FBI agent indicted for false statements and obstruction in Oregon standoff case

[jim hardy]

Why hasn't local law enforcement or the FBI arrested him immediately on leaving the refuge?

They understand John Claggart.

 

[OmCheeto]

Wait a minute, is the news report stating that Ammon Bundy was allowed to leave the refuge to attend a meeting? Why hasn't local law enforcement or the FBI arrested him immediately on leaving the refuge? This is absurd! This man is a criminal who broke the law, and continues to break the law, and should face the consequences of his actions as any other citizen of the US.

[my guesses]
Historical:

They don't want another Waco Texas incident.
Once a Bundy gets arrested, the first shot will be fired.
Once the first shot gets fired, there will be dead people everywhere.​

Political:

Obama, although not up for re-election, is probably looking at this as "Looks like a last minute excuse to make me look like a gun hating, patriot bashing, meanie". Which will affect the elections this fall.​

[/my guesses]

You also have to remember, that although this current incident is only about 3 weeks old, the Bundys have 23 years of practice in this type of warfare, and are getting pretty good at it. They've had plenty of time to study:

"Global Guide to Martyrdom"

Step 1. Although you have guns, and have stated that you are willing to die for your cause, be sure and surround yourself with women and small children. When the bullets start flying, it's possible that you may not get your wish, but a dead baby is worth at least half of all votes for your side, as women will almost universally hate whoever makes the babies dead. [ref]​

Complicating factors:

1. Oregon is considered an “open carry” state, which means that it is generally legal for an adult to openly carry a firearm without a permit. [ref]
2. They've occupied a "Federal" piece of property, which kind of means that all of the citizens of the USofA own the property. Since the perps are all citizens, they kind of own it too. (I'm not saying this kind of reasoning will work in court, but I'm sure it's what they think)​

ps. The jokes are starting to get pretty brutal out here in Oregon. I think some of us may be running out of patience. [ref]

 

[OmCheeto]

...I think some of us may be running out of patience. [ref]

I think the governor has just run out of patience.

Gov. Brown slams federal response to armed occupation near Burns
20 January 2016
...
Brown said federal authorities have asked her and other state officials to limit public comments to avoid escalating the situation.
...
"The situation is absolutely intolerable and it must be resolved immediately," Brown said. "The very fabric of this community is being ripped apart."
...

Peter DeFazio, probably my favorite state rep, lost it last week:


Published on Jan 13, 2016

 

[Astronuc]

Why doesn't DeFazio talk to Greg Walden. Aren't they supposed to be working together for the state, i.e., the people?

 

[OmCheeto]

Why doesn't DeFazio talk to Greg Walden. Aren't they supposed to be working together for the state, i.e., the people?

They probably are. But given the political divide, they probably don't want to be seen associating with each other TOO much.
Western Oregon is very democrat, and eastern Oregon is very republican( CPVI* = R+10 ).
Though DeFazio's district is close to neutral: CPVI = D+2

A Portland TV station is currently running a poll: Is the Federal Government doing the right thing by taking no direct action against the Bundy militia occupying the Malheur Wildlife Refuge?
Totals votes: 454 (as of 11 pm pst)
Yes: 25%
No: 72%
I don't know: 3%
[ref]

Although I'd like them to be gone as much as anyone, I voted yes.----------------
*CPVI: Cook Partisan Voting Index [wiki] (I don't think I've ever heard of it before today.)
My simplified interpretation: R+10 means the region will vote 10 percentage points more republican than the USA as a whole.

 

[Astronuc]

Armed occupation in Oregon beats on despite protests and governor’s condemnation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...unterprotests-and-condemnation-from-governor/

The occupiers have said they will put their weapons to use only if the government attempts to remove them from the area.

Seems like a threat of violence to me.

 

[nsaspook]

The battle trumpet has been sounded.



I've changed my mind, why stop this honeypot for loons early.


