Subject:
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Re: An armed society...(what if?)
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Wed, 23 Jan 2002 23:05:56 GMT
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Viewed:
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1332 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Kirby Warden writes:
> With every gun debate I see/read, it seems to me more people would rather
> live unarmed. I seems likely to me that, within my lifetime, guns will be
> outlawed from private citizens.
>
> Why do I think this likely? Because I just don't see enough people who are
> willing to stand up and defend their rights and the rights of others.
This could be the case, but it could also be the case that people think the
need for such a right has passed.
I would think it would take either a consititutional amendment (no easy
thing) or a series of presidents that had a litmus test on the subject for
Supreme Court appointees (given such sorry appointments as Thomas and
Scalia, I recognize this could happen in the other direction). I think the
current nickel-and-dime routine can only go so far, but I understand that
you may feel otherwise.
>
> Not too long ago I saw a video about several *conspiracies*. Mentioned was
> the seizure of properties (as highlighted in drug enforcement laws). Here
> are a few cases that were noted...
>
> 1.) A woman owns property where she grows some vegetables. Somewhere on
> the land, her son was growing pot. The authorities somehow found the crop
> and seized it...as well as the entire field. The woman claimed to know
> nothing about the pot, but was held liable regardless.
I don't see how this is a conspiracy. It's taking virtually criminal
advantage of a ill-conceived law (nor is it the only case), but that has
existed as long as governments have existed. It's not something new. As
these kind of things come to light, pressure will mount to change or repeal
the law that allowed this kind of nonsense (and it should be noted that
these kind of things often make a big splash in the press, but are quietly
dropped later on).
>
> 2.) A man bought a plane ticket with cash. It was one of many frequent
> trips to some shrubbery plantation where they only accept cash. The man had
> a few thousand dollars in cash on him. Buying the plane ticket with cash
> alerted the airport authorities, they seized him, searched him, and finding
> no cause for arrest, confiscated his cash.
Again, over-zealous authorities that will probably get people fired and
waste tax-payer's money when the government is successfully sued. I don't
see the conspiracy.
>
> 3.) A truck driver was returning from a drop-off. He had delivered some
> heavy machinery. He had parked the truck for a moment when a patrol car
> pulled up behind him. They asked him to open the trailer but found nothing
> suspicious. They searched through his paper work and found ten-thousand
> dollars in cash. Claiming that the possesion of the cash was grounds for
> suspicious behavior, the officers seized the truck and the money. Two years
> later, the shriff office gave the driver back the truck and half the money.
And the results of the ensuing legal action?
>
> Apparently all three cases are perfectly legal. More frightening still is
> the lack of public scrutiny. Worse, if Joe Patriot speaks up, he may be
> branded a conspiracy nut-crack. And while Joe Patriot may have some vocal
> support, he will likely stand alone as no one else seems to think there is a
> problem worth getting worked up over.
Many people have objected to these kind of things - you don't have to be
"Joe Patriot" on a mission to save society from itself. As to being branded
a conspiracy nut-crack: these seem like three rather unrelated instances of
governmental excesses that need to be corrected. Where's the conspiracy?
What is the conspiracy trying to achieve?
Of course, I'm not going to argue about a governmental conspiracy being in
bed with Enron...
:-)
>
> The fact that these search and seizure laws are even in existence simply
> shows the apathy of American citizens.
No, it shows the value of a free press. That these cases exist is not due
to the apathy of American citizens. If they *continue" unabated, THEN that
shows the apathy of American citizens.
>
> Therefore I don't think it will be too long before guns are illegal.
Again, you may be confusing apathy with agreement.
>
> What then. What if we lose the guns? Will anyone care? Besides the
> incarcerated or committed.
>
> Isn't entertainment all that we really need? A bunch of happy slaves who
> work upwards of sixty hours a week, participate in daily entertainment
> rituals, and pop a few emotion-enhancing vitamins.
>
> Live happy and die ignorant.
It's possible to not be apathetic and hold a strong opinion, but still be
ignorant. This is only terrible if it is coupled with an unwillingness to
listen and learn (no insinuation of present company intended).
Bruce
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: An armed society...(what if?)
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| (...) Be sure to thank the media for setting the people straight on the matter. (...) President Wilson managed to sign into law the Federal Reserve as well as the 16th Amendment. (...) The individual cases are not conspiracies unto themselves. The (...) (22 years ago, 24-Jan-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: An armed society...(what if?)
|
| With every gun debate I see/read, it seems to me more people would rather live unarmed. I seems likely to me that, within my lifetime, guns will be outlawed from private citizens. Why do I think this likely? Because I just don't see enough people (...) (22 years ago, 23-Jan-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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