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<\/p>\n
LaVoy Finicum speaks to the media on January 15, 2016.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
BURNS, OREGON (Last Updated 1\/28\/2016 3:06 pm) \u2013 on January 26, 2015 the FBI and Oregon State Police ambushed and murdered Robert \u201cLaVoy\u201d Finicum. \u00a0Based upon two personal eye-witness accounts, it is clear that the stories being widely circulated are false (due to laziness, misguided motives, or wickedness) and the truth should interest the friends of liberty, and those who want to know the actual fate of LaVoy and how our government agents acted yesterday.<\/p>\n
I had just been to visit LaVoy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, and Shawna Cox the day before, and had only left the refuge yesterday morning in the very early hours. \u00a0In fact, I left just after our last Free Capitalist interview. \u00a0Shawna Cox was the last person I hugged.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve already gone on record regarding my thoughts on the protest, on Ammon, and last night I did a Periscope broadcast related to the tragic death of LaVoy, along with the arrest of Ammon and Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox, and others. \u00a0But, as the news has filtered out today, in both the mainstream and the alternative media I have been alarmed at the false accounts, hearsay accounts, and speculation regarding the events of that night.<\/p>\n
Since I was not a witness to the arrest and shooting yesterday, I too have spent time scouring the Internet for the latest word and updates. \u00a0But, by this morning a disturbing and intolerable pattern had started to emerge and I cannot sit silently. \u00a0 Here\u2019s why \u2013 during my visit to meet and interview these men, I not only made contact and got to know them, I was also able to observe the workings and activities at the Refuge. \u00a0 While I was there I observed, what now appears to be a portion of the sabotage that lead directly to the ambush, arrest, shooting and ultimately \u00a0the murder of LaVoy.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t realize then, what I was observing at the time. \u00a0In hindsight, it is now clear there were those on the inside working to help set last night\u2019s police action. \u00a0This was not only a betrayal of trust for the Bundy\u2019s, LaVoy and others, but something more sinister. \u00a0And, this is amplified by the false stories that are now circulating \u2013 and despicably so through outlets like OregonLive.com. \u00a0Make no mistake, based upon the only credible first hand witnesses \u2013 LaVoy Finicum was strategically ambushed and murdered<\/strong><\/em> \u2013 and the factual accounts must be defended and the false narratives resisted by those who love and cherish liberty.<\/p>\n There are three eye witness statements related to the events so far. \u00a0Of these, only two are credible.<\/p>\n First, the wife of Ammon Bundy, Lisa. \u00a0She reported that she received a phone call from Ammon, after his arrest and while he was in the back of the police car. \u00a0Ammon told her that LaVoy had been murdered, in cold blood with his \u201chands up\u201d and that he had also been shot multiple times, even after he was on the ground.<\/p>\n Second, the driver of the first vehicle, Mark McConnell, was reportedly released after several hours of questioning, and he responded to the social media frenzy about LaVoy\u2019s murder by debunking the concern, posting two videos arguing\u00a0that LaVoy had acted aggressively and that LaVoy had charged at the FBI agents, provoking their shots.<\/p>\n Third, an 18-year old female passenger, Victoria Sharp, who was in the second vehicle\u00a0that was driven by LaVoy, gave a detailed account of her experience and eye witness of LaVoy\u2019s murder.<\/p>\n For the reasons explained below, only Lisa and Victoria\u2019s accounts are credible. \u00a0Worse, Mark\u2019s account and the activities and messages a few other \u201cPatriot\u201d group leaders are spreading are more than un-credible, they are suspect.<\/p>\n Lisa Bundy\u2019s Account:<\/strong> \u00a0Lisa\u2019s account was the first direct report of events that didn\u2019t come from law enforcement or government sources. \u00a0And, both Lisa and Ammon have a sterling track record of focusing on calmly, rationally, and accurately\u00a0disseminating the facts and circumstances surrounding these events. \u00a0Lisa\u2019s account comes directly from Ammon \u2013 and is thus\u00a0highly valuable<\/em>. \u00a0Certainly, once having verified that this report actually came from Lisa and her conversation with Ammon immediately after the tragic events \u2013 there is nothing suspect. \u00a0(Update<\/strong><\/em>: \u00a0Reports have now been published that Ammon\u2019s father Cliven Bundy also received a similar phone call, with similar information at about the same time). \u00a0If Ammon Bundy says that LaVoy was murdered in cold blood \u2013 under these circumstances, and based upon my own assessment of Ammon\u2019s character and the motives and interests at issue \u2013 then I give a very high degree of credibility to this account. \u00a0 For the record, Lisa\u2019s first hand statements were\u00a0\u201cI talked to Ammon after he was arrested\u2026they shot [LaVoy] in cold blooded murder\u201d and \u201cHe called me right after, gave me the details and told me to tell everyone before the news got out the lies. Then got off the phone!!!