The Bundy boys stamp their feet and refuse to show up for court appearance.

Courtesy of Oregon Live:  

Two sons of Nevada cattleman Cliven Bundy refused to attend, and several co-defendants shouted an oath of defiance at the end of a Friday court appearance for 17 men accused of conspiring and taking up arms against federal agents near the Bundy ranch in Nevada in April 2014. 

U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen decided not to order marshals to bring Ammon and Ryan Bundy to court by force, so the two Bundy sons remained in a nearby holding cell. Marshals were instructed to provide a speaker so they could hear audio of the court proceedings. 

Another defendant, Peter Santilli, blurted out that the Bundy brothers didn't want to be shackled. Leen admonished Santilli that he didn't get to speak on their behalf. 

So began a contentious three-hour hearing during which the judge didn't make immediate rulings on a range of arguments, including the government's request to have three trials and defendants' requests to be tried together or in groups of their choosing.

Kind of hard to blame the Bundys.

After all they were already found not guilty of conspiring against the government, so they probably figure they will soon be walking out of prison scot-free.

Besides let's face it once Donald Trump is sworn in he will probably not only give them amnesty, but he will probably give them both cabinet positions. 
 

How the conservatives see the world.

You know maybe if those football players would strap on an AK-47 they would finally get the respect that they deserve.

Oregon standoff protesters found not guilty.

Courtesy of The Guardian: 

A jury has found that brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy were not guilty of conspiring against the government, a surprising end to the high-profile Oregon standoff trial that sparked national debates about public lands and the rights of ranchers in the American west. 

The decision, unveiled in federal court in Portland on Thursday, is a blow to the US government, which had aggressively prosecuted the rightwing activists who led an armed takeover of public property to protest American land-use regulations. 

The Bundy brothers, who orchestrated a 2 January takeover of the Malheur national wildlife refuge, were acquitted on a number of serious charges, along with five other defendants. Only a day earlier the court dismissed a juror over fears of bias, raising concerns that the trial would drag on for weeks. 

“We are just so excited,” Angie Bundy, Ryan’s wife, told the Guardian after the verdict was announced. “We’ve been praying hard, and we knew they hadn’t done anything wrong.” 

They illegally took over a federal building, damaged government property, and threatened violence against law enforcement, and they just get to walk?

The whole case was a like a circus side show from the start with all kinds of bizarre demands from the Bundy boys, including asking to be paid a million dollars for being a defendant, and a request for the return of their guns, not to mention that at one point Ryan Bundy tried to break out of prison.

In fact even the end of this trial was insane.

At one point the defendants attorney was tackled to the ground and tazed, for reasons that remain a little unclear.

Ultimately I see this as setting a really bad precedent that is only going to encourage more of these sovereign citizen types to stage protests and take up arms against the federal government, and that can only lead to more people being killed.

For those who are curious there is a Twitter account from an Orgeonian reporter that will bring you right up to speed on all of this. 

Two more idiots from that Oregon standoff are pleading guilty. One of them was a Trump campaign official.

Courtesy of TPM:

Jerry DeLemus, a co-chair of Veterans for Trump in New Hampshire, is expected to plead guilty for his role in the 2014 militia standoff at the Bundy family's Nevada ranch, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Tuesday. 

In a court filing, Chief U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro said DeLemus has indicated he would change his plea on August 23 after signing a plea agreement. 

DeLemus, who had been listed as an alternate delegate for Donald Trump to the RNC weeks after his indictment, faces nine federal charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime against the country and threatening a federal law enforcement officer.

I have to say that I am constantly impressed with the character of the people who support Donald Trump. (I totally typed that with a straight face. You'll just have to take my word for it.)

DeLemus is not alone in striking a plea deal.

Courtesy of KGW:

A former Marine whose appearances in widely shared videos made him one of the most recognizable figures during the armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge pleaded guilty Monday for his role in the weekslong standoff with authorities. 

