The Bundy Ranch and the Fight for Liberty

Hello, readers.

This week's edition is focusing on the struggle for property rights taking place right now in southeast Nevada.

For those not already familiar with the story, a cattle ranch owned by the family of Cliven Bundy is now surrounded by federal agents who have made multiple threats to confiscate his cattle over a public lands dispute that has been festering for over two decades.

First, some background information: Bundy's ranch has been in his family for over a century. Additionally, according to Bundy himself, his forebears worked the same land surrounding the ranch that is now considered public land and on which Bundy has enjoyed grazing rights for his cattle for decades. Until recently. Thanks to a decision by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and a ruling by a federal court judge, the land is now a protected habitat for the Desert Tortoise and, thus, off limits to Bundy's cattle. This decision was made despite the fact that Bundy has for years paid the exorbitant fees required to maintain his grazing rights. To the federal government, however, none of that matters anymore.

Bundy, however, in an example of civil disobedience that should someday be in every civics textbook in every American classroom, has refused to comply with the new law and has continued to allow his cattle to graze on the public land.

Now the real fun begins. Federal BLM agents have surrounded his property, threatened to confiscate his cattle, and have actually been witnessed inflicting physical violence on his family members and other individuals who have shown up in support of Bundy. As a result, people on both sides of the issue are increasingly concerned about an outbreak of armed violence and rightfully so.

While there are many implications and subplots surrounding this ongoing situation, the most important question has to be: what does Cliven Bundy's ranch mean in the grand scheme of things? And the answer, I think, is simple. As Americans, we have watched over the centuries as our civil liberties and individual rights have been, one-by-one, trampled on by an unaccountable government at the federal, state, and local levels. And we have done nothing...until now. The reality of the matter here is that people (at least those who are awake and paying attention) will tolerate only so much oppression and tyranny before they react...violently if necessary.

Attention should be given to this potentially explosive situation. Time will tell if it continues to escalate, even to the point of armed conflict and (dare I say it) revolution, or if it ends up at a peaceful outcome. In either case, engaged patriots should take note of the actions of Cliven Bundy and seek to embody his spirit of civil disobedience whenever necessary and whenever possible. I have said before and I will say again: commitment to essential liberty is best measured not by flags and slogans, but by one's willingness to defy, quietly if necessary, unjust and oppressive laws and dictates.

In the meantime, let's stand with Cliven Bundy and stand ready to support him, financially or in spirit or otherwise, however necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=armAcbEO1PE

Until next week, stay vigilant!