Posted: 2/21/2007 9:12:10 PM EDT
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...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.-- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men...That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is theRight of the People to alter or to abolish it; and to institute new Government...it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security... CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 The Second Amendment is not about hunting. Its not about a hobby. It has only little to do with individual self defense. At its Heart, the 2nd Amendment is about the right of the people to revolt. It is part of a system of Constitutional checks and balances that keep all factions in line. It seems like people dance around this fact; instead, referring to their right to hunt, or their right to shoot, or their right to own a gun, or their right to defend themselves from common criminals. But nobody wants to stand up and say that it is about their right to demand, and if need be secure by force, a righteous government. |
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A standing army we shall have, also, to execute the execrable commands of tyranny; and how are you to punish them? Will you order them to be punished? Who shall obey these orders? Will your mace-bearer be a match for a disciplined regiment? In what situation are we to be? The clause before you gives a power of direct taxation, unbounded and unlimited, an exclusive power of legislation, in all cases whatsoever, for ten miles square, and over all places purchased for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, etc. What resistance could be made? The attempt would be madness. You will find all the strength of this country in the hands of your enemies; their garrisons will naturally be the strongest places in the country. Your militia is given up to Congress, also, in another part of this plan; they will therefore act as they think proper; all power will be in their own possession. You can not force them to receive their punishment: of what service would militia be to you, when, most probably, you will not have a single musket in the State? For, us arms are to be provided by Congress, they may or may not furnish them." Patrick Henry, Shall Liberty or Empire be Sought?, from a June 5, 1788 speech in the Virginia Convention, called to ratify the Constitution of the United States. "Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the world that a free man, contending for his liberty on his own ground, is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth." George Washington, July 2, 1776 |