Many readers have probably heard about the issue in Nevada regarding a rancher named Cliven Bundy and the Bureau of Land Management. The argument has been going on for about 20 years which involves grazing fees on federal land, which Bundy has refused to pay. It’s reported that he owes a little over a million dollars to the federal government in grazing fees.

By the way, Bundy supposedly does not recognize the authority of the federal government. I enjoy reading about people who for different reasons don’t believe the federal government has authority over them. I wonder if they vote for U.S. Senators, or U.S. Representatives, or President. I wonder if they pay taxes or visit national parks or even use interstates for travel! Many of these people I’ve met or read about over the years have ended up in prison – ironically they are sent to federal prison.

Bundy’s lost all the federal court cases along the way starting in November 1998 when he was told by a federal court to stop letting his cows graze on federal land.

On April 5, 2014, the BLM issued a statement saying,

As provided in two Federal District Court orders, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Southern Nevada District Office and National Park Service (NPS) Lake Mead National Recreation Area today will begin removing cattle that have been grazing illegally on public land in Clark County for more than 20 years.

So, over 15 years after the court first ordered the grazing to stop, the BLM started taking Bundy’s cattle and the issue escalated. I know the government runs slowly, but that seems a little ridiculous.

Then the feds designated “First Amendment areas” where people could assemble to protest the action. Then the incident exploded with people from all over showing up to support Bundy.

Bundy told Fox News “This is a lot bigger deal than just my cows, it’s a statement for freedom and liberty and the Constitution.” He also tried to compare his issue with the feds to Ruby Ridge and the Branch Davidians in Waco – two other incidents that the feds royally messed up.

Both sides have made a mess of the whole thing. All across the fruited plains we have local governments, state governments, and a federal government running things in our great country. Sometimes they screw things up. That is one reason we have a judicial branch.

The good news is today the Associated Press is reporting that the feds have stopped their actions and released the 400 head of cattle they had already rounded up. They planned on taking 900 cattle.

The issue is far from over:

A day after blinking in a showdown on the range, federal land managers pledged to pursue efforts to resolve a conflict with a southern Nevada rancher who has refused to pay grazing fees for 20 years.

So now the feds have probably spent more on this failed operation than they were owed by Cliven Bundy.

That, my faithful readers, is the federal government we know best…

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