an old post
"I perceive a liberal socialist democracy as inherently nurturing a paternal, sheltering and providential social atmosphere that gently and persistently advocates a relinquishment of key moral and political powers within the psyche of its citizenry, and therein lies the problem. While such a populace abdicates individual self-determinism in matters of the concept of liberty (different from 'freedom' decidedly) as an inherent truth of existence, and group conformance is encouraged in matters of State, a spark is lost.
"Not extinguished, but misplaced.
"I have had the pleasure of corresponding at length with some three dozen individuals from EU countries on the psychology and politics of civilian firearms ownership, and the sum of that experience highlighted that specific in my mind. Conceptually, that this unwieldy, diverse, and enormous Republic must remain a collective of fierce, proud, independent-minded individuals seems to defy the cherished cultural logic of those in Europe, Vienna included.
"Firearms are not for some designated, screened and approved cadre solely - such can be a fertile garden for seeds of superiority, yes? While it can become emotionally comforting to some to embrace such a society, freeing one to pursue whimsical distractions of intellect, emotion, or pure fancy without any onus of demonstrably adhering to a discipline of far-reaching and immediate responsibility dictated by nothing more potent than the heart's joy in the vigorous commerce of liberty, nothing remains, of cold, tangible resolution to be held in one's hands adequate to give an empowered overseer pause.
"My heart goes out to you, for surely you grapple with these thoughts as well as their kin as you pursue kendo - for were you at peace, you would perhaps pursue a more altruisitic physical discipline that had no connection to being judged as a student of the art of war.
"Proficiency with firearms is a natural compliment to the student of martial arts, for even the stumbling white belt soon realizes the sensi has no defense against a predator wielding a 12 ga. shotgun at twenty feet.
"Here, the sociological challenge is to celebrate being a Republic of armed citizens, equal without notice to race, station, wealth, color, religion or sexuality, deriving a limited governance that is immediately answerable to the people without censorship, obfuscation, delay, or defiance - or it will be removed, by force of arms if necessary.
"Yep, that's as ideological as it gets, and it's also some of the dream we hold prized to see delivered to our inheritors, though it'll take tireless work and eternal vigilance. We know all men and women to be just as fallible as we are mortal - and we don't want to repeat old mistakes history has laid out apon the globe with such horrific and bloody strokes.
"I see the dream of the liberal socialist governments of the EU to hold a common dream - if they can get the bureaucracy settled: an ant colony. Maybe, if we fail here, future generations will speak glowingly of the approaching Centennial celebration of the truly peaceful global civilization, where everyone knows their place, and there is a place for everyone.
"Personally, that gives me nightmares. I'll do my best not to be complacently slipped into a peg-board, indistinguishable from countless other filled slots. I'll study the arts of war, and the disciplines of firearms and edged weapons with enthusiasm and delight, keeping the hearth here burning bright with liberty, with endless self-education into other peoples, other times, and new ideas on old problems.
"Nothing lasts forever - but we did something that'll never be undone; yep, we really let the genie out of the bottle with the founding of this Republic.
"And those words, those ideas just might be mightier than any sword.
"Vienna, right? Kendo? They don't let you own real swords there, do they?
"Just wooden ones?"
Time passes, but I am glad for having said that. I apologize for not knowing how to render that down into a more concise form.
Trisha