Blogger, Artist, Social Media, Web Designer, Photographer- I blog about nouns-people, places and things, even when it's negative I try to put a positive spin on it. @tinawinterlikfb https://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
🚨 Orwell Warned Us – When Journalists Are Threatened for Telling the Truth
Something deeply dangerous is happening, and too many people are too distracted to notice.
Recently, Donald Trump said he is considering forcing journalists to reveal their sources if they publish leaked U.S. intelligence — and he added that they could be prosecuted if they don’t comply.
Let that sink in.
This isn’t just about Trump. This is about press freedom, truth, and the core of democracy.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution exists for a reason: to protect free speech and freedom of the press. Without journalists being able to report on what governments are doing — especially behind closed doors — we lose our ability to hold power accountable.
Whistleblowers stop speaking. Journalists stop digging. Truth is buried.
And if this all feels eerily familiar, it should.
George Orwell Warned Us
In his book 1984, Orwell described a world where:
The government constantly rewrites the past to fit the present.
Independent thought is criminalized ("thoughtcrime").
Truth-tellers are silenced or erased.
A daily “Two Minutes Hate” targets enemies of the state.
The media becomes a mouthpiece for the regime.
Sound familiar?
Trump has already labeled the media as “the enemy of the people,” which is authoritarian language used throughout history to discredit and destroy the free press.
In 1984, Orwell writes:
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
This is exactly what happens when journalists are threatened for revealing government wrongdoing — truth becomes treason, and the people become blind.
Why This Matters Right Now
If the government can:
Force journalists to reveal sources
Punish them for publishing uncomfortable truths
Intimidate newsrooms into silence
Then we no longer have a free press. And without a free press, we don’t have a functioning democracy — we have a controlled narrative, curated by the powerful.
And no, this isn’t just a U.S. problem. In Canada, the UK, and around the world, press freedom is being eroded through legal intimidation, economic pressure, and online disinformation.
So what can we do?
Support independent journalism — subscribe, donate, share.
Speak out when freedom of speech is under attack.
Re-read 1984. Share it with a friend.
And ask: If they’re coming after the journalists today, who’s next?
🧠 Reflection question:
If the truth becomes illegal, how will we ever know what’s really happening?
Stay awake. Stay informed. And don’t be afraid to speak up.
– Zipolita
I recently read that you need a $125,000 salary to buy a home in BC. My first thought? Who actually makes that kind of money? Because I sure don’t—and most people I know never have.
Let me take you back.
In 1999, I was working a tech job, doing night shifts and overtime. I earned around $45,000—a decent wage for the time. But after taxes, nearly $10,000 was gone. I was working hard, sacrificing sleep, and still barely getting ahead.
Fast forward a few years, I worked as a nanny—an essential, caring job—and made about $24,000 a year. Try living on that in Vancouver today. Many people are lucky if they make $30,000 or $40,000 working full-time. And now we’re told we need $125,000 just to buy a modest home?
How Did We Get Here?
It didn’t used to be like this.
In the '80s and '90s, you could earn a working-class wage and eventually buy a home, even in cities like Vancouver. A single income household could sometimes manage. You didn't need to be rich—you just needed stability, hard work, and a little luck.
Now, even two full-time incomes aren’t enough.
This shift didn't happen overnight. Housing became a commodity, not a human right. Global investors, financial speculation, unchecked development, and policies that ignored everyday people led to a system where only the wealthy—or the already-housed—can win.
Add in Trump’s trade war, pandemic inflation, rising interest rates, and the cost of everything from lumber to lettuce shot up. Our wages didn’t keep up. And people like me—artists, caregivers, workers, parents—were left behind.
Newcomers: You’re Not Alone
If you’re new to BC and struggling, I see you. You may be wondering why everyone seems to have it so good—while you’re hustling just to make rent.
The truth is, many long-time residents are struggling too. We remember a time when this place was livable. But over the decades, it’s become a province that rewards speculation, not contribution
What Can We Do?
We need to:
Tell our stories. The truth gets buried under glossy developer ads and government spin.
Push for policy change. Real rent control, better wages, and non-market housing.
Support each other. Community matters now more than ever.
Housing shouldn’t be a dream only for the rich. It’s a basic need—and we all deserve dignity.
Have a story about housing in BC? Let’s raise our voices—together.
