Oath Keeper founder Stewart RhodesRaw Story
Despite his earlier criticism of Ammon Bundy taking over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in support of imprisoned Dwight and Steven Hammond, the founder of the anti-government militia group Oath Keepers warned federal authorities to tread lightly unless they want a “civil war” on their hands.
Writing on the Oath Keepers’ website, Stewart Rhodes warned ominously that “there will never again be a free Waco,” and that the Obama Administration risks “starting a conflagration so great, it cannot be stopped, leading to a bloody, brutal civil war.”
Rhodes had previously stated that the Oath Keepers — made of members who claim to have served in the military and law enforcement — would stand down and not participate in the occupation of the wildlife refuge.
While the situation in Oregon has remained calm — outside of one member beingarrested on Friday for driving a federal vehicle to the grocery store — Rhodes’ saber-rattling was, in typical Oath Keeper fashion, over the top.
Under the heading: “Warning to U.S. Military and Federal LEOs: Do Not Follow Orders to ‘Waco’ Ammon Bundy Occupation, or Risk Civil War,” Rhodes was blunt — although wordy in the process.
“This situation (Oregon occupation) must not be handled in a military or paramilitary fashion, using military assets, military rules of engagement, or otherwise attempting to end it suddenly by use of dynamic assault, resulting in catastrophic loss of life, as has occurred twice in recent American history, with horrific results (at Ruby Ridge in 1992, and at Waco Texas in 1993),” he wrote. ” If you do it ‘Waco’ style here, you risk pushing this nation over the edge into a civil war, because there are ‘no more free Wacos.’”
“This situation (Oregon occupation) must not be handled in a military or paramilitary fashion, using military assets, military rules of engagement, or otherwise attempting to end it suddenly by use of dynamic assault, resulting in catastrophic loss of life,"
ReplyDeleteI believe both TS and I mentioned that this is the very thing that many on various "progressive" web pages have been advocating.
I'm certainly hoping that things can remain fairly calm in this situation since both of the events mentioned in the article didn't do much to portray the government in a positive light.
So, if blood is spilled, it'll be the fault of progressives not the fault of the gun-owning lunatics who illegally occupied a government building. Is that it?
DeleteNo Mike. Currently, those in charge of security there are taking the right approach in that time is on their side and waiting is better than bloodshed.
DeleteI just find it ironic that progressives seemed to have no issue with the nonviolent approach when dealing with say, the Occupy movement activities, or many of the Black Lives Matter events, but are very quick to encourage confrontational tactics when dealing with this situation.
Currently no one is even being inconvenienced since the center is closed for the winter.
My only point is that illegally occupying a building is not worthy of death. I would think you would agree with that.
DeleteComparing armed government-hating tresspassers to the Occupy movement and the Black Lives Matter Movement is pretty weak. Don't you think?
DeleteThe government haters at Black Lives Matter just shut down the San Francisco Bay Bridge during rush hour. Why do you think that sitting in an unoccupied building is worse? Either way, I think we both agree that neither protest groups should be killed for what they did, right? Right??
Delete"Comparing armed government-hating tresspassers to the Occupy movement and the Black Lives Matter Movement is pretty weak."
DeleteYou're right, Occupy and Black Lives Matter has been much more violent and destructive than these few trespassers.
Yet so many of a progressive bent including our ever-present resident Anon seem to be all for law enforcement charging in for an immediate arrest and if someone gets hurt, so be it.
It's time to kick these jerks out of Malheur and to lock up their sorry behinds in the nearest federal pen.
DeleteThe governor of Oregon has asserted that this stupidity is costing tax payers half a million $$$ so far.
For NOTHING. And the Hammonds are no angels either; they are properly behind bars for arson covering up an apparently illegal deer hunting ring they were running, the arson did serious damage to public land --- that is OUR land, all of us who are citizens --- and put lives at risk, including other people who were legally and legitimately using the land at the time of the fires. That is on top of their apparent domestic abuse.
And no, black lives matter has NOT been violent or destructive, and the violence shown TO THEM has been disproportionate to the forbearance shown these right wing domestic terrorists.
"For NOTHING. And the Hammonds are no angels either"
DeleteHowdy DG. Let's start with that for all the love you're showing the Hammonds, they are pretty much immaterial to the discussion here. In fact, if I recall correctly, the Hammonds have public ally stated that they don't condone the actions of the people "occupying" the wildlife refuge. And they have voluntarily reported for their incarceration as ordered with no problems.
"And no, black lives matter has NOT been violent or destructive, and the violence shown TO THEM has been disproportionate to the forbearance shown these right wing domestic terrorists."
Let's look at just one BLM (Black Lives Matter) event in Minneapolis.
"Prior to Thursday, Harteau said the occupation of the Fourth Precinct cost the police department more than $750,000 in overtime pay. "
http://www.fox9.com/news/55464847-story
"MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and Rep. Keith Ellison are calling for protesters of Jamar Clark’s shooting to leave the 4th Precinct, saying it is now a safety risk. Mayor Hodges said police officers are getting daily threats and the area has become a hazard for the public."
http://www.fox9.com/news/54850374-story
This is just one event. And doesn't account for the disruption at the international airport and other commercial venues. And of course there has been plenty of other destruction of property and violence in other cities during their protests. Baltimore comes to mind.
So forgive me if a dozen guys taking over a wildlife refuge that's closed to the public for the winter fails to justify an urgent armed response that could result in violence in my mind. As Bob Owens put so well, turn off the power and let the elements deal with them.
Amazing these criminals have been allowed to remain at the sanctuary this long. Police are now helping criminals, then wonder why the public has such a negative view of them.
ReplyDeleteWho are the Oath JKeepers?
ReplyDeleteThat used to be Kurt's job, to point out every typo. He used to use the [sic] symbol to highlight every mistake. He got tired of me calling him a petty baby for this and stopped somewhere along the line. Glad you've joined us to pick up the slack.
DeleteHe got tired of me calling him a petty baby for this and stopped somewhere along the line.
DeleteWrong, as usual (always?). I noticed my comments were more likely to be published if I refrained from aggravating your silly insecurities in that particular manner.
Seriously Mike. I have heard of the Oath Keepers even tho I really don't understand them. The question of who the Oath JKeepers was is a serious question. I didn't realize it was a typo. I thought that they branched off, or many branch's of the original Oath Keeper group. There are too many ABC groups now days to keep up with.
DeleteSo no slack taking from me. Excuse me for not getting the typo.
Are they anti-government or are they PRO-CONSTITUTION?
ReplyDeleteClearly, the government is anti-Constitution - a one-eyed potato can see that.
orlin sellers