By Samantha Cart
In June, author John Temple released his fourth book, Up in Arms: How the Bundy Family Hijacked Public Lands, Outfoxed the Federal Government, and Ignited America’s Patriot Militia Movement.
A professor of journalism at the West Virginia University Reed College of Media and a journalist, author and speaker, Temple is known for his narrative nonfiction works Deadhouse, The Last Lawyer and American Pain.
In his fourth publication, Temple explores America’s Patriot Movement through the eyes of the Bundy family of Nevada. A compelling work in today’s divisive political climate and a precursor to the growing rift between urban and rural America, Up In Arms chronicles the 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016, the events that led up to it and the subsequent shootings, arrests and trials that resulted in an unprecedented way, marrying the objective with a personal look at the real people and families involved.
How did you first become interested in the Bundy family and America’s Patriot Movement?
I was working on a story about a fictional militia family that I was hoping to develop into a television show. While I was doing this, the major Bundy events were happening, and I became fascinated with the Bundys and their story.
What was it like spending time with and interviewing Cliven and Ammon Bundy and visiting Bundy Ranch?
Cliven was one of the most difficult interviews I’ve ever done. He is a very stubborn and controlling guy, so it wasn’t like a typical interview. He was sort of the one asking the questions. Ammon, on the other hand, was very easy to talk to and passionate and likable. I love interviewing interesting people, so it was fascinating to me to spend time with them and try to dig deeper into these individuals than the news coverage had.
Tell me about the time you spent out west researching for this piece.
I took about seven trips of varying lengths to different places associated with the book, including California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. I wanted to get as much of a sense of the feel of what it was like to live in that world as possible, so in addition to doing standard interviews, I just hung out a lot. Luckily, these folks staged rallies and camps at different times and converged for certain court appearances, so I was able to walk right up to them in many cases and introduce myself. I ended up going on trips with them and hanging out in their homes and camping out with them in the desert.
How long did it take from start to finish to research, write and publish Up in Arms?
This was my shortest turnaround book. It took about two and a half years from start to finish. I felt time was of the essence because I wanted to be the first person to tell the definitive story of both Bundy standoffs and the subsequent court cases.
Please summarize for our readers the role you think politics and religion played in the events that unfold in Up In Arms.
I thought the Bundys’ standoffs and the publicity around them was a turning point in Americans’ understanding of the political division in this country. You have to remember that this was 2014. Americans were not as aware of the urban/rural divide as we are now. When thousands of people from all over the country showed up at Bundy Ranch to support Cliven’s standoff against federal officials trying to round up his cattle, that split was exposed in a very dramatic way. The Bundys are Mormons, and their faith played a big role in these events. Specifically, some Mormons ascribe to the theory that the Constitution is a divinely inspired document and believe that someday it will be hanging by a thread and it will be up to Mormons to save the country. That view was raised repeatedly during the events of 2014 and 2016.
In what ways do you believe the federal government mishandled and/or handled appropriately the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon?
While I would say the government mishandled many of the events around Bundy Ranch in 2014, from allowing Cliven to graze his cattle without paying fees for 20 years to finally launching an aggressive, militaristic roundup, the Malheur occupation in 2016 was handled in a more restrained manner. The federal and state law enforcement agents never invaded the camp for fear of disastrous results. One person did die in a traffic stop, and FBI agents at the scene lied about their actions later, but I don’t feel like I can second-guess the actions of the state troopers who shot LaVoy Finicum. They were in a tough spot. I try to explain the circumstances in as much detail as possible in Up In Arms.
What role did/does social media play in America’s Patriot Movement?
As a journalism professor, I found it really interesting to document how important social media was in these events. Without Facebook and YouTube, it’s unlikely the Bundy Ranch standoff would have attracted so many supporters. The people in the patriot movement have developed extensive social media networks. The Bundy Ranch Facebook page, for example, has around 200,000 followers. They trade their own news and information through these channels, often reporting the news themselves.
Please elaborate on the idea of the country’s political division during the events that unfold in Up In Arms.
Before 2014, I think many Americans—particularly in cities and on the coasts—were only vaguely aware of the level of antipathy other Americans felt toward the federal government. This was partly the fault of the quote-unquote mainstream news media, which often neglected to cover rural America. So it was shocking for many people when pictures were taken, like the one on the Up In Arms book jacket, that showed a member of the patriot movement pointing his rifle at federal agents near Bundy ranch. it opened our eyes to the division that is more widely understood today.
Do you think this topic has any present-day application for West Virginians?
The specific issues of federal land ownership are not as much of a concern for West Virginians as it is for westerners, where the government controls nearly half the landmass. However, I think there is similar mistrust of the federal government in West Virginia. Having lived in West Virginia for more than 15 years, I definitely saw some similar perspectives between people I’d met in our state and the people I interviewed for Up In Arms. Just as many coal miners believe environmental regulations destroyed their livelihood, ranchers like Cliven Bundy feel much the same way.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
In these divisive times, I think it’s important to try to understand the other side’s point of view. I think books are useful in this regard because they can explore these topics much more deeply than news articles. Understanding the other side is important, whether it allows you to feel empathy toward the other side or even if you want to understand how to oppose them more effectively. Painting people as crazy or evil doesn’t get us any closer to understanding. I hope Up In Arms gets people talking.
About the Author
Samantha Cart is an editor for Executive Ink, LLC and its publications. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from West Virginia University. She can be reached at sdc@wvexecutive.com.
