Episode 37: A few reflections on liberty

Today is September 11th, 2014.

9-11

Thirteen years ago, something terrible happened in, and to, this country.  Not only did terrorists strike us with unholy amount of evil…but something else struck us as well.

Last month, I made a road trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.  Here, an atrocity called the Massacre of Wounded Knee took place.  I also stopped to visit Fort Kearny, which was on the way.  Reflecting generally on the Indian Wars in this country, I couldn’t help but think, “this is what happens when you don’t keep your guns.”

After September 11th, we saw a huge uptick in the militarization of the civilian police forces.  The recent events in Ferguson, MO–the shooting of Michael Brown by Ofc. Darren Wilson–resulted in generally peaceful protests, which were met by military-grade hardware, and tactics, in the hands of the local police.  Now, finally, there’s a national conversation happening about this general police militarization.

This is the result of the post-September 11th mindset.  Security at any cost.  But security for whom, I wonder?  And at the cost of our Constitutional liberties?

Sure, you can trust the Government!
Just ask an American Indian.

We also discuss what can happen when you don’t follow the Four Rules of Firearms Safety.  One grandmother violated those rules, with tragic results.