General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn many ways, the Oregon mess is indeed the fault of the feds
Ammon and Ryan Bundy should be in jail. Those who say that the Bundys were "coddled" are spot on. The Bundys were never prosecuted for their acts of armed insurrection in April 2014. To say there were ample grounds to prosecute, is an understatement.
By giving in to these seditious assholes, the feds and state government, set the stage for what is happening today.
<snip>
On the morning of April 12, an armed crowd rallied under a banner that read "Liberty Freedom For God We Stand". Most had signs, many of which chided "government thugs". Addressing the protestors, Bundy said, "We definitely don't recognize [the BLM director's] jurisdiction or authority, his arresting power or policing power in any way" and "We're about ready to take the country over with force!" After the BLM announced a suspension of the roundup, Bundy suggested blocking a highway.[66] Armed protesters blocked a portion of Interstate 15 for more than two hours, causing traffic backups for three miles in both directions.[77] Protesters also converged at the mouth of Gold Butte, the preserve where the cattle were corralled, and a tense, hour-long standoff ensued. BLM rangers warned over loudspeakers that they were prepared to use tear gas.[66] Former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack, who was with the protesters, said that they were "strategizing to put all the women up at the front. If they are going to start shooting, it's going to be women that are going to be televised all across the world getting shot by these rogue federal officers".[25] Protestors took positions on a highway overpass, seemingly offering cover as horse-mounted wranglers led protesters to face off against heavily equipped BLM rangers and snipers.[66] Utah Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who officially traveled to the Bundy standoff to convey that Utah did not want the cattle, put the number of federal agents present at over 200.[78] According to Las Vegas assistant sheriff Joe Lombardo, there were 24 BLM rangers and Las Vegas deputy sheriffs present at the standoff.[79] Las Vegas police were not allowed to wear protective gear because of fear that it would be seen as a provocation.[80] Clark County Sheriff Gillespie blames the escalation of the situation on the BLM, stating to the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the BLM has lied to him about having a place to take the cattle and the BLM did not attend town-hall meetings and disregarded his advice as County Sheriff.[81]
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that tensions reached a "critical level" during the standoff, "with rifles pointing toward each side."[10] Las Vegas station KLAS-TV also reported that guns were pointed at officers.[80] Assistant Sheriff Lombardo recounted that "they were in my face yelling profanities and pointing weapons," and said, "We were outgunned, outmanned, and there would not have been a good result from it."[80]
A photojournalist for Reuters wrote that armed supporters had "taken up tactical positions on government officers," and that one man pointing a rifle in the direction of BLM employees said, "I've got a clear shot at four of them."[82] Another man said, "I'm ready to pull the trigger if fired upon."[82]
Las Vegas Metro Deputy Chief Tom Roberts defused the situation by announcing that Bundy's cattle would be returned within 30 minutes.[66] The BLM announced that it would suspend the mass roundup,[1][83] citing safety reasons. Clark County Sheriff Gillespie mediated the agreement between the Bundy family and the BLM, saying, "[W]hen a group of protesters threaten civil unrest or violence in this county -- it is my job to step in and ensure the safety of citizens."[77] BLM Director Neil Kornze said that "Based on information about conditions on the ground, and in consultation with law enforcement, we have made a decision to conclude the cattle gather because of our serious concern about the safety of employees and members of the public."[10]
<snip>
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundy_standoff#Legal_actions.2C_2012.E2.80.9315
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)Yet it's just fine to make martyrs out of Leonard Peltier, scores of unarmed black
people, animal rights activists who brake the law, and thousands of OWS protesters.
That's different.
cali
(114,904 posts)in any situation where there is no immediate threat, whether it's BLM, OWS or these assholes.
99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)my point being that violence is ALWAYS the first option with people of color or with
a progressive bent to their cause; yet it's the very last option or no option at all with
RW armed-to-the-teeth WHITE Right-wingers. It's a very disturbing double standard.
And I'm not the only one to notice this you know...
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)99th_Monkey
(19,326 posts)daleanime
(17,796 posts)And not for just for a weekend.
L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)I would say they need to be charges with crimes. Let's not turn into a fundamentalist mob of witch burners.
The DA's office opens in a few hours. I trust the proper officials are doing their jobs.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Their innocence seems really in question, the problem continues to escalate since they've avoided prosecution so far, and some on DU are actually calling for threats of violence to be met with real violence. So yeah, if they're really doing the things we hear they are, they need to go to jail.
And if you think I'm going to walk you through every step of that process just to make you feel better about it, you are over valuing my concerns about your feelings.
DisgustipatedinCA
(12,530 posts)And while you gather your thoughts, be aware that unless I'm empaneled on a jury, I can speculate all day and into the night about someone's guilt or innocence. You can too; there's no law compelling you to presume the innocence of an accused person.
CanonRay
(14,108 posts)I can add nothing to your OP. They should have all been arrested.
I can't help but wonder why on earth our government declined to arrest the people who were aiming weapons at federal employees during the Bundy standoff. They KNEW who they were, the Bundys and the people who came to help -- there were photographs that allowed them to be identified without question.
If wrong actions do not have consequences then the wrongdoers are given the message that they can get away with it -- and they are emboldened to do more of the same, or even worse.
C'mon feds, do your duty. No I'm not talking about killing people, best if that can be avoided of course! But every one of these idiots needs to be arrested and charged with ... well sedition is looking pretty good as a charge.
K&R
Boomerproud
(7,960 posts)I have a sneaking suspicion that visions of Waco danced in the heads of the Feds and the Administration. Waco was a huge FUBAR from the get go and has been used as fuel for the militia movement for 23 years.
MohRokTah
(15,429 posts)the feds would have already killed every last one of them.