Serious question about the FBI and Ammon Bundy.

[rateyes]

When Bundy showed up at the town hall meeting, why was he not arrested? When he showed up for negotiations, why was he not arrested? Is what he is doing not against the law?

[DirkGently]

1. It's getting pretty strange.

I don't think anyone takes issue with Federal law enforcement not storming the place as the militia goofs obviously anticipated.

But they are doing real damage -- stealing equipment, vandalizing security cameras at a power station, tearing down fences, breaking into computers.

The state's governor says the standoff is costing $100,000 per week, and is begging / demanding help from the government and the White House specifically.

Yes it does not appear they have even been ordered to leave.

Brown, speaking at a news conference where she also laid out her 2016 policy agenda, also said Oregon officials should "scrub" the state's budget next month to help offset the costs of the standoff. She put those ongoing expenses at $100,000 a week, with even more money spent during the first week of the standoff.

"This situation is absolutely intolerable and it must be resolved immediately," Brown said, saying she'll continue to press her case with the White House and FBI and also seek federal reimbursements. "The very fabric of this community is being ripped apart."

She confirmed that federal authorities had asked her office and other local officials to say as little as possible about the occupation to keep from adding any fuel to the occupiers' rhetorical fire. But that didn't stop her from speaking out all the same.

"This spectacle of lawlessness must end," Brown said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/01/kate_brown_oregon_should_help.html

[Crunchy Frog]

10. Brown for POTUS. n/t

[99th_Monkey]

2. It's simple. the FBI is doing absolutely nothing, except 'monitoring' the Bundy Terrorists

These armed-to-the-teeth Bundy Terrorists are getting:
1) to break the law with impunity in broad daylight, at the point of a gun,
2) to use the Malheur sanctuary (a Native American sacred site with many artifacts at risk) as
a National TV platform to spew their arrogant & hateful anti-Federal Gov't nonsense into our
living rooms every night,
3) to "put out the word" to like-minded armed lunatics to "join them" in seizing Federal land at
the point of a gun, and/or for other ranchers to refuse to pay their grazing fees and tear up their
contracts with the BLM,
4) to come & go freely as they please to stockpile more food, water, guns, ammunition and lord
know what else, thus insuring that the "standoff" will continue indefinitely.
5) to travel into the nearby town of Burns to terrorize local residents while armed-to-the-teeth.

While the FBI watches on.

[Odin2005]

3. It's become clear to me that they have friends in the FBI protecting them.

[1939]

4. Last time I looked,

the FBI worked for AG Lynch who worked for the President. All they have to do is say the word. It doesn't matter what the political leanings of FBI personnel are.

[awoke_in_2003]

11. Yep...

if they allowed them, the FBI's HRT could clean this mess up in 10 minutes.

[PoiBoy]

5. And here I thought that we "don't negotiate with terrorists"...

...silly me...

[libodem]

6. I wonder what President Obama thinks?

I think this makes him look paralyzed with indecision. This is a National Insurrectionist Movement and presents a clear and present danger.

It's a National Security issue. It's a bigger problem to the country than Rubio buying a gun for Christmas to save his family from Mid East Mercenary Militias.

[mainer]

7. Have you seen his bodyguards and their guns? It would have led to bloodshed.

That's why the feds are being cautious. The Bundy militia is bristling with firearms. As soon as the shooting starts, the feds will get blamed for any and all deaths.

[louis-t]

8. You are correct.

Bundy militia, like ISIS, seeks confrontation. They want another Waco. They consider themselves martyrs already. They have a death wish. Their numbers would triple immediately after an attack on them. The situation has to get desperate enough that the locals would beg the feds to intervene. The militia will cross the line and hurt someone or go too far. It's getting close.

[brer cat]

13. I agree, mainer,

and the situation is made much more difficult since they are hiding behind children. I am glad that PBO and AG Lynch are being cautious...justice delayed may mean lives saved in this situation.

[SeattleVet]

9. Perhaps they are having some trouble getting the arrest warrants processed...

every time they think they are through, the terrorists manage to break yet another law and the government is slowed down by having to add the new charges to the warrants.

Maybe the feds just need faster typists.

[Babel_17]

12. The problem will be defending from accusations of over reacting, and selective enforcement, ...

The problem will be defending from accusations of over reacting, and selective enforcement, in the future.

Someone will be accusing the government of using arguments analogous to the one of "real rape". It's not "real insurrection" when it's out West, by ranchers. But when it inconveniences the establishment, then they will have to react fast and firmly, and with serious charges.

Let some armed <insert demographic here> seize an INS building over a holiday, or when it's under repair. Then we'll see for how long they can wander in and out, and chat with FBI agents. Let them raise their banner, and my oh my you'd better TIVO what happens next because it will be over fast.