In response to recent events, including the "bust" of the so-called Viper Militia in Arizona (they never called themselves a militia) New York State Senator Vincent L. Leibell has called upon fellow legislators to "heed the warning of experience" and pass "The Militia Response Acts" which consist of four bills:

1. The Political Sabotage Prevention Act (S.7767) would establish the crime of political sabotage, if a person commits a crime with the intention of advancing, promoting, or bringing governmental attention to a political agenda, purpose, reason, cause or ideal, with such crime carrying the death penalty if a murder is committed.

2. The Para-Military Militia Registration Act (S. 7805) would require paramilitary and militia groups and their members to annually register with the State or face civil penalties up to $1000. [Note: Chemung County Citizens' Militia Commander Jerry Loper commented on a local TV show: "I'm not registering my group and I'm not paying no thousand dollar fine. It's time to put our foot down."]

3. The Court Integrity Protection Act (S.7767) would make it a criminal offense should anyone convene a "citizens' court" or "common law court", and issue, distribute, serve or file documents issued by such courts "against another person."

4. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (S.4256) would regulate the use and possession of explosives and their components and add another felony -- possession of explosive material -- to the State's penal code.

"This package of bills is designed to protect our families, our children and our society. That is the first obligation of any elected governmental official," said Mr. Leibell.

The first obligation of any government official is to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, which said Constitution is designed to protect our families, children and society from the effects of unconstitutional bills such as his.

The Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written to safeguard the American people from government, not militias. It is the Constitutional duty of militias to protect the people from our own government--should it become tyrannical. That's one of the reasons for the Second Amendment.

Mr. Leibell went on to say: "The very essence of our democracy [Republic!, Mr. Leibell, Republic!] is founded in respect for people and respect for law. When organizations pledge themselves to neither, arm themselves to the teeth, and then withdraw from the constraints of society, we have a real problem. I am amazed at how these so called militia groups try to hide behind the Bill of Rights, when in fact, they turn the Constitution on its head."

It's somewhat difficult to "hide" behind the Bill of Rights when it is being unlawfully legislated away. Second, if anyone is turning the Constitution on its head it is the legislative branch of our government.

Mr. Leibell, like many politicians, does not hesitate to distort the truth to further his agenda: "These groups are operating in strength across New York, and as the World Trade Center bombing has already shown, we are a tempting national target." What does the bombing of the World Trade Center have to do with militias? If Albany passed 400 anti-militia bills it would not have stopped the World Trade Center bombing. The FBI knew that terrorists were making a bomb and did nothing to stop them. Perhaps if the Chemung County Militia were alerted they would have stepped in and prevented the bombing. If they had done anything it would have been more than what the FBI did. Mr. Leibell's attempt to link the bombing of the World Trade Center to the Militia Movement and then use that unrelated incident as an excuse for anti-militia laws is inexplicable.

Mr. Leibell epitomizes the attitude that has sparked the Militia Movement in America today. Legislators pass "laws" that make the exercise of an Unalienable Right a felony, and then deem the negative reaction from a militia or patriot group a "withdrawal from the constraints of society". People yearn to "withdraw" from arbitrary, unconstitutional government. To "withdraw" from the highest tax rate in U.S. history. To "withdraw" from the highest prison population in U.S. history, (on a percentage basis the highest on earth). To "withdraw" from forfeiture laws that seize more property from the American people--for the government--than all crimes committed by free-lance criminals combined. What Mr. Leibell calls "withdrawal" is really a push in the right direction.

The Declaration of Independence was a declaration of withdrawal from British oppression. Mr. Leibell is responding to the current Militia Movement in much the same manner as did the tyrant George III and his despotic Parliament.

Every militia group in America wants to return to, not withdraw from, our true Constitutional Republic. If legislators can pass "laws" (and they do) that exceed constitutional constraints, then we have a Federal Republic, not a Constitutional Republic. House and Senate bills become the Supreme Law of the land, and replace the Constitution. (Here in New Jersey even state "law" supersedes the Constitution: if you find yourself in court on a firearms charge, try quoting the Second Amendment and see how far it gets you).

