I believe it is absolutely none of the government's business what I do in my personal life. I am also, though, a strong supporter of the idea that my rights end where another person's rights begin and vice versa - a very blurry, yet fine line.
Yes, this is absolutely true. But this cannot be regulated as the line changes per interaction with each individual pair of individuals. It must be left to individual choice and voluntary.
Society and Government can ONLY do things through force. Only the individual has the capability to do things voluntarily.
Now, let me state this (as we did get off topic)...I said no where that I would be drinking (but yes, if I go out to eat I am armed - as always - and yes, sometimes I will have 1 or 2 max, that is me choosing to maintain control of myself and be responsible, while doing both. There is absolutely NO reason to drink so much one will become drunk for any purpose, but those that do must be dealt with at the time they cause harm, not before because up until that point, nothing wrong has happened. Making regulation for the sake of creating a problem will only do more harm.), but it is not my right to say someone else cannot as that would infringe on their rights.
Again, drinking is not the problem, just as any weapon is not the problem. The problem is the same with everything else....people blame everyone else, the laws, etc. and not the individual that actual made the choice. No more is the individual being held accountable and responsible for anything. But again, you can't regulate those things, they must be taught from early age (for instance: today, people think it is so bad that a 6 or 8 year kid is put to work either at a store, a farm, or even at home when in reality it is a very good thing), we can only punish for the choices they make.
Kids are given no responsibilities today. By the time they are 4 they should be cleaning up after themselves to a point (sure it will take some prodding, but that is called parenting), by age 6 a kid should be able to begin to fix their own food, by age 8 a kid should be able to wash their own clothing, etc....of course give or take 1-2 years per the individuals development speed. Kids, and even adults, should not be sitting in front of computers or TVs for very long at all. Human beings belong outside, not indoors. Not sitting, Not behind a desk. This is according to human nature and physiology.
The problem is the lack of family hierarchy strength. The problem is other people getting involved in the individuals life. (yes, this was a series of problems, but they all link back to one thing: responsibility/accountability from the first step of life).
I think what you will find with folks not wanting to include alcohol with a BBQ, are mostly those that have been around a while and know how far we have come and yet all the work that lies ahead. They are concerned with the public opinion and media outcry and the resulting loss of credibility with our fine Senators, should someone get stupid and do something stupid (which, sadly, alcohol is usually a precursor to) while attending a NFOA gathering, while sporting their NFOA gear and especially if openly carrying a scary looking firearm. We just can't risk it, no matter our personal views on individual freedom and responsibility. So please do not take any of it personally, these folks are not only looking out for themselves, but also the best interest of the Association.
When I first thought of this BBQ idea, it was (as stated) non-political... I did not mean that it would NFOA sponsored. Just because the people at the event are largely members and such, means nothing.
Nor did I say that we would/have to be displaying NFOA banners or such. Now of course, if we wanted to, we would have to come to a consensus (which I knew well before we even started talking what that decision would be) as it would be representing an organization of multiple people, each gets a say and a single vote.
common sense legislation within this state and fighting those laws that encroach upon our freedoms.
The ONLY"common sense legislation" or "reasonable legislation" when it comes to rights is protecting them further, which requires restricting the group and government from touching the individual. Otherwise, there is no such thing.
Again, the group, government, organization, business has no rights....all rights are held by the individual only.
No compromises, no negotiations, no bargaining when it comes to rights. Again, it's more dangerous to have even one-single law, than it is to have no laws at all when it comes to rights.
The whole purpose of the idea about a BBQ was purely fun. Non-political, no sociological...kind of to forget just for a few hours of the problems out there.
Now as for politics itself....they are dead, there is no coming back from where we are politically, sociologically, or economically. The nation is bankrupt. Every single individual is bankrupt and they don't even realize it. It is people's very life that is the currency and our dictators/oligarchy have sold us.
The last 2 elections (actually, the last 50 years) have shown where things lay ....and no people are not changing for the better.
The whole reason for the gold standard was to restrict government further and have something of true value backing the money...not just a mere promise. The oligarchy we call government has changed our Constitution from bindings on government to bindings on the people....and the people did nothing.
Frankly, people need to remember what it is like to be under a dictatorship again, so they can realize why socialistic ideals are bad and why our fore-fathers fought a bloody revolution for our
INDIVIDUAL freedoms in the first place (not the freedoms of the group, but the freedoms held by the individual). So at this point, I say let it come.