Some national tragedies take lives. Some national tragedies change our lives. Some do both.

The Oklahoma bombing two years ago Saturday is one of those tragedies.

We can't shake the vivid memories of that terrible, deliberate blast that took 168 lives.

We can't shake the picture of that fireman carrying a limp toddler from the crumbled building.

We can't shake the cloud of fear that bombing brought to our lives.

We're reminded each time we walk into a federal building where security has been beefed up.

Or how about when you hear the word militia? Constitutionalists?

Freemen? Ruby Ridge? Waco?

All these words conjure this picture for me: Groups that have crossed the line and in some cases, wreaked havoc on a community, because government has been the enemy.

That's the theme of a special five-day report we begin today - one day after the second anniversary of the Oklahoma bombing. Two men have been charged. A jury is being selected for the trial that the nation will be watching with great interest when opening arguments get under way later this week.

It's a case of an angry man and the government. The government has been the enemy in the other cases, too. Our special report takes a close look at:

* What's happened since that bombing?

* Why is the West such a popular haven for such groups?

* What are the beliefs of these fringe groups?

* Who joins and why?

* Are the groups growing?

* How do they communicate and recruit members?

The information on this topic is voluminous. It's interesting. It has a historic foundation and it is becoming a part of our daily lives.

The special report is a project undertaken by eight newspapers in five states: Idaho, Montana, Washington, Utah and Oregon. The newspapers represent rural communities much like the Nampa-Caldwell area.

The Idaho Press-Tribune and the other six papers are owned by a Seattle family. Each paper in the Pioneer Newspapers organization operates independently under the direction of a publisher, who is a part owner in the venture.

This special project represents the first time all seven editorial staffs have worked together to tell a story that's larger than our own community. We've also tapped the assistance of a journalism class from the University of Idaho. Students gathered information on some of the larger militia-type groups and their beliefs.

Beginning today, you will read stories about people who believe the government is the enemy and some of the reasons why they cross the line that most of us respect.

These stories come from the Treasure Valley; Pocatello; Logan, Utah; Bozeman and Havre, Mont.; Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Mount Vernon and Ellensburg, Wash.

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Vickie Holbrook can be reached at vholbrook@idahopress.com

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