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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPolitics Oregon Ranchers To Bundy “Militia”: Go Home, We Don’t Want You Here
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/oregon-ranchers-to-bundy-militia-go-home-we-dont-want-you-here/In a deliciously ironic twist, it turns out that neither the family involved or the residents of Harney County, Oregon, are happy with the wave of Bundy-led anti-government extremists that have descended on their state. It is beginning to be very clear that these zealots are provoking a standoff just for the sake of provoking a standoff.
The original incitement for the gang of armed militiamen was the re-sentencing of Dwight Hammond, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46, to jail for setting off dangerous forest fires on federal property to hide the fact that they were illegally hunting. They both served a light sentence, but a judge resentenced them to more years in light of the severity of the blazes, which consumed 139 acres of forest. The militiamen, apparently outraged by the due process of crime and punishment, traveled to the county to protest their sentencing. However, the Hammond patriarch refuses to associate himself with the men who flocked to his state like so many jihadis to Syria.
underpants
(182,867 posts)Protest for publicity and fund raising. That's about it.
LuvNewcastle
(16,850 posts)on Duck Dynasty, but they're more like the Palins.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)Snobblevitch
(1,958 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)busy coordinating a response. Contrasted with the stink of fascism blowing in from the right, this actually seems pretty good.
First, I'd like to see the press and public moved back where the occupiers couldn't see them. They've brought in supplies, so maybe cut the power, scramble communications in and out to frustrate their need for attention, start the tally on their debt to society, including law enforcement monitoring, and allow them to come out ignominiously and be arrested on a variety of petty, undignifying charges when they wish?
B Calm
(28,762 posts)Snobblevitch
(1,958 posts)B Calm
(28,762 posts)RandiFan1290
(6,239 posts)Why is that so hard?
If they shoot at the cops then they should be taken out.
The cops can't expect everyone to be unarmed black kids.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)It hasn't been an option up to this point, though. Getting enough cops in place to succeed is going to take time. There are not nearly enough local deputies in the immediate area (the entire county has only about 7500 people living in it, and it's a big land mass, bigger than seven US states). The refuge HQ compound is very defensible: stone buildings surrounded by very open country. Anyone approaching could be easily spotted and taken under fire without much at all in the way of cover. Even a large number of properly equipped and trained people on foot would take many casualties. I suspect that if there's an assault, it will have to wait until they can get armored vehicles in place.
The combination of isolation and winter weather conditions (there was a snowstorm for most of yesterday) have made it take a good while to get enough of the right resources on the scene. And to be honest, I'd prefer they just blockade the compound, cut them off as much as possible, and wait them out. They're not in a position to harm bystanders, have no hostages, and can be rendered inert and irrelevant without anyone losing their life.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)No press, no Gov. reaction.
they would be standing around for about 2 days more then leave, nothing for them to do except yell slogans into the empty air.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)Simply surround the place until they run out of food and water. They'll come out eventually.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)If they are ignored, they will leave and then the facility can be re-opened.
It can't be used for the public until these yahoos leave anyway.
They are more likely to leave faster if there is no audience for them to play to.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)Seriously, there has to be a line drawn.
fredamae
(4,458 posts)unity between the East and West (in Oregon ) We (I believe it's safe to use "we" here) fully agree. The BundyBS ain't gonna fly here.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)As a Portlander who visits that part of Eastern Oregon several times a year, I'm not even a little bit surprised that the general sentiment among locals is "fuck off." The last thing they want is a bunch of out-of-state yahoos stirring up a big mess.
fredamae
(4,458 posts)every freeking day about any/every freeking issue...but let an outsider in to stir shit up? We have united before, against "intruders" and we will again.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)Nothing brings bickering Oregonians together like some sort of bullshit from outsiders...it's one of our more deeply-entrenched traditions!
And if they're from California? Gloves off!!!
fredamae
(4,458 posts)"the left side of the hill" stands With all Oregon/EO residents who oppose bundy's bs.
ryan_cats
(2,061 posts)Are there hostages?
I'm all for a peaceful solution as I don't want to give these yahoos martyrdom, but
a) we can't let this slide or let other get ideas; we have courts for a reason. Much as Waco was a nightmare, it did start with the Koresh side shooting and killing agents through a wall.
b) What would happen if it was BLM folks in the same situation and I am not a fan of BLM?