The Occupy Refuge Movement
Straight talk
The militia has not taken over the 187,000 acre Malheur Wildlife Refuge.
There is a lot of irresponsible media out there saying foolish things to get people to read their ads. There are no ads here.
Some guys claiming to be militia are there occupying some tiny part of a huge federal wildlife refuge in Oregon and they may be going in some empty buildings for shelter.
No one should be calling them "anti-government". They are protesters who are complaining about what they see as Federal government abuse by some people who work at the BLM. And anyone who reads the Hammond's story can hardly say otherwise. They are also concerned about corruption in the courts. My father was an accomplished attorney in several states, wrote law books and he consistently told us about high up corruption in the courts.
These guys are pro-government. They are not pro-government-abuse or usurpation of rights. They may or may not be right but they are protesting to get media attention.
No one should call them "outsiders" unless they are from Syria or some other country since this is a federal issue which they are protesting.
What the government says
Neither should anyone call them "militant" since that means "combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods." There is no evidence that they are combative or aggressive. They are peaceful and defensive but not without reason. They know their lives are at risk but they have seen lives destroyed and the rights of other people abused by government agencies who often do not follow the law.
These people are not anti-government and media people who use such terms are criminally inciting a negative public opinion unfairly and unjustly that could get someone killed. Please see the Here is what the "government says" video linked on this page to learn about the Constitutional motivation and heart-felt concerns of the good people who have occupied public buildings in protest of the abuses by government to bring attention to the people of all America as to the injustices that have destroyed families and their livelihood.
This is not just a Harney County issue but a nation-wide Federal issue of abuse of power by vast government agencies that often go unchecked by the press. Americans would not be hearing the speech by Greg Walden who represents the government if the Bundys of this world did not risk their lives to bring it to your attention. And 24 minutes does not do the problem justice.
Here is what the government said as late as 1972:
- “Those who already walk submissively say there is no need for alarm. But submissiveness is not our heritage. The First Amendment was designed to allow rebellion against usurpation to remain as our birthright. The Constitution was designed to keep government off the backs of the people.... The aim was to allow men to be free and independent and to assert their rights against government… The America once extolled as the voice of liberty heard around the world no longer is cast in the image which Jefferson and Madison designed, but more in the Russian image…” [1]
The people need to do their homework and start caring about the lives of people and the press needs to rise up and meet the challenge of a noble institution and report the facts rather than seek ratings at the price of truth.
The same justice of the Supreme court quoted above had already written his own warning and concerns that, “We must realize that today’s Establishment is the new George III. Whether it will continue to adhere to his tactics, we do not know. If it does, the redress, honored in tradition, is also revolution… the truth is that the vast bureaucracy now runs this country, irrespective of what party is in power.” [2]
Other Oregonians report the same abuse and every American, if they love their neighbor, should hear their cries or no one will hear their own when injustice knocks at their door.
- Statement by Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue on sentencing of Steve and Dwight Hammond to five years in federal prison
"This is an example of gross government overreach, and the public should be outraged."[Read full statement.] or go and read the Hammond's story.
Historical perspective
The sheriff David Ward, who I have personally known for years, can walk right up to the protesters, who have a right to carry in Oregon, and talk to them and even pray with them just like he did with the Hammond family. Tim Titus did [see below].
But he was quoted as saying, "You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County... That help ended when that protest became an armed occupation."
Unless Harney County is not in America the protesters are not outsiders and can be there in Harney County. There is a long history of protest by occupation in America. Occupying government areas is a common form of protest used for years to get media attention. There is no threatening of people, no hostages, no injuries or damage being done.
Just to give you some historical perspective I personally remember back in 1970 when leaders of the Student Afro-American Society (SAAS), took over a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) headquarters at Columbia University. The occupation lasted five days and I remember claims that they were armed and demanded that the former ROTC office be renamed the “Malcolm X Lounge.” (There should be some footage of this somewhere.)
