Oregon standoff is armed grab of public land, not patriotism

Oregon standoff is armed grab of public land, not patriotism

Re “On seized land, a standoff settles in” (Page 1A, Jan. 4): Who is this Ammon Bundy character, thinking he can take my land at the point of a gun? That’s right. My land, my children’s land and my neighbors’ land. It belongs to every citizen of the United States. It is not the possession of a couple of ranchers that have for too long used and abused it for their own personal use.

This is an armed land grab. If he wants to compare guns with me, let it be known my ammo is the Constitution.

‘Militia’ members should lose their right to bear arms

Neither “well-regulated,” nor “militia” would apply to the armed gangs that showed up in Ferguson, Mo., in 2014, or the Bundy Ranch in Nevada or the Malhuer National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

They illegally occupy government or private property, and have aimed their weapons at police and government officials who try to cope with them. These are crimes against the state and should be felonies. When convicted they should lose their right to bear arms and treated like what they are: A gang with guns.

‘Thugs’ in Oregon thumbing nose at cherished rights

The right to protest has been turned on its head when armed citizens seize public property, look for a confrontation with authorities and circumvent due process of law. Some call these people terrorists. I call them thugs.

Black, brown gunmen would’ve met different end in Oregon

Re “Is justice really color blind?” (Viewpoints, Jan. 5): Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious to any thinking person. When the Bundy gang of terrorists first came to national attention, it was because they pointed loaded guns at law enforcement agents.

What do you think would have happened if the Bundys were black or brown instead of white? I doubt that incident would have had the nonviolent conclusion it did.

Justice can only be color blind when Americans forget color

Eugene Robinson will never know the answer to his statement, “What I want is that African-Americans, Muslim Americans and other ‘outsiders’ be seen as the Americans we are” until he and all of these groups come to grips with being just one thing. American.

If you want to act like a special interest group, then you will be treated as such.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 10:00 PM with the headline "Oregon standoff is armed grab of public land, not patriotism."