[Moneyguy1]

Rick:

You list some other constraints to individual freedom. Have you noticed that much of this loss of individual freedom has occurred in the name of maintaining our freedoms?

I am getting confused.

Someone said about me that I was apparently not a member of the NRA. True. Years ago, a friend of mine who is still a member invited me to attend a few events with him. I met some really nice folks, interested in the fact that I had marksman certification while in the service. However, there were also some who were the "Either you are with us or you are against us" school of thought, trying to convince me that I had a God given duty to own multiple firearms in order to assure my second amendment rights or the government would take those rights away from me. These individuals came over as being just a zealous as any group, whether that group be in favor of a certain belief or specific "civil right" .

I am a relatively mellow individual, interested in just about everything but not fanatic about anything. Perhaps that is what happens with age. I like civil discourse, and logical reasoning. The world fascinates me with its unlimited diversity.

If people wish to belong to a specific organization and enjoy membership in same, that is great as long as these individuals do not try to convince me that my non-membership is tantamount to treason or, in the case of religion, heresy.

But that's just me.......