3-4-2022


What we have been witnessing over the last week in Ukraine should be the final argument ever to be made regarding the right to keep and bear arms and the absolute necessity of it. I’m personally over hearing how I need to give up my rights due to someone’s insensitivity and ignorance. Especially from people who are so hypocritical. We know that is not the case, it sure is funny seeing them want to strip guns from us one day then arm a whole country the next.

We are seeing first hand the importance of being properly armed against tyrants. It is an absolute tragedy that is taking place currently. With it come stories of heroism from an unsuspecting underdog, Ukraine. We are hearing of the desperations of a cowardly madman blatantly lying to his people. Telling them it’s an exercise, that they are strategically targeting military, meanwhile women and children are dying. Hospitals, schools, and malls being bombed. The brave Ukrainians are knocking off entire tank columns, and squadrons of fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Bolstering their morale while crushing the Russians!

Even when outgunned and outnumbered, the fighting spirit is a force multiplier and to never be counted out. Something that was overlooked by Russia this time, as well as us during Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The fighting spirit is an unknown variable which makes strategizing difficult. Which is exactly why I laugh when I hear someone comment about not being able to fight against a certain government who has tanks, jets, and bombs. Never disregard those who have something to fight for.

Instead of confiscating firearms during a disaster *ahem* hurricane Katrina *ahem* the government of Ukraine began to arm every abled bodied person with not just guns, but machine guns, creating a well-regulated militia of private citizens. A tried-and-true method! 

Soon enough everyone got involved, from the brewery making spicy cocktails to Grandma offering sunflower seeds to a lonely Russian soldier on a street corner. Everyone came together for a common goal, freedom. Now if only some of the ordnance we foolishly left behind in Afghanistan could find its way into the hands of the Ukrainians.

I understand it’s not really the “Russians” fault as much as the responsibility lies on President Putin. It’s clear from the many abandoned vehicles and equipment and the surrendering Russians troops that they too were lied to and they don’t want to be fighting against innocent people. I think one thing that is being overlooked is that the Ukrainian people aren’t a true enemy of Russia, so I could see how it would be difficult to just open fire on them. While I was serving in Afghanistan I met soldiers from many countries, aside from the language barrier, we were really all of the same mindset. We weren’t there to hurt innocent people. 

What will come of these freedom fighters, we may not know for a while. What will happen to their newfound machine guns should they repel the invasion, I’m curious to find out. Will they turn them back in, will they be allowed to keep them once registered, or will they secretly store them out of non-compliance like a real patriot! This is history in the making, as well as history repeating. I truly hope the issue is resolved as quickly as possible but Putin has played the card of coward and I fear it’s only just beginning.

Until next time, For Freedom!

Dillon Daughenbaugh – IFC Comms. Director