Swat Team conducts food raid in rural Ohio

Now, why would you do that.  Explain the reasoning behind that?

There is very little information here to go on.  I haven't found a mainstream or at least local news outlet that has this story......but I am looking, just a few internet sources that I am not sure of yet.

The story is true and outrageous.  I've known John & Jackie for years now.  We have made purchases from them and they have made donations to the food program we run here on the east side of Cleveland at the church.  They are the nicest people you would ever want to know.  They are an Amish family and this whole thing started over some beef that they sold to Oberlin College about a year ago that was discovered by county official and tracked back to the Stowers.  It was turned over to the state and John & Jackie requested help from the state requesting guidelines and assistance to comply with the law.  But instead of help, they were raided by a SWAT team and their entire operation was shut down, all the food they had was confiscated.

In Amish country here in Ohio, it's common for people to raise their own food and sell extras to neighbors and churches.  Apparently the State under our current Democratic Leadership considers home grown food to be the equivalent of narcotics.  Manna Storehouse is probably the largest organic food operation in the state and has been doing business for as long as I can remember.  Why this happened remains a mystery!

This whole thing is totally bizarre!  I couldn't believe it when I first heard the details. 

can you link me up with a local station, paper who has carried this event?  haven't been able to find anything close to organic, genisis of story,  and the site that it is on is considerabley suspect......use "new world" terms.  I would like to see the first story as you refer to.

Here's an email we got from them:

"Hi everyone. First of all, we would like to thank everyone for the phenomenal support and encouragement you have given us during this very difficult time for our family. We have been unbelievably overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and concern from many, many people.

At this point, we still have not been charged with anything, so we are devoting most of our time to research. We are trying to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.

Many people have asked how they can help. Here are a few things that we are in need of.

*Anyone who has any information or experience with the ODA or the Health Department - we would love to hear about it! We are trying to learn the ORC laws regarding these agencies, their administrative procedure, etc... We will gladly talk with anyone who has information, advice or experiences to share.

*Books on criminal law in Ohio. We would love to borrow any legal books of this nature that anyone might have.

*Computers - We need to borrow 2 computers with the capability to recognize a wireless connection, preferably with Microsoft Excel. This is imperative for us in the research we are doing and would only be until we can get our property back.

Our priorities remain as they always have - God, and then our family. Please know that we will continue to observe our seventh-day Sabbath, so we will not be taking any phone calls or answering emails on that day. We are also trying very hard to get back to some type of normalcy for our children's sake. We truly appreciate all the prayers for them - we watch how they are responding to this entire situation and we can tell that people are praying! We are blessed to see how the Lord is protecting their hearts and minds.

From a business perspective, we are trying to get ourselves back up and running. Our plan is to be taking orders within 2 weeks - we will put out an email once we decide on the date. Our delay at this point is purely administrative - we have lost all our records, so it is taking some time to get everything back in order.

On that same note, I do not have a complete email list of our customers, so please pass this on to anyone who you know that orders from us.

We have had many people contacting us from the media. At this point, for our own protection, we are not saying anything except to confirm what we already know. Once we have all of the facts, we will issue a statement to the press about our position.

Again, we cannot say thank you enough - we are dumbfounded at how the Lord has used people during this time in our lives.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Please be patient if it takes a while for us to respond to an email or phone call - we are inundated with both and are trying to work through everything without taking time away from our families.

This is how I first became aware of what had happened.

Here is a link I found to the story....had to go back through my history to find it:

http://www.nowpublic.com/health/swat-raids-co-op-rural-ohio

amish family uses computers and cell phones ?

"Crowd Powered Media" ........Mike do you happen to know if the local media are aware of this Swat action?  Has anyone been told why they haven't picked it up?

good observation Awake.

Yes the Amish use cell phones and computers, but they have to have a special order from the church to do so.  Most Amish farms & homes have generators.  But they still use horse and buggy as their main mode of transportation, although they are allowed to ride in cars, and there are Amish Taxi's that haul groups of Amish around.  So throw away your preconceived notions and perceptions.  They are people just like you and me, trying to follow their conscience and do what they feel is best for God, their family, and their community.

I haven't seen it reported in the local news, although I wrote to all the links provided in the link I was sent and request that you all do the same.  The rural areas surrounding Cleveland don't get much news coverage.  It's almost like driving back into the 1800's when you go through some of these areas.  I remember in Burton, at a Walmart, they had hitching post in the front of the store for people to tie up their horses...isn't that wild?

Wow! This is appaling... next the farmers markets! And yet the big commercial establishments keep selling tainted food without this kind of scrutiny!

I'm really not anti-WalMart, but would something like this have happened to the Walton family? I don't think so!

This is an isolated house?  No neighbors?  No eye witnesses?  Is the Ohio department copping to it?

the amish I have been exposed to did not use cell phones.