I also remember that there was a Dean's office that was occupied until demands were met. Evidently that was the Dean of Freshman, Henry Coleman. What I did not know was that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder evidently participated in the militant take over of the ROTC headquarters. I pray that the same caution and consideration exercised by law enforcement back then is exercised by the law enforcement under men like U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) said "Our prayers right now are with everyone involved in what’s happening with Oregon, and especially those in law enforcement that are risking their lives,"
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) said “You can’t be lawless,"... "We live in a republic. There are ways to change the laws of this country and the policies. If we get frustrated with it, that’s why we have elections. That’s why we have people we can hold accountable.”
That is also why protesting is a common and accepted form of petitioning government including peaceably occupying public buildings and areas.
The Harney County Refuge Occupy Movement
Irresponsible journalists like Zoe Carpenter are demonizing these people with phrases like, "lead an armed insurrection". After reading Zoe's biased yellow journalism Arthur Klein commented, "I am really worked up over this. Especially that armed groups can freely threaten their way past Law Enforcement and virtually become a parallel government and disturb the lives of residents and the community."
No one 'threatened their way past Law Enforcement'. The building which they are occupying in protest was an unlocked public building. And as to disturbing the lives of residents and the community, that is mostly being done by the panic cause by bad journalism. The protesters are not trying to be a "parallel government" but to point out what they think are government violations which have been destroying the "lives of residents and the community".
And the same atheistic, anti-religious news media makes statements like, "made up of gruff militiamen and amiable ranchers from out of town with pocket Constitutions and “the God thread running hard through them,” as one put it."
They appeal to wildlife enthusiasts by saying, "Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 320 species of birds". The truth is by government statistics there are less birds coming to the area since the government took over management and most of the bird populations are increasing on the rancher's land.
Tim Titus visits Occupy Movement
The following was sent to me by contacts in the Burns community.
Tim Titus is a local business man, pastor and member of Harney County community who drove in and visited the occupiers.
I think it can give you a better inside picture of things there which is not some militant armed takeover even though it appears Tim labeled his testimony "Bundy Refuge Takeover." These are good people who have personal convictions and want to bring attention to what they see as injustice. And they are willing to commit civil disobedience to do it.
This is similar to sit-ins, occupy movements and the Boston Tea Party except no tea was damaged at the Refuge. The media has a great deal of power to influence the minds of the people. I encourage you to do everything you can to spread the understanding that these men are not what the media is suggesting they are.
Note that these are not armed people behind barricades because, as you see, Ammon Bundy is driving all around and then coming back to an unlocked public building. I am not supporting their position because the real answer is in doing the will of the Father. But they are trying to attend to Christ's Weightier matters. They are just not sure how to best do that.
- Bundy Refuge Takeover.
- As a local businessman, pastor and member of our community, I was invited to join a group of men and women to go into the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters to meet with the people involved in the refuge standoff. As we approached refuge headquarters, we drove past the media vans with their huge satellite dishes on top some with camera lights still shining on people being interviewed. We were allowed past the vehicles blocking the lanes winding down the hill to the small cluster of buildings that make up the refuge headquarters.
- Inside the old stone building in a small office area, we introduced ourselves to Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox and one big, tattooed dude known as "Buddha" who I was later told is a bodyguard for one or both of the Bundy's. We weren't searched or even patted down. (I thought it best to leave my firearms at home but at least one of our group was packing.) We explained that rather than listening to the rumors and succumbing to the fears running wild in our community, we wanted to hear from them personally as to what was going on and what they wanted to achieve.
- They thanked us for coming, Shawna proudly announced they had come up with a name and mission statement for their group. People for Constitutional Freedom, I believe is the handle they've tied to this operation. (To think that no one had formed that into words prior to the occupation surprised me. This really does seem like a fluid, fly-by-the-seat-of your pants operation.)
- So, after some general talk about the day's events, Ryan Bundy began a short course on the United States Constitution and the forefather's limitations on the federal government particularly as it pertains to landownership. He explained that the role of federal government is, with the exception of the 100 square miles making up Washington D.C., only to dispose of property and land not to possess it. The discourse seemed sound with some of their own interpretation of who exactly should own the land thrown in whether that be state, county or private ownership.
