Re: Stealing our Montana Legacy by Harold Johns
I wonder if Mr. Johns went to the event he spoke about. Several of his statements are missing the point from Bundy’s perspective. I went and I know a close friend of their family. My friend grew up with Ryan Bundy and followed the history of the federal tyranny against a family who highly values the Rule of Law in this country.
It is always interesting to me when someone shares from a one-sided perspective. Until we as individuals can evolve to a deep place of listening to one another, we will never solve anything or move forward in a positive way. Calling people names (moochers) is childish and not helpful either. I could say you are a moocher since you expect others to pay for you to use “federal lands.” This statement would most likely create defenses which just lead to more battles. When is enough enough?
Regarding the idea that federal lands do not belong to the government but to the public (“you and me”) is not quite accurate according to law in this nation. Technically, our “united” States is legally The United States Corporation which allows other corporate entities such as yourself to access their corporate land. Don’t believe me! Look it up for yourself in the law books and case law. The only thing stiffing you and me is The United States Corporation loosely called the “federal government.”
This land is your land, this land is my land from CA to the NY island… is only a song we perpetuate as if it is true. It is a fairy tale like many others we sing to or tell ourselves and our children.
Let’s move past the past and start co-creating a better future for all of us.
We have a lot of work to do.
Chris Martin
Hamilton
Jason says
Chris,
I agree that listening is important, but so is finding some place of agreement from which to have a conversation. So I would ask, “do you believe that a rancher should be able to graze cattle on land he/she does not own without any regulation or any payment?”