Rancher Holds Up Dead Calf on "New Day"
Cliven Bundy, the Nevada rancher turned conservative folk hero, joined "New Day" Friday morning to respond to the controversy surrounding comments he made about minorities and the federal government.
During the exchange with CNN's Chris Cuomo, Bundy remained steadfast in his views and used a number of props to emphasize his points, including a dead calf, the Constitution and his own boot.
HERE ARE 4 OF THE MOST EXTREME MOMENTS FROM THE INTERVIEW:
#1) WE GO TO BUNDY AND HE'S HOLDING A DEAD CALF:
CUOMO: Mr. Bundy, I see in your arms that you are holding a dead calf. What happened?
BUNDY: Well, this dead calf died this morning. He's been without his mother two weeks, and we found him - actually Fish and Wildlife people down in Overton, Nevada, found this calf and called us. We picked this calf up last night and tried to save his life. He's been too long without a mother. He's been badly abused - you can see his tongue here. Let me lay the calf down -
CUOMO: That's probably a good idea given it's a little early and a lot of families are watching, Mr. Bundy, so we don't want to upset them too much.
BUNDY: Well, you know they ought to be upset. What's wrong with America? They can't stand a dead calf? We have a lot of dead calves around here. I want to show you these bottles right here. See these bottles right here? They're going to feed calves that their mothers are dead or gone somewhere. In other words, we've got about 27 calves. This dead calf represents only one of many. Americans too darn soft-hearted to see a dead calf?
#2) BUNDY INVOKES DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND ROSA PARKS IN SAYING HE'S NOT RACIST
BUNDY: No, I'm not a racist, but I did wonder that. But let me tell you something. You know, I thought about this this morning quite a bit.
CUOMO: Please.
BUNDY: And thought about what Reverend Martin Luther King said. And I thought about Rosa Park and taking her seat at the front of the bus. Now, Reverend Martin Luther King did not want her to take her seat in the front of the bus. That wasn't what he was talking about. He did not say go to the front of the bus and that's where your seat was. What Reverend King wanted was that she could sit anywhere in the bus and that nobody would say anything about it. And you and I can sit anywhere in the bus. That's what he wanted. And that's what I want. I want her to be able to sit anywhere in the bus and I want to be able to sit by her any where in that bus.
And that's what he wanted. He didn't want this prejudiced thing like the media tried to put on me yesterday. And I'm not going to put up with that because that's not what he wanted and that's not what I want. I want to sit by her anywhere in that bus and I want anybody to be able to do the same thing.
That's what he was after, is not a prejudice thing, but make us equal.
#3) BUNDY TAKES HIS BOOT OFF BECAUSE “HE’S PUT HIS FOOT IN HIS MOUTH”
CUOMO: I understand that Martin Luther King's message was one of peace and freedom, and that when you suggest that you were wondering if blacks were better off as slaves, that that's the opposite of freedom, and very offensive to people. And I think you probably know that.
BUNDY: Well, let me tell you - I took this boot off so I wouldn't put my foot in my mouth with the boot on. But let me see if I can say something.
You know, maybe I sinned and maybe I need to ask forgiveness and maybe I don't know what I actually said. But, you know, when you talk about prejudice, we're talking about not being able to exercise what we think and our feelings. We're not freedom - we don't have freedom to say what we want. If I call - if I say Negro or black boy or slave, I'm - if those people cannot take those kind of words and not be offensive, then Martin Luther King hasn't got his job done yet. They should be able to - I should be able to say those things and they shouldn't offend anybody. I didn't mean to offend them.
#4) BUNDY HOLDS UP A COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION
CUOMO: The Constitution in Article 1 Section 8 and in the Fifth Amendment gives the federal government the right to appropriate and purchase land. Your state constitution recognizes -
BUNDY: For what person? For what purpose?
CUOMO: For purposes it deems appropriate.
BUNDY: For what purpose can they do it?
CUOMO: And it specifically –
BUNDY: No, it don't say that.
