BURNS, OREGON (Last Updated 1/31/2016 3:46 am)(FCP) – on January 26, 2015 the FBI and Oregon State Police ambushed and murdered Robert “LaVoy” Finicum. Based upon two personal eye-witness accounts, it is clear that the stories being widely circulated are false (due to laziness, misguided motives, or wickedness) and the truth should interest the friends of liberty, and those who want to know the actual fate of LaVoy and how our government agents acted yesterday. (Update: 1/31/2015 FreeCapitalist.com has now published a new, exclusive interview with a second eyewitness.)
I had just been to the Malheur Refuge to visit and interview LaVoy, Ammon Bundy, Ryan Bundy, and Shawna Cox the day before, and had only left yesterday morning in the very early hours. I hadn’t gone there to be an occupier or to participate, I had gone there to see the truth for myself and to talk with Ryan and Ammon. Prior to my trip I had observed that news reporters like Julie Turkewitz for the New York Times had just walked right up to the Refuge and encountered with no problems from law enforcement or the occupiers. So, I wondered whether a Free Capitalist might do the same thing. I made contact with Ryan Bundy, and at his and Ammon’s invitation, I cautiously headed to Oregon. With a friend I drove through the night (abt. 8 hours) and we arrived in the very early morning hours. Breakfast was being served at the Refuge, and LaVoy was the first person to greet us. Throughout the day he and Ryan Bundy showed us around, introduced us, and talked about all that was going on. Without staying the night in Oregon, we left at about 2 AM, not long after my last interview on Periscope.tv with Ammon. Shawna Cox was the last person I hugged. The only thing I could think to say when I left was, “Be safe!”
I’ve already gone on record a few times regarding my thoughts on the protest, on Ammon, and last night I did a Periscope broadcast related to the tragic death of LaVoy, along with the arrest of Ammon and Ryan Bundy, Shawna Cox, and others. But, as the news has filtered out today, in both the mainstream and the alternative media I have been alarmed at the false accounts, hearsay accounts, and speculation regarding the events of that night.
Since I was not a witness to the arrests or LaVoy’s shooting yesterday, I too have spent time scouring the Internet for the latest word and updates. But, by this morning a disturbing and intolerable pattern had started to emerge and I cannot sit silently. Here’s why – during my visit to meet and interview these men, I not only made contact and got to know them, I was also able to observe the workings and activities at the Refuge. And – while I was there – I surprisingly observed, what now appears to be the initial portion of sabotage that lead directly to the ambush, arrest, shooting and ultimately – the murder of LaVoy Finicum.
I didn’t realize what I was observing at the time. But, in hindsight it’s now clear there were people on the inside, posing as occupiers, but working to help set last night’s police action and ambush into place. Now, after putting the pieces together in my own mind, its clear that not only were these few men’s actions a betrayal of trust for the Bundy’s, LaVoy and others, but the whole thing is quite clearly – something more sinister. This is amplified by the false stories that are now circulating – and despicably so through outlets like OregonLive.com. Make no mistake, based upon the only credible first hand witnesses – LaVoy Finicum was strategically ambushed and murdered – and the factual accounts must be defended and the false narratives resisted by those who love and cherish liberty. (Update: 1/29/2016 – The FBI released video footage from a drone or airplane of the operation culminating in the shooting death of LaVoy – In the coming days intend to publish a follow-up to this essay here on FreeCapitalist.com, with a detailed break-down of that video, compared to the witness accounts below.)
Three Witness Accounts
There are three eye witness statements related to the events so far. Of these, only two are credible.
First, the wife of Ammon Bundy, Lisa. She reported that she received a phone call from Ammon, after his arrest and while he was in the back of the police car. Ammon told her that LaVoy had been murdered, in cold blood with his “hands up” and that he had also been shot multiple times, even after he was on the ground.
Second, the driver of the first vehicle, Mark McConnell, was reportedly released after several hours of questioning, and he responded to the social media frenzy about LaVoy’s murder by debunking the concern, posting two videos arguing that LaVoy had acted aggressively and that LaVoy had charged at the FBI agents, provoking their shots.
Third, an 18-year old female passenger, Victoria Sharp, who was in the second vehicle that was driven by LaVoy, gave a detailed account of her experience and eye witness of LaVoy’s murder.
For the reasons explained below, only Lisa and Victoria’s accounts are credible. Worse, Mark’s account and the activities and messages a few other “Patriot” group leaders are spreading are more than un-credible, they are suspect.
Lisa Bundy’s Account: Lisa’s account was the first direct report of events that didn’t come from law enforcement or government sources. And, both Lisa and Ammon have a sterling track record of focusing on calmly, rationally, and accurately disseminating the facts and circumstances surrounding these events. Lisa’s account comes directly from Ammon – and is thus highly valuable. Certainly, once having verified that this report actually came from Lisa and her conversation with Ammon immediately after the tragic events – there is nothing suspect. (Update: Reports have now been published that Ammon’s father Cliven Bundy also received a similar phone call, with similar information at about the same time). If Ammon Bundy says that LaVoy was murdered in cold blood – under these circumstances, and based upon my own assessment of Ammon’s character and the motives and interests at issue – then I give a very high degree of credibility to this account. For the record, Lisa’s first hand statements were “I talked to Ammon after he was arrested…they shot [LaVoy] in cold blooded murder” and “He called me right after, gave me the details and told me to tell everyone before the news got out the lies. Then got off the phone!!!”
Mark McConnell’s Account: Mark was the driver of the vehicle (a Jeep) that was carrying Ammon. Mark posted two videos that are being circulated among Oath Keeper members and other patriot group members (i.e. Melvin Less). In Mark’s report he is visually upset about the “rumors” and “asinine comments” regarding how LaVoy was innocent and murdered. But critically, he admits that he was too far away to witness the actual shooting. Yet, virtually every major media source is reporting his account as credible. In his videos, he estimates that the shooting took place approximately 1 mile from where he was being detained and that he only saw the second vehicle drive off “from about 200 yards” towards the road block about “a mile” away. But, the substance of his report is that he claims LaVoy subsequently exited his vehicle and “charged at the law enforcement” which provoked the shooting and his death. But, what is the basis for this? Mark says repeatedly, “I did not see the shooting” and that “I didn’t see it” and “I’m not going to speculate on it.” Yet, he claims that LaVoy was “foolish” and had been in a “heated discussion” with fellow passenger Ryan Payne. He contradicts himself repeatedly, because for some reason, he really wants people to “calm down.” Apparently, this desire is even at the expense of the truth, and it may be worse. Ryan Payne had exited vehicle number two (as described below) and was arrested and did was not present at the shooting. Thus, there are only two living, non-government witnesses to all of the events – Shawna Cox and Victoria Sharp. In sum, even Mark admits that his account is based upon second hand reports from Shawna Cox and Ryan Payne (both presumably still in custody) and based upon remarks that Mark said changed multiple times and that he was simply putting together “pieces here” and “pieces there.”
Victoria Sharp’s Account: Victoria was a passenger in the back of the second vehicle driven by LaVoy. She witnessed events from the initial stop of vehicle 1 all the way through to the shooting. She has given a lengthy interview describing events – consistently and calmly. In her report Victoria states that when LaVoy was first pulled over, he and Ryan Payne (who was the front seat passenger) repeatedly requested to talk to the county Sheriff rather than the FBI. Her report is that this angered the FBI agents. In response to FBI demands LaVoy put his hands – both hands – out the window to show he was not a threat. She also reports that from the moment they were pulled over there were approximately 20 laser spots she could see on her and the other passengers, including from pre-positioned snipers in the trees, positioned on the side of the road up in the forest. Significantly, she also reports that the first shots were fired by the FBI when Ryan Payne looked out the passenger side window and was shot at, but was not hit. She reports that no one in the vehicle ever returned fire or pulled any guns or weapons. According to Victoria, after the FBI refused LaVoy and Ryan’s request to remove the two woman from the vehicle (who had come along to sing at the anticipated meeting), LaVoy explained that he was going to drive down to talk to the Sheriff and started to drive away. At or about this point, according to her account, Ryan Payne exited the vehicle and was arrested. The two women in the back seat (Shawna Cox and Victoria) along with Ryan Bundy (also in the back seat) tried to take cover laying on the floor boards because as LaVoy drove away the FBI showered the vehicle with bullets – “at least 120.” Victoria recounts that she and Shawna were screaming and pleading that the FBI stop shooting. Victoria then explains that LaVoy drove the truck into some kind of snow embankment and it was stuck, so he got out of the truck with his hands up. She says he was “just walking with his hands in the air.” According to her account, she then personally witnessed that the FBI, and multiple shooters shot him multiple times, including after he hit the ground and that as he lay dead on the ground his hands were still up above his head. She then says, after this, the government continued to riddle the vehicle with dozens, possibly hundreds of bullets, and that the only reason the two women and Ryan Bundy survived was that the shooters had a bad angle. Ryan Bundy was hit by a bullet or shrapnel caused by this firestorm.
