I understand
it is not what we all hold as an American value that citizens should be
attacked by police or government forces when they protest against policies or
people they do not agree with. However, the right to protest breaks beyond
the allowable extreme when the protesters are armed and threatening
insurrection.
When the
line is crossed to insurrection a definitive point has to be made that law and
order will be restored and extremist stand their day in court. That
is a reasonable expectation; but when we throw electoral politics into the mix
the response becomes more complicated.
Militia,
survivalist, fundamentalist home schoolers, Tea Baggers, gun extremist and
rabid Obama haters are a major part of the Republican Party. Any show of force, supported by the
Democratic President, toward Bundy and the whackos at the Malheur Wildlife
Refuge in Oregon, would result in a tsunami of protest and outrage, and at the very least would embolden every nut
case in the country to register and vote.
Vote Republican.
The Republican
Party and the gaggle of Republican candidates would love to have this issue to
inflame their base. Freedom of speech,
the right to bear arms, an armed government acting against citizens – I can
hear the outcries and distortions now, all aimed to enrage a segment of the
country already rabid with hate, racism, bigotry, Christian purity and a refusal
to legitimize the first black President.
At any other
time, the solution to this problem could be simple: surround the compound with
massive firepower using U.S. Marshal, FBI, ATF and Forrest Service Police. Cut off all pizza and beer deliveries, and
arrest anyone trying to enter or leave the perimeter. Massive arrest with federally imposed fines
and imprisonment - a felony conviction that would prevent the those involved
from owning or purchasing a firearm would set a precedence.
But, the
time is not right. However, a future
Democratic President should prepare and be ready for the next one; and at that
time also swoop in and arrest Bundy and his sons for inciting insurrection.
If the
government does not address this at some point they are enabling future
conflicts that could become disastrous.
the Ol’Buzzard
