Government Silences Free Speech through Land-Use?

[Reverendfranz 160]

Im neither a member of the AWRM forum, or familiar with the exact details of this case, but it doesnt sound unlikely, seeing the number of other members of that site (including David Olafson) who seem to have been singled out for their political viewpoints, despite being, to all outward appearences upstanding citizens, and railroaded through the federal court system, and thought i might bear some looking into, as if it is true, it sounds like this fellow could use some help, even if you dont subscribe to his political viewpoints, as ive said before, first they come for the muslims, then they come for the militia members, and then they come for you. Its a slippery slope, ive always thought, once you start shutting people up for "dangerous thoughts." The right to free speech is one that needs to be guarded closely, lest we go the way of the UK. Sounds like a chance to do something about it.

 

 

J. Croft sends this note about a well-known American citizen at the long-standing-and-useful A Well-Regulated Militia website, and what happens when the Government decides to make an example:

 

 

AWRM is under attack. And they're attacking us through one of the administrators, James Faire. That's right. Our very own STRATIOTES.

 

We're limited in what we can say about this case, because of the pending litigation. So we'll tell you what we can, and let you fill in the blanks.

 

It started with Homeland Security running surveillance on James' farm. The FBI wired up confidential informants and sent them in to the Appleseed Shoots he was running.

 

They could find no criminal activity. So they had to try something else.

 

They started with a smear campaign. The newspaper and television station reported that James had been seen with "criminals." James holds unpopular political opinions (unpopular with that newspaper and television station, at least.) He has an unpopular hobby (firearms training and instruction). And, of course, all guns and gun owners are bad.

 

There was a complaint about the noise. The Snohomish County Sheriff Department, who had known about the range for years (some of the deputies even used that range), investigated. They found no violation. That should have been the end of it. It wasn't.

 

James Faire soon received notice that the berm that was on the property to allow for safe shooting, was in violation of several ordinances under the Shoreline Management Act. Huge penalties would apply if he did not immediately act. Penalties so huge that, in a short time, they will exceed the total value of the property. They will bankrupt and destroy him.

 

There are several reasons the property is not in violation. Grandfather clauses, the amount of dirt moved, all of these had been dealt with in 2002. But this isn't about land-use violations, or shooting. It's about punishing James Faire for his political activities.

 

They're not even being particularly original about it. They're using the same "code violation" they used against against him back in 2002. (That was about the same time government agents went after Ron Herzog and Charlie Puckett. Funny how that works, isn't it?)

 

He won that case back in 2002. But now they're trying the same thing again, with renewed vigor. Attorney bills are mounting, and fast. Even if he wins in court again, James could lose his farm and everything he has worked for.

 

Oh, Strat will fight on, even if he loses everything. It just isn't in him to surrender. Everyone who knows James, knows that.

 

They are determined to ruin Strat. And then they'll come after the rest of us. Because if they can get Strat, they can get the rest of us.

 

WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

 

WE NEED TO SHOW THE GOVERNMENT, RIGHT NOW, THAT THEY CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THIS.

 

Folks, I hate asking people for money. To me, it's the hardest thing about being a political activist. I'm not good at it. I'd rather go door-to-door handing out flyers any day. And I'm aware this isn't the best time to do it; an awful lot of people are out of work, or working fewer hours. But right now, James Faire needs money.

 

You wouldn't hesitate to stand with your rifle in defense of a fellow Patriot. Well, I'm not asking you to do that. I'm asking you to stand with your checkbook. Because, sometimes, a dollar is just as effective as a bullet.

 

So let's make a stand, right here, right now. The folks at Lexington and Concord weren't shy about defending their property. And we shouldn't be, either. Click here to donate to James Faire's legal defense fund.

 

http://www.jeffersonwalk.org/

 

If you don't want to use PayPal, you can send a check or money order to

 

Mike Faire

21007 Ben Howard Road

Monroe WA 98272

 

Every dollar you can give counts.

 

Onward and upward,

Bill Roberts (airforce)