Read Mail - nochains:keepandbeararms.com
Tue, 18 Sep 2001
To: nochains@keepandbeararms.com
 
Sirs,
 
    Two days after watching the murderous attack upon America from my living room, I still hadn't dealt with what these terrorists were trying to accomplish. Do they have so little understanding of what makes America what it is, they would think the symbolic destruction of the twin towers of the world trade center and the pentagon, accompanied by the death of thousands of American lives, would make us cower before the world?
 
    America is an idea; or, to use an out of context quote from Richard Bach, "an unlimited idea of freedom". This idea is codified in our constitution and bill of rights. Our forefathers believed it is man's natural condition to be free. As long as one man does not violate the life, liberty or property of another, he should be free to live his life in whatever manner he so chooses. That is the source of our strength.
 
    (Back to two days after the most recent terrorists' campaign) I decided to take it upon myself as a sovereign individual in a free land to test that very freedom in my wife's home town, where we do most of our shopping - New Iberia, Louisiana. Knowing full well that terrorist can kill me and perhaps make me fear for the safety of my loved ones, I also understand they could have no influence whatsoever upon my liberty - according to the founding fathers, only my own government could do that. Little did I imagine when I began this exercise that it would really be a test of my willingness to stay the course.
 
    I figured let's start right at the top of the Bill of Rights: the first amendment's constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and political dissent. I had a bone to pick with a certain national chain of discount stores (one of which is located right here in New Iberia) which I believed was aligning themselves with a national movement to deny Americans "the right to keep and bear arms" (the 2nd Amendment). So I hand-lettered a big sign and stood on the edge of Admiral Doyle Dr. At the main access to the store (on public property) holding up a sign with my clearly stated reasons in bold letters, asking passing motorists not to shop at this place of business.
 
    To keep things in context please note: I'm 57 years old and have never been involved in doing anything even remotely resembling what I was now doing. I write lots of letters to the editors of newspapers and (as Claire wolfed puts it) to the congress-critters; never miss a chance to vote, since I figure if you don't vote you shouldn't bitch about the way things are being run; and am willing to offer my opinion to any and everyone willing to lend an ear - a pretty typical, run of the mill, reasonably well-informed, law-abiding citizen. I've never protested nor demonstrated for, nor against, anything in my life. Heck, I was even a state certified, high school basketball referee for several years - until I could no longer delude myself into believing I could keep up with 18 year old kids.
 
    Less than 40 min. into my venture, the police arrived - 4 armed city police officers. As they walked in unison toward me, I put down my sign, raised my hands (hell, I didn't know what to do. Would you?), walked toward them and told them that I am expressing my constitutionally guaranteed freedom of dissent, in accord with the 1st amendment, am unarmed and will offer no resistance whatsoever. (give me a break, people! I thought that was pretty good for a rookie passive resister)
 
    One of the officers asked what this was all about, which I thought humorous since my sign clearly stated my purpose (what really flashed through my head at that moment was to comment on the sorry state of education in this country and what should be a minimal requirement for becoming a police officer, but - survival instincts being what they are - I figured this probably wasn't the best time to bring it up). Knowing they were just doing their jobs, I attempted to explain. When one officer said what I was doing didn't make much sense to him, I said, "what you think of my cause should have no bearing on my right to do what I'm doing." The same officer asked me for some identification, to which I replied "I am a law abiding citizen of the state of Louisiana and am merely exercising my constitutional right to express my opinions in a peaceful manner; and, I don't believe I should have to furnish you with proof of my identity."
 
    This officer, very courteously I might add, said, "Sir, we're not trying to give you a hard time. Could we please see some i.d.?" Since I had started out to defend the 1st and 2nd amendments (I figured I'd save the 4th for another day), I relented and handed him my concealed weapon permit picture i.d. He then said, "excuse me sir, I'll have to check this out," and walked to his patrol car to call it in. (at this time, I figured things were going along just lovely)
 
    Waiting for my i.d. to be confirmed, I told the other officers, "If you don't mind, while he's checking me out, I'll return to the business at hand," and picked up my sign to again show it to passing motorists.
 