Thus, the most credible accounts, and the only complete first hand account, is that the government pre-planned this encounter, it was no “traffic stop” as the US Attorney is now reporting (“a traffic stop on protesters [that] turned deadly.”) It was deadly from before it started, because it was a pre-planned extraordinary show of force by the government, and shooting began without any shots being fired by LaVoy or the passengers in his vehicle. The government agents continued to fire on a fleeing vehicle despite having set up a road block and despite no threat of force by LaVoy or the passengers, and after one of the passengers exited the vehicle and was arrested. They shot LaVoy with his hands in the air, and continued to shoot him after he fell to the ground. The government then continued to fire upon the vehicle with three passengers huddling down in the back seat on the floor. This was, by all accounts, a military style ambush, and there is no indication that the government agents were in danger at any time, or that the excessive use of force was provoked or justified.
The credibility of Ammon and Victoria weighs heavily towards their accounts, while the sole contradictory account of Mr. McConnell is by his own admission, based upon him piecing together hearsay. But, is that all that’s going on here?
Applying The Facts
As I reviewed these facts, there are a few striking elements. First, the government clearly knew the travel plans of these parties – including the timing and the route. (Update 1/28/2016 CNN’s Evan Perez is reporting that “FBI and Oregon State Police at a command center in Burns were monitoring the group when they departed the refuge to attend a town hall meeting with local residents in the town of John Day. For days, they watched as members of the group came and went freely from the refuge…The FBI and state police teams knew the route they were going to take.”)
Second, the government made no advance effort to avoid violence – this was a secretive operation. The significance of this might be overlooked by modern presumptions and media spin, but fair observers have to remember that Ammon and LaVoy were repeatedly open to discuss matters with the government. They routinely went to the FBI operations center and the Sheriff’s station to discuss their protest and their grievances. And, earlier yesterday, approximately five hours before these events, the FBI had been invited by Ammon to come to the Refuge and have a face-to-face discussion.
In all of this, neither Ammon nor LaVoy were given any demands by the FBI or OSP and they were repeatedly given free pass at public gatherings and eating at local restaurants, etc. (Update 1/28/2016 CNN also reports that the FBI and OSP intentionally “monitor[ed]” and allowed “members of the group” to “c[o]me and [go] freely from the refuge.”) The point here is that the government clearly used surprise, and massive show of force, against men who on all previous encounters had been civil, rational, and reliably calm and willing to talk.
Tellingly, despite regular opportunities for communication, no demand had been made by the FBI or OSP on Ammon or LaVoy for them to do anything, except the Harney County Sheriff’s initial demand that they leave the Refuge. This is a critical point because – after Ammon and LaVoy publicly refused the Harney County Sheriff’s offer of safe passage – they deliberately told him that they would consider his offer at a later date. Why is this significant? Its the LAST discussion prior to LaVoy’s murder regarding any demand made upon the leaders of the protest and occupation. Thus, it should have been no surprise that LaVoy would have been caught off guard by this massive operation, and the massive show of force. Furthermore, it should not have been a surprise to anyone, let alone law enforcement, that in response to this surprising and dramatic change of approach, LaVoy would specifically ask to go and speak to the Sheriff.
Now, it may have been that LaVoy was wanting to go and speak with the Sheriff of Grant County (close where this all occurred). It is widely known that unlike Harney County, Grant County Sheriff Glenn Palmer had publicly stated that the FBI should leave the area, and that the federal government should engage in a discussion of the grievances of the protesters. Quite literally, according to Victoria’s account, the massive ambush and use of force was employed by the FBI and OSP in direct response to LaVoy being alarmed by the force (including unprovoked shots being fired) and driving off shouting that he was going to try and reach the “Sheriff” who was the man in government and law enforcement that was most receptive to his prior request for safety and protection. That same man, Sheriff Palmer is also the central law enforcement figure in the county where more the 200 supportive locals had gathered to hear Ammon and LaVoy speak, including Sheriff. In fact, the whole setup ensured, that despite the prior three week approach, the government chose this time to act to keep Ammon and LaVoy from gaining support for the occupation in nearby Grant County and its Sheriff. (Update: 1/28/2016 recent text message records published from a screen shot of Sheriff Palmer’s iPhone shows support for this view. Sheriff Palmer commented “FBI and OSP know me…and they know I wouldn’t have allowed” their operation which “is why I think they did it in Harney County. I believe they also did this to keep them from getting a tentacle into this county and from spreading as they were getting traction and momentum.”)
This may not have occurred to anyone yet, but given that I work as a legal analyst and litigation strategist in the legal community for a living – including high profile and government corruption cases – it jumps right out to me, after only a first look at the relevant law, a deliberate act by the FBI and OSP to prevent LaVoy and others from petitioning for relief from the duly authorized Sheriff is ALSO quite possibly a felony violation of federal law, by the government. For example, see Finn v. United States, 219 F.2d 894 (9th Cir. 1955). In fact, it could be a violation of the very same federal law under which these parties have now all been charged. The scheme of the FBI clearly interfered with the Sheriff’s ability to exercise his duty, and these citizens’ right to petition Sheriff Palmer. While the FBI could defend itself by saying that an arrest would only be a temporary restriction and both Sheriff Palmer and these parties could talk later – by implementing their plan, directly in response to LaVoy invoking this choice – that defense would be more difficult, particularly given that LaVoy is dead.
In any event, the significant consideration here is that law enforcement clearly had inside help. As it is now admitted, the command center “in Burns w[as] monitoring the group” and knew their agenda, knew when they were departing and knew “the route they were going to take.” During my visit to the Refuge I observed purported militia members acting suspiciously and apparently giving reports of the travel plans for Ammon and Ryan Payne to someone outside the Refuge, and this included details of the timing of this very incident – and less than 24 hours before all this occurred. In fact, while I didn’t know it at the time, the subject of the conversation was a printed flyer advertising last night’s events – in Grant County where Ammon and Ryan were invited to be the speakers. Think about this, and the timing.
In addition to the material already covered above, it is well known and well reported, including by the New York Times, that Ammon and LaVoy had already reached out to Sheriff Palmer as a member of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), that he had previously been that organizations “lawman of the year” and had openly challenged the jurisdiction of federal agents in his county. This claim is central to the motivation for the occupation. In fact, LaVoy knew that Sheriff Palmer had publicly challenged the notion that federal agents had any law enforcement or policing authority outside of the confines of the local federal court house.
As pointed out above, Sheriff Palmer has openly speculated that the timing and show of force were directly meant to prevent Ammon and LaVoy from reaching Grant County and reaching the 200+ local supporters. (Update: 1/29/2016 George Plaven from Capital Press is reporting that while citizens waited in Grant County, and word came in about the tragic murder and arrests, the citizens there recognized the FBI and OSP actions as an “ambush” and Organizer Tad Houpt, of Canyon City, promised the crowd there would be another meeting in the very near future stating, “We’re not going to stop, we’re not going to take this anymore.”)
It seems quite likely, that the federal government intervened, how and when it did, to prevent Ammon, Ryan and LaVoy from securing any further sympathy or assistance from Sheriff Palmer and/or the people of Grant County. Think this is too conspiratorial? Besides the above information, NBCNEWS.COM is now reporting the same thing. Pete Williams recently published, “The decision to carry out the arrests was set into motion when the defiant leaders left the refuge Tuesday to attend a community meeting in the town of John Day.” Given the massive show of force and preparation (snipers in the woods, road block etc.) and the short amount of travel time, this “decision to carry out the arrests” was pre-planned and prepared and when Ammon and LaVoy and Ryan decided they were going for sure – the plan was “set into motion.” I should also note, that everyone at the Refuge knew something was different, and early in the morning there were reports of planes landing nearby in the dark, and of pre-positioned supplies staged by the government around the perimeter.
Finally, all of this makes more troubling, any accounts by purported patriot groups or self-styled militia members, that directly contradict Ammon and Victoria, based on nothing more than hearsay. As we speak, the Refuge is under siege, with the last remaining holdouts still refusing to surrender. The live video stream has revealed that the remaining armed resistance supporting the occupation are independent supporters with the exception of a few “3 Percenters” and one or two from outside militias. Where are the Oath Keepers? Where is the perimeter other groups openly told the FBI that they were establishing to “prevent another Waco?” The evidence indicates that at least a few such persons were no friends of liberty, and were accomplices to the murder of LaVoy.
Despite these isolated turncoats, there was another problem in this liberty-based protest. Wherever they are now, the organized militia groups that were so anxious to make public display of their supposed strength – they are not at the Refuge, they are not defending these last few occupiers who believe wholeheartedly that they are making a stand against tyranny, and are now emboldened by the ambush and murder of LaVoy Finicum. On their website Oath Keepers has a news report about events, and has published an official release from “The Pacific Patriots Network” issuing an “immediate “STAND BY” Order to all those who are mobilizing” in response to LaVoy’s murder, stating “[w]e will not pursue any action until all of the facts have been pieced together regarding the traffic stop and the arrest of Ammon Bundy.” See the parroted language of the government about a purported “traffic stop?” That is spin. Think I’m going to far? Again, even NBCNWS has noticed. Pete Williams also reports that “The FBI earlier described the stop as an “enforcement action” done by federal agents and Oregon State Police in connection with the occupation.” rather than as a routine “traffic stop.” Finally, Brian Miller and the official “Three Percenter” club is now stating that its members should wait “until we can clear everything up” and is advising those who want “to go and get involved to stay away from the refuge I repeat stay away.”
