OCCUPIERS: They are patriots
The February 12 editorial, “Occupation Ends with a Whimper,” is astonishingly laced with hatred and brash cynicism, typical of shallow-minded people that make a mockery of that which they know little about or understand. You have a right to your opinion, callous and insulting as it may be, but you have a problem with others whom you disagree to have that very same right! So enjoy your right to free speech while you still have it because tyrants are trying to take it away. And once it’s gone — it’s gone.
Those patriots, whom you have such extreme prejudice against, would stand up and defend YOUR right to have that freedom of speech even if you disagree with them — a right guaranteed by our Constitution! It also gives them the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. You might discover that they are one of your best allies if you took the time to research the facts of why there were there in Burns doing what they did, but the collective group of spineless clapping seals that applaud your article and share in your misdirected acrimony wouldn’t lift a finger for you if you found yourself in a particular situation that infringed your First Amendment rights! They would cut and run like cowards unlike the patriots who would have the guts and willingness to watch your back.
Look at the contrast to what recently took place in Ferguson, Missouri. That city was set ablaze, and mass vandalism, assaults, looting, and chaos ensued. The “protesters” over there pretty much got a pass and received sympathy and compassion because we were told we had to try and “understand” their feelings. Did Burns, Oregon get trashed like that? No! Not one broken window! In fact, the refuge was cleaned up from its messy original condition and they respectfully secured the Indian artifacts laying around. This is from first-hand eye witness accounts. So where’s that equal compassion for the patriots? As expected, the media falsified the story to suggest Burns was occupied by armed assailants. Never was there a threat with a weapon nor an assault. Any weapons were lawfully possessed as the Second Amendment allows.
This wasn’t a standoff against law enforcement. The only legitimate crime is, perhaps, that a few might have trespassed. That does not make them “traitors.”
The patriotic spirit of these groups are very supportive of the many good folks in law enforcement. What they are against, in this situation, is tyrannical abuse of power by the BLM. There are also many good folks working for the BLM, but there are also elements of corruption – and we should have the right to address it when necessary.
This patriotic assembly was taking a stand for a family who was under duress by incommensurate punishment from over-zealous authorities on a power trip and a disproportionate wrath of persecution. When the public is repeatedly ignored, what are they to do? When we can no longer address these matters peacefully, we will have lost our rights and be relegated to the low level of any other banana republic run by a tin horn dictator.
LaVoy Finicum had a gentle heart and a John Wayne spirit who conquered fear and, therefore, conquered failure. He did not reach for a gun. He had just been unjustifiably shot and placed his hand on the entry wound. His death is not in vain and he failed nothing! Losing him is a loss to us all but it has energized many people, now, and next time a redress of grievance must take place, Burns is going to look like a small gathering!
JOHN RENNING
Hayden