The Politics Of Gene Wolfe

Jeff Wilson · 02 Jul 2010, 18:02 · from 2010-July.txt.gz

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From: jwilson at io.com (Jeff Wilson)
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:02:37 -0500
Subject: (urth) The Politics Of Gene Wolfe
In-Reply-To: <SNT123-W35B8EE0DB157A30F9FC3C8CFCE0 at phx.gbl>
References: <SNT123-W35B8EE0DB157A30F9FC3C8CFCE0 at phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <4C2E29BD.2080808 at io.com>

On 7/2/2010 12:38 PM, Lee Berman wrote:

> Anyway, the wording of the Second Amendment is-
>
>> "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."
>
> To me this wording suggests an interpretation counter to the standard
> Libertarian view which seems to focus on the word "free" and ignores the other
> 26 words. Bearing arms would seem to be meant for the defense of the state not
> to attack the state or defend against it. A "well regulated militia" sounds like
> a state organized function to me not some sort of individual defense against
> the state or lawless brigands or wild animals. 		 	   		

At the time "well regulated" meant kept in proper working order, like a 
clock that kept accurate time and chimed at regular intervals. Militia 
referred to the armed, able-bodied male populace rather than a 
particular organization. Drills and deployment were arranged at the 
state and local levels out of practicality.

-- 
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com
IEEE Student Chapter Blog at
< http://ieeetamut.org >

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