#MarchForOurLives and a few more thoughts . . .

(For full article with graphs and illustrations kindly see my full blog post at: https://cafecarpe.net/2018/03/25/marchforourlives-and-a-few-more-thoughts/ ); simply cut/paste to your browser.

Music by which to read:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIoKr9VDg3A

This is my first blog post. The recent gun control activism by a generation mostly younger than mine compelled me write a few of my thoughts for consideration. Candidly, it’s unlikely that what I add to this national conversation, it’s more like the genesis of a movement, will alter the opinions or rhetoric of either political extreme. However, as I am one of the (1) 54% of voting ‘moderate’ Americans (across all political affiliations) my intent is simple; provide a reasoned and rational explanation of why there is merit for legislation that deals with the proliferation of weapons of war among civilians.

As I write this blog there is national TV coverage of the #MarchForOurLives taking place. I believe this is a good thing. Freedom of the press, such as the right to bear arms is a constitutional guarantee. The #MarchForOurLives movement is for a discernable cause with roots also constitutionally guaranteed in the first amendment. It’s reminiscent of those in my generation who took to the streets and ended a war. Ours was, at the time, often more violent and confrontational than what seems to be the case with #MarchForOurLives or #NoMore. To be fair the issue by my generation was less of a war than the use of the Selective Service draft that conscripted young men to fight in die in jungles half way around the world in a conflict of dubious value. It’s interesting how death is the common thread woven into the fabric of these movements.

I am a former warrior. I am a USAF Special Security Operations veteran. I was (it’s been a while) an expert marksman in a variety of weapons. While the only gun I own now shoots BB’s and pellets – I know, kind of lightweight – I have no issue with an individual who is mentally stable, does not have a background of domestic abuse or crimes involving a weapon (i.e. gun, knife, etc.) and who can pass both a background check, an NRA-certified gun safety course (there is merit to the organization) and holds a license to carry to do so. Sadly, most of my subjective criteria outlined above is not currently required. I believe this must and will change.

There is a lot of constitutional rhetoric regarding this criteria from the political extremes. Interestingly, the constitution, too, is subjective. It’s why we have a system of checks and balances in our federal government. It’s the Supreme Court that becomes the ultimate arbiter of constitutional interpretation. Here’s the second amendment: 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.

(2)On the surface this seems very simple and succinct, particularly given the year it was ratified, 1791. The Constitution was written two years earlier in 1789.  It’s important to frame life in society during this time period. Slavery existed; women did not have the right to vote; US GDP was largely driven by agriculture; there were no child labor laws; hunting was a principal source of sustenance; the weapon(s) of war were a pistol and flintlock, the latter used for hunting. The United States consisted of thirteen states, previously colonies under the jurisdiction of King George II of England who was only 22 years old when he assumed the throne. Clearly, gun ownership has a deep and abiding historical mandate in the U.S. as well as a constitutional one.

I mentioned earlier the media coverage of the #MarchForOurLives taking place as I write this. As is often the case, coverage varies with the political perspective of the network. Most viewers can find coverage that aligns with one’s own point-of-view. However, I chuckle when the march participants are characterized as kids without life experience. I cannot help but wonder what the framers of our Constitution and Bill of Rights would say about today’s society. In 1791 there were no cars, certainly no Tesla; there were no aircraft, certainly no Mars Explorer; there were no antibiotics or sterile surgical procedures, certainly no organ transplants; there was no communication other than oral or written word, certainly no internet, i-Phone, artificial intelligence or information on demand; there was no weapon of mass destruction, certainly no ability to split an atom; there was no assault weapon capable of firing a high volume of projectiles designed solely for the purpose of killing as many people as possible in the most efficient way possible. If this was the case I believe it would have been used by our militia of farmers, trades people and others who were conscripted into what was then loosely organized into the Continental Army. (3)This army commanded by General George Washington was disbanded in 1783 after the Treaty of Paris ended the war. The 1st and 2nd Regiments went on to form the nucleus of the Legion of the United States in 1792 under General Anthony Wayne.

There was no standing army per se when the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791. This is why the term ‘militia’ is used in the second amendment. Today our ‘militia’ consists of the most lethal fighting force in the history of humanity.  It’s not civilian; it’s the army, navy, marines, air force, coast guard, elements of the service’s reserves and federal, state and local law enforcement. If the British have invaded again it was in 1964 with the Beatles and exists today with Simon Cowel and James Corden. Not a shot has been fired. Besides, England is currently distracted by Brexit.

(4) As for the age of some of our founding fathers on July 4th, 1776, many were younger than 40 years old with several qualifying as Founding Teenagers or Twentysomethings. And though the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44, more than a dozen of them were 35 or younger. 

To those ‘kid’s’ marching today I feel you do your generation proud. As much as our marches and activism in the 1960’s laid the foundation of civil rights reform and an end to a war we, too, were characterized for the convenience of a label by those with opposing views. Hippie, communist, radical, unpatriotic were all part of the vernacular of the time. However, those with opposing views have a right to their own opinion, too.

I believe that if our constitutional framers had to start from scratch today and develop a document that codifies a democratic society there is not much that would be changed. However, it’s likely that contemporary framers would first, not be exclusively male.  

Too, they would be individuals of some measured reason who would at times disagree (a human condition) that would not usurp the basic tenant of our second amendment right to bear arms, but temper that right with limitations that reflect the reality of a contemporary society.

Irrespective of one’s point-of-view we all share as citizens a right to vote. The influence of special interest money flowing from K Street lobbyists to your elected federal and state representatives began in earnest in the mid-1960’s.

A graph of this money spent enriching political coffers trends remarkably upward through the decades to present day. It’s all about buying political influence.

(5) There are few, if any, laws passed, especially at the federal level that impact congressional representatives the way these laws apply to we as citizens. Consider this unequal representation. These elected officials work for YOU; it’s not the other way around. They FEAR losing office because in a gig economy they have a very good gig; maybe one of the best. Collectively, we must hold our elected officials accountable!

Despite the Electoral College your vote counts; it doesn’t if you don’t vote. (6) In 2016 about 56% of eligible voters cast a ballot in the presidential election. (7)The percentage is even lower for those in the millennial generation which continues to have the lowest voter turnout of any age group. Only about 46 percent voted in the last presidential election.

The torch of political reform is being passed to a new generation. You are our future. In this I feel tremendous optimism. Take your passion to the voting booth as well as the streets. Embrace non-violent activism. In the face of opposition, fear, cruelty and hatred that you may encounter I offer this closing thought by citing the words of former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in his recent departure speech, “Do one act of kindness today’. As too many of you and your loved ones know tomorrow is not guaranteed.

(1) Republic 3.0, Washington Monthly

(2) National Constitution Center, Constitution Facts

(3) Legacy America, Continental Army, 2014

(4) Slate, How Old Were the Leaders of the American Revolution on July 4. 1776 

(5) Fox News Politics, ‘How are the benefits? For Member of Congress, not too Shabby’

(6) PBS NewsHour, ‘What Does the Voter Turnout Tell Us About The 2016 Election?’ 

(7) NPR, Politics, ‘Millennials Now Rival Boomers as a Political Force, But Will They Actually Vote?’

Music by which to read:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIoKr9VDg3A