"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."

Thomas Paine

30 March 2010

Hutaree - Terrorists! ...until proven innocent?

 Many in the militia and patriot/tea party movement are quick to distance themselves from the newest "home-grown terrorist" group that we've been luckily saved from by our big brothers at the FBI/ATF.

I understand that in these turbulent times keeping arms length from extremist groups or people helps keep you legitimate in the eyes of the public. But what ever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? My friends, if we do not adhere to this basic principal of our legal system, then what is to stop the "powers that be" from charging anyone with whom they disagree with a crime? And what more heinous crime can there be but the murder of police officers? Conspiracy to kill kindergarten teachers?

Don't get me wrong, the killing of anyone, police officer or otherwise, is a heinous act and should be punished. But at the same time, is an accusation against someone enough to get you to turn your back on your fellow American? Is that the kind of citizens' our Founding Fathers hoped would inherit the free Republic they fought and died for?

Shouldn't we give them the same benefit of the doubt that we, ourselves, would expect if we were accused of conspiring to commit a crime? What if you were wrongfully charged with a crime you didn't commit? Should we in the patriot movement turn our backs on you?

Well, what if your religious beliefs aren't comfortable with the mainstream? What if your politics is to the right of Glenn Beck? Then is it alright to assume guilt before a preliminary hearing is even held?

I say NO! We should stand up for the rights of all or none of us will have rights at all!

If it turns out that these people did commit crimes and are found guilty by a jury of their peers, then yes, they should rightfully be shunned by all law-abiding, freedom loving Americans.

Until then. They are innocent until proven guilty.

For non-establishment media insight, go to...
http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2010/03/hutaree-raid-extremely-well-executed.html

"These are the times that try men's souls..."

Our country is entering a historic time... a time of decision.

These united States are divided, I believe, even more so than at the time of  the 'War Between the States'. At that time, one side wanted an overly strong federal government (north), while the other wanted the majority of the power to rest with the several states (south). But they both agreed that the American system of a Constitutional Republic was the best form of government to guarantee the rights of a free, moral and God-fearing people.

Today, we still have one side that believes in God, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and that freedom is best protected by investing the majority of government power in the states and in the people themselves.

The other side, however, doesn't believe that the American system is the best system; or that YOU should be self-governing and independent. This is where the true rift forms. Most people used to believe that both the Democrats and Republicans had the nations best interest at heart, but they simply differed on the route we should take to get there. Today, though, the mist is clearing from the peoples eyes and they are beginning to find out the truth.

Our Constitutional Republic is best suited to a population that is self-reliant, self-sufficient and self-governing. Meaning, the father is the best judge of what is good for his family; counties are the best arbiter of what and how schools should teach the children of their communities; and states are the most effective builders of infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) and framers of laws that govern everything else in a state that is not enumerated in the 17 specific powers that were delegated to the federal government back in 1787 (
try to find the Federal Reserve Bank or the Departments of Agriculture, Energy, Interior, Education or Health & Human Services in the Constitution. You won't, because they're not there...  However, you will find them in the '10 planks of the Communist Manifesto').

The truth is that both political parties have taken us down the same road that leads to the dissolution of our founding form of government and have done everything they can to institute a socialist democracy in it's place. This is the real dividing line. Not left vs. right. But instead, those who believe in freedom and liberty, opposite those who work toward establishing an omnipotent central government with power over every facet of your life.
Cradle-to-grave, as they so often put it.

If you value Liberty, more than Security... read on!