WA Rep. Robert Sutherland's comments about fish and wildlife officers

[jrebel]

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

Jrebel:
I respect everyone's right to voice their opinions (such as you just did), but there is simply no excuse or explanation which would justify telling people to

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

jrebel:

I respect everyone's right to express their opinions, as you just did, however there is simply no excuse or explanation for calling on sportsmen to resist the lawful duties of law enforcement officers.  Also, for a state representative to call law enforcement officers "goons" is totally unprofessional and degrading. 

Your response is one I heard all of my career; "You guys are all #$%#" or "Every game warden I ever met was rude and was on a power trip" etc. etc.  By making comments like that you are lumping all of us into one category.  Because you don't agree with something WDFW does, it's all the employees fault.  Game Wardens are just like everyone else; there are good ones and bad ones, positive ones and negative ones, we are all just people.  Whatever you do for a living, I am pretty sure that if I lumped you in with everyone else who has a similar profession, you would object, so what makes you think it's fair to judge an entire group based on your experience with one individual?

As for F&W officers not acting as advocates for "the sport the sportsmen and women", that too is a ridiculous statement.  How do you know what F&W officers have or have not done when it comes to being advocates for sportsmen?  Additionally, remember that because you don't see something change the way you want it to, does not mean WDFW employees weren't trying as hard as they could behind the scenes. 

In the past, I have certainly had my share of differences with the administration of my former agency.  I stood up for you, your fellow sportsmen, and the fine officers of WDFW to the point that it did serious damage to my career (ask around).  I am an avid hunter and fisherman, and so is my wife, so for someone to imply I haven't done enough for sportsmen kinda chaps my hide (yes I know you didn't fault me directly).  In my 34-years as a WA game warden, I have been hospitalized more than once as a result of being assaulted by wanted felons, and I lost a friend and colleague to a poacher's bullet.  So, other than posting negative comments on here, what have you done to further your cause?  When did you last attend a WDFW commission meeting?  When was the last time you expressed your opinions to WDFW in written form?

In closing jrebel, I look forward to hearing from you in the future and do appreciate your at least paying attention to this post, but please don't lump us all together.  The men and women of the WDFW enforcement officers are some of the finest people I have ever had the honor to meet.

Someday, if you want to talk in person, give me a call:  Todd Vandivert- (509) 202-3150
Stay safe
 

I won't and don't disagree with most of what you have to say.  Unfortunately a few (or a lot) of the officers over the years have given them all a bad reputation.  In my career people that act like that get held accountable....not only by the bosses....but by their peers. 

Believe it or not....I am on the same team.  Not LEO but a career first responder and I have more respect for LEO's than most.  I have many LEO friends and would go to battle with any of them.  WDFW officers continually don't impress me.  I'm sure there are a ton of great ones....unfortunately the ones I have met have been less than professional......it is something that all of the good ones need to work on fixing.  Not all sportsmen / women are poaching, illiterate, hillbilly folk that don't know how to read or follow the laws. 

As for the the premise of my original statement......I don't agree with what was said and I don't support under any circumstance confrontation with officers or breaking the law!!!  But I will not support an agency by condemning another when both have their faults.  I find it very hypocritical and just won't do it.  WDFW should have stepped up to the plate and told Governor Inslee they were not going to write tickets for the fishing or hunting due to his order to shut it down......Just my opinion.  They could have policed the waterways and woods and educated with social gatherings rules / orders but they should have made a stand with shutting down fishing and hunting.  I know it would have likely been political suicide but sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe and deal with the consequences later. 

Sorry for you injuries and friends injuries / deaths due to dirt bags.  It sucks that LEO have to deal with the scum of society....but to put that burden on others, with the statements you make is ridiculous.  You signed up for the job and new exactly what you were getting into.  You also know that the vast majority of your interactions were with good people.  Your comments and assumptions toward my advocacy for the sport, wildlife and sportsmen / women in Washington is the exact reason I have a hard time supporting you guys.    You don't know me yet you assume your duties as a WDFW officer are more worthy than actions I have taken.  Guilty of doing nothing before you have the chance of knowing what I have done.......laughable really. 

