Rep. Don Young’s Unsavory Ties To Domestic Terrorist Group

by Sandi Behrns

Alaska Republican Representative Don Young has had more than his share of ethical issues over the 38 years of his Congressional tenure, but this time he may have gone too far.  This time, his offense has nothing to do with bribery, earmark abuse, or even his long history of general corruption.

Federal agents recently arrested four leaders of a Fairbanks-based militia on charges of conspiring to commit murder, kidnapping and arson. The group had been plotting to kill or kidnap judges and Alaska State Troopers and burn down their houses.

Turns out that in 2009, Young attended a “Second Amendment Task Force Day” organized by the mastermind behind the Alaska Peacekeeper’s Militia, Schaeffer Cox. During that event, the representative even went so far as to sign a declaration calling for armed resistance against any government attempts to “further tax, restrict or register firearms … thus impairing our ability to exercise the God-given right to self-defense that precedes all human legislation and is superior to it.”

David Holthouse at Political Correction has the full text of the declaration:

Let it be known that we, the people of Alaska, stand in recognition of the true principle that whenever a government abandons the purpose for which we have created it and even becomes hostile towards that which it was once a defender of, it is no longer a fit steward of the political power that is inherent in the people and lent to this government with strict conditions. These conditions are clearly defined in the United States Constitution and understood by the common man.

Furthermore, to the extent that our government violates these conditions, they nullify their own authority, at which point it is our right and duty, not as subjects but as sovereign Americans, to entrust this power to new stewards who will not depart from the laws we have given them.

This being the case, let it be known that should our government seek to further tax, restrict or register firearms or otherwise impose on the right that shall not be infringed, thus impairing our ability to exercise the God-given right to self-defense and precedes all human legislation and is superior to it, that the duty of us good and faithful people will not be to obey them but to alter or abolish them and institute new government laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to us shall seem most likely to effect our safety and happiness.

Not only did Don Young sign this statement, but he allowed himself to be videotaped doing so.

The video shows Cox standing next to Rep. Young, addressing a crowd. “We have no obligation to submit to a government that refuses to submit to their governing document,” Cox says.

A man in the crowd asks Rep. Young, “If any government should decide that we have to register certain of our arms or turn them in, what would your recommendation be?”

Rep. Young responds, “Don’t do it…I sincerely mean that. Don’t turn them in.”

Cox posted a video of the event, along with additional comments, in June of 2009. It can be viewed below. Watch for yourself and see Rep. Don Young (R-AK) violate his oath of office by signing a document calling for the overthrow of the US government. It’s time for Don Young, at long last, to finally go.

By: Sandi Behrns

Sandi Behrns is a noted policy nerd, new media & web developer, and consultant to progressive organizations and campaigns. She is a senior contributor to Liberaland, and the Executive Editor of Progressive Congress News.