Jon Ritzheimer, 32, admitted that he conspired with Ammon Bundy and others to prevent U.S. Interior Department employees from doing their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and they did so by threats of force or intimidation. 

Prosecutors dropped two charges as part of a plea agreement - theft of government property and possessing a firearm on federal property. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel said prosecutors will recommend 2½ years in prison when the Arizona man is sentenced in May. Ritzheimer's attorney, Terri Wood, can argue for less.

You may remember Ritzheimer as the guy who made this cringe worthy/hysterical video before going to the Oregon wildlife refuge.

That video only gets funnier now that we know he caved like a little bitch in order to avoid a long prison sentence.

Which leaves Ryan Bundy, who recently got into a scuffle with the guards, and his brother Ammon Bundy, who is still fighting his incarceration, behind.

Seriously what did these idiots think was going to happen to them?

Feds arrest co-chair of Donald Trump's veteran coalition for participation in Bundy standoff.

Courtesy of OPB: 

Federal authorities on Thursday arrested a New Hampshire man for his role in a standoff by Nevada ranchers opposed to federal control of public lands. 

Gerald DeLemus, of Rochester, was named in an indictment in Nevada as a “mid-level leader” and organizer of a conspiracy to recruit, organize, train and provide support to armed men and other followers of rancher Cliven Bundy. 

DeLemus, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and tea party activist, last year signed on as a member of presidential candidate Donald Trump’s New Hampshire veterans coalition. A July news release posted on Trump’s website listed DeLemus as a co-chair.

What? You mean people associated with the Donald Trump campaign are in trouble with the law?

Who could have predicted such a thing?

DeLemus was not the only person caught in the FBI's net. They also indicted and arrested thirteen others: 

A superseding criminal indictment was returned by the grand jury on Wednesday, March 2, and now charges a total of 19 defendants. The 14 new defendants are Melvin D. Bundy, 41, of Round Mountain, Nev., David H. Bundy, 39, of Delta, Utah, Brian D. Cavalier, 44, of Bunkerville, Nev., Blaine Cooper, 36, of Humboldt, Ariz., Gerald A. DeLemus, 61, of Rochester, N.H., Eric J. Parker, 32, of Hailey, Idaho, O. Scott Drexler, 44, of Challis, Idaho, Richard R. Lovelien, 52, of Westville, Okla., Steven A. Stewart, 36, of Hailey, Idaho, Todd C. Engel, 48, of Boundary County, Idaho, Gregory P. Burleson, 52, of Phoenix, Ariz., Joseph D. O’Shaughnessy, 43, of Cottonwood, Ariz., and Micah L. McGuire, 31, and Jason D. Woods, 30, both of Chandler, Ariz. 

Twelve defendants were arrested earlier today. Two defendants, Brian D. Cavalier and Blaine Cooper, were already in federal custody in the District of Oregon. 

“These indictments and subsequent arrests send an irrefutable message to the American people that our determination remains steadfast to protect them and pursue individuals who participate in violent acts of this nature,” said Special Agent in Charge Bucheit.

Wow, look at all the Bundy's. I wonder if there are any Bundy family members NOT in jail?

Gee what kind of country are we becoming when a man cannot gather a small army of heavily armed idiots to engage the federal government in a standoff?

You know besides a country of laws of course?

Federal authorities warn law enforcement to be on guard against retaliatory violence in response to the arrest of the Bundy family members.

Courtesy of Crooks and Liars:  

Responding to a rising tide of threats in the wake of the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., federal authorities are warning law enforcement agencies (PDF) around the nation to be on the lookout for retaliatory violence from extremists affiliated with the antigovernment movement. 

Eleven people affiliated with Ammon Bundy’s “Citizens for Constitutional Freedom” were arrested in a law enforcement sweep operation on Jan. 26, while one member of the self-described “revolutionaries” – Robert “LaVoy” Finicum, a 54-year-old Arizona rancher – was shot and killed and while resisting arrest. More than two weeks later, on Feb. 11, the standoff ended when four remaining militants inside the compound surrendered to face federal charges for their activities during the takeover, which began Jan. 2. 