I'm sure your a great guy, like many of your LEO brothers and sisters.  But you prove my point with your comments above. 

[ucwarden]

"Perhaps you don't understand that officers are not allowed to go attend any event in uniform and on-duty just because they want to.  To attend such an event, WDFW officers needed to be off-duty and out of uniform, unless they were assigned to such a gathering.  So unless you know each and every WDFW officer by sight, you really have no idea of how many of us were there, do you?"

I realize there are rules to protect the higher ups against the rank and file making their leaders look stupid by joining into the protests in uniform. That is why I said "it ain't going to happen". Capiche? I also know that teachers agree not to strike every year in their contracts and yet they strike every time their contract is up. How is that? We have seen LEO's join into many situations when they grow tired of their leaders doing stupid things. We don't see that happening here, do we? I am pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence. If it had been an uncontrolled kegger, than maybe. As I have stated I don't agree with his statements which he has withdrawn. I also don't agree with you trying to highlight someone who got carried away in his rhetoric by harassing him personally.

Being "pretty sure" that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence, is not that reassuring.  I find many of your comments lack foundation or legitimacy, which I believe is a result of you shooting from the hip without any specific factual base.   As I said earlier, I respect your right to voice your opinion, but to classify my activities as "harassing him personally" indicates to me, that you and I are just not going to see eye to eye on this, so this will be my last response to you.
Thanks for participating, but please move on.

[Igor]

"Perhaps you don't understand that officers are not allowed to go attend any event in uniform and on-duty just because they want to.  To attend such an event, WDFW officers needed to be off-duty and out of uniform, unless they were assigned to such a gathering.  So unless you know each and every WDFW officer by sight, you really have no idea of how many of us were there, do you?"

I realize there are rules to protect the higher ups against the rank and file making their leaders look stupid by joining into the protests in uniform. That is why I said "it ain't going to happen". Capiche? I also know that teachers agree not to strike every year in their contracts and yet they strike every time their contract is up. How is that? We have seen LEO's join into many situations when they grow tired of their leaders doing stupid things. We don't see that happening here, do we? I am pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence. If it had been an uncontrolled kegger, than maybe. As I have stated I don't agree with his statements which he has withdrawn. I also don't agree with you trying to highlight someone who got carried away in his rhetoric by harassing him personally.

You honestly do not believe that an elected official who publicly promises a revolution (possibly an armed one) should be held accountable?

It seems to me that many Democrats have been publicly calling for a revolution against Trump. Ever hear of the Resistance that tried to destroy him? The Resistance is alive and well in Western Washington.  Jay just doesn't like the tables turned where he is spotlighted.

Well, I noticed that you dodged my question.  I believe that any politician be they Republican, Democrat, Independent, Democrat Socialist, or of any other stripe should be held publicly accountable for making an open threat like Rep. Sutherland made.

[ucwarden]

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

Jrebel:
I respect everyone's right to voice their opinions (such as you just did), but there is simply no excuse or explanation which would justify telling people to

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

jrebel:

I respect everyone's right to express their opinions, as you just did, however there is simply no excuse or explanation for calling on sportsmen to resist the lawful duties of law enforcement officers.  Also, for a state representative to call law enforcement officers "goons" is totally unprofessional and degrading. 

Your response is one I heard all of my career; "You guys are all #$%#" or "Every game warden I ever met was rude and was on a power trip" etc. etc.  By making comments like that you are lumping all of us into one category.  Because you don't agree with something WDFW does, it's all the employees fault.  Game Wardens are just like everyone else; there are good ones and bad ones, positive ones and negative ones, we are all just people.  Whatever you do for a living, I am pretty sure that if I lumped you in with everyone else who has a similar profession, you would object, so what makes you think it's fair to judge an entire group based on your experience with one individual?

