because that is what it is. The government will absolutely win. The've got air power, howitzers, and all sorts of toys - not too mention somewhere on the order of 1 million troops available.

Second, the Y2K needs of the survivors of the standoff/rebellion will be met - the adults will have the finest care our prisons offer, and the kids will be in court-supervised foster care until they're 18.

Thirdly, the idea that we Y2k folks are dangerous lunatics will be further reinforced.

One of the key ingredients to surviving whatever may occur over the next few years, is maintaining a low profile. Armed confrontation with the lawful government doesn't meet that requirement.

-- Richard Ruffin (exalt2u@earthlink.net), August 15, 1999.

I am an american and i will not let the goverment do another waco etc a lot of people feel the same way so atf agents etc..in my eyes you are nothing but murderers ETC... And you will be delt with if anything happens to any one of these people.Concider yourselfs lucky to have gotten away with what youve done in the past.BUT the bs stops here and now.

-- george bailey (GBa6872290@aol.com), August 16, 1999.

The following sentence caught my attention: "The Stitts claim they are out of resources to fight the township, having gone through three years of legal proceedings." Sounds to me like this situation has a history that is just now getting the Y2K tag applied. I'm waiting to hear from a poster that lives in this area for some valid input, not the knee jerk responses that are coming from all directions. I'm not taking sides here, just looking for some clarity.

-- For (your@info.com), August 16, 1999.

Several threads on the other forum re this.

Bottom line: Zoning is fascism in action (Fascism is nominal private ownership but government control, as opposed to socialism/communism where both ownership and control are by government.)

It is none of your business, as a neighbor, what a neighbor does with his property. However, if he pollutes your air or water, then you would have had a grounds for a tort action, if YOUR fascist government hadn't gutted the tort laws in that area. As far as noise pollution, there is "disturbing the peace." You don't like an "ugly ass" barn. Tough titties. Blocking "your view"? You didn't purchase the view. If you are so concerned about the view, maybe you should have bought that property instead.

Most of you are closet fascists -- and that is why this world is so f*ck*d.

-- A (A@AisA.com), August 16, 1999.

A.....

Sounds to me like you are the sort of wild-eyed fool that zoning laws are ment to control. No order=chaos.

-- You (are@a.hole), August 16, 1999.

To all i would like to say that the statements made from my pc where from a very young viewer who has been very emotional since he learned about y2k.His faith in the goverment is not very high.I do believe this situation is bad but the militia will do more damage than good they will prevoke a fight with these children in the middle of the fight.SO PLEASE think about what your doing.Laws are our guidelines weather you like it or not.These city officials were voted in by the people.Im not saying what they are doing is right.So when your town votes again remember this problem and throw their a** out of their. '

-- george bailey (GBa6872290@aol.com), August 16, 1999.

"You" (are a fool): Sounds like you are the sort of wild-ass that the American revolution was fought to get out from under. Sieg Heil!

George: In the meantime, the fascist town council (and the fascists -- their neighbors -- who elected them) are causing the Stitts a whole lot of hassle, time, and money. And very possibly jeopardizing their LIVES.

If the Stitts prevail (unlikely) and TSHTF, a "gee, we're sorry; got an extra side of bacon for sale" from the fascists isn't going to be much in the way of apology.
(More likely, the voters, not having the nerve to do it themsekves -- regarding themselves as "good people" who would never steal from their neighbors -- will authorize the town council to do it for them, via the local sherrif -- that is, to confiscate, in the name of the "common good" ("sharing") that which the Stitts manage to retain).

And this holds regardless of whether the Stitts are religious wackos, child beaters, public expectorators, blasphemers, dopers, once-a-year bathers, or whatever.

-- A (A@AisA.com), August 17, 1999.

George,

I'm not picking on you, but I wonder if you actually believe that civil disobedience is always a wrong action? If there are appropriate conditions for civil disobedience, when is an unjust law such that a person of high moral character may disobey it in good conscience?

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), August 24, 1999.