| Story Views | |
| Now: | |
| Last Hour: | |
| Last 24 Hours: | |
| Total: | |
WATCH: Obama wasn’t the only politician to get emotional this week (video)
We all know that Obama shed some crocodile tears this week, but you may not be aware of an inspirational speech given by Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), who emotionally called out government overreach and the situation in Oregon, where patriots are fighting to bring attention to the plight of the Hammonds’, as discussed at TrevorLoudon.com (see here and here).
Waldon gave an impassioned speech on the house floor, as excellently reported at OPB.org. While he does not agree with the patriots, who are currently occupying a federal building in the remote Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, he called on Congress to “understand what drives people to do what’s happening tonight in Harney County.”
“This is a government that has gone too far for too long,” Walden declared. Discussing yet another land takeover in a neighboring county posing as a proposal for a “monument,” Walden says “This is outrageous! It flies in the face of the people!”
Here is an excerpt:
Walden spoke about the frustrations of ranchers and rural citizens in Oregon, pointing to what he sees as mismanagement of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area.
“I have seen what happens when overzealous bureaucrats and agencies go beyond the law and clamp down on people,” said Walden.
Walden said he thinks the armed protesters at the refuge have gone too far.
“Now, I’m not condoning this takeover in anyway. I want to make that clear,” he said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
He said he’d rather the armed occupiers realize that they’ve made their case and go home. “But I understand and hear their anger,” said Walden.
Walden also defended the Hammonds, the ranchers convicted of arson on federal rangelands, and said their punishment was too harsh.
Dwight and Steven Hammond were both convicted of arson for a 2001 fire that burned into the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area. Prosecutors allege the Hammonds set that fire to conceal evidence of deer they had illegally slaughtered on federal land. The Hammonds said they had been burning to control invasive species, and the fire spread accidentally.
Dwight Hammond was also convicted for a 2006 “back-burn” fire that he set in an effort to protect the family’s ranch from wildfire. That fire also spread onto federal land, and was reported by nearby firefighters.
“They’re longtime responsible ranchers in Harney County,” Walden said. He advocated for changes to the law under which the Hammonds were sentenced.
Walden also said people too often ridicule rural Americans, rather than try and understand their way of life.
“To my friends across Eastern Oregon, I will always fight for you,” said Walden, choking up at the podium. “But we have to understand there’s a time and a way.
Watch:
Get Trevor Loudon’s NEW book: Barack Obama and the Enemies Within
Source: http://www.trevorloudon.com/2016/01/watch-obama-wasnt-the-only-politician-to-get-emotional-this-week-video/