As a concerned Canadian watching the state of democracy unfold south of the border, the recent firing of Phyllis Fong, the longtime Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is deeply unsettling. Fong had served in her position for 22 years, overseeing investigations into food safety, animal welfare, and corporate accountability. Her sudden dismissal, along with 16 other inspectors general, raises serious questions about government transparency and oversight.
Why Was Phyllis Fong Fired?
According to reports, the White House justified Fong’s removal by claiming that so-called "rogue, partisan bureaucrats" were being replaced with individuals who would “uphold the rule of law and protect democracy.” But let’s be clear: inspectors general are not partisan appointees. Their role is to serve as independent watchdogs, ensuring government agencies function ethically and efficiently.
Phyllis Fong’s work at the USDA was critical in holding corporations and government officials accountable. Her office investigated Elon Musk’s Neuralink for potential violations of animal welfare laws, exposed inhumane conditions at research dog breeders, and looked into the listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head products. She also played a key role in monitoring the USDA’s response to the spread of bird flu, which has had serious implications for public health and food safety.
Fong’s dismissal appears to be part of a broader purge of federal oversight officials. The mass firing of inspectors general is eerily reminiscent of authoritarian tactics, where leaders eliminate independent watchdogs to shield their actions from scrutiny. If these firings stand unchallenged, what does this mean for accountability in the U.S. government?
A Blow to Transparency and Democracy
Inspectors general exist to prevent corruption and ensure public trust in government institutions. Removing them without due process undermines the very foundations of democracy. In Fong’s case, she pushed back against her firing, citing legal experts who argue that the terminations lacked compliance with proper procedures. If she and others are forced out regardless, this sets a dangerous precedent—one where the government can silence independent oversight at will.
As a Canadian, I can’t help but worry about the ripple effects of such actions. The U.S. remains one of the most influential democracies in the world, and when its institutions are weakened, it emboldens authoritarian tendencies elsewhere. If independent oversight is dismantled in America, what stops similar actions from happening here?
What Happens Next?
Fong’s firing should not be ignored. Americans who care about government transparency must demand answers and push back against these blatant attacks on oversight. Meanwhile, Canadians should take this as a warning—democracy is fragile, and if we don’t protect our institutions, we could see similar erosions of accountability in our own country.
The firing of Phyllis Fong isn’t just an American issue—it’s a warning to all of us who believe in government accountability. The question now is: who will hold those in power accountable when the watchdogs are removed?
Stranger Than Truth: When Fiction Becomes the New Reality in Canada
In Canada, a country often perceived as a beacon of fairness, equality, and transparency, there have been numerous instances where the line between truth and fiction has been manipulated for political, corporate, and personal gain.
These events may not have the same overt authoritarian edge as those seen in more oppressive regimes, but they reveal a troubling pattern of bending or obscuring the truth to suit powerful interests.
As we look back on some of the most glaring examples, one can’t help but wonder: how much of what we believe to be the truth is simply fiction dressed up as fact?
1. The Arrival App: A Digital Failure and Public Deception
The Canadian government introduced the Arrival app during the COVID-19 pandemic to help manage travel restrictions and health protocols for incoming international travelers.
However, the app quickly became an infamous example of government mismanagement. Travelers were faced with constant glitches, delays, and issues accessing crucial health data. Despite widespread complaints and confusion, the government continued to praise the app as a success.
In reality, the app failed to live up to expectations. But the government’s continued insistence on its success painted a false picture of a smooth, efficient response to the pandemic.
By downplaying the app’s flaws, the government hoped to maintain public confidence, but this led many to feel deceived, especially when they struggled with a platform that didn’t work as intended.
2. CERB Clawback: Financial Betrayal During a Crisis
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced to provide financial relief to workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many Canadians found themselves facing an unexpected and financially devastating clawback of the benefit. While the government initially promised that CERB would be available to those who needed it, the rules governing who qualified for the program were vague, and many individuals were hit with repayment demands months later.
The CERB clawback exposed a glaring communication failure. Thousands of Canadians, who had been financially struggling, were now forced to repay the money they had received. The government’s messaging about repayment and eligibility was often confusing and inconsistent, leaving many to feel betrayed by a program that was supposed to help them through the hardest months of their lives. By downplaying these issues or failing to address them adequately, the government helped perpetuate a false narrative of fairness and transparency.
3. COVID-19 Testing and Lab Scandals: Failing the Public’s Trust
As COVID-19 testing became a critical part of Canada’s public health response, there were several concerning reports about testing labs engaging in questionable practices. Some private labs were accused of submitting false or incomplete results, while others were suspected of manipulating testing numbers for financial or political gain. These lapses in transparency raised serious questions about the integrity of the data being used to make public health decisions.
The response from public health authorities was often lackluster, with many concerns being downplayed or ignored. As the pandemic wore on, public trust in the testing system began to erode. The government's refusal to fully acknowledge these issues and take swift corrective action contributed to a growing sense of unease among Canadians who felt their safety and well-being were being compromised. The suppression of these truths, or at least the delay in addressing them, created a climate of distrust and confusion.
4. The Oil Sands Debate: A Manufactured Economic Narrative
For years, the Canadian government and the oil industry have painted the oil sands as a crucial part of Canada’s economic future. The narrative has focused heavily on job creation and economic benefits, while downplaying or ignoring the environmental damage caused by the extraction process. Even as Indigenous communities and environmental groups raised alarms about the destruction of ecosystems and the acceleration of climate change, the government and industry continued to push the message that the oil sands were vital to Canada's prosperity.
This manufactured narrative ignores the growing body of evidence that suggests the true cost of the oil sands may outweigh any economic benefits. The manipulation of facts and the silencing of opposition in favor of promoting oil extraction for profit created a version of the truth that suited the political and corporate elite, while disregarding the environmental and social consequences.
5. The SNC-Lavalin Scandal: Political Interference and Public Deception
The SNC-Lavalin affair revealed the lengths to which the Canadian government would go to protect powerful corporate interests. In 2019, it was revealed that senior members of the Liberal government had pressured then-Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to intervene in a criminal prosecution against the engineering firm SNC-Lavalin, which was facing charges related to bribery and corruption.
The government initially denied any wrongdoing, but as the story unfolded, it became clear that political interference was at play. The narrative around the scandal shifted several times as new revelations came to light, leaving the public to question the integrity of the government’s actions. The SNC-Lavalin scandal exposed how political elites could manipulate the truth to shield corporations from accountability, putting corporate interests above the public good.
6. Indigenous Rights and the Long Struggle for Truth
Canada has long struggled with the truth surrounding its treatment of Indigenous peoples. While many Canadians take pride in the country’s multiculturalism and human rights record, the reality for Indigenous communities has often been one of systemic discrimination, violence, and erasure. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) uncovered the atrocities of residential schools, but for many years, the full extent of these injustices was downplayed or ignored by both the public and the government.
Even today, narratives around Indigenous rights and land sovereignty are often manipulated to suit the interests of the state and corporations. The government and industries continue to suppress the truth of Indigenous land struggles and environmental degradation in the name of economic growth. The persistent denial and distortion of these truths serve to maintain the status quo and prevent meaningful reconciliation.
7. The Fish Farms Controversy: A Breach of Consent
In British Columbia, the debate over fish farms has long been a contentious issue, especially in relation to the environmental harm they cause. These industrial fish farms—typically raising Atlantic salmon in open-net pens in coastal waters—have been shown to pollute the environment, spread diseases, and harm wild fish populations. However, what adds another layer of controversy is the fact that many Indigenous communities and local residents claim they were never consulted or informed about the placement of these farms.
In several instances, it has been revealed that fish farm companies, with the backing of provincial and federal governments, set up operations in coastal waters without the consent of local Indigenous groups or without giving communities a say in the decision. This lack of consultation and respect for Indigenous land rights has led to widespread protests and legal battles. Despite the environmental damage and community pushback, the government continued to support the fish farming industry, citing economic benefits over environmental and social concerns.
The government's failure to properly consult with Indigenous peoples and local communities, coupled with the push to maintain these controversial fish farms, shows how truth can be manipulated and ignored when it comes to corporate interests and political convenience. The true impact of these operations on the environment and local communities has been downplayed, and the people who were most affected have often been left out of the conversation altogether.
The Power of Truth in Canada
The instances above demonstrate a disturbing trend in Canada: the manipulation of truth to protect political, corporate, or personal interests. While Canada may not have the same authoritarian tendencies as other countries, these examples show how narratives can be twisted to maintain power, distract from failures, and deceive the public.
In an age where information is readily available at our fingertips, the onus is on us to be vigilant and demand transparency from those in power. The truth is too important to be manipulated for profit or political gain. It is essential that we continue to push for accountability and insist on a truthful narrative, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it may be.