“In response to news of the arrests, some militia extremists and their supporters have called for violence or unspecified nationwide action against law enforcement, federal facilities, and US government employees,” the bulletin, issued jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, said. 

Threats have swirled around the scene at the wildlife refuge since it began. Even before the takeover, government offices in Oregon closed due to fears of violence emanating from the antigovernment movement. After the Jan. 26 arrests, federal authorities bolstered security at a number of other wildlife refuges in the region, citing the need to “remain vigilant to ensure employee and visitor safety throughout the region.” At least one refuge – Turnbull, near Cheney, Wash. – closed briefly in response to the occupation. The Oregon State Patrol, one of whose troopers shot Finicum, also has received death threats over the shooting.

This of course reinforces that DHS report from last year which found that domestic terrorist sovereign citizen groups were infinitely more dangerous than Islamic terrorists.

Nice of the Bundy family to sacrifice their freedom to flush out the wingnuts and prove the liberals right, don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day courtesy of the currently incarcerated Oregon standoff protesters.

And of course let's not forget the guy who started the whole thing.

Yep, nothing says I love you quite as much as getting yourself arrested while under the mistaken impression that you are protecting the rights of people who do not even know that you exist.

Gee, I wonder if these folks have met any new valentines since they entered the penal system?

(Source.)

Federal grand jury indicts Ammon Bundy and nine others involved in Oregon standoff.

Wait, indicted? Who said anything about getting indicted?

Courtesy of KOIN: 

A federal grand jury has indicted the leader of the armed standoff at an Oregon wildlife refuge and his followers. 

Federal prosecutor Geoff Barrow says the indictment involves the 11 people arrested so far “and others,” perhaps a reference to the four holdouts still occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. 

The indictment was sealed Wednesday afternoon, but Barrow says it would be made public within 24 hours.

Here is who has been arrested so far: 

The FBI arrested Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Brian Cavalier, Shawna Cox, Ryan Payne, Joseph O’Shaughnessy, Peter Santilli, Duane Ehmer, Jason Patrick and Dylan Anderson on probable cause. Six were arrested during a traffic stop along Hwy 395, others arrested at or near the refuge. 

Arizona resident Jon Ritzheimer was also arrested in connection to the occupation but remains in custody in Arizona.

So I guess now we will see if these yahoos really have the courage of their convictions, or if they simply thought that the federal government was going to be too intimidated by their awesome facial hair and Brokeback Mountain cosplay to actually arrest them.

Personally I think that loudmouth Ritzheimer will be the first to crack the minute he hears the door slam on his prison cell.

Oh yeah, he's going to crack. In fact I bet he's been giving up his pals for over a week now.

Ammon Bundy begs the remaining Oregon protesters to "go home and hug your families." Protesters claim they will fight til the end.

Courtesy of NBC News: 

Ammon Bundy asked his remaining followers occupying Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon to stand down Wednesday and leave the property. 

The message was delivered by an attorney for Bundy, who was arrested late Tuesday afternoon along with his brother Ryan and six of their followers.

"I'm asking the federal government to allow the people at the refuge to go home without being prosecuted," Bundy said in a statement read by his lawyer, Mike Arnold, outside court. "To those at the refuge, I love you. Let us take this fight from here. Please stand down. Please stand down. Go home and hug your families."

Unfortunately it does not appear that the remaining protesters are listening to reason.

This according to CNN:  

Earlier Wednesday, the remaining occupiers took a vote and decided to dig in and stay; on a streaming video from inside the refuge, a handful of men could be seen carrying long guns, operating a backhoe belonging to the federal government and speaking darkly of a blood bath.

....................

Speaking on the telephone from inside the refuge on Wednesday night, an occupier, David Fry, 27, said that seven people remained and that they had been drinking. 

“We’re camping out tonight here, by this campfire,” he said, adding that they would stay “until someone starts listening or until they slaughter us.” Group members, passing around a phone, said that they believed Mr. Finicum was murdered and that holding Ammon Bundy in jail was an outrage to them.

Hey, if these guys want to die so bad.....

And let's face it if these men had been dark skinned Muslims that bird refuge would have been a smoking hole in the ground on day two.

Personally I think it might be racist NOT to blow them all away.

First the Oscars and now this. Come on America, let's get it together and move into the 21st century.

Ammon Bundy and seven members of his band of merry militia wannabes arrested during Oregon traffic stop. Well except for the one that was shot dead of course. Update!

From top left, booking photographs of Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, Brian Cavalier and Shawna Cox. From bottom left, Ryan Waylen Payne, Joseph Donald O’Shaughnessy and Peter Santilli.

Courtesy of the New York Times:  

Ammon Bundy, the leader of an armed seizing of a federal wildlife refuge in rural eastern Oregon, was arrested and one person was killed Tuesday afternoon in a traffic stop in rural Oregon, the F.B.I. and the Oregon State Police said. 

Seven other people, including Mr. Bundy’s brother Ryan Bundy, were arrested, the authorities said. Another person was hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening. 

The authorities did not identify the man who was killed, but a member of the Nevada State Assembly, Michele Fiore, who has been a supporter of the Bundy family, said on Twitter that it was LaVoy Finicum. Mr. Finicum had become a de facto spokesman for the occupiers.

The seventh man arrested was that loudmouth Jon Ritzheimer, who claimed in a YouTube video that he could not be with his children because he was too busy standing up for the Constitution.

In fact he got scared and ran home to Arizona: 

“FYI. I came home to AZ to visit my family,” Ritzheimer posted late Tuesday. “The feds know I am here and are charging me with Conspiracy to impede a federal officer. I need an attorney. My family needs help and I am hoping they grant me bail.” 

The FBI issued a statement early Wednesday saying the 32-year-old Ritzheimer had turned himself in and was arrested without incident. 

“Ritzheimer faces 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,” the FBI said in a statement.

You know as a rule I really don't want ANYBODY shot and killed. But I have to admit that if this Ritsheimer guy had gone out in a blaze of "glory" I would not have shed a tear at his demise.

But as it turned out he was just a sniveling coward with a big mouth.

Which should not be news to anyone.

So exactly what was accomplished here?

No seriously I'm asking, WHAT was accomplished here?

Update: Here is Ritzheimer using his children in order to evoke sympathy and convince people to send him money. 

If you are like me it will likely make your blood boil.

Militia members who took over the bird sanctuary in Oregon are engaged in harassment and intimidation of locals.

Courtesy of NBC News: 

Local law enforcement is accusing armed protesters who seized an Oregon wildlife refuge of harassment and intimidation. 

In a statement Monday, Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward described an "uptick" in reports of "law enforcement officers and community members being followed home; of people sitting in cars outside their homes, observing their movements and those of their families; and of people following them and their families as they move around the community." 

Ward added, "While not direct physical threats, these activities are clearly designed to try to intimidate." 

Federal employees of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, the site occupied by the protestors, also reported "a number of uncomfortable instances" of "unknown" outsiders idling outside their homes, watching them and initiating debates about their employment. 

"Many of these confrontations are taking place as their employees are grocery shopping, running errands with their families and trying to lead their day-to day lives," Ward said.

Gee what tough guys.

Bunch of overweight bullies is what they are.

In other news a judge has said that the county will charge Bundy and his associates up to $70,000 a day for the increased security.

So yes this little occupation is working out perfectly.

P.S. Well it looks like I got fooled by a parody site as well. In an earlier version I shared a story that came from  a site that seemed legit, but turned out to be having a laugh.

Oh well that kind of thing is bound to happen eventually.

So apparently there is fan fiction about the militia standoff in Oregon. Brokeback Mountain style fan fiction.

"Is that a copy of the Constitution in your pocket Ammon, or are you just happy to see me?"

Courtesy of #bundyeroticfanfic on Twitter.

