Militia

These are not "dangerous", "anti-government", "militant", "outsiders" but Americans protesting abuse by federal agencies that have from time to time over stepped their authority and damaged the lives and property of good law abiding Americans.

Straight talk

The militia has not taken over the Malheur Wildlife Refuge.

There is a lot of irresponsible media out there saying foolish things to get people to read their ads. There are no ads here.

Some guys claiming to be militia are there occupying some tiny part of a huge federal wildlife refuge in Oregon and they may be going in some empty buildings for shelter.

No one should be calling them "anti-government". They are protesters who are complaining about what they see as Federal government abuse. And anyone who reads the Hammonds story can hardly say otherwise.

These guys are pro government, They are not pro government abuse or usurpation of rights. They may or may not be right but they are protesting to get media attention.

No one should call them "outsiders" unless they are from Syria or some other country since this is a federal issue which they are protesting.

No one should call them "militant" since that means "combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods." There is no evidence that they are combative or aggressive. They are peaceful and defensive of what they think are their rights and the rights of other people who have been abused.

Statement by Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue on sentencing of Steve and Dwight Hammond to five years in federal prison

"This is an example of gross government overreach, and the public should be outraged."[Read full statement.] or go and read the Hammonds story.

Historical perspective

The sheriff David Ward, who I have personally known for years, walked right up to the protesters who have a right to carry in Oregon and talked to them and even prayed with some of them.

But he was also quoted as saying "You said you were here to help the citizens of Harney County... That help ended when that protest became an armed occupation."

This is occupying government areas is a common form of protest used for years to get media attention. There is no threatening of people, no hostages, no injuries or damage being done.

Just to give you some historical perspective I personally remember back in 1970 when leaders of the Student Afro-American Society (SAAS), took over a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) headquarters at Columbia University. The occupation lasted five-days and I remember claims that they were armed and demanded that the former ROTC office be renamed the “Malcolm X Lounge.” (There should be some footage of this somewhere.)

I also remember that there was a Dean's office that was occupied until demands were met. Evidently that was the Dean of Freshman Henry Coleman. What I did not know was that the Attorney General Eric Holder evidently participated in the militant take over of the ROTC headquarters. I pray that the same caution and consideration exercised by law enforcement back then is exercised by the law enforcement under Attorney General Eric Holder.

Ted Cruz said "Our prayers right now are with everyone involved in what’s happening with Oregon, and especially those in law enforcement that are risking their lives,"

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) said “You can’t be lawless,"... "We live in a republic. There are ways to change the laws of this country and the policies. If we get frustrated with it, that’s why we have elections. That’s why we have people we can hold accountable.”

That is also why protesting is a common and accepted form of petitioning government including peaceably occupying public buildings and areas.

People should also take a look at the word "Militia".

Who is the Militia?

Amendment II

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

"The Second Amendment has most recently been interpreted to grant the right of gun ownership to individuals for purposes that include self-defense. At first it was thought to apply only to the Federal government, but through the mechanism of the Fourteenth Amendment, it has been applied to the states as well." https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/second_amendment

"MILI'TIA, noun [Latin from miles, a soldier; Gr. war, to fight, combat, contention. The primary sense of fighting is to strive, struggle, drive, or to strike, to beat, Eng. moil, Latin molior; Heb. to labor or toil.] The body of soldiers in a state enrolled for discipline, but not engaged in actual service except in emergencies; as distinguished from regular troops, whose sole occupation is war or military service. The militia of a country are the able bodied men organized into companies, regiments and brigades, with officers of all grades, and required by law to attend military exercises on certain days only, but at other times left to pursue their usual occupations." Webster's Dictionary 1828 - Online Edition

1. regulated - controlled or governed according to rule or principle or law; "well regulated industries"; "houses with regulated temperature"

Antonyms: unregulated - not regulated; not subject to rule or discipline; "unregulated off-shore fishing"

2. regulated - marked by system or regularity or discipline; "a quiet ordered house"; "an orderly universe"; "a well regulated life"

Synonyms: ordered, orderly. WordNet Dictionary

10 U.S. Code Chapter 13 - THE MILITIA § 311 - Militia: composition and classes

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are—

(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and

2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

10 U.S. Code § 312 - Militia duty: exemptions

(a) The following persons are exempt from militia duty:

(1) The Vice President.

(2) The judicial and executive officers of the United States, the several States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.

(3) Members of the armed forces, except members who are not on active duty.

(4) Customhouse clerks.

(5) Persons employed by the United States in the transmission of mail.

(6) Workmen employed in armories, arsenals, and naval shipyards of the United States.

(7) Pilots on navigable waters.

(8) Mariners in the sea service of a citizen of, or a merchant in, the United States.

(b) A person who claims exemption because of religious belief is exempt from militia duty in a combatant capacity, if the conscientious holding of that belief is established under such regulations as the President may prescribe. However, such a person is not exempt from militia duty that the President determines to be noncombatant.

Militia

Straight talk

Historical perspective

Who is the Militia?

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