Never forget.
Posted on 09/11/2002 1:20:41 PM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
Without a doubt, 9/11 is a day that will live in infamy. But while this may be a somber time, we should not linger under the impression that those responsible will be taking time out of their day for reflection and remembrance. If prevailing suspicions are correct, what the nation witnessed last September was merely a prelude to what lies in store for us, and that stark realization should strengthen our resolve to fight to protect our families and our homes.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans have ignored their responsibility to help protect this country and have entrusted career politicians—men and women who have all but forgotten what life is like in the real world—with the safety and security of the homeland. Big mistake.
Our elected officials, trying to assuage our fears by telling us that they are staying on top of the looming terrorist threat, have been doing everything in our best interests. Thanks to a broadening of police powers here at home, we can sleep peacefully at night knowing that our neighbors are being carefully watched. Because of an imminent pre-emptive strike against Iraq, we can take comfort in the fact that we won't have to dodge incoming nuclear missiles on our commute to work in the morning.
Despite all reassurances, however, it is rather disturbing that the very government claiming to be our protector in this "war" on terror is the same government that has fought so hard over the years to take away one of our strongest defenses against terrorist attacks, that being our right to keep and bear arms. It stands to reason that if you truly value your freedom, and believe everything should be done within our power to protect our nation, you should be outraged.
For as long as there has been a Second Amendment to the Constitution, there have been attempts to undermine it. Sadly, as is usually the case, emotion has won out over common sense, and the desire for a little temporary safety has overwhelmed our hunger for liberty.
The vivid pictures of last year's terrorist attacks have been permanently etched into our national psyche, and trying to cut through the emotional haze is no easy task. Thanks to modern technology bringing first-hand coverage of catastrophic events into virtually every living room in America, our anger has been directed solely at those terrorists responsible for the haunting images of 9/11. At the same time, our government has managed to exploit that anger and divert our attention to the "war" on terror in the Middle East, all while avoiding any real improvements in the way of homeland security.
Here we are, a year later, and 20,000 local and federal gun laws still clutter the books. In spite of the tough anti-terrorist rhetoric pouring from the lips of Washington bureaucrats, not one federal gun regulation has been repealed. The Bush administration has hardly even discussed the issue of granting commercial airline pilots the right to carry firearms, and, in fact, has fought such a proposal tooth and nail.
As indicated by our reaction last year, we are immediately horrified when freedom is attacked with brute force. But when freedom is chipped away little by little, we succumb without so much as a whimper.
This Sept. 11, as we honor the memory of those who lost their lives one year ago, let us also remember that the fight is far from over. The threat of terrorism is as real today as it was then, and we need to decide once and for all if we are going to be serious about addressing that threat.
We can rain bombs down on any country we want, but the fact remains that the greatest terrorist threat will most likely come from within our borders. Disarming American citizens is one of the worst things politicians could do.
Contrary to popular belief, the right of self-preservation is one of our inalienable rights. It must be defended. If we allow our own government to become a formidable enemy by giving in to its attempt to disarm us, then, my friends, the war against terrorism may already be lost.
Never forget.
Arm the passengers. Else move congressional offices into a new skyscraper devoid of security measures inside and out, and enact legislation requiring that Congresscritters must fly coach on commercial airlines bereft of any bodyguards.
For you convenience, I have published the above poster as an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. If you don't already have it installed on your computer, you can install Adobe Acrobat by clicking on the "Get Acrobat Reader" icon. After the program downloads, install it by clicking the "Open" button on the download dialog box. Follow the instructions. Once Acrobat is installed, click on the "Click to download poster in PDF format" link. The poster will open up in Acrobat. You can print it from there in high resolution.
"If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees."
-Bill Clinton, Aug 12 1993
"If the personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution inhibit the government's ability to govern the people, we should look to limit those guarantees."
-Bill Clinton, Aug 12 1993
How true, how so very true.But to be more correct, it is also past administrationS that have enacted so many restricting, draconian laws/statutes. Our civil liberties have been severely eroding for many decades. The American populace, in their ever increasing apathy has allowed those that which to 'enslave' us more power and influence over our everyday lives.
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