OR - Militia members occupy federal building in Oregon after protest #1

[Everyday Grace]

The federal government began shutting its offices in eastern Oregon days before the showdown with armed anti-government protesters began this week because of mounting hostility and security threats, officials said Thursday.

With threats against individual employees and a campaign of intimidation by out-of-town ranchers who had been in the isolated area for weeks, federal officials at agencies from the U.S. Forest Service to the Bureau of Land Management started sending more than 150 people home as early as Dec. 30.

It became a serious safety concern for the employees,” Eardley said. He and other federal officials said self-described militia groups showed up in the Burns area in early December, weeks after a federal judge resentenced local father-and-son ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond to five years in prison for arson.

The protesters, with harsh anti-government rhetoric and an aggressive social media campaign, began stalking some federal employees as they left work and leaving threatening messages on office phones, officials said. Some employees reported cars they did not recognize parking on the street outside their homes at night.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...p_hp-top-table-main_oregon-7am:homepage/story

 

[branwynbreeze]

I probably have no idea what I'm talking about but I always assume it goes back to Ruby Ridge and Waco, because I can't come up with any other possible reason. <modsnip>

This is an armed rebellion and the Feds and sheriff are apparently sitting back and letting them do whatever they want. Do they know something we don't? Do they have a master plan?

Anyone? Bueller?

That's my guess, Waco and RR. Any government assault on compound will probably end badly.

I vote for walling them in, playing a recorded message over and over loudly while sending low flying helicopters into area every so often. I'd also hope for nice big storm to go through area and not plow roads around it since they like to go into town.

 

[i.b.nora]

This article which I quickly skimmed earlier today, has some interesting info (and maybe clues?) about the meeting between Sheriff Ward and Bundy, yesterday. Things I didn't see or hear in other reports.

Sheriff, Bundy meet on neutral ground to discuss ending refuge occupation

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-n...f/2016/01/sheriff_bundy_meet_face_to_fac.html

“CRANE -- Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward, backed up by two other sheriffs, met face-to-face Thursday with protest leader Ammon Bundy to try to bring a peaceful end to a weeklong occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.”

*

“Ward was encouraged to reach out directly to the militants at a town hall meeting Wednesday night in Burns that drew an estimated 400 people. Several speakers urged the sheriff to do just what he did Thursday, and several ranchers had volunteered to join him if needed to end the occupation.

Ward was accompanied to the remote location by Sheriffs Brian Wolfe of Malheur County and Andy Long of Tillamook County as well three rigs carrying heavily armed law enforcement officers.​

“Until we can see that there is a great momentum and the people can get doing that themselves, then we will remain," he (Ammon) said. "That could be a week, that could be a year."

After hearing that, the sheriff said there would be no call, but he wouldn't say what his next step would be.”​

​

I had missed that there will be no call today. Other miscellaneous quotes from the article.

“In his most pointed comment at the roadside session, Ward calmly advised Bundy that "at some point, this is all going to have to be resolved."”

*

"You have an obligation as a public servant to address these issues," he said. Ward said that wasn't the purpose of their meeting.”

*

“Ward climbed into a sheriff's rig and headed off over back roads to a town hall meeting in the small community of Diamond. He met about 50 citizens there to talk about the refuge occupation and hear their concerns.”

*

“Law enforcement officials deliberately picked a location with an open expanse. They rejected any plan to meet the militants at the refuge, mindful of a tall watch tower that is manned round the clock by the protesters.”

“Ward said he has tried every tactic he knows to end the occupation.

"I want to give them every opportunity to leave peacefully," he said. He sensed Bundy and the others weren't interested.

"I don't feel like they think they're getting enough attention yet," Ward said.”​

 

[Tawny]

Sounds like the only thing the Bundy's want is violence.

 

[human]

Sounds like the only thing the Bundy's want is violence.

No different than sucide bomber. They won't mind taking down LE

 

[bluesneakers]

No different than sucide bomber. They won't mind taking down LE

No, they won't, and like all suicide bombers they'll think they're going out with glory. JMO

 

[TupeloMz]

I must be missing something... I do not understand the call for violence. There has been none yet and I would like to keep it that way.
These bumbling bumpkins did not get the support they expected and are now stuck. If LE would stop feeding them and entertaining their foolishness they will eventually slink off where Feds can and will arrest them.
An armed attack and violence is not the answer imo UNLESS the mm initiate it.

