24 I The Lovell Chronicle I October 21, 2010
www. LovellChronicle.com
Sheriff Mack: 'We need to save our country'
BY BOB RODRIGUEZ
Stating that he has "dedicated him-
self to the holy cause" of preaching the su-
premacy of the U.S. Constitution and states'
rights, self-styled constitutional activist
"Sheriff Mack" kept some 80 persons spell-
bound as he spoke nearly nonstop for two
hours Wednesday night, Oct. 13, in the
Lovell Community Center.
In particular, he stressed that U.S. citi-
zens must realize that the federal govern-
ment has overstepped its bounds in many
areas. He noted, "We Americans do not sup-
port tyranny and constitutional terrorists
(but), we respect all rights into the fold of
freedom.
"I have traveled the country extensive-
ly," he added, "and I've seen first hand the
horrible side-effects from politicians who
have replaced our Constitution with their
own political agendas and party platforms."
His presentation was met with rapt at-
tention and enthusiasm, as he was inter-
rupted with applause and favorable laugh-
ter approximately 10 times. His audience
consisted of a wide range of ages, from a
hefty scattering of preadolescents through
senior citizens.
Mack (Richard I.) describes himself as a
retired sherifffrom Arizona's Graham Coun-
ty. In 1994 he, with great trepidation but
with what he described as the need to stand
for what one believes in, filed a lawsuit chal-
lenging the Brady Bill "to stop the federal
government from forcing another unfunded
mandate down our throats." He won a deci-
sion from the U.S. Supreme Court on the is-
sue of states' rights. The suit propelled him
to national attention with television appear-
ances on many highly rated programs, plus
radio and personal appearances. He contin-
ues to preach the gospel of freedom nation-
wide, noting that his visit to Big Horn Coun-
Ly was part of an eight-day tour.
His presentation in Lovell was spon-
sored by Ladies of the Constitution/North-
ern Wyoming Branch, with greetings by
branch representative Barbara Anderson.
Garth Jolley offered an invocation, followed
by everyone reciting the Pledge of Alle-
giance. There also was a brief presentation
by Cody resident Boone KidweU, of Oath
Keepers. Also introduced was Charles Cur-
ley, of Wyoming Liberty Group.
Besides his unequivocal stance on the
near sacredness of the Constitution and
the Bill of Rights, the retired sheriff testi-
BoB Rovmotz
Sheriff Richard Mack visits with citizens attending his program about the
importance of the U.S. Constitution at the Lovell Community Center last
Wednesday night, Oct. 13.
fled that, "The War on Drugs is a farce." He
explained that he does not advocate drug
abuse, but that he feels it is ridiculous for of-
ricers "to risk their lives" to stop marijuana
use, which is "less risky than alcohol." He in-
dicated that the "$70 billion a year spent on
the Drug War" could be put to better use.
Mack contends that everyone should
read the U.S. Constitution so as to know
what's in it, what it stands for and what pro-
tections it provides. "It is the supreme law
of the land and nothing can supersede it --
(especially) not the federal government," he
said.
The former lawman emphasized that
county sheriffs, including Big Horn County
Sheriff Ken Blackburn, who attended, need
to thoroughly understand that they are
the last stronghold to protect the citizenry
from unjust federal intervention. He added
that all law enforcement personnel, each of
whom swears to uphold the Constitution,
absolutely must know what that involves.
Mack revealed a turning point in his
life while an officer with Provo Police Dept.,
during a time when the number of traffic ci-
tations written by officers marked their sta-
tus. As he recalled, a woman disobeyed a
"Stop" sign, and he pulled her over. He said
that the car contained several youngsters
causing a lot of commotion, and that the di-
lapidated vehicle was filled with trash and
other debris. The woman, as he stopped her,
"raised her hands as though to say, "What
else can go wrong." and then, without even
looking at him, stuck out her left arm with
her license and registration in that hand.
Mack remembered thinking of the wom-
an's plight, and how paying for the citation
would be a hardship. He also realized that
her attention likely had been distracted
by the rambunctious children and her eco-
nomic situation. Regarding the ticket, he
thought, "Is this helping this family?" He
said, "I looked deep within myself. It was
the most penetrating look at myself in my
life. I asked myself if I was doing anything
that would bring honor to my badge."
