Posted on 01/04/2016 10:33:31 AM PST by ObozoMustGo2012
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) on Monday slammed the protesters who have taken over a federal building in rural Oregon, urging them to lay down their arms.
“Every one of us has a constitutional right to protest, to speak our minds,†Cruz told reporters at campaign event in Iowa, according to NBC News.
“But we don't have a constitutional right to use force and violence and to threaten force and violence on others,†he said. “And so it is our hope that the protesters there will stand down peaceably, that there will not be a violent confrontation.†Cruz said he is praying for everyone involved in the dispute, particularly law enforcement officials who “are risking their lives.â€
The protesters, led by two sons of the Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy, say they are taking a stand against a prison sentence for two landowners convicted of arson on federal property.
They’re also part of a group that frequently protests against federal government's management of Western lands. They protesters have told media outlets that they plan to stay on the refuge for years.
The standoff has put Republican presidential candidates on the spot, with some of them having expressed support in a similar dispute in 2014 between Bundy and the government over unpaid grazing fees.
The support for Bundy eroded when he began making racially charged statements in interviews.
Up until Monday, most of the GOP's White House contenders had refrained from speaking out on the Oregon dispute, but that is beginning to change.
Like Cruz, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) condemned the takeover at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, though he told an Iowa radio station that he sympathizes with the movement to shrink federal land holdings.
“You’ve got to follow the law. You cannot be lawless,†Rubio told KBUR in an interview highlighted by Buzzfeed. “We live in a republic. There are ways to change the laws of this country and the policies. And if we get frustrated with it, that’s why we have elections, that’s why we have people we can hold accountable.â€
Rubio lent some credit to the stated goals of the occupation, reported by local media to involve a small group of armed men with very few local residents. The group is objecting to federal land control and ownership and pushing for the federal land to be given to states or individuals.
“I agree that there is too much federal control over land, especially out in the western part of the United States. There are states, for example, like Nevada that are dominated by the federal government in terms of land holding, and we should fix it,†Rubio said, adding that it shouldn’t be done “in a way that is outside the law.â€
Among the 2016 hopefuls, Cruz has been one of the most vocal advocates for reducing federal land ownership, along with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Cruz led the charge against the Bureau of Land Management’s claims over property around the Red River in Texas, saying he wants to “protect landowners from federal overreach.â€
Rubio has been less vocal about federal land ownership, but his energy policy platform calls for more local and state control over federal property for oil and natural gas drilling or other uses.
Land management is a major political issue in Western states. Nationwide, the federal government owns and manages nearly 630 million acres, with most located west of the Mississippi River.
Cruz and Rubio have increasingly clashed in recent weeks, with both seeking to overtake Donald Trump in polls of the Republican race.
While Rubio is seeking to gain ground in New Hampshire, the first primary state, Cruz has taken the lead in Iowa, which will hold its caucuses on Feb. 1.
I don’t think it is a ridiculous litmus test to expect someone who pretends to be such an expert on the constitution to at least give lip service to the 2nd Amendment. But to TELL people they have NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to bear arms in defense of any aggressive action by an illegal government is beyond the pale for anyone who aspires to be president.
Cruz green lighted an assault. It’s coming.
When was the last time Ted supported a democrat for office or donated to his/her campaign? Yeah, I can't remember either.
Yeah, heard that before. Control of the House, then control of the Senate has given absolutely NOTHING back to the American people! Too many LAWYERS practicing LAWFARE in Washington already.
In your utopian world, other governments are pursuing their trade agendas in good faith....
I mean, the drug cartels are just harmless “sellers’ right ?
I agree.
to use force and violence and to threaten force and violence on others
I guess that is reserved for the government only huh?
No. I think “slammed†is the wrong word. Cruz “gently encouraged.†He didn’t “slam.â€
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Yeah, I hear ya. Cruz “gently encouraged” the protesters to give up their Constitutional Rights under the false guise that they did not have that particular Constitutional Right to bear arms! Yeah, uh huh, I hear ya!
OREGON MILITIA STANDOFF
17m
Spokeswoman with Terminal Island Federal Correctional Institution in Los Angeles confirms Oregon ranchers Dwight and Steven Hammond now in custody - @EvertonBailey
see original on twitter.com
Ted supported the Democrats and gave them everything they wanted by his votes. He didn’t need to give money, he gave away America’s sovereignty!
Sorry- I was mistaken- I was going by an above post that made it appear he came out against the protestors- it was about trump supporting NSA surveillance not this issue however-
Sorry- I was mistaken- I was going by an above post that made it appear he came out against the protestors- it was about trump supporting NSA surveillance not this issue however-
Cruz is right on this one, these morons need to leave ASAP before they are all dead or put in jail for life, and in the process hurt the conservative cause.
Heck, even the people they are supposedly there to help, dont want their help!
...and now we have “representation.” Such as it is.
Thanks for that clarification.
There's a high probability that this group has been infiltrated and actions being influenced by a FLEA. Don't be the buffalo.
An interesting trend. It seems that precious few candidates for president want to reduce the powers of the office. I guess St. Raphael of TPA doesn’t so much object to the floggings, so long as he and his gang are wielding a new and improved whip.
You already know the answser: few if any.
Yes. BLM (Bureau of Land Mismanagement) is occupying land all over the Western part of these United States, and needs to be abolished. Defund the Feral Government!
...and a few were would be tyrants and monarchists. They just wanted to be the ones in power. Alexander Hamilton being a great example.
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