"certainly false"? Please cite a source. Case law I've found says different.

See:

http://harmonyhealth.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/your-sheriff-is-the-law-of-the-land/

From the referenced case (Case No. 2:96-cv-099-J), U.S. District Court decision:

"If a sheriff doesn't want the Feds in his county he has the constitutional right and power to keep them out, or ask them to leave, or retain them in custody."

and

...the sheriff "has law enforcement powers EXCEEDING that of any other state OR federal official,"

Given, this is a Wyoming district court, but it's likely that AZ courts would see things the same way.

RE: the justice department:

Don't be so sure about the feds' ability to do anything about the sheriff. The structure of our governmental system puts the sheriff in a pretty good position. From a column I found with a brief search:

"...the sheriff is the highest governmental authority in his county. Within that jurisdiction - inside his county - the sheriff has more power than the governor of his state. Indeed, the sheriff has more power in his county than the President of the United States. In his county, he can overrule the President and kick his people out. Remember, the President has few and limited powers."

Personally, if a real conservative were to be elected President, I'd like to see Sheriff Joe heading up Homeland Security.

Wow! Kinda defensive, aren't you? Lighten up - my attitude is just fine, thank you.

I plan on having a good time (I usually do, no matter where I am - I enjoy the kind of interaction and human observation I expect to experience there.) I've also spent time living outdoors in various extreme environments (dusty desert and alkali flats included) that would discourage all but the hardiest few.

I was just pointing out a bit of the double standard imposed by the organizers who purport to espouse a philosophy of "anything goes (almost)". Rules that apply to all except the people making the rules just strikes me as fundamentally wrong.

Since you've attended before, I have a question you might be able to answer for me regarding those who would run around trying to steal from others at night: I am a light sleeper, and don't mind a bit of physical confrontation -- what are the rules for burying bodies on the playa? :)

""We automatically own all your stuff" isn't the only BMO rule totally contrary to the events original spirit."

--I know what you mean. I'm going to attend for the first time this year, primarily because my wife has the event on her "bucket list", but also to satisfy my morbid curiosity. I was reading through their site as well as the materials they sent us, and found that because the BM "economy" is based on "gifting" or barter, there are no sales of any goods or services allowed during the event. There are, however, two exceptions to this rule: BM organizers have reserved for themselves the ability to operate a "coffee shop" selling lattes, etc., and they will sell you ice at their "Arctica" location.

Remember, all of us are equal, but some are more equal than others...

There's just something a bit odd in the juxtaposition of "swish" and "menacingly" in the same sentence...

Gas from beans vs. Nuclear power .... hmmmmm Now I've got to consider which is more environmentally risky...