A Well Regulated Militia

[ICantSpellDawg]

Whilst I appreciate the sentiment behind the idea of militias that guarantee the citizens' freedoms, it is a rather touching fantasy.

One of the best examples for why is the United States herself. Some time past, a group of peoples/their representative states decided they didn't like the way the social contact was going and decided to opt out. Another group of peoples/representative states decided they rather fancied the idea of imposing their version of the contract on the recalcitrant. Inevitably, they had a Civil War about the issue and guess what? Those who had overwhelming control of government assets stomped all over the romantics, despite the latter being better led.

Plus ça change. Insurgencies may irritate governments but whilst those governments control the armies and the means of production, it's tough to overthrow them. Most especially if that government has become tyrannical (inevitably less squeamish) and far more so these days with their hold over modern weaponry. When the Constitution was written, it was still just possible to eject an unwelcome tyranny by militia - as long as it had a four thousand mile supply chain and a mad king. Nowadays I suspect one will find those helpful conditions somewhat scarce.

It took us eight hundred years to change the occupation of a foreign government that the majority of the Irish people hated. And it took terrorists to do it (and the development of a kinder, gentler, more civilised Britain) rather than well-regulated militas.

The North had more than twice the number of fighting men than the south and still managed to lose religiously up until Gettysburg! If Britain had entered the war (which it had contemplated until it realized that slavery was incompatible and that they would still have the cotton markets even after the north won) You might be singing a very different tune - similar to the story of the American revolution where foreign powers swung the deciding blow against Great Britain.

What were the IRA terrorists? They were illegal Militias!

[Adrian II]

What were the IRA terrorists? They were illegal Militias!

Can't you see that your reasoning is utterly self-defeating?

[ICantSpellDawg]

Can't you see that your reasoning is utterly self-defeating?

Why? Should I use the BS reasoning that I want to defend the US from foreigners? Militias could do that, but they are primarily for the defense against people within the borders. Government, other militias, oppressive elements that can go south rather quickly. Terrorist is a relative term for one that uses terror. What constitutes terror? Some are terrified of militias, does that make them automatic terrorists?

[Kralizec]

A glorified neighboorhood watch, then?

I don't think it's a necessarily bad idea...I just don't see any point in it.

[Tribesman]

What are the smiley's for?

They are for your lack of understanding .
But thats OK as it is a very complex history .

[Rhyfelwyr]

Just call yourselves "Town Watch", and get those red capes the Town Watch of RTW had. That way even if you never went into action at least you would look the part.

Militia's become terrorists when they swap their guns for bombs, or turns their guns against civilians. Just about any group in Ireland (on either side) I can think of has qualified as a terrorist organisation at some point by those standards. And whichever side you believe to be just (which would be the British for me from 1921, although it was also just in the origins hundreds of years earlier, not so much in the space inbetween), it is irrelevant as in the end these groups became little more than bands terrorising their own people as much as anyone else.

[Tribesman]

it is irrelevant as in the end these groups became little more than bands terrorising their own people as much as anyone else

what you mean like concerned citizens against drugs or residents action commitee on joyriding ?

BTW Tuff , how is work on the Batcave coming along ? Are you still wanting to die exacting revenge ?

[HoreTore]

What were the IRA terrorists? They were illegal Militias!

Are terrorists good guys now, or what? I'm confused....

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Are terrorists good guys now, or what? I'm confused....

That depends which side you're on, doesn't it?

[HoreTore]

That depends which side you're on, doesn't it?

Isn't the other side the terrorists?

[Tribesman]

Have you considered joining a currently existing organization as a new chapter?

PehapsTuff could start a local branch of.....
http://sonoguy.tripod.com/
A much nicer crowd than this sort....http://www.adl.org/mwd/gallery/patpray.gif

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Isn't the other side the terrorists?

Or are you the terrorists to the other side?

[HoreTore]

Or are you the terrorists to the other side?

Nah, I'm pretty sure the terrorists are who Our Great Leader, Mr. Bush, tells us it is....

[Hosakawa Tito]

TuffStuff, make sure you understand NYS Penal Law Article 35, as it applies to the justification and degree of physical force used for self defense. Your law enforcement friends should be thoroughly familiar with this since they deal with it on a daily basis and should be able to explain how it applies to you and what your rights and responsibilities are.

No State, County, or Town will officially sanction a "citizens militia" group for obvious legal reasons. Law enforcement personnel undergo rigorous & costly training throughout their careers, from Penal law to firearms to interpersonal relationship skills and on and on. The costs and legal ramifications would be enormous.

[Divinus Arma]

Oh, and by the way, your State Defense Force / Militia is NOT DEPLOYABLE OVERSEAS. It is absolutely, positively, 100% unable to be federally activated. They serve only at the pleasure of the governor in State Emergencies. Out-of-State assignments within the U.S. are volunteer only, such as the CSMR's minor contribution to Hurricane Katrina.

This differs greatly from the National Guard.

[Tribesman]

What were the IRA terrorists? They were illegal Militias!

They started out as a militia that then became illegal , just like the UVF started out as a militia that then became illegal .

[ICantSpellDawg]

They started out as a militia that then became illegal , just like the UVF started out as a militia that then became illegal .

I agree.
What are the smiley's for?

Banquo credited them along with a dithering British government for the creation of a sovereign Ireland. If that is an insult, I'll take it.