So Martin, do you think armed revolution is the solution? I think armed revolution would take the power further out of the hands of the people, and put it in the hands of a few who have the physical power to impose their rules on everyone. Recent Middle East revolutions should be a good example of how popular revolution can work against the efforts of the people if they aren't careful.
I still think this is the greatest country out there, and certainly prefer working within the system to improve it, rather than try to overthrow it. Those involved in militias aren't making anyone any safer. In fact, perhaps they're part of the reason the government has gotten away with increasing the domestic policing so much. The general public is frightened by these militias, and this encourages them to give up more freedoms in the name of more security. These militias are not going to win when it comes to actual armed revolt. The military budgets we've supported for so long have ensured the strength of our military, which will protect our government. I have absolutely zero reason to believe the military would side with the militias in a coup. I really don't see armed revolution as a positive alternative to what we've got. We already have an opportunity to revolt every 4 years. If enough people agree with your opinion, your revolution gets a chance. If not, you've got to accept you lost and move on with your life.
akilina wrote: So knowing that, time to look for congressional people who more closely reflect our views and will not roll over.
It seems that that is all we can reasonably do. The real task is for those of us who are motivated is to actively motivate others of like mind to vote the next time around. We have two years...
Have to agree with PV, armed revolution is very rarely a solution and usually goes badly. Look what is happening in Libya, go from a stable autocracy to tribes fighting each other.
Thomas Sowell: There are no solutions, just trade-offs.
"Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” -King T'Challa, Black Panther
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it. ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. ~Winston Churchill
Sorry if I drifted from the original topic, Bob...I agree with you about the police. I see no need for local small town police forces to have these technologies. Seems once upon a time, one police force in the area would have a SWAT team...now Morrison has SWAT? Everyone has SWAT?
So now police forces are acquiring drones and other military technologies due to provisions in the bail outs that provides additional funding for homeland security purposes? So what can we do about it? Certainly we can contact our congress reps and express our opinion, but will enough people recognize the freedom and privacy they're sacrificing for the (perceived) increased security?
*Anyone remember Blade Runner, "you know the score, pal...if you're not a cop, you're little people".
