by: B. Christopher Agee
A group of Republicans in the U.S. House took part in a hearing this
week designed to weigh in on the standoff between Bureau of Land
Management agents and supporters of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy earlier
this year. As the dust settled from that tense situation, subsequent
battles erupted between local and federal authorities elsewhere –
particularly throughout the southwestern United States.
The Bundy Ranch situation is now
recognized by many as the catalyst for a renewed vigilance among many
Americans disillusioned by the increasing power of the federal
government. California Rep. Tom McClintock determined that the BLM
officers who responded to the Clark County ranch should not have been
heavily armed in the first place.
“Whether Bundy was right or wrong,” he said, “was the BLM’s response reasonable? Anyone watching that unfolding fiasco can answer it was completely insane.”
He echoed the sentiment of many protesters, noting that the matter could have been handled more efficiently and civilly at the local level.
“Whether Bundy was right or wrong,” he said, “was the BLM’s response reasonable? Anyone watching that unfolding fiasco can answer it was completely insane.”
He echoed the sentiment of many protesters, noting that the matter could have been handled more efficiently and civilly at the local level.
“Local law enforcement knew the
circumstances,” he asserted, “knew the people involved and would
exercise much better judgment nine times out of 10. So I ask once again,
why are we arming land managers?”
Authorities from Nevada and Utah – two states heavily involved in disputes with the BLM – were on hand to add their perspective
Garfield County, Utah Sheriff James Perkins agreed with McClintock’s assertion, noting that “we wouldn’t even be talking about it today” if the Bundy Ranch situation had been handled locally.
“There have been so many bridges burned I don’t know if they can be repaired,” he said of the strained relationship between local and federal authorities.
Elko County, Nev. Commissioner Grant Gerber agreed, suggesting that “the BLM is very reluctant to investigate stories of abuse.”
Utah Rep. Chris Stewart lamented that the standoff is emblematic of an increasingly militarized federal government.
“It’s heavy-handed and intimidating to the American people,” he said.
The lone Democrat at the hearing, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, agreed that BLM officers possibly overreacted; however, he noted that militia members stationed near the ranch were also accused of intimidation.
He concluded that “both sides should be very cautious.”
Read more at http://www.westernjournalism.com/lawmakers-revisit-bundy-ranch-standoff-blast-federal-agents/#WLD5X0ewHlbHIrkT.99
Authorities from Nevada and Utah – two states heavily involved in disputes with the BLM – were on hand to add their perspective
Garfield County, Utah Sheriff James Perkins agreed with McClintock’s assertion, noting that “we wouldn’t even be talking about it today” if the Bundy Ranch situation had been handled locally.
“There have been so many bridges burned I don’t know if they can be repaired,” he said of the strained relationship between local and federal authorities.
Elko County, Nev. Commissioner Grant Gerber agreed, suggesting that “the BLM is very reluctant to investigate stories of abuse.”
Utah Rep. Chris Stewart lamented that the standoff is emblematic of an increasingly militarized federal government.
“It’s heavy-handed and intimidating to the American people,” he said.
The lone Democrat at the hearing, Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, agreed that BLM officers possibly overreacted; however, he noted that militia members stationed near the ranch were also accused of intimidation.
He concluded that “both sides should be very cautious.”
Read more at http://www.westernjournalism.com/lawmakers-revisit-bundy-ranch-standoff-blast-federal-agents/#WLD5X0ewHlbHIrkT.99
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