Regardless, what has happened is clear. Its only the story and the spin and the posturing that is getting all muddy, with all the hand wringing, positioning, and butt-covering. This will only increase as more details emerge, pressures are put on witnesses, law enforcement has time to craft the story, etc. (Update: 1/29/2016 CNN is reporting that “the shooting was captured on camera by the SWAT team…[and] FBI and Oregon police officials are discussing possibly releasing the video.”) Of course, as word spreads about LaVoy being murdered, with his hands up, the pressure mounts for an alternative explanation.
Look, I’m always for cooler heads, rational thinking, and sound strategy. But, that seems to be missing from Mr. McConnell and those spreading his hearsay, ironically after he has vilified reports based upon one of only two actual eye-witnesses to the whole event through and up until LaVoy’s murder.
The other night I referenced Justice Scalia’s statement in D.C. v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008) where he makes clear that even in modern times, at the core of the 2nd Amendment is the idea that militia’s and armed citizens enable the citizenry to “better resist tyranny.” But, remember, no one and no organization is going to benevolently acknowledge their tyranny, and their response to such claims is going to be vicious – thus the need for the 2nd Amendment, and the need to defend the true facts and accurate narrative – and now the story of LaVoy’s murder.
In the end, here is the truth. The government could have, but didn’t prevent this. The 3 Percenters could have, but didn’t prevent this. The Oath Keepers, the Pacific Patriots Network and other militia groups, could have but didn’t prevent this. Without assigning blame – it is undeniable that blood has been spilled, as a significant group of Americans from all over this country attempted to stand in resistance to tyranny.
So, while it is incredible that Justice Scalia recently re-affirmed that “when the able-bodied men of a nation are trained in arms and organized, they are better able to resist tyranny” – the fact that LaVoy Finicum is dead, one day shy of his 56th birthday, is a rebuke to those of us in the liberty movement. It is a stinging rebuke. As these events show, we are not well trained or well organized, we are not being effective at the most trying times and we are certainly not united. At least eight of the leaders and key players in this protest now sit in federal jail charged with felonies, cut-off from family and support, most without attorneys, and media attention fading. A whole new pressure is being brought against Ammon and our other friends -and make no mistake about it, their challenge and difficulty is a long and arduous road.
More than 60 years ago, the great scholar and Constitutional advocate J. Reuben Clark warned that “we stand in danger of losing our liberties, and that once lost, only blood will bring them back.” He also warned, “I say to you that the price of liberty is and always has been blood, human blood, and if our liberties are lost, we shall never regain them except at the price of blood.” Once again, tragically, we are paying in blood and the loss of liberties from those who stood.
I have deep respect for these militia groups I’ve criticized, and I have deep respect for our country and its government. I have also come to love, respect and appreciate the Bundy’s and those who rallied with them, including LaVoy. Among his last words to me were his personal proclamation of faith in Christ, in this Country, and in the Cause of Liberty. He knew the risks involved, and yet he still had a genuine, cheerful smile on his face.
A lot of good was accomplished, despite any criticism, by the effort led by Ammon and LaVoy. It has come at a high price – and – most sobering, the organization and agenda’s and efforts we’ve advanced up to this point – is not enough. Being “trained in arms and organized” means more than bravado, ammunition, big guns, and camouflage. It means more than prominence and respectability, big groups and big names. It must also mean more than Facebook and Twitter warriors, and our less than credible alternative media reporters who often seem to advocate as much personal nonsense as they do principles of liberty.
If we want to recover from this stinging rebuke, we’ve got to do something that no generation of freedom loving people has yet done, since the time of America’s Founding. The boldness of that statement will escape most, and the seriousness, significance and requirements will also be difficult to grasp by the casual patriot. The truth is that we’ve got to be better and more comprehensively organized, as Jefferson predicted, from the great national government, down through the states and counties, to the individual households of our people. Yes, we’ve got to be trained in arms and have organized militia’s – but this is less than 1/7th of the blueprint. We will never outgun or out militarize the United States or any of her states. Thus, while the ability to credibly project (and some times use) force individually and through our militia’s is essential and invaluable – by themselves, these things are the unorganized, infighting tragedy that we’ve just witnessed.
We’ve got to build a full society of men and women who are committed to the principles of liberty as enshrined in the Declaration and the Constitution. In addition to militias, we must command educational, financial, and media control – and this is all still only 50% of the blueprint. I could tell you more, and outline the blueprint here – but that will have to be for a follow-up publication or broadcast.
In sum, every time a tragedy like this happens, the hearts and minds of patriots are pricked, energy and passion flow, and the prevalent question is “what do we do now?” If the reader is honest, I think this is the question that is before us today – all of us. What do we do now? That has been the question I heard since boyhood, and it has resounded even in my own liberty organizations – every time we suffer significant set backs and the cause of liberty seems to be failing. Why?
I’ll tell you the answer.
Its because this is not a simple or quick fix. It is not something one person, or a small group can do. Its not a hobby or a club. It is not for the faint of heart, and it is not for broken homes and broken marriages that bicker over budgets and neglect children for fleeting hobbies. We have to rise above and work though these things. And, as a side note – a commitment to liberty can do that. The path forward requires dedicated Americans. Dedicated, red-blooded Americans from all walks of life, from all of our varied subgroups and subcultures, who are REALLY willing to stand up for freedom no matter the cost – and unite under the banner of liberty. This means in our homes and in the public space. But, even this is still not enough. It takes a blueprint, so we can build a veritable liberty based society that can quickly and powerfully correct America’s course, and powerfully and uncompromisingly influence the course of her institutions – its churches, its schools, its governments, its medicine, its businesses, its culture and its play. That, my friends, is a tall order, so tall – that the vast majority of our patriots either give up, tune out, wimp out – or minimize and marginalize to focus on only a small piece of this puzzle. But, that won’t due.
My question for you, as you ponder the meaning of these things, and the events and developments related to Ammon’s efforts and LaVoy’s murder – are you willing to go deeper? Are you willing to dive in? Are you willing to fully embrace a comprehensive, serious, life altering course for the sake of liberty?
LaVoy was fascinated as I explained to him why I had come to talk with him. He was the first person I talked with at the Refuge, and he listened intently, asked lots of questions, and later in the day came back for more as we waited for my opportunity to discuss this circumstance of the occupation and to visit with Ammon and Ryan face-to-face. In these exchanges I told LaVoy that I saw the heart, the Spirit of the Lord, and the conviction of these patriots at the Refuge, that I could see it in their eyes, and in their actions and in how they had comported themselves. I told him that I was undeniably required to show him and Ammon and Ryan and the others – my respect and love. But, I also told him about a broader view, and throughout the day, I told him that while I didn’t want to be critical or suggest that anything in the liberty movement or in the efforts of these protesters at the Refuge was bad, or wrong, or misguided – I did tell him squarely, that it needed to be pushed forward, advanced, and taken up to the next level. I told him that I respected what he and Ammon and the others were attempting, and that I only wanted to see their goals successful, and that I had some experience and insight and that I was engaged in rebuilding a group of liberty lovers and leaders spread across this nation – who could help with the larger, overall cause. We talked about how our group might get involved, and where the Refuge protest needed help, etc. When I told him about this new “liberty society” he agreed, and smiled hopefully. He arranged for us to meet with several of the key people at the Refuge, and repeatedly introduced us as we spent the day there. It was quite a day. Towards the evening we were able to listen to Ryan’s presentation and then start to share this same perspective of the broader blueprint with Ryan and Ammon and others.
But, that was just the begining. Yesterday, those with eyes to see, saw an undeniable reality check, about where we stand with our freedoms and liberty, and how overstretched and oppressive federal and state law enforcement has become. We cannot deny how quick to anger we as a people have become – especially through our government. We cannot deny how slow to reason, to act in good faith, and how intolerant are our government agencies and their bureaucrats have become. We also saw how futile are our best efforts are- even through groups like I’ve mentioned. We fight our enemies and ourselves, and liberty suffers – and blood is spilled. In the end – we saw the deliberate and strategic ambush and subsequent murder of Robert “LaVoy” Finicum.
Whatever others think of LaVoy and his last protest, he was an American. He was a man committed to a cause – and that cause was liberty! The world is not better with him dead, our government is weaker with these horrible acts of tyranny and the people who know what is going on are heart-broken, stunned, and many are angry. Hopefully.
Today, we have friends in jail. The US Attorney says they will be arraigned about 5 minutes after I publish this – after that they will prosecuted by a United States Attorney with the full force of our government and the financial and legal resources it commands. These friends will need defended. That will take resources, good minds, and passionate support. I here publicly pledge mine. Anyone who has direct contact with these men and woman are invited to reach out to me – I will help.
LaVoy publicly confessed that he believed freedom was sometimes more important than life. He has proved his sincerity. Have we? His test in this life is over. Ours is not. How much more blood must be spilled – before YOU, my friend reading this, will make a choice?
Do you think you’ve already made the choice? Do you already stand for liberty? Me too. But it is not enough! Self-evidently it is not enough.
We have got to advance this cause. We have got to elevate our power and effectiveness. Too many Americans are living lives of quiet desperation – in all areas – while the tyranny of unjust men marches forward. Whatever you’ve said to yourself up until now, Robert “LaVoy” Finicum is a new witness, in a long line of witnesses, inviting us to pick up the torch and carry it further. But, we HAVE to carry it further. We have to build a real, veritable liberty society – or we lose.