These idiots are destroying property of the local coop.
http://www.harneyelectric.org/content/hec-service-territory-map

 

[mheslep]

Armed occupation in Oregon beats on despite protests and governor’s condemnation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...unterprotests-and-condemnation-from-governor/

Seems like a threat of violence to me.

Yes, if that's what they (Refuge occupiers) in fact said. See video at 4 min.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=938588846217924&id=623383454405133&_rdr
My transcription
Q: What would you say to law enforcement agencies trying to kick you out?
A: Well, we pose no threat to anybody. There's no person who is physically harmed by what we are doing. This facility is owned by the people, and so if they come to do physical harm to us, it will be because of a building. I don't believe that warrants killing people...

 

[nsaspook]

http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...ia-news-updates/negotiations-begin-bundy-fbi/

“I want to keep the dialogue going. We want to work together with you,” the negotiator said to Bundy.

The negotiator did not say his name, but other FBI agents present confirmed his role as a mediator.

Several other militants, including Ryan Payne and Brian Cavalier (who goes by the pseudonym “Fluffy Unicorn”), accompanied Bundy to the FBI base.

Three plainclothes FBI agents and a few sheriff’s deputies were also on the scene. In a conversational tone, the negotiator told Bundy that they are dealing with some significant issues that could take some time to work through.

“And take some other people that have some more experience to really get together on this and work together, to find a good resolution,” said the negotiator.

Hopefully an agreement for the Bundy group to leave the state will be hashed out soon.
http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...itia-news-updates/hammond-blm-grazing-leases/

 

[Astronuc]

Yes, if that's what they (Refuge occupiers) in fact said. See video at 4 min.

That is an important caveat. I should have indicated, "if that is indeed what was said." The video is one 4 min video. Bundy has given many interviews and made many statements.

From the OPB link provided by nsaspook, "“Absolutely not,” militant leader Ammon Bundy said Thursday, “because the BLM does not have authority to be here. They do not have the authority to be managing the lands and resources inside the state.”"

Actually, the BLM does have authority as granted by Congress.

In https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title5/pdf/USCODE-2010-title5-app-reorganiz-other-dup7.pdf

SEC. 403. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
(a) The functions of the General Land Office and of the Grazing Service in the Department of the Interior are hereby consolidated to form a new agency in the Department of the Interior to be known as the Bureau of Land Management.

which is found - 5 U.S.C. - REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 3 OF 1946
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2010-title5/USCODE-2010-title5-app-reorganiz-other-dup7
http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/national.Par.38689.File.dat/legislation.pdf
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/regulations.html

https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/history
It wasn't until March 3, 1849, the last day of the 30th Congress, that a bill was passed to create the Department of the Interior to take charge of the Nation's internal affairs.

1849 Creation of the Home Department consolidating the General Land Office (Department of the Treasury), the Patent Office (Department of State), the Indian Affairs Office (War Department) and the military pension offices (War and Navy Departments). Subsequently, Interior functions expand to include the census, regulation of territorial governments, exploration of the western wilderness, and management of the D.C. jail and water system.

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=002/llsl002.db&recNum=753 (April 25, 1812, An Act for the establishment of a General Land-Office in the Department of Treasury).

http://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/utley-mackintosh/interior1.htm
Congressional Globe, Senate, 30th Congress, 2nd Session, see pp. 674-680 of 700
https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llcg&fileName=021/llcg021.db&recNum=40

https://memory.loc.gov/ll/llcg/021/0700/07200680.gif - first column and top of second column refers to the vote on the bill to establish the Department of the Interior. The discussion of the bill starts on page 674.

 

[mheslep]

The Governor of Oregon, Brown, has become involved. She's written a letter to Obama and Comey calling on them to end the occupation immediately.

I conveyed the harm that is being done to the citizens of Harney County by the occupation, and the necessity that this unlawful occupation end peacefully and without further delay from federal law enforcement. On behalf of all Oregonians, I appreciate your consideration of our desire to see this situation come to a close, and I thank you for your timely attention to this matter...

