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AP-Boston
April 20, 1775

Scores Killed, Hundreds Injured as Para-Military
Extremists Riot in Boston Area

National guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned assault weapons were ambushed on April 19th by elements of a paramilitary extremist faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to withdraw.

Speaking after the clash Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement. Gage blamed the extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal revenue offices. The governor, who described the group's organizers as "criminals," issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of any individual who has interfered with the government's efforts to secure law and order.

The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed widespread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed assault weapons. Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting early this month between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized the forcible confiscation of illegal arms. One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out "none of these people would have been killed had the extremists obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily."

Government troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed weapons and ammunition. However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met with resistance from heavily armed extremists who had been tipped off regarding the government's plans. During a tense standoff in Lexington 's town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly fired by one of the right-wing extremists.

Eight civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange. Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces overmatched by the armed mob, ordered a retreat.

Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor has also demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the attack against the government troops. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, who have been identified as "ringleaders" of the extremist faction, remain at large.

[Siobhra]

If they lost that is how history would have remember it.

[ScaredOnce]

Funny... two British coworkers were just asking about all the Tea Parties and calling them "ridiculous" trouble makers who should just get in line and act "proper".

My simple retort was, "Happy Fourth of July..."

[Curmudgeon]

AP-Boston
April 20, 1775

Scores Killed, Hundreds Injured as Para-Military
Extremists Riot in Boston Area

National guard units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned assault weapons were ambushed on April 19th by elements of a paramilitary extremist faction. Military and law enforcement sources estimate that 72 were killed and more than 200 injured before government forces were compelled to withdraw.

Speaking after the clash Massachusetts Governor Thomas Gage declared that the extremist faction, which was made up of local citizens, has links to the radical right-wing tax protest movement. Gage blamed the extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against internal revenue offices. The governor, who described the group's organizers as "criminals," issued an executive order authorizing the summary arrest of any individual who has interfered with the government's efforts to secure law and order.

The military raid on the extremist arsenal followed widespread refusal by the local citizenry to turn over recently outlawed assault weapons. Gage issued a ban on military-style assault weapons and ammunition earlier in the week. This decision followed a meeting early this month between government and military leaders at which the governor authorized the forcible confiscation of illegal arms. One government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, pointed out "none of these people would have been killed had the extremists obeyed the law and turned over their weapons voluntarily."

Government troops initially succeeded in confiscating a large supply of outlawed weapons and ammunition. However, troops attempting to seize arms and ammunition in Lexington met with resistance from heavily armed extremists who had been tipped off regarding the government's plans. During a tense standoff in Lexington 's town park, National Guard Colonel Francis Smith, commander of the government operation, ordered the armed group to surrender and return to their homes. The impasse was broken by a single shot, which was reportedly fired by one of the right-wing extremists.

Eight civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange. Ironically, the local citizenry blamed government forces rather than the extremists for the civilian deaths. Before order could be restored, armed citizens from surrounding areas had descended upon the guard units. Colonel Smith, finding his forces overmatched by the armed mob, ordered a retreat.

Governor Gage has called upon citizens to support the state/national joint task force in its effort to restore law and order. The governor has also demanded the surrender of those responsible for planning and leading the attack against the government troops. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock, who have been identified as "ringleaders" of the extremist faction, remain at large.

Funny... two British coworkers were just asking about all the Tea Parties and calling them "ridiculous" trouble makers who should just get in line and act "proper".

My simple retort was, "Happy Fourth of July..."

Awesome.

[andrewjs18]

Anyone else getting tired of the liberals saying that the tea parties were started by right-wing extremist?

I'm not an extremist and I went to the tea party.

I'm getting sick and tired of paying more taxes and not getting a say in how those taxes I'm paying are being spent while you got folks on welfare not paying any federal taxes and still get stimulus rebates????

[Mtbkski]

Anyone else getting tired of the liberals saying that the tea parties were started by right-wing extremist?

I'm not an extremist and I went to the tea party.

I'm getting sick and tired of paying more taxes and not getting a say in how those taxes I'm paying are being spent while you got folks on welfare not paying any federal taxes and still get stimulus rebates????

If it is going to take my being an EXTREMIST to get their attention. So be it. Because they don't seem to be listening to us nice mild subjects.

But they really need to start listening, and quite ignoring the people of this country.

Hey, even the post about the posters British friends. They think we need to lay down. So, you know what. Maybe we are extremist. Cause we aren't going with the flow like everyone else. But sometimes that is what it takes to get noticed and heard.

Right now we are all being civil. And you know what. The News Media and the local Governments are just blowing us off as nincompoops. Extremist that aren't the norm. We are the exception. You don't want to portray us as normal citizens. You want to make others afraid to join the ranks. So, you call them extremist.

Something we all need to dwell on right now... it may come to a point where we have to become extremist. It is then, that we will find out if people really are willing to stand up for what they believe in, or, are they just going thru the motions.

Would you be willing to meet at the bridge if it came down to that. We all need to be asking ourselves these kind of questions now. Cause when it happens. It will probably happen quickly. And your going to have to decide how far your willing to go, to make your point and push your values. Are you just going to be attending the tea party, or are you also going to be meeting at the bridge, if and when it comes to that?

[son of the revolution]

If it is going to take my being an EXTREMIST to get their attention. So be it. Because they don't seem to be listening to us nice mild subjects.

