Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Weekend Contributor
It appears that the militia groups who arrived in Nevada to support Cliven Bundy with his standoff against the Bureau of Land Management have become a cause of concern for some residents, workers, and businesses in the area surrounding Bunkerville.
Horsford talks Bunkerville militia presence with Rachel Maddow
KLAS-TV/News NOW (Las Vegas) reported on April 29th that hotels in Mesquite had suffered financial losses of more than $100,000 due to concerns about armed militia groups patrolling in the area. News NOW learned that Mesquite police were investigating death threats made to hotel workers following a bomb threat earlier in April.
Evidently, the threats multiplied as armed militia groups continued to pour into the area surrounding Cliven Bundy’s ranch. One city leader in Mesquite said that “the entire Holiday Inn Express was evacuated for hours following a bomb threat related to the Bundy saga…” News NOW obtained a police report which showed that the Holiday Inn Express had received at least nine threatening telephone calls after the hotel allowed BLM rangers to stay there. Hotel workers were told to kick out the BLM or they “would not be standing in the morning.” One hotel worker, who refused to go on camera, claimed that he was told by an anonymous militia member that he would be “dragged out in the parking lot and shot”.
“We are not a playground for armed militias,” Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said during a meeting with area leaders about the militia. Horsford said that he had been contacted by residents of his district who were concerned about the armed militia groups from out of state who were still present in their area. Horsford was told by residents that militia groups had set up checkpoints where residents must prove they live in the area before they are allowed to pass…” He was also told that they had set up a “persistent presence” along federal highways, and state and county roads.
Rep. Horsford wrote a letter to the Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie asking him “to look into complaints that militiamen had been present in Bunkerville-area schools and churches and had set up armed checkpoints on state, federal and county roads, seeking proof of residency from motorists.” Horsford said in his letter, “We must respect individual constitutional liberties, but residents of and visitors to Clark County should not be expected to live under the persistent watch of an armed militia. Residents have expressed their desire to see these groups leave their community.” Horsford added that his constituents were being forced to “‘live under the persistent watch of an armed militia,’ that answers to no particular authority other than its own, and is accountable to no one.” He urged the sheriff “to work with local leaders to ensure that their concerns are addressed in a manner that allows the community to move forward without incident.”
Note: A News NOW crew that was in Bunkerville last Tuesday said it did not find any roadblocks in the area “with militia members checking on people trying to pass.”
The StarTribune reported that Bundy’s neighbors and local authorities have grown weary of the Nevada rancher’s unresolved dispute with the BLM. Bundy has denied that any militia members had set up checkpoints on public property. A group of militia members, however, was reported to have stopped a neighboring rancher who was trucking cattle to Arizona. Bundy said the milita members were just helping his son. “They wanted to ensure that Bundy cattle weren’t being rustled.”
Militias’ Ongoing Presence in Nevada Creates Fear and Friction
Cliven Bundy’s Home on the Range (A Mark Fiore Video)
SOURCES
Concerns growing about militia members at Bundy ranch (KLAS-TV)
Businesses lose thousands in Bundy ordeal (KLAS-TV)
Congressman: Bundy Militia Has Set Up Road ‘Checkpoints’ In Nevada (Talking Points Memo)
Bundy Ranch ‘Militia’ Considered Using Women As Human Shield (Talking Points Memo)
Businesses lose thousands in Bundy ordeal (KLAS-TV/News NOW)
Neighbors grow weary of ‘militia’ remaining with Nevada cattle rancher in federal land dispute (StarTribune)
Nevada Congressman Seeks Probe Of Armed Militia Operations At Cliven Bundy Ranch (Reuters/Huffington Post)
Sheriff urged to clamp down on armed militiamen around Bundy ranch (Las Vegas Sun)
Bundy’s ”Militia” Is Lawlessness of a Different Color (Truth-Out)
Ongoing Militia Presence Raises Fears Among Locals Near Bundy Ranch (Southern Poverty Law Center)
NV lawmaker presses sheriff to probe Bundy militiamen (FOX 5/KVVU-TV)
Nevada lawmaker: Cliven Bundy supporters are setting up ‘checkpoints’ against residents (Raw Story)
The Dark Side Of Cliven Bundy’s Conservative Media-Approved Militia (Media Matters)
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Paul,
I believe you asserted that it was a motorized battering ram.
And you also asserted that it was NOT a tank. That it was a battering ram.
However, if I am incorrect, I hope you will pardon me. I sometimes have trouble knowing just where you are standing on a particular point at any particular moment.
Mea culpa.
