Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a DKos group of second amendment supporters who also have progressive and liberal values. We don't think that being a liberal means one has to be anti-gun. Some of us are extreme in our second amendment views (no licensing, no restrictions on small arms) and some of us are more moderate (licensing, restrictions on small arms.) Moderate or extreme or somewhere in between, we hold one common belief: more gun control equals lost elections We don't want a repeat of 1994. We are an inclusive group: if you see the Second Amendment as safeguarding our right to keep and bear arms individually, then come join us in our conversation. If you are against the right to keep and bear arms, come join our conversation. We look forward to seeing you, as long as you engage in a civil discussion.
I don't really know how to start this diary. I want to talk about firearms. I want to talk about democracy and our Democracy. I also want to talk about the other side of human nature. The one that lurks below the veneer of our civilized society. The side of human nature that lives in you and me. All it takes is the right circumstances to bring it out.
I am a very sensitive person. I take most things personal even though I shouldn't. It's hard for me to hear about who has been killed as a result of a drone strike that was authorized by our state department and wasn't even the target they were aiming for.
I am disgusted with the fact that the current administration has overtly let known to the American people that it keeps two assassination lists. One for foreigners, and one for Americans. Anybody care to guess who is on those lists? I sure would love to know. I would also love to know where in our Democracy the executive branch it says it can assassinate American citizens without due process.
This is my AR-15. There are many like it but this one is mine... (I won't quote the whole marine prayer). Why do I have this gun? After all, this is not Mogadishu, Chad, or Somalia. Why would anyone need a gun like that in our Democracy?
The 'need' factor is a personal decision. I could have chosen any number of other models, but I like this model because of the versatility. The question I want YOU to answer is: Do we live in a Democracy anymore?
My response to that is no. Our democracy is entirely gone. The system is entirely corrupted by the interest of corporate influence and the military industrial complex.
* The president keeps two assassination lists. One of them is for American citizens. No due process. If you make the president's list, you better have your house in order.
* The NDAA was passed. The whole world is now a battlefield and the military can now be deployed anywhere at anytime. You can be taken from your home and held indefinitely or summarily executed without a trial or without a single shred of evidence ever been disclosed.
* The NSA is spying on everyone and storing EVERYTHING you do electronically. Every email, phone call, credit card transaction, GPS data. EVERYTHING. You bought a tube of anal lubricant last week? The NSA will have that fact handy long after you are in your grave.
* We are fighting proxy wars in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Libya (already conquered). Who are the rebels and 'freedom fighters' we are supporting? Why, they are Al-Queda.
Didn't you know that? Who attacked us on 9/11 again? Oh that's right, it was Al-Queda.
* Camp X-Ray remains open. It's now called Camp Delta. We can't convict people on evidence so we just hold them indefinitely. Or we convict them on secret evidence. Of course, let's not forget the torture that went on and probably still is going on there. For shame.
* The drone strikes continue to kill as many innocent people as 'guilty' ones. Guilty of what? Where is the evidence? Oh that's right, the government won't share the evidence because it will expose the extent to which they are spying on everyone. 'Just trust us. These people deserve to die.'
* When MFGlobal collapsed, Jon Corzine authorized the theft of client funds to cover what would have been JP Morgan's losses. Why isn't Jon in jail? Because he's connected.
These are not hallmarks of a functioning democracy. We are no longer a nation of laws. If the government thinks you a 'problem', you are dead. You are not protected by the constitution or the bill of rights when it comes to federal interests. They will do what they want to whom they want wherever it happens in the world. Prosecutions only happen to people who don't have money & power.
Is this an appropriate role for government to have over your life? Is this Democracy?
You could make the case we are under de facto martial law today. What separates us from Mogadishu and Somalia is only the overall level of wealth. Nothing else.
This is a magazine. It fits into the AR-15.
This particular magazine will take 30 bullets. Is that 'too many'? I don't think so. I think 30 is about right. Why? Well, if you watch the video at the end of this diary, you will learn about Ben and his experiences after hurricane Katrina.
Which leads me to my second point. Not only is our government dangerous and out of control, it won't protect you during a major disaster or its aftermath. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. How many stories of rape, murder & robbery did you hear about? Did you also hear about police confiscation of firearms?
Ben lived through Katrina. Listen to his story. Tell me this can't happen to you. Tell me someone will be there to provide for and protect you at all times. You can't. Tell me a firearm is bad idea as part of being well prepared for emergencies.
So I want finish by asking you some questions. You tell me what the answers are.
1. Is it reasonable to assume the police will be able to handle my person safety at all times?
2. Will the government protect me if a disaster happens?
3. Who ultimately is responsible for my personal safety?
4. Do I live in a functioning Democracy?
5. Am I a reasonably self sufficient, high functioning person?
6. Are my neighbors reasonably self sufficient, high functioning people?
7. What is the appropriate level of control a government should have over its citizens. 8. Is the government operating within those boundaries?
9. If the government safeguarding our rights or limiting those rights?
10. If the government isn't safeguarding our rights, then who is?
11. Is there anything worth dying over?
12. Could I live 14 days without electricity, running water, or grocery stores?
That's what I wanted to say. I am going to leave you with one more video. It might ring true with you, it might not. I think it's well done. You tell me.
This is the Captain, signing off.