Paul Gosar, Arizona Congressman, Fights Against Government Overreach

Rep. Paul Gosar (Arizona)  to Sharon Holmes (Nevada) :   "In general, the ability to set aside federal land rested with Congress -- however the presidential power to establish national monuments on federals lands was established via the Antiquities Act of 1906.  The law was enacted at the turn of the 20th century because of concerns about protecting mostly prehistoric Indian ruins and artifacts-collectively termed "antiquities"-on federal lands in the West.  However, this authority has been misused to limit public access to vast areas of public lands and restrict job-creating economic activities, including responsible energy production and recreation in recent years. The national monument designation process, as any public land designation, is of particular interest to states where the federal government owns a large chunk of all land. This is the case in many Western states like Arizona whereless than 20% of land is privately held and the federal government manages 24 National Parks, Monument and Recreation Areas - more than any other state in the country. The way lands are administered by the federal government has a direct impact on many of my constituents in a way that can be hard to contextualize for many who live east of the Mississippi River. Under the Obama Administration, this century-old law was used as an excuse for the executive branch to lock up millions of acres of land and water against the will of both Congress and local stakeholders. The 1.35 million acre land grab for Bears Ears National Monument provides a case-in-point. During his waning days in office, President Obama unilaterally designated this national monument, locking up land over and above the nearly 550 million acres of land and water he had already added to the federal footprint, despite no significant local support and unified opposition from the Utah congressional delegation. I fought this unjustifiable overreach from President Obama and pushed to give voice to local concerns from citizens and experts on the ground. To ensure public participation in decision to designate national monuments, I introduced H.R. 1495, the Arizona Land Sovereignty Act.  This legislation would prohibit further extension or establishment of national monuments in Arizona, except by express authorization of Congress.  In addition, I am a cosponsor on H.R. 1459, the Ensuring Public Involvement in the Creation of National Monuments Act. This legislation would guarantee public participation in national monument decisions by requiring that any large-scale presidential designation be subjected to the National Environmental Policy Act.  Additionally, it will only allow a President to provide emergency protections for a genuinely threatened site of up to 5,000 acres. Unfortunately, the narrative spun by radical environmentalists is that anyone who does not support top-down, command-and-control land grabs as exercised by former President Obama is an enemy of our national treasures.  This simply is not true. The current debate is not over whether to protect precious natural and historic sites, but how.  I believe firmly that there should be input by the public, interested parties, and others affected by the decision to designate a new parcel of land before a decision is made.  I have supported legislation that protects new national and historic sites but I also believe that open-ended, transparent participation is critical, so I will support legislation that encourages this process.  Regardless of what political party controls the government, these initiatives make sense.  As the Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I look forward to working alongside my fellow members to enact commonsense reforms in the House of Representatives that preserve our treasured lands while respecting local stakeholders and our sacred separation of powers. I am especially encouraged by President Trump's nomination of former Western Caucus member Ryan Zinke as the Secretary of the Department of Interior. Secretary Zinke, having represented a state that was 30% federally owned, understands both the majesty and importance of our land as well as the unique relationship that Western states and the federal government have on matters of land use. I will continue to fight for policies that respect local decision-makers as well as our Constitution across any area of policy, especially land management. Again, I appreciate your thoughts and concerns.  It is an honor to serve Arizona as part of its congressional delegation.  Your suggestions are always welcome, and if ever I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.  To receive the latest legislative updates and news you can sign up for my e-newsletter at gosar.house.gov."

Sincerely, Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Member of Congress

Letter to Blanding City Council Relative to Bears Ears

Dear Mayor and City Council members,

      There are several things I neglected to say last night at City Council; primarily, thank you for allowing input from Blanding citizens in two open forums, and even an opportunity for an out-of-towner to speak last night.  Anna Tom from McCracken Mesa is a person we have worked very closely with, as well as her mother, Betty Jones.  They have been fire brands in the battle, as councilman Lyman sometimes alludes to.  I don’t know if you attended the arena theater meeting in June 2016, where state Representative Mike Noel spoke?  If you didn’t then, you probably don’t understand the passion that was generated that night.  When I entered the arena theater there were at least 30-40 Native Americans on the East side.  Anna was one of them and I wondered then, what their position was.  I even said to Dara Bayles (who is also Navajo), “What side do you think they are on?“

Well, as the meeting progressed, I learned that they knew a heck of a lot more about government regulations, and false promises that I did.  It was an eye opener, and a motivational event, which threw a lot of unlikely people together, and we’re still together a year later with a long list of parades, meetings, SLC trips, rallies, and hearings behind us. If you were there, then you would understand why we were so upset with the “cave in” suggestion regarding Bears Ears Tuesday night.

