This is part 3 of a 3-part series of articles originating from Newsweek, submitted for your information and skeptical consideration. --------------------- Forwarded message: From: mark.s@juno.com (Mark A. Smith) Date: 96-07-16 10:20:29 EDT Twice in recent weeks (July 15 and 22), Newsweek has carried stories about "Team Viper," a heavily armed citizen militia Phoenix, Arizona, some of whose members have been jailed on various weapons charges. With these revelations coming so soon after the standoff involving another "citizens' militia" in Montana, law-enforcement officials are expressing concern that a trend is underway, a trend towards vigilantism and anarchy. We asked you, the readers of Newsweek Interactive, what you thought is going on here? Is this a trend? If it is, is it dangerous? Is it causing any re-examination of peoples' views on gun control? How far should freedom ring? "At the root of this 'citizen militia' craze are the extreme right wing radio talk hosts who spend hours every day filling the airwaves with half truths and outright fabrications about our nation's government and its leaders," LAX Baldy wrote, opening up last week's Message Board discussion. "Rather than engage in informed and reasoned criticism, they are as bombastic as the ratings and their advertising sales goals require. The result is increased alienation of citizens from the processes through which they can peacefully effect change. Left unchecked, I fear their exploitation and manipulation of mass audiences will lead to dire consequences for our representative democracy." Perhaps predictably, the week's discussion was generous with blame, particularly of the media. To read the complete discussion, or to continue it, see "The Viper Militia" topic in the "National Affairs" message board. (Click on 'Let's Talk,' then the 'Message Boards' arrow.) In an interesting turn, Sswinehrt cited the Declaration of Independence in the Vipers' defense: "'(W)henever any Form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.' Aren't the actions taken against these people similar to the actions taken by the British just prior to the Revolutionary War? Then the government feared the possession of weapons just as they seem to today." "How far should freedom ring?" Bilgeman asked, turning our question back on us. "I think it should stop ringing when organizations such as yours begin using their constitutionally- protected First Amendment rights [freedom of speech] to advocate removing the citizenry's constitutionally- protected Second Amendment rights [the right to bear arms]." "Any gun is too many," Cbrit71185 countered. "As the wife of a federal law enforcement agent and the mother of two local law enforcement officers, I fear for their lives daily, because the criminals are better armed than they are. Where do these criminals get their guns they are stolen from the homes of men and women who insist that they should be able to purchase any type of gun they desire. It amazes me that people actually believe the propaganda of groups like the one in Arizona. They really believe that groups like the FBI are out to get the average American citizen. I think the American citizens have read too many fiction novels, and watched too many Arnold S. movies!" "Hunters do not need semiautomatic weapons to kill a deer," added Frankhigh. "Most of Europe does well without all the weapons were have come to love. Right wingers believe the fount of all evil is the Federal government and misguided liberals. Look around you! It is the trigger happy right that guns down abortion doctors, receptionists and blows up public buildings and probably churches. Their Second Amendment rights end where an innocent person's chin begins." "Your wrong on all counts," Emmilene fired back. "Hunters are not the reason for the Second Amendment. The statistics prove out that gun owners do not use their guns for killing family members or crime. The guns on the street are brought into this country just as drugs are brought in. When we give in to the notion that we can re-interpret the constitution to suit ourselves is the day when the freedom of this country is threatened." Many writers saw a link between violence, and the messages broadcast by the media. To some, the media encourages violence; to others, militants are violent because they don't read enough of what's in the media. As Mfoster825 put it, "To blame the right wing talk shows for what is going on in this country (and they may have an effect) without pointing out the left wing libral press and media which is constantly promoting violence with obscene movies and news reporting is a little one-sided." Specifically, Smcavin wrote, "Pro-gun control supporters blow things out of proportion by using their friends in the media to exagerate the connection [between] guns and militia. Anti-gun-law groups discount the threat but act surprised when something blows up." Added MrCheeze66, "My impression of the Viper Militia is that these people are all a bunch of extremely stupid people. Where people like this get the idea that our government is plotting against us I have no idea. What's even worse is that they think the Russians and East Germans are involved. I guess these morons never read the newspapers or watch TV to find out that there IS no more East Germany or a Communist Russia. But, then again, they probably think that the media is controlled by the government." Others see the Vipers as average, innocent citizens. "These Vipers are people who have never harmed anyone, never threatened anyone, and by all accounts are solid citizens and good neighbors," wrote PouchmanD (D. Bower of Newburgh, N.Y.). "So what if they owned several rifles and pistols. No one is even trying to allege that they ever shot anyone. I may as well turn myself in to the police right now, because I own guns, too. So that must make me some kind of criminal. As for blowing craters in the dirt out in the middle of nowhere, who did that hurt?" Wait a minute, answered Karnelian. "Whom did the Vipers hurt? Goodness, didn't you read the article? One ran an unauthorized background check on the park services ranger through AT&T (something I'm sure AT&T wouldn't condone); another talked about having a policeman in his sights? These people aren't well-meaning, put-upon citizens. They're prepubescent gun nuts. They're racist fanatics. I've edited the letter column of a major firearms publication. I can tell you, the kinds of letters people like the Vipers send are downright chilling. With ownership of a firearm comes responsibility. 'Blowin' somethin' up real good' isn't what any rational human being would call a mature or responsible attitude." Jkalten255 had a suggestion for militia members. "If they want to play war on the weekends why not send them to those countries that are involved in civil wars and let them see how much fun it could be." To which Bilgeman replied, "Is playing war games on the weekends now prosecutable on your opinion alone? If they commit a crime, then let them be tried, judged and punished. Until they do so, what is your specific problem with them?" ------------------ By the readers of Newsweek Interactive with Todd Oppenheimer