Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW New Mexico rancher renounces federal grazing contract at Bundy event ... Local farms captured in words and color ... Trump: I could shoot someone and not lose votes ... New Mexico rancher renounces federal grazing contract at Bundy event ... Local farms captured in words and color ... Trump: I could shoot someone and not lose votes ... OUR VIEW Our View: Don't make martyrs of Malheur occupiers Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Jan. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News As the days drag by with no end in sight since the takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, it's tempting to criticize authorities for not taking action against the small band of deluded blowhards holed up there. But the lack of direct action is actually the wiser course, frustrating though it may be. Ammon Bundy, his brother, Ryan, and other armed, anti-government militants came to the Burns area in response to the resentencing of Dwight and Steve Hammond for arson on federal land. After joining a community protest of the sentences, the Bundys and their group broke into several unoccupied buildings at the wildlife refuge and vowed to stay until the Hammonds were freed and federal lands turned over to local control. The Hammonds, who are already serving their new sentences, did not ask for the help and have disavowed the militants' tactics. Burns and Harney County residents have called for the group to leave. The militants are being mocked unmercifully on social media. So why don't the authorities turn off the power, surround the compound and arrest anyone who tries to leave or to deliver supplies? The FBI isn't commenting on its tactics, but former senior FBI officials told The Oregonian that the hands-off approach is precisely the right strategy. Confronting the occupiers or attempting to arrest them now would only give them an excuse to resist, potentially creating martyrs for their anti-government cause. Blocking roads and maintaining a perimeter would be expensive and increase tension for no discernible benefit. The militants are isolated, pose no immediate threat to the general public and show no signs of escalating the situation beyond tearing down some fencing that keeps cattle out of the refuge. The best course, say the experts, is to wait them out. "You've still got a trespass situation," one former anti-terrorism official said. "It definitely is not worth a firefight." It's clear the Bundys and their group have committed crimes, and they should face charges when they do eventually leave. Ammon and Ryan Bundy's father, Cliven, has yet to face any real consequences for an armed standoff with federal agents who tried to seize his cattle over his refusal to pay federal grazing fees for years in Nevada. The same thing cannot be allowed to happen in this case. The longer the Bundys remain, the less attention they will attract, which is their entire reason for being there. The best outcome of this misguided fantasy would be for the militants to leave and face punishment for their crimes without anyone being shot. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jan. 14, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501