I share that, because some of you may think Bears Ears is just a Blanding issue. It is not. The overreach of the Antiquities Act has affected at least a dozen states.  We have allies throughout the nation, and especially in the west.  This is much more than just a battle over a monument. As a county we drew a line in the sand, that says we are against federal overreach via EPA, Environmental lawsuits, threats, rampant bureaucracy, government decisions based on global goals, not on local needs.  When states no longer have state's rights, and counties only have 8% private land, we are only a facade of freedom.  Constitutional illegalities affect multiple states, and those states also look hopefully for what may happen with Bears Ears following the Review Period.  I hope all of you wrote and shared your concerns and ideas.  If you haven't, you should.  This is NOT over yet.    

In my remarks, Tuesday, I referred to an article by Jim Stiles; in fact, he has written many well researched articles about Bears Ears.  There are a few by him that would “Bear” reading as they apply to our current and future situations.  Though an unlikely ally. Jim has gone out of his way to help Stewards of San Juan on several occasions and he is a journalist I actually trust to tell the truth. (Which is why his name has been in the Moab paper a lot). I hope you will read these, so you understand why this controversy, has larger ramifications than just Bears Ears and a possible promotion plan for Blanding.

1,  Take it or Leave it:  The New West’s Big Lie:  http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2017/06/01/take-it-or-leave-it-the-new-wests-big-lie-by-jim-stiles/

2.  The Bears Ears Designation, Post Mortem: http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2017/02/01/the-bears-ears-post-mortem-by-jim-stiles/

3. Public Lands History and Future: Good background info if you don’t know what’s happened in the past. http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2016/12/05/bears-ears-chronicles-a-public-lands-history-the-future-by-jim-stiles/

4.   MOAB IS ASSIMILATED. BIKE BORG MOVES SOUTH. Is Resistance Futile in San Juan County?http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2014/02/03/moab-is-assimilated-bike-borg-moves-south-is-resistance-futile-in-san-juan-county-by-jim-stiles/

5.  With the help of Jim I wrote this expose of Environmental NGOS last year and where their money comes from. https://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/2017/03/oh-what-tangled-web-we-weave-when-first.html

Each week I read anywhere from 15-25 articles related to some facet of Bears Ears, Government agencies, Public Lands, or Environment.  Some of you have received a weekly Bear Essentials newsletter from me, which focuses on things we need to do, plus a dozen or so of the most relevant articles: broken down into Good News Bears and Bad News. Of course, you have to push the link, and then read the article to be informed.  I’m sorry you may not have gotten them. I should have sought out all city council members early on, but went with e-mails of people who signed up at the Mike Noel meeting last June and the Senate Hearing in July.  I often hear from Mr. Ogle and Mr. Lyman.  I have counted on family members to share information, as I'm limited to 500 emails.  I also maintain and keep current a Bears Ears Blog, https://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/. So there are plenty of ways to stay informed on this issue, if a person cares.  On the Save the Bears Ears secret FB page there are over 2500 members, who have kept this issue alive, and have had the passion to write, read, speak, and do.  These are not people who enjoyed fighting, but who care deeply about this country and San Juan County. I am so thankful for their efforts.  Were it not for technology, combined with a just cause, this issue would have been dead in the desert long ago, and we’d be looking at those brochures you want to design, wondering what happened to Blanding.

Sincerely,

Janet Wilcox

Letter to New BLM State Director, Roberson

Dear State Director, Roberson, 

 Welcome to Utah, and all the sticky issues you'll be dealing with.  You must be a man of grit to accept this State position, but I hope you are also a man of wisdom.

I am not a true “local” of San Juan County, having only lived here 45 years. But I have a great passion and love for all things historical, cultural, and environmental in our county. 

