Oregon standoff protester speaks out
January 26, 2016
OPINION by NEIL WAMPLER
Like many alcoholics and drug users, I have found myself responsible for a horrible tragedy. In a drunken rage, I committed the crime as described in the Cal Coast News, and have had to live with it on my conscience ever since.
For the record, I wish to note that soon after, I called the police, turned myself in, pled guilty, accepted the sentence rendered by the court, did four years in prison and was released in 1981.
It is bitter to see that had it not been for my activism and my proselytizing for liberty, I would never have come to the attention of the media. The malicious, politically motivated “expose” of a simple private citizen like myself has become SOP for unprincipled news sources which try to shift the dialogue away from the issues and onto a personal nullification.
I’ve seen much buzz, and will not dignify most of it with a response.
A few corrections are in order however. First, despite what any second or third hand sources may have said, I recognize my status as a prohibited person and am not armed. I’ve never been much interested in guns, and am serving as camp cook in Oregon.
Secondly, I had never heard of this Officer Tony Cipolla, never have had a conversation with him on any subject, and certainly never made a demand to him that I be allowed to have a gun. Perhaps Cipolla would care to specify the date and time of the interview he claims – but he can’t for it never happened.
Thirdly, I owe no apology to anyone today for my past history, as I have lived for generations now as a peaceful productive citizen, husband and father and clean and sober. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Neil Wampler is a 68-year-old man from Los Osos and one of the protesters in the armed occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon
The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines