Is Sheriff Larry Deen, of Bossier Parish, Louisiana putting together a Militia? The media seem to think so, but he says no, and I say if he is, it's sure an odd mix. Granted, the group is made up of 200 volunteers, white males, but, they are mostly middle-aged, paunchy and most of them are ex-lawmen.Sheriff Deen describes "Operation Exodus" as "a calling" and his reason for his actions is all the home-grown terrorists that are constantly training, in order to bring the America to its knees someday, with a coordinated effort via the internet, to stage attacks all over the country.
It appears he is training his troops in a bit of hand-to-hand combat, as well as arming them to the teeth with riot shields, shotguns, batons and the star of the show, a 50-caliber machine gun mounted on a "war wagon". In the event of attacks or civil unrest, his troops would be sent to protect food from grocery stores, gas from gas stations and other local resources, as the situation demands.
He says the operations will cost only $4,500, partly because weapons, such as the machine gun on the war wagon, have previously been bought. One wonders when it was purchased and where it has been stored.
In a way, this sounds like a modern take on the Civil War reenactment, in which a bunch of old white guys, brandishing weapons and wearing blue or gray suits get together on the weekend and act out one battle or another. The difference is that one is acting out the past and the other is acting out the future.
I would love to make fun of this bunch, but for some reason, I can't. First, because this is obviously not a Militia, the way I picture them. In my mind, a militia is a bunch of rednecks, looking for all the world like Ted Nugent clones, and sounding as loony as he does. The men in the above photo look pretty harmless, just a bunch middle-aged guys who are worried about their country, and this is all they can think of to do to protect it.
They seem more like vigilantes to me. Or, neighborhood watch participants, only with weapons. It doesn't bother me if they want to get together after work and on weekends and engage in hand to hand combat and target practice if it makes them feel more secure and that they are taking action to protect their fellow Americans, it's ok with me. I realize vigilantes are problematic, but they think they are doing the right thing. So, I feel kind of mellow toward these men.
They just don't look dangerous, do they? Are they?
Stay tuned.
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15 comments:
These are exactly the kinds of folks that give me the willies.
Especially since they seem to have the tacit endorsement of elected (appointed?) sheriff.
Dangerous? Not yet. But the potential is there.
This is a tough one. Civility sure seems to break down very fast when when things break down--catastrophic weather to terrorist attacks. Honestly, I have been anti-gun all my life, but now I am seriously considering learning how to shoot.
I'm with you, I can't find fault with them. I like knowing there are people around that can take action if need be.
I have never been anti-gun. I feel that if someone wants to own a gun thats their business. I don't own a gun but I have gone out and shot a gun at a target. I do not feel the need to own one and I hope I will always feel that way.
But, Washington is making everybody feel like we need a revolution. I just don't expect to see it in my lifetime :)
This sort of thing scares the bejeebers out of me. There's nothing like a 50 caliber machine gun to turn the mildest person into a judge, jury, and executioner for someone taking a loaf of bread.
Ok, here goes. I'm a middle-aged (ok, some say old) white (beige, actually, unless I stay out in the sun a lot) guy. I grew up in rural Arkansas south of the river in the mountains. I learned to shoot weapons from an early age and owned my first rifle when I was nine. Many in my familiy hunted (I don't anymore and never really enjoyed it) but back then, it put food on the table (I know, I'm giving away my age) along with a lot of trips to the river to fish, and milk cows we managed in a large family. I currently own several weapons. I know how to use them. I spent twenty years in the U. S. military. I can defend myself; I can survive. I think every American has the right to own a weapon if they so choose; conversely, they have a right to not own one. No one has a right to misuse a firearm. I'm concerned with my country, too, but I don't believe in mob rule. Regardless of age, anyone who can pull a trigger has the potential to be dangerous--more so if they are manipulated by 'group-think' believing they have the ultimate 'right' to decide who's right and wrong. Are these guys dangerous? Harmless? I can't say. But the further our country gets away from being a nation of laws, it edges closer to becoming a nation of anarchy. May that never happen.
A member of our family purchased a gun to protect his family's food supply before Y2K. First gun he'd ever owned. One evening he was waving it around showing how tough he was, shot a hole in the ceiling to prove it, then accidently shot himself in the head. Thank goodness he killed himself and not an innocent person in his neighborhood. I don't sleep easy knowing these kind of folks are around.
I have mixed emotions. I know a lot of guys who 'carry' -- some scare me and some don't. Just put me on the fence.
Preparing turns to obsession. Then when catastrophe does not happen some individuals who have becomes too invested in something bad happening - That is where trouble can come. A neighbor gets angry at another neighbor and takes his weakened grasp of reality and his gun out to give the neighbor a wakeup call. Yikes...
They are undoubtedly anarchists. Scary.
I own two guns but would never join a band of cranky old ladies like myself who feel they have the power to judge and dispense judgment. Leave it to the pro's who are trained and restrained by laws, not ruled by emotions. I find the whole thing scary.
Neither did the nut who opened fire on the Pentagon a few days ago!
We have a a rifle, a shotgun, a air gun and a pistol--all my husbands who is a gunners mate. Hope he doesn't snap and use 'em on me. Some days I deserve it.
A couldnt grab one and defend myself as I refuse to learn.
Those guys are SCAAAAARY! I'm just going to stay over here where nobody has a gun. Not even the police. It's nicer this way.
I gotta say I find it a little scary! Fear and weapons are a bad combination especially when you haven't identified the enemy and are just afraid of everything.
Any person, or group of people, who plan to take the law into his/her own hands is dangerous. People like these seemingly harmless old geeks who think they can become lawmen are a scary bunch. Anyone, even a 100 year old lady, with a gun in his/her hands has the potential of being a killer.
We have laws for a reason and part of the reason is to protect society from self appointed saviors.
Arizona has it's own brand of these guys who make life difficult for the Border Patrol by taking it on themselves to be vigilantes protecting the border. They do far more harm than good.
Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I enjoyed reading them and think you all made very good points.
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