My friend from San Francisco visited last week and he just loved Vancouver. He thought it was paradise. So clean and pretty..so GREEN!
We are blessed. I haven't actually ridden around STANLEY PARK yet this year...need to get my bike fixed but I do love it there. As well as the millions of others that have visited.
Now for a second, let's think the UNIMAGINABLE!
That someone poured TOXIC SOUP all over our precious gem.
What would happen? OUTRAGE right?
It is called the MT. POLLEY DISASTER as YET nothing is happening. People are too busy with their own lives and because it's out of sight out of mind, we don't think about it and of course it is so HORRIBLE we don't want to think about.
This is reality folks. This could REALLY HAPPEN TO YOUR HOME!!
How would you feel?
How would you feel? Think, how would you feel if this happened to your home and no one did anything, ....no one listened...the government and the politicians and police....the law...did nothing...
Because that is how corporations works. They are protected by the government, by corrupt greedy politicians and CEO and they force the police to protect them because of laws invented and put forth by the corporations. The best example of this is what happened at Clayoquot Sound. You must watch this video to UNDERSTAND the true SCOPE of the warped laws that have been created by the corporations and carried out by the law. IT IS SO WRONG. It makes the good guys bad and the bad guys good. THIS MUST CHANGE if there is any hope for our children and children's children.
WHAT KIND OF LIFE DO YOU WANT?
This is how high the TOXIC MUD was when it came through. NOW imagine this was our beloved STANLEY PARK, what would you do? what wouldn't you do.
REALITY CHECK FOLKS. Why is STANLEY PARK more important that this paradise lost?
(printscreen from video below)
So I get it, there's a bunch of old dudes with lots of money and they think they are entitled to everything because sadly that was the bs that they have been fed, taught and raised with. They are the old unenlightened ones...but it is time for them to move on...they will die off soon but their evil toxic legacy will live on for centuries...millenium because you CAN NOT CLEAN THIS UP!!!
The damage done to MOTHER EARTH in the last 200 years is EPIC in scale to a meteor destroying the dinosaurs.
Soon we will be the dinosaurs.
Think about that ....think long and hard...because it's the truth. UNLESS we change our ways...
Some may claim this was alternative or fake news but it's not.
I heard it announced on the tv that Andrew Weaver is the most powerful man in BC last night.
There's been some wonderful articles with great charts and info, check it out!!
Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy Greens!!
Great Article!! This is great news, I had no idea!! Did you?
"Even if absentee ballots and recounts were to unfortunately give Clark a bare majority, there is no way the BC Liberals can continue for long.
Why? Because it only takes one BC Liberal MLA crossing the floor to the NDP or Greens or to sit as an independent or quitting or, god forbid, passing away, and the B.C. legislature is no longer controlled by Christy Clark.
Or it could be one or two BC Liberal MLAs calling in sick or missing a confidence vote for the government to be defeated. That means either NDP leader John Horgan would be asked to form a new government, with Green Party support, or a new election be called."
Apologies – we are actually the first provincial Green caucus. Our colleagues in the @VanGreens were the first in North America in 2014! https://t.co/oWXQhIoz1F
Red Hot Chili Politics from Thomas Warden on Vimeo.
I was inspired to write a #BCpoli parody of the classic song 'Under the Bridge' by RHCP hoping for it to go viral, raise awareness, and increase voter turnout.
[Verse 1]
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a premier
Sometimes I feel hate for my goverment
In the province I live in, province of hells angels
Funny thing is that, they care more than her
Food drives on her streets cause we can't afford groceries
Got piles of bills cause she's raised all the rates
Site C subsidys and she flooded the valley
We should be worried, food security
[Chorus]
Do you think I should have to hear, my mothers care will pay
Unable to be right there, living paycheck to pay
I don't ever wanna feel, my government don't care
It's too little and it's too late, empty promises on voting day yeah, yeah, yeah
[Verse 2]
It's hard to believe, that there's still support there
It's hard to believe, her speech from the throne
At the least she should be gone, under investigations
Illegal donations, crim'nal activity
[Chorus]
Do you think I should have to hear, my mothers care will pay
Unable to be right there, living paycheck to pay
I don't ever wanna feel, my government don't care
It's too little and it's too late, empty promises on voting day yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, no, no, no, yeah yeah
Love me, I say, yeah yeah
One time
[Verse 3]
Under the bridge downtown, the oil tankers went
Under the bridge downtown, they're filled with bitumin
Under the bridge downtown, I hope they do not spill
Under the bridge downtown, resident orcas killed
For
nearly four years, the residents of Shawnigan Lake, BC, Canada have
fought to protect their beautiful lake and their drinking water. The
provincial government granted Cobble Hill Holdings a permit to accept
and store 5 million tons of contaminated soil in the community's
watershed, uphill from the lake. It's been a long battle and we need
your help. If you value the right to clean water over profits, please
visit thesra.ca to learn more or make a contribution. And thank you
for watching.
