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epiphiny43 -> RE: Then Amend the Constitution (12/19/2012 11:59:39 PM)
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quote:
"Its not the military I fear.... well... I should say the troops. Its those in command we should fear. And whoever is lining their pockets." (Tazzygirl) '
Given the glorification of 'chain of command' and the lack of concern about individual responsibility for actions when under orders, what is the difference? One hopes the generals would refuse to cooperate but the silence of the general staff about the foolhardy actions in the Near East says career is more important than ethics, morality or patriotism for too many? At some point, My Country, Right or Wrong becomes My Leader, Right or Wrong? The first is worrisome enough. The second is a direct path to tyranny.
We've seen good men distracted by the 'Necessities of the Moment' allow such barbarity as waterboarding and secret prisons in the name of national security. Even though it's well understood in the intelligence community that torture is one of the best ways to get uselessly unreliable information. When leaders with less internal character happen to have power, what evils will be turned against internal opponents? The digital age offers authorities unprecedented access to our speech, our thoughts and our location.
I know a lot of people who understand and fear the chances of our government being coopted by far less honest men than we have elected so far. Many of them are the voices opposing the work to remove all weapons that actually could oppose a trained military oppression. Bolt action rifles can irritate and harass modern units but at great cost in lives. Small unit and urban warfare now depends on large volume of fire to suppress counter fire so maneuver is possible. 5 round magazines and no auto or burst fire is bad enough. It looks like there will be attempts to control even semiautos by continually expanding the definition of 'assault' rifles, an effort that is already taken to the absurd by taking advantage of the current ignorance of the average voter.
Chechnya showed how a poorly equipped but determined people could require a major commitment of modern military to defeat. I doubt the American people are anything as dedicated of warriors as the Chechens and our gun control evangelists seem well on the way to making sure there isn't even a ghost of the capabilities the Chechen fighters had in hand.
The quote by Thomas Paine is precisely what has been forgotten in the creation of free fire zones now known as 'gun free' areas of schools, government buildings and places of gatherings. Where people are prevented from defending themself either by removing the capabilities or the will, Someone usually shows up to use violence or the threat of it to take advantage of them.
Israel and Switzerland may have the closest equivalent to the Jeffersonian militia, universal military service except for the lame and halt (and Ultra Orthodox Jews) and most reservists have infantry weapons at home. Interestingly, these well trained and equipped riflemen use firearms in antisocial ways far less than Americans.
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