Cliven and dozens of other ranchers were working together to feed their animals and provide water through a collection and distribution system they created, but then “desert tortoise” became the priority and dozens of ranchers were driven out of business but Cliven Bundy stood along and kept standing to keep the family business (a small business) going in the face of big government.
This controversy began back around 1990.
Grazing rights and water rights are disputed here but Bundy is saying the Nevada has water rights already and should have the grazing rights, too.
But the feds disagree. Cliven Bundy has sent his 8-thousand dollars in fees over a 20 plus year period to Clark County, Nevada instead of Washington DC to make his point.
For those 8 thousand dollars in fees, the federal government has spent millions upon millions in our tax dollars in its prosecution-persecution campaign against the Bundy’s and their supporters.
On top of that, the government runs over and kills large numbers of the desert tortoise when it suits THEM. Not illegal when the sainted government kills the critters, of course.
I’m not aware of the minute details of the Bundy 160 acre ranch. I have sat in the
saddle for hours gathering free range cattle in my early years on land not owned
by the cattle owners. Things change and today that land is owned by some large
corporations and small home owners. Fenced and no longer available for grazing.
How much does Bundy owe in fees? He can dispute ownership all he wants but he
has to pay his dues and get it resolved in a court of law. He doesn’t make the
rules on land he doesn’t own or refuses to pay the fees or abide by other rules
the land owner may impose. Did he ever have a written contract for grazing?
JMO and yours varies but we each have that right. Take care and have a good Sunday.