Will Ron and Rand Paul the politicians become RON and Rand the FREEDOM FIGHTERS?

[PHILIP SCHNEIDER]

 Patriots and conservatives would love them forever if they did.

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Rand and Ron Paul ride to the rescue for Bundy in Nevada standoff with feds

By Phillip Swarts The Washington Times Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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Five days after federal law enforcement personnel withdrew from a confrontation with defiant rancher Cliven Bundy in Nevada, both sides are preparing for their next move.

The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has not given an indication as to how they plan to handle the situation, but Mr. Bundy has been buoyed in recent days by expressions of support from libertarian stalwarts Ron Paul, former Texas congressman, and his son, Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul, a leading contender for the 2016 presidential nomination.

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“They may come back with a lot more force like they did at Waco with the Davidians,” the senior Mr. Paul told Fox News, referencing the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff in Texas that left nearly 100 people dead.

Rand Paul became one of the first of the 2016 contenders to weigh in on the dispute, criticizing the heavy federal enforcement array in the confrontation.

“The federal government shouldn’t violate the law, nor should we have 48 federal agencies carrying weapons and having SWAT teams,” Mr. Paul told a Kentucky radio station.

Enlarge Photo

File-This Saturday, April 5, 2014 file photo shows Cliven Bundy talks on ... more >

He also appealed for the Bundy family, which dispute the federal government’s jurisdiction over the disputed lands, to seek redress nonviolently.

“I hope it’ll go through a court,” he said “But if it were in a court, I would be siding and wanting to say that, look, the states and the individuals in the state should own these lands.”

The dispute between Mr. Bundy and the federal government revolves around grazing rights for a heard of cattle. Mr. Bundy says he owns the land the cattle graze on and that it has been in his family for generations. But the government disputes his ownership claim, and won a court judgment that he owes nearly $1 million dollars in grazing fees and taxes.

Armed federal law enforcement personnel surrounded the ranch, while armed militias joined with Mr. Bundy. After a few days, the government withdrew to prevent a direct conflict, Bureau of Land Management and Interior Department officials said.

Friends of the Mr. Bundy family said they found damage to Mr. Bundy’s property and livestock once federal personnel withdrew.

“They had total control of this land for one week, and look at the destruction they did in one week,” Corey Houston, a friend of the rancher, told Fox News.

Mr. Houston alleges that the federal government left the territory in disarray, including destroyed water lines, holes in fences, and several dead cattle.

“So why would you trust somebody like that?” he said. “And how does that show that they’re a better steward?”

Nevada Democrat and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid fanned the controversy this week when he said Mr. Bundy should face justice for breaking the law.

“It’s not over,” the Democratic senator said following the BLM’s withdrawal. “We can’t have an American people that violate the law and then just walk away from it. So it’s not over.”

Mr. Bundy said the federal government shouldn’t be involved.

“I got something to say to Harry. You know, Harry, Nevada citizens — we the people — elected you to go back to the United States Senate and take care of United States business,” he said. “Harry, get back there and take care of that work and leave us alone here in Nevada.”

Meanwhile, the topic has become fodder for online commentators discussing the role of the federal government and law enforcement.

National Review’s Charles Cooke said he applauded Mr. Bundy’s stand against government overreach, but questioned whether direct confrontation with law enforcement was the way to achieve his goals.

“Cliven Bundy has been dealt a raw hand by a system that is deaf to his grievances and hamfisted in its response. But this is a republic,” he said. “And those who hope to keep it cannot pick and choose the provisions with which they are willing to deign to comply.”

But Slate’s Jamelle Bouie said it showed many of Mr. Bundy’s supporters were hypocritical.

“After years of decrying Obama’s ‘lawlessness’ and hyperventilating over faux scandals, it’s galling to watch conservatives applaud actual lawbreaking and violent threats to federal officials,” he said.

But will the Politician RON and Rand Paul stand with Mr. Bundy on the front lines against the next BLM attack?

Patriots and Conservative voters are watching . . . . . wouldn't this be where Sarah Palin steps onstage?

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[PHILIP SCHNEIDER]

I haven't seen either one at the ranch yet, have you?

[Mary C Schneider]

I  thought they already were...even before this land grab came along.