    Suddenly, the largest of the officers (a big man) demanded - in a forceful and menacing tone - "put that down and don't move or I'll put you on the ground."
 
    Now, my most serious confrontation with the authorities prior to this, was a speeding ticket (which is why I decided to give them my concealed weapon permit for identification, since approval requires sworn and signed affidavits that I am a law-abiding citizen; full access to my medical records, which I consider no one's business but my own; proof of proficiency with weapons and numerous other hoops through which a law abiding citizen must jump in order to obtain same). I just figured this guy must have been watching too many cop shows on TV. Or maybe he was having a bad day. So I dug into my pants pocket [Lesson #1 - if you want to get 3 cops to immediately place their hands on their weapons, put your hand in your pocket while being detained] and came out with a dozen pocket copies of the constitution and bill of rights (thinking: whoa, boys. I gotcha now). I offered a copy to each of the three remaining officers, which two of the officers politely accepted. The big officer simply glowered at me in a menacing manner and wouldn't accept my offer. At his refusal I said, "Sir, you might want to reconsider. Since you've sworn to protect and to serve, I believe you might find this most helpful. "
 
    Oops, my mistake. In what I considered a most threatening manner (i.e. much emphasis on gesticulation and volume), he told me, "I said shut the f*ck up and don't move." [Lesson #2 - "there's a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware. Stop children what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down"]
 
    Upon returning, the first officer tells me my i.d. checked out. I asked him, "What difference does that make since I'm not armed?" (I hear you, I hear you. But some of us are a little slow to catch on)
 
    The largest officer again intervenes stating forcefully, "that d*mned thing (pointing to the cwc permit) only lets him carry a gun in his car."
 
    The absolute and unequivocal ignorance expressed in those 12 words instantly condensed, at least for me, the difference between what one is taught of freedom in America and what is the reality on the street. [Lesson #3 - "danger, Will Robinson. Danger!]
 
    I know I probably read too much, but a right is something that, like breathing, requires neither the permission nor the acceptance of anyone. Either you have it or you don't. It exists, even while it's being violated.
 
    Now, I don't know about you, but when I'm in a really tense situation, I've found things - that under normal circumstances would hardly raise a chuckle - suddenly become "fall-down-on-the-ground" hilarious. I couldn't contain myself. I broke out into howls of laughter, literally doubling over at the sheer absurdity of this situation - compounded by the ignorance and arrogance expressed in the big officer's words. Each time I made an effort to contain myself, I'd glance at the fury expressed in this big cop's face and the howls would begin anew. Now, I'm a reasonably well-educated and reasonably intelligent person (by now you must be wondering how I can say that with a straight face), but the irony of an officer of the law having so little understanding of the law he's expected to enforce was just too much for words. [Lesson #4 - laughter is not always contagious]
 
    The first officer, who had called-in my i.d. to headquarters, attempted to explain to me that his large fellow officer was mistaken, which only seemed to infuriate the big guy all the more. I truly believe that if the other officers had not been there he would have fulfilled his previous threat - to "put you on the ground" - and in the most violent manner possible. At this point I began to fear for my personal safety, because I couldn't control my laughter and no one present had any doubt to whom it was directed. [Lesson #5 - it's not paranoia if the source of your fear is real]
 
    One of the other officers, who up 'til now had said nothing, walked to his car and returned with a book of city ordinances. He courteously told me I needed a permit to do what I was doing and proceeded then to read from the ordinance. I told him such a requirement for me to exercise my 1st amendment right was just about the dumbest thing I'd ever heard (and yes, I don't know when to keep my mouth shut) and asked if I was under arrest. Undaunted, this officer said, "no sir, but you really need to get a permit to do this." To which I replied, "then if I'm not under arrest, I'll be on my way to take this matter up with city hall", and I walked away. [Lesson #6 - "get out of dodge" applies even if you're in Louisiana]
 
    I proceeded directly to city hall, gave the mayor's secretary my name and asked for a moment of the mayor's time (no big deal, since this is a small town). After hearing my story, the mayor expressed her shock and apologized on behalf of the city. She said she'd get the police chief up here right away to see what course of action should be taken. Thanking the mayor for her consideration, I said I'd never had an opportunity to meet the chief and would prefer to walk down to his office to speak with him alone. Before I even made it to the door, she said, " I'd be glad to help you obtain the required permit, if you'd like."
 
