Ammon and Ryan Bundy, along with six of the other radical militant thugs that took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge were arrested in Oregon on Tuesday. In addition, one of the radical militants was killed.

The standoff isn’t over yet, but this probably signals that the end of the standoff is near. Let’s hope it ends with this group of radicals realizing their position is hopeless and just going home. It is sad that it had to come to this, but it isn’t really a shock. Apparently the radical militants still in occupation of the wildlife refuge have made a statement that “they will not leave . . . are not cowards like the rest . . . and are prepared to die.” This is sad and unnecessary. But when you’ve been radicalized, your vision is usually clouded.

I’m not sure what this group expected. The United States of America is a nation of laws. Despite the very bizarre claims of many right wing pro gun folks, trying to overthrow the government with your pistols, shotguns, and assault rifles probably isn’t a really well thought out plan. If you’re thinking that way, perhaps you’ve watched Red Dawn too many times. Or too much Rambo. Or too much Walker Texas Ranger. Because those are fiction and didn’t really happen. They don’t actually represent what happens when people with small arms go up against a much more heavily armed and manned professional force. Perhaps you haven’t noticed, the the government has things like armored vehicles, drones, tanks, planes, artillery, and other heavy weapons. Things that so far the NRA hasn’t managed to turn into toys for big boys.

It was clear this group thinks they’re being unfairly charged to graze their animals. But we currently have laws in place that determine what PUBLIC land is to be used for. That land is not YOUR land. It belongs to the American people. And based on elections and public policy, that land was determined to best be used as a national wildlife refuge.

If you don’t like those laws, the way to deal with that is to try to get them changed. It is generally not a good idea to take over public lands with a group of untrained, armed, overconfident yahoos. You can’t just determine you don’t like the laws and then disobey them. In the US, as in most countries, that will get you arrested and charged, and quite likely sent to prison. Or worse.

You could make your plea to the American public. Only I don’t think most Americans are overly sympathetic to your cause. So perhaps that is why you decided an armed standoff was the best approach. You probably didn’t think that through very well.

When you make an armed stand and make comments like you would rather die than not be free, you are making reckless statements. When you take over federal land and wave guns around, claiming you don’t intend to use them and that you’re hope is a peaceful resolution, you’re not going to be taken very seriously. Why do you have guns if you don’t intend to use them? The whole idea of being armed is that it is supposed to show that you’re willing and able to put up a fight. Maybe you haven’t thought through this whole guns are cool thing. Despite the NRA marketing slogan, guns DO kill people. That is their primary purpose.

You’ve cost the county, state, and federal government a significant amount of taxpayer money. You’ve damaged a National Wildlife Refuge and quite possibly damaged ancient native American artifacts. You’ve pretended to be a big tough military force when you’ve proven you’re really just a bunch of armed half-wits looking for attention and free handouts.

Let’s hope this serves as a lesson to those that look up to you and think that what you’re doing is somehow patriotic and pro-American. It isn’t. America is a nation of laws and a nation of law abiding citizens. You are a group of radical law breakers.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-oregon-militia-standoff-20160126-story.html

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/where-things-stand-at-malheur-wildlife-refuge