The American people believe in the rule of law. We also believe that when changes are needed, we fight hard for them, but we do it in an organized and intelligent manner. We do not believe that a solution can be accomplished through armed conflict.

In the rural area of Burns, Oregon, protests began when Dwight Hammond and his son Steven were ordered back to prison. A federal judge claimed that they had not served sufficient time for the crimes they committed. Enter Ammon Bundy who is the son of Cliven Bundy. They are not from Oregon, they are from Las Vegas, but seized the opportunity to ‘grandstand.’

Ammon Bundy led an armed group, most of whom were not from the area, and seized a federal government building. He claims that they are “fighting for their Constitutional rights.” What they are is a group of terrorists as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary. Terrorist: “Someone who uses ​violent ​action, or ​threats of ​violent ​action, for ​political ​purposes.”

They are demanding that federal land be given to ranchers to provide free grazing areas for their cattle. Meanwhile, Tribal groups are insisting that the land should be returned to them. The angriest person in the area is Burns Mayor Craig Lafollette.

“These folks, the Bundys, are not from this community, From the reports that I’ve got most of the folks that are out of the refuge are not even from Oregon, so it’s not fair that this wonderful peaceful community has been put in the limelight for this reason,” Lafollette said, adding that the situation has also created division within the “very close-knit resilient community.”

Native Americans would like these domestic terrorists to leave as well.

“They say they are going to give it back to the ranchers, who are the rightful owners of this – [but] did the ranchers just drop out of the sky into virgin territory that has never been touched by anybody… and it just became theirs? No, it didn’t happen,” said Burns Paiute tribal chairwoman Charlotte Rodrique.

If this dispute is to be settled, it won’t happen with an armed militia in control of a federal building. They are in violation of many laws, and must be held accountable. The Hammond family is disappointed that the original reason for the once local protest has been forgotten. The Bundy family is merely leading a group of opportunists in a battle they cannot win.

Sadly, the example in 2003 of our president and his administration that shooting first and asking questions later is a fair and good policy. ‘Doing the right thing requires intelligent thought in lieu of rash action.

If this group was composed of Muslims, the government would cut off their food and water supply, and tanks would surround the building. Because it is an ignorant militia, they are doing nothing.

I’m sure Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and of course Wayne LaPierre are very proud of the protégés.

Op Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Richard Bauer

Read ‘James Turnage’ on the free Amazon Kindle App