Posted on 10/11/2001 7:14:45 AM PDT by Mahone
It's like one of those "invasion of the body snatchers" type movies, where the ringers stand out like sore thumbs, but think they fit perfectly in.
How would you know?
Actually, in the late 80's before I had kids, I played on a survival games team and we won the regional championships. I own lots of guns, hunt, and did favor the militia. We were starting a family and so became focused on that and did not join. I was comforted knowing they were out there so that at times like this they would protect us, that was the idea I understood. I think my question had merit, minus the hiding under the bed part - which was harsh, but didn't think the skin was so thin around here.
If you didn't notice that demonization, which has also been ongoing here on FR by liberal republicans, then you probably haven't been paying attention. The job of domestic defense has been monopolized by the feds, and they dropped the ball big time. It does no good at all to blame the militia movement. They've been locked out of any position of effectiveness by the people who let this happen to us.
I think you're the one with the thin skin.
I think there are two definitions of militia here causing confusion...as with any religion/gov't/ideology/group there are extremists on the fringe...the extremists views unfortunately did in the militia, which would have been a useful tool right now. I was thinking defunct groups, could reband together and offer to help the gov't with such things as guarding small airports and vulnerable businesses or just keep an eye on things the gov't doesn't have time to...to take the police off the streets to do these things could have a negative impact on crime...I was thinking of a citizen militia that was not intent on overthrowing it's local/nat'l gov't but on aiding that gov't in times of national emergency. It seems some groups were done in because of their extremist views, not because of lack of support from citizens. My neighbors and I have taken turns "walking" a local airport...just being eyes and ears...
Maybe I should just drop the "militia" part and say we need the help of "citizens" to take "walks" and bring your camera - let them know we are watching...like neighborhood watches only extending to the business community, too.
IMO, most of what was presented to the viewing public by the news media as "extremist" by the TV news medium was basic Constitutional principle. The militia was seen by the framers of the Constitution as an obstacle to the kind of centralized federal government we now have. Patrick Henry, if he were alive today, would probably have already been framed by the BATF and sentenced to a long prison term.
Congrats on the thickening of the skin. It's needed in online forums.
So let's start one...let's see what do we need:
1) a name, to be used across the nation, thus unifying the cause. Any ideas?
2) a website, where instructions could be posted on how to start one. Any webmasters out there?
3) instructions on how to organize a group
4) survielance tips and a reporting procedure.
5) it should be non-political, not associated with any one party.
6) It should be a peaceful endeavor,
it should NEVER give endorsements or public/political proclamations of any kind,
when people are interviewed by media, they do not represent themselves as speaking for the group.
there really shouldn't be a need for the group to publicly speak about anything.
7) a minimum of hierachy - maybe a rotating chairperson,
who would not serve more than one year at a time - we don't
want to encourage little "kingdoms".
8) volunteers
9) maps, lists of buildings in area that need protecting
10) would we need some law enforcement or gov't blessing?
It'd be nice to have, but not necessary, we are
afterall, only taking "observant, organized walks".
11) as little $$ as possible (like neighborhood watch program).
12) a "pass-it-on" email that would circle the country announcing the website and cause.
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