Here’s the deal- I describe a scene.
Right after you read it answer the questions below.
Here we go:
You’re at a meeting.
A bunch of people with guns join the meeting and line up behind you.
Each one takes a turn going to the front of the room to tell you ‘how it is’.
You’re not allowed to do anything but listen.
Quick- who are they and what year is it?
Irregular Bones 
It is 1876. A crisis has arisen in the Texas border town of El Paso. Mexican troops are coming to enforce martial law. The meeting is being held by the town elders who want to resolve the issue peacefully. Col Sam Houston and his Texas militia enter the room and give the orders for all able body men to arm themselves and meet at the Alamo in San Antonio. Each speaker is a recruiter for a unit in the New Texas Army.
Your local city council meeting?
Republican press conference?