http://www.sierratimes.com/03/03/10/edcb031003.htm
If This Be Treason Make The Most Of It!
By Claude A. Bohn
Regarding Robert Greenslade's article -
Can't say we weren't warned. "Aided by a little sophistry on the words 'general welfare,' (the federal branch claim) a right to do not only the acts to effect that which are specifically enumerated and permitted, but whatsoever they shall think or pretend will be for the general welfare." - Thomas Jefferson (in a letter to William Branch Giles, 1825)
EVERY usurpation of power, EVERY violation of the clear mandate and intention of the Constitution, would appear to be bottomed on some "sophistry" or another, of either the "General Welfare" and/or the "Interstate Commerce Clause" (or, some knaved up "interpretation" of the fictitious presidential 'emergency powers'). What's new?
Yes! It's terrible; yes, it's criminal; yes, I deplore it; yes, yes, YES!!! But the question remains - as stated by Sean Connery's character, in the movie "The Untouchables" -
"What are YOU prepared to do about it?"
As long as the federal branch claims the monopoly power to "interpret" the Constitution - and it DOES! (the states lost any effective input 138 years ago, at Appomattox) - there is little reason to believe this situation can be remedied by yet more appeals (petitions) to our master for 'justice,' is there?
As Thomas Paine once wrote: "...nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy... more than repeated petitioning." And, a few short months later, the Declaration of Independence echoed this sentiment, when it stated: "In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petition have been answered only by repeated injury."
And so they have! Who can deny it? And can any rational man expect any different results from more of the same? I, for one, certainly do not! [In fact, I am told, that this is the very definition of insanity, i.e. - "Doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting different results"].
All of this repeated alarmist chatter amounts to little more than what a friend of mine has termed "mental masturbation"; that is, it FEELS good, but it produces nothing!
Every Second Amendment/Constitutional advocate worth his salt KNOWS why the Second Amendment was written (and to whom it pertains); it is NOT for duck hunters, or the National Guard but, rather, for freemen, that they might remain free!
But the term "freeman" is much more than a mere word; it is, more importantly, a state of mind. As so many Second Amendment advocates have pointed out, time and again, a gun is just a tool. It is a tool, which freemen can use in their struggle against tyranny. But it is only the MINDSET of a truly freeman that will allow him to use that tool effectively for that purpose.
As Jefferson himself once wrote: "No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms." And, indeed, no (truly) "freeman" ever shall! But, I fear, the day is quick approaching, when the American people will be forced to make their election - between liberty and security; between freedom, or perpetual slavery. I only wish I could be more certain, and more optimistic, regarding which path they might choose.
But one thing is certain, those unwilling to use their Second Amendment rights - and their firearms - for their intended purpose, are unworthy to possess them; and will NOT possess them long! Lacking the MINDSET of true freemen, they will forever have to resign themselves to slavery - whether their master ALLOWS them to possess firearms or not. A nation of sheep begets a government of wolves; and, in the final analysis, every nation gets "the government it deserves".
I repeat: "What are YOU prepared to do?" We all know which course the founders chose.
In closing, lest I be dismissed simply as a wild-eyed "terrorist," or worse, let me just add this:
"It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence." - Charles A. Beard
Sincerely,
Claude A. Bohn
Louisville, KY ["If this be treason make the most of it!"]
If This Be Treason Make The Most Of It!
By Claude A. Bohn
Regarding Robert Greenslade's article -
Can't say we weren't warned. "Aided by a little sophistry on the words 'general welfare,' (the federal branch claim) a right to do not only the acts to effect that which are specifically enumerated and permitted, but whatsoever they shall think or pretend will be for the general welfare." - Thomas Jefferson (in a letter to William Branch Giles, 1825)
EVERY usurpation of power, EVERY violation of the clear mandate and intention of the Constitution, would appear to be bottomed on some "sophistry" or another, of either the "General Welfare" and/or the "Interstate Commerce Clause" (or, some knaved up "interpretation" of the fictitious presidential 'emergency powers'). What's new?
Yes! It's terrible; yes, it's criminal; yes, I deplore it; yes, yes, YES!!! But the question remains - as stated by Sean Connery's character, in the movie "The Untouchables" -
"What are YOU prepared to do about it?"
As long as the federal branch claims the monopoly power to "interpret" the Constitution - and it DOES! (the states lost any effective input 138 years ago, at Appomattox) - there is little reason to believe this situation can be remedied by yet more appeals (petitions) to our master for 'justice,' is there?
As Thomas Paine once wrote: "...nothing flatters vanity, or confirms obstinacy... more than repeated petitioning." And, a few short months later, the Declaration of Independence echoed this sentiment, when it stated: "In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petition have been answered only by repeated injury."
And so they have! Who can deny it? And can any rational man expect any different results from more of the same? I, for one, certainly do not! [In fact, I am told, that this is the very definition of insanity, i.e. - "Doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting different results"].
All of this repeated alarmist chatter amounts to little more than what a friend of mine has termed "mental masturbation"; that is, it FEELS good, but it produces nothing!
Every Second Amendment/Constitutional advocate worth his salt KNOWS why the Second Amendment was written (and to whom it pertains); it is NOT for duck hunters, or the National Guard but, rather, for freemen, that they might remain free!
But the term "freeman" is much more than a mere word; it is, more importantly, a state of mind. As so many Second Amendment advocates have pointed out, time and again, a gun is just a tool. It is a tool, which freemen can use in their struggle against tyranny. But it is only the MINDSET of a truly freeman that will allow him to use that tool effectively for that purpose.
As Jefferson himself once wrote: "No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms." And, indeed, no (truly) "freeman" ever shall! But, I fear, the day is quick approaching, when the American people will be forced to make their election - between liberty and security; between freedom, or perpetual slavery. I only wish I could be more certain, and more optimistic, regarding which path they might choose.
But one thing is certain, those unwilling to use their Second Amendment rights - and their firearms - for their intended purpose, are unworthy to possess them; and will NOT possess them long! Lacking the MINDSET of true freemen, they will forever have to resign themselves to slavery - whether their master ALLOWS them to possess firearms or not. A nation of sheep begets a government of wolves; and, in the final analysis, every nation gets "the government it deserves".
I repeat: "What are YOU prepared to do?" We all know which course the founders chose.
In closing, lest I be dismissed simply as a wild-eyed "terrorist," or worse, let me just add this:
"It is sobering to reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence." - Charles A. Beard
Sincerely,
Claude A. Bohn
Louisville, KY ["If this be treason make the most of it!"]