There were witnesses.  Nothing happens in Amish Country without everybody knowing what's going on.  There hasn't been any kind of official response from the state yet and no charges have been filed..........it's just crazy!  Perhaps that's what the media is waiting for?  Some kind of official response from the state.  This happened Monday, and no official statement from the state all week, and no charges. 

Likely the media doesn't give a damn or their bought and paid for like the government officials.

KL, John & Jackie, along with their kids, ran a business.  As such they had permission from the church to have and use cell phones.  Not all Amish have such permission.  There has to be a petition filed with the church and it has to be voted on and approved.  There has to be a legitimate reason.  Do you think they turn their backs on people with health problems, if oxygen or some special medical devise is needed?  Of course they don't.  The just take it case by case.  You must have had very limited contact with the Amish not to know they make exceptions for different circumstances.

You seem to be looking for reasons to deny this happened or discredit the story?  What's up with that? 

no, and you know darn well how much I would like to jump on this, but I want somethign more then a damn anti chirst website story that has been regurditated on every self post website on internet land................where is Jackie and John's story.....have they spoken where they can be heard?

WE ARE NOT CHILDREN and we should expect some reasonable answers from sources that are at least seperate from that damn New World web story...........this is serious @!$%# unless its manufactured and used to terrify.........substanciated facts! damn!

Well, if you can't believe a first hand accounting of what I know...then perhaps a star will come out of the sky and fall in your front yard and make the revelation known to you............I suppose you didn't bother to read why the family isn't making any comments yet.  

You such a joy!

Here is the story from the local newspaper in Lorain County:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/12/03/news/mj309059.txt

For somebody with a college education, you sure seem lacking in your google skills.

Here's a link that the left trust:

http://www.dailykos.com/tag/Manna%20Storehouse.

So this isn't an isolated incident.  It's been happening in PA also.

Hi CSM :-)

+++++++

What the hey!?!!???  I thought events like this were limited to other authoritarian governments.  I guess that is the direction ours is heading?!?

The times we are living in are getting alarming indeed.  I know this area has (Ohio, PA) a noticeable Amish population.  All of my family lives in the south.  One of my cousins about three or four months ago was telling me of incursions in Corn, OK between the Mennonites and some Federal agents.  Although nothing of this magnitude.  From what my cousin could tell me, it appears just to be more harrassment in nature.

I haven't been able to find links to anything related to the Corn, OK incidents, but I trust my cousin whole heartedly.

CSM

Thanks for your input.  I also felt the story needed a bit more verification, until your links most articles were word for word on the original.  The reason I had problems with the story is not because I need proof that the world is round, but I find problems with a site providing news coverage and at the same time disparaging the election of our first black president, and talk about the left and the right.  Web sites I have seen do not always tell exact fact, anyone can put a web on line and saying that they have proof Bush runs a house of ill repute without any facts to back it up.  We are a nation of believing what is in Black and white.  I did however tend to believe the story even before your links, but had some doublts.  So thanks again

When an event occurs it really doesn't matter if Obama is president elect or how he got there.  It doesn't matter if a person is right, left or center.  Reference to such matters make the entire page suspect.  When I was visiting Pennsylvania Amish community I  went to an amusment park and was surprised to see an Amish family riding on one of those spin whirly rides.  I also did not think that was allowed, but that was my first encounter with an Amish community so we live and learn.

I will send out some letters of support and questioning why other media refuses to pick up this story.

You quite welcome....and let me add.....letters to the media questioning why they aren't reporting this is the biggest thing any of us can do.  Our media is bought and paid for it seems.  We need to let them know we are aware of that!

You right, it doesn't matter who is president when this kind of thing occurs.  It's just up to us as a people to make a stand against it.  I've said it before, by the people, of the people, for the people no longer applies.  It's as if the people don't count any longer.  Now it's by our politicians, of our politicians, and for our politicians!

Thank you for the link to a local paper.  And for being so on the spot to uphold a desire for truth. Sorry I don't behave like a member of the mob mentality, but that can be dangerous just as this situation is. I am wrting to outlets.

if this is how it's done no wonder we can't find common ground.

Thanks santame..........everything about that original link was suspect.

break the matrix got it from digital, a site, I assume that is much like this one.

Come on Paul...I live in Shaker Heights...who you trying to fool?  You make the Amish sound like some kind of militia, and we both know nothing could be further from the truth.

The government is nothing more than an intrusion into their way of life.  You don't find Amish people drawing unemployment or social security or on medicare or medicaid...yet you seem to want them to pay into a system they don't use or benefit from. 

They are just people like you and me, trying to do what they feel is right.  They are God fearing people trying to live their life in the way they feel they should, putting God first, family second, and community third.  No harm, no foul!

Paul 53.......don't know about automatic weapons fire, don't live there.  But I do know that if they have stayed out of the money mess then more power to em!

Maybe that is part of the problem that our SWAT masters ahve with them?  Or that they can feed themselves and others might actually learn that?  maybe you might want to check out a little philosophy called "useless eaters".

