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

[human]

This for sure cements my resolve to be a vegetarian.

 

[Brightbird]

This for sure cements my resolve to be a vegetarian.

Before this thread, I didn't know that ranchers raised animals and farmers grow crops and stuff.

 

[i.b.nora]

Nothing like having the crimes on video.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_bundy_militant.html

Oregon standoff: Bundy, militants destroy fence at federal refuge

By Luke Hammill | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 4:39 PM

“BURNS — Militants presiding over an armed occupation of a federal bird sanctuary destroyed a portion of a fence Monday afternoon that they said was installed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – using the agency's own equipment.

The stunt was perhaps the militants' boldest yet since overtaking the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this month. Arizona businessman Ammon Bundy and his band of protesters traveled about five miles south of refuge headquarters to a property where they said a local ranching family grazes cattle.”​

Be sure to watch the video.

 

[EllieBee]

Nothing like having the crimes on video.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_bundy_militant.html

Oregon standoff: Bundy, militants destroy fence at federal refuge

By Luke Hammill | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 4:39 PM

“BURNS — Militants presiding over an armed occupation of a federal bird sanctuary destroyed a portion of a fence Monday afternoon that they said was installed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – using the agency's own equipment.

The stunt was perhaps the militants' boldest yet since overtaking the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this month. Arizona businessman Ammon Bundy and his band of protesters traveled about five miles south of refuge headquarters to a property where they said a local ranching family grazes cattle.”​

Be sure to watch the video.

How many morons does it take to cut down a fence?

 

[bluesneakers]

Nothing like having the crimes on video.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_bundy_militant.html

Oregon standoff: Bundy, militants destroy fence at federal refuge

By Luke Hammill | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 2:13 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 4:39 PM

“BURNS — Militants presiding over an armed occupation of a federal bird sanctuary destroyed a portion of a fence Monday afternoon that they said was installed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – using the agency's own equipment.

The stunt was perhaps the militants' boldest yet since overtaking the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier this month. Arizona businessman Ammon Bundy and his band of protesters traveled about five miles south of refuge headquarters to a property where they said a local ranching family grazes cattle.”​

Be sure to watch the video.

"This is for the Constitution."

 

[i.b.nora]

This is a good article on Sheriff David Ward's background:

Army, rural values help Harney County sheriff face militants
By Les Zaitz | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 3:30 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 4:57 PM

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/army_experience_rural_values_h.html

“By the time he applied to become Harney County sheriff in late 2014, Ward had worked as a jailer, a patrol deputy and a probation officer.

He was one of four who sought to replace the retiring sheriff. His cover letter to the Harney County Court presages the skills he is using to face Bundy's crowd, who claim constitutional authority for what they have done.

"I've spent many years of my life serving our country, stateside and abroad, to protect the constitution," he wrote, "and believe it is the sheriff's responsibility to protect each person's rights under the constitution of the United States."

In an interview, Ward said patriotism was important in his family when he was growing up. He said he remembers the Veterans of Foreign War entries in the annual Drain parade.

"We were raised in that small community to respect our country and to respect that flag," he said.

In the cover letter, Ward highlighted his varied experience including "working efficiently in high stress situations."”​

 

[i.b.nora]

Oregon occupation planned for months by Ammon Bundy and Montana militia leader
By Carli Brosseau | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 4:46 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 6:30 PM


http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/bundy_militia_leader_plotted_o.html

 

[Plombage]

A statement from Sheriff David Ward posted Jan. 11, 2016, 5:57 pm on the Harney County Sheriffs Office Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/1053081328076653/photos/a.1053224794728973.1073741828.1053081328076653/1057564617628324/?type=3&theater

 

[bluesneakers]

A statement from Sheriff David Ward posted Jan. 11, 2016, 5:57 pm on the Harney County Sheriffs Office Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/1053081328076653/photos/a.1053224794728973.1073741828.1053081328076653/1057564617628324/?type=3&theater

From the statement:

When those who are now occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge first came to town several months ago, we started to see an up-tick in the number of vandalism, harassment and intimidation reports. In recent days, they issued a “call to action,” which resulted in the arrival of numerous outside militia members. They claim to be here in peace, but we continue to see behavior by some that is concerning. There are continual reports of law enforcement officers and community members being followed home; of people sitting in cars outside their homes, observing their movements and those of their families; and of people following them and their families as they move around the community. While not direct physical threats, these activities are clearly designed to try to intimidate.

Specifically, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, which manages the refuge, has told me that while their employees are physically safe, this is clearly a distressful situation for all involved. As this issue has developed over the past week, employees and their loved ones have reported a number of uncomfortable incidences in which unknown individuals from outside our community have driven past slowly or idled in front of their homes, observing the residents and their activities. In addition, self-identified militia members have attempted to engage employees and family members in debates about their status as Federal employees. Many of these confrontations are taking place as their employees are grocery shopping, running errands with their families and trying to lead their day-to day lives.

 

[perfectingpink]

From the statement:

This makes me angry. People should not feel unsafe in their own community!

 

[RickshawFan]

Gosh they're trying to overthrow the government and didn't think to pack socks and underwear?

:floorlaugh:

And a shortage of women's unmentionables might well end this siege! How stupid was that?

 

[ILOKAL]

Did anyone see an interview with an FBI agent a few days ago regarding the militia occupation? I didn't see it but my son did. I "think" he said the FBI agent was interviewed by a woman on CNN.

 

[RickshawFan]

I think the items like "french vanilla creamer" cracked me up the most because I am about as soft as you can get and even I rough it better than that on a camping trip.

