Regardless of what response you favor, BLM did back off in the face of armed intimidation

[Nine]

112. I hope those who are saying this isn't over are correct.

One thing I know for sure. Our side lost the day's news cycle. Not only because of the BLM's actions but because of the bureau's weak-sounding public statement. They basically told the world that they got scared off by some right-wing loonies with guns. This is bad in a political sense but it's also very bad in terms of federal law enforcement. You can argue that a conflict over grazing rights that's gone on for 20 years is not worth risking bloodshed. But I think that's looking at it the wrong way. By the logic you could question whether it's worth risking bloodshed to send a few kids to public school. It mattered quite a bit at Little Rock. Grazing rights may not seem important but the ability of the federal government to carry out its responsibilities without interference by private citizens is extremely important. A very bad precedent was set this week. I only hope that this is all part of a "long game."

ETA - I'm also not sure I believe all the reporting on this story. There may well be inaccuracies. That doesn't change the fact that we lost the recent news cycles.