Bundy, supporters make us look bad

By Terry Cox, Henderson

Thursday, April 17, 2014 | 2:01 a.m.

I hope I’m not the only Nevada resident sickened by the fact that federal officials caved in to Cliven Bundy and his band of well-armed supporters.

Bundy wrapped himself in the flag and accused federal officials of denying him his constitutional rights. Yet Bundy has shown the citizens of Nevada that he’s only interested in the laws that are convenient for him.

Even worse than that, he’s quick to tell us how he interprets the law, such as his belief that the Bureau of Land Management land belongs to the state and not the federal government. In the end, he could pull this off because his supporters outgunned the officials who were enforcing the law. How proud they must be. But it makes us look like a Third-World nation where might makes right.

I’m sure Bundy and his followers would support me if I decided I wanted to take a gun on a plane or into a school or bar. But would they show up with their guns and shofars to defend me if I decide not to pay my taxes because I oppose the war in Afghanistan? Would they rally behind me if I decide the state can’t force me to buy auto insurance, or I want to claim Sloan Canyon because I’ve been hiking there for many years? I’m guessing not.

Jerry Bitts wrote an interesting letter that was published in the Sunday paper. The headline read, ‘This isn’t the Old West anymore.’ Well, maybe it is.

This ugly situation just shows how many of our citizens believe it’s still 1880. How sad for the state, and the vast majority of its citizens.