Here is a discussion for you guys...your thoughts on a future...

[wally]

I think that the military would have quite a difficult time trying to pacify the country in the event of an uprising or a civil war. Look at Baghdad today.

Iraq would seem to show if the anti-government rebels managed to kill a few weeks worth of car crash fatalities in five years the Dems would be ready to surrender.

And in the event of a "real" civil rebellion, you can bet the whole internet will be shut down, so there goes your wireless connection and your encryption.

Unless the whole PTSN was also shut down, which would shut down the economy -- no cedit card verification or ATMs etc. plenty of us old timers could dust off UUCP and reactivate the store and forward network that predated the public internet.

--wally.

 

[Sharps-shooter]

It happens from time to time, in any society. That's what history teaches us. Maybe not in my lifetime or yours, but you never can tell. Remember the boy scout motto, be prepared. (in the meantime, don't forget about being clean, courteous, kind, reverent, and all that other stuff).

AS for needing firearms in "the current state of society", that's an interesting question. Lots of europeans and no small number of americans think that we don't need guns anymore, because society is more peaceful than it used to be. What they fail to realize is the fact that these societies are peaceful because would-be tyrants are kept in line by fear of Americans with rifles.

 

[cnorman18]

A couple of points

Not even the federal government can shut down the Internet, except by totally shutting down the power grid and ALL communications. There is no central hub for the Net.

I think the political winds blow first one way, then another. It wasn't so long ago that the Republicans were very much on top. Maybe they've learned a few lessons and can do better next time they're on top again.

And I think they will be. Nothing is more likely than that the Democrats, if they win in '08 and keep control of Congress, will assume a "mandate" that they don't have and go too far for the voters.

Most Americans are basically conservative--that's why ALL candidates pretend to respect gun owners, hunters, etc., till they get elected--and the people just won't accept a comprehensive gun ban. The Dems will probably just keep on doing what they've been doing--nibbling away at our rights a bit at a time. But if they don't--if they think the time has come to really go for it--look for them to be out in '12 and for a long time to come. An attempt at a BIG ban might be the best thing for the Republicans and for gun rights since Jimmy Carter. It will backfire big-time. You heard it here first...