01-22-2018, 03:03 PM
(01-21-2018, 10:54 PM)pbrower2a Wrote: Criminals, addicts, idiots, and lunatics can never form a well-regulated militia.
You kind of need a commonly perceived threat. In the old days, there were natives and Europeans. There were no rapidly moving regulars or National Guard. You needed a local force, not transport. Once a week, after church, they drilled. Sorta. The militia was more a social club than fighting force towards the Civil War. After church, the party.
But just because the drilling and (perhaps) the threats went away, the Constitution and Rights did not. The old laws governing the militia are generally still on the books. The states can still appoint officers. Congress can still specify training. Adult males still must follow orders. There are still specific conditions (invasions, insurrections, and to enforce the law) where the militia could be called up to follow the federal commander in chief, if not sent abroad. Etc...
The founding fathers knew what it took to run a militia, but there would be quite a political storm if anyone tried any of the above today. The old militia laws could trivially get a Commander in Chief unelected if abused. Trying to organize the militia without a real threat would be viewed as an abuse.
They got away with it as the good citizens under threat outnumbered the criminals, addicts, idiots and lunatics. The militia consists of all adult males. Todays groups of politically motivated individuals operating without orders from state appointed officers are not The Militia, but a joke.
That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.