Freedom. Our country is founded on this simple and necessary right. The constitution guarantees us, as citizens of the United States of America, certain rights and freedoms. The Montana group, calling themselves "Freemen," believe the Federal Government has cheated them of their freedom. Overtaxed and feeling that their opinions had gone unheard, they struck back in a covert rebellion. Deep in their bunkers beneath the Justice Township compound, a complex plot was hatched. Consisting of chains of bad checks, false accounts and forgery, so far they've managed to scam close to $2,000,000 for their purposes. Caught only after failing to pay back government loans, they are now at a standoff with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Hundreds of private militia groups across the nation are praising the Freemen for their tough stance against "Big Brother." The F.B.I. and the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are taking a careful approach to the situation, fearful of repeating the Branch Davidian massacre in Waco three years ago. Forty days plus since the authorities surrounded the compound, negotiations have completely collapsed. The negotiator, a fellow militiaman from a more liberal group, was not optimistic about the possibility of a peaceful resolution. He was quoted as saying that the Freemen believe Justice Township is surrounded by protection from God and cannot be attacked. This strong statement and belief gives the conflict a great potential for disaster. Many families live inside the self-declared sovereign Nation" and children have been seen bicycling around the buildings. The members of the Sovereign Nation possess countless numbers of high-powered assault rifles, and defenses may be impenetrable without resorting to violence.
   The outcome of this conflict may prove to be the acid test of the ability of government authorities to handle a standoff situation. After Waco and the recent attention given to militia groups, the A.T.F. and F.B.I. are under close scrutiny, and these events in Montana may be the deciding factor in determining whether or not we, as Americans, can place out trust in our government agencies.

by Cole M., Vulture Staff