His unspoken conclusion was to tear up
the ticket. He was struck strongly by the
thought that, "Police officers are supposed
to work for you, not their supervisors."
In keeping with the facts and spirit of
the Constitution, Mack said that all law
enforcement officers should stand with cit-
izens rather than following mindless dic-
tates. As one example, he noted a recent
incident in Montana in which a family was
evicted unjustly as the sheriff stood by stat-
ing, "There's nothing I can do."
That sheriff, Mack observed, is total-
ly wrong. He could have, and should have,
stood to protect the family, Mack stated.
"Just following orders is not an excuse," he
said.
Regarding federal mandates, he observed
that, "The federal government can suggest
that states look at a situation, but the fed-
eral government has no authority" to make it
law, "like health insurance." Further, he not-
ed, the Founding Fathers "after their war for
freedom" meant for the Constitution to limit
the government's power "so our rights would
not be trampled."
What the country needs, Mack said, is
"a conversion to the Constitution," especially
by those in government who apparently have
never read it.
-"Some people say that you can't fight
city hall," he declared, "but that was said by
city hall!" Likewise, "The federal government
can't tell us what to do." He offered several
quotes by patriots including Thomas Jeffer-
son and James Madison. They specifically
stated that "states should refuse to enforce
laws which they deemed unconstitutional."
Rosa Parks "taught us what we do with
stupid laws," Mack said. She is the African
American who, in 1955 in Montgomery,
Ala., refused to give up her bus seat for
a white person upon being ordered to do
so by the driver. She now is known as the
"mother of the civil rights movement." Her
action took on the court's "separate but
equal" ruling, which Mack lampooned.
He firmly believes, "We need to save
our country, and we're gonna' make it;
we're going to get our country back." He in-
vited everyone to "get aboard the freedom
train." What officials are about, or should
be, he stated, is to "protect life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness," and not crush
individual freedom.
"I stand for freedom," he said. "Folks,
the states are sovereign. Our duty is to
stop the federal government when it goes
too far. America: Long may she be free."
APPLICATIONS REQUESTED
Letters of Application are requested from residents of Big
Horn County who are interegted in serving on the Big Horn
County Fair Board. Mail your application to the Big Horn
County Commissioners at RO. Box 31, Basin, WY 8241 O, by
5:00 RM. on December 3, 2010.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
APPLICATIONS REQUESTED
Letters of Application are requested from residents of
Big Horn County who are interested in serving on the Big
Horn County Land Planning and Zoning Board. We must
receive your letters of application by 5:00 RM. on Decem-
ber 3, 2010. Please submit them to the Big Horn County
Commissioners, RO. Box 31, Basin, WY 82410.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
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NOTICE
NOMINATION PETITIONS REQUESTED
This is a public notice to solicit nominations for Directors of Big Horn County Weed and
Pest Control District. Appointments will be made on the 7th day of December, 2010.
Notice is hereby given to solicit nominations for appointments of the Big Horn County
Weed and Pest Control District.
Prior to appointment, the nominee for director shall pick up a petition from the county
clerk's office in Basin, then submit a petition signed by at least (10) landowners, to the
office of county commissioners by December 3, 2010.
Big Horn County Board of County Commissioners
APPLICATIONS REQUESTED
Letters of Application are requested from residents of
the Big Horn County Solid Waste Disposal District who are
interested in serving on the Big Horn County Solid Waste
Disposal District Board. Mail applications to the Big Horn
County Commissioners at P.O. Box 31, Basin, WY 82410,
by 5:00 P.M. on November I, 2010.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
APPUCATIONS REQUESTED
Letters of Application are requested from residents of the
Byron Solid Waste Disposal District who are interested in
serving on the Byron Solid Waste Disposal District Board.
Mail applications to the Big Horn County Commissioners
at P.O. Box 31, Basin, WY 82410, by 5:00 P.M. on Novem-
ber I, 2010.
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