So, what do you say?
Sy says:
Don, I could not agree more with you if you paid me.
Too many governments are not interested in their citizens. They are interested in looking good on the economic map of their neighbours and never caring about their citizens rights. But I will defend the life of my wife and child and even my cat against any worthless little idiot who thinks they have the right to do what they want to you with and I will use any force I deem necessary. And sadly, I would be the one who ends up in prison for doing so.
China (and even the UK) a member of the Human Rights Council. Amazing. I think that alone proves that it is not worth the paper it is printed on.
Don replies:
It is amazing isn't it Sy? We keep supporting this day care for sociopaths. I suppose it at least keeps them in one place. Maybe we should call the UN into session once a year and then lock the doors. What surprises me is the number of folk who still think tha the UN has any place in the world as it currently exists.
Jenny says:
Preach on! You are right as rain and twice as welcome. There are some dangerously IGNORANT people out there trying to re-write history and deprive us of our rights. We have to expose them and you've done a great job.
Don replies:
Thanks Jenny, I will preach on, but only as a humor blogger. I figure if I get too serious too often, I'll lose about half my readership. And then that will mean it will only be you and me. (Although at least the company will be pleasant.)
Mark says:
Liberals in the US protested the US membership on the former council.
Also consider that only a handful of countries in the UN are democratic. There are some that pretend to be, like Venezuela.
Americans that do not believe in a right to self defense hold said belief because they believe that all must be dependent on government. An act of self defense is overt proof that the government can not protect us.
Do we still need more proof that the UN is socialist/communist dominated organization that should be moved from New York to Moscow? Think of all the new tax revenue that will be generated when that huge property becomes private and taxable.
Don replies:
I agree with you obviously Mark, with one exception. I no longer think in terms of communist/socialist when I consider bad government. To me, even the most "democratic" government soon becomes oppressive. It's just the nature of the beast and the types of people who gravitate to government as a means for dominion over others. We here in the US are certainly well along that road as well. Socialism may be legitimate in the minds of its followers. It's leaders know that it's just another con game for acquisition of power for themselves (Much like Republicanism has become.)
Anok says:
A very well written post, Don, Very well written, and you know I couldn't agree more.
Don replies (still blurry eyed, needs more coffee.)
Thanks Anok, We do tend to agree more often than not.
Tamera says:
As I sat yesterday evening, and re-read the Declaration, the subject of "personal security" kept popping up before my eyes, stated in various ways and form. It would seem to me that 'self-defence' is exactly an issue of personal security? Although, not defined specifically enough, as are some of the articles. What say you?
Don replies:
Yeah Tamera, I read that part as well, and considered that that might be a reference to self-defense. Unfortunately, it isn't spelled out too well, as you point out. However, it is obvious that the current UN doesn't agree with that interpretation.
And I still have the greatest trouble with Article 29 of the Declaration of Human Rights:
"(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations."
Once again, theses "Rights" are considered a privilege granted by the UN, and revocable if exercised contrary to the wishes of an Organization often run by Member States who have no interest in freedom.
Kadi says:
Very interesting post! We are in the process of obtaining a fire arm. Our neighborhood is down right scary. This post is very informative, so thanks a bunch!
also, I'm going to post a sign on our window that says "You have the right to try and break in...I have the right to shoot your ass if you do."
don replies:
I like the old quaker joke about the burglar. "Sir. I would not hurt thee for the world. But thee is standing where I am about to shoot."
But don't you understand? Even criminals have a human right to a safe work environment. Home owners with guns and the right to use them infringe on the human right of criminal to steal your stuff and beat your wife without risk of harm to himself.
Besides, every criminal that is killed before trial reduces the need to expand the court and prison employee union membership. That it why so many in government seek to criminalize self defense. Some one has to go to jail to justify the jail being there.
Don, you said this post was intentionally unfunny, but I think liberals would think it's hilarious.
What a joke. It's nice that half the countries on that list aren't democracies, meaning that they don't even believe in their own citizens' right to representation in their government.
Lady T says:
Awsome post!
Don replies:
Aw shucks! Thanks Terri. (Tell LOBO to quit picking on me.)
Brent D says:
A very well written post Don.
You make some excellent points and I generally agree with you, but at the same time I can't shake how much the argument for self-defense sounds like Iran's justification for acquiring nuclear technology: "We''ll only use it for good, we promise."
I guess no life worth living is without risk, (cough, cough, repeal the patriot act) and we'll just have to trust you and everybody else with guns.
For the record, I'm not really pointing fingers, having pointed more than enough guns in my time. Just an ex-marine at midlife trying out what I still believe.
Don replies:
I think the difference here is that: One, Iran hasn't shown as much interest in self-defense as exterior aggression, and two, I'll bet money that the non-soldier citizens of Iran probably can't own firearms. I imagine that the government there would find that worrisome.
As far as the Patriot Act goes, I agree. Repeal it. It is entirely unconstitutional.
So far, of the millions of concealed carry permit holders in this country, there is no statistically significant evidence of mis-use. Hard to argue with that.
By the way, just so no one misunderstands my personal philosophy, I am not a conservative. (Every body always seems to assume that.)
"It is always wrong to initiate the use of force against another human being."
That's me. Heart and Soul.
I was so busy reading and stumbling posts on May 15th that I never got through them all. Yours is excellent Don. I'm sorry I missed it on the first go round.
Bravo! Excellent post.
It is not about aggression; it is about protection!
Outstanding post outstanding!
I don't know who origanally spoke these words but My view simply put...they can have my gun when they pry it from my cold dead hand.
"It is always wrong to initiate the use of force against another human being."
That is the basic philosophy of the martial arts school I train at with my children. Our variation on it is "first: walk away." Striking first is not self defense. The natural exception is when an attacker makes a move to strike leaving one no choice but the strike and stop the attack.
In the school yard, my son is trained to walk away. He understands well now that other kids may use insults and other harrassment to provoke him into striking first so they can feel justified in jumping him.
Iran's akmedwackajob uses belligerent words hoping he can provoke a strike by the US so he can feel justified in nuking Israel. It is a calculated risk assuming he will not actually strike first. Hoping the smoking gun is not a mushroom cloud.
Self defense is something that most liberals (classical liberals excepted) do not believe in at the personal or national level. The problem is the tenancy to believe that we are wrong and deserve and violence visited on us as a nation. At the personal level, an act of self defense is an act of independence from government.
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