Statement on the Bundy Ranch situation:
The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) will be holding a press conference at the Bundy ranch on Monday. After researching the details of this situation, I have decided not to attend the press conference. A number of factors go into this decision, none of which was the lack of overwhelming financial support offered so that I would not use taxpayer funds for the trip.
If the Sheriff of Clark Co, Nevada, was taking a stand to protect the farmer and he needed Sheriffs to stand with him in unity, I would go. However, even though he was declared "Sheriff of the Year" by the National Sheriff's Association (of which I have no part of), he apparently does not respect his Oath of Office. He has let his people down.
There will be many other, geographically closer, Oathkeepers and Constitutional Sheriffs (as well as civilians) that will stand with the Bundy's. I'm not ruling out a trip later. Nor, in my not going am I suggesting that the Feds are correct. I'm not entirely sure Bundy is correct. But whether Bundy is wrong or not, the response from the Feds is ridiculous, just as their response at Waco and Ruby Ridge was. The local Sheriff could have resolved both of those situations peacefully.
Other reasons for not going include my responsibility to Elkhart County as Sheriff; I have duties and important meetings I need to attend Monday through Wednesday that cannot be rescheduled. Fortunately, Elkhart County has little to do with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). But we do have the occasional incursion of other alphabet soup vexations. I remain vigilant. - Sheriff Brad Rogers