Attempts by a militia or patriot group to bring about a return to a true Constitutional Republic can be thwarted through unlawful legislation. Legislators in the Federal Republic, for example, can enact statutes under "color of law" that actually make it illegal to reestablish our Constitutional Republic. And that's exactly what is being done! The abandonment of a Constitutional Republic in favor of an (unlawful) Federal Republic is what has given birth to the current militia and patriot movements.

Many militia groups are open and willing to talk to their representatives about grievances and concerns. But if bills such as the Militia Response Act are passed the time for dialog will be over. Such legislation will accomplish only one thing; it will push the militias underground. Small 3 to 5 man groups will form, and distrust towards government will increase.

The one thing politicians should realize is that the most dangerous man is one who feels he has nothing to lose. When his rights, family, business and property (which in some cases the government will literally take from him or her to "protect" an endangered species) are no longer under his control, but under state or federal mandates, his voice no longer heard and the opportunity for redress no longer possible--you have a most dangerous person. The threat of incarceration becomes meaningless. Harsher laws only intensify a festering problem. The "great engine of judicial despotism" that Hamilton cited in the Federalist Papers, will make the problem worse. Legislative and judicial despotism, the principal catalysts for our separation from England, as Jefferson wrote in the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, is rearing its ugly head once again.

It should be noted that Mr. Leibell did not cite a single criminal act that could be attributed to any militiaman in the state of New York. Despite this listen to his characterization of the Militia Movement: "...these groups will stop at nothing until their activities have escalated to cause significant harm, destruction and death to our society...They threaten our safety and our freedom...Prevent militia sponsored acts of domestic terrorism....prevent the horrors...devastating to the families of New York and the Nation...They wish to undermine, destroy and tear down every institution that we have built [and]...obtain political change through violence, intimidation, destruction and even death...These groups pose a significant threat." This is a classic example of what Jefferson called "pretended offenses". Everything Mr. Leibell mentions is a complete fabrication--a product of his own imagination. After delivering these horrific, and fictitious, scenarios he calls for laws to prevent militias from doing what they've never done and never will do.

In closing it should be noted that throughout history the greatest crimes and acts of genocide have been committed "legally" and "lawfully" by government acting by decree or statute. (Case in point: The Waco and Ruby Ridge massacres were legal because of legislation i.e., the National Firearms Act of 1934). A government agent shot Vicky Weaver through the head while she was standing in her doorway holding her ten month-old baby girl. If a militia member had committed that act he would be sitting on death row (and rightfully so) awaiting execution. A thief hides his face behind a mask when committing a crime -- government hides behind "color of law."

These Gestapo Agents knowingly entered private property without a search warrant and thereby violated their oath of office. When they were confronted by the Weavers they shot [and killed] the Weaver's dog. Shots were exchanged (the Gestapo unit was wearing camouflage and had nothing on their uniforms to indicate they were US Marshals) and 14-year-old Sammy Weaver was machine-gunned in the back. He died almost instantly. Some heroes!

During the later standoff, an FBI sniper [one Lon Horiuchi, a West Point graduate] shot Vicki Weaver in the head while she was holding her infant daughter in her arms. Vicki died almost instantly. The sniper has not YET received a medal. (Maybe he would have if he shot the baby too).

FBI Director Louis Freeh was so pleased with the siege commander Larry Potts that he promoted him to be his second in command. Freeh's stamp of approval is a good indicator of a government totally out of control.

For violating the Constitution that these SOB's swore to uphold they get rewarded. To get a medal it would appear you have to be a baby killer.

If you set in a court room a few times you will eventually hear a citizen pleading to the judge for mercy, claiming he didn't realize something he had done was illegal. You will hear the judge respond that "ignorance of the law is no excuse".

Some day, after they have been found guilty in a court of law and we wrap a rope around the necks of these traitors, they will plead for mercy, saying that they didn't know what they did was unconstitutional. And we will say that ignorance of the Constitution is no excuse. Then we'll hoist them high into a tree and cheer as they kick and twitch.

Editor's Note: We had a similar problem with England before the War of Independence: British soldiers murdering American colonists. But at least the British had the courtesy to furnish us with a mock 'jolly good show' trial as Jefferson described it in the Preamble: "For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States."

Even the haughty British had enough sense not to award baby-killers with medals or promotions for killing Americans. Not only does this show how far our government has degenerated but it also says something about the American people--at least we did something about it 220 years ago.

