Comments on: A plot to undermine the Right To Bear Arms. https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9437 Robert Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:16:43 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9437 A major corporation would inevitably wonder why it should be subordinate to a mere government if it has the wealth to possess major weapons systems. Private militias are a slippery slope that ends at Might Makes Right. A major corporation would inevitably wonder why it should be subordinate to a mere government if it has the wealth to possess major weapons systems. Private militias are a slippery slope that ends at Might Makes Right.

]]> By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9436 Robert Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:13:02 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9436 Good point. Running out of room. Worth continuing in a new thread? There is more: Crux is requirement for "particular expertise" in a complicated world. Good point. Running out of room. Worth continuing in a new thread? There is more: Crux is requirement for “particular expertise” in a complicated world.

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9435 TB Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:01:10 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9435 One of my favorite parts of the Athenian "Golden Age:" <blockquote>Most importantly, and in order to emphasize the concept of equality and discourage corruption and patronage, practically all public offices that did not require a particular expertise were appointed by lot and not by election. Among those selected by lot to a political body, specific office was always rotated so that every single member served in all capacities in turn. This was meant to ensure that political functions were instituted in such a way as to run smoothly, regardless of each official's individual capacity. These measures appear to have been carried out in great measure since the testimony has come to us from, (among others, the Greek historian Thucydides (c. 460 - 400 BCE), who comments: <em>Everyone who is capable of serving the city meets no impediment, neither poverty, nor civic condition...</em></blockquote> From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Pericles#Overview" rel="nofollow">Wikipedia</a> Very close to my idea of "drafting" our politicians. One might theorize that a standing political class is as dangerous as a standing army. Of all the things from that time that I think would do us the most good in our time, some kind of hard term limits -- on bureaucrats as well as elected officials -- would be number one. One of my favorite parts of the Athenian “Golden Age:”

Most importantly, and in order to emphasize the concept of equality and discourage corruption and patronage, practically all public offices that did not require a particular expertise were appointed by lot and not by election. Among those selected by lot to a political body, specific office was always rotated so that every single member served in all capacities in turn. This was meant to ensure that political functions were instituted in such a way as to run smoothly, regardless of each official’s individual capacity.

These measures appear to have been carried out in great measure since the testimony has come to us from, (among others, the Greek historian Thucydides (c. 460 – 400 BCE), who comments: Everyone who is capable of serving the city meets no impediment, neither poverty, nor civic condition…

From Wikipedia

Very close to my idea of “drafting” our politicians. One might theorize that a standing political class is as dangerous as a standing army. Of all the things from that time that I think would do us the most good in our time, some kind of hard term limits — on bureaucrats as well as elected officials — would be number one.

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9433 ER Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:16:32 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9433 Athens also had a strong tradition of public service, about as strong as our obsession with commercial success. If you could afford armour, you became a hoplite. If you could afford a horse, you rode in the cavalry. Any fool could teach himself to be a peltast (a sling man, firing missiles over the heads of the phalanx at the enemy. Those who could do nothing else could man an oar in a trireme. Athens' major line of defense, the fleet, was manned by privately sponsored ships crewed by poor, but free citizens). Can you imagine Bank of America or Exxon offering to subsidize an aircraft carrier or nuke submarine today? Only if they could sell it to the highest bidder, even if it was the other side. Athens also had a strong tradition of public service, about as strong as our obsession with commercial success. If you could afford armour, you became a hoplite. If you could afford a horse, you rode in the cavalry. Any fool could teach himself to be a peltast (a sling man, firing missiles over the heads of the phalanx at the enemy. Those who could do nothing else could man an oar in a trireme.

Athens’ major line of defense, the fleet, was manned by privately sponsored ships crewed by poor, but free citizens). Can you imagine Bank of America or Exxon offering to subsidize an aircraft carrier or nuke submarine today? Only if they could sell it to the highest bidder, even if it was the other side.

]]> By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9430 Robert Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:36:46 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9430 <p>Thanks Jody (n/t)</p> Thanks Jody (n/t)

]]> By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9429 Robert Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:36:19 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9429 You offered Bowsers a straw man choice. How about a real choice: Trade the Pentagon (the un-Constitutional standing army) for a well-regulated militia. You offered Bowsers a straw man choice. How about a real choice: Trade the Pentagon (the un-Constitutional standing army) for a well-regulated militia.

]]> By: Robert https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9428 Robert Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:34:27 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9428 Thanks. It's a new epiphany inspired by my current reading: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marathon-Battle-Changed-Western-Civilization/dp/B005OI0G7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323711060&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">"Marathon"</a> by Richard A. Billows, about the battle of Marathon specifically and the changes it wrought to Greek civilization generally. I was reading the background on the equipment and training of the hoplites when I spotted you guys talking about the second amendment, and the relevance smote me in the forehead. Definitely an "of <i>course!</i>" moment. Thanks. It’s a new epiphany inspired by my current reading: “Marathon” by Richard A. Billows, about the battle of Marathon specifically and the changes it wrought to Greek civilization generally. I was reading the background on the equipment and training of the hoplites when I spotted you guys talking about the second amendment, and the relevance smote me in the forehead. Definitely an “of course!” moment.

]]> By: TB https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9424 TB Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:10:07 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9424 <p>Not sure why.</p> Spent the beginning sneering at the stupidity of arguing "original intent" for the Commerce Clause, then happily invoking it for the Second Amendment. Which was kind of the point with Bowser, too. Not sure why.

Spent the beginning sneering at the stupidity of arguing “original intent” for the Commerce Clause, then happily invoking it for the Second Amendment.

Which was kind of the point with Bowser, too.

]]> By: Jody https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9421 Jody Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:53:24 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9421 It was good Roberto!!! It was good Roberto!!!

]]> By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2011/12/09/a-plot-to-undermine-the-right-to-bear-arms/#comment-9419 ER Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:05:45 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=5839#comment-9419 <p>Beautifully articulated!</p> I've never heard that particular right-wing meme identified as precisely, exposed so neatly, or debunked as effectively. Beautifully articulated!

I’ve never heard that particular right-wing meme identified as precisely, exposed so neatly, or debunked as effectively.

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