As for F&W officers not acting as advocates for "the sport the sportsmen and women", that too is a ridiculous statement.  How do you know what F&W officers have or have not done when it comes to being advocates for sportsmen?  Additionally, remember that because you don't see something change the way you want it to, does not mean WDFW employees weren't trying as hard as they could behind the scenes. 

In the past, I have certainly had my share of differences with the administration of my former agency.  I stood up for you, your fellow sportsmen, and the fine officers of WDFW to the point that it did serious damage to my career (ask around).  I am an avid hunter and fisherman, and so is my wife, so for someone to imply I haven't done enough for sportsmen kinda chaps my hide (yes I know you didn't fault me directly).  In my 34-years as a WA game warden, I have been hospitalized more than once as a result of being assaulted by wanted felons, and I lost a friend and colleague to a poacher's bullet.  So, other than posting negative comments on here, what have you done to further your cause?  When did you last attend a WDFW commission meeting?  When was the last time you expressed your opinions to WDFW in written form?

In closing jrebel, I look forward to hearing from you in the future and do appreciate your at least paying attention to this post, but please don't lump us all together.  The men and women of the WDFW enforcement officers are some of the finest people I have ever had the honor to meet.

Someday, if you want to talk in person, give me a call:  Todd Vandivert- (509) 202-3150
Stay safe
 

I won't and don't disagree with most of what you have to say.  Unfortunately a few (or a lot) of the officers over the years have given them all a bad reputation.  In my career people that act like that get held accountable....not only by the bosses....but by their peers. 

Believe it or not....I am on the same team.  Not LEO but a career first responder and I have more respect for LEO's than most.  I have many LEO friends and would go to battle with any of them.  WDFW officers continually don't impress me.  I'm sure there are a ton of great ones....unfortunately the ones I have met have been less than professional......it is something that all of the good ones need to work on fixing.  Not all sportsmen / women are poaching, illiterate, hillbilly folk that don't know how to read or follow the laws. 

As for the the premise of my original statement......I don't agree with what was said and I don't support under any circumstance confrontation with officers or breaking the law!!!  But I will not support an agency by condemning another when both have their faults.  I find it very hypocritical and just won't do it.  WDFW should have stepped up to the plate and told Governor Inslee they were not going to write tickets for the fishing or hunting due to his order to shut it down......Just my opinion.  They could have policed the waterways and woods and educated with social gatherings rules / orders but they should have made a stand with shutting down fishing and hunting.  I know it would have likely been political suicide but sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe and deal with the consequences later. 

pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence.  You also know that the vast majority of your interactions were with good people.  Your comments and assumptions toward my advocacy for the sport, wildlife and sportsmen / women in Washington is the exact reason I have a hard time supporting you guys.    You don't know me yet you assume your duties as a WDFW officer are more worthy than actions I have taken.  Guilty of doing nothing before you have the chance of knowing what I have done.......laughable really. 

I'm sure your a great guy, like many of your LEO brothers and sisters.  But you prove my point with your comments above.

jrebel: 
Thanks for your reply, but I do have one question; When you say- "Sorry for you injuries and friends injuries / deaths due to dirt bags.  It sucks that LEO have to deal with the scum of society....but to put that burden on others, with the statements you make is ridiculous.  You signed up for the job and new exactly what you were getting into." are you saying that because I signed up for the job, and knew exactly what I was getting into, that makes assaults on me (or other officers) excusable?  Because it sure sounds that way.

[Pegasus]

"Perhaps you don't understand that officers are not allowed to go attend any event in uniform and on-duty just because they want to.  To attend such an event, WDFW officers needed to be off-duty and out of uniform, unless they were assigned to such a gathering.  So unless you know each and every WDFW officer by sight, you really have no idea of how many of us were there, do you?"

I realize there are rules to protect the higher ups against the rank and file making their leaders look stupid by joining into the protests in uniform. That is why I said "it ain't going to happen". Capiche? I also know that teachers agree not to strike every year in their contracts and yet they strike every time their contract is up. How is that? We have seen LEO's join into many situations when they grow tired of their leaders doing stupid things. We don't see that happening here, do we? I am pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence. If it had been an uncontrolled kegger, than maybe. As I have stated I don't agree with his statements which he has withdrawn. I also don't agree with you trying to highlight someone who got carried away in his rhetoric by harassing him personally.

