"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell
I am as prepared to mount armed resistance in defense of my right to fly (pursuit of happiness) as I am to mount armed resistance in defense of these persons right to behave like village idiots (peaceful assembly). True freedom is necessarily equal.
I am curious if these people would continue to spout their rhetoric as they knelt on a carpet, hands bound behind their backs, and the mullah reads their condemnation as an infidel, and they have full knowledge that they are about to be beheaded. Do their convictions run that deep?
It is interesting to note that the necessity to defend people like these, people who clearly lack the means, will and ability to defend themselves, gets turned about and used to justify the constant and continued regulation and marginalization of general aviation. We must be protected from ourselves because we are endangering ourselves and therefore the general population with our little airplanes. Big Brother perceives general aviation in the same light that it perceives the Berserkley village idiots - we must be protected from ourselves. This is how freedom erodes - something to think about as you take your shoes off at the airport security check next time.
I guess the good news is that the Marines serving in the People's Republik of Kalifornia are now authorized hazardous duty (combat) pay....
PS: Let's not send this to rant 'n rave - there is no need. Because, while I may not agree with your point of view, I am prepared to give my life defending your right to hold that point of view. That's what matters about freedom - and that freedom should extend to all - village idiots, drunks, dingbats - even Supercub pilots...