Ammon Bundy, the self-appointed leader of the militiamen who have taken control of the Malheur National Wildlife Preserve, might want to start saving his loose change, because an Oregon judge has one whopper of a bill for him.
Harney County Judge Steve Grasty says the occupation of the wildlife preserve is costing taxpayers an estimated $60,000 to $70,000 each day in added security costs. He told a group of concerned citizens:
“We’re going to send Mr. Bundy the bill.”
In addition to the security costs, repairs will also have to be made when the property is once again under control by the federal government. Bundy and other militants used a backhoe owned by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife to remove fences separating federal land from property owned by a local rancher.
#Oregonstandoff breaches fence between government and private ground. pic.twitter.com/s74SMJtWka
— Anna King (@AnnaKingN3) January 11, 2016
The occupying trespassers also changed a sign outside the refuge, showing the occupied building as the “Harney County Resource Center.”
"At least the gov't gives us a vote; I didn't get a vote on that sign" #Oregonstandoff pic.twitter.com/J3njMJlLcz
— Dave Killen (@killendave) January 12, 2016
Sheriff David Ward issued a statement Monday in which he vowed that he and other law enforcement officials “will not be intimidated.” He also said all out-of-state militia members should leave Oregon immediately, and he added:
“There’s an hourglass, and it’s running out. Go home.”
Judge Grasty also told Harney County residents they should not assist the militiamen in any way whatsoever:
“No matter how you feel, do not bring food and supplies up to the refuge.”
Some have decided to make fun of the occupying militia members by sending them female sanitary napkins and sex toys. Jon Ritzheimer, an Arizona veteran who is taking part in the occupation, posted a video on Facebook in which he showed some of the gag supplies, commenting:
“It was really mind-blowing to me that people would actually spend their money (on this). This box right here, $17.90 (for shipping). They spend and waste their money on all this hateful stuff to send out here to us and buy this ridiculous stuff. This one was really funny — a ‘bag of dicks.’ Rather than going out and doing good, they just spend all their money on hate and hate.”
Ritzheimer also attempted to defend his illegal actions by stating:
“Please look at this as a deployment, only this time I’m actually serving my country rather than being sent over seas to line the pockets of corrupt politicians. It is our sacrifice as a family that will make this country great again, not some election.”
And yet he wonders why he’s being called a dick.
This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.