[Las Vegas Review Journal] Fights Government Secrecy in Bunkerville Standoff Case

Note: The actual title at link is "RJ fights government secrecy in Bunkerville standoff case," but for clarity's sake I replaced "RJ" in my title with the newspaper's proper name, "Las Vegas Review Journal."
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Can it be? Maybe -- just maybe! -- true journalism isn't dead!!! There may still be real journalists out there interested in freedom of the press and... dare I say it?... the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Unlike the Feds, which want virtually ALL evidence/information against the defendants to be kept under a seal of secrecy:

“The public’s First Amendment right to observe and understand the investigation in this case deserves greater respect than this proposed protective order provides,” Review-Journal lawyer Maggie McLetchie wrote.

If approved by a federal judge, the government protective order would “impede the rights” of the Review-Journal and other news outlets to cover a case of “local and national importance,” McLetchie said.

The order protects “virtually all documents produced by the government from disclosure” and fails to “articulate good cause for denying the public access to information about this prosecution,” she added.

Much of the evidence has not even been turned over to the defendants as yet, I assume pending the court's decision on this protective order. And even if/when it is, the feds do not want to gag the defendants from releasing it to the public:

Federal prosecutors have proposed barring defense lawyers from giving copies of critical trial evidence — including sworn search warrant affidavits and government investigative reports — to the public and media. Prosecutors contend the order is needed to protect the safety of witnesses.

The safety of witnesses? From who? The only ones I know of who have acted with violence and intent to kill are the Feds and other officials (both within and without law enforcement agencies.)

Of course all of this totally and completely violates the Constitutional rights of the defendants to due process and a fair trial. And of course it violates the rights of the people to know what our government is up to in our name... not to mention trampling the First Amendment rights in general. But most important, government has no right and no good reason to withhold such evidence/information. Especially because we already know they will cover for their own bad behavior (even while throwing the full weight and resources of the USA at citizens). We cannot trust our government:

FBI agents investigated for shooting at Oregon militia member

An FBI agent who in January fired at a member of the militia group that took over an Oregon wildlife refuge is under investigation for possibly lying about the incident.

Four other FBI agents, officials said Tuesday, are also suspected of lying and helping to cover up the events surrounding the shooting.

FBI agents under investigation for possible misconduct in LaVoy Finicum shooting

An FBI agent is suspected of lying about firing twice at Robert "LaVoy" Finicum and may have gotten help from four other FBI agents in covering up afterward, authorities revealed Tuesday.

Who are the dangerous ones??? I am far more frightened of the out-of-control federal government than a bunch of ranchers trying to reign in that out-of-control federal government. Indeed, every "crime" charged is a political "crime"... a "crime" against government, NOT the people. The ranchers hurt no one. The Feds have hurt many. The ranchers aren't trying to hide their deeds either, unlike the government.

Oregon standoff defendants' motions: Dismiss charges due to vagueness, government overreach

Baggio contends the conspiracy statute, enacted in 1861, fails to define what "force, intimidation or threats'' consist of, and suggests prosecutors are using its vagueness "to quash political dissent against the federal government.''

"The statute fails, however, to provide appropriate limiting language so as to avoid chilling the exercise of constitutionally protected rights, including the very core First Amendment right of gathering together to protest policies and conduct of the federal government,'' Baggio wrote.

But this federal demand for secrecy and coverup hasn't stopped Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) from publicly condemning these defendants, who are innocent until proven guilty:

Harry Reid attacks Bundys on Senate floor

“Because of trouble caused by the Bundys and their pals, the federal employees tasked with safely guarding these antiquities, were prevented from doing their jobs,” he said.

“This particular episode of domestic terrorism has roots in Nevada, I’m sorry to say,” Reid told his colleagues. “They were led by the sons of Cliven Bundy. Cliven who, as we speak, is where he should be — in jail.”

Reid said the Bundy patriarch has been “breaking federal laws for decades,” adding, “I’m disappointed that some of my colleagues supported this outrageous lawbreaker.”

Cliven Bundy's attorney asks an excellent question:

“Is Harry Reid the judge in this case or is he trying to improperly influence and poison the jury pool so that they will follow his opinion when they get to the jury box?”

On the plus side, we do still have government officials who have expressed their own concerns about the Feds and their actions:

Oregon Officials Call LaVoy Finicum Death “Disturbing”

Oregon Governor Kate Brown said, “Any loss of life is regrettable, and I appreciate that the independent investigation into the actions of Oregon State Police was completed swiftly and thoroughly. . . Additional questions the investigation raised about the actions of federal agents who were also involved are troubling and properly the subject of an ongoing investigation.”

This independent investigation gives us some answers to what happened, but leaves me disturbed and bewildered by the role of the FBI agents who are now under federal investigation themselves.

People with nothing to hide do not try to hide. But one way or another, sooner or later, the whole ugly truth will come out in the end.

More links/info:

Washington Post: Credibility of FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team is on the line

The Tribune Papers: Lots of questions go unanswered in Oregon; reminders of Bruingate in NC

Freedom Outpost: FBI Seeks Federal Supremacy to Usurp Constitutional Sheriff’s Authority in Oregon Protester Arrest

Wikipedia: Secret police

Wikipedia: Death squad

Freedom Outpost: Did Valerie Jarrett Order the Hit on LaVoy Finicum?

a reply to: Boadicea

Here's a local story that might be helpful....

RJ fights government secrecy in Bunkerville standoff case

a reply to: xuenchen

Thank you!

But am I missing something? I think that's the article I used for the OP.... maybe because I changed the title? (In which case, my bad!)

originally posted by: Boadicea
a reply to: xuenchen

Thank you!

But am I missing something? I think that's the article I used for the OP.... maybe because I changed the title? (In which case, my bad!)

I believe linking directly to the LVRJ (and some others) is blocked for legal reasons coming from past lawsuits.

That's why I put up the secondary link.

A Mod can explain if need be.

Good Topic btw

a reply to: xuenchen

Thank you soooooo much! I did not know so I really appreciate the heads up.

I sent the mods an alert on my thread so they can do what they've gotta do...

a reply to: Boadicea

Very nice thread...S&Fs!!

The true "power" in USA is the Vatican and their Jesuits Order controllers in our government and they squash all freedom loving, constitution- loving Americans and the Bundy's are under their act right now.

Fifty years ago, it was JFK that resisted their domination and we see the results now.

The Bundy's need a lot of support right now to win this battle in our time presently.

I thought Harry Reid was taught a lesson, but looks like he sjould receive a hard right hand to the other eye.!!

a reply to: Granite

Thank you!

The Bundys do need much support right now. Many many folks do -- and we don't even know about the vast majority of them. But I hope by shining a big fat light on the Bundys and their plight, that it will help everyone being bulldozed and otherwise abused by government powers.