Reply to post: Re: "and believes the government needs to be accountable"

ACLU sues America's border cops: Tell us everything about these secret search teams targeting travelers

Jellied Eel Silver badge

Re: "and believes the government needs to be accountable"

You'd probably do OK against a bunch of 18th century redcoats but against a modern military or its surrogates, the National Guard and increasingly militarized police forces, you don't stand a chance.

You might do, hence why states keep a close eye on militias. Or simple angry mobs. Ukraine was an interesting example because the revolution was televised. Start with a peaceful protest, add a few mystery shooters and the crowd goes wild.. And then a change in government. Which then lead to scenes like crowds shouting outside police stations. And then something triggers the crowd, who promptly attack the station and help themselves to the contents of the armoury. And then you end up with the situation in Ukraines rebellious provinces and a messy & bloody civil war.

Or the situation in places like Libya, Syria, Iraq etc where mobs were already armed, or helped themselves to weapons.. Or were supplied with things like ATGMs by 3rd parties. For the state, it's challenging to deal with insurections or terrorist/guerilla warfare because the big guns often can't be used.. Or are, like they were in Chechnya, but airstrikes and artillery could end up perpetuating insurrections.

Then there are the psychological challenges, like police, army or National Guard units might not want to open fire on their neighbors, or might end up defecting with their gear.. As happened in Ukraine, Libya, Syria etc.

2nd Amendment fantasists are mostly a threat to their neighbors, not the government.

Mostly agree, but the danger in politics is a combination of division and perceived oppression. So neighbors may become sympathetic with fantasists, and situations escalate. Or divisions become wider, so people drifting further to the left/right, which seems to be happening in the US. Which is a strange place. I have mixed views wrt 2nd Amendment issues, ie I think background checks are reasonable and sensible, and some of the weaponry available probably shouldn't be.. Which leads to legislative challenges, like defining 'assault rifles'.

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