#bundyeroticfanfic I just can't quit you, he screamed,as Bundy's hands were ripped from his white male privilege.

— Susan Pease Banitt (@SuePeaseBanitt) January 7, 2016

#bundyeroticfanfic Ammond embraced Jeb close in a tactical stance. "Just exhale as I pull the trigger."

— Scott Bradford (@ScottBradford11) January 7, 2016

The power was cut for only 10 mins before Ammon and Jon drew close, relying on each other's heat for warmth and comfort. #bundyeroticfanfic

— Tom Shipley (@therealtomship) January 7, 2016

"All we have is gun oil, Ammon" "I know" he said as he blew out the candle "it'll have to do." #bundyeroticfanfic #50ShadesofCamo

— WorstShowOnTheWeb (@worsttwit) January 7, 2016

"But they'll hear us," Ammon whispered breathlessly. "No, they will not," Jason replied, "I'm using a silencer." #bundyeroticfanfic #fb

— Max Reddick (@MaxReddick) January 7, 2016

"Did you bring condoms?" Jed whispered. "Not to worry, we're protected by the 1st and 2nd Amendment" Ammon replied. #bundyeroticfanfic

— J Julian Christopher (@JulianChristo) January 7, 2016

That's really just a sampling and trust me it gets even steamier from there.

You really have to hand it to these militia boys, they certainly know how to inspire Americans and bring attention to their cause.

Feds plan to cut off power to the bird sanctuary in Oregon taken over by the militia members. Apparently it's "flat ass cold" up there.

Source

Courtesy of the Guardian:  

Federal authorities are planning to cut off the power of the wildlife refuge in Oregon that has been taken over by militia, exposing the armed occupiers to sub-zero temperatures in an effort to flush them out. 

Armed militants will begin their third day at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a remote federal outpost in eastern Oregon, on Tuesday, and have vowed to remain for months in protest over the treatment of two local cattle ranchers. 

A federal government official told the Guardian that authorities were planning on Monday to cut the power at the refuge. 

“It’s in the middle of nowhere,” said the official, who is based in Washington, DC, and has knowledge of the planned response to the militia. “And it’s flat-ass cold up there.” 

The official, who asked not to be named, said they were not privy to the FBI’s plan of action. However, they said the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which is leading the crisis management reaction to the occupation in liaison with the FBI, planned to cut the power to the building where the militiamen are spending their nights.

Yeah let's see how long these "tough guys" last with their ass cheeks freezing together.

And we know they are not prepared because they have already had to beg for donations of food and warm clothing.

And they are losing support as well.

They have already been abandoned by their religious leaders:

If Ammon Bundy and other Mormons involved in taking over a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon believe their religion is backing them, they should reconsider. 

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints "strongly condemn the armed seizure of the facility," spokesman Eric Hawkins said in a news release Monday, "and are deeply troubled by the reports that those who have seized the facility suggest that they are doing so based on scriptural principles." 

The release further states that "this armed occupation can in no way be justified on a scriptural basis."

That's gotta sting.

And if that were not bad enough the group has angered the birding community:

Just a friendly warning from the birding and wildlife photography community to the Oregon terrorists. We are watching your every move, and we have been watching you for a long time. And yes absolutely you are domestic terrorists of the worst kind, and the truth about your decades of constant poaching of protected wildlife around Malheur and other wildlife refuges, national parks, national forests and BLM lands has been well-documented. For years those of us who are wildlife photographers, birdwatchers and carers of wildlife, have been documenting the activities of you poachers and criminals around many of our nation's wildlife refuges. With our powerful cameras, and ability to move unseen in the wilderness, we have found and documented your illegal hunts, your illegal traps and all sorts of illicit activities, and are constantly feeding that information to law enforcement, and we have finally got many of you poachers on the run and into jails. And I for one am a westerner sick to death of you welfare queens and cheats living off of BLM land, illegally gutting our wilderness and our wildlife. Malheur, Hart Mountain, Klamath Marsh, Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite etc etc, they all belong to us, we the American people, and no small group of armed thugs is going to destroy the great wildlife and national park system that our great Republican President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir put in place over a century ago. Wildlife photographers and wildlife/bird watchers now number some 40 million people in the USA, and feed many rural western economies with our tourism dollars, and we will not stand for your sedition.

