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Actions of officials in raid defended
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Defend their own | 5:58 p.m. June 17, 2009
Sure the cops defend their own. What are we in a police state? This was
excessive someone abused their power and should pay.
To Defend their own 5:58pm | 9:14 p.m. June 17, 2009
Quit trying to divert the issue from the crime. They were caught breaking the
law and will face the consequences of their actions.
It sounds like you are trying to defend your own criminal state.
It sounds like you are trying to defend your own criminal state.
UTAH Bill | 6:07 a.m. June 18, 2009
These people are criminals. It sounds like there's a culture of
criminality down there in Southern Utah. They're blaming law enforcement
rather than themselves.
Comments continue below
Wanda | 6:49 a.m. June 18, 2009
When an individual breaks the law, s/he must face the consequences and like an
other arrest, it is not a pleasant experience - it isn't meant to be. Part
of a formal arrest serves to highlight the seriousness of the situation and
hopefully deter others from doing the same. If the situation (stealing
artifacts and desecrating Native American burial sites is not handled sternly
and formally with appropriate arrests and convictions, people will continue to
steal and plunder these sites. Of course the suicide of a local physician is
devastating for all concerned, but it should not be blamed on the arrest. This
individual had been involved in a previous incident of the same nature in which
his wife plead "no contest" to similar charges. Neither were unaware
of the seriousness and the potential consequences for engaging in these actions
again. I can't really know his motivation in commiting suicide, but it
could be that he foresaw the consequences of being apprehended and convicted for
his participation, likely end of his medical career, and public humiliation as a
result. Perhaps others will think twice about engaging in this activity in the
future. I hope so.
Robards | 8:02 a.m. June 18, 2009
If this county is as lawless and corrupt as many seem to think it is, the state
or the national guard should go down there and take it over
San Juan Donkey | 8:17 a.m. June 18, 2009
you may have a pt. as all the civil rights cases filed ..the county has lost and
it is a YYYEEE-HAAW state...why just the name says it all!
L | 8:53 a.m. June 18, 2009
Re Robards @ 8:02
While I agree that law breakers should be tried and punished, that applies to Blanding, Santa Fe or East St. Louis.
There are mant fine people in San Juan County, some I know personally. The County is not "lawless" and I reject your suggestion of a military takeover. They have charged 24 and there are proabably more. In East St. Louis there may be that many law violators every night and while I might encourage good local law enforcemen, I wouldn't order the National Guard.
Remember that local law enforcement has only limited authority in enforcing laws on federal land or tribal land, so law enforcement in San Juan County or Santa Fe has to be a cooperative effort.
Each of us need to personally responsible, support good government, support the obeying of laws, elect good representatives who will support proper laws, vote to change those that need ammendment etc.
But the idea of bringing in the National Guard, if people don't don't like the number of law enforence for this action, wait till you see the Guard with helicopters, armored trucks etc., etc. The Guard is wonderful & I support them.
While I agree that law breakers should be tried and punished, that applies to Blanding, Santa Fe or East St. Louis.
There are mant fine people in San Juan County, some I know personally. The County is not "lawless" and I reject your suggestion of a military takeover. They have charged 24 and there are proabably more. In East St. Louis there may be that many law violators every night and while I might encourage good local law enforcemen, I wouldn't order the National Guard.
Remember that local law enforcement has only limited authority in enforcing laws on federal land or tribal land, so law enforcement in San Juan County or Santa Fe has to be a cooperative effort.
Each of us need to personally responsible, support good government, support the obeying of laws, elect good representatives who will support proper laws, vote to change those that need ammendment etc.
But the idea of bringing in the National Guard, if people don't don't like the number of law enforence for this action, wait till you see the Guard with helicopters, armored trucks etc., etc. The Guard is wonderful & I support them.
Disgusted | 9:38 a.m. June 18, 2009
Can I just tell you that the actions of some of these so called
"law-enforcers" were out right wrong and un-American. I can
understand them protecting themselves and I understand they do not know these
individuals the way the rest of us do. I don't blame them for protection.
But what I do have a problem with is some of the things they did aside from the
armor, weapons and such. Leaving a young girl half clothed in her room, while
an agent, a male agent looked on or telling a crying baby to SHUT UP or roughing
up a mother/wife. These are not right. So Mr. Tolman while you defend the
actions of your agents use of weaponary and force against those
"criminals" lets see you defend their actions against the innocent.
National Treasure? | 9:53 a.m. June 18, 2009
Hey let's take the backhoes up to south dakota and really get the big one
in Mt. Rushmore or better yet the Crazy Horse Monument...it's in
someone's backyard and there are bound to be arrowheads there. Plus the
indeginous are a conquered people and while were at it lets go up to the golden
spike monument then dig up all the chinese people who built the rail road as
they represent a forgotten segment of history anyhow!
WOW | 10:21 a.m. June 18, 2009
I guess it depends on what kind of criminal you are. I guess it is okay to
steal billions of dollars from hard working Americans and their children and
grandchildren and nobody even utters a word. I would like to send the swat team
to Washington and have them clean up the real criminals.