I taught English and Journalism at San Juan High school 1984-1999, and on Utah's Electronic High school for seven additional years.  During that time, I and two others started a regional historical magazine in 1984.  Blue Mountain Shadows has published two issues a year since then, plus sponsored, cultural events, folk festivals, and historical forums. We have published 54 issues.  Several of those issues have been cooperative efforts between the BLM and San Juan County Historical Commission.  If you are interested in receiving copies, please let me know and I will send you some related to the issues you fell heir to.  I think they would give you a broader perspective of the people: Ute, Anglo, Navajo, and Hispanics, as well as what comprises their culture and the land we all love.  

The divisive issue of Bears Ears has given many outside of our county a false perception of what San Juan County is like. We love our public lands, but find further restrictions brought on by a National Monument excessive, and even detrimental to keeping this pristine land healthy; based upon Grand Staircase Escalante, do we not see any economic benefits either.  I do agree that we need additional BLM rangers on the Cedar Mesa area, and had the Federal Gov. not been $20 Trillion in debt, maybe that would have happened before now!  Had we not been the target of militant Dan Love-type BLM militia raids, and falsehoods told to our county commissioners by the BLM, we would still be on somewhat good terms with this agency.  We also resent the excessive money spent by wealthy environmental groups and foundations who lobby against SJC, the poorest county in the state. Those are some of my concerns.

​Thank you for your time, and let me know about the magazines.  The State BLM office may have the three Cottonwood Reclamation magazines already. ​But there are others that would be central to the controversies you have inherited. 

My blog: http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/ contains what has happened since July, when I got involved in this political issue. 

Sincerely,

Janet Wilcox

Response to High County News Article

Commentary on this article.  by Johnathan Thompson. published Oct. 16/ 2016 High Country News.

This was a well written and engaging article and the author tried hard to show us a close up view of the controversy, and the varied views of local people as we wrestle with the threat of a possible monument in this place of isolation. I am always surprised at the straws writers grasp at in their comments following such articles, as they justify their position. Fear and bias has a way of generating paranoia and exaggeration. I am also surprised at the name calling and bias that surfaces, as outsiders write about ranchers, rural America, hunters, Mormons, and others not of their inner circle. 

With that being said, let me update Johnathan's article, with some facts in this ever dynamic and changing controversy. He quotes Malcolm Lehi, a White Mesa Ute council representative who says, “It’s been far too long that us Natives have not been at the table, he added, " We’re making history.” Since that statement was made, Mr. Lehi has become history himself, as he was voted out of office recently by his own people, as was Regina White Skunk. Part of that happened because neither of them had support of those they represented in this "monumental" issue. Many Navajo and Utes are against the National Monument, because they have land allotments in the designated area and they enjoy the freedoms that they already have on this public land, such as wood gathering, hunting, grazing. They did not like being bullied into a cause they did not support.

I was so happy to see one of our old YSA friends Monte Yazzie, helping his Aunt Anna Tom in this protest. 

Despite the promises made by the Bikéyah coalition leaders, local Native Americans by and large, do not trust a federal government which has a long trail of broken promises. Using a multi-tribe coalition as banner carriers for a National Monument, was a top down strategy initiated by the Conservation Lands Foundation and their satellite environmental groups. They and their deep-pocketed foundations have played Goliath in this battle against the little guys of San Juan County. They didn't take into account the fact that conflicts exists between some of the coalition tribes, as illustrated in the article. Nor did CLF realize that freedom loving Americans, Native and Anglo alike have been taught to think, and to love their freedoms and their land. As Winston Hurst suggests, there will need to be compromise and a willingness to share the land in multiple ways if this is going to work.

Grinding Westerners Under the Federal Boot

Posted as a comment to this article in the Washington Times
by Janet Wilcox
The proposed Bears Ears National Monument is more than a burr under the saddle of rural Utah. It jeopardizes basic State's rights, and bi-passes the Constitutionally guarantee of due process through legislative means. Utah has already given enough to the Federal Government. The State of Utah covers 52,696,960 acres. We have given up 35,033,603 acres to 13 different national parks/monuments. That means the Federal government owns/ runs/ manages 66% of our state. And now enviro-nazis want more. The scenario in San Juan County is even worse. Only 8% of San Juan County’s 5,077,120 acres is privately owned.

