April 9, 2014
An Open Letter in support of Nevada Rancher, Cliven Bundy,
This is a day that was sure to come when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would show its unconstitutional intent to have complete control of the land. Government ownership of the land is socialism.
I knew 67 years ago the BLM was going to force the cattle off the range. Each time a ranch changed hands, even back then when I bought my first ranch in 1947, the BLM would reduce the grazing allotment 10%. In other words, ten changes would put all the public lands into the ownership of the government. That is true socialism.
The purpose of the BLM was to dispose of the land, not manage it. They are not supposed to be the Bureau of Land Management, just the Bureau of management of disposal of the land.
If any fee is to be paid, it should be to the county for its tax base and not to the federal government.
This is a chance for any livestock owner and his family who have grazing permits on the public lands, with BLM or the U.S. Forest Service, to demonstrate their courage and speak up in support of a fellow livestock owner who is defending his pioneer rights on the public lands.
Sincerely,
Bert N. Smith
OX Ranch
Ruby Valley, NV 89833
contact the Utah Governor's Office and ask them not to accept the Bundy cattle into Utah (801-538-1000). Please stand with the Bundys, they are spirit-led. To better understand the issue of public lands in the West, visit www.americanlandscouncil.org.