ETA..and I do not think they will but I could be wrong.
JMOO.

 

[Tawny]

I must be missing something... I do not understand the call for violence. There has been none yet and I would like to keep it that way.
These bumbling bumpkins have did not get the support they expected and are now stuck. If LE would stop feeding them and entertaining their foolishness they will eventually slink off where Feds can and will arrest them.
An armed attack and violence is not the answer imo UNLESS the mm initiate it.
JMOO.

Nobody's calling for violence but it would be nice for an explanation for this to be provided. They are allowed to come and go as they please, they're apparently hanging out in town (?), etc. I don't want violence, I want to know why they're saying "Just go home" instead of negotiating an end to the occupation that includes turning themselves in.

 

[TupeloMz]

Saying "Just go home" is all the Sheriff can do imo. They are in a Federal building on Federal land.
I have no idea what the Feds are doing.

 

[LietKynes]

My .02 is that if these domestic terrorists are going into town to eat and to stay in motels--- arrest them there and not at the wildlife refuge. It would be less of a 'scene' and deny them (D.T.'s) the attention and violence they seem to be craving.

But, it's 'not my circus...and not my monkeys'; so they -- and the town they've so rudely interrupted from normal life -- can both figure it out.
:moo:

Are the schools even open yet ??

 

[bluesneakers]

Nobody's calling for violence but it would be nice for an explanation for this to be provided. They are allowed to come and go as they please, they're apparently hanging out in town (?), etc. I don't want violence, I want to know why they're saying "Just go home" instead of negotiating an end to the occupation that includes turning themselves in.

If only some of them are drinking in town and the sheriff arrests them I think the boys left on the refuge will lose their minds. Violence guarantee imo.

I want to know too. I can't believe they're being told things about how this is a positive thing and a good start and we know you're not violent (while they're all carrying weapons!) blah, blah, and when you're ready to leave just let us know. wtf.

 

[Lilibet]

Sounds like the only thing the Bundy's want is violence.

No different than sucide bomber. They won't mind taking down LE

No, they won't, and like all suicide bombers they'll think they're going out with glory. JMO

Violence is exactly what they want, especially on the part of the government so they can say "See how awful the government is! They are killers."

The government is very well aware of their intent and is exercising restraint so as not to play right into their agenda. IMO

To compare this situation to the "elephant" demonstrating in crowded urban areas is like comparing apples and oranges IMO, but I respect those who feel differently. Personally, I don't believe the Bundy group is being given special treatment for any racial reason, and I would normally consider that a possibility. But I believe this is a pragmatic decision by the government to not provoke violence. There is no need to disperse these people quickly because at this point they do not pose a danger to the community. JMO

Yes, they are breaking the law, and it seems "unfair" that they are not being dealt with immediately and harshly when other groups are. But winning this particular battle and losing the war is very unwise strategy with these people. They are in this ultimately to take down the government and put their own in its place. That is not the case with the urban demonstrators AFAIK.

As I've said before, the government is in a lose-lose situation here. I'm sure the FBI is well aware of that and is strategizing accordingly.
All JMO, MOO

 

[Betty P]

My .02 is that if these domestic terrorists are going into town to eat and to stay in motels--- arrest them there and not at the wildlife refuge. It would be less of a 'scene' and deny them (D.T.'s) the attention and violence they seem to be craving.

But, it's 'not my circus...and not my monkeys'; so they -- and the town they've so rudely interrupted from normal life -- can both figure it out.
:moo:

Are the schools even open yet ??

Recall the last time the Bundy family and followers had a standoff with law enforcement, some of their followers returned to Las Vegas and proceeded to storm a Burger King and a Walmart, killling two police officers and an innocent bystander before killing themselves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Las_Vegas_shootings

Make no mistake, these aren't a bunch of buffoons. They're extremely dangerous, heavily armed people. It would be best to deal with them in a remote area, instead of waiting til they go to town.

 

[human]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-re...nt-on-oregon-standoff-20160104-htmlstory.html

 

[Tawny]

Recall the last time the Bundy family and followers had a standoff with law enforcement, some of their followers returned to Las Vegas and proceeded to storm a Burger King and a Walmart, killling two police officers and an innocent bystander before killing themselves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Las_Vegas_shootings

Make no mistake, these aren't a bunch of buffoons. They're extremely dangerous, heavily armed people. It would be best to deal with them in a remote area, instead of waiting til they go to town.