VICE Canada spent the day with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Shoal Lake 40: http://bit.ly/1VWSdSF
The prime minister went on to discuss his government's plans to repeal the Indian Act — the piece of controversial federal legislation that dictates the way First Nations reserves govern themselves. Earlier this month, the justice minister told Parliament the Act was akin to shackles on First Nations peoples.
For Trudeau, the Act does not make sense for Canada.
"The fact that the federal government controls so completely Indigenous peoples from when they're born, to executing their will, there are things that simply make no sense anymore in a modern and free country."
In an interview with VICE News during his Shoal Lake 40 visit, Trudeau was asked about a recent ruling by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, that found the federal government discriminates against First Nations children living on reserves by not providing the same level of child welfare funding that children living off reserve are entitled to.
Justin Trudeau: 'We Have Discriminated Against Indigenous Children for Generations'
"Together we are going to take on the fossil fuel industry and transform our energy!!"
"No mother should have to be separated from her baby because she lacks necessary income!
"HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!!"
Don't let the PEOPLE tell you that you CAN'T THINK BIG!!
"All of us are getting RIPPED OFF without mercy by the GREED of the Pharmaceutical Industry"
"We have to make public Colleges & Universities tuition free!"
"This is not a radical idea...
It exists in other Germany, Scandanavia,
If they can do it, we can do it
the other related issue we have to deal with is the outrageous level of student debt "
"When you think about Crazy, Listen to this,..."We tell the young people you got to go out and get the best education you can, for yourselves, for for the country and yet many of them are $30,000 & $50,000 in debt because they got an education, THAT'S CRAZY!"
Impose tax on Wall Street speculation and use that to make colleges and university free.
Everyone here understands one historical facts, CHANGE- REAL CHANGE NEVER HAPPENS FROM THE TOP ON DOWN!!
IT ALWAYS TAKES PLACE FROM THE GRASSROOTS UP!!
"WE WILL NOT ACCEPT RACISM IN AMERICA!"
"WE WILL NOT ACCEPT WOMEN BEING TREATED AS SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS"
"IN AMERICA PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE WHOEVER THEY WANT TO LOVE"
"DO NOT SETTLE FOR THE STATUS QUO WHEN THE STATUS QUO IS BROKEN!!"
"SO, IF WE STAND TOGETHER, AS BLACK & WHITE & LATINO & ASIAN AMERICAN & NATIVE AMERICAN, IF WE STAND TOGETHER, AS GAY & STRAIGHT, MEN & WOMEN, IF WE STAND TOGETHER AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BORN IN THIS COUNTRY AND HAVE COME TO THIS COUNTRY,IF WE STAND TOGETHER, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN NOT ACCOMPLISH!!!!!
RESEARCH, LOOK AT MANY SOURCES. FIND BERNIE'S SPEECHES!
The corporate bought media is going to spin it that Bernie is losing because they DON'T WANT BERNIE TO WIN!
THEY WANT TO OPPRESS YOU!!
Join
Treaty 8 Nations and say “No Dam Way!” to Site C - The Site-C Dam is
the most expensive and largest industrial project ever planned for BC.
Experts say we don’t need it. Landowners say they don’t want it. And
First Nations say they don’t consent to it. Donate, become a fundraiser
and sign-up for our newsletter at nosite-c.com
Unlike Bundy, who claims his ancestors were homesteaders on
his ranch in 1877 and never ceded it to the federal government, the
Danns, two Western Shoshone sisters, were not trampling over land set
aside for sensitive plants and animals. Nor were they getting rich off
the land while, in essence, robbing the taxpayers of grazing fees.
