#oregon under attack

The Oregon ranchers literally shit all over Native American artifacts

Eight of the “Occupy Oregon Bird Gift Shop” protesters--Including leader Ammon Bundy--were arrested last night, and one was killed, during an FBI and Oregon State police operation.  The arrests and death took place during a class field trip to a community meeting where the occupiers were hoping to win over support of locals.  LaVoy Finnicum, who apparently is a real person and not a black leprechaun, died when he allegedly exited a vehicle while brandishing his firearm.  Supporters say that he was simply complying with the FBI’s request to “see that really cool gun.  Guns are so cool.  Oh my God let me see that cool gun.”  One of the individuals was wounded in the arm, and the other seven were arrested peacefully after suddenly realizing that dying in a shootout is way different than they thought it would be.

The group that remained behind at the clubhouse announced on Twitter that they would be staying, despite the fact that they are definitely the B-Squad.  The FBI announced plans to continue to work towards a peaceful resolution, or until that place turns into “Lord of the Flies.  Whichever comes first.

ALRIGHTY FOLKS SHIT’S GOING DOWN maybe. We’re still waiting for details here. 

So why’s this arrest a big deal? Here, have some background. Short version is: bunch of guys from Idaho who don’t like how the BLM is managing public lands took over a remote wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon to protest two area ranchers being sent to federal prison to finish out their sentences for setting federal land on fire, among other reasons. They’re armed, and they brought their kids with them. They’ve been rifling through government property, to include artifacts from the Burns Paiute tribe held in trust, tearing down fences between the refuge andprivate property (much to the chagrin of the private property owners) and they bulldozed a new road through the landscape, potentially destroying both ecological and archaeological treasures. And all along they’ve been saying it’s their right as Americans to use this land however they see fit. Meanwhile, the people who live in the area around the refuge are PISSED and for the most part don’t support these guys at all. 

More details on the situation, to include news that an area hospital is on lockdown:

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

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/oregon_standoff_venue_changes.html

I lived in Portland, OR for a couple years and was just head over heels for the city. There’s so much that I loved (and still love) about the city and the state – so much coffee and food, so many quirks, so much creativity. The neighborhoods in Portland are wonderful and each have their own vibe and mini downtown. But like many cities and the states they’re in, there are many plaguing and…

I know a lot of people have been wanting to send boxes of ridiculous things to the militants occupying Malheur Wildlife Refuge, like glitter and dildos and little girl's toys. Please don't. Remember that this is a WILDLIFE REFUGE, one of the last relatively pristine areas in Oregon. Teddy Roosevelt protected it as a refuge over a hundred years ago in 1908 because it's such a crucial habitat for migrating birds.

You know how glitter gets everywhere? Well, it doesn't have to stay inside. In fact, it probably is already being tracked out into the yard outside the buildings, and washing into the pond that the guest center overlooks. And if it's carried on the wind, it will end up further out into the wetlands of the refuge. There it can be eaten by small animals that can't digest it; and yes, they CAN die from impacted digestive systems when they eat so much of this plastic that it clogs them up.

As to the dildos and other items? Nothing says these guys aren't going to dump them into the pond out of spite. Plus it's a massive waste of nonbiodegradable plastic.