Shots Fired In Boston Riot. Dozens Killed.

[Trinitite]

Military units seeking to confiscate a cache of recently banned assault weapons were ambushed on April 19th by elements of a terrorist 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 tax protest movement. Gage blamed the extremists for recent incidents of vandalism directed against revenue offices. The governor, who described the group’s organizers as “terrorists,” 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, 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 terrorists.

[DoubleJ]

it should be noted that this happened in 1775, btw

ETA: this was also mentioned in Jim's ThisDayInHistory corresponding to this day.

[Charles L. Cotton]

April 15, 1775, correct?

Chas.

[gemini]

I'm glad this thread got unlocked. Well made point. It's a bit of a stretch today, but, who's to say
this type of event can't or won't be on the horizon in our future? There are alot of "can't happen",
"it'll never happen", "not in my lifetime" events that HAVE happened.
According to HS Texas meets all the requirements for a terrorist state. Get a few more with the attitude
of Holder, Pelosi, Frank, Carry, Boxer, BHO, Napolitano (sp?) etc. and the shift to 1775 might not seem
so far from reality. just saying....

[CWOOD]

I'm glad this thread got unlocked. Well made point. It's a bit of a stretch today, but, who's to say
this type of event can't or won't be on the horizon in our future? There are alot of "can't happen",
"it'll never happen", "not in my lifetime" events that HAVE happened.
According to HS Texas meets all the requirements for a terrorist state. Get a few more with the attitude
of Holder, Pelosi, Frank, Carry, Boxer, BHO, Napolitano (sp?) etc. and the shift to 1775 might not seem
so far from reality. just saying....

ACTUALLY, it was a bit of a strech then, too. A bounch of rag tag civilian farmers and merchants taking on the most powerful military the world had ever seen. And it wasn't even a united front as there were a fairly large number of loyalists who wanted to remain under the crown.
It was an improbable, unlikely and bound to fail effort...except, of course, it didn't fail. Really quite remarkable.

I think you are quite correct about the inciting event. Some of the usual suspects you named above are just the type to take it over the top and spin things out of control for the administration. It probably would take more than one, but then again, they all seem to be trying VERY hard to be the one who sets it all beyond the critical tipping point.

Could be fun to watch.

[boomerang]

I think you are quite correct about the inciting event. Some of the usual suspects you named above are just the type to take it over the top and spin things out of control for the administration. It probably would take more than one, but then again, they all seem to be trying VERY hard to be the one who sets it all beyond the critical tipping point.

Could be fun to watch.

There's an old saying about living in interesting times...

[stevie_d_64]

"When in the course of human events, it become necessary..."

When old cliche's come around full circle, and seemlessly melds into the psychy of people who think like we do, you have to be very aware that it is NOT us pushing the envelope and forcing things to "become necessary"...

I guess I am preaching to the choir, that I believe our system still works, and we can effect change within that system...If we remember these things, and carry that with us to the polls every single time they open...

[74novaman]

"When in the course of human events, it become necessary..."

When old cliche's come around full circle, and seemlessly melds into the psychy of people who think like we do, you have to be very aware that it is NOT us pushing the envelope and forcing things to "become necessary"...

I guess I am preaching to the choir, that I believe our system still works, and we can effect change within that system...If we remember these things, and carry that with us to the polls every single time they open...

I'm not sure most Americans are educated enough or care enough about the basic principles our Republic was founded on to make that change, either with a vote for by other means.

Sometimes the parallels between ourselves and Rome hit too close to home....

[lrb111]

April 15, 1775, correct?

Chas.

http://appleseedinfo.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

April 19, 1775 Fourteen on Lexington Green.
I attended the Appleseed event in Midland this past weekend. As part of this particular weekend's events all the Appleseed events timed a "volley fire" to take place at the same time. As each individual name of the fallen was recalled, the order to fire at the targets was given. It was going on at the same time all across America.
I was moved,, well before the end of the string of fire.

[bryang]

Yes, we are living in some VERY interesting times...

-geo

[kd5zex]

I'm not sure most Americans are educated enough or care enough about the basic principles our Republic was founded on to make that change, either with a vote for by other means.

Sometimes the parallels between ourselves and Rome hit too close to home....

Sadly, this is true. Also, the ones who are "educated" and want change want to change the basic principles that our Republic was founded on. I was engaged in a debate on "gay rights" with a young(er than me) man and the debate shifted to states rights. Part of his rebuttal was to state that "the design of this country is over 200 years old and has no place in a modern society." At that point he was reaching as I had him whupped but honestly this is what a large majority of the younger set believes.

[74novaman]

but honestly this is what a large majority of the younger set believes.

There's a few of us younguns that have the right idea regarding States rights.

[DoubleJ]

I'm not sure most Americans are educated enough or care enough about the basic principles our Republic was founded on to make that change, either with a vote for by other means.

if you truly believe that, it's your job to fix it.
and conversely, if I believe that, it's my job to educate people I come in to contact with daily. and/or to seek people out and educate them.

not to be confused with givin' someone a learnin'

[74novaman]

I'm not sure most Americans are educated enough or care enough about the basic principles our Republic was founded on to make that change, either with a vote for by other means.

if you truly believe that, it's your job to fix it.
and conversely, if I believe that, it's my job to educate people I come in to contact with daily. and/or to seek people out and educate them.

not to be confused with givin' someone a learnin'

Part of my motivation to become a history teacher.

[DoubleJ]