Those with a socialistic mind set don’t seem to grasp the idea that private property rights exist in the proposed Bears Ears monument area. Some areas in that coveted land do NOT meet the definition of “public lands”, including 43 grazing allotments, 661 water-right infrastructures, 151,000 acres of state trust land, 18,000 acres of private property, and hundreds of miles of roads and infrastructure which are granted a RS2477 right-of-way. Please help us in this David vs. Goliath fight. Write, call, protest with us. savebearsears.com 

Comb Ridge Sale: Shame on Who?

Sent to Des News, SJR and Times Independent   10/27/16

     Yes, there should be shame, but not because STATE SCHOOL TRUST LANDS were sold to a private bidder, but because extreme environmentalists don’t want to share any land with anyone except Conservation Land Foundation devotees.  They are using everything in their power and in their banks to force local Native Americans, Anglos, and Hispanics away from a land they chose to live in, here in San Juan County.  These are families with local roots to San Juan, who didn’t migrate to more enticing lands in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico centuries ago.  

     Unlike the opposition who follows the dictates of the CLF, these locals oppose a National Monument because the CLF does not want free enterprise, access to public lands, grazing rights, or a strong tax base in San Juan County. They don’t care about jobs and improved schools They are against private enterprise and they would be delighted if everyone moved away. 

     Moreover, CLF followers don’t want to share any of the 1.9 million acres they greedily seek in this current “campaign” for National Monuments, which involves not only Utah, but Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, California.  (Hawaii, Maine have already been checked off their bucket list.)

      The State of Utah covers 52,696,960 acres. They have already given up 35,033,603 acres to 13 different national parks/monuments.  That means the Federal government owns/ runs/ manages 66.4% of our state. And they say Utah is greedy?!  The scenario in San Juan County is even worse. Only 8% of San Juan County’s 5,077,120 acres is privately owned.    

    Those with a socialistic mind set don’t seem to grasp the idea that private property rights exist in the proposed Bears Ears monument area.  Some areas in that coveted land do NOT meet the definition of “public lands”, including 43 grazing allotments, 661 water-right infrastructures, 151,000 acres of state trust land, 18,000 acres of private property, and hundreds of miles of roads and infrastructure which are granted a RS2477 right-of-way. 

     This leads us to the most recent whining of the week--Comb Ridge.  The actual Comb Ridge wilderness consists of 17,400 acres; HOWEVER, adjacent to Comb Ridge proper exists SITLA land. SITLA land is not "public land", it is STATE land. Even though local people have long used it for their personal playground, they were trespassing.  

     Two weeks ago 391 acres of SITLA land were sold by the State to the highest bidder.  That land would be .02% of the total Comb Ridge acreage.  And the playground bullies don’t want to share even that pinpoint of land with anyone else.  In the bigger more coveted landscape of 1.9 million acres, 391 acres comprises only .0002 %.  Additional SITLA lands take up another .079 % of the ill-conceived 1.9 million acre monument.  I suppose there will be whining about that too, when legitimate companies who pay taxes and support schools are able to purchase and utilize state lands.  Shame on YOU for not being willing to share.  Is compromise not in your vocabulary?

Janet Wilcox  Blanding, Utah

Our Escape to Sacred Space . . . By Nathan Nielson

Anxiety hovers over our lands. The weight of modern life stresses the earth. Our appetites, our consumptions, the numbing images of our media machines leave us empty. Where, in all this commotion, is there room for reverence?

Max Weber never visited the American Southwest, but few theories explain the mass tourism of the region better than his iron cage of disenchantment.

The German sociologist saw the modern world as a lifeless system of technology and bureaucracy that gave up on its spiritual roots. Calculation and efficiency drove the spirits to the hills. "Not summer's bloom lies ahead of us," he wrote more than 100 years ago, "but rather a polar night of icy darkness."

So it makes sense that amid this mechanization the environment has become the last frontier of enchantment -- our playground and our church.

