Interesting. The north didn't want states rights 150 years ago and now they're clamoring for it, but, for the record, this Southerner is on their side.
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.”
Why are you quoting that rag, the “Bill Of Rights?” Don’t you know that the phrase “to Promote the General Welfare” in the preamble to the USC is the authority for the feds to do anything and everything they want, via dicta when not legislation?
I wonder whether this Sheriff is a member of AZ Sheriff Babaau’s 10th Amendment group of Sheriff’s? (Either Babeau or a retired AZ Sheriff.)
If so, they’re gaining traction and I hope they continue.
County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson is a great Sheriff and fights for the people of his county against the Feds!
http://www.usobserver.com/archive/sep-11/sheriff-this-land-is-our-land.html
SHERIFF: This Land is Our Land,
Feds Have No Jurisdiction!
In this climate it is utterly unheard of to have any official stand against the federal government. Typically, they stand with them - their hand out for more federal grants - no matter how much the federal government violates the U.S. Constitution and infringes on the public. Thankfully there are those few who take their oaths of office and to the Constitution, with sincerity, and instead they choose to fight for the people; fight for what is true and just. They are people like Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, those who sign up to become oath keepers, former Sheriff Richard Mack and, of course, Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson; whose own fight against a runaway, power-grabbing, forestry service is just the tip of an iceberg Gilbertson is hauling into warmer waters.
With the USFS closing roads on county public lands, enforcement officers overstepping their legal jurisdiction and tens of thousands of acres of the county’s public land being usurped through the creation of national forests and monuments for the “protection” of the environment, Gilbertson is taking it on himself to protect the people - the ones often forgotten.
When asked why he has taken up this fight, Sheriff Gilbertson said, “My duty lies in the oath that I took to protect and serve the people of Josephine County, state law and the Constitution, and their [federal government] agencies are infringing on all of the above. It’s that simple.
“Look, much suffering occurred and many lives were sacrificed to make this great country what it is today; many sadly take this horrific loss for granted. A Republic form of government can be long-term but only if we maintain a system of checks and balance.
“Once we allow a runaway centralized government to weaken and/or erode the rights enumerated in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, we risk losing it all. Our government is rapidly approaching a socialistic posture; and seemingly, changing our life, as we knew it, through ‘federally imposed REGULATIONS’.”
The US~Observer has obtained a letter written by Gilbertson discussing jurisdiction. We are choosing to print it in its entirety.
Furthermore, the US~Observer would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Gilbertson for doing what he said he would - protect the County’s people, no matter what.
Clicke Here to see Gilbertson’s letter:
http://www.usobserver.com/archive/sep-11/Gil-Federal-Jurisdiction.pdf
Another article:
http://www.usobserver.com/archive/may-11/gil-letter.html
Grants Pass, OR - Josephine County Sheriff Gil Gilbertson is apparently challenging Federal authority within the borders of the Southern Oregon county. In a letter obtained by the US~Observer, Gilbertson writes to Roy Bergstrom of the United States Forest Service:
“As the CLEO [chief law enforcement officer] of this County, elected by the citizens, saddled with the expectation and responsibility to safeguard their rights I fully intend to uphold the laws against any threat, inappropriate or unlawful actions against them. The citizens of this County are complaining about unfair treatment and harassment by the federal government LEOs.
The issues of illegal road closures, grazing, logging, minerals, taking land under the auspices of “Monument” status, citizen complaints against your LEO [law enforcement officer] agents, high unemployment and other socio-economic issues we all face today; coupled with the uncooperative nature presented by the USFS are causing me great concern about our relationship and future cooperation.”
Letter in full:
http://www.usobserver.com/archive/may-11/images/Gilbertson-letter-to-Roy-Bergstrom.pdf
Letter Shows Oregon Sheriff Taking-on the Feds