CUOMO: Oh, absolutely it does. You should read the book instead of just holding it in your pocket maybe. But when you look at your state constitution, it says that it respects the federal law. And that's why your ranchers, your brother and sister ranchers, pay the fees that you refuse to.
Now you come on the show, you hold up a dead calf and that makes everybody upset. But you should look at yourself for why the calf is dead, because if you paid the fees, this wouldn't have happened. Isn't that a fair point?
BUNDY: No, it's not.
CUOMO: Because?
BUNDY: It's not a fair point at all. This is the United States of America. I live in a sovereign state, the State of Nevada, and I abide by all the state laws. And I'll be damned if this is property of the United States. They have no business here. They have no business harassing my cattle, abusing this calf to the point he's dead. They left this calf for two weeks without a mother.
Did you see the interview? WATCH HERE and let us know what you think in the comments below:
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PHOTOS: SHOWDOWN IN NEVADA:
Cattle rancher Cliven Bundy talks to his supporters Friday, April 11, in Bunkerville, Nevada.
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I have worked at a so called "factory farm" and this would have been a sign of really poor herdsmanship. We had it drilled into us that we needed to "look at EVERY PIG, EVERY DAY". Here's this guy blaming the BLM for the loss of his calf. Sorry, he should have noticed the calf missing sooner and went looking for it. Coyotes or cats could have scattered that herd just as easily as the BLM so why isn't that family watching their livestock more closely. If the calf belonged to a young, inexperienced cow, she very well could have left it. Good herdsmen would have counted and realized the calf was missing and went looking for him long before 2 weeks had gone by. That bright white face and legs shouldn't have been that hard to find.
Perhaps if they were out being good cowboys rather than bad protesters it wouldn't have ended so badly for the calf and the other livestock that died.
I am very impressed of how well Mr. Coumo handled the interview.
Sarah Palin, Donald Trump, Joe the "Plumber", Cliven Bundy, Ted Nugent... These are the heroes of modern conservatism. How much further can an ideology fall from the mainstream of America?
I guess we'll continue to find out.
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings
Coumo try reading it.
He certainly puts the "ass" in "jackass."
We need more real Americans like Mr. Bundy. I'm tired of the soft, politically correct, flowery representatives we offer leadership roles to. Our country has backslid to the lowest point I've seen it in my 50+ year existence!
Well, I'm not taking sides on this, BUT Mr. Cuomo, you need to get your facts straight before being so forceful with your assertions. I have no idea how you get out of Article 1 Section 8 and the Fifth Amendment that the federal government can "appropriate and purchase land for any purpose it deems appropriate".
The only part of Article 1 Section 8 that comes even mentions acquiring land is for the purpose of "Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, and other *needful Buildings*":
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings
And the Fifth amendment is mainly about due process of law, and only adds the following at the end:
"nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Nowhere does it state that it can acquire/purchase land "for whatever purpose it deems appropriate"!
You're blatantly false assertions don't do anything for your credibility either, Mr. Cuomo!
This is what Bundy and his backers are.
The Posse Comitatus (from the Latin phrase meaning "force of the county") is a loosely organized, far-right social movement that opposes the federal government of the United States and believes in localism. There is no single national group, and local units are autonomous.
Posse charters were issued in 1969 in Portland, Oregon, by Henry Lamont Beach, "a retired dry cleaner and one-time member of the Silver Shirts, a Nazi-inspired organization that was established in America after Hitler took power in Germany."William Potter Gale has been described by one expert as the founder of the movement.
Posse members believe that there is no legitimate form of government above that of the county level and no higher law authority than the county sheriff If the sheriff refuses to carry out the will of the county's citizens:
...he shall be removed by the Posse to the most populated
intersection of streets in the township and at high noon be hung by the
neck, the body remaining until sundown as an example to those who would
subvert the law.
