Freedom of speech

[B5JMS Poster]

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From: Keith Wood <kw at bctv.com>
Date: 22 May 2000 11:12:37 -0600
Lines: 38



Jms at B5 wrote:
> 
> People who cite the 2nd Amendment tend to forget the first part of it, which
> refers to a WELL REGULATED MILITIA.

Yep.  Regulated means trained and equipped.
 
> At the time when the Constitution was written, there was no such thing as an
> American army. 

Sorry, this is not correct.  In fact, the size of the army prompted the
Federalists and Anti-Federalists together to decide that the army can
only be funded for a specific period without returning to Congress for
more funding.

> People would work as farmers or silversmiths or merchants, and
> would participate as members of a militia in case of problems from the British
> or any other invading force from the OUTSIDE.

Partly correct, but not completely.

This was also the time before organized law enforcement.  When a crime
was committed, the "hue and cry" went up, those within earshot ran to
assist, and the miscreant was then hauled to the Justice of the Peace.

"Militia" means part-time military.  In the old days, a "draft" would be
issued by appropriate authority to fund a certain number of men for a
certain time and / or task.  Every town had a militia officer, often the
mayor, who was to be given the draft and who would then call those men
he felt were needed, up to the number which the draft would pay.  It was
purely voluntary (the "compelled draft" was first issued in this country
during the Civil War). 

The longest infantry march on North American soil was done by draft
militia -- the Mormon Battallion, during the War with Mexico.


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From: jmsatb5 at aol.com (Jms at B5)
Date: 22 May 2000 21:29:24 -0600
Lines: 28

>"Militia" means part-time military.  In the old days, a "draft" would be
>issued by appropriate authority to fund a certain number of men for a
>certain time and / or task.  Every town had a militia officer, often the
>mayor, who was to be given the draft and who would then call those men
>he felt were needed, up to the number which the draft would pay.  It was
>purely voluntary (the "compelled draft" was first issued in this country
>during the Civil War). 

Precisely.  Now the question is, how many people who cite the 2nd amendment and
say they hold steadfastly to it would agree to the first half of the statement
under those conditions, and be willing to voluntarily serve in a militia?

Darned few, I would suggest.


 jms

(jmsatb5 at aol.com)
B5 Official Fan Club at:
http://www.thestation.com
(all message content (c) 2000 by
synthetic worlds, ltd., permission
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SFX Magazine)




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