If this is the official policy of the U.S. Government, Congress should award Timothy McViegh [should he be found guilty] the Congressional Medal of Honor.

It was never the intention of the Founding Fathers for the federal government to involve itself in law enforcement except for the four crimes mentioned above.

The FBI, BATF [Burn All Toddlers First], DEA, EPA, FDA, OSHA and a host of other federal branches of federal law enforcement are totally bogus.

First the federal government picks and chooses which crimes are to be federalized (in the case of the DEA, drugs) and then creates federal police agencies to enforce them.

Many of these agencies make up their own rules, penalties and restrictions. Case in point: In Shotgun News you'll sometimes see ads for certain firearms or accessories that are "BATF Approved". The benevolent BATF, in their largesse, "approves" what we can and cannot own.

In the Preamble Thomas Jefferson wrote: "He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance."

If Jefferson could only see things now!

This may have been a recognized truth back in David's day but not in 20th Century New Jersey, to judge by a June 6, 1996, story titled "Bear Sightings on the Rise in N.J", that appeared in The Press of Atlantic City.

The article tells how the black bear population has risen from about 100 ten years ago to about 400 today. After receiving a number of complaints (85 in the month of May) from concerned citizens in northwestern N.J., the official statement from David Burke, the state's wildlife office supervising biologist was: "Residents can either try to live with them, enjoy them or reconsider where you want to live." Typical bureaucratic arrogance. And Godless arrogance at that.

Instead of man having dominion over the beasts of the field, as God planned it, Mr. Burke, who obviously knows how to run things better than The Almighty, reverses the order and gives it to the beasts, or rather to himself.

* Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of direct expression.

* Results in mobocracy.

* Attitude toward property is communistic -- negating property rights.

* Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether it be based upon deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences.

* Results in demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy.

* Attitude toward property is respect for law and individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure.

* Attitude towards the law is the administration of justice in accord with fixed principles and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences.

* A greater number of Citizens and extent of territory may be brought within the compass.

A republican form of government is under a constitution which: (1) provides for the election of an executive

(2) provides for the election of a legislative body, that working together in a representative capacity, has all the power of appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenue and appropriate expenditures, and

(3) creates a judiciary to pass upon the justice and legality of governmental acts

(4) recognizes certain inherent rights.

Take away any one of these four elements and you are drifting into autocracy.

* Democracy is the "direct" rule of the people and has been repeatedly tried without success.

Our Constitutional fathers, familiar with the strength and weakness of both autocracy and democracy, with fixed principles definitely in mind, defined a representative republican form of government. They "made a very marked distinction between a republic and a democracy" and said repeatedly and emphatically that they "had founded a republic".

--- Second Amendment Free Press

Pres. Bill Clinton has said "an American can't hate his government and claim that he loves his country...These so-called PATRIOTS who would have the destruction of this government are fueled by their hatred of all that is good in our land." Wrong, Billy Boy! It is the corruption, the waste, the incompetence, and the arrogant attitude of elected officials, their wives, and all government employees, that foster a sense of dissatisfaction among the American People.

The American Heritage Dictionary describes PATRIOT as "One who loves, supports and defends his country." It says nothing about love of government. PATRIOTS such as Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Nathan Hale, Patrick Henry, J. Quincy Adams, James Madison, Hamilton and Monroe--all had great love for this country and a deep burning hatred for the tyrannical, corrupt government from which they desired to be free. These men spoke many times after the victory of the American Revolution about the inherent evils and natural oppressiveness of government. They built into the Constitution certain safeguards such as the Second Amendment right to KEEP AND BEAR ARMS, so that WE THE PEOPLE could control the government, or overthrow it, as Jefferson said, "every twenty years". We have been lax in our duties as Americans, my friends. Why is Bill Clinton so afraid of the PATRIOT MOVEMENT? Why does he chastise men who love their country? Perhaps the answer can be found in what makes a man a PATRIOT--a man who answers to God instead of the state; a man who falls to his knees in praise of the Lord instead of bowing to the King who has no clothes. The making of a PATRIOT is written on one's heart before it shows itself in a person's actions. There is a natural love of fairness for all. There is a basic sense of respect for others, their property, their customs, their work, their beliefs.

