A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Could this have been inspired by watching Viva Max! and taking a swig too many of Wild Turkey? Yesterday, a militia from somewhere, and two of Cliven Bundy’s sons, Ammon and Ryan, seized and occupied the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which is located 30 miles south of Burns, OR.
The Oath Keepers issued a statement making clear they were not involved.
According to the Oregonian:
Ryan Bundy said there were no hostages, but the group is demanding that the Hammonds [local ranchers found guilty of arson] be released and the federal government relinquish control of the Malheur National Forest.
He said many would be willing to fight — and die, if necessary — to defend what they see as constitutionally protected rights for states, counties and individuals to manage local lands.
“The best possible outcome is that the ranchers that have been kicked out of the area, then they will come back and reclaim their land, and the wildlife refuge will be shut down forever and the federal government will relinquish such control,” he said. “What we’re doing is not rebellious. What we’re doing is in accordance with the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.”
Government sources told The Oregonian/OregonLive that the militia also was planning to occupy a closed wildland fire station near the town of Frenchglen. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management posts crews there during the fire season.
There’s more, much more, so be sure to read the stories in the Oregonian.
The demands of the occupiers, who are piling up federal felonies by the minute, won’t be granted, of course. They may hold out in the refuge’s headquarters for days, weeks, or months, but eventually they’ll either surrender peacefully or be removed by force, after which time they’ll end up in the hoosegow for a good long while.
Meanwhile, the wildlife refuge can be administered from another location.
This is far more serious than the confrontation at Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch last year, a confrontation that ended when federal authorities backed down to avoid a shootout. Exercising that restraint prevented bloodshed, but it probably also encouraged Bundy’s sons and hardcore militia members and far right hotheads to believe that the federal government will back down in this situation.
That won’t happen. Charging the Doofus Brigade with treason for conducting an insurrection would be a stretch, but occupying the Malheur’s HQ is criminal trespass at a minimum — and the U.S. Attorney undoubtedly will see it as a lot more than that.