Being "pretty sure" that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence, is not that reassuring.  I find many of your comments lack foundation or legitimacy, which I believe is a result of you shooting from the hip without any specific factual base.   As I said earlier, I respect your right to voice your opinion, but to classify my activities as "harassing him personally" indicates to me, that you and I are just not going to see eye to eye on this, so this will be my last response to you.
Thanks for participating, but please move on.

If you stop calling for people to harass your chosen victim then I will move on. You are trying to make a mountain out of molehill in a public forum. Why don't you harass Jay and get our hunting and fishing open? No one has said that your chosen"coward" did not cross the line. We get it. Now stop with the overkill.

[ucwarden]

"Perhaps you don't understand that officers are not allowed to go attend any event in uniform and on-duty just because they want to.  To attend such an event, WDFW officers needed to be off-duty and out of uniform, unless they were assigned to such a gathering.  So unless you know each and every WDFW officer by sight, you really have no idea of how many of us were there, do you?"

I realize there are rules to protect the higher ups against the rank and file making their leaders look stupid by joining into the protests in uniform. That is why I said "it ain't going to happen". Capiche? I also know that teachers agree not to strike every year in their contracts and yet they strike every time their contract is up. How is that? We have seen LEO's join into many situations when they grow tired of their leaders doing stupid things. We don't see that happening here, do we? I am pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence. If it had been an uncontrolled kegger, than maybe. As I have stated I don't agree with his statements which he has withdrawn. I also don't agree with you trying to highlight someone who got carried away in his rhetoric by harassing him personally.

You honestly do not believe that an elected official who publicly promises a revolution (possibly an armed one) should be held accountable?

It seems to me that many Democrats have been publicly calling for a revolution against Trump. Ever hear of the Resistance that tried to destroy him? The Resistance is alive and well in Western Washington.  Jay just doesn't like the tables turned where he is spotlighted.

Well, I noticed that you dodged my question.  I believe that any politician be they Republican, Democrat, Independent, Democrat Socialist, or of any other stripe should be held publicly accountable for making an open threat like Rep. Sutherland made.

Igor:
I'm sorry but I don't know who you are speaking to in this last post.  Is it me you said is dodging a question?  If so, what is the question again?

[Igor]

Pegasus said "It seems to me that many Democrats have been publicly calling for a revolution against Trump. Ever hear of the Resistance that tried to destroy him? The Resistance is alive and well in Western Washington.  Jay just doesn't like the tables turned where he is spotlighted."

I was responding to him.

[ucwarden]

Pegasus said "It seems to me that many Democrats have been publicly calling for a revolution against Trump. Ever hear of the Resistance that tried to destroy him? The Resistance is alive and well in Western Washington.  Jay just doesn't like the tables turned where he is spotlighted."

I was responding to him.

Thanks.  I got a bit confused there, with so many conversations at once.  I appreciate your participation in this discussion.

[jrebel]

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

Jrebel:
I respect everyone's right to voice their opinions (such as you just did), but there is simply no excuse or explanation which would justify telling people to

On April 19th, at a protest over the "stay at home" order in Washington, Washington State Senator Robert Sutherland (Snohomish County, WA) made an outrageous statement to the crowd. Referring to the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife's decision to temporarily close hunting and fishing, Representative Sutherland called for the protesters to revolt against WDFW officers by saying;  if the state sends its “goons with guns, we will defend ourselves.”  “Governor, you send men with guns after us when we go fishing, we’ll see what a revolution looks like,” Sutherland said.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/washington-coronavirus-protest-inslee-stay-at-home?fbclid=IwAR1RLDW6SejczsOlBn6a3As_CgFJoGH7-5FjXUzjUzI0tZuIWU_q_d06VcAIn

In later interviews, Sutherland tried to walk back his comments by saying he meant "A revolution of love", showing this coward doesn't even have the fortitude to stand by his statements.

