Questioning The Three-Percenters?
BY Herschel Smith
6 years, 6 months ago
From dictionary.com:
The Three Percenters are a national group that was loosely organized in 2008 by Mike Vanderboegh, the late militia leader and author of the controversial novel, Absolved. Their central ideology is a strict reading of the Second Amendment’s clauses of a ” well-regulated militia” and “right of the people to keep and bear arms,” feeling these protections permit armed insurrection in the face of governmental power grabs.
The name Three Percenters is based on a false theory that, during the American Revolution, only 2.96% of the US population actually served in George Washington’s army. Historians have estimated the percentage was closer to 15–25%, but Three Percenters are persistent in citing the debunked statistic as evidence of the US federal government as tyrannical from the start.
Since their founding in 2008, the Three Percenters have been aggressively opposed to (and armed against) any potential gun-control laws, along with other areas where they believe the federal government—particularly under their then-frequent target, Barack Obama—is becoming too large and powerful. For instance, Vanderboegh was recorded arguing for armed resistance against the 2009 Affordable Care Act, rallying fellow Three Percenters to “break windows” at the offices of the Democratic National Committee. Despite Vanderboegh’s cry, the group’s official website states that they do not condone violence and prohibits members from committing “first use of force.”
Hmm … sounds like they’ve copied and pasted from the Southern Preposterous Lie Center. Here’s more from a commenter.
Dictionary’s numbers for the size of the continental army appear to be off.
According to the Smithsonian 100k men served in the continental army over the course of the war (inclusive, not peak size) with potentially another 200k militiamen that did not general get mobilized for more than 90 days at a time.
Using an estimated population of 2.5 million in the vollonies as of 1776, this puts the continental army employing 4% of the overall population and 12% of the population being under arms (including millitia).
Peak size of the revolutionary men under arms (including militia) at any one tine was estimated at ~89k by the sources I’ve been able to find, which would be ~3.6% of the total population.
In short, the 3%ers might be hanging onto one particular statistic which is relevant but incomplete, but I can’t find any credible source that supports the 15-25% claim by Dictionary, unless they’re only counting colonial males, or something.
This is closer to the truth. I would bet MBV is chuckling in heaven as he watches his legacy continue. I’ll drop this post into the “personal” category.
On May 10, 2018 at 2:25 am, Greg Wilson said:
Oh man, do I miss Mike, but our Sovereign Lord certainly knows what he is doing . . . Still, I miss Mike!
On May 10, 2018 at 7:46 am, Fred said:
Yes, let’s all chase the red herring about how many men were under arms while saying TWICE that armed resistance to tyranny is FEELING based and failing to mention the legal basis for an armed militia or resistance to unlawful government.
Didn’t know Mike but I know he claimed the LORD.
On May 10, 2018 at 8:57 am, Gryphon said:
While it is Hard Enough to make an Estimate of the Numbers who Actively Fought against the British Government, it’s even harder to try and figure what the ‘political sympathies’ of he Colonists were, in terms of Numbers. I have consistently seen statements that 1/3 were “Active Resisters” (armed or not) 1/3 were Tories, supporting the Crown (armed or not) and 1/3 were “neutral” to the Idea of Rebellion… That may sound ‘reasonable’, but it has No Basis in real Data.
Where We are Today, in regards to the Constitutional Crisis that will unfold with an Overt Attempt to Ban Guns, is just as Hard to Predict how Many will Take which Side, but Unlike ‘the last time’ the Dependency of the vast Majority of People on the “Grid” (i.e. Not self-sufficient even slightly) means that simple Sabotage is going to have a Greater Effect on what happens than the Numbers of Active Fighters would suggest.
Got Rations?
On May 10, 2018 at 9:58 am, moe mensale said:
I don’t think any of these so-called organized 3% groups really understand what MVB’s mindset was – as he espoused in his “3% Catechism.” His idea has been so co-opted by so many people it isn’t funny. Keroman (I think that’s the name) was one of the worst but Mike was eventually vindicated.
On May 10, 2018 at 10:04 am, Herschel Smith said:
@moe,
I knew he was a carnival barker at the outset. I would never be connected up with someone like that. Reasons: I’m just too independent and hard-headed. I also won’t send my money away to crooks. I also wouldn’t move to somewhere my family (children, grandchildren) couldn’t be too.
On May 10, 2018 at 12:04 pm, DAN III said:
Moe @ 0958,
The rascal’s name was Kerodin.
On May 10, 2018 at 1:07 pm, Jack Crabb said:
reddit… yet another libturd infested hellhole.
On May 10, 2018 at 1:11 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@Jack,
Yes, reddit can be infested with progs, but in this case they doubted the SPLC cut-and-paste and fisked it. They did a good job.
On May 10, 2018 at 1:57 pm, Jack Crabb said:
Ahhh, thanks for pointing that out. I must admit that I missed that the Dictionary comment was also from reddit.
The Southern Poverty Lying Center is evil personified.
On May 10, 2018 at 5:55 pm, scott s. said:
WRT numbers, the size of the Continental Army would be one, the state militias another, but there are also the Continental Marines (Tun Tavern and all that) and the Continental Navy. Plus a significant privateering component. As an aside, the Constitutional Power to grant letters of Marque and Reprisal implies the existence of a civilian armed force bearing more than just infantry small arms.
On May 11, 2018 at 3:04 pm, moe mensale said:
“The rascal’s name was Kerodin.”
Yeah, him! :)