To what harm does Gov Brown refer?

While it is easy to assume that an occupation in such a remote location does not threaten public safety and does not harm any victims, that perception is far from accurate. ... What adds to the tensions felt by the community is the reality that multiple ‘supporters’ of these individuals have joined, staying in local motels in the City of Burns [30 miles away], and the criminals on the refuge are allowed to travel on and off the premises with little fear of law enforcement contact or interaction...

...militia members showed up at a basketball game on Saturday night. ... Children are being bullied in school based comments their parents are making in the community. So this is extremely distressful for the community.

By contrast, the Occupy Portland incident in 2011 drew up to an estimated 10,000 in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square from October 5, 2011 thru November 13, 2011, with no permit. An Occupy run shutdown of the Port of Portland followed on December 12. At the time, Portland Mayor Sam Adams stated,

...Representatives of the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau have outreached to those helping to organize Occupy Portland activities, and have encouraged the group to obtain a permit and/or share their planned march route and gathering spots. A permit allows the Police Bureau, TriMet, and other agencies to plan for a safe, peaceful, and lawful event. Occupy Portland has so far not obtained a permit; regardless, the Police Bureau will be working to facilitate a safe and orderly procession.

http://www.kptv.com/story/16008794/occupy-portland-given-deadline

 

[WWGD]

The Governor of Oregon, Brown, has become involved. She's written a letter to Obama and Comey calling on them to end the occupation immediately.
To what harm does Gov Brown refer?By contrast, the Occupy Portland incident in 2011 drew up to an estimated 10,000 in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square from October 5, 2011 thru November 13, 2011, with no permit. An Occupy run shutdown of the Port of Portland followed on December 12. At the time, Portland Mayor Sam Adams stated,
http://www.kptv.com/story/16008794/occupy-portland-given-deadline

What is your point in repeatedly contrasting with Occupy, other than venting out your obvious hatred of anyone left of you?

 

[mheslep]

What is your point in repeatedly contrasting with Occupy, other than venting out your obvious hatred of anyone left of you?

The point of contrasting with long term cases of trespass and community disruption is obvious. I don't hate. You?

 

[WWGD]

The point of contrasting with long term cases of trespass and community disruption is obvious. I don't hate. You?

No, I have argued against people both in the left and in the right. It seems you never miss a chance to trash anyone on the left, though. And it seems to be mostly you in this post who considers the point obvious; most I have read are treating it on its own terms.

 

[lisab]

No, I have argued against people both in the left and in the right. It seems you never miss a chance to trash anyone on the left, though. And it seems to be mostly you in this post who considers the point obvious; most I have read are treating it on its own terms.

Yeah, when the main argument against some action is, "Well they did it too!", it rarely leads to a satisfying discussion.

 

[russ_watters]

To what harm does Gov Brown refer?

mheslep, I'm having trouble taking this seriously. Are you seriously saying you don't think there is any harm in an armed group taking over a government facility?

By contrast, the Occupy Portland incident in 2011 drew up to an estimated 10,000 in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square from October 5, 2011 thru November 13, 2011, with no permit. An Occupy run shutdown of the Port of Portland followed on December 12.

"Representatives of the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau have outreached to those helping to organize Occupy Portland activities, and have encouraged the group to obtain a permit "

Are you suggesting the government should issue the Bundy militia a permit for their occupation? As soon as you get past the word "occupy", similarities between these incidents utterly disappear. The comparison just seems ridiculous to me.

 

[Astronuc]

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/24/3742263/common-law-tea-party-activist/
ThinkProgress alleges.

