I don’t think anyone in South Dakota would deny that at times the federal government seems to have a tendency to manage federal lands like a pack of idiots. I don’t think any rancher grazing on federally controlled grasslands would disagree.
When protesters swoop in, such as they have in Oregon, I’m sure they’re acting out of a sense of frustration. But, is it justification for also acting like a pack of idiots? I can’t imagine it’s not going to cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars dealing with their tantrum.
As you’ll note in the attached clip, Fox News’ Megyn Kelly skewers one of their leaders when she points out that whole “rule of law” thing, and they very quickly backtrack from their “pledge to die for their beliefs.”
In this instance, I’m not sure how they’re better than the Black Lives Matter groups that infringe on the rights of others when they too intentionally block traffic, commerce, and protest on private property. Even the family of the person they’re claiming to be protesting for is disavowing them.
Throughout the siege, Bundy has claimed the two ranchers were targeted for not selling land to the government.
But the father-and-son ranchers have distanced themselves from the group.
“Neither Ammon Bundy nor anyone within his group/organization speak for the Hammond family,” the Hammonds’ attorney, W. Alan Schroeder, wrote to Harney County Sheriff David Ward.
So, why are they there?
Yes, our democracy affords them the opportunity and ability to express their freedom of speech in protest. So good, go protest.
But when the law of the land has spoken, it serves little purpose to take over buildings and claim you’re ready to die, as the rest of us are forced to deal with it.
I do not condone lawlessness or violence but what recourse does the average citizen have when confronted with the overwhelming power and resources of the Federal Government? The EPA released toxins into a river and no one was held accountable. As I understand it 73yo Hammond inadvertently burned an acre of Forrest Service land and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Is that what we have come to? The VA? Hillary’s emails? Illegal immigration? Who is to hold the bureaucracy accountable? Does anyone not see a problem here? Certainly our Congress will not step up.
What they were accused, tried, and convicted for by a jury of their peers was starting the fire to cover up illegal deer poaching.
Not exactly a noble cause.
You’re partially correct:
One of the convictions was for a backfire started by the Hammonds to combat a lightning fire that was about to destroy their feed & home. How is that “arson”? The state or Oregon refused to file charges.
But there’s something really odd about these cases: the “arsons” occurred in 2001 and 2006. The feds charged the Hammonds in 2011 under a terrorism statute. Ten years later they’re charged???
While the Hammonds may not be “noble”–it’s pretty clear the feds were/are largely criminal in their zeal.
You forgot to mention that the “backfire” was set in the middle of the night on slope where the Hammonds knew there were 4 BLM firefighters encamped above.
…which of course has nothing to do with the Y’all Qaeda goons taking over the MNWR buildings.
There was and is no evidence that the backfire was started with knowledge of the location of the BLM personnel.
When one needs to protect life and property from a range fire, to wait for daylight to start a backfire is just plain silly.
Why were BLM firefighters on the Hammond’s property when the Hammonds started the backfire? When you have no permission to be on the Hammond’s PRIVATE property, and did not inform them of your presence there, gee, I guess sh-t can happen.
Sorry.
Facts matter, chump.
Unless that fact pertains to the Hammonds setting the back fire without permission, notification to the BLM on property adjacent to federal lands, and during a ban on such fires? Then it doesn’t matter, right?
The backfire was started on their own PRIVATE property.
1. Why the hell did they need permission for a fire on PRIVATE property?
2. In an emergency, no permission is needed.
The State of Oregon refused to prosecute for the backfire.
Why didn’t the feds charge God for the lightning fire started without permission or notification? The only thing more absurd are your comments here.
I see a big problem with them serving their sentences, paying their fines, getting out of jail, and another judge comes in and says they have to go back for a mandatory minimum the previous judge deemed excessive.
I’d agree with you there!
Yeah, them goshdern Courts of Appeals! Get rid of ’em I say! We’re ALWAYS right the FIRST TIME, dagnabbit!
Yeah, them goshdern trial judges! Get rid of ’em and them thar discretion!!!!
One wonders if the defendant were a 18-yr old pot-pushing black kid re–sentenced to 10 year by the appeals court , that there would be plenty of liberal crocodile tears.
And that refutes my satirical take on the justice system, how, exactly? Just because a judge is allowed discretion in sentencing, doesn’t mean that sentence can’t be appealed. Don’t like the court of appeals outcome? take it to the supreme court. Or take your lumps. Which they did. So… what were you saying again? The Hammonds apparently agree with me, or they wouldn’t have gone along with it.
No they do and did not agree with you–the Hammonds fought like hell against the imposition of the more severe sentence.
Stop making sh!t up.
Jim couldn’t agree more, Bush Cheyney war in Iraq you for got to mention that to.
There is a double standard, look at what is happening in our own back yard out in Perkins County.
Ranchers in northwestern South Dakota are suing the federal government for damages caused by a 2013 prescribed burn that escaped, and ended up burning 17 square miles total, 11 square miles of which was private lands.
http://bit.ly/1OjAYru
http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/ranchers-sue-feds-for-escaped-prescribed-burn/article_ae9e9720-4574-5dc6-8fd9-4029ca3e8c5f.html
I don’t think anyone thought you’d be standing with these taxpayers, but thank you for affirming our suspicions.