- Bundy also told from their perspective the story of the struggles they went through with the federal government on the family ranch in Nevada. He laid out the events and decisions they made that led them to the 2014 standoff that also made national news. Cox shared about an event in Utah where she saw the federal government allegedly abuse their power to remove a widow's cattle from an area the government wanted to designate a National Monument. Albeit all from their perspective, you began to see the motivations behind the group.
- Individuals of the occupying group came and went from the tiny room during our stay of slightly over an hour. They ranged in dress from the latest, pseudo-military camouflage jacket to a sport coat. No one seemed particularly on edge or overly nervous. The guy in the camo jacket did stay at the door behind our group for a time before entering into the office and even into the conversation from time to time.
- Ammon Bundy, evidently finished with the media blitz and whatever else a revolutionary leader does with his days, came in, shook the hands of several of our group and listened attentively to some suggestions as to how they might overcome some of the negative reactions within our community and possibly get their message out in a more succinct way. He made some notes on a sheet of plain paper lifted from a nearby table.
- The biggest piece of advice I added to the discussion, more for our communities' benefit than theirs, was suggesting they actively address the rumors physical threats encircling our county. (The fact that our public schools had closed for the week seemed to genuinely surprise them.) There are many rumors of individuals, their families or government property being threatened with attack but with no substantiation. The fear in the community seems irrational or at least it would be if everyone sought to determine the legitimacy of the threats. Substantiation seems to be lacking as the small-town rumor mill spins somewhat out of control.
- One of our group suggested having a meeting with some of the leaders and influencers in our community to help the locals understand their history and what they wanted to accomplish. Ammon, when asked if he could go into town for a meeting, almost looked surprised and and said he had "been all over the county today". He didn't seem to see why not. I'm not sure he knows how many rooms the FBI has booked in the small town of Burns.
- As the impromptu meeting wound down, I asked if I could pray for them. They were more than willing and hats came off all around the room. I prayed just as I had prayed in every public place since this national event began in our isolated county. I asked for their personal protection, for wisdom in handling the situation, for restraint and level-headedness on both sides and that their voice be heard which I believe is their primary goal. The prayer seemed to be received gratefully.
- Am I a convert? No, they are still breaking the law even if just for trespassing but I do feel I understand their position as well as our constitution much better. I also feel much better about the safety of our community. And, whether I agree with the course of action, I hope the message does get out. Our federal government seems to be so far past the authority our constitution gives it that just the idea of reigning it back into the role the founding fathers gave it does seem pretty radical. Government overreach is taken more seriously when it causes an individual's medical insurance premiums to rise than when it affects the economies of families and communities in the middle of nowhere.
Long Chain of Abuse
- Terry Lynn Barton, a forest service employee, pleaded guilty to arson charges stemming from the 2002 Hayman Fire which was the worst wildfire in Colorado's recorded history, blackened 138,000 acres, destroyed 133 homes and forced more than 8,000 people to evacuate. But she only did six-year term in prison. The Hammond are going to have to do 10 years and pay $400,000 dollars and the government has demanded the right to buy their ranch if they go bankrupt or have to sell.
- In April of 2013, a U.S. Forest Service intentionally set a fire against recommendations from local ranchers and weather forecasters and it got out of control and burned nearly 3,000 acres of public and over 7,000 acres of private lands southwest of Lemmon, South Dakota. An outbuilding was burned, along with fences, hay, and pastures amounting to $2.5 million in damages. The ranchers affected by the fire learned on June 27, 2015[3] that the United States Department of Agriculture says “Our review of the claim discloses no liability on the part of the United States. Therefore your FTCA (Federal Tort Claims Act) claim is denied,” to the ranchers.
Can you start seeing the problem?
Published on Jan 17, 2016 "We come in and we take this land and we always take it for less than it is worth." (Park Service Employee at Mary Martin's retirement from the Mojave Preserve.) The dinner was a public event . In this clip, the woman brags about how they wrestled a $40 million mine located in the park for $2.5 million dollars from two "little guys that had been in the 2nd World War" (their words, not mine). She continues, "which I stole the money from Washington to acquire it. " FYI - The 111,000+ acres referred to on the white board do not include the land that was taken away from the ranchers. Time 9:24
The BLM simply stipulated a 400,000 dollar fine for a 139 acre fire that improved the land. The court record showed that both a conservation agent and a Fire Specialist Roy Hogue testified there was no damage from the fire but that the “land productivity had improved; no fire suppression or rehabilitation costs existed.”
