Our View: If not for guns, Oregon protest would be laughable
When the little cadre of misguided “patriots” asked their supporters to send them snacks, via the U.S. mail no less, you could almost hear the snickering start across the nation.
Snacks? Delivered by the very government they consider illegitimate? Suddenly, those holed up at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in southern Oregon were being called “Y’all Qaeda” and “Vanilla ISIS.”
Their stand makes good television, which is why you’re hearing so much about it. It is also over-ripe low-hanging internet fruit for all the web blowhards, conspiracy theorists and armchair revolutionaries.
But let’s not make more of this than necessary. Yes, it’s irritating that a bunch of armed yahoos can drive to Oregon and squat in a public building on public land in an attempt to deprive every other citizen the right to use that land. They should have taken the hint when local residents asked them not to interfere in a court case that doesn’t involve them.
Clearly, they’re publicity seekers. They come by it naturally, three of them being among Cliven Bundy’s 14 children. Bundy is the Nevada rancher who hasn’t paid any fees for grazing his cattle on federal property since 1993. A fourth brother wasn’t able to join them; he’s still in prison on burglary and firearms charges stemming from a 2013 incident.
Like their daddy, the Bundy brothers wear cowboy hats and talk tough. They call themselves patriots. In reality, they’re just trespassers. Their ludicrous demand that the government turn over public land to miners, ranchers and loggers is a non-starter for the vast majority of Americans. Even miners, ranchers and loggers recognize that they already get a pretty sweet deal from the government for the use of our land.
Recognizing these “patriots” as opportunists, the residents of Burns, Ore., tried to ignore them. The local sheriff told the Bundys’ group to go home. So have some residents.
The Bundys say if they don’t get what they want they will stay holed up there for years.
Ringleader Ammon Bundy was belligerent Sunday, telling a reporter: “We’re here to restore order, we’re here to restore rights.” He warned that the situation can go “peacefully” or, if the FBI tries something, it can end violently.
All the tough talk came before the plea for snacks.
In 2011, thousands of mostly young people were involved in the “Occupy” movement in New York, Chicago, Portland and cities around the world. The biggest was in Oakland, with 50,000 protesters. In every city, they commandeered public parks, set up tent cities and promised to be there for the long haul. Sometimes, their protests resulted in property damage. Eventually, all fizzled, usually within days.
The fact these deep-enders are well-armed elevates the Oregon confrontation from protest to something more volatile. Anytime irrational people bring guns to a confrontation, there is the potential for violence. Officials must continue to show restraint. We don’t want another Waco, where the government grew impatient after a 50-day siege then stormed the Branch Davidians compound, resulting the deaths of 76.
Hopefully, they’ll eventually grow bored, or the nation will become bored with them. Or, they’ll get hungry, and beg for more snacks. If anyone feels inclined to respond, may we recommend an assortment of nuts or a nice holiday fruitcake.
This story was originally published January 5, 2016 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Our View: If not for guns, Oregon protest would be laughable."