We’ve been loosing a lot lately – politically, legally, socially, economically, etc. But, the cause of liberty will not lose. We’ve got to be smarter, lest surprised by the reality of tyranny, and more broadly engaged in the cause. If we will do this, we can accomplish what no prior group of Americans has accomplished – we can finish the work of our Founder’s revolution and take liberty, prosperity and peace – even further. Let us come together. Let us awake and arise. I know that some of you, a few of you, can “hear” me. I invite you to reach out. Make contact with each other, with other lover’s of liberty. We’ve got to help our friends. What an example they have been. We’ve got to stand for liberty. This is not just about ranchers – its about all Americans. We’ve got to do it based upon principles – and a strategic blueprint that can win!
Its a tall order. A very tall order. Nevertheless, it can be done. If not us, who? If not now, when?
Let’s work together. Even if you only hope that this possible – reach out. To quote a hero, “it can help to save your soul, and maybe your country.”
Make contact.
— End
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Rick thank you for going to Oregon and for your record .
Police Brutality has only come to light thanks to smartphones. The FBI posed as militia members to create fear in the community. The FBI are the ones who pointed weapons at innocent people. Then set up an ambush to murder these people.
It was a deliberate attempt to be out of range for cells.
My only question is what took place to keep from murdering all witnesses. The FBI planned to execute them all
Actually, I was I who first in 1977 began hiring private citizens to “tail” me with first movie, then video cameras – that in order to stop almost relentless harassment (which included pointed guns) by local police. The first two persons, one Larry Gerry and one Anne Schroeder, were also the first to record police harassment being levied against me. A private detective, I had uncovered several instance of police wrongdoing – including evidence faking – by police and county attorney’s office in Black Hawk County, Iowa. When the then county attorney (he was later caught in faking evidence by none other than the FBI) falsely reported me a tax cheat to the IRS, the war that ensued forced me to make a practice of recording everything I did, and it was this practice that both saved me from jail and from death. Your government is neither what it should be nor what you think it is.
Well done, sir.
RUBY RIDGE; WACO; SAND CREEK; AND ON AND ON IT GOES; THE ROGUE GOVERNMENT FEDS INVARIABLY EXCAPE THE JUSTICE THEY SO SORELY DESERVE FOR THEIR CRIMES AND LIKE SPOILED BRATS WHOSE PARENTS NEVER PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS, THE CYCLE OF THE GOVT. STORM TROOPER EVIL AS EXPECTED WILL BE REPEATED AS LONG AS IT IS TOLERATED AND THE CULPRITS ESCAPE THE PUNISHMENT THEY SO JUSTLY DESERVE AND THAT IN THIS LIFE; THE ONLY CERTAINTY OF THEIR DESERVED JUSTICE BEING ADMINISTERED THROUGHOUT ETERNITY BEING THE TORTURE WITHOUT END THEY WILL SUFFER AT THE HANDS OF THEIR GOD LUCIVER AND HIS DEMONS. P
GRANTED, THIS IS AN UNFORTUNATELY BUT not, not, not A UNIQUE SITUATION AND IT IS EXPECTED TO GROW WORSE AND WORSE IS HOURS (NO DAYS!) GO BY; CRIMINALS, ALL WHO ARE EVIL, CAN BE EXPECTED TO HAVE THE SAME MINDSET AS MURDERS WHO HAVING COMMITTED ONE KILLING AND ESSENTIALLY BELIEVING THAT HAVING GOTTEN AWAY ONCE FOR MURDER, WILL HAVE NO RESERVATION OF CONTINUING TO MURDER, FEELING THAT, IF NOTHING ELSE, THEY CAN BE EXECUTED FOR MURDER BUT ONCE!!!
Bag the all caps James, it’s hard on the eyes.
Totally agree about the caps, plus this is not English, English is lower case and upper case.
Pamela: It caused a wave of nausea to pass through me when you truthfully stated ,”THE FBI PLANNED TO EXECUTE THEM ALL”. I have been upset since the morning after the shooting / murder, of LaVoy Finicum. As stated in the article we are commenting on, we are to disconnected to change these TYRANNIES into LIBERTIES and true FREEDOM. I know this to be true because every single day I search…. Here in OHIO I tried to join Oath Keepers, with absolutely no progress or success over the past 3 years,( more recently over the past 3 weeks) of these events of absolute terrorism and tyranny by our government. Every time an unarmed person is murdered in cold blood by the police it renews my resolve. To find justice for my poor parents who suffered under the same sick terrorist government…, Three of my mothers homes were taken by eminent domain in her lifetime. My Dad worked in servitude at multiple jobs (often)7 days a week . How do we join when they, ( our fascist government) create arbitrary complaints against us, quicker than our minds can think. I, like Lavoy Finicum (RIP), will die trying…
If I read it correctly, one of the occupants of the vehicle said they put over 100 rounds into the vehicle, and they were only saved because they were at an odd angle to the shooters. My guess is that if they had stopped on the road, they would all be dead right now. Mr. Finicum’s action of driving off into the ditch probably saved everyone else in the vehicle.
WONDERFUL account of the situation at hand, thank you!! There is only one item i believe needs a little more research and that is that the murder/shooting DID take place in Harney County…..they had not yet crossed the border into Grant County.
Thank you!
A Living Christ exposes the Deconstruction of HELL ON EARTH
By: Raymond Ronald Karczewski(c) – A Living Christ
A Living Christ Asks: A Man is Dead, Who is Responsible?
Many of you are watching the unfoldment of the massive mind control propaganda campaign now being conducted upon you by mainstream media since the Government’s shooting death of LaVoy Finicum in Oregon.
It has whipped up a fury of confusion within your minds because most of you find that you lack the ability to transcend, the satanic level of reactionary response to letter of the word twisting propagandists which have taken over control of you minds whether you are aware of it or not.
With each passing day, civilized life as we know it in this Country and throughout the world is deteriorating, becoming more violent, cold, inhibiting in freedom, indifferent to your Unalienable Right to Life, Liberty and Happiness.
You ask yourselves, How did this happen? How have we devolved to the present status of life here in America?
Let me not suggest the reason to you but to TELL YOU THE REASON for it. YOU HAVE LOST CONTROL OVER YOUR LIVES. YOU DOUBT YOURSELVES. YOU HAVE SOLD YOUR SOULS IN RETURN FOR THE SECURITY OF SLAVERY!
Your first reaction to what I have just said will be ANGER bringing with it a sense of RETALIATION.
I, this Living Christ JUST PUSHED YOUR SATANIC BUTTON!
That is how easily you can be controlled by those who have enslaved you through thought control, your government, your religion, your media, your bankers, your corporate elitists.
It is you who place yourselves at the bottom of the Totem Pole, who see yourselves as hopeless, helpless victims of a System that controls your every thought, word, and action. YOU ARE IN HELL, ARE YOU NOT?
Let us look at the predicament you find yourselves in at a level that most of you have never explored. Why, because you have been satanically trained out of your natural ability to resonate with the Truth of your own Subconscious mind, and have become Addicted to the opposites of your Satanically ruled Intellect with its never ending stream of confusion, contradiction, opposition and violence, the very energy that most of you acknowledge to be life itself.
In the subconscious mind, each of you possess the infinite wisdom of God, the holistic energy of Truth that is all there is, timeless, without beginning, without end, the very essence of
Creation itself. IT MANIFESTS AS “DO NO HARM.”
Somewhere along the way, you gave it all up in return for the Satanic promises of “Truth” the Idea of “Truth”, the reflection of “Truth.” In other words, you slipped, Fell from Grace” and willingly gave your consent to enter into and serve the hell of your Satanic ruled Intellect. You fell into the Matrix of the alternate reality of Hell, controlled by other men that you alone created through your own misguided CONSENT.
Why is the man “LaVoy Finicum” Dead? Who is the cause for such Harm? Who initiated the violence? Who fired the shot that killed him? Who is at the bottom of the Controversy which rages within the minds of millions of you across this nation and world?
Was it Finicum himself, his friends the Bundys? By their peaceful actions, did they not bring attention of the deeper aspects of Corporate Land Grab conspiracy conducted at the highest levels of US Government?
Were not Finicum and the Bundys and the militia groups which supported them acting responsibly as Sovereign men of the People, the True Government in holding their “Servant
Government” feet to the fire of public accountability?
There is no evidence that either Finicum or the Bundys DID HARM TO ANOTHER, TO ANOTHER’S PROPERTY OR TO ANOTHER’S RIGHTS. As such they abided by God’s Law, not Satanic Man’s Law.
All else, the killing, the blaming, the violence, the confusion, the mammoth mind control campaign following in its aftermath IS ALL TRACED TO THE FICTITIOUS SATANIC INSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS CONDITIONING ARM, THE MEDIA, is it not?
By the way, I, as a Living Christ, a Simple Man of Truth support the Bundys and Patriots who DID NO HARM and have no problem in placing the spotlight on those who architected such vile and despicable actions, the SATANIC GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
“No other man but I, in the recorded History of mankind, including JESUS CHRIST, has directly revealed to the World the SATANIC WEAPON used to enslave mankind – INTELLECTUAL THOUGHT!!”