WATCH THIS VIDEO
The
Danns have lived without running water or electricity their entire
lives. Their tribe, the Western Shoshone, have lived in Nevada and parts
west since time immemorial. The land was Shoshone land, and the U.S.
formally agreed that was the case when it signed the 1863 Treaty of Ruby
Valley, which explicitly stated that the Shoshone would never have to
give up their land. That is, until the U.S. began encroaching on the
land, claiming it for its own without the tribe's consent or knowledge.
The
Danns' battle goes back to the early 1970s, when the federal government
first sued them to stop grazing horses and cattle on land the U.S.
claimed as its own. The Danns said the land was Western Shoshone land
that the U.S. had taken illegally, and refused to pay grazing fees.
Mary
waged this battle until her death in 2005 at age 82, in an accident
while she was repairing a fence. Carrie, 82 years old, is still
fighting. READ MORE HERE
The land surrounding the Danns' ranch sits atop one of the
most significant deposits of gold ever found in the United States. Only a
few months after the Danns' horses were first rounded up, Nevada's
headlines blared about gold finds in Crescent Valley, at the exact
locations where the horses were removed.
Most of the world's largest
gold mining companies have some interest in the land, which involves
using cyanide to extract minuscule amounts of gold from rock.
Because
the gold dust sits under the water table, it also involves pumping
20,000 to 70,000 gallons of water per minute every day and moving tons
of soil and rock, leaving open pits. The extraction methods are so
energy-intensive that the production of a single gold ring generates 20
tons of waste land.
Carrie Dann is no Tea Party hero. But she vows to fight until her last breath.
"Right is right," she said in an interview. "And wrong is wrong."
The production of one gold ring generates 20 tons of waste material.
The production of one gold ring generates 20 tons of waste material.
Update 4:52 2016-01-06 Oregon tribe says armed activists 'desecrating' land
The leader of an Oregon Indian tribe whose ancestral property is being
occupied by a small, armed group opposed to federal land policy says the
activists aren't welcome and need to leave. http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/oregon-tribe-activists-1.3392166?cmp=abfb
Update 4:08 2016-01-06 Well I don't know much about the US and their laws or even if what this lady is saying is correct but I thought I would post it so you can decide for yourselves.
And a Judge posted this Open Letter that I only read part of but you can check it out for yourself.
These Aren't the First Armed Whites to Take Over That Oregon Land: Just Ask the Native Paiute People AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman.
—we’re going to talk for a moment about the land dispute that’s going on in Oregon. Jacqueline Keeler is with us. We are going to turn to the issue now of land rights. The armed militia members have demanded that the land be, quote, "returned" to them. But who really has a claim to this area?
JACQUELINE KEELER: Yes. Well, I’d like to start off saying that today, in January, this is the 137th anniversary of when 500 Paiutes were loaded onto wagons and walked, under heavy armed guard, from their—from the lands where the Bundys are right now holding it and to the Yakama Reservation in Washington state, some 300 miles, knee-deep in snow. And they were forced to march, shackled two by two. And so, that’s some of the background there.
MY GOODMAN: When you were writing about the Cliven Bundy standoff in 2014, you wrote, "If the Nevada rancher is forced to pay taxes or grazing fees, he should pay them to the Shoshone." Explain.
JACQUELINE KEELER: Yes. The Shoshone—most of Nevada is actually covered under the Treaty of Ruby Valley, and that was signed 1863. And it did allow for passage, you know, of military and also settlers crossing the land. But it did not give up any land. So, the Shoshone have never officially signed a treaty to give up land.
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/1/5/these_arent_the_first_armed_whites
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Authorities plan to cut off power to militia at occupied Oregon refuge
“After they shut off the power, they’ll kill the phone service,” the
government official added. “Then they’ll block all the roads so that all
those guys have a long, lonely winter to think about what they’ve
done.” Snowstorms
are expected in the wilderness surrounding the refuge on Tuesday, which
is some 30 miles from the town of Burns. At night, temperatures are
forecast to plummet to -8C (18F).
"And we’re not just talking NBC, but ABC, CBS, CNN, the Associated Press, local media … you name it. Ammon Bundy — the son of the infamous Cliven Bundy who dominated the news cycle for weeks in April and May of 2014 during a standoff then — has now taken the Donald Trump mantle of media domination and will likely continue to until this standoff is over"
In truth, though, Cliven Bundy’s abhorrent personal views about slavery
have nothing to do with whether his land grab was right or wrong. The
animating issue in Oregon is slightly different than in Nevada, but not
categorically so. It’s either legitimate to occupy federal land with
weapons, and threaten to use them against agents of the government to
settle petty squabbles, or it is not.
