[ConstitutionLover]

I have found that most of us conservatives find the word "cooperate" when used in references to dealing with the government as totally reprehensible so I'm not surprised by your first statement.

If these people are not looking for publicity and "want to be left alone", why was the news media there at their house ready to photograph and report on the situation? How did they hear about it before the incident actually happened? These are not assumptions.

And in response to your last comment, I submit the following excerpt from the Massachusetts State Constitution written by John Adams (one of our greatest founding fathers and defenders of our liberties):

Wisdom, and knowledge, as well as virtue, diffused generally among the body of the people, being necessary for the preservation of their rights and liberties; and as these depend on spreading the opportunities and advantages of education in the various parts of the country, and among the different orders of the people, it shall be the duty of legislatures and magistrates, in all future periods of this commonwealth, to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries of them; especially the university at Cambridge, public schools and grammar schools in the towns; to encourage private societies and public institutions, rewards and immunities, for the promotion of agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce, trades, manufactures, and a natural history of the country; to countenance and inculcate the principles of humanity and general benevolence, public and private charity, industry and frugality, honesty and punctuality in their dealings; sincerity, good humor, and all social affections, and generous sentiments among the people.

[Sarah]

Thanks for some well educated facts on the matter.
I don't understand this idea that FR is a forum to counter government intervention in everything.
(While I will admit your answer was a bit more erudite than mine...)
PS. Were you home schooled?

[TigersEye]

If these people are not looking for publicity and "want to be left alone", why was the news media there at their house ready to photograph and report on the situation? How did they hear about it before the incident actually happened? These are not assumptions.

The situation has been ongoing for 6 or 7 years now and the goobs haven't given up, they are upping the stakes. They just might have wanted publicity to rally some help rather than gain some kind of backhanded celebrity status.

I note that John Adams used the words "cherish the interests" and "to encourage" not "mandate by law", "require" or "legislate". I would equate that with the phrasing in the preamble to the Constitution "promote the general welfare". It would have made a world of difference if they had phrased it "establish the general welfare". Given the care that went into creating that document I don't think it was an oversight.

FReegards, TigersEye