The beginning of the federal trial of Douglas area Rancher Roger Barnett has stirred up a firestorm of support for his plight and questions about how the federal government is handling the problem of illegal immigration.
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The defendants of the lawsuit are Roger Barnett, his wife, Barbara, and his brother, Donald. The plaintiffs are five women and 11 men who were in a wash in Douglas in 2004. The trial is taking place before Judge John Roll in U.S. District Court and is scheduled to run through Feb. 13.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund is representing the plaintiffs. According to a statement from that group, the plaintiffs were accosted by Roger Barnett, who was armed with a gun and accompanied by a large dog.
In addition to Letters to the Editors and emails, the Douglas Dispatch website has been inundated by comments and visitors.
The story about the federal case already has 43 comments, “ four times more than any other story posted in the last week,” said Editor and Publisher Larry Blaskey.
The number of visitors to the website has also increased by 40 percent since Monday.
“Most of the comments are from those frustrated that the court case is even being heard and call for the judge’s ouster,” Blaskey said. “They don’t understand how the civil rights of one group is more important than the private property rights of Barnett.”
Following is a sampling of the comments the Douglas Dispatch has received:
• " IF anyone like that was to enter onto my land - shoot first and ask questions later. The judge needs to be removed from the bench for allowing this case to move forward. The judge is responsible for. If this man loses the case, he can appeal the U.S. Supreme Court and pray they'll over turn it. Then, Mr Barnett should file a counter-suit against the judge. He should exhaust all his efforts to the day he dies to have that judge removed from the bench,,,this means address Congress. "
• " How could this case ever be allowed on the court docket? I lived near Hereford until the mid-70's, when I moved my family north. We never had our home broken into, but our outbuildings were, fences were destroyed, property stolen and/or damaged, clothing stolen off the line, and trash left all over the property. I was angry at the damage and theft, but felt sorry for them because I felt they were trying to improve their lives and that of the families. Today, however, with the government not caring about the rights of the tax payers, and the amount of crime, economic drain and filth they bring reaching epidemic proportions, I know I would react quite differently when I ran into them on my land. Good luck Mr. Barnett, and for future reference remember the phrase, "Your Honor, I was afraid for my life." "
• " Anybody here that has the nerve to criticize Mr Barnett for his actions should consider what they would have done over the years. If you are saying you would have done nothing to protect your home, property and family, you're either a liar or a coward. He is the victim here. Over 12,000 people he has turned into the authorities. Still he has received no substantial help from AZ or the Feds. He has much more patience and understanding than I would at this point. Good luck Mr Barnett! "
• " What is the point of me and my comrades having to serve multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan when our own government prefers to take care of illegal invaders rather than American citizens. I would bet that the female Mr. Burnnet supposedly kicked was/is actually "lying" and NOT laying on the ground. They invade our country illegally, so do you think they and their anti-American mexican-American Legal defense buttheads would hesitate to "lie" to authorities?? WAKE UP AMERICA before the illegals own us all!!! "
• " These guys aren't American Pariots, they are fools who watched cowboy movies as kids. It's time we started blaming Washington for the mess our leadership has lead us to. Instead of spending millions of dollars a day half way around the world, it would be better spend helping our neighbors to the south. Together the United States and Mexico, with our smarts and their cheap work force, along with their oil and raw materials, we could out do China. Together we stand, but as long as we continue this border debate the rest of the world laughs at us. We are fools and the biggest ones go looking for illegals "
• " The guy has already been found guilty ONCE under American US Law, in a court of law. Sounds like you Real True Americans don't much like you own laws or your own country? "
• " One has the right to threaten deadly force against someone walking across their land, never mine land that you don't own, but only lease grazing rights to. Sorry but that's the law. Maybe you nuts think it's just okay to make up the rules as you go. If that's the America you want, I feel sorry for all of us. I think everyone agrees we have a problem, but we need a sensible solution. These nuts are not American Patriots, but rather I look at them as little mindless fools. "
