Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Crisis of Our Time


So, today, President Obama said he will make gun control a priority in 2013 (source). Diane Feinstein, in essence, has pledged to introduce new anti-gun legislation that would basically be a super-strengthened version of the 1994 federal Assault Weapons Ban (source). NY State’s Governor Cuomo has said that in NY it may come down to registration, mandatory buybacks or forced confiscation of currently legally owned firearms (source).
 
The NRA says one thing, Gun Owners of America another and this, that and another group all have something to say about our rights to keep and bear arms and thus remain a nation free from tyranny and enslavement. One man though, 236 years ago back in December 1776, may have said it best. He was Thomas Paine and the words to which I refer are the opening words of The Crisis:
 
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated..."
 
If the government attempts to seize your weapons or ammunition, or those of your neighbors and or if the government enacts obviously unconstitutional anti-gun laws requiring registration of certain weapons, banning of others, restrictions on magazines and ammunition, and what in essence will be a total violation of the 2nd Amendment, are you actually going to be willing to stand up for your rights? I don’t necessarily mean in court either because once they take away your guns, so what if you win in court if they decide to ignore the judicial rulings. Who will make them heed any such rulings if they have all of the guns and thus all of the power, power that once had been that of an armed populace to keep the government reigned in! Will you be willing to band together with other citizens who are supporters of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and of our right and liberty to keep and bear arms? Are you going to be ready, even if seemingly not able, to face down the Goliath of government oppression and tyranny - even if it means you may lose everything in defense of our rights, liberties and Constitution?

I am not sure I am ready or able but I am pretty sure, that should the government order unconstitutional measures to seize the arms of the People and thus institute unconstitutional, illegal, oppressive and tyrannical rule, I would be willing - as was spelled out in our first legal document - The Declaration of Independence - to band together with others of like mind in opposition to the tyrannical usurpers of our Republic. That said, I pray it does not come to such and that our right to keep and bear arms is not infringed one step further than has already been done. To be quite frank with you, I am petrified with fear at the prospect of what this president and this year may bring upon us but being scared by tyranny and a tyrant is no reason to back down and every reason to stand ground and fight in order to survive as an unenslaved and free citizen. I took this oath, on September 28, 1979, and I see no reason to shy away from it simply because I have retired from federal service:
 
I, Glenn B------, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
 
Note, there was no time limit or other restriction as to how long the oath would bind me in my support and defense of the Constitution of the United States and no mention or hint that such would terminate upon my retirement from federal office. I may no longer be a federal employee and I may be little more than an old, retired, worn down, cancer survivor and a family man but:
 
I still bear allegiance to the United States of America and her Constitution, including the Bill of Rights and the 2nd Amendment. I have sworn by oath, and remain so sworn, to "...support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...". I hope to do my best to honor that oath.
 
All the best,
Glenn B