I am with you on this point, David. I think there are far more creative ways the feds could deal with the situation than an outright siege.
It's an interesting to see those who nominally describe themselves as of the "left" discuss this issue. I see a natural inclination to be sympathetic to the couple clashing with a tendency to support high levels of taxation that keep the government/service machine rolling.
I think that's why you may see some more "bloodthirsty" comments here or at the Daily KOS site.
This also reveals that the left has splits between the big government and liberal libertarian wings similar to the right's rough division between the religious right (government as tool of behavior control) and fiscal conservative wings.
Interesting stuff.
