25 Sep 10
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperPolice officers have the power of arrest.
It IS a position of power, period. There are many sectors of public service that involve all different kinds of power.
Politicians affect legislation that affects our lives.
Police officers have the power of arrest.
The military yields massive amounts of lethal force
The FDA has the power to decide what drugs and foods can be legally sold.
The list goes on.
Not according to n1m.
26 Sep 10
1 edit
Originally posted by EladarDo you personally get to decide what "steps beyond its rightful place" means? And do you personally get to decide exactly when this stepping beyond is deemed to have happened? You decide 'what' and you decide 'when' and then you can resort to using firearms against elected officials or public employees? Have I got the 'right' you are asserting right?
Any government that steps beyond its rightful place needs to be replaced.
26 Sep 10
Originally posted by EladarDo you really want to see a violent revolution? Because it's not 1776 anymore - they wouldn't be fighting this battle with muskets and bayonets. And not every revolution goes as nicely as that one did (the French Revolution is Exhibit A for all the things that can go wrong even in an 18th century world.)
How do you think this country was created? Treason is only feared by those who believe in the dominaiton of government. Any government that steps beyond its rightful place needs to be replaced.
26 Sep 10
If things get bad enough? Sure, but as you said this isn't the 1700's and if such a revolution were to succeed it would require that soldiers join the revolution. Soldiers would be duty bound to rebel if they decide that the government no longer follows the Constitution.
26 Sep 10
2 edits
Originally posted by MelanerpesWARNING "BAD" WORDS ETC
Do you really want to see a violent revolution? Because it's not 1776 anymore - they wouldn't be fighting this battle with muskets and bayonets. And not every revolution goes as nicely as that one did (the French Revolution is Exhibit A for all the things that can go wrong even in an 18th century world.)
26 Sep 10
Originally posted by Eladar"...if they decide..."?
Soldiers would be duty bound to rebel if they decide that the government no longer follows the Constitution.
So it is for each individual U.S. soldier to decide when and why they turn their firearms on (some or all of) their superior officers, the nation's elected representatives and public employees?
26 Sep 10
Originally posted by FMFWe're all free moral agents. Who would or could make such a decision other than the individual? Simply being the legal leaders of a nation don't impart moral infallibility; a German soldier during the Nazi years who turned his weapon against his superior officers and public employees surely wouldn't deserve moral condemnation.
"...if they decide..."?
So it is for each individual U.S. soldier to decide when and why they turn their firearms on (some or all of) their superior officers, the nation's elected representatives and public employees?