Jud | 10:28 a.m. June 18, 2009
Police abuses should not be tolerated. But my understanding is that the people
indicted are involved in long-standing trafficking, they are not just
"arrowhead collectors," and what they did is felonious activity.
It's got to stop.
again | 11:50 a.m. June 18, 2009
when one does felonous damage to the nations land...what do you expect...the
soft glove treatment? If your going to muscle the dead around well expect the
same kind of treatment. Your law enforcement muscles the undesirables around
down there, so when your undesirable by your behavior then you will get muscled
around...american or not! I hope the guilty in this case recieve the max period
, since everyone has one an armpit and an alibi in that community!
Again | 1:46 p.m. June 18, 2009
This is AMERICA where the motto "innocent until proven guilty" once
meant something. But now, well look at the actions of our leaders of the past
several years. (don't make this a Bush/Obama thing either) Is it no wonder
their intimidation desire to control other countries has now found its way to
its own citizens. Go ahead support their tactics, but one day it will
personnally affect you, trust me! This country will never be destroyed by
outside forces but from within...and my friends you are turning a blind eye to
it just beginning. Idiots!
DD | 1:50 p.m. June 18, 2009
It is about time that these folks were busted - they are stealing from everyone
- and making lots of money to do immoral activities. Time to stop this kind of
crime - it has been allowed for too long and folks down there have made it a way
of life - no matter how you look at it - it is wrong - those artifacts are not
their own personal property!
Naruto | 1:58 p.m. June 18, 2009
Come on now, this is the wild, wild west, it's only a crime if you get
caught, remember?!!
If you are involved in trafficking these artifacts, then you should be arrested. If you have a few pieces of pottery in your house that you simply picked up of the ground-I don't consider this a crime, no matter what the law states.
If you are involved in trafficking these artifacts, then you should be arrested. If you have a few pieces of pottery in your house that you simply picked up of the ground-I don't consider this a crime, no matter what the law states.
dansimp | 2:53 p.m. June 18, 2009
Innocent until proven guilty applies to the courts. If law enforcement lived by
that motto, no one would ever be arrested. It is their job to investigate,
gather evidence and arrest. It is the courts responsibility to assume innocence
until guilt is proven.
Publius | 4:12 p.m. June 18, 2009
The "officials" are defending the indefensible.
Only elitist government officials worthy of the name "jackbooted thugs" can justify the excessive manpower and firepower assembled against pot-hunting grandparents.
These are the sorts of actions that resulted in massive overkill of unarmed, innocent civilians at Ruby Ridge and Waco,or the seizure of a child like Elian Gonzales from a home in the middle of the night.
There can be ZERO justification the need for a 10 to 1 ratio of heavily armed combat ready SWAT type people to conduct "raids" on people being charged with non-violent crimes spread out over a several year period. If there are people with drug or violent crime history, then they certainly deserved the extra precautions.
American citizens are losing faith in the honesty of some in the law enforcement community. For good reason, it seems.
Meanwhile, violent criminals engaged in drug dealing are being ignored. Especially those who are here illegally. But, we can send 150 heavily armed cops to San Juan County to bust pot-hunters.
Shameful priorities!
Only elitist government officials worthy of the name "jackbooted thugs" can justify the excessive manpower and firepower assembled against pot-hunting grandparents.
These are the sorts of actions that resulted in massive overkill of unarmed, innocent civilians at Ruby Ridge and Waco,or the seizure of a child like Elian Gonzales from a home in the middle of the night.
There can be ZERO justification the need for a 10 to 1 ratio of heavily armed combat ready SWAT type people to conduct "raids" on people being charged with non-violent crimes spread out over a several year period. If there are people with drug or violent crime history, then they certainly deserved the extra precautions.
American citizens are losing faith in the honesty of some in the law enforcement community. For good reason, it seems.
Meanwhile, violent criminals engaged in drug dealing are being ignored. Especially those who are here illegally. But, we can send 150 heavily armed cops to San Juan County to bust pot-hunters.
Shameful priorities!
Anonymous | 4:53 p.m. June 18, 2009
If you commit a felony you have earned the right to be arrested at gun point.
Cats | 5:36 p.m. June 18, 2009
NO ONE on these blogs should be calling these people criminals just yet. These
people are innocent until proved guilty. If they have committed these crimes,
they should be prosecuted. However, NONE OF US have yet seen the evidence.
The tactics of the Feds are pretty excessive. Of course, the U.S. Attorney and FBI are defending it. They have to. But, it is pretty clear, based on everything that happened that the actions of these agents was really over the top.
The tactics of the Feds are pretty excessive. Of course, the U.S. Attorney and FBI are defending it. They have to. But, it is pretty clear, based on everything that happened that the actions of these agents was really over the top.
S. Jackson | 5:58 p.m. June 18, 2009
Absolutly crush the American citizen for committing a crime and ignore illegal
aliens for committing felonies. What a great country!
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