Locally it has been on talk radio almost every day and the story has even been published in the LA Times earlier this week. It goes with saying that this is a hot topic in the American Southwest at this time.
I guess Americans have forgotten what the West means.
The West has always represented freedom and the ability of man to go there and be left alone, historically as the United States filled up its cities and people grew tired of rules, regulations and being told by some “official” what they can and can’t do- city dwellers that longed for the freedom our country was founded on left it all behind and headed out West.
One of the things completely left out of this Bundy vs. BLM debate is that it is almost a certainty that had the Bureau of Land Management and its ability to block, regulate, fine or tax a citizen from “trespassing” on their own “public” lands (remember that all BLM land signs say “your public land” on the bottom) existed in the early days of the American West none of the thriving, vibrant cities we currently have would likely exist.
Phoenix? No way, endangered owls, desert foxes, mountain lions and coyotes have to be protected.
Los Angeles? Nope, those LA Brea tar pits (in the middle of downtown L.A) are a culturally sensitive landmark that must be preserved.
Denver? No, as cutting ski resorts in the mountains or mining would have never been “approved” by the BLM.
St. George? Not in a million years would the BLM would have granted a group of exiles permission to displace a few Gila monsters in the red hills and settle on the habitat of a scarce turtle and lizard.
See where this is headed?
Does anyone reading this actually think the West would have been settled had the BLM been there to “manage” the/”our” land?
Fast forward just 100 years- what happened to that Spirit?
Why do so many feel that the Federal government must give everyone permission to do anything on “YOUR public lands”? – quick question; if they are “our” public lands then why don’t “we” get to decide what happens on them? Why does the D.C beltway policy tell us what to do with “our” Public lands?
Think about it residents of Nevada and Utah – what does the term “your public lands” mean to you?
While you are pondering that, listen closely for the sound of hoof beats, lowing of cattle and a lone Cowboy calling in his dog ………. you may never hear it again if the BLM has its way on “your” public lands.
Submitted by Jason M. Smith
As I have read the comments on the story I’ve been surprised by the number of people who are siding with the BLM and calling the Bundy family every name in the book while giving Federal Bureaucrats a free pass.I’ve been surprised by the number of people who are siding with the BLM
I guess Americans have forgotten what the West means.
BLM sign along Interstate 15. Bunkerville, Nev., April 3, 2014 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
One of the things completely left out of this Bundy vs. BLM debate is that it is almost a certainty that had the Bureau of Land Management and its ability to block, regulate, fine or tax a citizen from “trespassing” on their own “public” lands (remember that all BLM land signs say “your public land” on the bottom) existed in the early days of the American West none of the thriving, vibrant cities we currently have would likely exist.
Phoenix? No way, endangered owls, desert foxes, mountain lions and coyotes have to be protected.
Los Angeles? Nope, those LA Brea tar pits (in the middle of downtown L.A) are a culturally sensitive landmark that must be preserved.
Denver? No, as cutting ski resorts in the mountains or mining would have never been “approved” by the BLM.
St. George? Not in a million years would the BLM would have granted a group of exiles permission to displace a few Gila monsters in the red hills and settle on the habitat of a scarce turtle and lizard.
See where this is headed?
Does anyone reading this actually think the West would have been settled had the BLM been there to “manage” the/”our” land?
Ranchers, Cowboys, Pioneer Women, and Homesteaders settled the West and created something amazing in a harsh and hostile land- and they did it without the BLM “administering” every facet of their lives- it’s called the Spirit of the West and the (lost) American ideal of hard work.Ranchers, Cowboys, Pioneer Women, and Homesteaders settled the West and created something amazing in a harsh and hostile land
Fast forward just 100 years- what happened to that Spirit?
Why do so many feel that the Federal government must give everyone permission to do anything on “YOUR public lands”? – quick question; if they are “our” public lands then why don’t “we” get to decide what happens on them? Why does the D.C beltway policy tell us what to do with “our” Public lands?
Think about it residents of Nevada and Utah – what does the term “your public lands” mean to you?
While you are pondering that, listen closely for the sound of hoof beats, lowing of cattle and a lone Cowboy calling in his dog ………. you may never hear it again if the BLM has its way on “your” public lands.
Submitted by Jason M. Smith
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