Many Posse members practice survivalism and played a role in the formation of the armed citizens' militias in the 1990s. The Posse Comitatus pioneered the use of false liens and other paper terrorism
Why does CNN so frequently resort to making certain questionable assumptions and then leaping to conclusions from there. I recognize that Chris Cuomo is not the sharpest knife in the drawer - although he does have a famous father and brother - but it's not journalism to use the position of strength, state assumptions as facts and thus confuse the issue. The Federal government has taken too much land, has too much control and has spun out of control, beyond the consent of the governed. These legitimate issues get little play in NYC and other "enlightened" domains, but just may overwhelm the current "progressives" so intent on shouting down thoughtful perspectives more consistent with the principles of our federal republic. Bundy may not articulate those principles as carefully as some others, but he does have himself caught up in the line of fire of that out of control government. For that, he deserves help. The joy of vilification speaks volumes of those so joyous.
I hear Chris Cuomo's entire interview with Mr. Bundy was excellent. Would you post the entire interview, including Chris' exchange with Carol Costello at the end of his program? Thanks.
he takes off his boot and then proceeds to put his foot right in his mouth. I guess he just didn't like the taste of boot?
Of course this guy is not that bright because MLK and the NAACP at the time wanted Rosa to specifically sit at the front of the bus because black people were not allowed to sit at the front of the bus specifically the first ten seats on the bus which were reserved for whites only Montgomery Ala 1955... So Rosa taking a seat anywhere else on the bus would in fact be a moot point to make in comparison to his current situation..
Cliven Bundy You have a following and it keeps growing no matter what the Main Stream Media (msm) make you look like. YOU are the start of our FREEDOM'S being returned to us. If at any time the media scrutinizes you and makes you look like a bad guy we are here in force. And to the people criticizing Bundy. The time has come to stand up to our corrupt politicians. Stop paying our way through laws and stop with the political correctness in this country. I AM AN AMERICAN I CAN SAY WHAT I WANT AND IF YOUR MUSLIM OR CHRISTIAN OR ANY OTHER RELIGION OR RACE. IT IS OUR RIGHTS TO SAY WHAT WE WANT!!!! THE SAME FOR CO'S OF COMPANIES THEY SAY THE OPOSE GAYS AND THEY HAVE TO STEP DOWN?????? THATS WRONG!!! WE ARE BORN WITH A VOICE AND IT IS A GOD GIVEN VOICE!!!! WE HAVE GOD GIVEN RIGHTS AND OUR GOVERNMENT AND PAYED ORGANIZATIONS CAN NOT TELL US WHAT TO SAY AND WHEN TO SAY IT!!
The fact that Cliven Bundy stood up to a ARMED INCURSION to take his cattle is heroic and signifies his patriotic duties as an American. When was the last time you stood up for what you belived in???? Are you one of those people that think if I say this, then people will think different of me? Or are you one of those people who say what you think and are not deterred by the public's opinions. When I left high school in 05 I joined the military to fight for the rights of others and to DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES FROM ENEMY'S BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. The attacks on the rights of individuals rights has come from groups of people WITH MONEY THAT CAN PAY THERE WAY INTO THE GOVERNMENTS POCKETS!!!!! THE ATTACKS ARE COMING FROM RIGHT HERE IN YOUR!!!!!!!!!! BACK YARD. I pray that anyone who reads this wakes up and looks at Benghazi, looks at Op Fast and Furious, Holder, and Obama's lies, and the fact that we cant feed or care for our VETERANS THAT ARE DYING ON A LIST. GOD HELP US!!! I WILL STAND AGAINST OPPRESION WITH EVERY LAST BREATH AS WILL ALL PATRIOTS LIKE BUNDY.
And the Republicans lined up like lemmings to follow this racist anti-american into stupidity. How could any of these Republicans back a person who doesn't even recognize the United States government? How could they possibly think this could end well?
This guy has setback the Tea Party movement by about 20 years. He represents a classic example of inbred ignorance that only confirms the position made by some liberals that the conservatives are gun hugging, bible thumping, 18th century imitation patriots. Hannity tried to cover his tracks last night but only provided more fodder for Comedy Central. He is doomed. So is this tax dodging cowboy pretender.