\u201d<\/p>\n Mark McConnell\u2019s Account: \u00a0<\/strong>Mark was the driver of the vehicle \u00a0(a Jeep) that was carrying Ammon. \u00a0Mark posted two videos that are being circulated among Oath Keeper members and other patriot group members (i.e. Melvin Less). \u00a0In Mark\u2019s report he is visually upset about the \u201crumors\u201d and \u201casinine comments\u201d regarding how LaVoy was innocent and murdered. \u00a0But critically, he admits that he was too far away to witness the actual shooting. Yet, virtually every major media source is reporting his account as credible. \u00a0In his videos, he estimates that the shooting took place approximately 1 mile from where he was being detained and that he only saw the second vehicle drive off \u201cfrom about 200 yards\u201d towards the road block about \u201ca mile\u201d away. \u00a0But, the substance of his report is that he claims LaVoy subsequently exited his vehicle and \u201ccharged at the law enforcement\u201d which provoked the shooting and his death. \u00a0But, what is the basis for this? \u00a0Mark says repeatedly, \u201cI did not see the shooting\u201d and that \u201cI didn\u2019t see it\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m not going to speculate on it.\u201d \u00a0Yet, he claims that LaVoy was \u201cfoolish\u201d and had been in a \u201cheated discussion\u201d with fellow passenger Ryan Payne. \u00a0 He contradicts himself repeatedly, because for some reason, he really wants people to \u201ccalm down.\u201d \u00a0Apparently, this desire is even at the expense of the truth, and it may be worse. \u00a0Ryan Payne had exited vehicle number two (as described below) and was arrested and did was not present at the shooting. \u00a0Thus, there are only two living, non-government witnesses to all of the events \u2013 Shawna Cox and Victoria Sharp. \u00a0In sum, even Mark admits that his account is based upon second hand reports from Shawna Cox and Ryan Payne (both presumably still in custody) and based upon remarks that Mark said changed multiple times and that he was simply putting together \u201cpieces here\u201d and \u201cpieces there.\u201d<\/p>\n Victoria Sharp\u2019s Account:<\/strong> \u00a0Victoria was a passenger in the back of the second vehicle driven by LaVoy. \u00a0She witnessed events from the initial stop of vehicle 1 all the way through to the shooting. \u00a0She has given a lengthy interview describing events<\/a> \u2013 consistently and calmly. \u00a0In her report Victoria states that when LaVoy was first pulled over, he and Ryan Payne (who was the front seat passenger) repeatedly requested to talk to the county Sheriff rather than the FBI. \u00a0 Her report is that this angered the FBI agents. \u00a0In response to FBI demands LaVoy put his hands \u2013 both hands \u2013 out the window to show he was not a threat. \u00a0She also reports that from the moment they were pulled over there were approximately 20 laser spots she could see on her and the other passengers, including from pre-positioned snipers in the trees, positioned on the side of the road up in the forest. \u00a0 Significantly, she also reports that the first shots were fired by the FBI when Ryan Payne looked out the passenger side window and was shot at, but was not hit. \u00a0She reports that no one in the vehicle ever returned fire or pulled any guns or weapons. \u00a0According to Victoria, after the FBI refused LaVoy and Ryan\u2019s request to remove the two woman from the vehicle (who had come along to sing at the anticipated meeting), LaVoy explained that he was going to drive down to talk to the Sheriff and started to drive away. \u00a0At or about this point, according to her account, Ryan Payne exited the vehicle and was arrested. \u00a0The two women in the back seat (Shawna Cox and Victoria) along with Ryan Bundy (also in the back seat) tried to take cover laying on the floor boards because as LaVoy drove away the FBI showered the vehicle with bullets \u2013 \u201cat least 120.