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The Oregon militia revolt recipe: timber, despair and a crippling political isolation The Oregon militia revolt recipe: timber, despair and a crippling political isolation
(about 5 hours later)
Holding court in the Central Pastime, Burns’s lively hometown tavern, the city’s former mayor Len Vohs made just one request of the Guardian.Holding court in the Central Pastime, Burns’s lively hometown tavern, the city’s former mayor Len Vohs made just one request of the Guardian.
“Please be kind to us. Things have been difficult here for a while.”“Please be kind to us. Things have been difficult here for a while.”
Vohs is genial and gentle, but his request is firm and sincere. He’s clearly not sure how much more the district can take.Vohs is genial and gentle, but his request is firm and sincere. He’s clearly not sure how much more the district can take.
It’s not just the Bundy Bunch’s occupation of the ranch he is referring to – the standoff is just a symptom of the underlying difficulties that have led some locals to give them and other militias a hearing.It’s not just the Bundy Bunch’s occupation of the ranch he is referring to – the standoff is just a symptom of the underlying difficulties that have led some locals to give them and other militias a hearing.
Like much of eastern Oregon, Burns and Harney County have long been in economic and demographic decline, and the future only promises more hardships. Staying may mean going down with a sinking ship, and Vohs is one of a long list of local politicians who’ve tried in vain to reverse the long-term trends affecting the region.Like much of eastern Oregon, Burns and Harney County have long been in economic and demographic decline, and the future only promises more hardships. Staying may mean going down with a sinking ship, and Vohs is one of a long list of local politicians who’ve tried in vain to reverse the long-term trends affecting the region.
But local resources are limited. The outside world often forgets that the inland west is even there, leading some to turn to savior figures – such as the Bundys – who offer simplistic and bizarre solutions to entrenched problems.But local resources are limited. The outside world often forgets that the inland west is even there, leading some to turn to savior figures – such as the Bundys – who offer simplistic and bizarre solutions to entrenched problems.
Harney County’s lavish natural beauty only makes the cruelties visited on the town more difficult to bear; it’s the kind of western landscape makes your heart swell.Harney County’s lavish natural beauty only makes the cruelties visited on the town more difficult to bear; it’s the kind of western landscape makes your heart swell.
At this time of year, the high desert plateau that occupies the northern part of the county’s 10,000 square miles is filled to the horizon with snow-clotted sagebrush. A few scattered, flat-topped buttes are the only relief in the vast expanse of Harney Basin, which bottoms out in a pair of lakes, Malheur and Harney. The former gives a name and a rationale for the national wildlife refuge now being occupied by the Bundy militia, whose leader, Ammon Bundy, has repeatedly called the reserve a “tool of tyranny”.At this time of year, the high desert plateau that occupies the northern part of the county’s 10,000 square miles is filled to the horizon with snow-clotted sagebrush. A few scattered, flat-topped buttes are the only relief in the vast expanse of Harney Basin, which bottoms out in a pair of lakes, Malheur and Harney. The former gives a name and a rationale for the national wildlife refuge now being occupied by the Bundy militia, whose leader, Ammon Bundy, has repeatedly called the reserve a “tool of tyranny”.
The wetlands that fringe the lake are a haven for migrating waterfowl and many other bird species. It was protected by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, after plume hunters nearly drove some species to extinction. Apart from sustaining birds, the refuge seasonally brings bird-watchers to stay in Burns and surrounding areas.The wetlands that fringe the lake are a haven for migrating waterfowl and many other bird species. It was protected by Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, after plume hunters nearly drove some species to extinction. Apart from sustaining birds, the refuge seasonally brings bird-watchers to stay in Burns and surrounding areas.
Their seasonal presence is one of a diminishing number of enterprises that bring money in. The bulk of the county’s private land – and some of the public land – is given over to another, still-lucrative pursuit: dry land ranching.Their seasonal presence is one of a diminishing number of enterprises that bring money in. The bulk of the county’s private land – and some of the public land – is given over to another, still-lucrative pursuit: dry land ranching.
Ranchers’ relationship with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies has been the focus of the current protests, along with the fate of two local ranchers, the Hammonds, who have returned to jail to serve out the remainder of a mandatory minimum sentence for setting fire to refuge land.Ranchers’ relationship with the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies has been the focus of the current protests, along with the fate of two local ranchers, the Hammonds, who have returned to jail to serve out the remainder of a mandatory minimum sentence for setting fire to refuge land.
