Gov't submission vs rebellion

[Rolling Thunder]

Also- back in 1770, most firearms didn't have sights on them. You relied on numbers and discipline to win battles.

 

[kawligia]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

 

[Nomad]

Let's say for the sake of argument that your government, regardless of where you live (most places) delivers and ultimatum to the people. Submit to a predetermined set of rules with some sacrificed freedoms, or be considered a threat to the country. A country where all money, communication, and power is monitored, but you're still free to do what you want, mostly. Think the PATRIOT act on crack, a country run on the fringe of martial law.

Would you be willing to live by this, or would you be one of the people in the street throwing molotovs?

Proletarians of all nations, unite!

 

[SenseOfTumour]

It's difficult to rebel against a government, because what do you replace it with, if you're not going to lead yourself, who do you trust to do it?

Democracy is a nice idea, but I've met the public, and I just don't trust them to make an informed decision, not when they believe most of what they read in the newspapers.

I honestly don't have an answer, but damn I've got a bunch of questions.

 

[Space Spoons]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

Point taken, but even if we could outnumber them, it still doesn't speak to the issue of equipment and level of military training.

 

[kawligia]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

Point taken, but even if we could outnumber them, it still doesn't speak to the issue of equipment and level of military training.

True, but then again, the people have successfully rebelled against superior government military force multiple times throughout history.

Its tough and risky which is why people don't rebel every time an unfavorable law is passed. But eventually, things get bad enough and the shit hits the fan.

Edit: Also consider that when things do get to that point, portions of the military will join the rebels.

 

[Goldbling]

Rebel, but only because I want to be know for taking down the government

 

[Goldbling]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

Point taken, but even if we could outnumber them, it still doesn't speak to the issue of equipment and level of military training.

True, but then again, the people have successfully rebelled against superior government military force multiple times throughout history.

Its tough and risky which is why people don't rebel every time an unfavorable law is passed. But eventually, things get bad enough and the shit hits the fan.

Edit: Also consider that when things do get to that point, portions of the military will join the rebels.

Not to mention that some people may go AWOL or refuse to kill a fellow American, plus think of all the hunting rifles we have stashed and if we can get the gangs to stop fighting, forget about it

 

[kawligia]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

Point taken, but even if we could outnumber them, it still doesn't speak to the issue of equipment and level of military training.

True, but then again, the people have successfully rebelled against superior government military force multiple times throughout history.

Its tough and risky which is why people don't rebel every time an unfavorable law is passed. But eventually, things get bad enough and the shit hits the fan.

Edit: Also consider that when things do get to that point, portions of the military will join the rebels.

Not to mention that some people may go AWOL or refuse to kill a fellow American, plus think of all the hunting rifles we have stashed and if we can get the gangs to stop fighting, forget about it

Which is why EVERY totalitarian regime has placed a high priority on disarming the populace. And every time, it was founded on "safety."

 

[Oisnafas]

The best defense against an oppressive government is a well-armed citizenry.

 

[Kajt]

"A man who is willing to give a little freedom, for some security, deserves neither."
VIVA LÉ REVOLUTION!

 

[BubbleGumSnareDrum]

I'd probably still be sitting at home talking with you people, because that opening blurb, save -maybe- the bit about martial law, describes every civilization on the planet, not just the one in Mirror's Edge.

Ben Franklin once said, "Those who trade a little liberty for a little security deserve neither and will lose both." Ironically, society does a pretty good job of proving him wrong here, something people (like Chibz there) love to conveniently ignore and instead let his name be all the proof they need.

I can't take my car and plow through a crowd of pedestrians (let alone just to see if they fall like bowling pins) without getting law enforcement on my bumper. I give up this liberty, and in return, I receive the security of not being in that crowd of pedestrians when YOU do it. Show me someone who believes this to be a bad trade-off, and I'll show you someone who's probably already cornered the tinfoil market.

I find it difficult to believe that chaos could strike the globe and martial law would be declared, yet the internet would still be publicly available.

I really doubt that when shit hits the fan we will even have electricity. Lots of people are going to die.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Leave. Easier than rebelion.

 

[TopHatTim]

Would you be willing to live by this, or would you be one of the people in the street throwing molotovs?

id be the bastard with molotovs and a blunt weapon sir.

 

[Bat Vader]

When injustice becomes law, Rebellion becomes duty.

 

[Gerazzi]

I would rebel, calling the population together to riot and charge government installations, and than after we overthrow the rulers, I'll declare myself dictator for life.

can I get Australia?

 

[BardSeed]

"If there is hope, it lies in the proles"
Unfortunately, the the government have done a good job of balancing their rule like a cross between a brave new world and nineteen eighty-four. The people are content in giving their rights up so long as they aren't directly affected. Of course it will all add up eventually, but it'll be too late by the time they realise that they're being fucked over. For now, people are happy to gossip about celebrities and consume their government, or otherwise, controlled drugs(soma, anyone?), providing them with the illusion of rebellion.
We're already approaching nineteen eighty-four, but those who point this out are branded conspirators. Conspiracy, that word seems to conjure up images of hooded people sat around a fire(not electric, obviously) cooking up incredulous stories of corruption(A cookie shall be awarded to the one who gets the reference). Hopefully you see where I'm going with this. We already have "silent protests", but government intervention isn't necessary; the people do their bidding for them.

Rebel, but only because I want to be know for taking down the government

"We are the dead"; you wouldn't be remembered.

 

[Space Spoons]

For one thing, there's the issue of numbers. As bad as it might be to live under an oppressive government, there's no way everyone in the country would be willing to put their lives on the line in knock-down, drag-out fight against a government that's better equipped, better prepared and able to hold out indefinitely. Even if you were able to get a sizable rebel force together, it couldn't hope to outnumber the US Army.

There are almost 400 million people in America. There are only 1.5 million at most in the US military.

If as little as 1% of citizens were willing to fight, we would outnumber them.

Point taken, but even if we could outnumber them, it still doesn't speak to the issue of equipment and level of military training.

True, but then again, the people have successfully rebelled against superior government military force multiple times throughout history.

Its tough and risky which is why people don't rebel every time an unfavorable law is passed. But eventually, things get bad enough and the shit hits the fan.

Edit: Also consider that when things do get to that point, portions of the military will join the rebels.

This is true, but we're considering a rebellion in 2009. Modern weaponry is more advanced than anything we might have faced in the past. It's not Musket vs Slightly Better Musket anymore; it's more likely to be K-Mart Hunting Rifle/Black Market Tek-9 vs AK-47/Air Strikes/Top Secret Military Nerve Agents.

On the subject of the military joining the rebels, it seems highly unlikely. In the event that our nation became a police state, the only kinds of people who would willingly join the military would be fanatically, unquestioningly loyal stormtroopers who would gladly kill anyone who would dare to challenge America, even if that meant in-fighting.