The beautiful and the sacred -- two things the iron cage cannot replicate -- meet together in these junctures of poetic erosion. On weekends and summers, the highways are clogged with campers and SUVs. People from around the world come to touch the rocky wonders they've seen so many times in pictures. Throbbing with otherworldly magic are the pink and orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the towering thrones of Zion, the gravitational improbabilities of Arches, and the swirl of stone needles in Canyonlands.

Read the rest of Nathan's essay published August 8, 2016 in Real Clear Religion:
http://www.realclearreligion.org/articles/2015/08/08/our_escape_to_sacred_space.html

Ad in Moab Advertiser this week

 Cartoon created by Jeff Byrd, SJHS Alumni, former Rattler Staff writer and artist -- now a resident of California.

Returning To My Ancestral Homeland . . .by Janet Wilcox

I get it.  I can understand the connection that members of the Arizona Coalition tribes have with the land within the proposed Bears Ears National Monument. The ancient lands of the Anasazi are part of their heritage with thousands of those sites located south of the mountains, in the Cedar Mesa area. Archaeologists continue to speculate why they left this area. Perhaps survival was their primary goal, perhaps drought, or visions of a better place.  However, this important land is only a small part of the expansive 1.9 million acres they are asking for.

I also understand why descendants of early Mormon converts make pilgrimages to Nauvoo, the scene of both miraculous and horrific events in the history of early LDS church members.  Over 20,000 members were driven by mobs from a land they hoped would be a safe haven in Illinois. Their leaders were killed, and pioneers suffered terribly from the harshness of the emigration to Utah. Thus Nauvoo became a sacred and significant site to these people.

Caernarfon Castle in N. Wales with Bowen relatives,
Geraint and Zonia

When we traveled to Wales and Scotland in 2001 to visit the ancient lands of my forebearers, I felt a connection also; a reverence for the land, and a keen interest in the history of those countries and people.  I visited a little 300-year-old cottage of my third great grandfather in Wales, which was still being used.  I saw the battlefield where William Wallace and Robert de Bruce led the Scottish resistance against the British for land and freedom 700 years ago.  I felt connected and proud of them for their desperate fight for their lands, which they eventually won.

We visited the coal mines of Wales where several of my ancestors had to work in order to put food on the table.  I was saddened by the beautiful canyons filled with refuse from the coal mines; slate piles as high as the canyon walls.  Many of my ancestors died in those mines.  Working conditions were atrocious, but those were times when survival was paramount, not niceties.  Eventually. conditions in Wales forced them to seek a better life in a new country, and they left, eventually ending up in Malad, Idaho, my birthplace.  Like the Ancient Ones, they too sought a better place to live, a refuge from an unfriendly environment and a better life.

What I don’t get.  The early Celtic culture goes back to approximately 1200 BC, about the same era as the early basket makers of the Four Corners area.  There has been a huge evolution within both cultures over the past 3000 plus years.  Even understanding that commonality, I still cannot picture myself, or any other transplanted descendent of either group, presumptuously claiming they now have the right to go back to said homeland and demand that changes be made on how they are managing the land. This is what is happening in San Juan County, as tribal members from Arizona and Colorado, are clamoring to have 1.9 million acres made into a National Monument to “protect their lands.” They are petitioning President Obama to designate yet another National Monument, to put in his trophy case of public acquisitions.

We are going to Wales again next month. Should we form a coalition of descendants and propose a National Monument?  After all, I will be traveling with a large group who have a vested interest in those ancestral lands dating back centuries.  NO, we would never consider such an “outlandish” action.  Those beautiful Welsh lands are now either owned or used by others. Centuries have passed since we had a stake in them. This is their land now. We do not have the right to usurp their authority, or tell them how to protect and care for the land.  Neither you nor I may like the results of some of the things done in our ancestral homelands, but once your ancestors and mine left, they were no longer stewards of the land.  They gave up that right when they left. If I really love my ancestry and I want to protect the land, I will use my resources to HELP the local stewards make changes, not demand they turn management over to me.

