Reply To: General thought on old coal mines.

[Rezwan]

Brian H wrote:

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

I’m surprised. You’re advocating outsourcing the violence to some rough and ready men standing around outside. Is this a privatized army? I would have pegged you for someone who advocated each person have their own means of protection right there by the bed.
It’s a well-known adage, a modified version of something Orwell wrote. It refers to both armed forces and police, basically. So you unfortunately don’t get to revel in paranoid fantasies of private armies. Which seems to be a scare tactic much beloved of those who want everyone to ‘jest get along’ and do as they’re told by their social planning betters, or get put away by the gubmint for their own good. :coolsmirk:

Really? You feel safe because the police and armed forces are protecting you? I thought you were more, y’know…you surprise me.

Aren’t the “social planning betters” the ones calling the shots of the armed forces and police? Don’t the police and army represent the States’ monopoly right to violence? Brian, you’re shaking my faith! What happened to you. Thought you were a John Lott fan.

So I’m the only one advocating personal responsibility here? 2nd Amendment anyone? I think people need to get better at resolving their own conflicts rather than outsourcing and escalating upward to the benevolent state police and army.

And yo: You lack imagination. The quote does not preclude private armies. Of which this country has a long and glorious tradition.

And of course I can revel in whatever fantasy I want. Like you have any say.