01-04-2016, 12:33 PM
I think federal law enforcement is doing the right thing, for now.
The Bundys said yesterday that they're looking to start a nationwide movement against the government and want to use the wildlife center in Oregon as their headquarters. LE/government isn't giving the militia the armed stand-off they're trying to provoke. Even though the militia is breaking the law, there are currently no civilian lives endangered and authorities are looking to avoid bloodshed.
That's similar to the approach Baltimore city government and LE took when they refrained from using physical and lethal force to stop angry citizens from damaging and stealing property during the Freddy Gray protests, and no community members or law enforcement officers were physically hurt.
Anyway, I hope this armed occupation in Oregon ends without bloodshed too. And, if it does, I hope the militia members are arrested for breaking and entering, destruction of property, or whatever charges are appropriate -- like the rioters/looters in Baltimore who were arrested on the way out. There should be consequences.
However, when Cliven Bundy organized an armed militia against federal law enforcement, he got a lot of media attention, federal law enforcement backed down and gave him back his cattle to avoid bloodshed. Cliven still hasn't paid his taxes and he continues to duck court appearances scheduled to resolve the matter legally. Essentially, Cliven Bundy broke the law for 20 years, broke the law in protest of being held accountable for breaking the law, continues to break the law, and there have been no apparent legal consequences. I think that's probably emboldened his sons and others who feel above the law.
Anyway, to me, BLM seems much more savvy than the Bundy movement. The black activists aren't resorting to guns and threats of violence to affect change. They're using their brains and voices and the media to reach politicians who can help affect change. I don't always share their views, but I'm relieved the BLM leaders' strategy does not involve using guns against law enforcement officers.
The Bundys said yesterday that they're looking to start a nationwide movement against the government and want to use the wildlife center in Oregon as their headquarters. LE/government isn't giving the militia the armed stand-off they're trying to provoke. Even though the militia is breaking the law, there are currently no civilian lives endangered and authorities are looking to avoid bloodshed.
That's similar to the approach Baltimore city government and LE took when they refrained from using physical and lethal force to stop angry citizens from damaging and stealing property during the Freddy Gray protests, and no community members or law enforcement officers were physically hurt.
Anyway, I hope this armed occupation in Oregon ends without bloodshed too. And, if it does, I hope the militia members are arrested for breaking and entering, destruction of property, or whatever charges are appropriate -- like the rioters/looters in Baltimore who were arrested on the way out. There should be consequences.
However, when Cliven Bundy organized an armed militia against federal law enforcement, he got a lot of media attention, federal law enforcement backed down and gave him back his cattle to avoid bloodshed. Cliven still hasn't paid his taxes and he continues to duck court appearances scheduled to resolve the matter legally. Essentially, Cliven Bundy broke the law for 20 years, broke the law in protest of being held accountable for breaking the law, continues to break the law, and there have been no apparent legal consequences. I think that's probably emboldened his sons and others who feel above the law.
Anyway, to me, BLM seems much more savvy than the Bundy movement. The black activists aren't resorting to guns and threats of violence to affect change. They're using their brains and voices and the media to reach politicians who can help affect change. I don't always share their views, but I'm relieved the BLM leaders' strategy does not involve using guns against law enforcement officers.