Congratulations on making a rancher look bad on national tv. You think he knows the rules you people set in the realm of public opinion? You should be ashamed of yourselves. When you don't like the message, assassinate the messenger who brought it...
I applaud Mr. Bundy in challenging the "politically correct" viewpoint espoused by the media as represented by Mr. Cuoomo.
The polpular media will attempt to diminish him by labeling his thinking as "racist". The popluar media will not acknowledge that Mr. Bundy is showing the calves love by taking care of them; rather, they pretend to be "upset" because there is a dead calf appearing on the televised segment that CNN themselves initiated.
Kepp up the dignified challenge, Mr. Bundy.
I think that Cliven Bundy was trying to say was that, he uses govt. land to produce a product that is not govt. subsidized. Meanwhile there are people that are not producing anything when they are receiving govt. assistance. Other parts of the farming industry get government help through W.I.C. programs. Why can't he be able to use federal lands that would otherwise be under utilized.
I think the interviewer, Chris Cuomo, came across as a bully and a jerk. Apparently he thinks he is a prosecuting attorney, because he was only interested in trying to quash the rancher, not hear his points and report on his viewpoints. I would never watch his show.
why is the media giving this moron all this attention? I'll bet he recognizes the federal government when he receives his social security check. He has bilked the American taxpayers of a million dollars of land fees he has refused to pay. Do you think any welfare recipeint has received a million dollars since 1992?
Chris Cuomo sounded more like a prosecuting attorney than an interviewer. I thought he was a jerk, and I felt sorry for the rancher. Let that man have his fight with the feds without trying to bring the full weight of the media in against him.
The interviewer was good, but did not dare to defend the Federal Government. Are we afraid to be the USA? The gov was not violent or brutal, in this case. Bundy should have been compelled to pay long ago. Lots of people are in prison for less.
How are they going to make him obey the law, with all the weapons and the militia. This is another good example of why it is all wrong to have citizens armed. The second amendment should be repealed for inciting civil war: it is a no brainer. I have not heard about one legitimate militia, if that even exists! When is the US going to be civilized and the
democracy it thinks (by delusion) that it is.
Now, he is a staunch racist, this is hate and a hate crime. When are the US going to outlaw racist talk and social clubs like the KKK!!!!
If Ranchers would call animal shelters maybe this calf didn't have to die. Aren't there ppl with huge hearts that would have taken in that calf and nursed it back to health. I've seen on Youtube, if a calf don't eat or drink, they stick a tube down their throat to feed them with a liquified blend of nutrition. It sounds mean, but it would be alive today.
I think Bundy represents a segment of society that have failed to keep up with the rest of us. Bundy should be prosecuted for the thief he is. I feel bad for his family that may not share his views but will forever be associated with them. Clive Bundy shows the ugly side of racism that still exists in our country. Hopefully the Supreme Court will take notice and start catching up with the rest of us as well.
PLEASE PLEASE Republican party stick with this guy. Use him as a poster child for your campaign. Show everyone how you stick it to the man with Mr. Bundy here.
Chis Cuomo, doesn't have a clue what your talking about against Cliven Bundy.
Words can't describe this fool and his rag-tag band of gun-nuts. However, if this works, I guess people can defend their homes from bank foreclosures, and the likes, and even refuse to pay taxes if they don't feel like their government is working in their best interests, and they can defend their beliefs with gun-toting and call out a few rednecks (especially in Georgia where the Wild West is back) and news people to shore them up. We could have a revolution on our hands, on many fronts, which is what Fox News wants. You have to say one thing for George Bush, he let Dick and Karl keep the people in line with fear. No one dare spoke out against anything when he was in office.
Chris Cuomo you deserve a raise and a promotion. I have a half black daughter and this guy is as racist as they come. Please inform this NON cowboy that he has his dates mixed up Rosa Parks didnt give up her seat before well actually it was the defining moment for Martin Luther King Jr. This guy is such a tool
Harry Reid is the Terrorist in my book.
"I'm not a racist. I just say and do and think racist things. That doesn't make me a racist, though."
-Cliven Bundy