A few days ago, famous liberal writer, Naomi Wolf, wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post where she said the Second Amendment keeps people’s homes safe from government intrusion. Lots of people assumed it was just a typo, and that she really meant the Fourth Amendment. But after she received a bunch of e-mails about it, she wrote a follow-up clarifying she was in fact referring to the right to keep and bear arms. Sorta..
Many writers have asked whether I intended to refer to the Second Amendment when I mentioned that we have been free of intimidation by the government that other citizens experience around the world. I did indeed intend to refer to the Second Amendment, though not in the sense that most of the email about this assumed. I was referring to militias — “a well regulated Militia” –not to private gun ownsership.
Often today, the Second Amendment is associated in our minds with the private right to bear arms, which is the subject of a case–District of Columbia v. Heller–at the US Supreme Court this year. Rather, I was referring to the historical origin of the Second Amendment, as the protector of local militias that would be more closely accountable to the people than a federal army.
Aww, you’re sooooo close Ms. Wolf. The militia isn’t just closely accountable to the people; it is the people. This much should be readily apparent by looking at US Code, or by looking at the laws in most of the several States. Or, we could look at the words of the people who were around when the Bill of Rights was ratified to see what the militia is..
I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.
— George Mason, 1788.
Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom? Congress shall have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American … The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the People.
— Tench Coxe, 1788.
It is no doubt quite impressive for an extreme left wing writer (who previously advised Bill Clinton, no less) to come to the realization that the militia is intended to protect us from the Federal government. However, and maybe it’s just me, but it really kinda seems like she’s still clinging desperately to that last inch of the statist lifeline of modern liberalism. It’s as if she expect State and local government– or pretty much anyone but herself –to defend her from tyranny.
That’s all well and good in theory, but what happens when the more local forms of government go along with a move to tyranny? Will the State Defense Force really protect you if Governors are bought off by a promise from a would-be dictator that they can rule their fiefdom as a virtual warlord? And how many city governments will rise up when they are nearly dependent on Federal funding to operate already?
No, if her Ten Steps to Fascism should ever become a reality, it will only be after government of the several States and their cities acquiesce to the power of a would-be dictator; be it through fear or greed. Should this ever happen, it will be the people who must defend their own liberty.
And should this time ever come, those waiting for the state or anyone else to come to their rescue like some mythical knight in shining armor will be sorely disappointed. Freedom is not free, and if you’re not ready to pay for it yourself, don’t expect anyone else to hand it to you on a silver platter.
But, yea, Ms. Wolf, if you ever read this, my advice would be to take one more sip of coffee as you awake from the deep sleep of state dependence. Take the red pill. Then join us in the fight for true, personal independence. Judging by the evolution of your writing recently, you might just make a good libertarian yet.
Oh, and while you’re at it, add the 11th Step to your list mentioned by Mr. Smith over at the JPFO. 😉