Yeah forget the Feds, THESE guys mean business!

I am seriously trying to decide which is my favorites sitcom, the Palin-Meyer kerfuffle, or this three ring circus in Oregon.

Oh hell, I'll sit and enjoy both of them.

Sheriff says that the Bundy boys and their militia pals are trying to overthrow the government. I think that meets the criteria for domestic terrorism, don't you?

Courtesy of Oregon Live: 

Harney County Sheriff David Ward on Sunday afternoon said a group of militants that seized an eastern Oregon wildlife refuge is trying to overthrow the local and federal governments. 

Ward said the Harney County Sheriff's Office is working with several organizations to protect county residents and resolve the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters south of Burns. The group of militants seized the headquarters, which was empty, after a march and protest Saturday in Burns. 

Ward said the group hopes to spark a national movement. 

The group, Ward said, comprises outsiders who came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers. In a news release Sunday, Ward said that "in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States."

That kind of matches what others have been saying as well, and that is that these idiots do not really care about Dwight Hammond and his arson case, and are instead using this as an attempt to stage another Waco or Ruby Ridge incident and rile up the Three Percenters and Oath Keepers enough for them to start some kind of half-assed civil war.

In the mean time most people are simply poking fun at them and mocking them on Twitter:

Live pic from #YallQaeda this AM. #bundymilitia well-rested, starting the day with coffee and meth. #OregonStandoff pic.twitter.com/237uS6sdVt

— Joe Keene (@joekeene) January 4, 2016

Every successful revolution starts with takeover of closed visitor center with gift shop. #OregonUnderAttack #YallQaeda

— Lars Petticord (@fatdownjacket) January 3, 2016

The problem with simply laughing at these idiots is that they are idiots with guns, and as we all know too well idiots with guns usually results in dead people who did not realize how dangerous they were.

Militia members, which include the sons of Cliven Bundy, have taken over a Federal building in Oregon. Oh this is going to be bad.

Posted by Ammon Bundy on Thursday, December 31, 2015

Courtesy of HuffPo: 

A protest in support of Oregon ranchers facing jail time for arson was followed by an occupation of a building at a national wildlife refuge led by members of a family previously involved in a showdown with the federal government. 

Ammon Bundy — the son of Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who was involved in a standoff with the government over grazing rights — told The Oregonian on Saturday that he and two of his brothers were among a group of dozens of people occupying the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. 

Ammon Bundy posted a video on his Facebook page asking for militia members to come help him. He said "this is not a time to stand down. It's a time to stand up and come to Harney County," where Burns is located. Below the video is this statement: "(asterisk)(asterisk)ALL PATRIOTS ITS TIME TO STAND UP NOT STAND DOWN!!! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! COME PREPARED." 

In an interview with reporters late Saturday night that was posted on Facebook, Bundy said he and others are occupying the building because "the people have been abused long enough."

Yes it is just terrible that the government is trampling all over those arsonist's human rights. 

The 2001 fire was set by Dwight Hammond and his son on government land to cover up the fact that they had illegally poached deer. The fire consumed 139 acres of public land and damn near killed a witness to the blaze.

When the Hammonds were put on trial they were able to convince a jury that the five year minimum sentence was too long and instead received a much lower one, from a jury pool consisting of locals who all know and admire the Hammond family.

Upon appeal the Ninth Circuit Court upheld the minimum mandatory requirements and the Hammonds were retried and sentenced to those mandatory five years.

Apparently THAT is the federal overreach that has now inspired the Bundy boys and local militia members to forcibly take a federal building and engage in a standoff with law enforcement.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if this were being done by Muslims they would all be dead already, right?