Also, if the women were coming along, wouldn't they BRING tampons? Unless, wait.....DID any women come along?

Seriously (no, not really) though, that list just just makes them sound like a bunch of mooches and poseurs.

Oh, and WHY ARE THEY NOT UNDER ARREST?

Sorry. Did I shout that?

Given how remote that place is (I've actually been there many times), I think it's genius not to arrest them. They're sitting out there racking up federal charges worse than the taxi ride from hell.

No need for the feds to hurry this one up. The only people looking bad are the occupiers and their t***g (rhymes with smug) friends. And, in the meantime, authorities haven't put their lives on the line.

I am surprised, though that they still have computer access, TV, electricity, running water, etc. There's probably a well on site, so there's not a whole lot can be done about stopping water supplies, but surely a utility line can be tied off at the neighbors' house next down the line? It's probably quite a ways off and would be safe to access. The computers can be shut down at IT corporate? And if there's satellite service, the provider can stop it, just like it does for the rest of us poor schmoes when we can't pay our bill?

 

[RickshawFan]

What is a 4" apran? If they misspelled apron, what does 4" have to do with it? And seriously, an apron??

":whistle:Home, home on the range:....." They wanna be sure "their woman" dresses like a "lady". Make her wear a 1950's housewife getup. They're done with the chaps and cowboy hat thing when their woman needs to get with the program and do their cooking and clean their toilets. It's her job.

 

[RickshawFan]

Did they misspell ice scraper or are ice scrappers a thing?

They probably need them for the inside of the windows 'cos they've run out of heat fuel (propane?).

 

[RickshawFan]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...n-oregon-ammon-bundy-preaches-revolution.html

Ya know, somehow these know-nothing militias have skipped over the fact that Burns has a substantial community of Native Americans (and a reservation) who, umm, got there first?

 

[RickshawFan]

Before this thread, I didn't know that ranchers raised animals and farmers grow crops and stuff.

Yes, ranchers are cowboys with land and management skills. Many also graze their cattle on Federal (BLM) land.

The Harney County ranchers haven't been out there that long, either. Maybe 2 generations (grandparents of current ranchers). These ranches were homesteaded not long before WWI. And the ranches are colossal. A "small" ranch with 18000 acres. Some of them have their own planes.

The issues these ranchers have are not new. They seem to be forgetting this. These issues were there when they homesteaded the land. It's like buying a property knowing it floods. But these families (I don't believe) didn't buy their properties; they homesteaded them.These were Native American lands. And now they're complaining about the gift?

I think it's off the wall for them to be complaining that the Feds don't intervene when Malheur Lake's levels are too high, but then they want the Feds to stay out of "their business".

The current arrangement, with these huge ranches dominating the scene doesn't seem to me to be realistic. For one thing, Burns is a poor community. It's not as though these ranchers are giving paychecks to one and all. And because they've siphoned off such a large chunk of area resources, there's a seriously impacted Native American community.

Plus, the major new source of money coming into the Burns area is from birdwatchers. I kid you not. This started way back, in the '80's or before. Without the wildlife refuge, there is no diversity in the local economy. And with babyboomers having a harder time being super active ('cos they're getting older), birding is a growing enterprise.

Add to this, the appeal of the wild horses on Federal range land....

Add to this the Steens Mountain wilderness, which is so far out there it's not frequented that much now, but with cities squeezing backcountry enthusiasts further and further out to find wilderness, this represents a considerable cash future.

Just to give you an idea, Nike (yes, the shoe manufacturer) has for years held a high altitude running camp on Steens Mountain every summer. This is $$ in the local economy.

There was also an issue about grazing near water sources in some areas. I was less well-informed on this topic as it pertained to environmental problems, but it seemed to me that cattle had been there long enough that their presence was integrated into the local ecology. This was my uninformed perspective only.

I'm not dissing the ranchers on the legal side of this. I actually empathize with them on some counts, namely nature can be fickle and destroy one's lifestyle. However, it seems that a balance was struck in an agreement between all parties, and there was a clear direction going forward.

 

[RickshawFan]

This is a good article on Sheriff David Ward's background:

Army, rural values help Harney County sheriff face militants
By Les Zaitz | The Oregonian/OregonLive
on January 11, 2016 at 3:30 PM, updated January 11, 2016 at 4:57 PM

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/army_experience_rural_values_h.html

“By the time he applied to become Harney County sheriff in late 2014, Ward had worked as a jailer, a patrol deputy and a probation officer.

He was one of four who sought to replace the retiring sheriff. His cover letter to the Harney County Court presages the skills he is using to face Bundy's crowd, who claim constitutional authority for what they have done.

"I've spent many years of my life serving our country, stateside and abroad, to protect the constitution," he wrote, "and believe it is the sheriff's responsibility to protect each person's rights under the constitution of the United States."

In an interview, Ward said patriotism was important in his family when he was growing up. He said he remembers the Veterans of Foreign War entries in the annual Drain parade.

"We were raised in that small community to respect our country and to respect that flag," he said.

In the cover letter, Ward highlighted his varied experience including "working efficiently in high stress situations."”​

Folks out in Burns are wonderful..... I know this from personal experience. I grew up in a very different environment, but I found much to appreciate. A person might have to "hang out" there a little bit to get it. For starters, the desert has a subtle beauty and it takes some adjustment.

 

[Tawny]

They planned for months but forgot to pick up supplies? Worst. Occupiers. Ever.

 

[flourish]

Before this thread, I didn't know that ranchers raised animals and farmers grow crops and stuff.

Yeah but then dairy farmers come in and mess with the paradigm lol.