Consider our Founding Fathers. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." These are words that sing in the heart of a patriot.

The PATRIOT has a natural love of and desire for the TRUTH. Not what the media reports, or what the White House says, or what other people agree on, but the TRUTH. And the search for the truth goes on no matter where it leads or what consequences ensue.

A PATRIOT hates the unfairness and arbitrariness of government. The chilling effect of governmental force at the point of a gun goes against every fiber of a PATRIOT's being. The PATRIOT understands the plight of others around him. He knows what it is to work for his bread and instinctively shares what he has with needy others. He does this of his own accord. He DOES NOT steal from others under the illusion of taxation, and then play the hero by handing out some of his spoils to the needy.

The PATRIOT takes responsibility for his actions. He is a person who bears the cost of raising and educating his children. He does not put a gun to the head of other citizens to collect moneys to pay for those obligations which are his. The PATRIOT cringes at the thought of property taxes. The idea of undermining the concept of true ownership by taxing what is "OWNED", makes no sense to him at all. Such outrageous theft makes prisoners of us all within the homes for which we trade our life's labor.

If you feel compelled to agree with these thoughts then join us. Take a stand for the love of TRUTH. Reach out and help those who desire FREEDOM. Take a stand and fight for what is ours, this land, this country, this AMERICA. GOD BLESS THE PATRIOT!

We the subscribers do hereby severally enlist ourselves into the service of the United American Colonies until the first day of January next...and we severally consent to be formed by such person or persons as the general court shall appoint into a company of ninety men, including one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drum, and one fife to be elected by the company.

The practice of election extended even to field officers. A Maryland regiment having been called together to poll for a field officer, the colonel fixed a day for the poll and appointed himself returning officer for the declaration of the poll. The men of the regiment disregarded the date fixed by the colonel, refused his services as returning officer, and threatened him with personal violence should he dare to interfere, so fiercely was the democratic principle asserted even in a state of the aristocratic origin which Maryland was proud to claim. -- Henry Belcher, quoted in The Oxford Book of Military Anecdotes

Elections are coming in November and we believe that Clinton and Dole are from the same pod. So we believe that we need to work hard to either get Ross Perot or the Libertarian Party elected. Clinton is a New World Order functionary and Bob Dole is for GATT, NAFTA and large corporations. They do not care what happens to our people or country. If we can not change this through voting in November then we have to look at other ways and means. We have to stop the U.N. threat and the New World Order threat now. So please give this thought and take it to your members and all of our Patriots throughout our once great land that just maybe we can get our beloved Nation back to us, the People. I personally feel that we need a clean sweep in Washington. We need to put new people in who still believe in the Constitution of the United States of America. God gave us the right to be free so let's fight for that freedom.

May God Bless you all and good luck to us all.

Sincerely,
Col. Jack E. Hoffman
Commander, Missouri 711th Christian Civilian Militia
P.O. Box 404
St. Joseph, MO 64502

As for the Montana Freemen, you will notice [unlike Waco] there are no helicopters machine gunning through the roof, no military tanks bashing down the building and the federales left their ninja outfits and ski masks at home. Obviously, the purpose of the Montana siege is to let the world know that we have a kinder and gentler FBI. This is big brother at work. Honest citizens can not walk the streets of any urban area without fear of being mugged, carjacked or worse. Violent street gangs, numbering in the thousands, are better armed and better organized than any militia. Yet, do we see an army of FBI agents setting up road blocks and vowing to arrest them?

We have police departments proudly announcing the number of tickets they have written for the people not wearing seat belts in their autos, and hundreds of municipal court judges profiting by ripping off helpless motorists in their Star Chamber proceedings, while drug dealers and muggers rule the streets.

If the people of this country ever learned the truth about what the Montana Freemen were really doing, and the issues involved, there would be a revolution in America tomorrow morning, and the "Montana Siege" would become recognized as a major historic event.

J.K.
Somerset County

Dear NJM,

Enclosed is a couple of FRN's for your August Newsletter. Should be paid up for the whole year now. Anyway, your publication is among the nations finest militia Newsletters.

Don't give up the ship!

Jim W.
Republic of Washington

[Note. We considered using our editorial privilege by deleting the word "among" from Jim's letter, but figured we'd better not push it. --Ed].

