Respecting People’s Property

I just started watching Wild Wild Country on Netflix, the documentary about The Rajneesh communities attempts to settle a city in Oregon in the 80’s.

I’ve only watched the first two episodes, and I’m avoiding looking up the story, to save the drama in the show, so I am ignorant of some of the story, but up to this point, the villains of the story are certainly the townsfolk or long-term residents.

A group of people legally purchased land and tried to develop it until they were blocked by another group using state power to infringe on their property rights.

So they legally purchased more land in Antelope, OR and attempted to use it until they blocked again and then attacked with a bombing in Portland.

At no point did the Rajneeshi seize land. At no point did they attempt to use force on others. At no point to they try to tell others what to do with their own land.

They are freaky as hell and worshiping an Indian dude like he is a god, but they are doing it of their own accord and attempting to peacefully use their property.

Meanwhile, the townsfolk are leading a crusade to infringe upon the Rajneeshi’s property rights.

Watching it reminds me so much of the anti-development crusaders that have taken hold in so many towns and cities across North America. They purchase land and move to a location and then use the power of city governments to attempt to freeze the city in time.

They prevent landowners from building certain types of buildings. They prevent landowners from opening businesses. They repeatedly and unendingly fight for the right to abuse other peoples property rights.

The true enemy of society is not the freaky cult, it is the use of force against others. So far in Wild Wild Country, it is the “good guys” that are the only ones attempting to do that.