I'm not interested in wading through all the partisan propaganda and biased mainstream media to get to the bottom of this. So can someone help me out, what's the short version here?
As I understand it, Bundy and his family going back several generations have been using land owned by FedGov to graze their cattle, with FedGov's permission. About 20 years ago FedGov stopped granting permission. Bundy continued to use the land without permission, engendering lawsuits and court rulings that Bundy & cattle were trespassing and must stop. FedGov eventually sent someone out to the land to remove the cattle, and Bundy and sympathizers took up arms to stop them.
That much I think I understand. Is that basically correct?
As a legal matter, it seems to be an open and shut case against Bundy. It ain't their land, never has been, no way no how. But Bundy and supporters are appealing to some moral authority not recognized by the law, yes? That's what I'm not clear on. What is that moral authority? Can someone explain that for me, concisely and without rhetoric?
Or is it that folks are just spoiling for a fight with FedGov over their overbearing land/farm/ranch/waterway regulations?