No matter your stance on opening the state back up, please show your support for WDFW officers by contacting the representative and voicing your opinion:
Representative Robert Sutherland
405 John L. O'Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
robert.sutherland@leg.wa.gov

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with what was said....(I disagree fundamentally) I think the point he was trying to make is...people are tired of the bullpoop.  WDFW can influence the governors decision....yet they don't.

You also have to remember there are quite a few of us on here that have negative interactions with WDFW officers while doing everything right.  They have a made their bed and now they don't like laying in it....maybe they will learn to be a little nicer in the future and garner the trust of sportsmen and women. 

I don't agree with what was said....but I will not support a dept. that has continually made bad decisions.  Until the wardens start representing themselves as advocates for the sport and sportsmen and women.....they will not get my support.  I was guilty until proven innocent....and even when I proved my innocence (in about 2 minutes on the phone), I never got a "I'm Sorry."  Two years later I meet the guy face to face at a local function and he acts like my best friend.....get real buddy.  I hope he learned a lesson.  I have a clean record in all aspects of my life and he treated me like a criminal, abused his perceived power when interacting with a minor (my daughter) and admitted to having me pegged as guilty before knowing the facts.  People are tired of this kind of shat, so it is no wonder the WDFW is catching so much flack durring this shutdown.   

jrebel:

I respect everyone's right to express their opinions, as you just did, however there is simply no excuse or explanation for calling on sportsmen to resist the lawful duties of law enforcement officers.  Also, for a state representative to call law enforcement officers "goons" is totally unprofessional and degrading. 

Your response is one I heard all of my career; "You guys are all #$%#" or "Every game warden I ever met was rude and was on a power trip" etc. etc.  By making comments like that you are lumping all of us into one category.  Because you don't agree with something WDFW does, it's all the employees fault.  Game Wardens are just like everyone else; there are good ones and bad ones, positive ones and negative ones, we are all just people.  Whatever you do for a living, I am pretty sure that if I lumped you in with everyone else who has a similar profession, you would object, so what makes you think it's fair to judge an entire group based on your experience with one individual?

As for F&W officers not acting as advocates for "the sport the sportsmen and women", that too is a ridiculous statement.  How do you know what F&W officers have or have not done when it comes to being advocates for sportsmen?  Additionally, remember that because you don't see something change the way you want it to, does not mean WDFW employees weren't trying as hard as they could behind the scenes. 

In the past, I have certainly had my share of differences with the administration of my former agency.  I stood up for you, your fellow sportsmen, and the fine officers of WDFW to the point that it did serious damage to my career (ask around).  I am an avid hunter and fisherman, and so is my wife, so for someone to imply I haven't done enough for sportsmen kinda chaps my hide (yes I know you didn't fault me directly).  In my 34-years as a WA game warden, I have been hospitalized more than once as a result of being assaulted by wanted felons, and I lost a friend and colleague to a poacher's bullet.  So, other than posting negative comments on here, what have you done to further your cause?  When did you last attend a WDFW commission meeting?  When was the last time you expressed your opinions to WDFW in written form?

In closing jrebel, I look forward to hearing from you in the future and do appreciate your at least paying attention to this post, but please don't lump us all together.  The men and women of the WDFW enforcement officers are some of the finest people I have ever had the honor to meet.

Someday, if you want to talk in person, give me a call:  Todd Vandivert- (509) 202-3150
Stay safe
 

I won't and don't disagree with most of what you have to say.  Unfortunately a few (or a lot) of the officers over the years have given them all a bad reputation.  In my career people that act like that get held accountable....not only by the bosses....but by their peers. 

Believe it or not....I am on the same team.  Not LEO but a career first responder and I have more respect for LEO's than most.  I have many LEO friends and would go to battle with any of them.  WDFW officers continually don't impress me.  I'm sure there are a ton of great ones....unfortunately the ones I have met have been less than professional......it is something that all of the good ones need to work on fixing.  Not all sportsmen / women are poaching, illiterate, hillbilly folk that don't know how to read or follow the laws. 

