March 27, 1996: Open Lines
Mar 27, 1996
2h 54m
0:00 / 0:00
Art Bell opens the phone lines as the FBI standoff with the Montana Freemen dominates national headlines. The broadcast begins with a live report from "Madman Bob" Crane, calling from a Sanjean radio factory in Taipei, Taiwan, where he describes the post-election mood following President Lee's landslide victory amid Chinese military threats.
Art Bell dedicates much of the program to the escalating Freemen crisis near Jordan, Montana, after NBC devoted the first ten minutes of its evening newscast to the story. A self-described Freeman calls in from Bozeman, revealing his refusal to carry a driver's license and his belief that China offers more freedom than the United States. Art Bell challenges the caller's claims point by point. Holding the West of the Rockies line open exclusively for Montana callers, Art Bell hears from residents of Bozeman and other communities who express relief that federal authorities have finally intervened. A Militia of Montana member calls from Kalispell to draw a clear distinction between militia groups and the Freemen.
Art Bell urges militias in Texas and elsewhere not to rush to Montana's defense, warning that the Freemen situation bears no resemblance to Waco or Ruby Ridge.
Art Bell dedicates much of the program to the escalating Freemen crisis near Jordan, Montana, after NBC devoted the first ten minutes of its evening newscast to the story. A self-described Freeman calls in from Bozeman, revealing his refusal to carry a driver's license and his belief that China offers more freedom than the United States. Art Bell challenges the caller's claims point by point. Holding the West of the Rockies line open exclusively for Montana callers, Art Bell hears from residents of Bozeman and other communities who express relief that federal authorities have finally intervened. A Militia of Montana member calls from Kalispell to draw a clear distinction between militia groups and the Freemen.
Art Bell urges militias in Texas and elsewhere not to rush to Montana's defense, warning that the Freemen situation bears no resemblance to Waco or Ruby Ridge.
Key Moments
Montana Freemen standoff leads the news: Art opens with the Montana Freemen standoff, quoting NBC: federal agents face a heavily armed militia, an NBC crew had a camera confiscated at gunpoint, and 10–12 people including women and children are believed inside the compound near Justice Township.
Reno: FBI will wait them out - shades of Waco: Art reads Janet Reno's pledge that the FBI will not storm the Freemen compound and will wait them out, then notes this is the same language used before Waco - drawing the parallel he expects listeners to be hearing in their heads.