Burns, Oregon & Haney County Also Hostage To The Occupation.

[TheMastersNemesis]

The tentacles of the occupation at the sanctuary reach across the entire county and the city of Burns even though the militia is 30 miles away. In reality it is like the sanctuary is just across the street form the town. Because these militia can come and go as they please and other militias not yet involved can come into town at will fully armed the populace has to essentially steer clear of armed militia. In effect the towns people have to pussy foot around an make sure they are not in the path of militia members lest they end up in some unwanted confrontation.

Imagine what it would be like if you have been openly against these people. Could you be in danger if you have been public about it. The sheriff is pretty much powerless. He cannot tell the federal authorities to stay out of the county and he is a target for supposedly letting the FBI in. Public employees of the sanctuary are compromised because the militia most likely has ALL their personal data. And I am sure that such information is shared with other militias. The focus so far has been on the sheriff at this point. Little has been said about the disposition of any police force in the town and where they stand. Plus there are fervent supporters of the militia in the town itself. And that reality leaves the town divided as well.

If the federal authorities were to assemble a response team, the word would get out quickly and other militia are no likely to come into the town if they do show signs of acting. There can be no element of surprise in this matter. Any action the feds even try to attempt will be known long before any action. And the stand off will more likely than not become a siege.

The timing of this occupation is curious in that it is happening right at the beginning of campaign season. Except for the GOPPERS there is silence on this matter. Democrats have been pretty silent on the occupation for the most part. And turning over federal lands to local government is likely to be a campaign issue at some level.

The GOP, RW hate radio, conservatives et al have a lot to gain from this ending badly or with armed conflict. The electorate is already in a near frenzy from the Trump shenanigans.

The gut instinct is to go in and end this occupation. The politics of this situation will have huge ramifications.

[Rex]

1. They are like the characters in Fallout 4.

Roaming bands of raiders and buffheads.

[TheMastersNemesis]

2. If You Are A Local Imagine Walking Into A Store With 2 Or 3 AR15 Armed Men.

The locals have not idea if and when they will run into several AR15 and 45 armed men when they are out doing their shopping.
It would be unnerving to be at the grocery store seeing armed militia shopping in full combat gear. Open carry anywhere is NOT the kind of country I want to be in. And I would ban all weapons.

[Lizzie Poppet]

3. I doubt the locals are any less well-armed, actually.

It's the rural West, after all... They just tend to have sense enough to leave their weapons at home when they're not hunting, going to the range for recreational shooting, etc. If push really came to shove between the locals and the teahadists, the latter wouldn't have a prayer.

[Lars39]

4. How horrible it would be if they were stranded in town because something happened to their trucks.

[world wide wally]

5. Doing "nothing" is not a good option either.

At least cut off their electricity, heat, and water. Then they can play "Valley Forge" and feel more heroic.