• " What is the world coming to when illegal crimimals have more rights than US born citizens? This man deserves a medal, not prosecution. I am sick of these people thinking they have civil rights when in fact they have no rights here in the United States. "
• " It baffles me that something like this could even whithstand in court. How was this not laughed out to start with?! Those people came here ILLEGALLY how do they have any rights to even sue this man? Since our government isn't doing their job properly, how else is he supposed to protect his family and property?! I believe this issue has nothing to do with racism but with protecting our rights, rights that those people coming here illegally DO NOT HAVE and we are proud of those and want to keep it that way. I'm ashamed at what is becoming of our government!! "
Comments
Johnny wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:56 PM:
Mr. Barnett should be released this is insane "
Kathleen Pellegrino wrote on Mar 14, 2009 3:18 PM:
Does not Mexico have any responsibility tto make sure they take care of their own citizens and stop the corruption that has made this drug takeover possible? Personal responsibility and honor are they dirty words today? If American citizens would desert this country en masse would Mexico take everybody in? Stop the corruption and maybe something could be done. Mr. Barnett you are in my prayers you have every right to protect your home and family. When are we going to become America again and not a nation of wimps? "
NotaMoron wrote on Mar 12, 2009 1:54 PM:
American wrote on Mar 5, 2009 9:42 PM:
Fortunehunter wrote on Feb 25, 2009 7:50 PM:
curious wrote on Feb 24, 2009 10:50 PM:
Myke wrote on Feb 24, 2009 12:44 AM:
Darla wrote on Feb 23, 2009 7:23 PM:
Sandy - California wrote on Feb 22, 2009 7:37 AM:
HUGE FINE FOR THE EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE ILLEGALS - TAKE THEIR LICENSES. (These were our jobs, it is not just in agriculture anymore - it is construction, fast food, hotels, motels, casinos, restaurants, office work, etc...)
STOP ALL OF THE BENEFITS!!!!!
NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES!!!!
We will have to be loud and strong in our fight to claim America - Pres Obama has always been on the platform of giving Amnesty to the 20 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS that are already here, OPENING THE DOOR FOR AN INVASION???
THIS IS MY COUNTRY. THIS GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE. "
J Enriquez wrote on Feb 21, 2009 9:11 AM:
V Lord wrote on Feb 20, 2009 1:06 AM:
That's why we need Barnetts, to STOP the Mexican drug lords from corrupting America the way they destroy their country.
Problem is, All Mexicans seem only to be able to WHINE. What they can't do is fight corruption in their country.
God Bless Barnett. He is right, he's my kind of hero.
Liberals we need you to get your head straight on this one, before it happens on YOUR land or to YOUR FAMILY. "
Mike Perez wrote on Feb 19, 2009 7:43 PM:
MSHRED wrote on Feb 19, 2009 5:27 PM:
What is happening wrote on Feb 19, 2009 8:46 AM:
What has our justice system come too when we can no longer protect our persons or property? Unbelievable that this even made it to court. The judge who didn't dismiss this case at first glance should be removed from the bench. I pray for Mr. Barnett and anyone else that is going to be sued for protecting their property. This is setting a precedent for all other criminals to make money committing crimes against people. UNBELIEVABLE! IF YOUR NOT OUTRAGED, YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION! "
Pamela8 wrote on Feb 19, 2009 8:15 AM:
The illegals that have damaged his property are the ones who should be on trial.
Imagine our ancestors who fought for our constitutional rights and freedoms, they must be rolling over in their graves. "
Janet from Illinois wrote on Feb 18, 2009 7:01 PM:
Jimmy wrote on Feb 18, 2009 4:29 PM:
Florida Boy wrote on Feb 18, 2009 2:40 PM:
Bob wrote on Feb 18, 2009 1:27 PM:
From Ray to Conservative Radicals wrote on Feb 18, 2009 10:50 AM:
2. If your Jesus Christ hero Barnett had a phone, he would have done what citizens are required to do, phone a national service provided to Americans who suspect illegal immigrants in our country called Homeland Security AKA border patrol.
3. Did you know the three biggest illegal immigrants come from India, China, and Mexico. FACT: Indians are increasingly becoming the highest illegal aliens in town. OH OH you better start coming up with some racial slurs quickly!!!
4. Hopefully you do something stupid so that finally there could be some kind of immigrant awareness.
5. I don't blame the foreign nationals coming into this country, after all, Mexico can be self sufficient with their natural resources, except while their government remains corrupted, people who are starving have no choice but to look for survival. I'm sure some of you don't have the proper education to understand this, but when humans are put in a place of harm, there are two instincts "fight or flight".
