Hammond Family

A brief discussion with Hammond family members yesterday (Tuesday): The family is grateful for the support that has been shown.  They have no involvement with the actions at the Refuge, however they fully support the right of every American to exercise their first amendment rights.

A note from K: Dwight and Steve are now inside B.O.P. and at the mercy of FedGov bureaucrats. Under normal circumstances, both Hammonds could expect to be placed in a 'Camp' level facility - relatively comfortable, with no cells, no fences, and from a prison perspective, relatively relaxed and safe.  It is possible they could start one level up in a 'Low' - fences, but no cells.  A little more structured, but hardly the prison environment one watches on television shows.

The point: It will take little more than the whim of a single bureaucrat to make their lives a true Hell.  

Instead of a Camp or Low - perhaps a Medium, or worse?  Given the statutes under which they were convicted, such actions would be easily supported within the bureaucracy. Dwight is 73 years old - he simply doesn't need the stresses that malicious bureaucrats can impose upon him with the stroke of a pen.  Consider a 73 year old man assigned a bit of 'Diesel Therapy' - a form of 'punishment' in which a convict is sent from prison to prison for several months, enduring the shackling at hands, waist and feet for a bus ride to the next night's Bureau of Prisons 'Hotel', just to get a cold sandwich for dinner and a few hours rest (after daily strip searches) before it all starts again.  Today you shared a seat with a murderer. Tomorrow a bank robber.  The next day a child molester.  (Hell, we have self-identified 'LEO' who blog as righteous 'Patriots' who execute those orders every-f'n-day and drive that bus, while collecting a state paycheck for doing so.)

Dwight and Steve chose to walk into custody as ordered.  Whatever your personal thoughts on that matter, (and I have many insights as to why men would do such a thing), as you discuss this issue please be cautious not to conflate the actions of the Hammonds with those of any others involved in this unconscionable injustice.

The Hammonds as well as everyone who protests on their behalf in Good Faith deserve our support, with the understanding that every man is responsible for his own actions and no others.

Simple arithmetic: We are watching yet another massive abuse of Liberty, and a very, very few are taking any action.  A slightly smaller minority are speaking about it.  The overwhelming majority of Americans - including those Law & Order Republicans - would cheer if there was another Waco in Oregon.

Factor that into your action matrix before you take any recourse.  

Go Hard, or stay home.  The road to Rightful Liberty will be a one-way trip for most...