Aug

Remember Ruby Ridge?

By Tamahome Jenkins · August 21, 2009

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

“Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too.” ~Voltaire

17 years ago today, federal agents began a siege of the Weaver family home in rural Idaho, the official reason being that US Marshals were trying to serve a warrant for Randy Weaver’s (father) arrest. The 11-day standoff resulted in the death of Vicki Weaver (the mother), Sammy Weaver(the son), and Bill Degan (a federal agent). The circumstances surrounding all 3 deaths, and the siege in general were so controversial, that the there was a Senate investigation. Ultimately, Randy Weaver and Kevin Harris (a friend) would be found not guilty of the most serious offenses, including murder and conspiracy to provoke a confrontation with the federal government. The Weavers ended up filing a wrongful death suit, and Randy Weaver was awarded $100,000, while each of his 3 daughters was awarded $1 million. Despite the outcome of the siege, and the ensuing investigation, the public continues to be mislead about the events and about the motives of the Weaver family. I’m not saying the Weavers were perfect; nobody is. But isn’t it odd that the story continues to be distorted or suppressed to this day? Alan W. Bock, at Reason Magazine, put it best in October 1993 (by this time the federal government had bungled Waco, too), “The notion that religious nuts with guns are always a threat to public safety becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.” Follow the link below for more info into one of the more tragic instances of attempting to punish thoughtcrimes.

Ambush at Ruby Ridge: How government agents set Randy Weaver up and took his family down – Reason Magazine.