Mr. Bremer's plan: "I just read the transcript of Paul Bremer's speech," writes in regular correspondent Lynn from Washington.
"Militias also threaten security," our man in Baghdad says, in part. "Ultimately, Iraq cannot be secure, free and united if people can set up armed militias and define the law of the land to suit their own ambitions. That is why all armed elements in Iraq must be controlled by the central government, not just now, but during the next government and the next and the next."
Once more, Mr. Bremer: That "Constitution" you once swore to protect and defend? It says an armed populace is ... what? That's right -- it's "necessary to the security of a free state." And why?
Let us turn once more to the eloquent words of Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, signer of the Declaration of Independence and member of the Constitutional Convention, who during floor debate over the Second Amendment reminded us: "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."
Heavens, Mr. Bremer: You weren't planning to impose a centrally controlled standing army over the people of Iraq, and take away their guns? I thought you were there to install "American-style democracy."
Via Las Vegas Review-Journal
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário