[menace]

Originally Posted by jwham

Britain’s military inadequacies and American guerrilla tactics accounted for some of Britain’s defeats during the war. There was an enormous number of patriots ready to fight for independence, their poor military skills meant they were incapable of winning conventional battles however they could occupy strong points and settlements and could use guerrilla tactics. British casualties were much higher then the rebels as the British found themselves constantly ambushed by small forces in the mountains and on bridges. The Americans lost most of the early battles but the British kept letting Washington escape and in 1777 when the Americans finally won a battle at Saratoga the British gave up the offensive in the North. One could say that if Burgoyne hadn’t let Washington escape at Brandywine or hadn’t walked into heavy rebel resistance in Saratoga, France and Spain wouldn’t have joined in the war and the British would have won.

A major weakness of the British cause was their lack of a clear strategy or objective. The Patriots were transparent in their aims; the quest for independence was without compromise or negotiation, the failure of British generals to understand this at the beginning of the conflict meant that they had insufficient troops and resources at their disposal and this certainly contributed to British defeat. Indecision and unclear strategy also had a damaging affect on morale, lack of confidence in the British cause spread to the highest ranks; Captain James Murray wrote in a letter home that he sincerely wished it was all over; “a barbarous business in a barbarous country ” and if Lord Montgomery’s theory that morale is the single greatest factor in war is to be believed, these sorts of feelings amongst the troops and officers were of serious concern. The American rebels on the other hand had everything to win by victory and everything to loose by defeat, where as the British could survive with or without the exploitation of the colonies.

But that is enough of the history lessons, you should now get the point why we won our war of independence.

I got that before, but that was not the point. All this the militia did, is the same that Vietcong or the Yugoslav partisans did, and they did not have weapons when their countries were occupied. Armed populace makes it cheaper to start a guerrilla warfare, but that's about the only benefit, and you have not convinced me otherwise.

Originally Posted by jwham

Let me explain what Government system we hard working Americans don't want, and that system is that of the far far left that is in office today in America who lean towards a socialist government. This reduces individual freedom and productivity by taxing the working people more to pay for social programs.

So now that you don't like the majorities choice, you are going to start and armed rebellion, overthrow the the government, hang the president and set up a fascist regime? I see you've already applied for the position of Fearless Leader.

Originally Posted by jwham

Programs are fine. But the government has bankrupted social security and Medicare. In fact, only 21 cents of each dollar paid in to SS actually reaches a retired recipient. Government doesn't manage finances well, but there are those far left Liberals who want our governments to become mom and dad, and are willing to offer complete control to them, and there are those of us who would rather pull our own weight and keep government out of our personal lives.

That makes about as much sense as scrapping a car because of a flat tire.

Originally Posted by jwham

So when I use the term of "totalitarian government" I mean any system of Government where the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political expression is suppressed in an attempt to keep the populace in check. And I am not talking about the moderate "Blue Dog" or "Lunch Box" Democrat, for I believe most of them would agree with me.

But we have steered off the subject of the banning of fire arms here in the US, and I would like to point out that congresswoman Gabby Giffords is a long time gun owner.

I have lived in a totalitarian system, and therefore can tell you flat out that you're talking shit! Even the state you describe here doesn't come close to what I've been through, much less the "oppressive regime" you live under now.

Originally Posted by jwham

You mean in the USA where we elected a Biracial President? In America you can be anything you want to be regardless of the color of your skin, if you're willing to work for it.

Wow, you elected the first non-white president in a land where white people have lived for only 400 years? Now that's minority action!