As for the the premise of my original statement......I don't agree with what was said and I don't support under any circumstance confrontation with officers or breaking the law!!!  But I will not support an agency by condemning another when both have their faults.  I find it very hypocritical and just won't do it.  WDFW should have stepped up to the plate and told Governor Inslee they were not going to write tickets for the fishing or hunting due to his order to shut it down......Just my opinion.  They could have policed the waterways and woods and educated with social gatherings rules / orders but they should have made a stand with shutting down fishing and hunting.  I know it would have likely been political suicide but sometimes we have to stand up for what we believe and deal with the consequences later. 

pretty sure that no one at the rally took Sutherland at his comments as being a real call to violence.  You also know that the vast majority of your interactions were with good people.  Your comments and assumptions toward my advocacy for the sport, wildlife and sportsmen / women in Washington is the exact reason I have a hard time supporting you guys.    You don't know me yet you assume your duties as a WDFW officer are more worthy than actions I have taken.  Guilty of doing nothing before you have the chance of knowing what I have done.......laughable really. 

I'm sure your a great guy, like many of your LEO brothers and sisters.  But you prove my point with your comments above.

jrebel: 
Thanks for your reply, but I do have one question; When you say- "Sorry for you injuries and friends injuries / deaths due to dirt bags.  It sucks that LEO have to deal with the scum of society....but to put that burden on others, with the statements you make is ridiculous.  You signed up for the job and new exactly what you were getting into." are you saying that because I signed up for the job, and knew exactly what I was getting into, that makes assaults on me (or other officers) excusable?  Because it sure sounds that way.

No, it simply states that you putting that burden on others (like stated in my comments) to further your sympathetic argument is wrong.  It would be the same as me saying you should feel sorry for me because I am at higher risk of catching coronavirus due to my job....  I signed up for my job knowing darn good and well I would be subjecting myself to physical, emotional, biological and epidemiological harm.  I don't get to come back now and use that in an argument to support a cause that it has nothing to do with.  I don't get to ridicule you for not advocating for better work environments and policy change...not knowing what you may or may not have already advocated for. 

I'm not sure if your reading to much into it....or simply doing what other WDFW officers have done and cherry pick what they want to hear / see to make a case.   Nowhere did I say violence toward officers was excusable......matter of fact I state in the above paragraphs...I don't support under any circumstance confrontation with officers or breaking the law!!!...  It would appear you are just cherry picking what you want to hear to make your case.   Hence the problem I have with WDFW officers. 

Any LEO that knows me, knows I am on their side and behind them 100%.......so to make that assumption and comment on it based on what was typed is pretty egregious and offensive.  No wonder why WDFW gets such a bad rap.   

[Special T]

Up here in the Skagit Valley a farmer was being ignored by the department  concerning his problems with elk. So he shot one in his feild. He called the local warden. The told him what he did and for the officer to come write him a citation because he wanted to go to court.  The warden choosing discression came out and issued the farmer a damage tag. And said not to do it again. The farmer was angry and told him something to the effect that he had enough beef, he wanted to go to court. The officer left. The next time the elk were In his feild he shot another and called the warden and repeated his demand.

This old boy had the stones. He knew what he had to do and how to handle the situation. If you want to press this situation  go get cited for fishing in fron of a bunch of witnesses and do it right.  Everyone is mad at the stupid rules and I get it. Getting cited in a mass show of defiance  that is well documented would do more than playing gunman with the cops.

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[Igor]

Any LEO that knows me, knows I am on their side and behind them 100%.......so to make that assumption and comment on it based on what was typed is pretty egregious and offensive.  No wonder why WDFW gets such a bad rap.   

WDFW officers are LEOs.  Somehow, your painting them with that broad brush you are wielding against them doesn't make you appear to be "behind  them 100%".

