The author's stand for a patient, bloodless resolution is admirable. I hope it ends that way, too. But as she notes, this has been going on for many years--more than 20 for Cliven Bundy, without consequence for him. The armed occupation is an escalation and has already provoked increased harassment of scientists and federal employees in the area.
Patience can lead to understanding, but insulating people from the consequences of their actions too long leads to bad outcomes. Sometimes, forbearance begets nothing but license.
The initial Bundy standoff came at a time when distrust towards the government was at an all-time high. Festering is a slew of violent, disaffected "sovereign citizen" (an oxy-moronic term) anarchists who think they can do whatever they want.
They have not had much consequence, and during each standoff they are bolstered thinking about how they beat the federal government in a showdown.
The government doesn't want another Waco or Ruby Ridge, as this would only serve to validate the fears of self-described Sovereign Citizens.
So how do we ensure that they follow the law without inciting another heavy-handed war?
Difficult question to answer
"Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it" -- Thomas Paine