Update: Oregon militants post new video from refuge, plead for help to 'prevent bloodshed'
WOWOWOWOW!
Read this story, I wasn't really sure what all this fuss on twitter with the #OregonUnderAttack was about but it's serious. These people have been abused by the system and people are standing up for them. But it could get messy so please pray and share and educate yourself and others. This could happen to you and your family. What would you do??
Hammond Family
What ever the truth, keep an openmind, are environmentalist terrorist? Course Not!
Is protecting your land, being a terrorist? Ridiculous!!
The short summary is: in an effort to draw attention to a ridiculous arrest of a father and son pair of Oregon Ranchers (“Dwight Lincoln Hammond, Jr., 73, and his son, Steven Dwight Hammond, 46,)
who are scheduled to begin five year prison sentences (turning
themselves in tomorrow January 4th 2016), three brothers from the Cliven
Bundy family and approximately 100/150 (and growing) heavily armed
militia (former U.S. service members) have taken control of Malheur Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in the wildlife reserve. They are prepared to stay there indefinitely.
Here are excerpts!! Please read this article to inform yourself.
(a4) By the 1990’s the Hammonds were one of the very few ranchers that
still owned private property adjacent to the refuge. Susie Hammond in an
effort to make sense of what was going on began compiling fact about
the refuge. In a hidden public record she found a study that was done by
the FWS in 1975. The study showed that the “no use” policies of the FWS
on the refuge were causing the wildlife to leave the refuge and move to
private property. The study showed that the private property adjacent
to the Malheur Wildlife Refuge produced 4 times more ducks and geese
than the refuge did. It also showed that the migrating birds were 13
times more likely to land on private property than on the refuge. When
Susie brought this to the attention of the FWS and refuge personnel, her
and her family became the subjects of a long train of abuses and
corruptions.
(e) Shortly after the road & water disputes, the BLM & FWS
arbitrarily revoked the Hammond’s upper grazing permit without any given
cause, court proceeding or court ruling. As a traditional “fence out
state” Oregon requires no obligation on the part of an owner to keep his
or her livestock within a fence or to maintain control over the
movement of the livestock. The Hammonds intended to still use their
private property for grazing. However, they were informed that a federal
judge ruled, in a federal court, that the federal government did not
have to observe the Oregon fence out law. “Those laws are for the
people, not for them”.
(f) The Hammonds were forced to either build and maintain miles of
fences or be restricted from the use of their private property. Cutting
their ranch in almost half, they could not afford to fence the land, so
the cattle were removed.
(g) The Hammonds experienced many years of financial hardship due to
the ranch being diminished. The Hammonds had to sale their ranch and
home in order to purchase another property that had enough grass to feed
their cattle. This property included two grazing rights on public land.
Those were also arbitrarily revoked later.
(i) In the early fall of 2001, Steven Hammond (Son) called the fire
department, informing them that he was going to be performing a routine
prescribed burn on their ranch. Later that day he started a prescribed
fire on their private property. The fire went onto public land and
burned 127 acres of grass. The Hammonds put the fire out themselves.
There was no communication about the burn from the federal government to
the Hammonds at that time. Prescribed fires are a common method that
Native Americans and ranchers have used in the area to increase the
health & productivity of the land for many centuries.
(j) In 2006 a massive lightning storm started multiple fires that
joined together inflaming the countryside. To prevent the fire from
destroying their winter range and possibly their home, Steven Hammond
(Son) started a backfire on their private property. The backfire was
successful in putting out the lightning fires that had covered thousands
of acres within a short period of time. The backfire saved much of the
range and vegetation needed to feed the cattle through the winter.
Steven’s mother, Susan Hammond said: “The backfire worked perfectly, it
put out the fire, saved the range and possibly our home”.
k) In 2011, 5 years after the police report was taken, the U.S. Attorney
Office accused Dwight and Steven Hammond of completely different
charges, they accused them of being “Terrorist” under the Federal
Antiterrorism Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996. This act carries a
minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of
death. Dwight & Steven’s mug shots were all over the news the next
week posing them as “Arsonists”. Susan Hammond (Wife & Mother) said:
“I would walk down the street or go in a store, people I had known for
years would take extreme measures to avoid me”.
Just to add another twist to this, consider this, the true rightful owners of the land...but then no one owns land...we are just supposed to take care of it right?
