A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.

—edward r. murrow

profortis

Defend and protect the U.S. Constitution.

Defend and protect the Bill of Rights.

If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy.—James Madison

If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.—Samuel Adams

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake–up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered."—Thomas Jefferson
I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. ... corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. —Abraham Lincoln
"In monarchy the crime of treason may admit of being pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares rebel against the laws of republic ought to suffer death."—Samuel Adams

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BARACK OBAMA

February, 23, 2009

President Barack Obama, The White House, Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Sir:

Greetings to you and your family as you begin the difficult work ahead of you as President. You are shouldering an enormous burden at a time when the resources and spirit of this country seem quite low. You have my support. Thank you.

In spite of all the challenges you now face—and with the seemingly endless, other issues you must be taking on at this time—I still feel compelled to draw your attention to one, in particular. It is a topic familiar to you; and yet I sense this topic both needs and deserves revisiting. I have heard you touch on this subject, lightly, during your interviews of this past year and I am not convinced that we, as a country, have given the topic the time and effort that it deserves. In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, we must be willing to be convinced we are wrong if we hope to achieve meaningful dialogue and understanding. I am writing you now about the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment is not about hunting or sports; and I am convinced that even an individual's natural right to personal defense, although very important, does not fully explain the primary impetus behind the the Second Amendment. In its simplest terms, it is about protecting the rights of citizens to rebel against a government that has turned on them. Citizens of The United States are sovereign; and we are not subjects of our government, but rather ARE our government: This was a radical idea in 1789, and it remains a radical idea to this day

Obviously, historical context is vital to the interpretation of historical documents—and any meaning they may have for our times. If we, as a people, tolerate ignorance for the circumstances that preceded, comprised and immediately followed the American Revolution—then we will never understand the struggles and debates that contributed to our nation's Constitution; and we will forever be limited in our understanding of the Constitution's implications for us today.

It seems almost incredible now to recall that the U.S. Constitution was written by an assortment of radicals and former outlaws who had trouble agreeing on many important issues. During the Constitutional Convention, the fiercely debated terms of our new government would have been forged in the inescapable, lingering atomosphere of recent misery, hardship and struggle that won our precious freedoms from the solidiers of King George III. Far from being friendly and good-natured succession (such as the independence of Canada), the American Revolution was bloody war.

With firm resolve to never again repeat the regrettable events that brought about the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers opposed the formation of a standing army during times of peace. A standing army is too easily turned on its own people by tyrannical authority. They knew this first hand. This explains why the term "militia" was used (as opposed to "standing army") in various State Constitutions as well as the Second Amendment. The term "militia" is a precise word that is neither antiquated nor obsolete; its principal relevance for us, as a function of human nature, remains as true today as it would have been for the founders of this country. Moreover, the fact that we not only have a peace-time, 21st century, standing army—but that it is all-volunteer and embodies an alarming trend toward ruling and warrior classes, may very well indicate a growing threat to the very heart of our democratic republic. The vigilance of a well-regulated militia may be warranted now, more than ever.

Just as the Founding Fathers were justified in rebelling against King George, the authors of our Constitution wanted to make patently clear that in addition to the natural right of personal defense, the people of this country were justified in rebelling against future tyranny and that this right shall not be subject to question.

The emergence of tyranny can be insidious. Human nature being what it is, we could argue that the pressures of tyranny are always present—like gravity or the movement of a watershed, it is a natural force requiring both awareness and balance if we are to stand against it. Its effects can be subtle and slow to emerge. Like waves moving against a boat at sea; we must maintain the hull's integrity or all is lost. So it is with tyranny. We must remain vigilant for the sources of tyranny and deliberate in our safeguards against them.

One of these safeguards is the Second Amendment. It is the character of tyranny to be self preserving; and once powerful—only powerful opposition has any chance against it. The Founding Fathers would have understood this; and I am convinced this is the impetus and truth behind the Second Amendment and The Bill of Rights.

As we, The People, look towards the future and face the decisions necessary to preserve our self-directed, democratic republic—we must seek to understand the Bill of Rights as it would have been understood by its authors. The Second Amendment is not about hunting or sports; it is about responsible citizens possessing the right to organize forcibly against a government that has turned on them. But don't take my word for it—or anyone else's: The revolution was not so long ago that we are without substantial records— and it is the duty of every U.S. citizen to read these records, follow their conscience and decide for themselves... Fear and ignorance are the tools of opression. If The People of this country are adequately informed then tyranny will be defeated. Ignorance and misinformation are our greatest enemies.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin, we have a republic, if we can keep it!

The issues of arms and gun control have become fiercely polarized in our culture; and real dialogue and debate has all but stopped. Both sides are outspoken, and yet, not enough of this discussion warrants repeating. I ask that you open this topic for discussion, as if for the first time; and that you encourage rational debate born of legitimate historical events and an understanding of the historical context and principles that gave birth to this great nation.

I thank you for your earnest efforts toward the well–being of this country and its citizens.

With respect for your office and this great nation; your fellow citizen,

Eric Boyts
Fort Collins, Colorado