Scottish custom of piping in the haggis.
Glasgow, Scotland 2001

What we can do is come and visit often; enjoy the beauty of the land, leave it better than we find it, and be appreciative guests on their public lands.  We will not vandalize, nor denigrate their lifestyle, religion, or bring up the sins of their fathers. We will celebrate the joy of being there in the land of our fathers. We may even have ceremonies and spiritual experiences while we are in Wales.  And I say to the Coalition tribes, come to Bears Ears and do likewise. Be a good guest. Get to know the people in this “foreign country.”  Learn and share with them. 

 Don’t come as an enemy in the night, with deception and ill will in your heart.  Mother Earth will bless all those who approach this land with "ho'zho' '" in their heart as well as in their actions.  

Sold to the Richest Lobby: The Selling of Bears Ears Monument

The Bears Ears controversy could become a best “seller.” – Oh, wait! It already is! The nation has been sold a bill of goods under the name of protection. Lands that are already public and open to everyone, and protected by the BLM, are suddenly being confiscated by the Department of the Interior and changed into National Monuments and Parks. Millions of acres across the nation are turning into trophies for the presidential showcase with 23 already on display and a dozen more pending.  This is a tale of deceit, manipulation, greed, unbridled power and lobbyists gone “wild.”  This theft is being orchestrated in at least 12 states in the name of “protection,” and it is of proportions never seen before in the history of the United States. This insidious “campaign” orchestrated by Conservation Lands Foundation for more locked up land is not about preservation but about power.  As of July 2016 our debt was 18,152,809,942,589. Whoever pays the debt, will have the power.  (P.S. June 2019, that National Debt is now more than 22,000,000,000)

The land grab ploy often uses indigenous people, the Antiquities Act, or visions of “desecrated” landscapes to spin the need for National Monuments.  Let’s see how this was masterminded and is playing out in the words of one of the nation’s strongest lobby groups, The Conservation Lands Foundation.  (All quotes below come from the Conservation Lands Foundation or CLF Board Meeting Minutes San Francisco, CA 24 October 2014)

Lands at Risk: CLF Campaign –targeted for National Monuments Campaign

Targeted Lands:   Includes “ the most recent designations of the San Gabriels in L.A. (Ca), and the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument (Hilo, Hi. Upcoming and on-going campaigns: Beryessa Snow Mountain (CA), Gold Butte, City (NV), Boulder White Clouds (Id), Cedar Mesa (Ut), Coast Dairies (CA), Desert and Browns Canyon (NM).  CLF staff  feels as though we are currently well positioned to secure designation for most if not all of these areas before the end of President Obama’s second term.”  How does that feel to know your state or a neighboring one may be a “campaign” target?

Fallacies not facts: Dick Moe stated, "Cedar Mesa has the most unique cultural sites in the nation and are not protected.”  These lands are already designated and designed to be protected by the Department of the Interior. It has authority to limit harmful activities, prohibit irresponsible uses, and enforce existing laws.  However, the Federal government has not adequately funded National Parks, nor has there been sufficient funding given the BLM to protect public land in San Juan County, Utah. If the Federal government cared about “protection” they already have the power to do so.  If they cannot afford it now, why do we believe they can afford it later?  Hmmm, another National debt issue? 

While visiting the green landscape in the northern part of the proposed monument, Secretary Jewell said, “’This [Bears Ears range] is so pristine; I can't believe it's not protected.’   There lies the oxymoron.  The actual Bears Ears area and mountain range HAS been protected. That IS why it is so pristine! It’s been protected well by Ute, Anglo, and Dine’ while all the time being used for herbs and ceremonies. Wood gatherers, hunters, campers, cattlemen, trail riders, hikers, and those who has enjoyed it the past 140 years, have kept it pristine. Very few ruins dot that landscape.  But most importantly, it provides life giving water to towns below, to Ute, Navajo and Anglos alike.  We protect it because it is our lifeline.  Why should we trust the Federal government to do that? Neither the CLF nor federal bureaucracy is invested or seems to care about the lives of rural America.

Looking behind the smoke and mirrors of media spin
The illusion that this is a "bottoms up" effort, driven by indigenous people is false.  The groups were organized by CLF associates.  This is a Top Down Organization and they are carefully watching all players in the game, from Secretary Jewell, down to each tribe. This is illustrated in their minutes, "Struggles with Secretary Jewell.  She is not being a strong advocate for the Antiquities Act, but continues to show gradual improvement.  With strong leadership from the White House this has become less of a roadblock." Looks to me that we were duped into thinking she was honestly seeking "local input!"

