To the Editor:
After reading Thomas Mitchell’s commentary in the Mesquite Local News with disgust, (The wishes of one man drown out the voices of an entire state, July 16, 2015, page 4A), I felt it necessary to respond to his yellow journalistic opinions.
Mr. Mitchell panders to the uninformed and ignorant reader that prefers sensationalism to honest reporting, and useful factual information.
In his commentary about the wishes of one man drowning out the voices of an entire state he begs the question: Is President Obama a dictator? He is certainly not! Congress gave the Presidency the power to create National Monuments using the Antiquities Act. Republican and Democrat Presidents alike have used this authority bestowed to the Presidency to designate public places for all Americans.
The question should have been; is Cliven Bundy a dictator? In Mr. Mitchell’s first paragraph he asks the reader, “What do you call a country in which one person has the power to dictate to local elected officials how land within the state is used or not used?” In my opinion, this question should have been directed at Mr. Bundy, not at the President of the United States of America. The President used proper authority. However, unlike the President, Mr. Bundy has exercised illegitimate authority. He has acted as a self designated person of authority with dictatorial powers outside the law. Furthermore, he has flaunted his misguided beliefs, and actions, with impunity over local, state and federal laws. The State of Federal Constitution does not support Mr. Bundy’s law breaking, or acts of sedition.
Federal land belongs to all Americans. It is public land that is set aside for future generations, and is managed by the BLM for all Americans. It does not belong to the state of Nevada. Nevada never owned these lands. Nor does Cliven Bundy own these public lands, except in trust with all other Americans. Furthermore, this land is not managed by Cliven Bundy. He has no rights to it as his personal real estate. Mr. Bundy has tried to claim these lands through adverse possession using bullying and law breaking tactics against the wishes of most law abiding citizens. Mr. Bundy needs to stop his law breaking, pay his fines owed, and go to jail like any other law breaker!
In conclusion, Mr. Mitchell presents no legitimate, well researched journalism. Instead, he uses exaggerations, mongering, and sensationalism to sell newspapers. He should peddle fish rather than news.
Byron George
Mesquite
Bryon George should read Executive Order 13132 Dated Aug 4, 1999 and then read the updated versions. Also the Enclave Clause Art 1 § 8 cl 17. Also the Enabling Act of 1864. Also Joseph Story’s : A Familiar Exposition of The Constitution of The United States.
ISBN 978-0-89526-28-4
Bryan Geoege should “Get It Right”
John Ridgeway, why would you advise readers to look at the Enclave clause when it only applies to land where the fed gov has *exclusive* jurisdiction, which isn’t the case with the land surrounding Bundy’s 160 acres. Water rights on that land, for example, are governed by state law.
Readers instead should be looking at the Property clause which gives the government broad powers to manage federal land, powers they used during the time of the founding fathers, and powers that have repeatedly been confirmed by the US Supreme Court.
ArthurS. You just answered your own question. The State owns the land. The Constitution only gives the Feds jueisdictions to property it owns through purchase abd Cession. Art IV § 2 cl 5 only talks about “,,,T erritory or other Property belonging to the United States;…” Show me the contract of purshase between the State and the Feds after you show me the Constitutional Amendment that allows for what’s being done now. You are correct about the court up holding states rights to the property since even back to the time of the Articles of Confederation.
President Obama is close to a Dictator as you can get
Obama may not be a Dictator in the eyes of Liberals but he act and thinks as thought he is.
Obama can only do what he does with a powerful backing by many people in powerful places. Look at the Philipines for example. After the Spanish Anerican war they had a Constitution like ours, Within 3 about generations their President decalired Martial Law and that was the end of that.