It is not a TANK in that the cannon has been disabled. It used to be a Tank. It is basically a motorized battering ram, now. But you can call it whatever you want.
Keebler – if you can hook me up with getting paid for this, please send me the link or ph. no. And I do not know why you are so protective of the female GBers, they can handle themselves. They really do not need your help.
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/us-gov-worker-threatened-hooded-men-because-blm-logo-truck-video
Militia men holding up signs to those they think are BLM stating “You must die”.
Good job nick.
Paul
Yikes! Darned if Steven Seagal didn’t drive Uncle Joe’s tank. And it was to break up an evil bomb making factory! No. cross that out. It was to bust a cock-fighting ring. That maybe would score Uncle Joe some illegals, I betcha.
But, no worries. Nobody hurt.
Except a puppy.
I have always said the Joe has a tank. Never said he didn’t. I would double-dog dare you to call Steven Seagal a D list actor to his face. The tank was used to break down the fence around the yard. The claimants are not claiming that Seagal killed the puppy, rather that it ended up dead during the raid and Seagal should pay them $100k and give them an apology. There actually seems to be a lack of evidence that the puppy existed. However, it appears some 100 fighting cocks and hens were killed when the Sheriff’s Dept blew the windows out of the house. Now I ask you, who keeps 100 fighting cocks and hens inside their house?
No, Paul.
Uncle Joe has a TANK. He uses that tank as a ‘battering ram’.
Wasn’t there a story about some D list actor driving that tank on some kind of raid?
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it was just a third rate ‘reality’ show. Governments don’t do such things.
Mr. Keebler
feynman here. Do you know that Nick thinks we are one in the same?
Mr Keebler,
I haven’t as yet seen someone suggest to the male bloggers that they should be commenting on “important” threads. I wonder why. Some folks may have more free time than I and be able to read and comment on all of the articles posted on this blog. I’m busy much of the time caring for my young granddaughter…and visiting with my ninety-six year old mother. I also write for a couple of other blogs–as well as write children’s poetry.
Is this what they call thread jacking Nick, I know you’re paid. But really, do this on one of Jonathan’s threads and I won’t call you out. But, you’ve made it clear you don’t like school teachers, unions or the like. Just move on, please….
This is about the thief named Clive Bundy…. The GOP poster boy….. Until, the found out the fact!
Keebler – some of us were commenting on the ebb and flow of conversations on any thread and that it was the rare thread the kept exactly to the topic at hand.
It seemed like there was more to the story of Boko Haram kidnapping 260 girls and not getting any coverage for weeks and this buffoon being headline news. Well, The Daily Beast and Jake Tapper have explained why. For over 2 years, Congress and terrorism experts had pleaded w/ Hillary as Sec. of State to put this group on the international terrorist list. She refused. Why, well we don’t know because Princess Hillary won’t answer questions. Kerry added them to the list in November after taking office. The Princess has some ‘splaining to do.
Funny. I wouldn’t have thought Sheriff Joe had any need of a tank, either. Although, perhaps there is an unruly daycare center or two that demands extra intimidation …oops, …I meant caution.
Sheriff Joe’s tank is actually a motorized battering ram. The gun barrel has been retrofitted to make it a ram. Personally, seeing that thing coming at me, I would surrender. 🙂 However, some drug houses are heavily secured and the motorized ram makes it easier to get in when they are executing a raid. I give him points for creativity.
Darren,
Many thanks for the server 505 error explanation and sorry I did not get back to you earlier.
But I hope there is no follow-up written exam. I would need many hours of study.
Elaine, it’s beautiful here too, going to spend some time cleaning up my garden.
I don’t have to think twice to figure out the one who is “obsessing.” It’s the one who appears fixated on my posts, what posts I comment on, my comments, my use of links, etc.
Must be off now. It’s a gorgeous day here–and I’m going to take my granddaughter for a walk to the park.
Annie – there has been some psychological studies done on people in the arts and directors are usually ‘mother-figures’ who see the production as their child and the participants as their children.
Paul, “At this point what difference does it make?” Said wide eyed and shrilly.
However, I’m a libertarian. They have a right to so, and I have a right to simply point it out.
Agreed, raf. Tell those who obsess on some threads and ignore most others. That’s not me!!
Nick,
I think all of the threads are worthy of the full attention of all of the readers and commenters.
Some people are just frustrated directors. 😕
I think I am going to quote that wise white woman, Hillary Clinton and say “This is old news.”
Straw man. I made a positive suggestion about a real issue thread. I did not say don’t comment here. That accusation that I did is ludicrous and a flop.