To the Editor:
The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) is outraged at the recent Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) aggressive behavior against Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, who had lawful grazing rights dating back decades. In this particular case, the issue was not simply about the livestock. It is about American citizens’ private property, personal freedoms and the promises made by the United States government; regardless of how many years ago it was made.
The first line of defense for citizens against the federal government is most often the county sheriff and the county commissioners. ICOW would like to remind all elected officials that they take an oath to uphold the United States Constitution when they are sworn in to their elected office. The purpose of the United States Constitution is to put restraints on the federal government to keep it from becoming a tyrant.
ICOW requests that the Bureau of Land Management document by what authority they had to confiscate personal property, property owned by the citizens of Nevada, and to try to sell that property outside state law. ICOW also demands, as American citizens, that the federal agency or angencies involved pay restitution for the damages they created such as medical costs, financial loses to a private business, and destruction of property.
Sincerely,
W. Frank Eathorne
President Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming
