U.S. authorities under orders to avoid clash in Oregon stand-off

[cali]

Federal authorities in a stand-off with armed, self-styled militiamen in eastern Oregon have been told to avoid a violent confrontation, in line with official U.S. policy after deadly clashes in the 1990s, said three Obama administration officials.

The occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which began on Saturday, is the latest showdown between federal law enforcement officers and gun-toting militants protesting laws they oppose, from taxes and weapons to land-use fees.

<snip>
A 2009 report on right-wing extremism by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security cited the recession and President Barack Obama's election as possible drivers of extremist activity by white supremacist and militia movements.

The DHS employee who wrote that report, Daryl Johnson, applauded what he called federal authorities' "wait them out" strategy in Oregon but said that the longer such standoffs continue, the greater the chance of violence.

"The longer this goes on, the greater the risk becomes because you have more and more people who come," said Johnson, who is now a law enforcement consultant.

The occupation's leaders have issued recruiting calls on social media for more supporters, though it is unclear how many have joined so far.

<snip>
http://news.yahoo.com/u-authorities-under-orders-avoid-clash-oregon-stand-170940264.html

[NCTraveler]

1. I would hope so.

Set up a perimeter and have Clinton institute a no-fly zone. lol. Starve the fuckers out.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

3. If this were BLM or OWS there would be cries from the right

to move in riot police.

At the very least, this armed occupation is a seditious act.

Failing to recognize that will lead to more cases of armed bubbas taking over whatever they want.

[NCTraveler]

6. Fully agree. nt.

[Nye Bevan]

14. OWS occupied Zuccotti Park for 2 months before being peacefully evicted.

And I don't remember many calls to storm in with guns ablaze.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

22. The difference is that OWS wasn't carrying gunsaround:

threatening to use them if they feel threatened.

In the end OWS lived in a park, and they voiced a definite protest afainst Wall Street corruption.

If OWS had neen armed, had BLM been armed the authorities would have moved in.

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Peacefully included

Baton use, pepper spray use andLRAD. As well as many arrests and destruction of private property. I don't know how this statement even passes the smell test.

[Lizzie Poppet]

24. Almost certainly. But who cares? They'd be wrong.

Just like people who think these militants should have been attacked are wrong, too. Violence should be the last resort, not the first.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

26. It's the general hipocrisy of it all.

[Vinca]

2. It's fine not to clash, but arrests are definitely in order.

They can't be given a slap on the hand and told to toddle back to Bundy's ranch.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

8. Was Bundy ever arrested?

If he wasn't there must be a warrent out for him.

If any of these armed terrorists-in-training are from his ranch then they should be stopped from leaving.

Nobody in, nobody out.

The line was crossed when they said they would "defend" themselves but that they would remain peaceful unless.

Their comments and actions are seditious.

[cali]

10. He wasn't and there is no warrant afaik. Grrr.

[Wellstone ruled]

18. Waiting to hear if Ammond or Ryan Bundy have

probation violations from earlier events last year. Both busted for ATV and other violations on Forest Service protected areas. But then our County Attorney is a complete joke.

[Vinca]

28. I don't think a thing happened to Bundy and I'd love to know why.

I'd also like to know why his ranch hasn't been seized for failure to pay grazing fees.

[CanonRay]

4. As my dear Mother used to say "Nip it in the bud"

[AZ Progressive]

5. Ruby Ridge ultimately neutered the Feds

It's not racism, it's the Fed's history with the militia movements.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

7. Cool. But the waiting-them-out part can be accelerated.

I was glad to read that they're cutting off power and blocking access. I liked someone's idea about breaking the windows. This situation, as it stands, doesn't call for violence. But it also doesn't call for creature comforts. Oh, and in addition to whatever other fines are levied, they need to pay for a school being closed for a minimum of one week.

[Punkingal]

9. At the very least, they should not allow anyone else in.

That would be ridiculous.

[Bucky]

11. if the government governs best which governs least, then the cops who police lightest police best

[meow2u3]

12. Why hasn't Obama called in the National Guard?

The Guard would have put down this insurrection lickety-split, since quashing rebellions is the one loophole to the Posse Commatatus Act.

[Nye Bevan]

15. Perhaps he doesn't want to unnecessarily risk the lives of National Guardsmen,

to satisfy those who are impatient to send in the cavalry with guns blazing while cheering them on from behind the safety of their keyboards?

Just a thought, but you are of course welcome to email your suggestions to President Obama.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

19. The National Guard belongs to the state and thus the state governor unless federalized.

Nothing about this rises to that level.

[winter is coming]

20. Because the situation isn't urgent, and sending in force is what these yahoos want.

You send in the Guard, and the narrative will be about nothing but violence, both potential and actual. I can guarantee that what these people don't want is people laughing at them, and their obvious lack of preparation is making them the butt of many jokes. I absolutely think they should be arrested and prosecuted, but there's no need to rush into this with a bunch of weaponry.

It's not just about the people in the bird sanctuary today. It's also about the people watching what's going on, and the next incident. If the Feds had rushed in a few hours after this had started, the news would be about nothing but take-downs and violence and some would have perceived these people as wronged patriots. Holding back has let us see that their purported "cause" is bogus, they're unprepared, the town doesn't want them there, and people are disavowing them. They look like idiots. Making them look like idiots is worth the wait. We can always shoot at them later, if we really have to.

[Glassunion]

23. That's the exact opposite of what is called for.

[GGJohn]

27. Those of us that have actually seen combat, seen death, are opposed to any violent actions

to resolve this standoff, the Obama admin is doing absolutely the right thing by just waiting them out.

Don't be so quick to release the dogs of war.

[WinkyDink]

13. White Ranchers' Lives M.....Oh, never mind.

[Photographer]

16. I'm of the opinion that it's time to draw a line in the sand.

[Nye Bevan]

17. Good to have the grown-ups in charge.

Thanks for posting.

[cali]

21. Honestly, I think it's a lousy idea to be giving supporters and media access.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

25. You're right. If anything gets out of hand then

innocent lives would be at stake.

Let the press report from a safe distance, and any supporters should be sent home.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. Oh credentialed press gives up

Some safety to report the news.

And exposure is leading to a lot of funnies. That said,if shooting starts reporters will lead the way out.