Western Rifle Shooters Association

Do not give in to Evil, but proceed ever more boldly against it

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

May I Have a Blue Pill, Please?

Maybe it's just the winter blahs.

Maybe it's the approach of a milestone birthday.

Maybe it's just a desire to be free from the knowledge of what lies ahead, both individually and for Western Civilization (such as it is at present).

Whatever it is, I find myself reduced to shaking my head over stories like this one, in which Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell says:

***
... in order to accomplish his plan, the government must have the ability to read all the information crossing the Internet in the United States in order to protect it from abuse. Congressional aides tell The Journal that they, too, are also anticipating a fight over civil liberties that will rival the battles over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
***


Thinking that this excerpt had to be a misquote, tonight I read the article about McConnell in the current New Yorker (note: link is to interview with article's author; article itself not available online).

It wasn't a misquote.

Then, as I was drafting this post, Drudge had this linked story posted:

Senior British police officials are talking to the FBI about an international database to hunt for major criminals and terrorists.

The US-initiated programme, "Server in the Sky", would take cooperation between the police forces way beyond the current faxing of fingerprints across the Atlantic. Allies in the "war against terror" - the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand - have formed a working group, the International Information Consortium, to plan their strategy.

Biometric measurements, irises or palm prints as well as fingerprints, and other personal information are likely to be exchanged across the network. One section will feature the world's most wanted suspects. The database could hold details of millions of criminals and suspects.

The FBI is keen for the police forces of American allies to sign up to improve international security. The Home Office yesterday confirmed it was aware of Server in the Sky, as did the Metropolitan police...
***


Of course, last Friday, the US Department of Justice filed this amicus brief in the Heller case, leading noted Second Amendment lawyer David Hardy to remark on the Republicans' long-time political tendency to "screw your friends and appease your enemies." The brief, with its plea to remand the DC gun law at issue to the lower court for further proceedings and retain the remainder of Federal gun laws, is disturbing enough:

***
...the Second Amendment, properly construed, allows for reasonable regulation of firearms, must be interpreted in light of context and history, and is subject to important exceptions, such as the rule that convicted felons may be denied firearms because those persons have never been understood to be within the Amendment's protections. Nothing in the Second Amendment properly understood - and certainly no principle necessary to decide this case - calls for the invalidation of the numerous federal laws regulating firearms...
(at page 8, Summary of Argument paragraph B)
***

But what is truly appalling is the number of attorneys, other auditioning Quislings, and assorted fools who continue to insist that the Heller case will yield a result that will be anything other than disastrous for freedom. Read the comments on the DOJ brief around the blogosphere and gun fora - if you can stand it.

Forgive the vernacular, but we are so totally hosed.

Doesn't anyone else see that by legitimizing the overwhelming majority of plainly unconstitutional Federal, state, and local gun laws ("shall not be infringed" simply does not leave much wiggle room for "valid" gun laws), the Heller decision will permit every damned Federally-funded jack-booted thug to claim "the Supreme Court said this was OK"?

Has anyone else consdered the timing here? Consider the following realities:

1) widespread financial meltdown, including rampant inflation, dollar devalution, and a likely major stock market "correction";

2) ever-tightening visual/telephonic/internet surveillance conducted by government;

3) a full Presidential candidate field consisting entirely of socialists (with one notable, although nonviable, exception;

and

4) an upcoming SCOTUS majority holding that the 2A's "shall not be infringed" language actually means that the RKBA is "subject to reasonable regulation in furtherance of important governmental objectives".

I keep trying to wake up from the coming nightmare.

I keep trying to find the blue pill that will allow me to forget all that is happening.

I cannot do either.

Damn it all.

4 Comments:

Blogger Stewart Rhodes said...

Excellent observations Cabinboy. I'll have to chase down some of those links.

The Republican Party, with one shining exception as you note, is lost. It really does little good to chose a Republican over a Democrat, if the Republican will act exactly the same. The Government's brief may as well have been written by Hillary Clinton or Sara Brady.

Stewart Rhodes

January 16, 2008 at 5:27 AM  
Blogger Concerned American said...

Sir: You won't like what you find there.

But face it we must, as counselor Henry said some 223 years ago:

...No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House...


Thanks for your comment.

January 16, 2008 at 5:31 AM  
Blogger Stewart Rhodes said...

Cabinboy, I agree 100% is is better to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. I used that quote myself in the introduction to an article I wrote for Gerry Spence's The Warrior on enemy combatant status.

I've just added your site to my link list. Please consider adding mine to yours. Those of us who are awake, and who have taken the red pill, need to support each other and keep in touch.

Nice site. I recognize you folks from your prior involvement with RWVA and Appleseed. I just wrote an article on the Appleseed program for the February issue of SWAT Magazine.

Seeing as how you are also a lawyer, you may find my research on enemy combatant status of interest. Boy, if you think things are bad now, go read that! The permanent links are off on the right hand side of my page. The Warrior piece provides a good overview, but you should especially read the one about the Clinton era proposal to use military tribunals on the militia. After that, even a blue pill will not help.

Best,

Stewart

January 16, 2008 at 5:50 AM  
Blogger Stewart Rhodes said...

I agree entirely, it is better to know the worst and prepare for it.

Say, I just added your site to my link list. Please consider adding mine to your list. Those of us who are awake, and have taken the red pill, need to stick together.

For liberty,

Stewart Rhodes

January 16, 2008 at 6:28 AM  

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