April 05, 2007
Under Siege in Idahoistan
For years, ATV-riding, gun-toting sport shooters have flouted gun laws in part of Idaho's high desert by taking pot shots at ground squirrels and other animals. Now, officials say, they're also setting their sights on National Guard tanks that train in the area.Rifles and pistols have been banned in a 68,000-acre area of the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area since 1996.
But the federal Bureau of Land Management is considering expanding the gun-restricted area by 41,000 acres to try to limit shootings at Idaho Army National Guard troops who report slugs bouncing off their tanks on a regular basis.
"There's a segment of the shooting community that will shoot at anything that moves," said John Sullivan, the area's manager.
Faced with inadequate manpower and renegades that won’t respect the rule of law, we must abandon Idaho.
Thee is no word as of yet on whether or not Speaker of the Knessett Nancy Pelosi and Congressman John Murtha have been able to come up with a suitable plan to redeploy the Idaho National Guard.
Pelosi is said to be considering retreating to neighboring Oregon, but is concerned over recent "friendly fire" incidents.
Because of this, Murtha is said to be exploring the option of stationing the Idaho National Guard in Montreal, where a quick reaction force could respond in just one day and 13 hours (at highway driving speeds) to any emergency in Boise.
I've been saying for years that Idaho is just like Vietnam! Only with potatoes instead of rice paddys. Anyway people from Idaho (Idahois? Idahoians? Idahoites? Idahoers?) are too savage for democracy. I say, NO BLOOD FOR RUSSETTS!
Posted by: BohicaTwentyTwo at April 5, 2007 11:21 AMWhy I don't think it's a political agenda I can't say (I don't have any particular feelings toward Montel one way or the other), but it appears to me he just knows "conflict" sells. It's inappropriate, especially for a veteran, to ambush military guests but then, that's daytime TV for ya: Schlock. Lowest common denominator entertainment, not news.
Posted by: DoorHold at April 5, 2007 12:09 PMWhy don't we just let the National Guard shoot back? I'm pretty sure a couple of rounds of 20-mm or similar would result in the only evidence that they ATV shooters were ever there being the puddles of urine and the smoking trails the other way.
I take your point, CY, but the difference lies in the fact that Idaho is ours and fixing it is our responsibility.
Note, though, the lack of success even here in one of our own states. How the hell can we fix Iraq if we can't even fix Idaho?
Posted by: Doc Washboard at April 5, 2007 02:57 PMI'm with Sgt. Jeff. Just redefine the ROE and I guarantee those trigger-happy Idahoans would stop taking pot shots at those tanks.
And what kind of idiot shoots at a tank? Let the NG cull the herd.
Posted by: David Terrenoire at April 5, 2007 03:34 PMNO BLOOD FOR POTATOES!
Posted by: Zhombre at April 5, 2007 09:00 PMGround squirrels? They're not ground squirrels, they're Whistle Pigs. Damn media can't even get that right.
Posted by: Tim at April 6, 2007 08:00 AMWhat the hell are ATV riders doing in a NG training area? Sounds like a good way to get squished, if you ask me.
Posted by: Raging_Dave at April 10, 2007 02:14 PM
