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0 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 van would help family's future stay bright ... The crayfish invasion ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 13, 1915 ... New van would help family's future stay bright ... The crayfish invasion ... Mail Tribune 100, Dec. 13, 1915 ... OUR VIEW Our View: The rule of law vs. armed confrontation Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 19, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News The co-owner of a gold mining claim near Merlin says he's not looking for a confrontation with federal Bureau of Land Management personnel, and pleaded with his supporters last week to stop making threatening phone calls to the BLM. Let's hope he's not too late in trying to defuse a situation he brought on himself. Rick Barclay and co-owner George Backes are embroiled in a dispute with the BLM over what rights they own and what they are allowed to do at the Sugar Pine Mine, which is situated on BLM land. BLM officials say Barclay and Backes own mineral rights but not surface rights, and they must file a plan of operations or remove all their equipment. The miners dispute that, saying they hold exclusive surface rights to the claim. When a BLM employee and a sheriff's deputy showed up April 6 with a notice of noncompliance, Barclay said they were concerned the BLM might remove or destroy their equipment before they could appeal the decision. Barclay told the Mail Tribune he and Backes approached the local chapter of the Oath Keepers, a national organization of current and former military and law-enforcement personnel dedicated to disobeying any orders they deem "unconstitutional," asking for help with security at the mine. That was their first mistake. Word quickly spread through social media, and Oath Keepers swarmed in, setting up a "staging area" on nearby private property. Barclay insists he's not looking for a standoff with federal officials, saying, "This is not the Bundy Ranch" — a reference to a standoff last year when armed Oath Keepers showed up to defend Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who has refused to pay millions in grazing fees to run his cattle on public land, from federal agents who backed down rather than risk an exchange of gunfire. If Barclay didn't want his dispute to become the next Bundy Ranch, he should have thought of that before he summoned a group with a track record of armed confrontation with federal agents. What Barclay, Bundy and their Oath Keeper supporters refuse to acknowledge is that the land they are exploiting for personal gain belongs to the public, not to them. The federal government, which manages that land on behalf of the American people, allows certain private activities, including mining and grazing, but under specific laws and regulations. One of the reasons to have a constitution is so that disputes over interpreting those laws are resolved in court, not by force of arms. Barclay appears to recognize that. The Oath Keepers should follow his example. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 19, 2015 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 2015 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