[El Gato]

So we have these militia types, saying they are trying to "protect" me and you by arming themselves to the hilt. They're preserving our "rights"? They don't represent me. They represent their particular pov and then resort to violence.

In point of historical fact you are more likely to get offed by some environmental wacko than a member of a self annointed militia. McVeigh was not a member of any such group, BTW. You mention the Will of the People, well the founding fathers put the second amendment in the Constitution so that the people would always be able to work their will on the government, if the government stopped listening on their own. This sort of thing has never happened, it's not likely to happen, but as Hubert Humphrey once said "The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible." (from "Know Your Lawmakers", Guns, Feb. 1960, p. 4 (1960) )

[ThirstyMan]

In point of historical fact you are more likely to get offed by some environmental wacko than a member of a self annointed militia.

Perhaps. I'm just not sure what weaponry the "ew's" use, are you? I need this information so I can watch out for them, if what you say is true. [since we have plenty of them around here]
I contend that operating in both the militia and the ew's is a common, yet very dangerous self-righteousness. This self-righteous attitude parades itself as pure and indisputable virtue willing to go to extreme lengths to impose its will on all of us. Both of these extreme groups are far off kilter.

McVeigh was not a member of any such group, BTW

Not technically perhaps. He was the angry militia type who feared the gov't, which is why he chose to attack the Murrah Federal Bldg on the day he did.

You mention the Will of the People, well the founding fathers put the second amendment in the Constitution so that the people would always be able to work their will on the government, if the government stopped listening on their own.

We need armed protection against the very governmental powers that we put into office. If so we're making very bad ballot box choices, aren't we? It appears you are saying we must instill a fear in our elected officials of the possibility of an armed revolt by the citizens?
Sorry, I just don't see how your model plays out and really am unclear how we know when we are supposed to start shooting. Do you know when we start shooting? If so can you tell me?

This sort of thing has never happened, it's not likely to happen...

I'm glad to hear you say this. I can't imagine that day myself.