HICKS: Legislator shouldn't advocate armed revolt

yorkdispatch.com ^ | 15 June, 2011 | Larry A. Hicks

[marktwain]

But I'd become really comfortable with state Rep. Scott Perry, R-Dillsburg. He's not my legislator. I've never had a chance to vote for him. But he does represent fellow York countians, and I'd come to respect the way he thought.

I saw him as a hard worker. I saw him as a man with character. And I saw him as someone who had his priorities in order.

Oh, and one more thing -- I saw him as a solid patriot. He was a man who not only cared about Pennsylvania, but the United States, as well.

In case you have forgotten -- I haven't -- Perry served a one-year tour of duty in Iraq with the Pennsylvania National Guard a couple of years ago, while he was an elected legislator in the state General Assembly.

He continued to serve his constituents from Iraq, by computer and whatever other forms of communication he could manage, the best he could.

I admired that.

And I said so.

But now I'm wondering if some of the bricks in Perry's load haven't fallen off the wagon.

Because Perry said something a couple weeks ago that has brought me up short. I've spent two weeks pondering his comment, trying to figure out a way to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But the more I think about it, the more I hear or read Perry's explanation of what he really meant to say, the more second thoughts I'm having.

This is what Perry was reported as having said for a May 30 story in the Allentown Morning Call: "We must be able not only to hunt but to protect ourselves from an overbearing government that does not do the will of the people."

[Lancey Howard]

First, this assclown Hicks is a liar. He’s the small-town newspaper version of one of those Democrat “seminar callers” who call Rush Limbaugh and think they’re being sneaky. You know - - “I’ve been a Republican all my life, but now...”. Listeners from coast to coast just chuckle and roll their eyes.

Second, Hicks’ opinion of his readers betrays the arrogance typical of most liberals. Hicks assumes that his readers are easily fooled and woefully ignorant of the primary purpose of the Second Amendment which was, of course, to preserve for the people their inalienable right to bear arms and defend themselves against a possible future tyrannical government. What... does Hicks really believe that his readers are so stupid they think the Second Amendment is there because the framers thought the people needed to rest assured that they could always hunt and shoot targets and stop muggers?

Hicks’ insulting opinion of his own readers ensures that he can forget any dreams of writing for a big city Democrat publication anytime soon. Ha! Or maybe not! He might be a perfect fit for a dying laughingstock like the New York Times.

[B4Ranch]

Technically, you’re never supposed to begin or end ANY sentence with “But”, but...)

[B4Ranch]

Now, you’re thinking the way I do.

[B4Ranch]

>>Hicks assumes that his readers are easily fooled and woefully ignorant of the primary purpose of the Second Amendment which was, of course, to preserve for the people their inalienable right to bear arms and defend themselves against a possible future tyrannical government. <<

I doubt if 10% of America knows the primary purpose of the Second Amendment.

[BerserkPatriot]

From the article:

But this is 2011. In this country, times have changed , I think. I hope. And even if they haven't, does anyone in his or her right mind think a bunch of citizens with handguns and rifles stand a snowball's chance in Hades against an organized military with the fire power of our government?

Times have changed, really?
So we no longer face the danger of an oppressive government?

And we don’t have a chance? So does that mean we have no choice but to knuckle under to an oppressive government? That said oppressive government can do whatever in Hades it wants to without restraint?

Sounds wonderful.

[A. Patriot]

The author of this tripe should be ashamed of HIMself. He obviously has never really studied American history. He does not understand how freedom is obtained and protected. Human nature doesn't chance over the ages. We need to be ready to protect our liberty just as in previous centuries. Here are some quotes he should familiarize himself with:

“A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
- George Washington

“If ever time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”
Samuel Adams
...
My experience in public concerns and the observation of a life somewhat advanced confirm the opinions long since imbibed by me, that the destruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their control over the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolution and anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination.” - PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON, SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1833

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and passed on ... or we will spend our sunset years telling our children's children what it was like in the United States when men were free.”
– Ronald Reagan

“In the larger sense, however, the personal ownership of firearms is only secondarily a matter of defense against the criminal. Note the following from Thomas Jefferson: The strongest reason for the people to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against the tyranny of government. That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. They are not afraid of criminals. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants.”
- Jeff Cooper

“A free people ought to be armed.”
- George Washington

“Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples’ liberty's teeth.”
- George Washington

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
- Benjamin Franklin

“The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
- Thomas Jefferson

“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”
- Thomas Jefferson

“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.”
- Thomas Jefferson

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”
- William Pitt

“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.”
- Richard Henry Lee

“A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves ... and include all men capable of bearing arms.”
- Richard Henry Lee

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.”
- Patrick Henry

“One bleeding-heart type asked me in a recent interview if I did not agree that ‘violence begets violence.’ I told him that it is my earnest endeavor to see that it does. I would like very much to ensure — and in some cases I have — that any man who offers violence to his fellow citizen begets a whole lot more in return than he can enjoy.”
-Jeff Cooper

“I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any threat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within.”
– General Douglas MacArthurSee More

[BerserkPatriot]

So is he arguing that the Government should be disarmed before it becomes oppressive?

[Still Thinking]

Hey, I had an ellipsis!

[Still Thinking]

I doubt if 10% of America knows the primary purpose of the Second Amendment.

Are you saying it's not for deer hunting???

[Tax-chick]

Only one? I sometimes have several in a brief period of time. The cure is to have a small Restorative Beverage and lie down.

[Still Thinking]

Plus don’t overlook the inherently contradictory argument. We no longer face a potentially oppressive government so we don’t need to think terms of resistance, and we shouldn’t think in terms of resistance cause they’d crush us. I wish the guy’d at least sort through his lies first and keep the various incompatible sets in separate articles.

[Still Thinking]

;-)

[B4Ranch]

Literary devices may only be used after 10AM when everyone is sufficiently caffeinated. PST is currently 9:15AM and there is still coffee in my cup. You need to make a retraction or a letter of counsel will be sent out.

[Still Thinking]

It's after 10AM somewhere!

[B4Ranch]

>I doubt if 10% of America knows the primary purpose of the Second Amendment.<

>>Are you saying it’s not for deer hunting???<<

Is the term “deer hunting” in the Constitutional Amendments?

No, it is not Sir. So yes, I am saying it is not for deer hunting.

[B4Ranch]

You mentioned Restorative Beverages. Oh yes, you do know how to conduct business properly.

[B4Ranch]

>>It’s after 10AM somewhere!<<

That only applies to Alcoholic Restorative Beverages. Checking my manual, it says that Alcoholic Restorative Beverages may be mixed with Caffeinated Beverages at 50 percent levels when the Sun is completely off the horizon.

[Tax-chick]

Thank you very much. Help yourselves to a Guinness.

I have to take a crowd of children to the library so Young Beau can practice the electric guitar in peace ... I mean, so we can have some peace while he’s practicing.

[Tax-chick]

Alcoholic Restorative Beverages can also be mixed with fruit juice, any time after midnight.

But (in the spirit of the article, beginning a sentence with a conjunction) all I have is a Walmart diet cola.

[B4Ranch]

Look carefully and you will see that is 12PM not AM. I thank the fruit growers and importers for that correction.