What constitutes an enemy?

We have people in the HOR, who believe they are better & know more than the average person on the street... They have taken very liberal steps to sway the public... Let me be clear here, not every Rep. falls into that category, but the left wing seems to be the issue... Some have been in office too long, like they own their seat & can do whatever they want... I could go on, but to me it is important to recognize & teach our children & grandchildren, about our forefathers, about our Country's history, good & bad...and the differences between them... Discipline is very important, church based on one's religion is also important...Teach children to take the high road, not the opposite...They will then grow up knowing right from wrong, understanding compassion & love, from no compassion & Hate or dislike...,Patience instead of immediate gratification in any scenario... It is really important for parents to be parents, not like a child's peer friend. 'nuff said... Great Post @pfc James (LURCH) Janota !!!

I hear you loud and clear. It's tough knowing what to teach our kids.

The biggest issue with a discussion like this is we view it from our own perspective.
Personally, I firmly believe it is wrong, and extremely dangerous, to consider those with opposing ideology as enemies. We are not. I consider most conservatives as loyal, patriotic Americans. The same is true of those of us that are liberal.
Neither side should be considered "enemies."
Are there enemies living here in our country? Highly likely. But they are not identifiable by political party or ideology.

Thanks for sharing.

People we disagree with are not enemies unless they take up arms against someone.
Let's not get hyperbolic here.
We can disagree - in fact, many have in heated terms since before the founding of the republic - and go have a drink afterwards.
Pick up a gun to further your aims, and it is a whole other story.

I disagree with plenty of folks on RP, but I would much rather engage them then declare them persona non grata and not talk to them anymore.

"Enemy" has many meanings. In the context of combat, an enemy is anyone acting on behalf of the opposition forces or their government. They may be enemy combatants, civilians, officials, spies, financiers, etc. In self-defense, an enemy is anyone posing an imminent threat; the response specific to whether or not the threat is lethal or non-lethal. In a more general sense, we have "enemies" in our personal and professional lives... and generally, they hardly warrant the same response as when met on the battlefield, or armed on the street.

The oath we took binds us to defend the nation from all "enemies"... even if they are "domestic". However, our laws permit people to express their views and exercise their rights in the public sector... so long as their aims are not unconstitutional. In my personal opinion, how we "defend" our nation, depends greatly on the threat. We can defend our freedoms in the voting booth, in the classroom, in the town hall, and in the board room. Though I normally disagree with their point of view, and would even go so far as to view many of the media as "enemies"... they too share a role in "defending" against threats to our Constitutional rights and liberties. This is why I believe debate in open forum is also a highly effective means of "defending" the Constitution.

When debate turns to actions, much depends on how well the established system responds. You don't kill a fly with a shotgun, and you don't greet a home invasion with discussion. To my mind, there's many levels between freedom and tyranny...and equally myriad ways of combating it. For the moment, I choose to "fight" by offering objective debate to those enamored with extremist ideologies which I believe threaten freedom. So too do I participate in my local sphere as much as I am able, towards adding weight to those words. However, I also keep an eye to another oath I took long ago...to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. Towards that end, I train to maintain and expand my skills, think critically so as to avoid being misled, and pray always that the same God who gave us a nation will grant us the wisdom to keep it.

stick to n.v your military bearing remember what you were taught about chain of Command. on outside its similar use your chain of command when you local city or your state officials or your government officials do something you think is wrong for OUR COUNTRY use your RIGHT to use chain of command in civilian way.some of our younger children think there RIGHT is if they think something is wrong in thier city or state or government they should riot or illegally protest or get on line and ridicule officials. No you have the Right to vote and send letters to your Congressmen.

Be very careful what you say ... I have verbalize my feelings.

Had the FBI.. Postal Inspectors... police... visit my house... when.
I get arrested.. it's AR-15 time.. I am on the TSA and Customs list of trouble makers. They are scared of Vets, especially those with Mental disabilities and combative MOS'. I have to really watch my tongue.

PFC James , you’re probably right

I think that you need to take a step back and stop listening to pundits, whether you agree with them or not. This nation was founded on open and free dissent. People have NEVER agreed with one another, and often it had erupted. But no one --not Trump, not Pelosi --no one is an enemy here. Different views yes, but not enemies. I can guarantee you that if armed militias, Freemen, etc. start rising up, they will be those domestic enemies your oath refers to.