The huge fine was to force the Hammonds to sell to the refuge. This is clearly abuse and it did not stop there. And you would not be reading this except for "The Occupy Refuge Movement" who risked their lives to get media attention and public opinion.
Whose idea was it to go after the Hammond family after they were sentenced and served their time with such abusive tactics? Well it might appear to start with Amanda Marshall whom with no experience was appointed by the president [4] to be the U.S. Attorney for Oregon. She made a rare appeal to overturn the sentence given by Judge Hogan in the Hammond case and extended it to five years. After winning this appeal she suddenly stepped down from her job.[5]
We are supposed to believe that this inexperienced Attorney saw the Hammond family as such a threat that they had to not only be unjustly fined by the BLM but she needed to put a 74 year old man in jail against the judgment of Judge Hogan for doing what the ranchers and Native Americans have done for years. Someone is pushing this agenda of removing ranchers to use such boldly unjust tactics.
- "Over the past two decades . . . government officials, and perhaps [others], entered into a literal, intentional conspiracy to deprive [the family members] not only of their [grazing] permits but also of their vested water rights. This behavior shocks the conscience.”
These are the words of the Nevada chief federal district-court Judge Robert C. Jones in his decision on May 2013 in Reno in a lawsuit filed pro se by Wayne N. Hage, defending the estate of E. Wayne Hage, his father who died fighting the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service represented by scores of lawyers from the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture. "Unfortunately, federal agencies’ abuse of the citizenry is not uncommon."
- “A government lawyer . . . has the responsibility to seek justice . . . and he should not use . . . the economic power of the government to . . . bring about unjust settlements or results.” The Canons of Professional Ethics for Lawyers
In the case of Harvey Frank Robbins Justice David Souter held that it was okay for the government to destroy the Robbins family by a “death by a thousand cuts,” in “endless battling” that “depletes the spirit along with the purse,” by the use of “illegitimate pressure”, by “unduly zealous” bureaucrats supposedly for “zeal on the public’s behalf.”
But are they doing all this on the public's behalf or is there a corrupt specter lurking in the shadows of the all powerful State? They have been getting away with this for a long time and the corruption goes farther up the chain through neglect or design.
Few people would even know about this except for people who've risked their lives to peacefully occupy a public building at the local refuge. occupying the refuge[6]
This could be resolved in the courts if the people would come together and find out what is going on and not just pretend that justice is the governments job.
Justice and righteousness is your job.
Almost no one has the courage to stand for the Weightier matters of law, justice, and mercy much less faith as required by common sense and Jesus Christ.
The public should be fearful
Rep. Greg Walden, (R-OR), on the standoff in Oregon. Time 7:03
The public should be fearful but not of the Hammonds who are good people but of people hiding in government bureaucracies who are using their unchecked power to work mischief.
Barry Bushue, the president of the Oregon Farm Bureau stated “I find it incredible that the government would want to try these ranchers as terrorists,” He went on to say, “Now is where the rubber meets the road. Right now is when the public should absolutely be incensed. And the public, I think, should be fearful.”
Why?
As the occupiers stay at the Malheur Refuge, they continue to expose corruption daily.Time 10:253
Because there are not very many people in America who are brave. Modern Christians are not really Christians. And most people just want safety for themselves and do not really love their neighbor as themselves. They certainly do not attend to the Weightier matters Jesus told us about.
See The Washington Standard story and interview for more details
When the Hammonds were going to go to jail and few people in Harney county were coming to their aid and even the sheriff said they had their day in court the Bundys and other ranchers and people who have seen this injustice sympathized with their story. But the BLM and Federal Attorneys threatened the Hammonds with another raid, early jail, and less desirable prison location if they even "talked to the Bundys". That is a violation of the right to free speech. It makes it impossible to get support if there is an injustice being done against you. It is a violation of your right of free assembly.