An armed group that has taken over a national wildlife refuge to protest federal land use policies continues to escalate the situation by introducing a common law grand jury, which has no actual legal standing. They have chosen Joaquin Mariano DeMoreta-Folch, St. Augustine Tea Party government accountability chairman and a longtime proponent of convening secret citizens’ panels to indict government officials to be their common law judge . . .

and

The militia, which has partnered with a well-known conspiracy theorist, wants to create an alternative legal system in the region that would replace Harney County’s elected leaders and sheriff with those who support the sovereign citizen movement. The movement is a group of people who believe they are not subject to the laws and orders of the federal government. If local officials govern closely to federal government rules their authority is moot, according to the movement’s ideology.

I have to wonder what will be included in any indictment of the group.

 

[nsaspook]

It's Day 24 at the camp.

http://www.oregonlive.com/geek/2016/01/watch_oregon_militant_challeng.html#incart_river_home

 

[lisab]

It's about time!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35416516

US police arrest leader of Oregon armed occupation Ammon Bundy, with one person killed in operation

 

[Astronuc]

It's about time!

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35416516

I just read the Reuters article - Leader of Oregon wildlife refuge occupation arrested, 1 person killed
http://news.yahoo.com/leader-oregon-wildlife-refuge-occupation-arrested-cnn-024944320.html
Apparently, Bundy was arrested during a traffic stop.

(Reuters) - One person was killed when federal authorities arrested the leader of an armed occupation at a wildlife refuge in Oregon and several of his companions during a traffic stop on Tuesday, law enforcement sources said.

All of those arrested face federal charges of conspiracy to use force, intimidation or threats to impede federal officers from discharging their duties, the FBI said.

The Oregonian newspaper reported that Bundy had been en route to a community meeting in John Day, Oregon, with several other members of the occupation, where he was scheduled to be a guest speaker, when authorities stopped his vehicle.

The page was updated.

Interestingly, it's not breaking news!

From AP via ABC - http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/shots-fired-arrest-members-armed-oregon-group-36538989

In a statement, the FBI said one individual "who was a subject of a federal probable cause arrest is deceased." No other information about the deceased was immediately released.

The FBI said authorities arrested Ammon Bundy, 40, his brother Ryan Bundy, 43, Brian Cavalier, 44, Shawna Cox, 59, and Ryan Payne, 32, during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 395 Tuesday afternoon. Authorities said another person, Joseph Donald O'Shaughnessy, 45, was arrested in Burns.
. . .
Federal law enforcement officers converged on the wildlife refuge after the arrests and were expected to remain at the site throughout the night. It was unclear how many members of the armed group, if any, were at the refuge when the law enforcement officers arrived.
. . .

 

[nsaspook]

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-st..._custody_one_militant.html#incart_maj-story-1

BURNS – Oregon standoff spokesman Robert LaVoy Finicium, 55, of Cane Beds, Arizona, was killed and other top leaders of the wildlife refuge occupation were arrested Tuesday after law enforcement officials stopped vehicles about 15 miles north of Burns.

Authorities did not release the name of the person killed at the highway stop, but two sources told The Oregonian/Oregonlive that it was Finicum, one of the cowboy-hat wearing faces of the takeover.
...
Police also arrested Pete Santilli, an independent broadcaster known for his aggressive manner and live streaming refuge events. He also faces a conspiracy charge to impede federal officers.

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

 

[OmCheeto]

The following has been slightly edited, for format and brevity only.

Joint Statement by the FBI and Oregon State Police on Law Enforcement Activity Near Burns, Oregon

At approximately 6:30 p.m. (PST), the FBI arrested

• Peter Santilli, age 50, of Cincinnati, Ohio

At approximately 4:25 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the ... (FBI) and Oregon State Police (OSP) began an enforcement action...
The arrested individuals include:

• Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
• Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
• Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
• Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
• Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana

In a separate event in Burns, Oregon, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Oregon State Police arrested the following individual:

• Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy, age 45, Cottonwood, Arizona

All of the named defendants face a federal felony charge of conspiracy...

All defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

[edit]
breaking news from the FBI [ref]

At 8:30 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Phoenix Division made a probable cause arrest of Jon Eric Ritzheimer, age 32, on a federal charge related to the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. Ritzheimer turned himself into the Peoria, Arizona, Police Department. The arrest was without incident.
...

 

[Astronuc]

Leaders of occupation at refuge in Oregon arrested; 1 killed
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-person-killed-in-confrontation-with-police/

Arianna Finicum Brown, the daughter of the occupiers’ spokesperson LaVoy Finicum, told the Oregonian that her father was the man killed during the exchange of gunfire.

Apparently, the FBI special agent in charge of the case, Greg Bretzing will be holding a news conference alongside U.S. Attorney Bill Williams and Harney County Sheriff David Ward on Wednesday morning.

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPD) on The Malheur Occupation In Eastern Oregon
http://www.opb.org/news/series/burn...-militia-news-updates/lockdown-harney-county/

Each will face at least "one federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372."

http://www.opb.org/news/series/burns-oregon-standoff-bundy-militia-news-updates/

 

[nsaspook]

Occupying their new government facility, the Multnomah County Jail.

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-st..._oregon_refuge_occupi.html#incart_maj-story-1

 

[OmCheeto]

Twitter is atwitter this morning.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/3755705580/6f77ef47ccec9a6e54e5c68302a8df30_bigger.jpeg Beth Nakamura ‏@bethnakamura
Several armored vehicles & what appears 2 b a black hawk at airport in Burns. Cops @ entrance #Oregonstandoff

8:56 AM - 27 Jan 2016https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/608740593624154112/Rdak0S7I_bigger.png Thomas Boyd ‏@thomasboyd
Serious roadblock 6 miles from refuge south of Crane #OregonStandoff @Oregonian

9:02 AM - 27 Jan 2016

Les Zaitz ‏@LesZaitz
Jason Patrick, new leader, on refuge occupiers' decision overnight: "The majority vote was to stay." http://bit.ly/1SjyhpA
9:34 AM - 27 Jan 2016​

 

[nsaspook]

FBI statement:
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-st...tandoff_fbi_releases_s.html#incart_river_home

I will say that the armed occupiers were given ample opportunities to leave peacefully. They were given the opportunity to negotiate. As outsiders to Oregon, they were given the opportunity to return to their homes and have their grievances heard through legal and appropriate means. They chose, instead, to threaten the very America they profess to love with violence, intimidation and criminal acts.

Yesterday, the FBI and our partners took the necessary actions to start bringing this situation to an end. We worked to ensure that we could do so in the safest way possible -- removing the threat of danger from innocent citizens. We continue to work to empty the refuge of the armed occupiers in the safest way possible.

 

[Jeff Rosenbury]

Good riddance to bad rubbish.

While the militia certainly got what it deserved, I'm not sure the journalists need to be rounded up too. Yes I realize this guy's likely a kook to, but it sets a bad precedent. How can the rest of us watch the kooks at play if there's no one to film it?

 

[Astronuc]

http://news.yahoo.com/arrests-oregon-standoff-leaders-leaves-084844536.html#

In a video posted to Facebook, Mike McConnell said he was driving a vehicle carrying Ammon Bundy and another occupier, Brian Cavalier. He said Finicum was driving a truck and with him were Ryan Bundy — Ammon's brother — as well as three others.

He said the convoy was driving through a forest when they were stopped by agents in heavy-duty trucks. He said agents first pulled him out of the vehicle, followed by Ammon Bundy and Cavalier.

When agents approached the truck driven by Filicum, he drove off with officers in pursuit. McConnell said he did not see what happened next, but he heard from others who were in that vehicle that they encountered a roadblock.

The truck got stuck in a snowbank, and Finicum got out and "charged them. He went after them," McConnell said.

http://news.yahoo.com/authorities-urge-remaining-oregon-occupiers-quit-killing-000720480.html
Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward makes a great statement toward the end.

Support your local sheriff!

