Reader comments
Lee Benson: Blanding publisher calls raid 'overkill'

Anonymous | 10:52 p.m. June 16, 2009

Wow, more original reporting by Lee! He interviews another newspaper! Interesting that his brother is a federal judge. Wonder how this is gonna play out at the Benson home.

Overkill... | 11:14 p.m. June 16, 2009

That's funny, many of us city folks think that using a backhoe on public lands to aquire hundreds of thousands of dollars in black market artifacts is 'overkill'. These were not obscure laws. If you're 20 or 70 and you are charged with a FELONY, plan on wearing chains. Many of these people have a long family history in the area and somehow feel entitled to these items. Once again, these are PUBLIC LANDS and it is well known to every grade school child in this state that taking artifacts from public land is illegal. Artifacts found on private land are fair game.

Really! | 9:44 a.m. June 17, 2009

The force used against these "suspects" was far beyond what was "necessary and reasonable".
I think some federal law enforcement officials just wanted to rough some people up.
Virtually every one of these people would have gone along peacefully.
The way the raid was carried out was OVERKILL!

Comments continue below

ray | 9:48 a.m. June 17, 2009

What would they call it if mormon graves were dug up and items were sold or on display.

Is there a pattern here? | 1:29 p.m. June 17, 2009

Another knee jerk reactionary story from Bensen! Sounds like he is in desperate need of a vacation.

Jerry Peltier | 2:07 p.m. June 17, 2009

I'm actually wondering if all those that "think" this is "overreaction" would feel the same if it were the American Indians being rounded-up and arrested with these so-called "gestapo tactics?"

Would you really come to the defense of the American Indian?

Or, would you think that they got what "they" deserved?

Interesting isn't it.

Ignorance isn't bliss | 5:03 p.m. June 17, 2009

Most people in the area have a great respect for the American Indians living in Southern Utah. This is not a mormon issue, it is not a Native American issue. It is an issue of excessive force by those we entrust to protect us. The fear is that some law enforcement officials have adopted a mentality that everyone is guilty and dangerous until released by soft judges.

Anonymous | 8:22 p.m. June 17, 2009

Isn't it important to remember that an individual is innocent until he or she is brought before a jury and a verdict is entered against them after the state has put's forth their case. We forget at times that charges have been filed against innocent people even with the best police work. In regards to the statement would you like someone to dig up your grandmother, the answer is; I would not care in a 1000 years and any individual in a 1000 years may exhume my grave. If you want to go to England and exhume my ancestors from the 8th Century please do so. In fact it may have already happened. I just returned from Blanding and the Native Americans in the area came out in great numbers to honor Dr. James Redd. He was obviously a person who had touched the hearts of many people of many races and was respected by them. This was not a perfect man but he was a man that tried to help others.

Baffled | 12:47 a.m. June 18, 2009

I am perplexed that generally good people deliberately and knowingly engage in illegal activity for years and then cry that they have been mistreated when they have to account for their actions. I'm Native American; I've lived in Blanding & still live in the 4-Corners area where indigneous artifacts can be easily found & extracted. I grieve that plundering Native antiquities for profit has been historically justified by people who in most other areas of their lives are honest, hardworking, & neighborly people. The fact remains, these people knew very well what they were doing & what risks they were taking.

NOW HERE WE GO | 7:13 a.m. June 18, 2009

AGAIN, all the excuses in the world to justify the dumpster divers who were just after road kill that's all. and right the minority are the ones who want to obey the law of the land. Also remember these americans have no more rights to the public lands than anyone else. the magnitude of the operation will come out in court and that seems to be the reason the quilty will be found quilty. Don't try to circumvent the legal system with a lame attempt to cover this huge mess that everyone in the county knew what was going on due to who the players were. These guys think in the vigilante mode and that is what got them in hot water. As you so often sentence those who's names appear in the local papers bear in mind the long arm of the law is also able to have these guys names in papers also. It is so hard to gain respect and so easy to lose it. So don't play the name game because outside of your little county names mean nothing and that must feel so naked.

i am Native American | 7:23 a.m. June 18, 2009

From Blanding and chose not to attend his funeral as to do so would be to condone his felonous acts against a people who should be left alone. It is strange that certain people can't see the real tragedy in all of this and that is to pertuate a lie to justify a huge wrong doing otherwise why did he take his life? There are many sentenced Natives from this area who don't commit suicide and go to the state pen whereas the federal system is often refered to as the "Hilton" because of the easier time for the inmates! I believe it was the spirits which drove these people to madness , let it be a warning not to play with the dead.

Justice | 3:24 p.m. June 19, 2009

If you are a criminal you are going to be treated like a criminal. These people are grave robbers and criminals. In my mind that is the worst thing you could do. Does rest in peace have any meaning to you people. What would you do if someone dug up your deceased relatives and sold their bones? Think about it like that, would you want your grandma & grandpa dug up and sold for display?

to anonymous | 3:33 p.m. June 19, 2009

I am so glad you are not my relative. If you have no respect for the dead I feel sorry for you. If you feel its okay to dig up people who have been laid to rest, something must be wrong with you. If you do not understand the moral travesty, again I feel sorry for you. You see this is a blatant case of greed and someone who has the guts to dig up a grave must be crazy.

Why are these people | 3:43 p.m. June 19, 2009

Above the law? They knew what they were doing was illigal, they did it anyway and now they got caught and are whining about it.

Repenter | 4:16 p.m. June 20, 2009

The people of Blanding knows the rules. They've been through this before in the 1990's, and they complained then. They just don't learn to fast. .

RE jerry peltier | 4:50 p.m. June 20, 2009

Really an interesting comment. More interesting is that none of the American Indians who dig and sell artifacts were rounded up. Don't tell us that they feel that these are sacred grounds and all of that crock. They do dig and sell and the feds could care less.

Funny Thing Happened | 5:09 p.m. June 20, 2009

Get real people...If you must have a need for the Federal Government to justify their heavyhandedness then speak to the families of the two Idaho Fish and Game agents who were gunned down in Cold Blood by Claude Dallas back in the 70's. Neither one of them had their guns drawn when they walked into Claudes illigal Beaver Trapping Camp. Neither one of them was a threat to Dallas at the time...but Claude felt the need to gun them down anyways. You Self Rightious son of a guns really should talk to the families of these two men. Then you will understand why State and Federal enforcement on these trust lands has come to this level. The Dallas case is the precedent. Several of the individuals arrested are known to always carry firearms and handguns with them when they carry out one of thes grave robbing projects. The search Warrants pretty much describe what would be found ...and other things not described such as journals have details that tie individuals to artifacts monies exchanged and other incriminating evidence... Also separate laws for human remains which are not artifacts...are more serious. Get real people. Feds were justified

dholsop | 7:33 p.m. July 1, 2009

Something that happened 30 years ago should not characterize how we do things TODAY.

Yes, yes, and the Brady bunch want to get rid of guns...despite the right to self-defense and the 2nd Ammendment. Folks who have suffered from a crime should not be in a position of making policy concerning the issues surrounding the crime... One cannot think circumspectly about issues which involve personal pain.

Navajo Female | 8:35 p.m. Aug. 1, 2009

We as Navajos don't like to bother graves. We won't bother your graves and we would like that same RESPECT for people that aren't Navajo. That come to visit and live around Navajo lands. I believe the FBI has done a GREAT job.

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