The only law in Bunkerville

Tea Party wunderkind Cliven Bundy and his followers are now effectively the only law in Bunkerville, Nevada. Why? Because the Bureau of Land Management has surrendered to his self-righteous temper tantrum.

For 21 years, the wealthy Bundy has refused to pay grazing fees for his huge ranching operation on public land - fees that other ranchers are also legally required to pay. In other words, he thinks he shouldn't have to obey the law like everyone else. If I wanted to start a ranch on public land, I'd have to pay grazing fees too. It's not as if Cliven Bundy was a victim of selective enforcement.

Recently the BLM tried to auction off some of Bundy's cattle to cover what he owes. This prompted a Tea Party complain-a-thon in which a handful of right-wing legislators and 1-percenters came to Bunkerville to show support for Bundy. The story was forwarded through right-wing mailing lists and websites, and some parts of the story were complete fabrication.

The BLM didn't handle everything perfectly, so there's no completely innocent parties in this story. But when one of the "peaceful" protesters supporting Bundy kicked a dog, all bets should have been off.

After a few days of this nonsense, the BLM surrendered completely to these violent right-wing bullies. Bundy started a range war - and won, because the BLM raised a white flag.

It's more than just a range war. It's literally a coup d'etat. The Tea Party stamped their feet until the federal and state governments agreed to stop enforcing the law around Bunkerville. The only law there now is Tea Party law.

One of the hallmarks of government is its ability to enforce the law. I support civil liberties, and I will fight to the death for my rights. But I also have a right to expect the government to carry out its basic charges - which it won't do in Bunkerville. The government has given up its powers in an entire town to a small gang of right-wing fanatics.

Cliven Bundy's antics would have never been tolerated in the Old West. What would the Gum Fighter in the old Hubba Bubba commercials think if some rancher decided he should be exempt from the laws that everyone else has to follow?

What message is the BLM sending by surrendering? Now any statist lunatic anywhere in the entire country can gather 5 right-wing thugs together, kick a dog, and yell about how they refuse to obey the law - because they now know that the government will just let it go. And presto! Once that happens, they run they show. And they know it.

A Tea Party coup. Coming to a town near you.