\u201d \u00a0 Victoria recounts that she and Shawna were screaming and pleading that the FBI stop shooting. \u00a0 Victoria then explains that LaVoy drove the truck into some kind of snow embankment and it was stuck, so he got out of the truck with his hands up. \u00a0She says he was \u201cjust walking with his hands in the air.\u201d \u00a0According to her account, she then personally witnessed that the FBI, and multiple shooters shot him multiple times, including after he hit the ground and that as he lay dead on the ground his hands were still up above his head. \u00a0She then says, after this, the government continued to riddle the vehicle with dozens, possibly hundreds of bullets, and that the only reason the two women and Ryan Bundy survived was that the shooters had a bad angle. \u00a0 Ryan Bundy was hit by a bullet or shrapnel caused by this firestorm.<\/p>\n Thus, the most credible accounts, and the only complete first hand account, is that the government pre-planned this encounter, it was no \u201ctraffic stop\u201d as the US Attorney is now reporting (\u201ca traffic stop on protesters [that] turned deadly.\u201d) It was deadly from before it started, because it was a pre-planned extraordinary show of force by the government, and shooting began without any shots being fired by LaVoy or the passengers in his vehicle. \u00a0The government agents continued to fire on a fleeing vehicle despite having set up a road block and despite no threat of force by LaVoy or the passengers, and after one of the passengers exited the vehicle and was arrested. \u00a0They shot LaVoy with his hands in the air, and continued to shoot him after he fell to the ground. \u00a0The government then continued to fire upon the vehicle with three passengers huddling down in the back seat on the floor. \u00a0This was, by all accounts, a military style ambush, and there is no indication that the government agents were in danger at any time, or that the excessive use of force was provoked or justified.<\/p>\n The credibility of Ammon and Victoria weighs heavily towards their accounts, while the sole contradictory account of Mr. McConnell is by his own admission, based upon him piecing together hearsay. \u00a0But, is that all that\u2019s going on here?<\/p>\n As I reviewed these facts, there are a few striking elements. \u00a0First, the government clearly knew the travel plans of these parties \u2013 including the timing and the route. (Update<\/strong> <\/em>1\/28\/2016 CNN\u2019s Evan Perez is reporting that \u201cFBI and Oregon State Police at a command center in Burns were monitoring the group when they departed the refuge to attend a town hall meeting with local residents in the town of John Day.\u00a0For days, they watched as members of the group came and went freely from the refuge\u2026The FBI and state police teams knew the route they were going to take.\u201d)<\/p>\n Second, the government made no advance effort to avoid violence \u2013 this was a secretive operation. \u00a0The significance of this might be overlooked by modern presumptions and media spin, but fair observers have to remember that Ammon and LaVoy were repeatedly open to discuss matters with the government. \u00a0They routinely went to the FBI operations center and the Sheriff\u2019s station to discuss their protest and their grievances. \u00a0 And, earlier yesterday, approximately five hours before these events, the FBI had been invited by Ammon to come to the Refuge and have a face-to-face discussion.<\/p>\n In all of this, neither Ammon nor LaVoy were given any demands by the FBI or OSP and they were repeatedly given free pass at public gatherings and eating at local restaurants, etc. (Update<\/strong> <\/em>1\/28\/2016 CNN also reports that the FBI and OSP intentionally \u201cmonitor[ed]\u201d and allowed \u201cmembers of the group\u201d to \u201cc[o]me and [go] freely from the refuge.\u201d) \u00a0 The point here is that the government clearly used surprise, and massive show of force, against men who on all previous encounters had been civil, rational, and reliably calm and willing to talk.<\/p>\n Tellingly, despite regular opportunities for communication, no demand had been made by the FBI or OSP on Ammon or LaVoy for them to do anything, except the Harney County Sheriff\u2019s initial demand that they leave the Refuge. \u00a0This is a critical point because \u2013 after Ammon and LaVoy publicly refused the Harney County Sheriff\u2019s offer of safe passage \u2013 they deliberately told him that theywould consider his offer at a later date<\/em>. \u00a0 Why is this significant? \u00a0Its\u00a0the LAST discussion prior to LaVoy\u2019s murder regarding any demand made upon the leaders of the protest and occupation. \u00a0Thus, it should have been no surprise that LaVoy would have been caught off guard by this massive operation, and the massive show of force. \u00a0Furthermore, it should not have been a surprise to anyone, let alone law enforcement, that in response to this surprising and dramatic change of approach, LaVoy would specifically ask to go and speak to the Sheriff.