The Politics Of Gene Wolfe

James Wynn · 17 Mar 2009, 15:46 · from 2009-March.txt.gz

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From: crushtv at gmail.com (James Wynn)
Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:46:15 -0500
Subject: (urth) The Politics Of Gene Wolfe
References: <W447681238525221237244914@webmail21><B2156387-2C0B-41C8-A692-569C229615F0 at butcherbaker.org><49BF4515.6080806 at io.com><03FEB8E1-A5CB-4C35-B788-FF0B30DD9AD3 at goosemoon.org><49BF7768.6000407 at io.com><11930.72.171.0.143.1237286160.squirrel at brunians.org><7D7361FF-F396-4C21-AB80-4B18585C708C at io.com><93d4039f0903170724w1424e52cn7998812102dbee6b at mail.gmail.com><2B8C663FAC9D4D39A0D4521DABA89887@eMachinePC><6612.67.142.130.27.1237303208.squirrel at brunians.org>
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>This is a common myth. In fact, the Second Amendment is the only one
>of the Ten that clearly states its purpose -- which is that a well-ordered
>militia is essential for "security" of the state.

I find this to be the biggest straw-man in the whole debate on the 2nd 
Amendment. The amendment states:
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, 
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

The first part ("A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security 
of a free State") is a dependent, informing or justifying clause. The 
_independent_ clause which carries the mandate and provides the chosen 
solution to the problem posed by first clause is not a bit ambiguous: "The 
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." No 
doubt, there are some heated arguments behind that defensive justification.

Furthermore, the amendment grants this "right" to "the people." To read this 
amendment as pro-regulators like to would mean that the first amendment 
"right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government 
for a redress of grievances" would only apply to the right of state 
governments to assemble and to make official statements to the Federal 
government.

>In other words, it isn't about
>opposing the government; it's about having the ability to repel invaders
>on the spur of the moment.

I could dredge up quotes from the Founders refuting this, but I'm sure you 
seen them before.

J

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