Raymond Ronald Karczewski(c) – A Living Christ
The Gospel according to Ray the Christ:
http://www.arkenterprises.com/index.html#Gospel
Change The Quality of Your Life Today
http://www.arkenterprises.com/
http://www.leesarayenterprises.com/
http://www.leesarayenterprises.com/definespirituality
read up on evolution
https://youtu.be/aAGxDWKrjPQ Here is the *video* released by the FBI & OSP!
Wish I could find fault where “Call of Duty Goddess posted this enhanced video with emotional commentary and you can see exactly what takes place.” I am not sure that the 1st shot was fired as she depicts, but certainly does make sense.
Read more at http://freedomoutpost.com/2016/01/enhanced-video-shows-lavoy-finicum-point-out-agent-that-took-first-shot-at-him/#vzTKPbZhCD2MpO7h.99
And then we have Enhanced, zoomed & slowed down Video at http://www.getlinkyoutube.com/watch?v=kUzzrjBo_HU
What’s left! How are We the People to exercise our Constitutional Rights to peacefully protest now?? We tried the voting box, no changes, we tried writing our representatives, no changes, our senators and congressman, no changes, we rallied and peacefully marched in protests, still no changes, now we have a peaceful armed protest, U.S. Americans shot at, one killed, another injured, and I doubt there will be any changes, history proves that! If our grievances are unanswered over and over, at what point do we stop peaceful protests, and use our 2nd Amendment for the purpose it was given for, I say no more peaceful protests, it’s time for armed aggressive acton! It’s obvious the federal government has no interest in our Constitutional Rights, or life. We have ran out of options to have our grievances addressed, we have only one option left, and they’re working on gun control.
A total Revolution is what is needed. You are correct. The government entities do not respond to anything but their own blood spilled perhaps. One freaking cop dies and they act like there is no greater sin. Cops are killing people every day somewhere in or out of prisons and jails or home invasions or traffic stops. Anything government related has become an organization against the people.
Lets get it on then and stop game playing. It’s not our fight crap that oathkeepers said/did when this first started, or the Hammond’s don’t want it crap dropped the ball, Stewart Rhodes should resign, and or either give the reigns to someone who’s serious. I give them Kudos for Bundy Ranch and Sugar Pine mine, but this when something more than likely could of happened and numbers were needed they said no. They knew too that the Hammond’s were being threatened with either a bullet in his head or less than preferable Prison etc… What? People don’t believe that our beloved Govt would resort to threats?
I countless articles on there during this time about how Bunker hill was different etc… BS!
To the ex Oathkeeper comment yes I kind of wonder about that. Each operation is no hot heads needed At Burns Protests same thing Sugar pine same. Just because one is a hot head doesn’t’ mean they’re going to resort to something just because. It just means they’re pissed and ready. That Buddha Guy in his pics looks more like a hot head to me than anyone so…
Anyways yea I quit Oathkeepers as well but still patriot minded, and ready to answer any call that does come.
When facing an opponent, it is crucial to properly name and define that opponent. By referring to them as “Federal Government” or “Federal Authorities” one wrongly confers on them legitimacy which they do not have or deserve. Remember how the British ruled India through the “East India Company” Americans need to understand that when they talk or think of America, it is altogether a different entity to what politicians and bureaucrats think of “America”. When Americans talk of abolishing the Fed, the idea goes nowhere because the ‘Fed” is a corporation, Obama is a CEO of another arm of the ‘Corporation” and all politicians and bureaucrats are employees of the Corporation. FBI, CIA, Blackwater, Acadamie or any of the other agencies that masquerade as ‘federal’, are corporate mercenaries. America Inc. is really “West India Company” a Rothschild-Rockefellar consortium. Some have said, America is not a country with a government, but a government with a country. But the reality is, it is a Corporation with a country. All its agents are corporate mercenaries. All of them. To find out how you topple them, look at videos of the downfall of communism, especially the downfall of Ceausescu.
We need to get very good at capturing everything on cameras. Vehicles, hats, chest, and any and every angle covered. The truth will never be told without cameras. A camera is this battle is just as important as a gun….. “Hands up, don’t shoot!”
Mark McConnell is a proven FBI informant…
Ambush: an act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise.
Finicum knew exactly what he drove into when he sped away into that snow bank. What happened to Finicum was anything but an ambush. But, in order to lie definitions must be twisted, right?
“Ambush: an act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise.” So do you not consider the agent behind the trees ‘concealed’ until he came at and shot LaVoy???
1. Your report is simply a pack of lies. Finicum resisted arrest and was shot, just like many darkies who did the same thing. The music is the same; i.e.. police brutality. i’m certainly no cop lover but when you break the law and resist arrest, expect consequences We have people moaning about 12 year old Tamir Rice who was killed by the cops in Ohio. Tamir was pointing what looked like a M1911 .45 at the cops. How were they supposed to know it was a toy? Do the crime, do the time.
2. The US government is a long ways from perfect but it is mine and I support it. There are just too many of these right wing loonies (you maybe?) who want to overthrow my government and my country. Acts of treason and sedition need to be dealt with harshly.
3. There are people who write viciously. But they do this behind a cloak of anonymity (forgive the cliche). I don’t.
Wish I could find fault where “Call of Duty Goddess posted this enhanced video with emotional commentary and you can see exactly what takes place.” I am not sure that the 1st shot was fired as she depicts, but certainly does make sense.
Read more at http://freedomoutpost.com/2016/01/enhanced-video-shows-lavoy-finicum-point-out-agent-that-took-first-shot-at-him/#vzTKPbZhCD2MpO7h.99
And then we have Enhanced, zoomed & slowed down Video at http://www.getlinkyoutube.com/watch?v=kUzzrjBo_HU
IMO – if after walking out in the open, he was planning for anything but martyrdom, he would have hit the ground while reaching for a weapon. Only a dead man has hands outstretched with multiple weapons aimed at him before making a move for his weapon.
FBI/NSA commentator/psyops
Excellent. Thank you.
“Traffic stop?” Oh, come on now. It could not be more obvious that this was a set-up and an ambush; and that LaVoy Finicum was murdered in cold blood. The video taken by the FBI tells the story quite clearly. He was shot in the back first, and most certainly not because he had drawn a gun.
And it was also absolutely not a “shoot out!” LaVoy never drew a gun, even though he had ample opportunity to do so. He could have exited his vehicle with a gun drawn, but did not. I believe he exited his vehicle in order to protect the others inside.
It sounds to me like Mark McConnell earned himself a free pass out of jail by agreeing to lie about the facts. Either that or he was a plant from the beginning. It appears that someone(s) infiltrated the group and tipped off the FBI about the travel plans in order for the FBI to have time to set up these huge roadblocks.
I am deeply troubled by the many ugly and hateful comments I have read in response to the slanted media coverage–people wishing for the “occupiers/militia” to be killed. The gullible ignorance of a large percentage of our population is staggering and depressing. So many blind fools.
Thank you very much for the wonderful article I will certainly pass it on. I will tell you one sure way to correct this out of control government. I have a friend that was very big in the Sage Brush Rebellion, he has been persecuted, infiltrated and set up by the federal government (just like they always do and have done to the Bundy’s) and won but at a great financial cost. He recommended to me that I claim as many on my taxes as to have to pay some to the government at tax time, (not a new strategy) then rather than pay the taxes I file an extention (yes I put that money under my pillow) and pay only when I have to. The only way to correct the government is to have it crash.. Run out of money. Wether it be by the people or an economical crash. If the government does not have the money to pay these jack booted thugs they are not going to come after a rancher standing up for his God given rights. Next problem, how do you convince the masses to do that? as every body is afraid of loosing every thing they have!! Next thing to do is start at the local level make the law enforcement PEACE OFFICERS as they were once before they were militarized. My friend about 20 years ago had a law passed in his county that the Feds had no jurisdiction in his county unless it was authorized by the county commissioners and the people of his county. I like LaVoy love FREEDOM more than life itself. LaVoy did not die in vein it has taught us all a lesson on how to be wiser for the next time.
Thank you very much for your article and your web site as well as your passion for freedom.
Sharon Williamson
This whole debacle has shown Oregon what a bunch of nutters all of you are. Previously Oregonians had heard rumblings of your movement from Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. Now you nutters took your movement to Oregon and we put the hammer on you. The message is simple: stay far away from Oregon.
Oregonians are not going anywhere. We will always be here. And ready if you nutters ever try to return.
Rick awesome job putting this together, first of all, my stomach ache for the Finicum family, when I had heard of the shooting and then following the Ammon report that Lavoy was murdered in cold blood, then along come this guy Mark McConnell, who totally contradict everybody else story, it made no sense to me..of course I was not there but why would he make a claim like that.. but what really got my attention was when he was 200 yards away and further, how could he see that far and in the dark or dusk. either he has eagle eyes or he a plain liar, my first thought he was a plant because of this testimony had to many holes in it. so Rick I’m glad you brought that out. what these FBI agents are but minions doing the work of the elites, the oligarchy, the shadow government, whatever you want to call them.. what they want or would like to see is the elimination of 300million American..they don’t need us.. they would rather see this country as a wilderness area so they can use this for vacations spots, hunting safari, but once the dirty work is done then those that help them will get eliminated along with the rest of us. you see there is no honor among thieves, eventually will turn on themselves, because they trust no one. then Satan will have his way, of course this is ultimate goal, to eliminate all God’s creation, that if he has his way. We are the children of the most high, he has given us the tools, the word, to use to take back what the devil has stolen from us. We can take America back, like Rick said it might cost us some lives but, there is a price we have to pay, because its gone on way to long , and now they, whoever they are, think they can win, but I have news for them, the cat is out of the bag, the gate has been left open the cows are out and its to late to put back in. we stand together or we hang individually, let get back America, this is God’s gift to us lets not loose it.