I wasn't aware of this, thanks for linking.

 

[i.b.nora]

Does anyone need a ride to Oregon?

MILITIA RIDESHARE OFFERS PHOENIX CRACKPOTS WAY TO JOIN AMMON BUNDY IN OREGON
Phoenix New Times
BY STEPHEN LEMONS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news...ots-way-to-join-ammon-bundy-in-oregon-7954689

“You've got your camo, AR-15 and night-vision goggles ready, and you're eager to join your fellow "patriots" up at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, where former Phoenix resident Ammon Bundy and his armed crew of kooks have taken control of a federal compound in a bid to force the feds to turn over all federal land to county control.

But there's one problem: Your 4x4 is in the shop and you need a ride to the compound's remote address, preferably with a fellow Three Percenter, a term militia types use to compare themselves to the supposed three percent of colonists who fought the British during the Revolutionary War.

Thankfully, supporters of Bundy's group, Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, have created the "Oregon Militia Standoff - Rideshare" Facebook page, which is sort of like Lyft for right-wing loons.”​

More ...

This is actually a good serious article.

 

[TupeloMz]

Violence is exactly what they want, especially on the part of the government so they can say "See how awful the government is! They are killers."

The government is very well aware of their intent and is exercising restraint so as not to play right into their agenda. IMO

To compare this situation to the "elephant" demonstrating in crowded urban areas is like comparing apples and oranges IMO, but I respect those who feel differently. Personally, I don't believe the Bundy group is being given special treatment for any racial reason, and I would normally consider that a possibility. But I believe this is a pragmatic decision by the government to not provoke violence. There is no need to disperse these people quickly because at this point they do not pose a danger to the community. JMO

Yes, they are breaking the law, and it seems "unfair" that they are not being dealt with immediately and harshly when other groups are. But winning this particular battle and losing the war is very unwise strategy with these people. They are in this ultimately to take down the government and put their own in its place. That is not the case with the urban demonstrators AFAIK.

As I've said before, the government is in a lose-lose situation here. I'm sure the FBI is well aware of that and is strategizing accordingly.
All JMO, MOO

I agree.

 

[flourish]

Does anyone need a ride to Oregon?

MILITIA RIDESHARE OFFERS PHOENIX CRACKPOTS WAY TO JOIN AMMON BUNDY IN OREGON
Phoenix New Times
BY STEPHEN LEMONS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news...ots-way-to-join-ammon-bundy-in-oregon-7954689

“You've got your camo, AR-15 and night-vision goggles ready, and you're eager to join your fellow "patriots" up at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Oregon, where former Phoenix resident Ammon Bundy and his armed crew of kooks have taken control of a federal compound in a bid to force the feds to turn over all federal land to county control.

But there's one problem: Your 4x4 is in the shop and you need a ride to the compound's remote address, preferably with a fellow Three Percenter, a term militia types use to compare themselves to the supposed three percent of colonists who fought the British during the Revolutionary War.

Thankfully, supporters of Bundy's group, Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, have created the "Oregon Militia Standoff - Rideshare" Facebook page, which is sort of like Lyft for right-wing loons.”​

More ...

This is actually a good serious article.

No! No more! Get out of my state! Or maybe hey is your house nicer than mine? Should I just go move in?

 

[pappa rob]

Frankly I am getting really tired of trying to rationalize WHY these law-breakers are being given carte blanche and kid glove handling.

Treading lightly here, but we always read that if a person break a law, they forfeit the right to move about freely and if they verbally or physically resist or even show disrespect to the LEO, they can expect to be taken down with force. And in some cases, we are talking about people only SUSPECTED of committing a crime and they end up dead or beaten. These "militia" people have BROKEN THE LAW. They have threatened to use their weapons if LE attempts to do their job and remive or arrest them. They are criminals.

Can ANYONE tell me why this is not happening here? Anyone? Bueller?

If you stop and think about it won't it be easier to wait until they break up and pick them up 1 or 2 at a time. Divide and conquer or as translated from the Romans, Divide and rule...

 

[bluesneakers]

If you stop and think about it won't it be easier to wait until they break up and pick them up 1 or 2 at a time. Divide and conquer or as translated from the Romans, Divide and rule...

If you knock down one Bundy two will rise in its place.