The Right to Form a Militia in the United States of America
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The Right to Form a Militia in the United States of America
I think about it every day. The sirens go off. A governmental institution explodes. As the shards scream in angry potential, news pundits try to make sense of what just happened. It isn’t Al Qaeda who attacked us. It was a militia.
“Maybe it’s just one lunatic,” wish the commentators. Politicians are assassinated. Militias start taking responsibility, posting manifestos and demands. President Obama comes on live television, “My fellow Americans, the War on Terror’s frontlines are now in the homeland. We must withdraw from the Middle East to secure freedom here on our soil. There are traitors among us.” The Patriot Act is used on citizens. The 2nd amendment is suspended under Martial Law.
I don’t know whether or not some—if not most—of the military would join the ranks of American insurgents. I just know such an event would cause us to be downgraded from the wealthiest nation to a 3rd world country. Maybe the United Nations would step in. Regardless of who wins the civil war/revolution, we’d have to sell our country to the International Monetary Fund to reconstruct.
Americans have the right to bear arms to form a militia under the 2nd amendment. Further, individuals have a right to bear arms for self-defense under the 14th amendment (yes, the same amendment some Republicans want to repeal). I’m a constitutionalist who believes in just-war theory. Weapons level relative power between parties to discourage the need for self-defense, since anyone with fingers can pull a trigger. An old man and a heavy-weight champion lob the same .223 caliber bullet.
What I’m trying to say, dear reader, is I like guns and the right to form militias. It’s what our country was founded upon. The Federal government cannot monopolize the arsenal because they should be afraid of us.
At the same time, it worries me how openly I hear my fellow Americans flirting with armed insurrection. First of all, we’d lose the right to form militias as soon as they started attacking the government (just as Iran has the right to build an army, until they attack us). Secondly, nearly half of all militias in the United States affiliate with Combat 18, a white supremacist alliance between the KKK and Neo-Nazis. And we can change the government through democracy. Vote for Ron Paul, for God’s sake. Write him in if you have to. Overthrowing the government is an absolute last resort.
Most of you reading this think I’m nuts for even entertaining the idea of this happening before 2012. You’ve a right to your intuition. I certainly hope you’re right.
CommentsLoading...
Jeanie Stecher,
You're absolutely correct... and that's what I'm afraid of.
At the same time, part of the laws of our government (the Constitution) gives us a right to form these militias. As soon as they start attacking the same government that gives them this right, however, there will be intervention.
Thanks for the comment,
Dan
Armed insurrection in America makes as much sense as shooting yourself in the foot to get a new pair of shoes. There are better ways.
G Nelson,
I'm in complete agreement. This would send our country further back than 1776.
Thanks,
Dan
Isn't what Paul Revere did and the men who gathered and left their families to reserve freedom for all the same types in their day as militia is today? I see no difference! As long as our country continues down the paths of removing freedom from those born free then the risk of revolution is there!
American Romance,
Balance your emotions with your rationality. Would it make sense to plunge America into civil war? I know you can do it. You don't have to prove that to me.
Mankind needs to exist in harmony. Someday, when you die, you will feel their pain and you don't want the guilt of being somewhat responsible. I implore you now to seek God, which is the truth, light, and love.
God bless,
Dan
Those who think they can overthrow the constituted govt of the United States in the 21st century with a few AK47s are simply dreaming a very bad dream. Paul Revere may have done it in his day when all he had to contend with was a rag tag army armed with dane guns. Trying that now will be daylight suicide for anybody and I can assure everybody here that that cannot happen. The so called militias will continue running around in their bushes and massaging their over bloated and deranged egos by cradling their rifles and dreaming revolutionary dreams, but that's where it all ends.
Mytipen,
I'd like to agree with you, but we all thought the same thing about Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Who were these people to stand up the greatest military power in the world? Insurgency implies guerilla warfare. Al Qaeda doesn't have tanks, airplanes, or nukes either.
I really hope you're right about this. As messed up as our government can be at times, I'd choose them over the theocratic fascists that make up a large portion of the militia movement.
Thanks for the comment,
Dan
Interesting Hub.
But once the rest of the world finds are money useless we will have no value so you cant pay for anything and like germany during 1930 either we will have a new political system or civil war eithet way your still be pushed back in time
You know the bad thing about all of this. Probably 75% of the American population is brain washed watching Jersey shore and don't care and are completely oblivious that thier freedom is being stripped from them everyday! The more the government keeps the poeple depending on them the harder it will be to get them to act. Bite the hand that feeds!
Bobby,
Education is a problem in America. It ought to be a human right, if you ask me. But the government, I hope, can be reformed without violence.
Thanks for the comment,
Dan
jeanie.stecher 20 months ago
I somehow agree with you on some of your points. But if we allow these militias to form without government intervention even the least, it might be abused by some and used it on some negative ways. We must uphold the rule of law since we are a government of laws and not of men.