Militia seizes Federal building

I see nothing about these guys that requires "immediate action". They don't have hostages, they have not bombed anything, they are no real threat other than as an example of armed defiance. If you overreact to them you give them an example of heavy handed government overreach that supports their rhetoric. As things stand they are the butt of more than a little ridicule. More substantial groups of similar political stance do not support them.

There is no reason for armed confrontation, for lives on either side to be lost. If some of these guys start pointing guns at people, that changes. Until then, cut the water and power and stop allowing supplies in. Possibly jam cell service in the area as well. Then let them freeze in the dark until they decide that it is time to declare victory and come out. Invoking sedition laws would be overkill for the offense. I'm sure that they have broken enough laws to that they will have big legal bills to pay as it is.

If they try to push it, bottom line, they are a handful of guys in an isolated area with shoulder weapons. If the Feds drop the hammer they'll be squashed like a bug. Both sides would have to be exceptionally stupid for that to happen.

 

TERRORISTS! ARMED TO THE TEETH!

 

Napalm. Preferably in the morning.

 

It is the smell of ... victory.

 

Perhaps we could pump bad 80s hair metal at them until they give up. A few hours of Winger at high decibels oughta do it.

 

Is this SOP for all burglaries? Just wait out the burglars? Let their friends bring them snacks and juice boxes and they can even babysit their kids while their significant others take a spa day?

The owner of the property has asked them to leave and they refused, but as long as no one is being threatened with imminent death or serious bodily injury just Be Calm and Carry On?

 

That could cause regrettable collateral damage.

 

What if they Can't Get Enough?

 

Really? Have you seen some of the Tweets by protesters at Ferguson and other places?

 

Just handle them with the same kid gloves they handle all terrorists.

 

Well, we could roll the FBI HRT and start sniping them, then send in an armored personnel carrier loaded with SWAT. Seems like using a sledgehammer on a gnat, though.

At this point they are an annoyance, trying to draw attention to their cause. Various Occupy camps ran for weeks or months. I don't see it as much different. If you drop the hammer on them you are playing into their narrative. They are in a little park building in the back of beyond. Functionally they are no danger. I have no problem with an appropriate response. OTOH, the current response seems to be just ignore them and let them sit, which is too easy on them. No power, no water, no food coming in, no outside contact, no reporters in and out bearing their propaganda. Do that and it puts pressure on them that is not driven by guns. Having them tuck their tails and slink out of there after a while is a much better outcome than making them martyrs to their cause.

 

My only wish is that Donald Trump would decided to make himself a martyr for this (or any other) cause.