Written by Bob Maschi   

As the right-wing occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge winds down (though it can wind up again in a snap) it might be time to examine the lessons that lefties can draw from it.


1: Left vs. Right
As widely opined, the government treats protesting left-wingers much harsher than protesting right-wingers. Conservatives can expect respect and kid gloves. Lefties can expect water cannons, pepper spray and tear gas—when they’re lucky. Napalm and bullets when they aren’t.

2: The Feds vs. State & Local
Federal agents are far more disciplined and patient than state and local authorities. Local police will attack lefties with glee and without much hesitation. Federal agents seem practiced in waiting for opportunity. Also, realize that many people in law enforcement, at every level, sympathize with right-wing causes but Federal agents usually have lots of people watching over them—so they need to behave more professionally.

3: Media Coverage
While the mainstream coverage of the Malheur Wildlife occupation was generally negative, they did allow the protesters adequate airtime to explain their grievances. Rarely are lefties allowed this opportunity. It even gotten to the point where the trespassers were able to use the media as an organizing tool to garner legitimacy and support for their causes.

4: Local Community Support
While the occupiers had some community support, most of the community, including some fairly powerful people, rejected their tactics, if not their gripes. Had most of the local community risen up in their defense, the outcome would have been much different and may have led to a louder and more far-reaching rebellion.

5: Alternate Universe
The right wing lives in an alternate universe. After decades of indoctrination it is nearly impossible for them to discuss issues intelligently with the left. For starters, they believe that the Constitution was written by god, that Black-Americans are practicing genocide against whites, that scientists are only concerned with hefty paychecks and that those who inherit great wealth worked hard for it.

6: Confused Hypocrites
It should be no surprise that right-wingers are, pretty much by definition, hypocrites. Many of the occupiers and their supporters collect ‘entitlements’ (such as disability or Social Security) from the same government they have sworn to obliterate. They wave the US flag while denouncing this government. In addition, many outside of the occupation were confused by the event. On-line message boards were full of comments from conservatives who mistook the occupiers for liberals or left-wingers. They often used words like ‘communist’ and ‘liberal traitors’ to describe the occupiers. Right-wing hypocrisy works against us. But their confusion can be in our favor.

7: Mormons
Without the Mormon influence the far right might become weak and disorganized. Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), often lead and inspire this movement. The Bundy family is Mormon. LaVoy Finicum (shot dead by agents) was also a Mormon. One of the occupiers called himself “Captain Maroni” a reference to an important figure in Mormon scripture. That copy of the Constitution they often hold up was annotated by W. Cleon Skousen—a rabid anti-leftist and Mormon. And Mormons have played a huge role in the John Birch Society which was a largely hidden support and inspiration for these types. In the United States, it would be very difficult to separate Mormonism from the far right. And, like all religious zealots, the possibility of dying for their cause and their god empowers them. (Note: the official Mormon Church position on the Malheur Wildlife Occupation was critical).

8: Drama
The far right thrives on dripping drama. These are not plastic faced politicians in crisply ironed suits. Beneath their battle fatigues these are simple drama clowns. In an interview, the late LaVoy Finicum (the tarp man) emoted: “I love dearly to feel the wind on my face. To see the sunrise. To see the moon—in the night. I have no intention of spending any of my days in a concrete box.” In a goodbye video to his family, complete with stifled tears and dramatic pauses, Jon Ritzheimer whimpered: “Your daddy swore an oath… he swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution… against all enemies… foreign… and domestic… and that’s why he couldn’t be with you on Christmas.” Ammon Bundy (the lead actor) bragged: “We are doing the same thing as Rosa Parks. We are standing up against bad laws which dehumanize us and destroy our freedom.” Of course, these folks come from a long line of Drama Patriots like Patrick Henry who said: “Give me liberty or give me snacks!”

9: Symbols
Symbols drive their movement. They speak in code and the reason for that code is less to hide their intentions than to feel like a part of a group. For example, the number 3 or III, is an often noted symbol, and supposedly represents the percentage of Americans who fought in the revolution. As mentioned before, one protester referred to himself as a personality from Mormon myth. They hold up small booklet copies of the Constitution. They wave the flag (see #6: Hypocrite) and they pledge with hands on hearts. These symbolic actions bolster their confidence and cement the bonds of their group. Contrary to their avowed politics, they are not rugged individualists struggling for personal freedom. Cult members would be a more accurate description.

10: Guns Matter
Before continuing, recall #1 above (left protesters are treated much harsher than right-wing ones). Still, it would be difficult to argue that guns didn’t make a huge difference here. Had the occupiers been unarmed they, left or right, would have been taken away in cuffs much sooner. Likewise, if they had recruited a few dozen more armed rebels (enough to defend their perimeter) and had a strong and well-armed community supporting them, they might well have sparked similar uprisings throughout the West and, eventually, who knows? The ability to occupy, and hold, property while facing down the enemy is a critical step toward sovereignty—and they knew this. The government’s intention was not to wait them out for a more opportune moment for arrests. It was to keep the situation calm and the protesters’ actions relatively isolated.