Yes, and now we know why all those law enforcement types have been sent to Tel Aviv for training on how to police their own citizens. Its what the Khazars of Israel do to the Palestinians. This is now visited upon the USA through their infiltration of key positions in our government.
Thank you Mr. Koerber
Bodyguards are favorite plants and are used often as informants to target or “eye” a mark by police and intelligence agencies. This guy has discredited and impeached his own testimony by his contradictions and dissed a good dead man.
…
Thank you Mr. Koerber. Very well said sir. And your BASIC POINT, is spot on, we must unite.
Respectfully submitted by SD2010.
Silencedogoog…Thats my ancestor you have as a picture. Im related to him. Very proud and thank you for using my family heritage for you avatar.
Someone asked why there were no videos of the “takedown” by the FBI as there are now in most traffic stops, etc. I can tell you from personal experience that the FBI absolutely does not want their exploits on video or film. Someone I know was arrested by the FBI. He had a video camera at his home that covered the driveway and front yard. The first agents on the scene smashed the camera. There was a second, dummy camera in the house, which they also destroyed, needlessly. In addition, they did several thousand dollars worth of vandalism to the home and his wifes new car, which was never reimbursed. This man was in his 70’s and had never been arrested or charged with a crime his entire life. He was involved in the freedom movement and had been entrapped by an undercover snitch who he believed was a friend. I personally believe the FBI murdered LaVoy Finicum, just as they murdered 82 men, women and children at Waco. Just like they murdered Vicki Weaver and her son at Ruby Ridge. The worlds finest investigative agency, at one time, has been morphed into Murder, Inc., for sale to the highest bidder. At stake here is a huge deposit of uranium and multi-million dollar “contributions” to the Clinton Foundation.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/29/us/oregon-standoff.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur
We know the path to freedom. It is by standing as a peaceful being on the land as a private state citizen. We do not consent to the military occupation of USA by the US Corporation run by the bankers and corporate greed because it does not apply to the peaceful inhabitants and private citizens. PanTerrapca.org is a great place to start. We are creating what we want to see in this world. The current system is too big to change. We just let the corporate world defeat it’s self. In the interim, we educate people how to interface with the system without consenting or granting jurisdiction. All while creating abundance health and balance with the earth. Gemstsoneuniversity.org is where people can find a grounded education program to correct one’s Status and standing.
My questions…which does not seem to be discussed anywhere…
How was Ammon able to call Lisa from the back of a patrol car? Was he not handcuffed/to my understanding behind his back/is that not sop? And how did he not only manage a call with his cell phone with hands behind his back…but why did he even have his cell phone? Any time I see an arrest, frisk etc online, everything is removed from the arrested/all pockets are emptied.
Doesn’t it seem logical that if they murdered LaVoy the last thing the feds would want is Ammon on the phone telling his wife to get the word out? That if by some miracle he was left with his phone and was either not handcuffed or managed his phone while being handcuffed that agents would notice he was on the phone and stop it? It just does not seem logical that Ammon was able to operate so freely just being taken into custody.
If Ammon was in back of a patrol car and LeVoy had sped off how could Ammon see that LeVoy was murdered in cold blood (then call his wife to report it)? I’m not saying LeVoy was not murdered or murdered. How could I possibly make that determination with the information that is available.
Also interesting is how Ryan Payne was shot at and missed (?) by trained snipers that had lasers plastered over all the occupants. He able to exit the vehicle and taken into custody without incident unharmed and while he was being apprehended there was time to speed away. Victoria said Ryan Paine was amazing. So Ryan P jumped out for his safety and left the others? And if he was able to exit then why didn’t the women?
Plus it would not take an informant to know their travel plans. They were going to a community meeting/common knowledge. LeVoy said the day before his death the tone of the fbi had changed/not in a good way. I still find it hard to fathom that this group took off for a long drive down a dark road when it had already been announced that fbi had roadblocks everywhere and stopping people. Was Ammon given some reassurances by his ‘deep pockets’ and thought in all sincerity that he would be given protection and free passage? I can’t imagine him taking a young girl on the trip if he even remotely thought there would be danger. Was he possibly the perfect patsy?
I have also read but can’t confirm that Sheriff Palmer was at the ambush? Have you heard about this?
I appreciate your article. From everything I can gather Ammon and LeVoy were very sincere if ill advised.
I just can’t find answers to nagging questions. Maybe you can shed some light?
I’m wondering also, that if FBI and/or State Police have all the incidents videoed, as they say they do, why haven’t they released it to all news medias’ and Facebook to help diffuse public anger and questions about LaVoy Finicums assassination. Can’t help but think it’s being withheld (as happened in other questionable law enforcement “killings”) in order to edit/doctor the film to cover up possible truths about their actions. If , indeed Mr. Finicum had his hands raised and they can’t superimpose or hide that from the video, naturally they WILL NOT release for anyone !!
Why does my comment require moderation ?
Eva. I can only reply to what I saw in several photos that have now been removed. Sheriff Palmer was indeed at the scene. There were two or three photos, all of which showed him with a shotgun
Thank you bobbie *smile*.
Much of what I have been thinking. thanks Eva
The yarn has more holes in it than the number of bullet holes reported. Wanna see bullet holes in a car? Go to YouTube and enter Bonnie and Clyde There you can find the real takedown, not the movie version
We do NOT need a blueprint. A blueprint is the opposite of liberty. We need to do away with blueprints. We need to do away with Federal Reserve Acts. We need to do away with Legal Tender Laws. We need to do away with blueprints that were either complicit in making these machinations of slavery or were powerless to stop them.
“But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain – that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is unfit to exist.”
– Lysander Spooner, No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority
While you are indeed free to disagree with me, you don’t actually answer the substance of my argument. Simply attacking the concept of a “blueprint” and pointing to Lysander Spooner is no different than attacking the concept of a gun and then pointing to Hillary Clinton. Natural law contains blue prints. The music scales, the visible colors, the entire EMS, the laws of physics – these are blue prints. If we disregard them, we do so in futility and our progress is severely limited and we are doomed to suffer the consequences of unknown rules. If we seek after, discover, adhere to, and then teach them – we advance. Thus, the Enlightenment and the Age of Reason. Liberty is not merely protest or the absence of tyranny – there is order, natural order – and for liberty and prosperity – that is a blue print.
So long as your blueprint is voluntary I won’t fight against it tooth, nail and bullet. If it is involuntary it is nothing more than another man-made UNNATURAL Law.
Ever since I joined the Oathkeepers a few years back, I’ve believed they are a Fed operation to ferret out the would-be patriots willing to fight for our country.
I joined, paid my thirty bucks (I don’t know how much it costs now), and from my first post to my state forum was told there was no freedom of speech, that I couldn’t talk about certain things like Revolution because they had too many members in law enforcement who might be compromised. What?
So, I asked for my money back. Nooooo. Then I asked what the Oathkeepers planned to do with the private information of all their members when the Feds asked for it.
Crickets. I asked again when I reiterated I wanted my refund. Still Crickets. Crickets to this day.
I stay away from “organized” militias now with catchy names like Oathkeepers and Three percenters. There’s no one more organized than God himself and when he’s ready, there’s millions of us real Americans who will answer the call. And now that the Feds have murdered LaVoy, they have their Hell to pay. And it’s coming.
I like this guy…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6wL3DSMXzk
Oregon Standoff Lessons Learned (so far)
Thank you, excellent.!
Rick, you are spot on. In order for all the necessary elements to be brought under (and discussed) one umbrella, we need to form a Continental Congress just like our founders did. It requires 2 people from each state and a leader to run it. Who has the right contacts to get it done?
I heard Victoria say that they had no cell service in that area. Too many questions around the ability of Ammon Bundy to be able to make that call to his wife.
The Feds probably let them use of of their SAT phones. The area between Burns and John Day is remote and cell service is spoty. A lot of the so called facts on both sides aren’t adding up. The FEDS had a drone in the sky 24/7 monitoring all traffic going in and out of the Refuge. They were gathering intel on everyone! So why would Ammon and the boys leave the Refuge if they were going to be subjected to the man power and fire power of the FBI, Oregon State Police, and Black Op advisors? Not a wise decision in the end.
Fiore, a vocal supporter of the Bundy family, said that Ammon Bundy told his wife that Finicum was cooperating with police and had put his hands up. Then, Fiore said, Bundy told his wife that he watched police shoot Finicum three times. She said that Ammon Bundy also said Finicum was on the ground when he was shot.
~
So even if he used a SAT phone how did he see what was going on unless what…they drove him in the cruiser chasing LeVoy, let him watch and then said here, want to call the misses and let her know you’re okay and that you saw us murder him in cold blood?
That defies logic imho~
This has been going on for a long time. Time to man up and put a stop to it. In a constitutional manor of course.
