The Quotes, They Sum It Up

[talon]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/18/AR2010041802391.html?hpid=topnews

A few relevant quotes:

[Daniel] "Almond plans to have his pistol loaded and openly carried<http://restoretheconstitution.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/rules-of-non-engagement-for-the-big-day-pt-1/>, his rifle unloaded and slung to the rear, a bandoleer of magazines containing ammunition draped over his polo-shirted shoulder."

Virginia is one of the few states that allows loaded weapons, but this is overkill. Even if loaded weapons are permitted, ammo-ing up in a reasonably safe place, especially among hundreds or possibly thousands of other armed individuals, as if going to war is plain stupid and begging for accidents to happen. I know on gun ranges (at least the ones I'm willing to patronize), carrying loaded guns is frowned on because of the potential for accidents. In just general gadding about town, having a loaded weapon can be a good idea as you never know about being mugged and such, but at a rally like this - I think unloaded is the wisest choice. Especially if they bring booze.

"On the lineup are several heroes of the militia movement, including Mike Vanderboegh<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/ar2010032501722.html>, who advocated throwing bricks through the windows of Democrats who voted for the health-care bill; Tom Fernandez<http://alarmandmuster.com/alarm%20%26%20muster.pdf>, who has established a nationwide call tree to mobilize an armed resistance to any government order to seize firearms; and former Arizona sheriff Richard Mack, who refused to enforce the Brady law and then won a Supreme Court verdict<http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/95-1478.zo.html> that weakened its background-check provisions."

Now, knowing this just makes me feel unloaded weapons (even with ammo close by, like in the next pocket or even on an ammo belt) is not just a good idea but a Great Idea.

"Those coming to the "Restore the Constitution" rally give Obama no quarter for signing the law that permits them to bring their guns to Fort Hunt, run by the National Park Service, and to Gravelly Point on the banks of the Potomac River. Nor are they comforted by a broad expansion of gun rights in several states since his election."

Figures - they're so selfish and blind they won't admit that instead of reducing their rights and freedoms, Obama wants to restore them. It's just going to take time and sometimes it looks as if we're going backward in order to move forward. Mind you, I don't care for a lot of things Obama is doing - and you can put the health care bill pretty near the top if not at it - but I can see the patterns he's trying to get going. Those patterns, if allowed to develop, will play out to restoring our lost freedoms and giving us even more freedoms. And the commensurate responsibilities. Never forget that freedom comes with responsibility. It's not all fireworks and waving loaded weapons at unarmed people.

" Oath Keepers, which in a year has grown to 20,000 online members, signed on early as an event sponsor but abruptly pulled out on April 12. "It had gotten to the point that it would be dangerous to attend," said board member Rex McTyeire, citing an escalation of threatening rhetoric online from some participants. "There are people out there willing to do anything to create chaos in an uncontrolled situation, and [the event] is wide open for disaster."

Someone with sense. And I never thought I'd say that about the Oath Keepers.

" Organizers of another April 19 rally, the Second Amendment March at the Washington Monument, want it known that they have nothing to do with the Restore the Constitution muster.

Another someone with sense. I've supported the Second Amendment March and now I see it was a good choice. The leadership exhibits wisdom even if all the members don't.

" When they stand on the river banks Monday and preach an activism that sounds to some like sedition, the armed demonstrators will have the full support of the federal government they fear, carefully detailed in the 26-page event permit<http://api.ning.com/files/yh9bc-razt9svhe8yfztxjmezzelxeab652xm95uhcdxr*ndt9hjbkilttqi*zcw5gykwvliytpezqtkcc*zrsilwwyjtxsn/permitp.2to26.pdf>, complete with the gun regulations of both Virginia and the Interior Department and a commitment to provide fencing, barricades and bike racks for the event."

Let's repeat this, shall we: " the armed demonstrators will have the full support of the federal government they fear"

Makes you wonder why they fear the government so much. Votes work. Holding your legislators accountable works. Being involved in the local government works. Monkey-waving loaded guns from across the river - that's just ludicrous and juvenile, and makes the brandishers look silly.

If I were a cartoonist, I'd have a field day mocking them. Snarky slogans just aren't as effective and memorable as a well-drawn cartoon.