Even if ranchers still come into conflict with government agencies, their problems don’t explain those of Harney County. There’s still plenty of ranchable land, and the costs of grazing on public land are low. Ranching incomes are subject to the same ebbs and flows in commodity prices that they always have been, and as always, those who can’t take advantages of economies of scale struggle more.Even if ranchers still come into conflict with government agencies, their problems don’t explain those of Harney County. There’s still plenty of ranchable land, and the costs of grazing on public land are low. Ranching incomes are subject to the same ebbs and flows in commodity prices that they always have been, and as always, those who can’t take advantages of economies of scale struggle more.
University of Oregon economist Tim Duy explains that the real difficulties “are less about ranching issues, and more about timber issues”. The collapse of the timber industry is what has “really pummelled” eastern Oregon.University of Oregon economist Tim Duy explains that the real difficulties “are less about ranching issues, and more about timber issues”. The collapse of the timber industry is what has “really pummelled” eastern Oregon.
Until the 1980s, the major driver of Harney’s prosperity was timber products, sourced from plentiful forests, including those on public land. There were jobs in the forest and jobs in the sawmill, all well-paid despite the fact that they didn’t need high levels of education or training.Until the 1980s, the major driver of Harney’s prosperity was timber products, sourced from plentiful forests, including those on public land. There were jobs in the forest and jobs in the sawmill, all well-paid despite the fact that they didn’t need high levels of education or training.
In 1978, 768 people, or 31% of the county’s workers, were in the timber industry. At that time wages in Oregon’s timber industry were worth 40% than the state’s average wage. People had high incomes, low prices and high standards of living in jobs that “you didn’t need a college degree for, or even a high school diploma for”. Harney’s heyday was an artefact of a strong, confident, and relatively wealthy working class. In 1978, 768 people, or 31% of the county’s workers, were in the timber industry. At that time wages in Oregon’s timber industry were worth 40% more than the state’s average wage. People had high incomes, low prices and high standards of living in jobs that “you didn’t need a college degree for, or even a high school diploma for”. Harney’s heyday was an artefact of a strong, confident, and relatively wealthy working class.
Then, from the 1980s, body blows began raining down on the timber trade. First, the Reagan recession, which kicked off the decline. An increasing environmental consciousness meant that public land was managed in the interests not just of primary industries, but of native species like trees and the animals who live in them. Much federal land was closed off to logging.Then, from the 1980s, body blows began raining down on the timber trade. First, the Reagan recession, which kicked off the decline. An increasing environmental consciousness meant that public land was managed in the interests not just of primary industries, but of native species like trees and the animals who live in them. Much federal land was closed off to logging.
While the protection of the Spotted Owl and old growth timber has had some effect on the regional economy, many locals and those who are agitating in the community overstate it.While the protection of the Spotted Owl and old growth timber has had some effect on the regional economy, many locals and those who are agitating in the community overstate it.
Blaming the economic pain of the region on environmentalism leads to easy scapegoating of the government agencies that try to balance environmental values with economic uses.Blaming the economic pain of the region on environmentalism leads to easy scapegoating of the government agencies that try to balance environmental values with economic uses.
Most of the especially lucrative old-growth timber was gone before anyone thought of protecting what was left. Duh says it was “a one-time shot”. Second-growth forest was “easier to deal with with less labour”. More importantly, timber mills became “more productive” – they mechanised many of their processes, and required fewer workers. Other factors such as competition with Canadian timber played a role.Most of the especially lucrative old-growth timber was gone before anyone thought of protecting what was left. Duh says it was “a one-time shot”. Second-growth forest was “easier to deal with with less labour”. More importantly, timber mills became “more productive” – they mechanised many of their processes, and required fewer workers. Other factors such as competition with Canadian timber played a role.
Even in a best-case scenario, where timber jobs still existed, Harney’s position relative to Portland and other places in the Willamette Valley would be reduced, because the economy has changed.Even in a best-case scenario, where timber jobs still existed, Harney’s position relative to Portland and other places in the Willamette Valley would be reduced, because the economy has changed.
The transition to high-skilled white-collar jobs drew income and population to cities. As private sector jobs have declined, government employment has increased. Despite the opposition to the federal government, 44% of jobs are in government. Without them the county would have even fewer inhabitants than it’s current 7,500.The transition to high-skilled white-collar jobs drew income and population to cities. As private sector jobs have declined, government employment has increased. Despite the opposition to the federal government, 44% of jobs are in government. Without them the county would have even fewer inhabitants than it’s current 7,500.