- "Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in our bosoms. Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit, and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors. Familiarize yourselves with the chains of bondage and you are preparing your own limbs to wear them. Accustomed to trample on the rights of those around you, you have lost the genius of your own independence, and become the fit subjects of the first cunning tyrant who rises."[7]
There is no doubt that the Hammonds are grossly abused by the BLM, the Federal attorney and the courts and that there punishment is cruel an unusual although becoming for more common. Why have Americans become so indifferent to the plight of their neighbor?
Real terrorists and arson
As you can see the BLM does not always do it safely like the Hammonds did. They come in at the wrong time of year and actually burn up ranch buildings fences, power poles plus even burn cows and their calves alive. They do this with impunity because America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave.
What you often get from either ignorant or immoral government employees is false information that misleads the people like the DOJ’s acting US Attorney Billy Williams said:
- “Fires intentionally and illegally set on public lands, even those in a remote area, threaten property and residents and endanger firefighters called to battle the blaze.”
- “Congress sought to ensure that anyone who maliciously damages United States’ property by fire will serve at least 5 years in prison,” he added. “These sentences are intended to be long enough to deter those like the Hammonds who disregard the law and place fire fighters and others in jeopardy.”
But in the Hammond case there was no malicious intent. These fires did not "threaten property and residents and endanger firefighters called to battle the blaze". These fires especially the back fire likely saved "property and residents and [did not] endanger firefighters called to battle the blaze" because the Hammonds contained the fire themselves and there was no cost or danger to anyone.
They were engaged in open good management practices on their own land where a small amount of some BLM graze was burned before the Hammonds brought the fire under control. The only graze that was affected was the Hammond graze which they paid for and the land came back better than after after the burn according to expert testimony.
No firefighters were endangered and no property damage was actually caused. What they did is done every year all over the west. The BLM calls it fuel reduction and prescribed burns and good management. These fires have been used by inhabitants of the land for thousands of years and can improve the environment as natural events.
To be arson someone would have to start the fire with "malicious intent". There is absolutely no evidence of that by the Hammonds. No we cannot say that about the BLM who starts these same fires all the time. Those fires if started at the right time of year with enough people and resources to control the fires so they do not spread to fences and dwellings are reasonably done unless they want to run someone out of business and destroy their livelihood and life so that they can get their land or just flex their power and spread fear among the people.
The term arson, means, “the malicious burning or exploding of the dwelling house of another, or the burning of a building within the curtilage, the immediate surrounding space, of the dwelling of another.”
Who ever gave the order to those employees of the BLM who were used to set those fires and burn those cattle alive, homes and fences would appear to me to have "wicked or mischievous motives or intentions.” Who fined them? Who saw to it that justice was done to those who lost property, whose lives were threatened? Who starts controlled burns in July unless they want to endanger others or make a point by terrorizing the people who they endanger?
So, we know there was no malicious intent on the part of the Hammonds, but rather normal ranch operations. So what they did cannot be considered arson. But what we see the BLM doing and the employees who were just following orders did looks like it was done with wicked and malicious intent if not extreme negligence since buildings, corrals, fences and live cattle were clearly visible as they set fires.
People should also take a look at the word "Militia".
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Footnotes
- ↑ Laird v. Tatum, 408 U.S. 1 (1972), 28-9, Justice William O. Douglas.
- ↑ Justice William O. Douglas, Points of Rebellion, 1969 (page 95, page 54).
- ↑ Tri-State Livestock News (http://bit.ly/1OdZEh2)
- ↑ She had been a part of “child advocacy” for the Oregon Department of Justice and deputy district attorney in Coos County but no prior experience in the federal system.
- ↑ She was under investigation by the Office of Inspector General for stalking employees. But claimed health reasons.
- ↑ He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
- He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
- He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
- He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
- He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
- He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: The Declaration of Independence
- ↑ Speech at Edwardsville, Illinois (11 September 1858); quoted in Lincoln, Abraham; Mario Matthew Cuomo, Harold Holzer, G. S. Boritt, Lincoln on Democracy (Fordham University Press, September 1, 2004), 128. ISBN 978-0823223459.
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