I don't trust most of what I read about the standoff taking place in Oregon, but I did find
this map useful:
 |
| Control |
The role of the federal government differs substantially in the western part of the country, because much of the land itself is under federal control. If anything, the amount of land under federal control has increased since 2004. And how the feds manage the land can have huge impacts on those who own land in those states. It's not coincidental that most of the major wildfires we have in the United States take place in areas where the feds control much of the land.
You can read more about the case
here. I am skeptical about mandatory minimum sentences, which are at issue in this case. What I would suggest is this: most of the people who are either sneering at the principals involved, or who are shouting "terrorism" about the actions of the always annoying Bundy family, need to think a bit more about the larger context. We are always admonished to be more nuanced in our thinking. Wouldn't hurt in this case, either.
