[cripplecreek]

This is where authorities need to show patience, and not do anything which ends up endangering the lives of anyone. Bundy's group isn't hurting people, and, at worst, is guilty of trespassing. Yes, they're armed but that doesn't mean SWAT needs to go rolling into the refuge or a drone be used to end the standoff. That would be the worst thing to happen, and bring back memories of Waco and Ruby Ridge. Federal and local authorities will just have to wait out Ammon Bundy and the rest of the occupiers, until they decide to leave. It may take a while, but it's well worth it if no lives are lost. Bundy's group needs to go, but having it happen through a haze of gun smoke and bodies is a bad idea.

Bingo.

[wideawake]

It is much tougher to live off the land without any access to trade or commerce than most people think.

As long as the Feds maintain a tight perimeter, most of these guys will get very tired of playacting as frontiersmen after a few weeks.