US funding of the UN is unlawful, as it is not one of the powers (Art. 1. Sec. 8) delegated to Congress by the Constitution. Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-FL) has introduced H.R. 2535, "The UN Withdrawal Act", because "it is now clear that the United Nations no longer serves our national interests."

Call your Representative and talk show host and urge them to support H.R.2535.

Urge your Assemblymen to oppose A.129 (handgun ban, companion to S.351) and A.1869 (racist "Saturday Night Special" ban), the latter sponsored by Nilsa-Cruz (D-5), Friscia (D-19), Wisniewski (D-19), Green (D-17), Barnes (D-18), Jones (D-27), Greenwald (D-6), Steele (D-35), Charles (D-31), Kelly (R-36), Brown (D-29), Mattison (D-29), Romano (D-33), Roberts (D-5), Smith (R-11), Caraballo (D-28), Doria (D-31), Quigley (D-32), Pascrell (D-35), Gill (D-27), Impreveduto (D-32), Zecker (R-34)

Send $1 and SASE to NJM for a master flier for distribution against the handgun bans, tailored to each oath-breaking "representative".

Henry had fought in the long war to establish liberty and he did not intend to let this Constitution "trample on your fallen liberty!" It granted power to the new government, but it held no safeguards for the liberty of the people. Henry saw many dangers in the document signed even by George Washington, and he railed against it.

Henry's insight told him that what was being done with the militia was sheer madness! Art. 1, Sec. 8, Clauses 15 & 16 turned the militia over to Congress, and Art. II, Sec. 2, Clause 1 turned the command of the militia over to the President to be its "Commander-In-Chief...when called into the actual service of the United States".

"When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of Americans was different; liberty, sir, was then the primary object," Henry fumed.

To turn the militia over to the very people who had to be watched, the ones who, he predicted, would "seize all power unto themselves, and convert the states into one consolidated government," was foolhardy! He predicted that the presidency would someday lead to treason. "Your militia will leave you and fight against you!" he warned.

Henry declared that the government was being granted too much money and too much power; that the power of the federal courts would enable the president to swell the patronage rolls; that the people were negligently suffering their liberty to be wrested from them; and that the treaty-making power of the president was one of the Constitution's most fearful features and would lead us into the most ruinous of foreign engagements.

He advised the people that the Constitution was being written as if only good men would take office. "What will you do when evil men take office?" he demanded. "When evil men take office, the whole gang will be in collusion! They will keep the people in utter ignorance and steal their liberty by ambuscade!" he warned. He added: "Your laws on impeachment are a sham and a mockery due to mutual implication of government officials!"

He expounded for twenty-three days in the Virginia statehouse on these and many other weak points in the document. As a result States began to refuse to ratify the Constitution.

"My great objection to this government is that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or waging war against tyrants. Have we the means of resisting disciplined armies, when our only defense, the militia, is put in the hands of Congress? Your guns are gone! What resistance could be made? Will you assemble and just tell them?

"Even if you could assemble, how will you enforce rightful punishment when due? Oh, sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if to punish tyrants, it were only necessary to assemble the people. A standing army we shall have, also to execute the execrable commands of tyranny."

Henry continued: "Let Mr. Madison tell me when did liberty ever exist when the sword and the purse were given up from the people? Unless a miracle shall interpose, no nation ever did, nor ever can, retain its liberty after the loss of the sword and the purse! Congress, by power of taxation, by the raising of an army, and by their control over the militia, have the sword in one hand and the purse in the other. Shall we be safe without either? Congress has unlimited power over both: they are entirely given up by us!

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty! Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel! Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force, and whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined! When the government removes your armaments, you will have no power but government will have all power!" he warned. With all the force of his great oratorical skill, he challenged his audience in the Virginia statehouse with this directive: "The least you can do is guard this Constitution with a Bill of Rights!"

Henry had rightfully envisioned the unlimited control the federal government would some day assume over the states and the militias. Since he could not get the support needed to immediately open up another convention and re-do the Constitution, the Bill of Rights was the only recourse to prevent the serious transgressions he foresaw in days to come.

