Under siege

Dear sir:
Your Aug. 27 edition of the Daily Bulletin reported that several agencies, including the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Air National Guard, particpated in a law enforcement blitz that recently took place on Rainy Lake.
In a manner reminiscent of the operations that resulted in more than 80 deaths at Waco and the destruction of the Weaver family at Ruby Ridge, the U.S. military once again has joined federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in a paramilitary operation directed at civilians.
On Saturday, Aug. 21, as the City of Ranier was hosting its annual Summer Festival celebration, dozens of agents descended on Rainy Lake. They wore ninja suits and Schwarzennegger-style dark glasses. They were outfitted with the latest in communications equipment and armed with who-knows-what.
Although the City of Ranier is the only political sub-division fronting the American shores of Rainy Lake, neither Ranier officials nor Summer Festival organizers were provided any advance notice of the invasion.
In short order, dozens of boaters who had been peacefully plying the waters of Rainy Lake between Ranier and Sha-Sha were corralled by pumped-up power rangers roaming the lake in high-powered watercraft while communicating with spy-in-the-sky military helicopters hovering high overhead. Unsuspecting pleasure boaters were aggressively pursued, stopped, and searched by menacing figures in tight-fitting black outfits bearing a single onerous word: Police
Under a sunny, calm, and cloudless blue sky, locals and visitors alike suddenly found themselves confronted by gruff-talking, muscle-flexing strangers. Friends and neighbours who reside on the Canadian shores of Rainy Lake were harassed for not being in strict compliance with ever changing border-crossing procedures.
Two festive boaters were charged with alcohol violations. One boater was cited for possessing a loaded handgun, another charged with possession of marijuana and a pipe used for smoking the stuff.
The first-of-a-kind siege of Rainy Lake is not the last. More of the same is in store, according to North Dakota Customs inspector and tactical co-ordinator Michael Mach, who reportedly enjoyed a good laugh after learning his mobile-lethal-muscle-show sent dozens of local boaters scurrying for cover.
Mach, himself, acknowledged his recent Rainy Lake incursion was not prompted by any specific intelligence concerns. In fact, prior to the blitzkrieg, state officials had recognized Rainy Lake boaters already were subjected to law enforcement overkill.
For example, Minnesota State forester Mike Wurst was quoted in the Aug. 15 edition of the Minneapolis Star/Tribune saying the Rainy Lake has become the most heavily patrolled body of water in the state.
The uncontrolled growth of law enforcement activity on Rainy Lake is a disgusting waste of taxpayer dollars. More importantly, however, unchecked law enforcement activity is stifling freedom, eroding constitutional rights, and thwarting a struggling local tourism industry. The situation demands the immediate attention of elected representatives at all levels.
State and federal officials must take severe disciplinary action against military commanders who persist in getting involved in police operations directed at civilians. Budgets for all agencies that participated in the assault on Rainy Lake should be slashed so as to prevent any unwarranted police expeditions in the future.
At the local level, Koochiching County commissioners should pass a resolution calling on the elected sheriff not to participate in any further conspiracies against constituents. The commissioners also should suggest the sheriff refuse to participate in any future operation that involves harassment of Rainy Lake boaters.
To assure compliance with these suggestions, commissioners would promptly move to reduce the sheriff’s budget so as to eliminate any and all personnel, costs, and expenses associated with redundant watercraft patrols on Rainy Lake. Watercraft needs for emergency purposes can be provided to the sheriff’s department on a contract basis.
Finally, heads of agencies involved in the recent siege of Rainy Lake should be directed to immediately deploy their costly resources to areas burdened with high rates of violent crime, or face being stripped of their expensive toys and Rambo outfits.
Signed,
S.C. Woods,
Ranier, Mn.
(Honorably discharged
U.S. Army veteran)