The Lessons of Athens
Those who took up arms in Athens, Tennessee, wanted honest elections, a cornerstone of our constitutional order. They had repeatedly tried to get federal or state election monitors and had used armed force so as to minimize harm to the law-breakers, showing little malice to the defeated law-breakers. They restored lawful government.
The Battle of Athens clearly shows how Americans can and should lawfully use armed force and also shows why the rule of law requires unrestricted access to firearms and how civilians with military-type firearms can beat the forces of government gone bad.
Dictators believe that public order is more important than the rule of law. However, Americans reject this idea. Brutal political repression is lethal to many. An individual criminal can harm only a handful of people, but governments can brutalize thousands or millions.
Law-abiding McMinn County residents won the Battle of Athens because they were not hamstrung by “gun control.” They showed us when citizens can and should use armed force to support the rule of law.
It is about Time!!
I always love seeing posts about Athens. I live in Athens and it’s a wonderful community!