Hi all,
I agree with Tom Love's comment that although it's good to be able to
laugh a bit at the Malheur Miscreants -- I see this as a variant of
"graveyard humor," which does sometimes have a positive function --
there's a risk of trivializing a very serious situation if that's all we
do.
That said, we should also keep some sense of proportionality as to what
is actually taking place, as we consider what to do in response. The way
I see it, there are four main problems:
1. Some buildings at a federal wildlife refuge have been forcibly
occupied, interfering with the normal functions of the refuge (including
management and visitor access).
2. The occupiers are using this place as a soapbox for their distorted
ideology.
3. Government employees and others connected with the refuge, and their
family members, are being threatened and intimidated.
4. The lack of a vigorous, visible law-enforcement response so far
(together with lack of prosecution for a previous, similar event)
creates a perception of a breakdown of law-and-order, which could
encourage similar actions by other similarly-minded groups.
Problems #1 and #2 are certainly infuriating, but in my view problems #3
and #4 are of greater concern.
Problem #1 turns out to be one that the USFWS consciously chose to
accept, rather than putting their employees at risk. According to the
regional manager, they were warned that a takeover was imminent, and
they chose to send staff home early and told them to stay away until
further notice. Their view was that the safety of their employees was
more important than the buildings, vehicles etc.
I agree with that decision. I doubt that any of us seriously want to see
any law enforcement people take a bullet just to reclaim these
buildings. And no one wants to see another Waco-type incident. Law
enforcement seems to be using this incident as their model:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana_Freemen
I know it's hard to be patient, but I guess most of us would be
satisfied with that type of an outcome.
Problem #2 is going to be with us as long as these crackpots are on the
premises, and the media keeps helping them to spread their message. The
best response that I can think of is to get a strong counter-message out
there.
Contact reporters and news organizations to urge them to present other
perspectives. Share news stories that give other viewpoints. Humor items
(like the bag of, um, adult candy) can play a positive role in helping
to deflate these puffed-up preeners, but try to get more substantial
ideas out there too.
Demonstrations and other events to show our support for public lands
management can also help. A big demonstration in Bend could be just as
effective as one in Burns, and would create fewer headaches for Sheriff
Ward and his beleaguered crew.
Is there a refuge volunteer event happening near you? How about getting
a group of friends to join it, and also calling your local news outlets
to encourage them to send a reporter to the event?
Be creative, be active, try to find positive actions that will keep
getting the message out there that we support our public lands.
Problem #3 is a very serious problem. It was happening already before
the current crisis, but it's gotten worse. In my view this should be a
major focus of public demonstrations and calls/letters to legislators,
Congress, the White House etc.
We need to show solidarity with the people who work for us and are
helping to protect habitat, and make sure our elected officials are
accountable for this. Congressman Walden, in particular, needs to hear
more from us on this issue.
Problem #4 is a big worry. The so-called "Battle of Bunkerville" was a
very bad precedent. I suggest that our elected officials need to hear
that message loud and strong, and keep hearing it on at least a weekly
basis until this situation is resolved.
Again, look at the Montana Freemen incident:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana_Freemen
and read the paragraph titled, "Members of the Montana Freemen and their
sentences."
We should be very clear that we expect the outcome of the Malheur
standoff to result in prosecutions of all of these criminals, and
sentences proportional to the magnitude of their crimes. Civil suits may
also be in order.
--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area north of Corvallis
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