You're Not Paranoidal—They Really Are After You!

A few weeks ago I wrote a piece about the paranoidal profiling of law abiding Americans as “terrorists” by something called the Missouri Information Analysis Center, (MIAC), a self described “Federal, State & Local Public/Private Partnership improving community safety, reducing crime & threats through improved communications within Missouri & neighboring states.” MIAC is one of fifty-some constitutionally-questionable “fusion” agencies concerned with “Homeland Security.” The agency in Missouri seems intent on insuring that the United States never return to Constitutional Government. My article on MIAC was linked above the COMMENT section of our Home Page, having been pre-empted first by the Notre Dame scandal, and then by an insightful article by Walter Williams.

After some waffling by Missouri's Governor Jay Nixon, the State apologized, and withdrew the profile from distribution to law enforcement officers. No serious person thought it had all gone away so smoothly—and it has not. Just this morning I received an email from Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty—Congressman Paul had been identified by MIAC as someone supported by terrorists, and the Campaign rather bravely conducted its first regional meeting a few days ago in the “heart-of-the-beast” Saint Louis, Missouri. I will leave the rest of the story for you to read in the e-mail, but suffice it to say that Steve Bierfeldt, a Campaign for Liberty official, was detained by the TSA in Saint Louis on suspicions of something-or-other because they found on his person the princely sum of $4700 collected at the regional meeting.

No, Virginia, you cannot blow up a plane with forty-seven hundred Federal Reserve Notes. But possession of “money” apparently makes one a criminal in the USSA.

From: Campaign for Liberty
To: Rev. Fr. Charles Brusca
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:05 AM
Subject: C4L Staffer Detained in St. Louis - Video Goes Viral

April 6, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

Campaign for Liberty’s very own Steve Bierfeldt has become an unexpected Internet sensation -- and the latest target of over-reaching federal government agents.

You see, Steve was detained by Airport Police and TSA officials shortly after the Campaign for Liberty regional conference in St. Louis.

The officials rudely berated and harassed Steve for 30 minutes in a secluded room at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.   Fortunately, Steve was able to record nearly all of the interrogation with his cell phone.

Steve’s alleged “crime”?  Carrying $4,700 in checks and cash from Campaign for Liberty, along with various other materials from our conference.

The local and Federal agents harassed Steve. They were belligerent, cursing and using insulting language.  They threatened to turn Steve over to the DEA and the FBI, all the while refusing to inform him of his legal rights or explain how cash and checks threatened airplane or airport security.

Throughout the interrogation, Steve remained polite but resolute and declined to answer the invasive questions without an adequate explanation from these federal and local agents as to why they needed to be answered. Without telling Steve what law he was accused of breaking, they continued their harassment.

Although they grew increasingly frustrated that he remained committed to exercising his rights, intervention from another officer eventually led the police to reluctantly release Steve.

Last Wednesday, Steve appeared on Judge Napolitano’s Freedom Watch to discuss the flagrant violation of his rights and to promote the importance of each of us defending our civil liberties.

Now, Steve’s appearance on Freedom Watch – which features several minutes of the audio tape – has gone viral.

Click here to watch the segment, which has become one of the most viewed videos on YouTube.

Steve’s ordeal is a reminder to all patriots that liberty is constantly under fire, and we must remain vigilant and prepared to stand up for our rights.

In Liberty,

John Tate
President, Campaign for Liberty

P.S. Campaign for Liberty staffer Steve Bierfeldt’s appearance on Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano has gone viral! Click here to watch the interview, which features audio tape of Steve’s harassing interrogation by TSA officials and local police in St. Louis Missouri and Steve’s resolute stance for liberty.

P.P.S. The Washington Times picked up on Steve's story yesterday. Click here to read the article.