Duy doesn’t see any easy solutions. “I don’t know that anyone has found a magic bullet that can resolve these economic challenges. And it’s easier to move people to jobs than jobs to people.”Duy doesn’t see any easy solutions. “I don’t know that anyone has found a magic bullet that can resolve these economic challenges. And it’s easier to move people to jobs than jobs to people.”
In these circumstances – where people have little political or economic power, not much sway in state or national government, limited ability or desire to move, and not a lot of hope – frustrations can boil over. In a prosperous community, the kitchen table lawyers and weekend warriors in the militia movement would not get a hearing.In these circumstances – where people have little political or economic power, not much sway in state or national government, limited ability or desire to move, and not a lot of hope – frustrations can boil over. In a prosperous community, the kitchen table lawyers and weekend warriors in the militia movement would not get a hearing.
Jessica Campbell of the Rural Organizing Project – which supports progressive organizing in rural Oregon in direct opposition to right wing groups – notes that “we are definitely seeing some patterns emerge around the armed occupation of public land.”Jessica Campbell of the Rural Organizing Project – which supports progressive organizing in rural Oregon in direct opposition to right wing groups – notes that “we are definitely seeing some patterns emerge around the armed occupation of public land.”
In Oregon there has been an increase in “militia and paramilitary organising”. Veteran author and watcher of the far right, Chip Berlet, says that “we have been watching Oregon for months.”In Oregon there has been an increase in “militia and paramilitary organising”. Veteran author and watcher of the far right, Chip Berlet, says that “we have been watching Oregon for months.”
Campbell puts the growth in these movements down to desperation. “A number of counties have lost funding. We had federal timber payments in a lot of counties that ran out.” This meant no money for services, so that many counties did not even have 24 hour 911 emergency dispatch. In a number of cases she’s been involved with, abused women would seek restraining orders, “and judges would say ‘OK, I’ll give you a restraining order, but there aren’t enough police. Do you have a gun?’”Campbell puts the growth in these movements down to desperation. “A number of counties have lost funding. We had federal timber payments in a lot of counties that ran out.” This meant no money for services, so that many counties did not even have 24 hour 911 emergency dispatch. In a number of cases she’s been involved with, abused women would seek restraining orders, “and judges would say ‘OK, I’ll give you a restraining order, but there aren’t enough police. Do you have a gun?’”
Paramilitary and militia growth is directly related to the breakdown in public safety in parts of rural Oregon. Militia such as the Bundys, the Idaho III%, and the Oath Keepers use the well-worn rightwing tactic of offering to police disorder where the liberal state has failed. “These groups are great strategists, they jump right in saying ‘you need a militia’”, Campbell says. And they also appeal directly to the very real economic distress that affects communities in the “timber belt”, where resource-based prosperity has disappeared.Paramilitary and militia growth is directly related to the breakdown in public safety in parts of rural Oregon. Militia such as the Bundys, the Idaho III%, and the Oath Keepers use the well-worn rightwing tactic of offering to police disorder where the liberal state has failed. “These groups are great strategists, they jump right in saying ‘you need a militia’”, Campbell says. And they also appeal directly to the very real economic distress that affects communities in the “timber belt”, where resource-based prosperity has disappeared.
“These people are half-right”, Berlet says of those seduced by far right actors. “They are accurately perceiving that they are being squashed by the political economy and government of the US. We have an increasingly authoritarian government and an increasing disparity of wealth. That is a recipe for revolt.” Neither major party “has had any sense of responsibility for the collapse of rural economies in the US”, he says, adding that the American dream of modestly increasing prosperity “has been stomped on.” It makes sense for them to be angry.“These people are half-right”, Berlet says of those seduced by far right actors. “They are accurately perceiving that they are being squashed by the political economy and government of the US. We have an increasingly authoritarian government and an increasing disparity of wealth. That is a recipe for revolt.” Neither major party “has had any sense of responsibility for the collapse of rural economies in the US”, he says, adding that the American dream of modestly increasing prosperity “has been stomped on.” It makes sense for them to be angry.
That anger will hardly be reduced by the circus that has attended the Bundys’ occupation, or the tendency to focus on their stunts, rather than the real pain this community has felt over decades.That anger will hardly be reduced by the circus that has attended the Bundys’ occupation, or the tendency to focus on their stunts, rather than the real pain this community has felt over decades.
What are the kindnesses we can offer communities like Burns? As the siege drags on in the Malheur national wildlife refuge, the question has become far more urgent.What are the kindnesses we can offer communities like Burns? As the siege drags on in the Malheur national wildlife refuge, the question has become far more urgent.