PIML 96052208 / Posted to Patriot Information Mailing List: [PIML has posted several messages on the Freemen. I personally recognize their rights, but feel they are overstepping the bounds. PIML will continue to report major events or worthwhile commentary on the Freemen but there will not be daily updates. I just heard Charlie Duke say on CNN that he felt that the Freemen were not honorable men and that they were not looking for a solution. He said that they were "common criminals" who are "simply hiding behind these children to shield their criminal behavior." I have a lot of respect for Charlie Duke; he is one of America's foremost patriots. When both Bo Gritz and Charlie Duke give up on the Freemen, it's time to realize that they want a confrontation with the FBI -- and will most likely get what they want. It seems as though the FBI has learned that the American people will not tolerate another Ruby Ridge or Waco (people = militia and militia = people). This is not a good cause for armed militia units to be involved in unless the FBI starts murdering people again -- which is highly unlikely. The FBI is in a difficult position and I do not know a good answer unless, as Bo Gritz said on CNN, the FBI should put a fence around the Freemen and call it a federal prison -- allowing those who have not been indicted to come out to freedom and the others to come out to stand trial, innocent unless and until proven guilty and found guilty by a jury of their peers.] PIML ================================================================== From: http://www.cnn.com/ 'It just became sheer lunacy' Negotiator in Freemen standoff gives up May 21, 1996 Web posted at: 9:45 p.m. EDT LINCOLN, Montana (CNN) -- Colorado state Sen. Charles Duke gave up his efforts to end the 58-day standoff between the anti-government Freemen and the FBI Tuesday. He said the Freemen showed no real desire to compromise, and that after five days of talks, "it just became sheer lunacy." He said a solution seemed close at times, but the Freemen kept escalating their demands. At one point, Duke said, they demanded President Clinton's signature on a document. He said he is now convinced the Freemen don't want a peaceful solution. Duke says he believes the situation will end peacefully, but not without force. He said the FBI had pursued every avenue for a peaceful solution. Duke accused the Freemen of fraud, calling their motives into question and warning sympathizers not to be deceived. "These people have absolutely nothing to do with the patriotic movement," Duke said. "My recommendation to anyone who considers themselves in the patriot movement or the militia movement is to stay away from Jordan, Montana." Duke said there are only about half a dozen people on the ranch who properly classify themselves as Freemen. Duke said the others inside the compound have a variety of agendas, and are most concerned about escaping any serious charges. The Freemen have been holed up at a Montana ranch since two of their leaders were arrested and charged with carrying out a $1.8 million check fraud scheme, stealing equipment from a television news crew and threatening a federal judge. Members of the ultra-right-wing group do not recognize the authority of the U.S. government, refuse to pay taxes and hold white supremacist religious beliefs. Duke's last negotiating session Tuesday morning was described as short and heated. Duke and several FBI agents drove to the spot at the edge of the ranch where they have been holding talks, usually attended by four of the militants. This time, only Freemen leader Rodney Skurdal showed up. Skurdal talked animatedly with Duke, standing and waving his arms. The FBI agents looked on, apparently taking no part. After 30 minutes Skurdal returned to the ranch and Duke drove away with the agents. Soon afterwards, seven Freemen, several with rifles slung over their shoulders, were seen milling around on the ranch. Usually, most of the 20 people thought to be holed up on the ranch stay indoors or out of sight. The FBI and Freemen leaders held face-to-face talks last Thursday for the first time since the standoff began. Since then, they have been meeting daily. The content of the talks has been kept secret. On Saturday, Duke said a verbal agreement had been reached on a new proposal from the Freemen. But the FBI denied there was an agreement, and Duke later backed away from the comment. Reuters contributed to this report. * Patriot Information Mailing List * http://constitution.org/piml/piml.htm * A service to help inform those who have an active interest in * returning our federal and state governments to limited, * constitutional government * Send messages for consideration and possible posting to * butterb@sagenet.net (Bill Utterback). * To subscribe or unsubscribe, send message with subject line * "subscribe patriot" or "unsubscribe patriot" * Forwarded messages sent on this mailing list are NOT verified. * See World's Smallest Political Quiz: www.self-gov.org/quiz.html * Libertarian is to LIBERTY as librarian is to library (DePena) * PIML grants permission to copy and repost this message * in its entirety with headers and trailers left intact.