While not a member of any group, except our local gun club and I have missed the last four meetings, I believe that I understand what the militia movement is about and yes I do share many of their concerns.

Several years ago when I heard militias were forming and growing I was of the opinion that these people were nuts and a danger. I spent some time trying to understand what this was all about much as I have done with the Y2K issue. What I found out is that by and large these people were decent and came from all walks, races and political backgrounds. The one thing that united them was a genuine belief that we as a country were being not always gently being forced into a police state.

A typical member has children and often grandchildren. Most have prior military service. Some are church goers and some are not. Some are retired military officers, some flag officers. Some are in law enforcement and some are active duty military. Quite a few are small businessmen, doctors, programmers, etc.

Their battle plan is to win on the public opinion front even though their adversary has the media at their disposal. A shooting war is a last option and they don't plan to fire the first shot.

Now we have the recent arrest of several militia in Florida and California. The questions we have to ask ourselves is were these arrests ligit or set ups. Were those arrested actually militia or those calling themselves militia or possibly on the FBI payroll. I surely don't know. I suspect militia leaders around the country are right now pulling their hair out trying to answer these questions.

If the FBI had just reason for the arrests they will have the backing of the militia even though this news can be used against the militia in the public opinion war. If the arrests don't pass the smell test then militia leaders and members will be bailing out of their homes to alternate locations and be battle ready.

Before you dismiss my line of thought think back to Hitler's rise to and consolidation of power. Rather than an honest debate between national leaders and leaders of the militia movement, national leaders have dismissed concerns of those in the militia and millions of others who are not. Instead they have consistantly upped the ante in their war of brinkmanship, read the recent FBI scare report on domestic groups. We may indeed be on the brink and if so this increases the odds of martial this month.

And yes, there is still Y2K to deal with.

-- Ed (ed@lizzardranch.com), December 09, 1999

Answers

Ed,

I see your point with the militias. It is the radical factions that have given the term "militia" its bad press. Militias have been present in America since the inception of this nation. It was the militia that gave birth to this country. And, it is a terrible shame that such bad thoughts are now associated with the very concept that freed us from British rule (theoretically ***grin***).

Freedom has been the very life blood of this nation but with freedom comes the test of limits. Where do you draw the line and say "this is no longer freedom when it actually inhibits the rigths of others to the same pursuit of happiness".

I agree that civilians should have the right to come together and lawfully organize for the benefit of community and state. For those who stand against the principle of the militia you have to ask yourselves "what then is the neighborhood watch program" ? Is this not in essence the same thing but without camo ? What about the civilian patrols in the larger cities ? Are they not in essence what the militia is in principle ? The word "militia" is not bad. The kooks that sometimes comprise the ranks are the bad ones.

I am not a member of a militia or any such affiliated organization. I do not wish to be because I feel that anyone who joins, even out of pure and honest intent to contribute to the welfare of his or her neighbors would compromise himself/herself in todays society.

I have not really studied modern militias with the exception of what I hear in the press, but I did see a show about one in particular. I was actually shocked that this documentary had even made it on the air because not only ws it ALLOWED, it was allowed and done in a positive light. The militia is the Missouri 51st. They even have a web site that I went to after watching the show. As I said, I was dumbfounded at the light in which they were portrayed on television.

Anyway, from what I have seen of them, they more closely fit what is my interpretation of what a militia should be than any of the others. This may be unfair to the others and this is unintentional but is stated more from an uneducated point than anything else. I just simply haven't studied militias, period.

Anyway, for those of you who have a negative perception of ALL militias, maybe you should check out the Missouri 51st and judge for yourself as to whether they are any different. Below is the URL if interested. And no, I'm not plugging them or benefiting in least from your visit to the site (LOL).

http://www.tfs.net/~sbarnett/51stweb.htm

-- Rob (maxovrdrv51@hotmail.com), December 09, 1999.

Year right Pro. It probably was you trying to discredit the movement. And so what if it was? Only people like you and your Nazi buddies judge movements by the fringe element. I bet you get tears every time you think about your good buddy Hitler, eh? Sieg Heil Nazi!

-- Dolly Llama (DollyLlama@Tibet.com), December 09, 1999.

Some few of the "militia" groups and members have long been discredited. BUT some of the groups are legitimate. How can one tell the difference? For myself, I choose not to join any group calling itself "militia."

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), December 09, 1999.

I heard were the Militia group known as "The Georgia 52nd" changed their name to "The Pokemon Collectors Club" to draw attention away from themselves. Sure enough, about two weeks later they found out Psyduck was an F.B.I. informant. Anyway, Wartortle promptly kicked his ass out, and I've heard they haven't had any problem's since.

This is second hand, so take it for what it's worth.

-- ~***~ (~***~@earth.ebe), December 10, 1999.

I've got news for you people. YOU, and any male citizen between the ages of 18 and 45 (if not in active duty already) ARE NOW "IN" A MILITIA. It's the United States of America Militia. Oh, and here is the LAW that makes it so.

Sec. 311. Militia: composition and classes

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the ational Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are - (1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and (2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

SO, what do you think about that?? Kinda makes it scary that the US Federal Government is scared of all of you "Militia" people. I wonder what they will say they are picking you up for...

-- Brent James Bushardt (brentj@webt.com), December 10, 1999.