<\/p>\n Now, it may have been that LaVoy was wanting to go and speak with the Sheriff of Grant County (close where this all occurred). \u00a0It is widely known that unlike Harney County, Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer had publicly stated that the FBI should leave the area, and that the federal government should engage in a discussion of the grievances of the protesters. \u00a0Quite literally, according to Victoria\u2019s account, the massive ambush and use of\u00a0force was employed\u00a0by the FBI and OSP in direct response to LaVoy being alarmed by\u00a0the force (including unprovoked shots being fired) and driving off shouting that he was going to try and reach the \u201cSheriff\u201d who was the man in government and law enforcement that was most receptive to his prior request for safety and protection. \u00a0That same man, Sheriff Palmer is also the central law enforcement figure in the county where more the 200 supportive locals had gathered to hear Ammon and LaVoy speak, including Sheriff. \u00a0In fact, the whole setup ensured, that despite the prior three week approach, the government chose this time to act to keep Ammon and LaVoy from gaining support for the occupation in nearby Grant County and its Sheriff. \u00a0 (Update<\/strong><\/em>: \u00a01\/28\/2016 recent text message records published from a screen shot of Sheriff Palmer\u2019s iPhone shows support for this view. \u00a0Sheriff Palmer commented \u201cFBI and OSP know me\u2026and they know I wouldn\u2019t have allowed\u201d their operation which \u201cis why I think they did it in Harney County. \u00a0I believe they also did this to keep them from getting a tentacle into this county and from spreading as they were getting traction and momentum.\u201d)<\/p>\n This may not have occurred to anyone yet, but given that I work as a legal analyst and litigation strategist in the\u00a0legal community for a living \u2013 including high profile and government corruption cases \u2013 it jumps right out to me, after only a first look at the relevant law, a deliberate act by the FBI and OSP to prevent LaVoy and others from petitioning for relief from the duly authorized Sheriff \u00a0is ALSO quite possibly a felony violation of federal law, by the government. \u00a0For example, see\u00a0Finn v. United States<\/u>, 219 F.2d 894 (9th Cir. 1955). \u00a0In fact, it could be a violation of the very same federal law under which these parties have now all been charged. \u00a0The scheme of the FBI clearly interfered with the Sheriff\u2019s ability to exercise his duty, and these citizens\u2019 right to petition Sheriff Palmer. \u00a0While the FBI could defend itself by saying that an arrest would only be a temporary restriction and both Sheriff Palmer and these parties could talk later \u2013 by\u00a0implementing their plan, directly in response to LaVoy invoking this choice \u2013\u00a0that defense would be more difficult, particularly given that LaVoy is dead.<\/p>\n In any event, the significant\u00a0consideration here is that law enforcement clearly had inside help. As it is now admitted, the command center \u201cin Burns w[as] monitoring the group\u201d and knew their agenda, knew when they were departing and knew \u201cthe route they were going to take.\u201d \u00a0During my visit to the Refuge I observed purported militia members acting suspiciously and apparently giving reports of the travel plans for Ammon and Ryan Payne to someone outside the Refuge, and this included details of the timing of this very incident \u2013 and less than 24 hours before all this occurred. \u00a0In fact, while I didn\u2019t know it at the time, the subject of the conversation was a printed flyer advertising last night\u2019s events \u2013 in Grant County where Ammon and Ryan were invited to be the speakers. \u00a0Think about this, and the timing.<\/p>\n In addition to the material already covered above, it is well known and well reported, including by the New York Times<\/a>, that Ammon and LaVoy had already reached out to Sheriff Palmer as a member of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), that he had previously been that organizations \u201clawman of the year\u201d and had openly challenged the jurisdiction of federal agents in his county. \u00a0This claim is central to the motivation for the occupation. \u00a0In fact, LaVoy knew that Sheriff Palmer had publicly challenged <\/a>the notion that federal agents had any<\/em> law enforcement or policing authority outside of the confines of the local federal court house.