 

[nsaspook]

While the militia certainly got what it deserved, I'm not sure the journalists need to be rounded up too. Yes I realize this guy's likely a kook to, but it sets a bad precedent. How can the rest of us watch the kooks at play if there's no one to film it?

It's seems this journalist stepped over the line from reporting the news into making news with criminals.
http://media.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/other/2016/01/27/Bundy, et al Redacted Complaint.pdf

 

[Jeff Rosenbury]

It's seems this journalist stepped over the line from reporting the news into making news with criminals.
http://media.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/other/2016/01/27/Bundy, et al Redacted Complaint.pdf

So a journalist calls for peaceful protest for a redress of grievances and gets arrested for it. I read nothing about threatening the FBI. At best he called for people to impede BLM employees. (And no, being armed is a right, not a threat. If we don't like that, change the law.)

Since when did political speech become a felony?

Why is the government pushing this confrontation? They are a bunch of kooks who should be ignored. Their original point was valid. (I'm assuming the ranchers "arson" was informal, illegal range management.) The sentence was too long, even the trial judge thought so. Commute the sentence and move on.

But apparently the federal budget is too big. The FBI has nothing better to do than pick fights with kooks?

The proper way to handle kooks like these is to laugh at them, not tie up resources that should be used on more important law enforcement actions. But then I remember when the FBI chased down some criminals who were selling contraband milk rather than investigating the Boston Marathon bombers. I wonder which terrorists they are ignoring now.

 

[russ_watters]

So a journalist calls for peaceful protest for a redress of grievances and gets arrested for it.

I'm a little unclear here: which one was the journalist and what, exactly did he say? In either case, "calling for" crimes to be committed is generally a crime, yes. It is not journalism.

I read nothing about threatening the FBI. At best he called for people to impede BLM employees. (And no, being armed is a right, not a threat. If we don't like that, change the law.)

Well, sure: just being armed is not a threat: threatening is a threat. On page 5 of the warrant, it says:
"A. BUNDY told a national morning news show that members of CCF were arn1ed because "We are serious about being here. We're serious about defending our rights, and we are serious about getting some things straightened out."

That's a threat of violence with guns.

Since when did political speech become a felony?

1. When it is a threat.
2. This wasn't just speech, it was action. They physically took over the building they were staying in.

Why is the government pushing this confrontation? They are a bunch of kooks who should be ignored.

Because they took over government property. If someone you don't know, who is armed, walks into your house and throws down a sleeping bag in your living room and tells you he is armed because "serious about being here", would you just ignore him? Or would you call the police and report it as a home invasion?

But apparently the federal budget is too big. The FBI has nothing better to do than pick fights with kooks?

Again: If someone you don't know, who is armed, walks into your house and throws down a sleeping bag in your living room and tells you he is armed because "serious about being here", would you just ignore him? Or would you call the police and report it as a home invasion? Are you the one picking the fight or is the person who invaded your home the one picking the fight?

 

[russ_watters]

I'm a little unclear here: which one was the journalist and what, exactly did he say? In either case, "calling for" crimes to be committed is generally a crime, yes. It is not journalism.

Ok, I think I found what is being referred to later on the document:

On January 5, 2016, a video was posted on YouTube channel "Pete Santilli Show" titled "Live update Bums Oregon #aslongasittakes." In the video, SANTILLI states: "We want a constitutional sheriff, constitutional peace officers, but here is what we need, most importantly, ok, this is what we need, now I'm going to say this and I am going to be talking about it throughout the day: one hundred thousand, unarmed, men and women, to stand together. It is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal, those guns that we were talking about, those that were carrying guns ... "

So, yeah - wearing a "press" badge doesn't make you a member of the press. He's saying "we" in these quotes. He's basically their public affairs officer. Yes, that's still a crime.

 

[OmCheeto]

The remaining occupiers have apparently been streaming live for about the last 24 hours, with the help of a "gamer".