    There are some folks in this world who just find it impossible to leave well enough alone and I must be one, because the words were barely out of her mouth before I answered, "Ms. mayor, I know you mean well. But the very idea that I should have to come to any authority to request permission to express my political dissent takes the cake. Four of your officers have already today challenged several of my rights, guaranteed to every citizen by the supreme law of this land, and now you expect me to ask your permission to exercise my 1st amendment's guarantee of freedom of political dissent? Do you not see the irony, here?"
 
    "But the permit's only $5, and that's just to cover the administrative costs," she explained. [Lesson #7 - the road to perdition is paved with good intentions]
 
    With a forced calm I certainly was not feeling at the moment, I answered, "even if it was free, it'd still mean I have to ask permission to speak my piece. Ma'am, today one of your officers made me fear for my personal safety. Do you understand the full implications of what Louisiana law not only allows, but encourages a person to do, when his physical safety is threatened?"
 
    I was on a righteous indignation high, but knew all credibility would be lost unless I could maintain a calm and reasoned tone. Thus, I continued, "since I was unable to complete my objective, today, I plan to return in order to do so. I wish it clearly understood that I bear no man ill, nor do I wish to harm anyone; but next time I will also be exercising my right to keep and bear arms guaranteed under the 2nd amendment. Thank you for your kind attention. It was very nice meeting you," and went downstairs to visit with the chief of police.
 
    After patiently listening to my whole story, the chief - much to his credit - was appalled to learn of the complete ignorance of his officers regarding the rights of ordinary citizens. He expressed to me that he was a strong supporter of every citizen's right to keep and bear arms, and would personally address the issue with every member of his department. He then tried to assure me that such an incident would not happen again. [Lesson #8 - true understanding is a rare commodity]
 
    I thanked him for his empathy but informed him, "sir, I wish it were so; but you can assure me of no such thing were you the cop on the street, I would be comforted in knowing you would respect citizens rights; but, you are not the cop on the street. I am coming back, and I plan to FULLY exercise my rights guaranteed under the 2nd amendment. It is my sincerest wish that you understand my intentions. I mean no one harm, but I will not be threatened. Since I have no interest whatsoever in being injured nor killed, please keep that in mind when you speak to your officers."
 
    As I stood up to leave, he offered, "I do understand and all you have to do is let me know when you're coming back and I can guarantee you won't have a problem." [Lesson #9 - was the road to tyranny always this easy to follow?]
 
    "Sir", I answered, "had I done that today, we would have learned nothing. Thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting with you again." And I drove home, with smoke blowing out of my ears.
 
    A writer must use every available tool to effectively convey a serious message; and I seem to be best armed when I am able to bring my twisted sense of humor into play. A trick I learned long ago is to wait until my anger has subsided before sitting down with pen in hand. 5 days have passed and I'm still on a slow boil, unable to draft a letter to the mayor nor the chief to properly thank them for receiving me so warmly. Since it was never my intent to discredit the good name of New Iberia, I hope we all realize this same thing could have happened anywhere in America.
 
    "The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding"
        --Justice Louis Brandeis (1928)
 
    "Americans need not fear the federal government because they enjoy the advantage of being armed, which you possess over the people of almost every other nation."
        -- James Madison
 
    This is from a line in a recent speech by president George "dubya" Bush: "this will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing."
 
    Doncha just love quotes?
 
Respectfully,
Lee McGee
lee2mcgee@aol.com