I ask, because for years I've listened to the right wingers in the NRA tell me that they make up some sort of "civilian militia", simply by virtue of being armed, and that they ramain prepared to defend America against all enemies.
They tell me that the second amendment's reference to "a well regulated militia" doesn't refer to any organized militia at all, but rather to a bunch of individuals who own guns, but have very likely never met one another.
The NRA has told me that their membership + their guns = a well regulated militia.
Without delving into the question of their sanity, for the sake of argument, I will accept their assertion that they make up an armed militia, and that they are prepared to defend America at a moments notice.
My question is: Where are they?
We have a disaster of epic proportions still unfolding in New Orleans.
The NRA's Presidential candidate, George W. Bush has sent everybody else's "well regulated militia" (ie The National Guard) into Iraq to fight his stupid family feud with Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile, we have mayhem in the streets of New Orleans. There are random shootings, car jackings, and countless robberies. Looting is rampant. There is a degree of lawlessness never before seen in this country, yet the self-proclaimed "militia" is nowhere to be found.
Where are they? Wouldn't a true militia step up to the plate and start policing the streets during this time of crisis? Obviously the local police are overwhelmed, and lots of help is needed.
The NRA militia is nowhere to be found. They're not guarding the medical helicopters. They're not guarding anything. They're not protecting anybody.
In spite of the fact that we need soldiers in New Orleans, and in spite of the fact that the self-proclaimed NRA "militia" is hunkered-down ala Dick Cheney, I'm STILL going to give the NRA the benefit of the doubt.
Perhaps they've all signed up for the real military, so that they can go help President Dipshit fight his useless war? Perhaps they're not back from their August vacations?
I anxiously await the moment when the self-proclaimed militia actually starts to act like a militia, and begins helping police the streets of New Orleans.
Until that time, I'll just sit her an hold my breath while I wait...