But they really need to start listening, and quite ignoring the people of this country.

Hey, even the post about the posters British friends. They think we need to lay down. So, you know what. Maybe we are extremist. Cause we aren't going with the flow like everyone else. But sometimes that is what it takes to get noticed and heard.

Right now we are all being civil. And you know what. The News Media and the local Governments are just blowing us off as nincompoops. Extremist that aren't the norm. We are the exception. You don't want to portray us as normal citizens. You want to make others afraid to join the ranks. So, you call them extremist.

Something we all need to dwell on right now... it may come to a point where we have to become extremist. It is then, that we will find out if people really are willing to stand up for what they believe in, or, are they just going thru the motions.

Would you be willing to meet at the bridge if it came down to that. We all need to be asking ourselves these kind of questions now. Cause when it happens. It will probably happen quickly. And your going to have to decide how far your willing to go, to make your point and push your values. Are you just going to be attending the tea party, or are you also going to be meeting at the bridge, if and when it comes to that?

This is something I have pondered for any number of hours , and wargamed with the wife , and I still have yet to come to a definitive decision. Morally , and mentally Im there without question . The hang up comes in deciding whether the next " shot heard round the world " will actually spark a Nationwide populist uprising , which would certainly be worth sacrificing for . Or will it only result in a handful of localist believers ? Quickly hunted down and vilified by the press and the Govt with the same labels we are seeing used already ?

That begets the question , what's best for my family ?? As a husband and a parent , where is the line between being able to protect my wife and children from reprisals by a pissed off Govt due to my revolutionary involvement , vs standing up to be counted and showing my children a living example of when you simply must take a stand for your beliefs , regardless of cost ?

At the risk of sounding silly , and all hyperbole aside , the best example of my most likely reaction is probably along the lines of Red Dawn . Fall back to the mountains , with as many supplies as possible , and wage guerilla warfare with other like minded patriots for as long as possible , knowing that any fight longer then a few months would result in some sort of demarcation between sides developing , complete with rear areas and non combatants , that I could hopefully get my family to .

[Mtbkski]

This is something I have pondered for any number of hours , and wargamed with the wife , and I still have yet to come to a definitive decision. Morally , and mentally Im there without question . The hang up comes in deciding whether the next " shot heard round the world " will actually spark a Nationwide populist uprising , which would certainly be worth sacrficing for . Or will it only result in a handful of localist believers ? Quickly hunted down and vilified by the press and the Govt with the same labels we are seeing used already ?

That begets the question , what's best for my family ?? As a husband and a parent , where is the line between being able to protect my wife and children from reprisals by a pissed off Govt due to my revolutionary involvement , vs standing up to be counted and showing my children a living example of when you simply must take a stand for your beliefs , regardless of cost ?

At the risk of sounding silly , and all hyperbole aside , the best example of my most likely reaction is probably along the lines of Red Dawn . Fall back to the mountains , with as many supplies as possible , and wage guerilla warfare with other like minded patriots for as long as possible , knowing that any fight longer then a few months would result in some sort of demarcation between sides developing , complete with rear areas and non combatants , that I could hopefully get my family to .

I know it is just a movie. But even in Red Dawn. They realized that there comes a time when you can't hide anymore. When you can't ignore what is happening anymore. When you have to stand up and be counted.

I just wonder how many of us will actually be willing to do that. I have had this discussion with my betterhalf. We have discussed it and looked at all the pros and cons. It is a hard decision to make, and not one your going to make spur the moment.

Your family needs to be involved in the decision. They all need to understand why they are doing what they are doing. They have to understand what the consequensce of their actions will be.

Cause once you make up your mind. Your probably going to be stuck with that decision till your dead, or till you accomplish what it is your trying to do.
And you all need to decide which is worse choice for you and your family.

[JoeWilliams]

Loved your post! Stole it and posted it a couple other places, with the thread title "Military and Gun Owners Clash Near Boston!" Scared the hell out of some folks

Wife and I have made our decision if/when the time ever comes. We will do our duties as Americans, and I will fulfill the oath I took to defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The founding fathers knew full well those domestic enemies would most likely be from the government.

See the few that show up at the bridge!

[son of the revolution]

I know it is just a movie. But even in Red Dawn. They realized that there comes a time when you can't hide anymore. When you can't ignore what is happening anymore. When you have to stand up and be counted.

I just wonder how many of us will actually be willing to do that. I have had this discussion with my betterhalf. We have discussed it and looked at all the pros and cons. It is a hard decision to make, and not one your going to make spur the moment.

Your family needs to be involved in the decision. They all need to understand why they are doing what they are doing. They have to understand what the consequensce of their actions will be.

Cause once you make up your mind. Your probably going to be stuck with that decision till your dead, or till you accomplish what it is your trying to do.
And you all need to decide which is worse choice for you and your family.

True , but in the movie scenario , they werent parents , they were teenagers , with not much if anything to lose . Were I still single , or not a parent , I would most likely not even have the thought of hesitating enter my mind . So the answer , while valid , doesnt really address one of my central points , one that Im confident is shared by a vast majority of the people considering the likelyhood of a Second Revolution .

As a husband and a parent , where is the line between being able to protect my wife and children from reprisals by a pissed off Govt due to my revolutionary involvement , vs standing up to be counted and showing my children a living example of when you simply must take a stand for your beliefs , regardless of cost ?