If we go about babbling about how the government is taking away all of
rights, that personal freedom is at stake, President Clinton is the
Anti-Christ, and that they will be coming for our children next...
we will lose.
Why? Because we will fit the VERY stereotype that our "enemies" wish to
use as a weapon against us. Think about it. We will come across as the
nut cases that they say we are; paranoid, gun loving, irrational,
government haters, who get more radical and potentially dangerous each
day. Not only will this get us nowhere with the Government, but it will
destroy ANY hope of getting broader public support. Might as well toss
our .30cals into our MVs and motor off into the woods to complete the
picture.
Some people here seem to know diddle about our country's history in this
respect, while all the while complaining that things are going down hill
fast (usually citing Clinton as the main reason). As someone with a
degree in History, I can safely say that the United States of America (my
own country) has NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER lived up to the Constitution
or the Bill of Rights. However, I maintain that although there are
problems with our laws, leaders, law enforcement, and society as a whole,
the country is a lot closer to living up to the Founding Father's
expectations than it ever has been. Don't believe me, take this quick
history test:
1. When did "all men are created equal" apply to "all men" (a. 1776, b.
1860s, c. 1960s)
Bonus question - when did the concept of equality apply to the other 50%
of the population in the form of the right to vote?
2. I which order did the following countries use Concentration Camps as
a means of rounding up undesirable, racially inferior enemies of the
state in order to kill them en mass (as opposed to just imprisoning
them)? (Cambodia, Great Britain, Nazi Germany, Serbia, Turkey, United
Sates).
3. Which President was responsible for stripping all rights and property
away from a section of its citizens without any regard to the rights
guaranteed them by the Constitution and Bill of Rights? (a. Madison, b.
FDR, c. Clinton).
Bonus question - while this group was being rounded up into camps, what
two other racial groups were left untouched even though the same logic
for the round up applied to them as well?
4. In what centuries were State and Federal troops used to shoot unarmed
striking workers simply because they wanted better working conditions and
pay.
5. True or False - has a married heterosexual couple, in the privacy of
their own home, always had the right to have sex in any position they so
desired according to local and state laws in all states?
6. Name at least 2 other countries that the United Sates invaded without
a declaration of war, besides Vietnam, Russia, Honduras, and Panama.
7. Name two wars that the US started by drawing first blood and then
rewrote history to blame the start on the losing side?
8. Misc - In what year did the police have to justify a search warrant
with specific evidence to a judge? When did police lose the right to
search a person without "due cause"? When did evidence, seized in
violation of a citizen's rights, become inadmissible in court? When did
the Miranda Rights first come into use to ensure that a citizen knows his
rights? When did every citizen, regardless of ability to pay, gain the
right to legal representation in court? (HINT, the first two digits are
"1" and "9" for all of these answers).
My point here is that our country has "violated" our rights since day one
(and therefore this MV thing is NOTHING new) yet it remains the freest
and fairest nation on this planet. On balance it has even become MORE
law abiding and fairer for the majority (minorities and women make up a
majority BTW) of its citizens in VERY recent times. Sure, I don't want
to be denied the right to own a gun, MV, or whatever else I can
reasonably use without infringing on the rights and safety of others.
But people, you have GOT to lose the "Clinton is plotting to take over
the world with the BATF and UN" garbage. It will only help get us in the
exact OPPOSITE place we want to be.
I will fight against my government for trying to restrict these rights,
and any others that I feel are being violated. But I will do so only in
a rational, cool headed way without resorting to name calling and finger
pointing. I urge you to do the same.
End of my rant.
Steve
P.S. Lets try and keep the hate mail going to my inbox to a minimum
(preferably none). After all, we are on the same side even if we don't
see eye to eye.
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