Broaden your mind so that your nieghbors don't have to fight ALONE.

Ruby Ridge and Waco immediately come to mind. We only know about these because they lasted long enough for the press to give us the information.

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2008/12/03/news/mj309059.txt

I don't understand why so many people are having a hard time believing this story?  It's something that's been happening for awhile now.

http://www.dailykos.com/tag/Manna%20Storehouse

I guess some people just won't accept that this happens in our country, until the SWAT teams shows up at their door!

Write to your news sources and question them as to why they aren't covering this story....see what they say?

According to John and Jackie, not everybody that applied for membership in the co-op was accepted.  In fact, Jackie said they declined membership to more people than they accepted.  They considered every member of the co-op as family and friends, not business associates........so they were under the impression that there was no license required to share food with their family and friends.  That's their side of it. 

I am not sure what your getting at?  You think Amish people don't bath or are unclean some how?  I noticed no "foul smells" there.  I would sit down and enjoy a meal with this family in a heartbeat!  I am not Amish, but I will say that the Amish people get a bad rap, not because they are bad, but because they are different.  They are very religious, and while I don't agree with all of their religious stances, I have the utmost respect for them standing for their beliefs. 

So it's easy for some to poke fun at the Amish, because they are different.  And some how it seems acceptable to make fun of the Amish, because their differences are based in religion.  But there are many positives in an Amish society.  When one suffers, the entire community supports them.  They are self sufficient, not needing or demanding government take care of them or supply their needs. 

Personally, I consider it a bit unfair that we require them to pay into a system that they don't benefit from, believe in, or use. 

Hey Common Sense Mike,  I posted my apology to you and then realized there are more then one of these articles seeded........hope you found it.  Seems to me now that this story is playing out, that there are some governmental games being played.

And I wouldn't be at all surprised if Jeremiah Johnson, in the other seed, wasn't absolutely right in his opinions too.

So you guys know, the same people denying this are also under investigation by the Justice Department for excessive force and sexual misconduct:

http://www.cleveland.com/lorain/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/lorain/1229032882111840.xml&coll=2

Not that them being under investigation has anything to do with this story, but it's common knowledge when you talk to people in Lorain County that they are corrupt and violent if you question them.

I find it funny, the only story that the Cleveland Plain Dealer has ran on this, was one defending the police.  I was out that way yesterday and stopped by, and John & Jackie did say they were held at gunpoint with their children, although they really don't know if it was SWAT or not, they were dressed in full bullet proof gear, very rough and demanding.  They are scared to death, although they have an attorney working for them now.  They also told me that they had requested information from the state on what they needed to do to stay within the law with their operation, but instead of the state providing them instructions on how to stay legal, this happened.  They also wanted me to tell everybody that has helped them and supported them, thank you.  This is a very difficult time for them. 

Have we really become such a nation of laws that our farmers can't even feed their family and friends without the governments approval?  The government really is out of control.  They seem to be able to justify anything, in the name of public safety.  I have to wonder......was this sort of thing even a consideration of our founding fathers?

 Are you SURE about the semi auto deal? If so I stand corrected. What do they carry revolvers only on duty, for some reason? I've never heard of any current law enforcement agency with such a policy.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/12/lorain_county_sheriffs_office.html

Resendez said four deputies conducted the search over three or four hours -- not the nine
claimed on some sites. There was no SWAT team and no semiautomatic weapons.

"We don't even have semiautomatic weapons," he said.

This was a quote from the "law enforcement agency" involved. I just thought it sounded odd that they say "We don't even have semiautomatic weapons...".

 It is as though a semi auto handgun should be considered worse than ANY OTHER weapon. That is really what I don't understand. We are not talking about FULL AUTO MACHINE GUNS here. Just your everyday auto-loader.

 Perhaps they are trying to keep it "old school" in their police force. I have no idea.

 Again, it really seems odd to me.

The only thing that goes on in the rural area is an occasional fight between two drunken brothers, some butthead beating his wife, or running into a meth lab.  A couple of hand guns and shotguns are all that's needed.  Just about everyone out here is armed with some kind of riffle, shotgun, or pistol.

What? nobody wanted to comment on the next one, # 20, which was posted 25 minutes later?

What? nobody wanted to comment on the next one, # 20, which was posted 25 minutes later?

Uuuh, well they seem like good people with a honest goal? Maybe that is why police didn't use a "dreaded semi auto" firearm in the raid process?

Beta, I don't know if they used semi-automatic handguns or not.  Our small force here probably does not use revolvers, but its hard to say.  Loraine Police did not use SWAT and did not hold the family at gunpoint.  And the co-op is not what the story says it is.  Looks like they were selling retail and trying to get around food safety laws.  My point is that the story itself was so bogus.  Things like this are meant to do nothing more than to insite fear and hate in those with weak minds.  I don't follow along blindly believing everything I see or hear.  I keep a case of salt handy.  Salt is also a great Christmas gift.