Screenshot CNN
Yes Dear. Except, I just can’t stop myself. I don’t know why some people blog, but I know why I do. I started because it is the cool thing for new writers to do in order to build a social network following. This would, presumably, help book sales. Not so much. But along the way, I’ve found that writing about stuff that bothers me makes me feel loads better, especially if someone actually reads it.
Been following the Bundy ranching controversy out in Nevada? Cliven Bundy self-destructed Duck Dynasty style today. This was painful to watch because, well, he ain’t a good talker, and, well, because he is such an honest and sincere bigot.
But that’s not what fascinates me about his situation. What interests me is how people like him become folk heroes out here in the wild west in the first place. He grazed his cattle on U.S. Government property for two decades while refusing to pay the required grazing fees, claiming he did not recognize that the land belonged to the U.S. Government. He didn’t pay Nevada either, so presumably he thinks the land belongs to him. So when BLM law enforcement officials and a contractor showed up to remove Bundy’s cattle, they were met by armed “patriots” ready to fight for Bundy’s right to…what? Not pay grazing fees? This is no different in my mind than people who refuse to pay federal income taxes. Bundy has no argument here: the land NEVER belonged to him or to the state of Nevada. Maybe he should pay his grazing fees to Mexico? They have as much claim to the land as Nevada does.
BLM could probably have handled it better, without seizing his cattle. Maybe the cattle could be declared abandoned property, free to anyone willing to haul them away. Then go after Bundy in civil court- put a lien on his ranch and every damn thing he owns, just like I would get if I stiffed Uncle Sam for income tax or Utah for property and income taxes.
BLM was right to pull off and regroup. I’ve dealt with lots of protestors during my military career. Anti-nuke, Anti-American, land rights protestors on Guam, etc. etc. My troops have been spit on, swung at, stoned (not the fun kind), and verbally abused. But let me tell you something – if you show up armed to protest, you are not a protestor, you are a target. There is no way that would end well for anyone concerned. I have to admit though, the immature tactician in me would love to see some of those real-tree wearin’ , Ted Nugent wanna-be nutters piss their pants when the first tracers from an M-248 machine gun zipped over their heads. I digress. Good thing someone with a level head was in charge.
What is it about the west that makes heroes like these, since, I guess, Jesse James? When I served in Idaho, I was a member of the Idaho Law Enforcement Association. I remember them talking about the continuing folk hero status of Claude Dallas. Ever heard of him? Dallas was a Vietnam draft-dodger and serial poacher who murdered two Idaho Fish and Game Officers in cold blood when they confronted him. He evaded capture for a long time, then escaped for a year, during which time he became, for some, a folk hero “living off the land” and defying the government. He spent 22 years in prison and is now a free man. How did he ever become anyone’s hero?
I don’t mean to compare Bundy to Dallas, but both cases equally amaze me. I also don’t mean to make light of him potentially losing his ranch. My daughter married into a huge ranch family very much like Mr. Bundy’s. They are salt of the earth, hard working, admirable people in every way. They lead a hard and independent life very much in keeping with our collective memories of the old west. They also play by the rules everyone knows. It seems to me we ought to be talking about them as heroes, not a man who refused to pay his honest debts.
Hi Jeff:
I hope all is well. I read your blog post with interest. I will keep this short. While I agree with some of your points, I must say that the Federal Government completely botched this – at least from a PR perspective. Are they so tone deaf that they didn’t understand the optics of sending para military forces in to “support” the BLM would create with anti-government people (you can include me in there) would use against them? Maybe that’s because a neophite, infant of a 30 something year old Harry Reid staffer leading the BLM , who understands nothing of politics would do. Look- the guy (rancher) should pay- like all people who owe on back taxes. The ham handed manner though in which the already obstrusive government handled it makes me lean on the side of the ranchers. Holy shit – it was just grass. Unfortunately this is about power and coersion. I think you got this one wrong. Sorry.
Greg
Good points as always Greg. My blog post was intended as a rumination on how someone becomes a folk hero when there is nothing very heroic in their conduct. It occurred to me today that Mr. Bundy is a dupe being used by people with an agenda (pick one): conspiracy theorists, anti-government militia, etc. I tried to make it clear I thought BLM screwed this up in my post. But when you say I can include you in with anti-government people, and if you mean by that the militia dudes showing up with weapons looking for a fight – yes indeed we are on opposite sides of the fence on this one. Best, Jeff.
I’m with you. This guy owns 160 acres that his family bought in the mid-40’s and has been using and paying for grazing rights on surrounding BLM land for years. Then in 1993 the desert tortoise’ status changed and land use laws changed with it to protect habitat. Clem had to restrict the number of cattle he could now graze on BLM land. That broke the camel’s back! The government wasn’t just charging for the use of their land, but telling Clem how he could use it. He knew how to use the land because his family had been ranching there for years. He quit paying! And he’s got armed “Americans” supporting him. Wow, long term renters should be able to quit paying rent if the owner now tells them they can’t park on the grass anymore. We should all be able to set up a hotdog stand in the National Park of our choice…we understand economics better than the Government! Come on…I’m with you Jeff. What are these guys thinking…they ain’t hero’s.
Thanks for your comments Steve! Add to that Bundy’s really awful comments over the last two days and the whole thing starts to look pretty sad.
You know two Greg’s, and I thought you were an introvert! Poor PR and lousy tactics by the government side; lunatic fringe ideas on the other. Sue his ass and be done with it. Don’t make him a martyr so he can spew his lunacy on the http://www...
This guy shot himself in the foot with his recent rantings. Ouch. I don’t count myself part of the lunatic fringe conspiracy theory crowd but I do NOT like the government overreacting. The optics conjure up the images of Elian Gonzalez and government goons overstepping the boundaries of good conduct. Sorry guys – you live in an over policed state. I live in Greece. We have not one traffic light in a city of 50,000 people and no one goes crashing into each other. We have nearly no police presence yet somehow we manage not to kill, rape, rob and assault each other. I am constantly having to explain “what is wrong with my country” to people who look at us and wonder what is going on with us and our society. These kind of images are NOT HELPFUL.
It might be a rural versus urban perception, but per capita, Greece has FAR more cops per 100K people than the U.S. You don’t see many cops where you live, and I don’t where I live, but there is one on every corner in Manhattan. Last time I checked, there were 17K police agencies in the U.S. Nuts. But per capita, the U.S. is way down on the list.
I am going to research that again. I did look at the per capita numbers and apparently you are right. My apologies for not doing my homework. Maybe it’s just the “presence” and intimidation they pose as apposed to actual numbers.
I guess the question is “Do you really need that many police agencies? Really? City, county, state and at last count about 17 federal law enforcement agencies? Really? More than anywhere I have ever lived or visited and you all think it’s normal?
I just did my research and you are right. Maybe it’s just the perception of heavy police presence. I can’t believe that statistic though. Good on you for doing your homework.
greg
I do think it depends somewhat on where you live, rural vs. urban. I don’t see them here, but last time I was in NYC they are everywhere.