One CLF member admits to relying on the Navajo Nation, but asks, “What happens if we separate from them or disagree with them. Without their support the White House probably would not act.”  They are using coalition members as Kings in a grand scale game of chess, and tribal members as pawns.

Money is Power but does Might mean Right?  (2014) In the event that the Senate turns after the mid-term elections and there are more attacks on the Antiquities Act, CLF is leading a broad coalition of national organizations that are increasingly focused on defense. The Wyss Foundation and other funders have set aside some funding resources specifically for this purpose.  Do we believe as a citizenry that elections, campaigns, and land grabs should go to lobby groups with the most money or with the best spin? 

Obviously CLF has money. They “raised $12 million (60% of goal). One member noted that an additional $6 million will likely be received through foundation support over the next two years, and emphasized that the last $2 million will be the hardest to raise.”  And of course there was the $30,000 (no match) funding they gave to Friends of Cedar Mesa. Knowing this, how would it feel to be the focus of CLF's “campaign” or know your state might be the next target?

Everyone has been affected by CLF policies, plans, and hype: Government officials including important cabinet members, congressmen, all states with public lands, down to the poorest counties and reservations in the nation. The final question:  To whom is the United Stated indebted? Who has been paying our bills? And who has something to gain by owning more and more lands in the United States?

Published in The Navajo Times 8/11/16

Wake Up: "Beyond the Bears Ears"

July 29, 2016

To all those who love San Juan County, Utah: its mountains, deserts, canyons, freedom, and our rural life style:

July's Celebrations were wonderful.  We certainly "Let Freedom Ring" here in San Juan County; however, amid the fireworks and parades, an ominous cloud hung over our heads warning of “a clear and present danger” to all things we hold dear. We need to be fully informed about the tentacles that are grasping not only our land, but our freedoms.  I urge you to order, and read Ted Flynn’s book,“Hope of the Wicked: The Master Plan to Rule the World.”   I’ve never been one to believe in conspiracy theories, or end of the world paranoia, nor have I even liked The Hunger Games, but Flynn’s book has too much truth in it to ignore, and it relates to all of us.

For the past month, I’ve worked relentlessly helping our county officials, the local Blue Mountain Dine', (as well as those in southern chapters in the county) the White Mesa Utes and hundreds of county citizens in their efforts to stop the creation of a National Monument which would capture and hold hostage, 1.9 million acres of our beloved San Juan County.  This was a grass roots effort, through and through, with no paid director, unlimited funds to pay CEOs, or special interest groups bribing us. Those in the Save the Bears Ears group have worked long and hard, and continue to do so.  I personally have spent at least 6-10 hours everyday in the cause, as have many others.  Even with everything we did, it may not be enough. This is more than just government overreach, it is blatant war on the United States. There are more than 6 other states in the US waging this same war.

As I learned more and more about how the Pro-Monument Coalition was organized, how it is funded, how they have “used” native people as their vanguard, (followed closely behind by multiple environmental groups,) I eventually came to realize it must be part of a bigger plan.  Then July 26 a friend brought Chapter 18 of Flynn’s book to me and my journey "Beyond the Bears Ears" began.  A lot of questions were answered.  It was a horrifying revelation to see the manipulation orchestrated in this evil plan and how it relates directly to San Juan County and dozens of areas throughout the United States. 

I’ll only share some of Flynn’s research related to land and radical environmentalism from chapter 18 right now.  Central to this cause is The Gaia theory of “saving Mother Earth.” It is at the core of our dilemma.  As gardeners I always thought my husband and I took pretty good care of the earth.  However, it’s beyond that. The Gaia movement has brought us:  The Endangered Species Act, the UN Biodiversity treaty, and the President’s Commission on Sustainable Development, and all are part of the big plan. “Global sustainable development” is the central organizing principle of the New World Order.   It also relates to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit where Agenda 21 was approved.  Yes, it's more than a book. It's a cunning design! (Glen Beck's book, Agenda 21 would help you understand more). The Biodiversity Treaty contains provisions which threaten national sovereignty! It plans to redistribute the world’s wealth, and ultimately will declare half of all America’s land as wilderness!  I wouldn’t have believed it in 2000 when Flynn's book was published, but now we are living their dream!

