As Tam says, with anti-gun former gunwriter Dick Metcalf recently whining to the New York Times about how unreasonable and intolerant the rest of the gunworld is for getting his arse kicked out of his formerly cushy gig with Guns & Ammo, my February 2014 S.W.A.T. article, newly online, is pretty timely.
I could have gone on for pages, fisking Mr. Moronic Metcalf’s one-page G&A fiasco. His general ignorance of history, of the fight for rights, and even of grammar, was mindbending. But inspired and helped along by a Certain Formerly Famous Person in the gun-rights movement (who chooses these days to stay out of the limelight and out of trouble), I focused on Machiavelli, the meaning of words, and the origins of the militia.
Good stuff on Machiavelli. It’s good to see him get his due… Glad to see someone lay it out for Metcalf… make sure you wash you hands.
You can say whatever you want, Dick. But you don’t get to escape the consequences. Anybody who writes at G&A and doesn’t understand we’re on the defensive in a war and simply can’t tolerate that flavor of ‘reasonable’ certainly deserves to lose his job at a minimum. Personally I hope you freeze in the dark.
We might do better if we could stop getting side tracked into the second amendment thing altogether. To argue over the meaning of the words, or what the writers of the thing meant then is a distraction at best. I even hesitate to use the word “rights” these days, since that can also become a trap for those who can be distracted into arguing semantics.
The absolute, inalienable and inborn necessity of self defense applies to all living beings, and has from the dawn of time. All of the indoctrination and conditioning to accept helplessness and servility are artificially imposed over the natural drive for self preservation. I happen to think that this disconnect, this incongruity is the source for many of our social and personal ills. And that conditioning reaches far beyond even the basic instincts for self defense, of course.
“we’re on the defensive in a war”
Uh, I dunno about you, but we’re on the offensive where I’m at. Three more bills hitting the legislature this session that are looking pretty good and then there won’t be much left to do at the state level in IN except permitless carry.
Gun owners are sometimes their own worst enemy. I can’t see how guys like Metcalf and Zumbo can be so incredibly tone-deaf as to give aid and comfort to the prohibitionists. It boggles the mind.
Great article, Claire. It’s interesting the Italian language has hardly changed. I’ve also heard it said that Italian is also the most regular (well regulated!) language. That is, unlike English it has few exceptions so it’s easy to learn.
[I even hesitate to use the word “rights” these days, since that can also become a trap for those who can be distracted into arguing semantics.]
I see you’ve joined me on the dark side, Susan. 🙂 The language of “rights” is not only weak, but has been appropriated by the ruling class. Better to say, “I won’t be disarmed by anyone,” than to claim, “I have a right to keep and bear arms.”
[I happen to think that this disconnect, this incongruity is the source for many of our social and personal ills.]
Eric Raymond made a similar point some time ago:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/guns/gun-ethics.html