Download the Periscope app? Be advised that installing the Periscope app gives the owners of the app permission to access your contacts, identity, phone microphone, phone camera and your location. NO THANKS!!!!
Mark McConnell, WHO ARE YOU AND WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR, AHOLE?
I smell a rat.
Semper fidelis vox Populi. Sic semper evello mortem tyrannis.
Sgt Dick Vanstone USMC
Grant County Sheriff Palmer WAS at the meeting in John Day at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
I have the same questions as EVA regarding the credibility of a phone call from Ammon to his wife and a subsequent phone call to Clive while already in custody and in the back of the police cruiser. Also the same question regarding Ammon’s ability to see a mile down the road from the rear of a police cruiser. As to Victoria’s account, unless I missed something, she indicated that she and Shawna were laying on the floor of the vehicle to avoid being shot. If they were lying on the floor of the vehicle, how did she see that LaVoy was walking with his hands up? Logic would seem to dictate that if I were laying on the floor of a vehicle to take cover from flying bullets, I would be laying face down which would make it very difficult to see out of any windows. If on the other hand, Victoria were to state that LaVoy took inappropriate action, would that possibly result in additional charges being placed against her – as an accomplice? I don’t know what occurred and am still trying to sift through the seemingly contradictory “eyewitness” accounts and try to form a valid opinion which is beyond a reasonable doubt.
The pictures cover the comments, maybe that could be changed, so we can read them. This was one of the best reports that I have read. I liked the tone and the vision. But truly, revolutions good or bad do not procede amongst a people who are satisfied or even used to their situation. That is why revolutionaries always destroy infrastructure that allows a society, however rickety or oppressive to continue. Sadly, only when a government can no longer maintain the status quo, do people truly turn against it in large numbers. Human nature does not change. WAKE UP AMERICA!
i agree don but this slow slide over the cliff is not going to stop , what happened here is only going to get worse , this government thinks that they can control the demise of this nation but its not going to go that way , weather the ” peeps ‘ like it or not this is going to get bloody and if these morons in the government think that they are going to survive this they are truly in for a rude awaking .
Great contribution! Thanks!
I’d also like to add this video – it supports the claim that LaVoy left his revolver behind at the refuge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXD57PvEcbA
Now that Duane Ehmer has been arrested and if they confiscated the gun, the FBI can say they obtained the gun from anyone they want or any place they choose. We need to get this out.
Thanks!
Right, LeVoy had said the day before that the FBI had ‘changed’ and yet left his always carried protection at home while taking a journey down an isolated road with FBI swarming the entire area? Sure, makes sense *grin*.
Tales for tails~
Too much of the FBI and MSN story stinks.
‘Don’t know who fired the first shot’ You know that if Ammon’s group had fired, it would be broadcast everywhere.
‘Only a half dozen shots fired’ From what I hear, LaVoy took all of the half dozen shots. So let’s see the well ventilated truck.
50 miles of highway shut down for multiple hours for investigation. When was the highway first shut down. Takes a long while to recover incriminating evidence, especially if it is lost in the snow. And in a secluded area well away from any 3rd party witnesses.
Finally – why was Santilli arrested for ‘conspiracy to impede federal officers’??? Afraid of any disclosure of facts???
I am very thankful that you were there, and you post of first hand accounts. I am hoping you will stay with this story, and publish the autopsy findings once they are released, and any photos that become available. Thank you for your view and your willingness to spread the news with no spin!
I have created a few thoughts along the same line as Rick about the initial ” Routine Traffic Stop ” as reported by Victoria Sharp.
Since it is fairly lengthy, I will post a few summary thoughts and questions at the beginning so we can ponder them directly.
A. as the OsP & FBI have stated that this was a ” traffic stop ” and no briefing about the assembled supplies, vehicles, weapons and collection of personal, it should be stated that the convoy of 2 vehicles and occupants were denied their Liberties of the Rights of Free Travel on a Public Access Road.
B. The Murder of Mr. Robert LaVoy Finicum as described by Victoria Sharp & Ammon Bundy provide evidence to Charge ALL OsP & FBI Officials that were present on the Murder site and Upper Admin Supervisor involved with the ” Routine Traffic Stop ” engagement with Willful Prejudice to Deny Liberty and Free Travel to those involved in the 2 vehicles under Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, aka ” Under the Color of the Law “.
C. The Murder of Mr. Robert LaVoy Finicum as described by Victoria Sharp & Ammon Bundy provide evidence to Charge ALL OsP & FBI Officials that were present on the Murder site and Upper Admin Supervisor involved with the ” Routine Traffic Stop ” engagement with Willful Prejudice to Deny Liberty by Murder in the 1st degree.
The balance of the Original Post follows below :
MASSIVE AMMO DUMPED into LaVoy Finicum & vehicle carrying others …!
LaVoy Finicum Shot w/Hands in the Air….? …Shot Multiple X’s lying Dead …!
” Victoria ” …Eye-Witness Audio Testimony Here…!
…FBI….“ All Defendants Should Be Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty. “ …[ OR DEAD ]…!
Oregon & FBI Officials continued shooting at the vehicle with the remaining people still within with “ at least 120 shots “ as a massive over-reach of deployed weapons on a stationary vehicle carrying the passengers.
This AMBUSH with weapons continued for 5 to 10 minutes in the shade of “ Bonnie & Clyde “ on May 23rd 1934…!
…FBI….“ All Defendants Should Be Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty. “ …[ OR DEAD ]…!
The 1st bad decision of “ Oregon Liberty from BLM “ Group was departing by a vehicle to travel some 100 miles on a dual-lane state Hwy 395 to attend a speaking engagement in John Day, Oregon.
From Eye-Witness , “ Victoria “, while being stopped on the dual-lane rural state road by Oregon & FBI Officials, No One Ever Displayed or Hand Held any Weapons.
The Driver, LaVoy Finicum, spoke with open driver side door window, stating that they would talk this event over with the Local Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward. They wanted to speak directly with the Local Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward because they questioned the Rights and Purpose 4 THIS Highway vehicle stop…the Restriction of Right of Free Travel on Local, state and Federal Roadways.
A single shot was Fired by Oregon or FBI Officials that hit the metal door frame but did not hit any persons within the vehicle.
AT this point, Driver LaVoy Finicum, started to depart his parked position to Reach the location of the local Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward.
After driving a short distance UNDER REPEATED GUN FIRE by Oregon & FBI Officials, the vehicle Crashed into a snow bank on the side of the road.
After collecting themselves & verifying that All of the people within the vehicle were in good health, Mr. LaVoy Finicum departed the driver-side door “with his “ HANDS HELD OVER HIS HEAD “ stating that he was traveling freely, “ We are going to talk to the Sheriff Now “ or “ Just shoot us now “.
Oregon & FBI Officials shot a minimum of 3 time hitting and Killing Mr. LaVoy Finicum as he fell to the ground. An additional minimum of 3 additional shot hit Mr. LaVoy Finicum as he lay on the ground.
Oregon & FBI Officials continued shooting at the vehicle with the remaining people still within “ at least 120 shots “ as a massive over-reach of deployed weapons on a stationary vehicle carrying the passengers.
This AMBUSH with weapons continued for 5 to 10 minutes in the shade of “ Bonnie & Clyde “ on May 23rd 1934…!
Victoria was not arrested or charged with anything during the Shooting Barrage of a “ ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP “…!
We need more TRUTHFUL DETAILS…!
We need more Details of the Body AUTOPSY of Mr. LaVoy Finicum…!
We need more Details of the BODY DAMAGE & BULLET COUNT on the Vehicle used by the Oregon Liberty from BLM group…!
This Reminds me of RUBY RIDGE ..[Date: August 21–31, 1992 ] …and the WACO SIEGE ..[February 28 and April 19, 1993.] …!
Joint Statement by the FBI and Oregon State Police on Law Enforcement Activity Near Burns, Oregon
The arrested individuals include:
Ammon Edward Bundy, age 40, of Emmett, Idaho
Ryan C. Bundy, age 43, of Bunkerville, Nevada
Brian Cavalier, age 44, of Bunkerville, Nevada
Shawna Cox, age 59, Kanab, Utah
Ryan Waylen Payne, age 32, of Anaconda, Montana
These probable cause arrests occurred along Highway 395.
All of the named defendants face a federal felony charge of conspiracy to impede officers of the United States from discharging their official duties through the use of force, intimidation, or threats, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 372.
“We continue to work with Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward and his deputies; Oregon State Police; and the United States Attorney’s Office to address any further outstanding issues. As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time.
“ All defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. “ …[ OR DEAD ]…!
FBI video of the Traffic Stop https://youtu.be/aAGxDWKrjPQ
Just Release on YT FBI video of the Traffic Stop https://youtu.be/aAGxDWKrjPQ
This doesn’t add up for two seconds. A cell phone call in the backseat after being taken away by police? Unless Ammon was cuffed with his hands in front of him (does that ever happen?) there is no chance he would ever be able to handle a cell phone. Even less being allowed to bring and use a cell phone freely while in custody. And being able to provide details of the events from observations made through the rear window of a police criuser moving away from the scene (while on the phone?) is just not very plausible.
