Tenth Amendment Not Dead Yet (misc.)

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Got this on one of my e-mail lists and thought it might be of interest to some of you on this forum. Now what if ALL our local law enforcement would do this?...

SHERIFFS PUT FEDS ON CHOKE CHAINS By V.N.S. Edited for Publication by Sierra Times- Posted: 07.24.00

VNS - County sheriffs in Wyoming are insisting that all federal law enforcement officers and personnel from federal regulatory agencies must clear all their activities in a Wyoming county with the Sheriff's Office.

Speaking at a press conference following the recent US District Court decision (case No 2:96-cv-099-J) Bighorn County Sheriff Dave Mattis stated that all federal officials are forbidden to enter his county without his prior approval.

"If a sheriff doesn't want the Feds in his county he has the constitutional power and right to keep them out or ask them to leave or retain them in custody."

The court decision came about after Mattis & other members of the Wyoming Sheriffs' Association brought a suit against both the BATF and the IRS in the Wyoming federal court district seeking restoration of the protections enshrined in the United States Constitution and the Wyoming Constitution.

The District Court ruled in favor of the sheriffs, stating that, "Wyoming is a sovereign state and the duly elected sheriff of a county is the highest law enforcement official within a county and has law enforcement powers exceeding that of any other state or federal official."

The Wyoming sheriffs are demanding access to all BATF files to verify that the agency is not violating provisions of Wyoming law that prohibit the registration of firearms or the keeping of a registry of firearm owners. The sheriffs are also demanding that federal agencies immediately cease the seizure of private property and the impoundment of private bank accounts without regard to due process in state courts.

Sheriff Mattis stated, "I am reacting to the actions of federal employees who have attempted to deprive citizens of my county of their privacy, their liberty, and their property without regard to constitutional safeguards. I hope that more sheriffs all across America will join us in protecting their

citizens from the illegal activities of the IRS, EPA, BATF, FBI, or any other federal agency that is operating outside the confines of constitutional law.

Employees of the IRS and the EPA are no longer welcome in Bighorn County unless they intend to operate in conformance to constitutional law."

This case is evidence that the Tenth Amendment is not yet dead in the United States. It may also be interpreted to mean that political subdivisions of a State are included within the meaning of the amendment, or that the powers exercised by a sheriff are an extension of those common law powers which the Tenth Amendment explicitly reserves to the People, if they are not granted to the federal government and specifically prohibited to the States.

-- Laurie (SUPERGS63@AOL.COM), July 31, 2000

Answers

We have a man running for sheriff in Ozark County Missouri on exactly this issue. He is encouraging everyone to get a Missouri Constitution and read it. The sheriff is the highest law enforcement agent in the county and he can keep all other agents out, including State Highway Patrol officers.

-- Deb (andersland@webound.com), August 01, 2000.

It sounds like that sheriff is looking out for his town. i just get a little concerned when one agency is the only voice of law in the area. if that sheriff gets too high on his horse and decides he knows everything is there anyone there to knock him off that horse? as my mom-in-law says, gotta have checks and balances.

-- Amber (ambrosia75_@hotmail.com), August 01, 2000.

I don't get near as uneasy with the local lawmen taking care of local things as I do when the federal cops come in for every little thing. I say hooray for that sheriff. If it was up to Clinton we wouldn't have any local lawmen. Everything would be a federal crime.

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), August 01, 2000.

I agree with Amber, there have to be checks and balances. I can see the newspaper headlines of the future...

"Feds Retaliate by Arresting County Sheriff When he Goes Camping in Bighorn National Forest"

"State Troopers Forced to End High Speed Car Chase at Border of Bighorn County. They Forgot to Say 'Mother May I'"

"Japan Honors County Sheriff by Naming Him Honoray SHOGUN. Presented with Samarai Sword for Beheading Opponents".

"Bighorn County Secedes From The State of Wyoming Which Secedes From the Western States Confederacy Which Secedes from the United States"

[for anyone tuning in late, the above lines are strictly tongue-in- cheek]

(:raig

-- Craig Miller (CMiller@ssd.com), August 01, 2000.


Yes, there do need to be checks and balances, but I am pretty sure the county sheriff is an elected position (somebody correct me if I'm wrong), and that helps. Also, if a county sheriff got too out of line, the people could ask for help from the state government. But I do think this guy has his head on straight -- I would feel safer living in his county!! :-) (Joel might, also! :-) ) I didn't know that Wyoming forbids the registration of guns and gun owners -- good for them!! Might be worth putting up with the lack of water to live there!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), August 01, 2000.


By all means ya want some checks & balances!!! I don't know if our present or past sheriff read this forum or I would tell you exactely why you want checks & balances! I still have to live here so you make up your own picture in your head! Sonda inKs.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), August 01, 2000.

Uh, the sheriff is simply reaserting the constitutional checks-and-balances of NOT giving the feds control over local issues.

If the local law enforcment officials can't force the feds to follow the constirutional division of power, what checks and balances do we have?

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), August 01, 2000.


OK but you have one major problem. A little used but highly effective tool of the feds called,MARTIAL LAW ! They tried to stop them in Waco with Texas Rangers and Janet said--Martial Law. Bo Gritz tried it at Ruby Ridge and they said --Martial Law. The only way stop them is to out number them and than they drop that Delta Force crap. As soon as you stand down though they come again. Nice thought though !

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 01, 2000.

Didn't know anyone else in Ozark county was on this forum. Mike Lind seems like he would make a good sheriff.........JAY

-- JAY (jay@townsqr.com), August 01, 2000.

Joel, I have a question about Bo Gritz. I used to get him on a local radio station, and then, poof, he was gone. What is your opinion of him? This is not to start something, just a sincere questions of his character and beliefs. The little exposure I had to him, I liked. But did not get to listen enough to really know about him. Is he still around? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), August 02, 2000.


Well Wendy, I'll try to be nice about Ram-bo. He is a decorated hero. The media recognizes him easily. He has his own America in his mind. IMHO, that America for him includes Bo's picture in every one's living room with a small copy in their wallet. He commanded the militia forces at Ruby Ridge and could have saved Vicki Weaver but he was more interested in promoting Bo Gritz. Militia snipers had the FBI snipers dead to rights and could have ended their threat but Bo refused to give the order to fire. 3 times he was asked and 3 times he refused to let the snipers fire. What do I think of Bo ? He likes the man in the mirror ! His radio show is on short band I think but you can check his web site for details. I saw him at Monticello 2 weeks ago when the militias met and he hasn't missed any meals.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 02, 2000.

Thanks Joel, I appreciate your letting me know your thoughts about him. It is hard to discern much about a person from just hearing them a few times on the radio. But he did raise my curiosity. I did not know he was in that position concerning the Weaver's. I knew he was there, but did not know the other. Anyway, thanks I will keep in mind what you said! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), August 02, 2000.

Jay, Mike Lind is the candidate I was referring to. Hope a lot of people get out and vote for him.

-- Deb (andersland@webound.com), August 02, 2000.

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