Anyone think stories like this might have something to do with the Department of Homeland Security being concerned about right wing extremism? Bomb-maker talked of Obama, Clinton assassination, feds say.

A Clearfield County man caught with several homemade bombs told undercover federal agents how he would hope to see Sens. Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama assassinated if either of them reaches the White House, according to an affidavit unsealed today.

Bradley T. Kahle, 60, of Troutville was arrested Sunday by the Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force on a charge of unlawful import or manufacture of firearms.

Kahle unwittingly discussed his ominous desires with undercover FBI agents in April, according to federal authorities.

“Kahle said words to the effect of, that ‘if Hillary Clinton, or Barack Obama, get elected, hopefully they will get assassinated, if not they will disarm the country and we will have a civil war,’” FBI Special Agent William B. Weiss wrote in an eight-page affidavit.

Kahle had two AK-47 assault rifles, a sniper rifle and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition in his possession when he made that comment, Weiss wrote.

According to Weiss, undercover FBI agents have routinely met with Kahle since February 2007, when the man provided detailed instructions on how to make a “bean can grenade.”

Kahle told the agents the improvised explosive devices used powerful firecrackers and nails inside a can with the top cut off. He said the explosives could be used to kill police officers if they attempted to raid his house.

Or maybe stories like this? Militia probe began at ‘flamethrower party,’ agent says.

Two men with alleged ties to area militias — who are self-proclaimed “survivalists” — will remain in the Allegheny County Jail pending disposition of their charges in federal court on weapons violations.

Perry Landis, 62, of Du Bois, Clearfield County, is charged with selling blasting caps to undercover agents on Sept. 29, 2007, and March 27.

During a hearing this afternoon before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Amy Reynolds Hay, FBI agent Daniel Yocca testified that Mr. Landis crafted “one hell of a mean grenade,” using pill bottles and CO-2 cartridges to provide propulsion. He also made an ammunition belt to store several medicine bottle grenades at one time.

Mr. Yocca told the judge that Mr. Landis is the sergeant at arms of a group called the Brookville Tiger Militia, which met in a cabin on his property.

He also testified that Mr. Landis told undercover officers that if Hillary Clinton won the presidency, it would be a good thing because she would demand disarmament, and “we would come out of the woodwork.”

Earlier in the day, Judge Hay ordered that Marvin E. Hall, of Rimersberg, remain in custody. He is accused of making exploding golf balls and a host of other weapons. Judge Hay deemed him a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Mr. Hall was arrested Sunday in a raid during which federal agents seized a laundry list of ammunition, explosives and firearms from his home.

FBI agents and the Pennsylvania State Police had been investigating Mr. Hall since 2005, when undercover agents met him at a “flamethrower party,” a gathering for neighbors, gun owners and aspiring militia members in Clarion County, Mr. Yocca said.

The FBI launched its probe to “target militias and individuals in militias who have a propensity toward violence,” but Mr. Hall told undercover agents he was not part of such a group, Mr. Yocca said. However, he continued that, if need be, he would associate himself with a group called the 91st Warrior, the agent testified.