The FBI released aerial videos of the events disagree with the statement of LaVoy being shot with his hands up. It is clearly visible that he reaches towards what looks like the inner pockets of his jacket, more than once. There are no apprarent shots fired prior to him doing so. Any law enforcement officer would fire in a similar situation elsewhere. And the eye witness account that as LaVoy “lay dead on the ground his hands were still up above his head”, does not match the footage at all.
Sorry, but he screwed up. Never try to outrun the police and expect a happy ending.
I can certainly retrieve and operate my phone with my hands cuffed behind my back. I would need to activate speakerphone to hear anyone. In that terrain, Ammon certainly would not have seen the activities a half mile away. Are you so sure that they immediately traveled in the opposite direction? The video shows 5 more vehicles arriving at the scene 2 minutes after the shooting.
But you’re right that ‘this doesn’t add up’:
8 vehicles and 24 men in the middle of nowhere for a traffic stop.
Seems odd that a traffic stop would have personnel staged in the woods.
Is a chopper in the air on location SOP???
Obvious that LaVoy was not ‘charging’ toward anyone.
‘Half a dozen shots fired’ and that’s just the ones evident in the video.
Thank you Mr. Koerber for what you have expressed to all of us that love freedom. You are right! We are not organized as we should be. The Federal government has massive resources at their disposal and will use it in a lethal manner to hold on to their power and authority over the people. We will never win the fight for liberty divided as we are now. Unless people realize what is truly at stake here and join together, we as a free people will lose and to be ruled by a rogue government. I don’t know what it will take to motivate Americans to rise up to the challenge if not now after the brutal murder of LaVoy Finicum and the arrest of those men and women who took a stand for liberty,not just for themselves but for all of us who believe in the Constitution and the Rule of Law as it was written by our Founders. We cannot wait any longer to do something.
FBI, OST, CIA , FDA SLH. SLH?? Satan’s little helpers. Routine traffic stop my ass. Satan’s little Helpers.
What was provocation for the initial shot?…the first shot…the one where they tried to take the Payne’s head off?
THAT SHOT ALONE lead to this death. It went from a traffic stop, to attempted murder in 1 second. That changed the minds of all the occupants of that truck 1000% the instant that happen. If a guy just sticks his head out and bare hands…and gets shot at, WHY did they not riddle him when he opened the door and stepped out?
I think there is a serious lack of information regarding the initial traffic stop.
-Why were they stopped?
-What were the FBI demands?
-Without direction there could be no compliance….then BANG, one shot, negligent shot or not, changes the whole situation to routine to fight for life. These situations are extremely different.
That first shot determined the outcome. THAT person is accountable for the actions that followed. Especially if that person just had an itchy trigger finger. I think that guy should be grilled severely. He has 2 choices….It was an accident or was instructed to.
Then we can put to rest if this was an assasination plot – or a traffic stop gone wrong.
It’s getting much too easy for these gov entities to just go ahead and kill people. And the way they confront them is very aggressive and intimidating, which does nothing but make a situation even worse than it is.
I’m leaning towards controlled opposition. All 3 stories, Ammon, Mark, Victoria have holes. Presently people are stacking up on opposing sides of who did what. People are detailing events from the video by seconds. It is easy to see what you want to see from many viewpoints. This is what controlled opposition looks like, people chase their tails chasing tales. Focus on the right hand and not see what the left is doing.
That Ammon’s account is nothing but a bold faced lie/back of cruiser, saw the whole thing, called wife in cell phone challenged area makes me question just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Actually it makes me question the whole Bundy thing. Doesn’t it seem odd that for 2 years Cliven has been able to do as he pleases, still not paying grazing fees, no charges for the standoff? Think about it, the emotional impact when the cows were lead to ‘freedom’ with Ryan Bundy (I think it was him) riding his horse with the flag liberating cows? And what, they just let ol’Cliven go on about his business for 2 years? That may change if there is more coming down the pike to further an agenda. Right now Cliven is in his prime with interviews, picture perfect posing for cameras, the thoughtful downward pose looking at the ground.
Ammon gave false hope and offers of protection to his following…stand with us and you will be protected/look at us, we live as free men. LeVoy may have been the perfect patsy (speculation). Now they have a real life martyr/he has become the poster boy for the revolution and posters have already been designed.
The rag tag group still at the refuge (if they still are) let’s look at that. Live streaming, showing they have made the area look like a dump. Sean (Shawn) in your face ‘kill them’ and then last dance with his wife (pathetic). The hold outs saying ridiculous ‘it’s not fair’ stuff when dealing with the feds (that really gave me a chuckle) and we were just camping/not hurting anyone. Are there really people this stupid out there/sure. But it seems mighty convenient that this motley crew are the only ones left and chronicling their campfire beer drinking and stoner comments (which I found highly amusing). Honestly these are the kind of patriots that a leader, Ammon, allowed to be part of the ‘peaceful’ protest? When LeVoy assured his family that radicals are weeded out? Seriously? Like the anti Muslim or pro ISIS ones?
Think about how much damage this does to the patriot movement.
Tubes of cleaning up the place, heritage barn etc and yet in a very short time the place looks like white trash alley?
People arguing about the ambush//supposedly routine traffic stop. Oh get real, it was never intended for such and if that is what the FBI is claiming (which is stupid to claim that and they would know that) that only furthers the tails/tales thing because they were determined to stop the ‘revolution’/or determined to start one? Inquiring minds.
Harney county sheriff pics of him at the ambush with a gun/then disappear from the web and verification he was 70 miles away at the anticipated town meeting. Tails and tales.
Then the Hammonds, just simple good hearted ranching folks or poachers, arsonist, land destroyers, child abusers documented with pics, or is that documentation all a fabrication? That keeps the environmental group busy/tails and tales.
All I know at this point is the three so called eye witnesses stories stink. The released video contradicts and supports all of them and yet is grainy enough to conveniently leave room for doubt. Well except for Ammon’s story which stinks to high heaven. I am now of the opinion there is a lot more to the Bundy’s than I realized until a few days ago.
Absolutely anything can be fabricated, staged, manipulated to control the opposition. I would have to say this control is presently very effective. The ‘show’ trials should be quite an extravaganza and popcorn time for inquiring minds.
Peace all~and love
Eva
Correction…Grant county sheriff/where was he exactly lol?
It’s so sad. A man is gunned down needlessly, yet no one cares. As I read comments on line most are heartless and cruel. I have always been a supporter of law enforcement but look at what is going on throughout our country. People being gunned down by police is a regular thing. Does anyone read the eye witness account and not question that this was an ambush or that excessive force was used. The occupation of some wildlife refuge in the middle of the winter is not worth killing a man for. Life is too precious for things like that. As an American I’m ashamed of the leaders who planned this out.
Thank you Bob. There is too much suggesting that this was an ambush. How much of our tax $ went into putting 8 vehicles, 24 men (including at least 1 in the woods) and a helicopter on scene for a ‘traffic stop’. As our Constitution gets trashed, rights declined and freedom threatened we have plenty of Big Brother supporters begging to be totally controlled.
But is the ‘sleeping giant’ beginning to awaken? Recent Gallop Poll indicates 49% of US FEAR loss of freedom at the hands of our government. Fear is good if it is not paralyzing.
I think you are right on. The government is turning the entire country into a slow moving death camp. Faster for blacks. I documented many murders in Thailand. They were done EXACTLY like this. We must resist. We must defend and fight on every careful level. Americans are rusty and sloppy about freedom. This is a wake up call.
Re: Ammon & Cellphone. Okay, the logical thing would have been for the cruiser with Ammon in custody to stay put, or drive back to town. But human nature plays a part, always. Those who arrested Ammon knew (if this was a planned, pre-meditated hit on Finicum), they knew what was coming down, and they wanted to see it in person. Yes, they followed not too far behind Finicum’s truck. Ammon did indeed see his friend killed, and he did indeed manage to contort himself to get hold of his cellphone, which probably had a push-button direct app to his wife Lisa and his Dad. Non-existent cell coverage in the mountains or not, police cruisers have the high-tech wifi reach of direct-to-satellite. No problem there because inside, those vehicles are a hot soup of electronics.
A great injustice was done here. We will not lay down for this one, lavoy was a great american, 100% murdered by the FBI and OSP. there is absolutely no denying that. ALL parties involved will spend life in Leavenworth or ADMIN MAX. No Seagoville vacation for the osp and feds..hAve fun in Hell!!!
RIP Lavoy….
**Obama has guns pointed at every American Citizens head, while his beloved Moslem Brotherhood caress the triggers.
It isn’t the Muslim Brotherhood seeking to destroy. It is the Jewish Oligarchs.
It is not just the Imposter in Chief – wish we only had 1 more year of BS. The attack on our Liberty has been underway for DECADES. Fact is: I thank BO for awakening me and millions of others – may the rest of the Sleeping Giant come out of it’s stupor.
…obtain and read “Unintended Consequences” by John Ross. Although out-of-print and a little pricey, it is a worthwhile read, combining a law and Constitution education, with practical ways to keep from being devoured by the “beast”, as well as real solutions to take back our country.
When this book first came out, sellers were routinely harassed by ATF, DEA, FBI and other government agencies…
Sorta tells you something…
check the two shooting sites for spent casings.
You know they sanitized the scene. But there very well could be casings missed under the snow. We must insist on independent analysis of the truck before it is crushed.