The Bill of Rights he was prescribing would require a strong prohibition written into it in order to guard against federal officials' ability to interfere, in anyway whatever, singularly or collectively, with the people's right to keep and bear arms. It was understood by all at the time, that the prime reason for what we now call "our Second Amendment" was to enter an interdiction which would extricate the militia from the Executive and Congress and give the people a chance at least to resist and arrest tyranny.

The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

This became a command to the people to keep a watch on government from that day forward. The fathers who finalized the amendment held all of the people of the future responsible for providing the everlasting security for a free state, for the state to remain free! It further meant that all the people had to be well trained, equal to the task of sustaining the condition of a free state.

The Preamble to the Bill of Rights added an umbrella of security to all of the amendments in the Bill of Rights by ordering that there was to be no misconstruction or abuse of Constitutional powers; that the peoples' rights needed to be understood by all [declaratory], and that, in particular, the federal government was to keep "hands off" [restrictive]!

Tracing the footsteps of Patrick Henry reveals that the real intent and purpose of the Second Amendment was not to broaden the power of the federal government nor that of the state; instead, it was drafted to exercise authority over any public official who became tyrannical. Complete control of the militia by public officials would leave the people with no recourse against tyranny!

As George Washington first saw it, Art. I, Sec. 8, Clauses 15 & 16 and Art. II Sec. 2, Clause 1, appeared to be sufficient, permitting public officials on state and federal levels of government to call out (draft) the militia of Americans citizens for two purposes:

(1) to protect the duly authorized laws of the nation against insurrection or rebellion

(2) to protect against foreign invasion.

However, in tracing the events that preceded the writing of the Second Amendment, it has been proven that Pres. Washington developed a broader view of the militia. Patrick Henry's influence upon these events is a matter of public record.

Having great respect for Henry, Washington included the following in his Militia Plan No.2 of 1790, which reflects his views regarding the purpose of the militia:

"The well informed members of the community, actuated by the highest motives of self-love, would form the real defense of the country. Rebellions would be prevented or suppressed with ease; invasions of such a government would be undertaken only by mad men; and the virtues and knowledge of the people would effectually oppose the introduction of tyranny."

Here in Washington's own manuscript, we see these three reasons for the militia: to repel (1) rebellion, (2) invasion, and (3) tyranny. This adds to the proof that the purpose of the militia of the Second Amendment is for the people to guard against tyranny in government. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Second Amendment came into existence so that the people could protect themselves against despotic acts and tyranny brought on by public officials!

Patrick Henry was not alone in realizing the need for the people to exercise together as a force against unlimited and unauthorized power. The following quote has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson who reflected that: "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."

It should be understood that it was the clergy of 200 plus years ago which inspired man into thinking; thus, preaching provoked thought and thought roused the people's souls to seek total freedom under God which they sought. To be blunt, it was nothing short of liberty or death!

Our nation and people are in far greater danger today than were the colonists under the tyrant George III. This is attributed to the fact that for the most part the people's vigilance has become so slack that over the course of time some believe that rights are derived from government. Without question this concept negates the truth that our rights are indeed natural and unalienable, bestowed upon man by the Creator. Government is not above nature's God. But once the people are convinced that rights are only mere privileges granted by government then government will have absolute control over the people. This century testifies to that statement, for we have gone through an extremely long train of abuses.

The New Jersey Militia, which is the assemblage of "WE the People" recognize that rights are God given. We are also of the opinion that the pen is mightier that the sword. Therefore to ameliorate the condition of our moribund Republic we are calling upon the clergy to once again provoke the thought of man in our hour of great need. We are available for both comment and speaking.

Respectfully and in the cause of freedom,

Earl G. Dickey

Note: Mr. Dickey's letter was sent to several churches, but none have replied to date.

The military is also closely investigating non-lethal weapons for use in "low-intensity conflicts". As to the encrypted communications required in cities and towns the military is considering the use of cellular phones. By tracking the physical condition of the individual soldier the phone could be remotely shut down by commanders to prevent the enemy from listening in, should he be taken out of action; the technology to do that is under investigation. Another concern is how much weight a soldier can carry because he "can rapidly lose mobility and effectiveness if burdened with over 85 pounds." Lighter and longer-lived batteries are being sought. -- Inside the Pentagon, August 1, 1996