<\/p>\n As pointed out above, Sheriff Palmer has openly speculated that the timing and show of force were directly meant to prevent Ammon and LaVoy from reaching Grant County and reaching the 200+ local supporters. \u00a0(Update: 1\/29\/2016 George Plaven from Capital Press is reporting that while citizens waited in Grant County, and word came in about the tragic murder and arrests, the citizens there recognized the FBI and OSP actions as an \u201cambush\u201d and Organizer Tad Houpt, of Canyon City, promised the crowd there would be another meeting in the very near future stating,\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re not going to stop, we\u2019re not going to take this anymore.\u201d)<\/p>\n It seems quite likely, that the federal government intervened, how and when it did, to prevent Ammon, Ryan and LaVoy from securing any further sympathy or assistance from Sheriff Palmer and\/or the people of Grant County. \u00a0Think this is too conspiratorial? \u00a0Besides the above information, NBCNEWS.COM is now reporting the same thing. \u00a0Pete Williams recently published, \u201cThe decision to carry out the arrests was set into motion<\/strong><\/em> when the defiant leaders left the refuge Tuesday to attend a community meeting in the town of John Day.\u201d \u00a0Given the massive show of force and preparation (snipers in the woods, road block etc.) and the short amount of travel time, this \u201cdecision to carry out the arrests\u201d was pre-planned and prepared and when Ammon and LaVoy and Ryan decided they were going for sure \u2013 the plan was \u201cset into motion.\u201d \u00a0 I should also note, that everyone at the Refuge knew something was different, and early in the morning there were reports of planes landing nearby in the dark, and of pre-positioned supplies staged by the government around the perimeter.<\/p>\n Finally, all of this makes more troubling, any accounts by purported patriot groups or self-styled militia members, that directly contradict Ammon and Victoria, based on nothing more than hearsay. \u00a0 As we speak, the Refuge is under siege, with the last remaining holdouts still refusing to surrender. \u00a0The live video stream<\/a>\u00a0has revealed that the remaining armed resistance supporting the occupation are independent supporters with the exception of a few \u201c3 Percenters\u201d and one or two from outside militias. \u00a0\u00a0 Where are the Oath Keepers? \u00a0Where is the perimeter other groups openly told the FBI that they were establishing to \u201cprevent another Waco?\u201d \u00a0The evidence indicates that at least a few such persons were no friends of liberty, and were accomplices to the murder of LaVoy.<\/p>\n Despite these isolated turncoats, there was another problem in this liberty-based protest. \u00a0Wherever they are now, the organized militia groups that were so anxious to make public display of their supposed strength \u2013 they are not at the Refuge, they are not defending these last few occupiers who believe wholeheartedly that they are making a stand against tyranny, and are now emboldened by the ambush and murder of LaVoy Finicum. \u00a0\u00a0On their website Oath Keepers has a news report about events, and has published an official release<\/a> from \u201cThe Pacific Patriots Network\u201d issuing an \u201cimmediate \u201cSTAND BY\u201d Order to all those who are mobilizing\u201d in response to LaVoy\u2019s murder, stating \u201c[w]e will not pursue any action until all of the facts have been pieced together regarding the traffic stop and the arrest of Ammon Bundy.\u201d \u00a0See the parroted language of the government about a purported \u201ctraffic stop?\u201d \u00a0That is spin. Think I\u2019m going to far? \u00a0Again, even NBCNWS has noticed. \u00a0Pete Williams also reports that\u00a0\u201cThe FBI earlier described the stop as an \u201cenforcement action\u201d done by federal agents and Oregon State Police in connection with the occupation.\u201d rather than as a routine \u201ctraffic stop.\u201d \u00a0 Finally,\u00a0Brian Miller and the official \u201cThree Percenter\u201d club is now stating<\/a>\u00a0that its members should wait \u201cuntil we can clear everything up\u201d and is advising those who want \u201cto go and get involved to stay away from the refuge I repeat stay away.\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless, what has happened is clear. \u00a0Its only the story and the spin and the posturing that is getting all muddy, with all the hand wringing, positioning, and butt-covering. \u00a0This will only increase as more details emerge, pressures are put on witnesses, law enforcement has time to craft the story, etc. \u00a0(Update: 1\/29\/2016 \u00a0CNN is reporting that \u201cthe shooting was captured on camera by the SWAT team\u2026[and] FBI and Oregon police officials are discussing possibly releasing the video.\u201d) \u00a0Of course, as word spreads about LaVoy being murdered, with his hands up, the pressure mounts for an alternative explanation.