Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

September 8 2011

Jeremy Hill of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, shot and killed a grizzly bear that threatened his family. The Federal government threatened to prosecute him under the Endangered Species Act, a charge that could have sent him to prison. On September 7, Federal Attorney Wendy Olson announced that the Feds had dropped criminal charges against Hill

This wasn't done in recognition of Jeremy Hill's innocence, or as a gesture of supposed clemency (which isn?t necessary, since Hill didn?t commit a crime). Instead, it was a successful act of extortion: As part of a deal, Hill agreed his actions violated a regulation of the Endangered Species Act and paid a $1,000 fine.

This is exactly the resolution that had been sought by Idaho Governor C.L. ?Butch? Otter, who advised Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that ?prosecution [of Hill] may further damage community support for recovery efforts.?

The Federal government has no constitutional authority to claim land or regulate wildlife in Idaho. As Governor, Otter had the duty to protect Hill from the Feds ? even by expelling Federal prosecutors, if necessary. Instead, he chose to act as a collaborator, and the totalitarian Endangered Species Act remains a potentially lethal threat to Idaho residents.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.