A reminder from Noah Webster: "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States."

I wonder if the independent senator Jim Jeffords of Vermon finally was able to come to the realization that most people don't like a traitor and announced his decision not to seek re-election or was he forced by his friends the Democrats to clear the way so they can have a candidate who would have a better chance.