By now the whole world knows about the armed takeover of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Malheur is a beautiful and very popular recreational area near the rural town of Burns, in Harney County, Oregon. The takeover by out-of-state terrorists started January 2 and continues to this day.
The armed terrorists, who have threatened Harney County officials, plus local and federal law enforcement, have been quoted as saying they’re prepared to die. Not only have they obviously closed the Refuge, denying access to public lands that we all own and have a right to visit, but they’ve closed local schools and cost Harney County and us taxpayers some $1-2 million so far. Public employees have been put on administrative leave, while police and other security forces have been brought in to protect the townspeople. Public property has been damaged and stolen, and Native American artifacts have been “rifled through.” They’re losing some $40,000/day in tourism. The FBI has been brought in. It’s a disaster.
Under the lies of protesting grazing fees and coming to the aid of father and son ranchers convicted of arson (now both in prison), these out-of-state white terrorists, led by Ammon Bundy, have shown their real motive: They want our public lands taken out of public hands and placed in their private hands. This of course sounds very similar to the local and state Republican’s platform–one that’s soundly rejected by most Montanans.
This land transfer lunacy has no constitutional basis. And we know what the end result would be: public access denied or a fee charged; more taxes, unsustainable and damaging resource extraction, transfer of lands to billionaires and developers who don’t share Montanans’ love for the outdoors, wild places, abundant wildlife, and more public lands to explore and hunt on than you can shake a stick at.
Back to Malheur and Burns. I used to travel through Burns and southeast Oregon often, en route to temp work in places like Klamath Falls and Alturas. I usually stopped in Burns–shopped, ate, relaxed. The people there are friendly, helpful, and down-to-earth hardworking folks. I like and respect them. They are also very, very conservative. They are against this takeover. I emailed the editor at the Burns Times Herald–the local paper. He said he hopes it’ll all end soon. It’s not locals who are the armed extremists. It’s out-of-state right-wing ideologues. One is a convicted killer–Neil Wampler–who bludgeoned his dad to death with an iron bar. These are not the honest, conservative citizens of Burns.
It’s ironic that while these armed wackos claim to be conservative constitutionalists who just want “their lands back” and full “access”, they are denying public access to thousands of law-abiding citizens, and costing us taxpayers $million(s).
Just imagine if these armed extremists were Muslims or blacks? Or even [white] environmentalists? There would be zero tolerance and no “negotiation.” Overwhelming force would be swiftly rendered.
The sincere hope is that the siege at Malheur will end soon. Peacefully. Followed by legal justice and fair punishment. As for the proud people of Burns, their message is loud and clear: They want the terrorists the hell out of Harney County. Amen.
Van P. Keele
Hamilton