6. You can probably take some courses at Cochise College to learn about some human instincts.
7. You lack tolerance.
8. Violence is never the answer.
9. You're out of luck, we have a wonderful BLACK PRESIDENT.
10. You're not the law, if you want to be the law, apply to be employed in it.
YAY! i hope this helps!! Remember keep your gun in your pants and God i hope you don't reproduce! "
Jenni wrote on Feb 17, 2009 4:48 PM:
I have resided in Texas for 15 years, and wish we had more like you living on our borders. I have followed this story from the beginning, and truly hope you exhaust all options without giving up.
I will be more than happy to load up my dog and guns for a trip to Arizona! "
To Ray- wrote on Feb 17, 2009 2:31 PM:
NativeAmerican wrote on Feb 16, 2009 6:37 PM:
Ruger223 wrote on Feb 15, 2009 10:21 PM:
God. love your country and above all defend it. you city people that didnt idolize cowboys in the movies obviously didnt learn these morals. what morals did you learn in your cities? dont put down the way some of us were raised until you are ready to defend your country. which must be something you didnt learn watching your violent cartoons on saturday morning. Thank God Mr Barnett grew up on cowboy movies, if he had watched your catoons he may have massacered the bunch with hsi powerful laser guns and his transformer robots. "
Ruger223 wrote on Feb 15, 2009 10:13 PM:
Maria wrote on Feb 15, 2009 10:02 PM:
No money..... wrote on Feb 15, 2009 8:20 PM:
El Mexicano Americano wrote on Feb 14, 2009 9:01 PM:
A Human Being wrote on Feb 14, 2009 8:01 PM:
Ray wrote on Feb 14, 2009 4:27 PM:
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. "
W G Sharpe wrote on Feb 14, 2009 4:20 PM:
left area a long time ago wrote on Feb 13, 2009 8:15 PM:
There is a lot of difference in the Hannigan case and this one. First of all according to the Hannigan case, those 3 or 4 illegal alians were tied up, beaten, burned and drug back across the border. In this case there was no bodily harm caused. These illegal alians were held for the border patrol to come get then and take them back to where they came from. Now I have no problem with people immigrating to the United States as long as they do it LEGALLY. I think American's are getting tired of this illegal immigration being crammed down their throats.
For the lady that lived on hwy 666, cochise county is a lot bigger then the douglas area. So if you husband wants to hunt hey go for it, I am sure there are plenty of places he could go that he wouldn't come close to rogers place. I am sure that if you ask, you could probably get permission. Most of the ranchers is that area, would just like people that came on their place to show a little bit of respect. Don't taget practice on windmills, or water troughs, don't leave gates open so cattle get out into the wrong pastures. Last but not least don't leave your trash laying around, which is quite common there. What is packed in should be packed out. "
Michigander62 wrote on Feb 13, 2009 2:28 PM:
tia wrote on Feb 13, 2009 10:03 AM:
As an brown skin American Citizen (you can't tell if I'm illegal just by the color of my skin) I FEAR FOR MY LIFE JUST KNOWING BARNETT WALKS THE SAME STREETS I DO. "
Don in California wrote on Feb 13, 2009 9:48 AM:
These invaders have despoiled his land and stolen from him. The Government has ignored his and others similar plights.
It is his God given right to defend himself and his property.
If that isn't apparent, then I suggest people read the Bill of Rights.
I live in California, another state overrun and destroyed by illegals and leftists. "
TopAssistant wrote on Feb 13, 2009 7:15 AM:
The Communist, Socialist, Progressive, Marxists, Liberal, Radical Islamic, RINO, Compassionate Conservative, & Democrat Party along with their public relations group, or as I call them our Useless Drive-By Media, want to destroy us!. The Council on Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, and Bilderberg group controls them all.
They want to destroy the United States of America and start with the North American Union and finishing with a new world order. "
AZ grayBeard wrote on Feb 13, 2009 5:15 AM:
A Caring Human Being wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:42 PM:
uncle sam wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:37 PM:
Semper Fi wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:40 PM:
Buud Wilkerson wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:54 PM:
The Dougls Dispatch
It is suggested that your readers be directed to the FBI web site to find the report about gang activity in the US. It is amazing the amount of crime purpetrated by the undocumented gang members. Arizona reevaluate the judge in this case. Buud Wilkerson, Ft Lauderdale. "
Ray wrote on Feb 12, 2009 2:48 PM: