This time the stage moves to Utah, where around 200 reel ‘merikans™ are protesting “government overreach” by the BLM in Blanding, Utah – many of these people came directly from Bundy’s ranch. What vile deed has the BLM done this time? Well, they closed a canyon near Blanding to ATV traffic. Yep. They closed a canyon to ATV traffic!... that's worse than Hitler! I can barely type the words I’m so angry.
To protest this, these reel ‘merikans™ rode 50 ATVs through the canyon on Saturday, and many of them came dressed in camouflage gear and carried firearms. Take that Uncle Stalin!!
Not surprisingly, BLM did not try to stop them, because the “oppressive” government tries to avoid bloodshed as a matter of policy. Instead, BLM sent representatives who took photos and gathered evidence for future prosecutions.
So who is in the right? Not even close: BLM.
For starters, BLM owns the land, so they are in the right – as long as they comply with the law and their regulations, they have the right to manage the land in any way needed to fulfill their mission, and that includes restricting its use. And there simply is no right to force your way onto public land for recreational purposes. There isn’t even the argument this time, specious though it was with Bundy, that the whiner relied upon being able to illegally use the federal land to remain solvent.
Secondly, BLM closed the land seven years ago, so this isn’t exactly a new or pressing issue. And the only reason this has become an issue now is because these reel ‘merikans™ are looking for ways to fight with BLM.
Third, right next to this closed canyon are 2,800 MILES of open trails on public lands for all to use... including the reel ‘merikans™. So think about that. The “oppression” of which they complain is that they were denied the use of this one canyon when they could have chosen from 2,800 miles of other trails.
Finally, BLM didn’t close this canyon just to mess with reel ‘merikans™. Hardly. They closed it when archeologists discovered the remains of an ancient Indian settlement so they could protect the artifacts and dwellings of these Ancestral Puebloans. That’s a pretty good reason to close one canyon when you leave 2,800 miles of other trails open.
This is the problem with the fringe: they are people without a sense of judgment who cannot discern good causes from bad. And if you bought into their crap because you thought they had a point in the Bundy standoff a few weeks back, well, now you are busy explaining why the government is oppressive for trying to stop these people from destroying an archeological sight with ATVs. That's what you get for siding with the fringe. And good luck explaining this to them because they won’t even see how you can draw a distinction between this and Bundy... or Hitler.
From the LA Times:
ReplyDelete"Last week in rural Utah, two men pointed a handgun at a BLM worker in a marked federal vehicle while holding up a sign that said, "You need to die.""
Imagine if this had been the ATF or the FBI or, heck, a local police or Sheriff. If anything, the BLM is arguably being too soft.
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Also, by all means disturb the Native American archeological site! It worked so well for the family in Poltergeist.
Its all fun and games until your daughter gets sucked into the the television set.
Kit, That's solid advice - never mess with an ancient Indian burial ground!
ReplyDeleteBLM is being too soft, and they will regret it if these idiots start to think they can get away with whatever they want.
You are correct in your criticism but what is happening is backlash from previous overreach. The problem with backlash as it tends to go after the weakest part. These idiots don't see the BLM as any different as the IRS, EPA, Forest Service, Park Service, etc. I'm not arguing that this is the right cause or a good idea but I'm also not going to shed any tears about how awful these BLM agents are being treated. There is plenty of history with all of these agencies running roughshod over individuals and there is nothing wrong with peaceful protest. I would prefer that they all sit in a large group singing folk tunes or gospel tunes, whatever, rather than threatening with guns.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have with what they are doing is much like the OWS crowd in making their cause or concern look crazy. It's counterproductive and doesn't allow any sympathy.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying the government hasn't been abusive. There have been many instances where they have. But the problem with these people is that they are guaranteed to turn off the public and essentially allow the government's misdeeds to be washed away by their own conduct.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have with what they are doing is much like the OWS crowd in making their cause or concern look crazy. It's counterproductive and doesn't allow any sympathy.
ReplyDeleteBingo! That is the problem exactly.
"BLM is being too soft, and they will regret it if these idiots start to think they can get away with whatever they want."
ReplyDeleteYeah, this is getting out of control. The more the federal government gives them now, the harder you'll have to come down later.
@Koshcat ... you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteThese people need to learn when to go home and think about what they are doing.
Kit, I don't know if it's out of control yet, but that is the danger of letting people think they can intimidate you. It tends to lend itself to further aggression.
ReplyDeleteOMMAG, Exactly! The issue isn't that the federal government is great, because they are not. The problem is that you can't get the public to focus on the right things when you have groups who end up becoming the issue themselves.
ReplyDeleteI like to say that in politics many times the danger is not that the opposition will outflank you but that your own flank will outflank you.
ReplyDeleteKit, Very true. In politics, you are most often undone by your own excesses more than anything the other side can do to you.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the Occupiers will figure it out: If you illegally occupy and seize government land with guns, the authorities will not bother you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, with the above incident involving the death threat. I'm getting worried some wannabe militia man is going to start a terror campaign killing federal officials.
ReplyDeleteThe incident is described in greater details here: Salt Lake Tribune
Kit, The OWS crowd totally failed at this idea. They had no idea what they wanted, they acted like assholes, and they way overstayed their welcome. Add in the reports of rapes and muggings and they were sure to lose the public.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of killing someone, you never can tell. But while I doubt that will happen, the problem is that the more people who think that likely, the more the issue becomes the protesters rather than the protested.