Reposted from The Wilderness News
#Vote4Wilderness
NEW WEB SITE USES BUNDY
TO EXPOSE LAND GRAB POLITICIANS
TO EXPOSE LAND GRAB POLITICIANS
by RALPH MAUGHAN on MAY 31, 2014 · 5 COMMENTS · in CONSERVATION, POLITICS, PUBLIC LANDS
Sagebrush patriots put up “Bundy’s Buddies”
The name of scofflaw rancher “Cliven Bundy” continues to inspire not only certain Republican politicians who are planning more sagebrush rebellion, but now their opposite, who we might call “sagebrush patriots.”
A new web site, Bundy’s Buddies, http://www.bundysbuddies.com/
has been put up showing the name and photos of the most significant politicians in the Western states who are pushing for the states to be given the public lands of the United States. Bundy’s Buddies also has a link for each politician leading to a news story showing their involvement in the latest incarnation of “taking back” the lands for the states. For example, a photo of Republican U.S. House candidate Matt Rosendale on Montana leads to this story, “U.S. House candidate Rosendale: Transfer USFS, BLM lands to state.”
http://missoulian.com/news/local/u-s-house-candidate-rosendale-transfer-usfs-blm-lands-to/article_1bffe6cc-c761-11e3-a0de-001a4bcf887a.html
In fact the politicians on the new web site are not really Bundy’s pals or support his militant defiance of the courts and the BLM. Nevada Senator Dean Heller is an example. He publicly disavowed Bundy after the Bunkerville Nevada rancher decided to give his views on Black folks. Earlier, however, in a now famous joint TV program with Nevada’s other senator Harry Reid, Heller called Bundy “a patriot” while Reid called Bundy’s supporters “domestic terrorists.” So although they might not really support Bundy these politicians do support transferring some or all of the public lands to the states.
The list of politicians on the web site is not complete. For example, Elko County, Nevada, Commissioner Grant Gerber began a 70-mile horse ride on Memorial Day through part of Northern Nevada to protest livestock grazing reductions on public lands. Gerber was one of the original sagebrush rebels back in the late 1970s, a fact that almost all the news stories are ignoring. This might be due to lack of a web search or to reporters without a sense of history. Gerber has recently organized other rides by livestock operators to deliver petitions to Nevada’s Governor Brian Sandoval.
The very first “sagebrush rebellion” was not called that. It began in the mid-1940s when a group of powerful ranchers wanted the public lands given not to the states, but in fact given to the members of their organization after paying just a token fee. This movement gained considerable strength for several years but was almost single handedly shot down by nationally prominent journalist Bernard DeVoto who campaigned against it from his position in Harper’s Magazine, other national publications, and a national tour to alert people to the threat. http://www.ohioswallow.com/extras/0804010722_intro.pdf
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides.
5 Responses to new web site uses bundy to expose land grab politicians
avatarYvette says:
May 31, 2014 at 8:55 am
The ‘sagebrush patriots’ is interesting to watch. It seems to be a political movement gaining momentum. Could this be the the American West version of the tea-party?
I hope I’m wrong and that these guys’ enthusiasm falters and that they do not gain support on a large scale.
God, guns and patriotism; add cows and a poisonous pot has been brewed.
REPLY
avatarLouise Kane says:
May 31, 2014 at 9:47 am
“God, guns and patriotism; add cows and a poisonous pot has been brewed.”
Its already a potent and toxic brew
REPLY
avatar Louise Kane says:
May 31, 2014 at 9:27 am
Ralph have you ever considered submitting your wildlife news format and blog for consideration to a public venue for television or media? Its amazing how many people find their way to it, the depth of understanding and history of the subjects that you write about. You’d be doing a great public service to adapt this website to a weekly column or a televised series. I’d have some ideas on that from my prior work!
REPLY
avatarMaska says:
May 31, 2014 at 9:44 am
“This might be due to lack of a web search or to reporters without a sense of history.”
The lack of a sense of history is pervasive not only among younger reporters, but also among many public land conservation activists. It’s good that there are people like you, Ralph, and a number of others informing the young and reminding the old of the story of how we got here.
REPLY
avatarThe Wilderness Guy says:
May 31, 2014 at 10:45 am
Excellent. Gets right to the point, and exposes the Tealiban in our government. A very small, but albeit vocal minority.
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2014/05/31/new-web-site-uses-bundy-to-expose-landgrab-politicians/