That is how San Juan County fits into their global scheme! Agenda 21 is a far reaching UN blueprint for global eco-socialism and it’s been happening for some time.  It threatens to destroy American property rights and will change activities of all people. (Many SJC citizens have deeded land and allotments that will be affected by a National Monument. This is how the takeover begins.)  These environmental zealots also take issue with Genesis, where man was given “dominion over the earth”.  They argue that the spread of Christian beliefs has harmed the earth and they plan to fix things through social activism.

Another organization working with the UN is the Gorbachev Foundation, which also promotes “sustainable development.” This includes Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics. In 1994 Gorbachev delivered the keynote address at a Hollywood funded Environmental Media Association (connect the dots to DiCaprio’s Foundation). Gorbachev stressed the need for a “universally binding international code of environmental ethics” –  Here are some of these commandments!

5) “Live sustainably.” Translation: “There will be regional limits on fossil fuel use and consumption of raw materials.” (Hence the lock up of fossil fuels in Grand Staircase and the hue and cry against mining in San Juan.)

7) “Share equitably the benefits of natural resources.” Translation: "Rich nations will be taxed with a world Eco Tax to redistribute the wealth.” (Who do you think that connects to?)

11) “Reaffirm that indigenous and tribal peoples have a vital role in the care and protection of Mother Earth.  They have the right to retain their spirituality, knowledge, lands, territories and resources.”  Translation: "Huge tracts of land will be given back to native people under the guise that they will be the guardians of Mother Earth, but in reality will be the minions of the New World Order.”  Hence, the role of the Native American Coalition as Banner Carriers in the Bears Ears take-over.

17) “Treat all creatures with compassion and protect them from cruelty and wanton destruction.” Translation: "No more animals will be consumed by humans and hunting in the wild will be a capital offence” (They could care less about our hunting and grazing rights!)

19) “Protect and restore places of outstanding ecological, cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, and scientific significance.” Translation: "The earth council will take all special parks, and religious places under their control and their global sovereignty."   (All quotes from Flynn's book."   

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This is probably enough to digest right now, but I bet you are connecting more dots already.  I encourage you to get the books mentioned above and look "Beyond the Bears Ears" for the bigger picture.  I’ll send more information in the coming weeks, but this seems unbearable to me (pun intended).  I’m going to go take a walk!  

P.S. Please share this site with others you feel are concerned about the direction our country is headed and the direct impact it is having on San Juan County and a dozen other places in the United States.  List of proposed Monuments: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_proposed_National_Monuments_of_the_United_States

Elmer Hurst--A No Monuments Man

July 20, 2016

Dear Madam Secretary Jewell,

My family owns 640 acres of deeded land 10 miles west of Bears Ears on Deer Flat. This lies in the Proposed National Monument.  It was a school section sold by highest bidder in the late 1940’s.  It took my father Dolores Hurst 25 years to improve and pay for that property, which has now been farmed for over 70 years.  His father was driven out of Mexico in 1912 and they settled in San Juan county, and befriended the Native American Navajos.  The Bears Ears Mountains have been a special place for us through all those years, where we all-- Navajo, Ute, and Anglo alike-- cut wood, hunted, and made lots of family memories. We’ve lived in harmony doing so. 

The history of land use always shows it is better maintained by those who are stake holders, who farm it, graze cattle, or live adjacent to it. No tourist is going to care like we do. To see this land taken over by people who don’t even live here, who don’t know the value of land or the hard work it takes to survive in a harsh landscape is disconcerting. They may own houses and cars, but have never worked for a living on the land.  All they know how to do is recreate. Through lying and deceit we are being backed into a corner where no negotiation is wanted and no on-going input will be sought.  The Federal government did not care enough to provide adequate staff to “protect” this area for the past 50 years, how do you think they will be able to finance the management 1.9 million acres in the future?

We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.   This is a perfect example of what has happens with uncontrolled Federal power.  We support the County's PLI which allows for continued dialog and input from stake holders.

A Cold War Patriot,

Elmer Hurst