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Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices

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To: combjelly who wrote (689763)12/23/2012 2:55:38 PM
From: i-node  Read Replies (1) of 1573962
 
>> No. It was about using militias to replace a standing army.

In context, the idea of replacing a standing army was, in substantial part, to protect American citizens FROM that standing army -- that is the government. In fact, some would argue that it was principal focus of the second Amendment:

"A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country..." -- Madison

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." (Federalist # 46 [Madison])

"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty.... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins." (Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, spoken during floor debate over the Second Amendment August 17, 1789)

"...but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights..." (Alexander Hamilton speaking of standing armies in Federalist 29.)

"Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American... The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state government, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people" (Tench Coxe, Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788)
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