Terrorist insurrection against the US Government? OK as long as you're white

[CountDeMoney]

Self-radicalized US citizens attack the Federal government, but that's OK because, hey, they're not filthy Mooselimbs or dirty niggers, just Real Honest God Bless Americans^tm.  Because if they weren't, it would all be over by now.

Armed militia, Bundy brothers take over federal building in rural Oregon
by Peter Holley January 3 at 11:30 AM
Washington Post

An armed militia took over a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon late Saturday and vows to occupy the outpost for years to protest the federal government's treatment of a pair of ranchers facing prison time.

The occupation of a portion of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge 30 miles southeast of Burns, Ore., followed a peaceful march for ranchers Dwight Hammond, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46, who are scheduled to report to federal prison in San Pedro, Calif., on Monday after being convicted of arson, according to the Oregonian.

Prosecutors said the father and son set the fire, which burned about 130 acres in 2001 on leased federal land, to conceal poaching, according to CNN. The Hammonds argued that they were attempting to reduce the growth of invasive plant species and ward off potential wildfires. The pair was sentenced to five years in prison.

Among the occupiers are several members of the Bundy family, whose patriarch — Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy — was involved in an armed standoff with government agents over grazing rights in 2014.

Ammon Bundy told the Oregonian that he and two of his brothers had joined dozens of people in seizing the refuge's headquarters.

The federal property, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was closed and unoccupied for the holiday weekend, the Oregonian reported.

Ryan Bundy told the Oregonian that the group isn't holding hostages and doesn't want to resort to violence but will not rule it out if authorities attempt to remove the occupiers from the property. He said many of the occupiers would be willing to fight — and die — to reclaim constitutionally protected rights for local land management, according to the Associated Press.

The group is calling for the Hammonds' release and said the militia was planning an occupation that lasted "for years."

"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," Ryan Bundy told the Oregonian. "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."

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge was established on August 18, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt "as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds," according to the park's website.

"The Refuge represents a crucial stop along the Pacific Flyway and offers resting, breeding, and nesting habitat for hundreds of migratory birds and other wildlife," a statement on the site says. "Many of the species migrating through or breeding here are highlighted as priority species in national bird conservation plans."

In a video interview with reporters on Saturday that was posted on Ammon Bundy's Facebook page, he said the group is standing up against government "overreach" because "the people have been abused long enough."

"I feel we are in a situation where if we do not do something, if we do not take a hard stand, we'll be in a position where we'll be no longer able to do so," he said.

A video posted days earlier on Bundy's Facebook page urged militia members from all over the country to join him:

"**ALL PATRIOTS ITS TIME TO STAND UP NOT STAND DOWN!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! COME PREPARED."

Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward urged the public to stay away from the area as authorities work to resolve the standoff, according to the Oregonian.

"A collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution," Ward said in a statement reported by the paper. "For the time being please stay away from that area. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Please maintain a peaceful and united front and allow us to work through this situation."

Beth Anne Steele, an FBI spokeswoman in Portland, told the AP that the bureau was aware of the situation at the wildlife refuge, but she declined further comment.

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson told CNN that the agency and the Bureau of Land Management are monitoring the armed protesters.

"While the situation is ongoing, the main concern is employee safety, and we can confirm that no federal staff were in the building at the time of the initial incident," the spokesperson said. "We will continue to monitor the situation."

Cliven Bundy told Oregon Public Broadcasting on Saturday night that he wasn't involved in the standoff, but he struck a sympathetic tone.

"That's not exactly what I thought should happen, but I didn't know what to do," he said. "You know, if the Hammonds wouldn't stand, if the sheriff didn't stand, then, you know, the people had to do something. And I guess this is what they did decide to do. I wasn't in on that."

Late Saturday, the occupiers blocked the entrance of the federal headquarters with a pickup truck and placed an American flag over the welcome sign, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. An Oregon State Police car "idled by the side of the road just outside Burns," the broadcaster reported, but there were no signs of a larger law enforcement presence in the area.

"We are not hurting anybody or damaging any property.," Ammon Bundy told OPB. "We would expect that they understand that we have given them no reason to use lethal force upon us or any other force."

Ron Gainer, the owner of a nearby RV park who dropped off some chili for the occupiers, told the broadcaster that he counted about 15 people, a half-dozen vehicles and a trailer at the site. The estimate differed sharply from the Bundy family accounting, which put the number of people at the refuge at about 150, according to OPB.

