Resolution of dispute in Oregon shows how democracy should work
Rosa Meehan
February 26, 2016
... Ammon Bundy and a group of followers occupied the refuge located in Harney County, Oregon, to protest federal land management. Over the course of their occupation, they had ample opportunity to make statements to the press, attend local meetings and host meetings of their own ... While some in the community shared the perspective of “federal overreach,” no one was willing to tear up grazing leases and take up arms against the government as advocated by the occupiers. Rather than the grass-roots uprising and revolution the Bundys hoped for, local sentiment was strongly against them ...
... this is where I take heart in how our democracy works -- local ranchers had worked with federal officials and other interests (like the local Paiute Tribe) on the refuge land management plan and also with the Bureau of Land Management (and other federal agencies) on a Greater Sage Grouse management plan. Both plans are viewed as positive and flexible approaches that address ranchers’ concerns (e.g., grazing continues on the refuge) and protect environmental values. In the case of the sage grouse plan, an Endangered Species Act listing was averted and a rancher described the management strategies as “what’s good for the bird is good for the herd.”
... people with strong .. opinions worked together in established .. frameworks to develop acceptable solutions ... No doubt some faults can be found in these plans, but notably, those who worked together with government officials supported the collaborative approach over anarchy as advocated by the occupiers.
Congress would do well to follow this example ... It is long past time for our national representatives to set aside rhetoric and do their jobs ... Democracy requires nothing less ...
http://www.adn.com/article/20160226/resolution-dispute-oregon-shows-how-democracy-should-work
= new reply since forum marked as read
