• WraithGear@lemmy.world
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    21 hours ago

    Whoa, I’m not attacking you. I have a difference in opinion as to why people should be armed. Not saying that one does not have a right to self defense, just that i put stock in the need to collectively hold the government accountable and fight tyranny

    • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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      5 hours ago

      i put stock in the need to collectively hold the government accountable and fight tyranny

      It sounds good until the majority of gun owners in the country decide they like the tyranny.

        • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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          4 hours ago

          Not whatsoever, but we’re in the US, where although some leftists are armed, the dominant gun culture isn’t going to come out to defeat tyranny, they will come out to defend it. If Trump goes full dictator, these hypothetical armed antifascists resistance fighters will have to fight their way through legions of y’allqaeda before the US military (who I desperately hope will not recognize Trump’s authority in such a circumstance) ever has to worry about them.

          • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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            3 hours ago

            In that case, that sounds like the left needs to get weapons and become organized, like i recommend. And not turn over and assume that the majority will let them live free… as a treat.

            You are basically arguing to give up and die because it’s too hard.

            • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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              3 hours ago

              You are basically arguing to give up die because it’s too hard.

              I’m not arguing at all. The left should arm themselves. But if things go like they are going, they’ll never see the US military, it won’t be about fighting a tyrannical government; they’ll be fighting all their neighbors and relatives who are trying to defend that tyrannical government.

              And frankly, echoing the other poster, ultimately that fight will likely be in the form of self-defense.

              You don’t need to rebut my comments, I’m not really arguing with you. Just expressing doubt that any tyrannical government will be directly harmed by citizens exercising the 2A. You can disagree without trying to convince me I’m wrong, that’s just fine.

              • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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                3 hours ago

                If you resort to only self defense, you will lose. You do not project power by watching your neighbor fail to defend themselves and then wait for your turn. The sneering others give saying i think i am some Rambo able to fight off tyranny with just my wits and a rifle like an action hero, is literally the opposite of what i am saying. That would be more true of someone thinking could fight off the systemic oppression of tyranny by looking out for only for themselves.

                If you don’t want to discuss this because you are unable to argue the point that’s fine, but these discussions are literally about trying to convince others holding opposite views that their point of view is wrong. It’s literally the point.

                • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
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                  3 hours ago

                  I’m not sneering, and I’m not arguing. I’m expressing doubt that armed citizens will pose any threat to a hypothetical Trump dictatorship. That’s 100% as far as my statement goes. I’m sharing my opinion, not disparaging yours.

                  • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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                    2 hours ago

                    The Black Panthers caused the CIA to label them terrorists even though they broke no laws, and got the NRA to push for gun restrictions. These armed citizens scared the police, and had the news media slandering them. And it’s because they posed a huge threat to the system. The last four wars were essentially lost against militants of objectively less organized, less armed, smaller, decentralized insurgents. Asymmetric warfare is not just a thing, but the Achilles heel to power. There is nothing unique about a trump dictatorship that would make these less true

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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      21 hours ago

      And you can see why, from what I already wrote, that is not likely to work unless the majority is on your side. And the military.

      • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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        21 hours ago

        The military has had a pretty lousy track record against gorilla warfare from much smaller, worse armed groups who, by the width of an ocean were unable to affect logistical lines, the means to project warfare, or the families of our soldiers. A Revolution within would be much worse.

        • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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          21 hours ago

          How many innocent people died in those wars? It’s not very nice of you to be willing to put their lives on the line like that.

          • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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            20 hours ago

            Oh? Now it’s a discussion about who should be sacrificed and for what. Freedom always has a cost. I never removed myself from the possibility. But right now, the royal “we”, seem to be sacrificing the minority, the different, the poor, the non christian and it gets worse every day. Freedoms are slipping, corporations get stronger, and standards of living and hope for the future fades. This will only accelerate. Arguing to arm oneself for personal protection but not collective action will doom all, but the chosen, to be picked off one by one.

              • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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                20 hours ago

                When it’s needed. I don’t see a path that prevents tyranny or revolution, but that doesn’t mean there is none. You say that people should arm themselves, and i agree, the main difference being what we see as the threat i guess. But I take inspiration from the Black Panthers. I believe they were right and righteous in their actions, no matter what was taught in schools. And you know they were effective, because the state conspired against them and they got the NRA TO ARGUE FOR MORE RESTRICTIVE GUN LAWS because they have a certain power dynamic they want to uphold.

                • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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                  19 hours ago

                  I don’t remember the Black Panthers starting a guerilla war like what you’re advocating for.

                  When is this guerilla war going to be “needed?”

                  • WraithGear@lemmy.world
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                    13 hours ago

                    I’m not saying a gorilla war is needed. I am saying collective action is needed.

                    The reason i bring up gorilla warfare is because of the “there is no point in fighting tyranny because it’s too hard” argument. in the recent wars verses gorilla warfare and insurgency, it has been an absolute shit show boondoggle for the last 3 wars we have been in. And that is with the advantage of untouchable logistics, the world’s largest, and most secure, military industrial complex, top of the line weapons and training, and the homeland being unreachable.

                    Either way it’s best if those we care about own and become proficient in fire arms.