By nightfall, the broadcaster noted, the temperature had plummeted to 10 degrees, prompting occupiers to bundle around a campfire. Some of those present identified themselves as nearby residents and supporters of the convicted ranchers.

Asked by an OPB reporter how many militia members were at the headquarters, Bundy didn't divulge.

"I will not disclose," he said. "Operational security."

Now see, this is the time when people should be supporting lethal force by law enforcement.

[mongers]

I like how the father and son involved in the law case won't no part of this and have said they'll be 'turning themselves in' as requested.

[grumbler]

I will say that five years in prison for burning 130 acres of grass seems a little much.  There's got to be more to the story than that.

[CountDeMoney]

I will say that five years in prison for burning 130 acres of grass seems a little much.  There's got to be more to the story than that.

Of course you do, you're a fucking pothead.  But the crime is not burning grass, but arson on federal property.

Turns out it was multiple fires set by arson, in 2001 and 2006.

Witnesses at trial, including a relative of the Hammonds, testified the arson occurred shortly after Steven Hammond and his hunting party illegally slaughtered several deer on BLM property.

http://www.justice.gov/usao-or/pr/eastern-oregon-ranchers-convicted-arson-resentenced-five-years-prison

By law, arson on federal land carries a five-year mandatory minimum sentence.  When the Hammonds were originally sentenced, they argued that the five-year mandatory minimum terms were unconstitutional and the trial court agreed and imposed sentences well below what the law required based upon the jury's verdicts.  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, upheld the federal law, reasoning that "given the seriousness of arson, a five-year sentence is not grossly disproportionate to the offense."  The court vacated the original, unlawful sentences and ordered that the Hammonds be resentenced "in compliance with the law."  In March 2015, the Supreme Court rejected the Hammonds' petitions for certiorari. Today, Chief Judge Aiken imposed five year prison terms on each of the Hammonds, with credit for time they already served.

"We all know the devastating effects that are caused by wildfires.  Fires intentionally and illegally set on public lands, even those in a remote area, threaten property and residents and endanger firefighters called to battle the blaze" stated Acting U.S. Attorney Billy Williams.

"Congress sought to ensure that anyone who maliciously damages United States' property by fire will serve at least 5 years in prison.  These sentences are intended to be long enough to deter those like the Hammonds who disregard the law and place fire fighters and others in jeopardy."

They got off lightly.  GET IT LITE-LY

[11B4V]

Your racism is astounding.

[CountDeMoney]

Your racism is astounding.

Eat me, pig.  After ten years you can't get my sarcasm, then go fuck yourself. 

And why aren't you out there stomping these mouthbreathers in their throats, Fed Boy?  Oh wait, you're a teabagging sleeper agent, that's why.  Fucking faggot.

[Norgy]

Glad to see you're more mellow now, Seedy.

[celedhring]

Seedy's back 

[Martinus]

I missed CdM. 

[garbon]

White people get special allowances?

[11B4V]

Your racism is astounding.

Eat me, pig.  After ten years you can't get my sarcasm, then go fuck yourself. 

And why aren't you out there stomping these mouthbreathers in their throats, Fed Boy?  Oh wait, you're a teabagging sleeper agent, that's why.  Fucking faggot.

you funny. Teabagging sleeper agent.

[grumbler]

I will say that five years in prison for burning 130 acres of grass seems a little much.  There's got to be more to the story than that.

Of course you do, you're a fucking pothead.  But the crime is not burning grass, but arson on federal property.

(snip)

I knew there was more to the story.  Moronic federal prosecutors and legislators.  No surprise there.  There should be a mandatory-minimum 5-year prison sentence for any legislator who votes for a mandatory minimum sentence, and one for every prosecutor who argues that sentencing should be based on some arbitrary minimum, rather than on the facts of the case.

[The Brain]

I don't think Americans have been abused long enough.

[Razgovory]

I saw this early this morning but had a splitting headache and didn't post it.  God Bless you Seedy.  Despite what Grumbler thinks, Arson is a pretty serious crime.  Five years is pretty typical.  Starting a fire out West where wild fires easily get out of control is would seem to carry a little more weight. So would arson to cover up a crime.

Why do we treat these thieves with kid gloves?  They just seized a federal building with armed force.

[Jaron]

Someone care to educate me as to who is being terrorized here?