[ref]
David Fry, the defacto tech man at the Oregon wildlife refuge standoff, has posted a live video feed to record the events on the ground in Oregon.

Fry, a self-proclaimed video gamer who had posted a slew of anti-semitic comments on social media, drove from Ohio weeks ago to check out the standoff. He has has recorded several videos for the refuge and even created a website to organize the militiamen's updates and calls for supplies.

I watched one this morning, and decided these people were a really good excuse to increase funding for mental health care.

The one I just finished watching, which YouTube says was posted 12 hours ago, was a bit more interesting.
Here is a brief excerpt that I transcripted:

DefendYourBase
------
2:05
womans voice; "Eyes on the sky boys!"
man's voice; "There it is."
<4 rifle shots>
2:35
"Drone in the air. Drone in the air."
3:00
"That's a long ways up there".10:42
"Don't be afraid of those roadblocks.
Drive up there and shoot them.

They are dishonorable, not following their oath, not protecting American people, good patriots, fighting for our rights.
They're the terrorists".

Apparently there are 5 people remaining.

Amanda Peacher ‏@amandapeacher
David Fry says 5 people remain in occupied refuge. They're hanging around a campfire drinking beer. #Oregonstandoff
6:40 PM - 27 Jan 2016​

[edit, update, 22:30 PST]

Additional Arrests in the Occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - 01/27/16
In the early morning hours of January 27, 2016, the FBI and Oregon State Police (OSP) established a series of checkpoints at major roads in and out of the refuge. In the hours prior to the checkpoints, several vehicles are known to have left the area. Since the establishment of checkpoints, a total of eight people have left the refuge. Of those, the FBI released five and arrested three.

At approximately 3:30 pm, the FBI made probable cause arrests of Duane Leo Ehmer, age 45, of Irrigon, Oregon, and Dylan Wade Anderson, age 34, of Provo, Utah. At approximately, 7:40 pm, agents made a probable cause arrest of Jason S. Patrick, age 43, of Bonaire, Georgia. All were in contact with the FBI, and each chose to turn himself into agents at a checkpoint outside the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The arrests were without incident.

Each man faces one federal felony count of conspiracy...

[ref: FBI]

 

[Jeff Rosenbury]

Calling for 100,000 unarmed men is a crime? Calling for a peaceful political demonstration on federal land isn't protected political speech? Someone should have told Martin Luther King Jr. (Of course MLK got his 100,000 men, not 5.)

I don't get the 24 hour news here, so I only have the information from the affidavit to go on. In it the government makes it clear that in general tone these guys were intending peaceful protest.

My argument is not that they didn't break laws. It's not that they're political views are solid. It's not that by cherry picking days worth of drivel the authorities can't find something racist/threatening/obscene. It's that this could have and should have been handled by one BLM guy writing tickets.

IMO, it's not that the feds are wrong, it's that they are over-reacting and wasting resources that could be used elsewhere.

BTW, equating someone camping in peaceful protest on BLM land (which I thought was legal, though not in a bird sanctuary) to a home invasion seems like a stretch to me. The Occupy Wall Street crowd managed the same thing in Manhattan without a federal troop rollout.

 

[nsaspook]

Calling for 100,000 unarmed men is a crime? Calling for a peaceful political demonstration on federal land isn't protected political speech? Someone should have told Martin Luther King Jr. (Of course MLK got his 100,000 men, not 5.)

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-ff-oregon-refuge-fbi-20160127-story.html

A significant amount of the FBI’s information used to charge Ammon Bundy came from an activist named Pete Santilli, who was living inside the refuge and broadcasting live his conversations with fellow activists.

To demonstrate a conspiracy, the government has a lower burden than it would with similar charges, such as aiding and abetting, or solicitation. A conspiracy charge in federal court does not require the underlying offense to have taken place, so prosecutors can charge the defendants based on their statements, without proving they actually committed a crime.

That is where Santilli’s broadcasts proved so useful to the FBI.