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Line 26: − − Writer Adam Parfrey observed after the Oklahoma City bombing some watchdog groups information was absorbed whole into mainstream news sources as unimpeachable and objective news sources, whereas the watchdog organizations coffers bulged when constituent donors were led to believe through fundraising newsletters they were fighting an enemy of enormous evil and mounting strength. Despite their altruistic claims, the watchdog organizations − − {{Cquote|profited directly off the sensationalism that acts as a sparkplug for Hollywood and the weekly tabloids. <ref>Adam Parfrey, Cult Rapture: Revelations of the Apocalyptic Mind (Portland, OR: Feral House, 1995), 327.</ref>}}
→Media reporting: move paragraph
During the early days of the media feeding frenzy following the bombing, militia organizations were widely suspected and even charged with complicity in the crime. Watchdog groups were regularly quoted by the media as “experts” on the militias and made fantastic claims of vast membership and influence. Militias had absolutely nothing to do with the bombing, but the incredible media onslaught had a part in further marginalizing them, and changing their composition in the process.
During the early days of the media feeding frenzy following the bombing, militia organizations were widely suspected and even charged with complicity in the crime. Watchdog groups were regularly quoted by the media as “experts” on the militias and made fantastic claims of vast membership and influence. Militias had absolutely nothing to do with the bombing, but the incredible media onslaught had a part in further marginalizing them, and changing their composition in the process.
Writer Adam Parfrey observed after the Oklahoma City bombing some watchdog groups information was absorbed whole into mainstream news sources as unimpeachable and objective news sources, whereas the watchdog organizations coffers bulged when constituent donors were led to believe through fundraising newsletters they were fighting an enemy of enormous evil and mounting strength. Despite their altruistic claims, the watchdog organizations
{{Cquote|profited directly off the sensationalism that acts as a sparkplug for Hollywood and the weekly tabloids. <ref>Adam Parfrey, Cult Rapture: Revelations of the Apocalyptic Mind (Portland, OR: Feral House, 1995), 327.</ref>}}
The SPLC’s ''Klanwatch Intelligence Report'' of June 1995 claimed that “over 200 militia and support groups operate nationwide.” <ref>Southern Poverty Law Center, “Over 200 Militias and Support Groups Operate Nationwide,”
The SPLC’s ''Klanwatch Intelligence Report'' of June 1995 claimed that “over 200 militia and support groups operate nationwide.” <ref>Southern Poverty Law Center, “Over 200 Militias and Support Groups Operate Nationwide,”
''Klanwatch Intelligence Report'' (June 1995).</ref> Three months later, in September 1995 the SPLC issued a report that identified seventy-three “militias or militia support groups nationwide, with a total of 30,000 to 40,000 members.” The SPLC also claimed that about forty-five have “ties to the Ku Klux Klan.” <ref> Dick Foster, “10 Militias at Home in Colorado” Rocky Mountain News, (6 September 1995).</ref> 127 “militia and support groups” suddenly disappeared. The actual number is believed no more than 20% of what SPLC claimed, and the Anti-Defamation League claimed only 10,000 members. <ref>''The Watchdogs: A Close Look at Anti-Racist "Watchdog" Groups'', Laird Wilcox, Editorial Research Service, 1999, pg. 85. ISBN 0-993592-96-5
''Klanwatch Intelligence Report'' (June 1995).</ref> Three months later, in September 1995 the SPLC issued a report that identified seventy-three “militias or militia support groups nationwide, with a total of 30,000 to 40,000 members.” The SPLC also claimed that about forty-five have “ties to the Ku Klux Klan.” <ref> Dick Foster, “10 Militias at Home in Colorado” Rocky Mountain News, (6 September 1995).</ref> 127 “militia and support groups” suddenly disappeared. The actual number is believed no more than 20% of what SPLC claimed, and the Anti-Defamation League claimed only 10,000 members. <ref>''The Watchdogs: A Close Look at Anti-Racist "Watchdog" Groups'', Laird Wilcox, Editorial Research Service, 1999, pg. 85. ISBN 0-993592-96-5
As for militia complicity in the bombing itself—after more than three years of intensive investigation neither the FBI nor any other law enforcement agency has produced evidence that the perpetrators were members of or in any substantial way connected with any militia, anywhere, anytime. <ref>Diana Baldwin, “Some Still Huntfor John Doe 2,” Sunday Oklahoman 13 December 1998, A-8.</ref> A county grand jury arrived at the same conclusions. <ref>Ron Jenkins, “Oklahoma Bomb Jury Rules Out Conspiracy,” Associated Press, 30 December 1998.
As for militia complicity in the bombing itself—after more than three years of intensive investigation neither the FBI nor any other law enforcement agency has produced evidence that the perpetrators were members of or in any substantial way connected with any militia, anywhere, anytime. <ref>Diana Baldwin, “Some Still Huntfor John Doe 2,” Sunday Oklahoman 13 December 1998, A-8.</ref> A county grand jury arrived at the same conclusions. <ref>Ron Jenkins, “Oklahoma Bomb Jury Rules Out Conspiracy,” Associated Press, 30 December 1998.
</ref> No militias were implicated by government prosecutors at Timothy McVeigh’s or Terry Nichols’ trials. Militias had nothing to do with the Oklahoma City bombing. The perpetrators were acting entirely on their own. The only organizational “links and ties” they shared was service in the U. S. Army.
</ref> No militias were implicated by government prosecutors at Timothy McVeigh’s or Terry Nichols’ trials. Militias had nothing to do with the Oklahoma City bombing. The perpetrators were acting entirely on their own. The only organizational “links and ties” they shared was service in the U. S. Army.
== Charges, Trials, Convictions, and Punishment ==
== Charges, Trials, Convictions, and Punishment ==