[jrebel]

Up here in the Skagit Valley a farmer was being ignored by the department  concerning his problems with elk. So he shot one in his feild. He called the local warden. The told him what he did and for the officer to come write him a citation because he wanted to go to court.  The warden choosing discression came out and issued the farmer a damage tag. And said not to do it again. The farmer was angry and told him something to the effect that he had enough beef, he wanted to go to court. The officer left. The next time the elk were In his feild he shot another and called the warden and repeated his demand.

This old boy had the stones. He knew what he had to do and how to handle the situation. If you want to press this situation  go get cited for fishing in fron of a bunch of witnesses and do it right.  Everyone is mad at the stupid rules and I get it. Getting cited in a mass show of defiance  that is well documented would do more than playing gunman with the cops.

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I'm not going to draw assumptions on how people interpreted what was said....but do you think it was meant literally??  Really??  It is like the press and anti Trumpers saying that "injecting or ingesting" cleaning chemicals to fight covid was meant "literally". 

I guess if your dumb enough to inject lysol into your veins....you deserve the consequences.  If you confront an officer with force....you deserve the consequences. 

Though inappropriate....I don't believe the statements made were literal.  doesn't make them any less wrong....but pegasus is right.....UCWarden is making a mountain out of a molehill.  IN MY OPINION. 

[Lucky1]

Up here in the Skagit Valley a farmer was being ignored by the department  concerning his problems with elk. So he shot one in his feild. He called the local warden. The told him what he did and for the officer to come write him a citation because he wanted to go to court.  The warden choosing discression came out and issued the farmer a damage tag. And said not to do it again. The farmer was angry and told him something to the effect that he had enough beef, he wanted to go to court. The officer left. The next time the elk were In his feild he shot another and called the warden and repeated his demand.

This old boy had the stones. He knew what he had to do and how to handle the situation. If you want to press this situation  go get cited for fishing in fron of a bunch of witnesses and do it right.  Everyone is mad at the stupid rules and I get it. Getting cited in a mass show of defiance  that is well documented would do more than playing gunman with the cops.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I'm not going to draw assumptions on how people interpreted what was said....but do you think it was meant literally??  Really??  It is like the press and anti Trumpers saying that "injecting or ingesting" cleaning chemicals to fight covid was meant "literally". 

I guess if your dumb enough to inject lysol into your veins....you deserve the consequences.  If you confront an officer with force....you deserve the consequences. 

Though inappropriate....I don't believe the statements made were literal.  doesn't make them any less wrong....but pegasus is right.....UCWarden is making a mountain out of a molehill.  IN MY OPINION.

I agree. He was “ blowing off steam “. He was expressing his frustration at what is going on. He should have been more careful about how he went about it. He did walk it back, so accept his correction of what he said.

[jrebel]

Any LEO that knows me, knows I am on their side and behind them 100%.......so to make that assumption and comment on it based on what was typed is pretty egregious and offensive.  No wonder why WDFW gets such a bad rap.   

WDFW officers are LEOs.  Somehow, your painting them with that broad brush you are wielding against them doesn't make you appear to be "behind  them 100%".

I am not behind the WDFW officers that I have had contact with and don't agree with the way they interact with hunters.  They have made very egregious errors and don't have the decency to accept or apologize for their wrongs.  That does not mean if I came upon one in need I wouldn't have their back 100%.   

[Pegasus]

Any LEO that knows me, knows I am on their side and behind them 100%.......so to make that assumption and comment on it based on what was typed is pretty egregious and offensive.  No wonder why WDFW gets such a bad rap.   

WDFW officers are LEOs.  Somehow, your painting them with that broad brush you are wielding against them doesn't make you appear to be "behind  them 100%".

I am not behind the WDFW officers that I have had contact with and don't agree with the way they interact with hunters.  They have made very egregious errors and don't have the decency to accept or apologize for their wrongs.  That does not mean if I came upon one in need I wouldn't have their back 100%.

Like any profession there are some real jerks and some true professionals. Unfortunately we tend to remember the jerks and forget about the good ones.