<\/p>\n Look,\u00a0I\u2019m always for cooler heads, rational thinking, and sound strategy. \u00a0But, that seems to be missing from Mr. McConnell and those spreading his hearsay, ironically after he has vilified reports based upon one of only two actual eye-witnesses to the whole event through and up until LaVoy\u2019s murder.<\/p>\n The other night I referenced Justice Scalia\u2019s statement in\u00a0D.C. v. Heller<\/u>, 554 U.S. 570 (2008) where he makes clear that even in modern times, at the core of the 2nd Amendment is the idea that militia\u2019s and armed citizens enable the citizenry to \u201cbetter resist tyranny.\u201d \u00a0But, remember, no one and no organization is going to benevolently acknowledge their tyranny, and their response to such claims is going to be vicious \u2013 thus the need for the 2nd Amendment, and the need to defend the true facts and accurate narrative \u2013 and now the story of LaVoy\u2019s murder.<\/p>\n In the end, here is the truth. \u00a0The government could have, but didn\u2019t prevent this. \u00a0The 3 Percenters could have, but didn\u2019t prevent this. \u00a0The Oath Keepers, the Pacific Patriots Network and other militia groups, could have but didn\u2019t prevent this. \u00a0Without assigning blame \u2013 it is undeniable that blood has been spilled, as a significant group of Americans from all over this country attempted to stand in resistance to tyranny.<\/p>\n So, while it is incredible that Justice Scalia recently re-affirmed that \u201cwhen the able-bodied men of a nation are trained in arms and organized, they are better able to resist tyranny\u201d \u2013 the fact that LaVoy Finicum is dead, one day shy of his 56th birthday, is a rebuke to those of us in the liberty movement. \u00a0It is a stinging rebuke. \u00a0As these events show, we are not well trained or well organized, we are not being effective at the most trying times and we are certainly not united. \u00a0At least eight of the leaders and key players in this protest now sit in federal jail charged with felonies, cut-off from family and support, most without attorneys, and media attention fading. A whole new pressure is being brought against Ammon and our other friends -and make no mistake about it, their challenge and difficulty is a long and arduous road.<\/p>\n More than 60 years ago, the great scholar and Constitutional advocate J. Reuben Clark warned that \u201cwe stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back.\u201d He also warned, \u201cI say to you that the price of liberty is and always has been blood, human blood, and if our liberties are lost, we shall never regain them except at the price of blood.\u201d \u00a0Once again, tragically, we are paying in blood and the loss of liberties from those who stood.<\/p>\n I have deep respect for these militia groups I\u2019ve criticized, and I have deep respect for our country and its government. \u00a0I have also come to love, respect and appreciate the Bundy\u2019s and those who rallied with them, including LaVoy. \u00a0Among his last words to me were his personal proclamation of faith in Christ, in this Country, and in the Cause of Liberty. \u00a0He knew the risks involved, and yet he still had a genuine, cheerful smile on his face.<\/p>\n A lot of good was accomplished, despite any criticism, by the effort led by Ammon and LaVoy. \u00a0It has come at a high price \u2013 and \u2013 most sobering, the organization and agenda\u2019s and efforts we\u2019ve advanced up to this point \u2013\u00a0is not enough. \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Being \u201ctrained in arms and organized\u201d means more than bravado, ammunition, big guns, and camouflage. \u00a0It means more than prominence and respectability, big groups and big names. \u00a0 \u00a0It must\u00a0also mean more than Facebook and Twitter warriors, and our less than credible alternative media reporters who often seem to advocate as much personal nonsense as they do principles of liberty.<\/p>\n If we want to recover from this stinging rebuke, we\u2019ve got to do something that no generation of freedom loving people has\u00a0yet done, since the time of America\u2019s Founding. \u00a0The boldness of that statement will escape most, and the seriousness, significance and requirements will also be difficult to grasp by the casual patriot. \u00a0The truth is that we\u2019ve got to be better and more comprehensively organized, as Jefferson predicted, from the great national government, down through the states and counties, to the individual households of our people. \u00a0Yes, we\u2019ve got to be trained in arms and have organized militia\u2019s \u2013 but this is less than 1\/7th of the blueprint. \u00a0 We will never outgun or out militarize the United States or any of her states. \u00a0Thus, while the ability to credibly project (and some times use) force individually and through our militia\u2019s is essential and invaluable \u2013 by themselves, these things are the unorganized, infighting tragedy that we\u2019ve just witnessed.