Celebration of public land defies Malheur refuge occupation

[struggle4progress]

BY JANE BRAXTON LITTLE

The illegal occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge by militant ranchers has roiled the West in an ill-conceived and ugly challenge to federal land management. Out of chaos that has left one person dead and little to celebrate, a surprisingly clear harbinger is emerging:

Most Americans treasure public lands. They are equally passionate about management based on sound, well-researched science.

This is not what the trespassers intended. They seized the eastern Oregon bird refuge to call attention to their claims of government overreach in managing grazing lands. They demanded the return of Malheur and other areas to state ownership and a preselected group of ranchers, basing their ultimatums on a self-serving interpretation of a property clause in the U.S. Constitution.

The swell of public support they envisioned never materialized. Befuddled ranchers drifted in and out, but even those holed up inside the refuge publicly wondered where everyone was ...

http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/california-forum/article58095093.html

[Downwinder]

1. Any Lessor is entitled to put restrictions

on the use of the property. If the Lessee does not agree with the restrictions he can go elsewhere.