| From: | Lloyd Vance ljvance@*******.edu |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Value and so on.... |
| Date: | Thu, 15 Jul 1999 18:30:17 |
>Smiling Jack writes:
>> "Those that beat their swords into plowshares will plow for those who do
>> not."
>
>I don't advocate a demilitarisation of society as a whole. A demilitarised
>society is just waiting for the invaders to come in and push them out.
>
>What I was advocating was that you already have a group that is the
>strongest armed force in your society: the army and police forces. Give them
>the responsibility of ensuring security and freedom, and use ethical
>training to ensure that they do the job right. Then you can disarm the rest
>of society.
>
I just don't understand why you would allow someone to have that kind of
power and control over you. In a perfect world, I would have no problem
with that, but it is always nice to have the options open, ya know?
>Objectors to this should take a few seconds to consider the problem of
>opposing the army as it is right now.
>
Yes, it would be a challenge. It may be impossible. But I would rather
have the chance than not.
On a similar note, I don't believe that the US government is doing poorly
overall, nor is it overly oppressive, IMHO. I think that we have very
little to worry about aside from gas prices in CA. But it is a right given
to us by those who created the country we (US cits) live in. Just like
freedom of the press. Privacy of the individual (which is another one of
those disappearing rights. Did you know that California is the only state
in the US where you are required to carry identity papers with you?), or
any of the others. I love the fact that I live in a place where I can
travel 2000 miles without being hassled at a border. I get great pride
from my relatives who have served this country in war and peace. I don't
want to oppose the army. I just think that a partially armed populace is
much harder to oppress than a totally disarmed one, and those in 'power'
know this.
>--
>.sig deleted to conserve electrons. robert.watkins@******.com
The Hamm
aka Lloyd Vance