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve got to build a full<\/strong><\/em> society of men and women who are committed to the principles of liberty as enshrined in the Declaration and the Constitution. \u00a0 In addition to militias, we must command educational, financial, and media control \u2013 and this is all still only 50% of the blueprint. \u00a0I could tell you more, and outline the blueprint here \u2013 but that\u00a0will have to be for a follow-up publication or broadcast.<\/p>\n In sum, every time a tragedy like this happens, the hearts and minds of patriots are pricked, energy and passion flow, and the prevalent question is \u201cwhat do we do now?\u201d \u00a0If the reader is honest, I think this is the question that is before us today \u2013 all of us. \u00a0What do we do now? \u00a0That has been the question I heard since boyhood, and it has resounded even in my own liberty organizations \u2013 every time we suffer significant set backs and the cause of liberty seems to be failing. \u00a0Why?<\/p>\n I\u2019ll tell you the answer.<\/p>\n Its because this is not a simple or quick fix. \u00a0It is not something one person, or a small group can do. \u00a0Its not a hobby or a club. \u00a0It is not for the faint\u00a0of heart, and it is not for broken homes and broken marriages that bicker over budgets and neglect children for fleeting hobbies. We have to rise above and work though these things. And, as a side note \u2013 a commitment to liberty can do that. \u00a0The path forward requires dedicated Americans<\/a>. \u00a0Dedicated, red-blooded Americans from all walks of life, from all of our varied subgroups and subcultures, who are REALLY willing to stand up for freedom no matter the cost\u00a0\u2013 and unite under the banner of liberty. \u00a0This means in our homes and in the public space. \u00a0But, even this is still not enough. \u00a0It takes a blueprint, so we can build a veritable liberty based society<\/a> that can quickly and powerfully correct America\u2019s course, and powerfully and uncompromisingly influence the course of her institutions \u2013 its churches, its schools, its governments, its medicine, its businesses, its culture and its play. \u00a0That, my friends, is a tall order, so tall \u2013 that the vast majority of our patriots either give up, tune out, wimp out \u2013 or minimize and marginalize to focus on only a small piece of this puzzle. \u00a0 \u00a0But, that won\u2019t due.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n My question for you, as you ponder the meaning of these things, and\u00a0the events and developments related to Ammon\u2019s efforts and LaVoy\u2019s murder \u2013 are you willing to go deeper? \u00a0Are you willing to dive in? \u00a0Are you willing to fully embrace a comprehensive, serious, life altering course for the sake of liberty?<\/p>\n LaVoy was fascinated as I explained to him why I had come to talk with him. \u00a0He was the first person I talked with at the Refuge, and he listened intently, asked lots of questions, and later in the day came back for more as we waited for my opportunity to discuss this circumstance of the occupation and to visit with Ammon and Ryan face-to-face. \u00a0In these exchanges I told LaVoy that I saw the heart, the Spirit of the Lord, and the conviction of these patriots at the Refuge, that I could see it in their eyes, and in their actions and in how they had comported themselves. \u00a0 I told him that I was undeniably required to show him and Ammon and Ryan and the others \u2013 my respect and love. \u00a0But, I also told him about a broader view, and throughout the day, I \u00a0told him that while I didn\u2019t want to be critical or suggest that anything in the liberty movement or in the efforts of these protesters at the Refuge was bad, or wrong, or misguided \u2013 I did tell him squarely, that it needed to be pushed forward, advanced, and taken up to the next level. \u00a0I told him that I respected what he and Ammon and the others were attempting, and that I only wanted to see their goals successful, and that I had some experience and insight and that I was engaged in rebuilding a group of liberty lovers and leaders spread across this nation \u2013 who could help with the larger, overall cause. \u00a0We talked about how our group might get involved, and where the Refuge protest needed help, etc. \u00a0When I told him about this new \u201cliberty society\u201d he agreed, and smiled hopefully. \u00a0He arranged for us to meet with several of the key people at the Refuge, and repeatedly introduced us as we spent the day there. \u00a0It was quite a day. \u00a0Towards the evening we were able to listen to Ryan\u2019s presentation and then start to share this same perspective of the broader blueprint with Ryan and Ammon and others.<\/p>\n But, that was just the begining. \u00a0Yesterday, those with eyes to see, saw an undeniable reality check, about where we stand with our freedoms and liberty, and how overstretched and oppressive federal and state law enforcement has become. \u00a0We cannot deny how quick to anger we as a people have become \u2013 especially through our government. \u00a0We cannot deny how slow to reason, to act in good faith, and how intolerant are our government agencies and their bureaucrats have become. \u00a0We also saw how futile are our best efforts are- even through groups like I\u2019ve mentioned. \u00a0We fight our enemies and ourselves, and liberty suffers \u2013 and blood is spilled. \u00a0In the end \u2013 we saw the deliberate and strategic ambush and subsequent murder of Robert \u201cLaVoy\u201d Finicum.<\/p>\n Whatever others think of LaVoy and his last protest, he was an American. \u00a0He was a man committed to a cause \u2013 and that cause was liberty! \u00a0The world is not better with him dead, our government is weaker with these horrible acts of tyranny and the people who know what is going on are heart-broken, stunned, and many are angry. \u00a0Hopefully.<\/p>\n Today, we have friends in jail. \u00a0The US Attorney says they will be arraigned about 5 minutes after I publish this \u2013 after that they will prosecuted by a United States Attorney with the full force of our government and the financial and legal resources it commands. \u00a0 These friends will need defended. \u00a0That will take resources, good minds, and passionate support. \u00a0I here publicly pledge mine. \u00a0Anyone who has direct contact with these men and woman are invited to reach out to me \u2013 I will help.<\/p>\n LaVoy publicly confessed that he believed freedom was sometimes more important than life. \u00a0He has proved his sincerity. \u00a0Have we? \u00a0His test in this life is over. \u00a0Ours is not. How much more blood must be spilled \u2013 before YOU, my friend<\/strong><\/em>reading this, will make a choice?<\/p>\n Do you think you\u2019ve already made the choice? Do you already stand for liberty? \u00a0Me too. \u00a0But it is not enough! \u00a0<\/strong>Self-evidently it is not enough.<\/p>\n We have got to advance this cause. \u00a0We have got to elevate our power and effectiveness. \u00a0Too many Americans are living lives of quiet desperation \u2013 in all areas \u2013 while the tyranny of unjust men marches forward. \u00a0 Whatever you\u2019ve said to yourself up until now, Robert \u201cLaVoy\u201d Finicum is a new witness, in a long line of witnesses, inviting us to pick up the torch and carry it further. \u00a0But, we HAVE to carry it further<\/em>. \u00a0We have to build a real, veritable liberty society \u2013 or we lose.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve been loosing a lot lately \u2013 politically, legally, socially, economically, etc. \u00a0But, the cause of liberty will not lose. We\u2019ve got to be smarter, lest surprised by the reality of tyranny, and more broadly engaged in the cause. \u00a0If we will do this, we can accomplish what no prior group of Americans has accomplished \u2013 we can finish the work of our Founder\u2019s revolution and take liberty, prosperity and peace \u2013 even further. Let us come together. \u00a0Let us awake and arise. \u00a0I know that some of you, a few of you, can \u201chear\u201d me. \u00a0I invite you to reach out. \u00a0Make contact with each other, with other lover\u2019s of liberty. \u00a0We\u2019ve got to help our friends. \u00a0What an example they have been. \u00a0<\/strong>We\u2019ve got to stand for liberty. \u00a0This is not just about ranchers \u2013 its about all Americans.\u00a0We\u2019ve got to do it based upon principles \u2013 and a strategic blueprint that can win!<\/p>\n Its a tall order. \u00a0A very tall order. \u00a0Nevertheless, it can be done. \u00a0If not us, who? \u00a0If not now, when?<\/p>\n Let\u2019s work together. \u00a0Even if you only hope that this possible\u00a0\u2013 reach out. \u00a0 To quote a hero, \u201cit can help to save your soul, and maybe your country.\u201d<\/p>\n Make contact.<\/p>\n \u2014 End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Ambush and Murder of Robert \u201cLaVoy\u201d Finicum<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30055","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30055"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30055\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Three Witness Accounts<\/h2>\n
Applying The Facts<\/h2>\n