The second amendment is one of the most hotly contested issues in current American politics.
It reads "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
When the amendment was written it was a very different time. The British government had made it an offence for people in America to organize into militias, in the attempt to make it harder for the people to rebel.
There has been many discussions as to what the original text was supposed to mean. Some say it is the foundation of the National Guard, and nothing else. Some say it is meant for an individual to own weapons. I even have a co-worker who claims that the second amendment guarantees that every citizen has the right to own any weapon they choose, even fully automatic weapons and explosives.
I have a feeling that the origional purpose of the amendement was to keep the people in control of the government, not the other way around. Jefferson wrote that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." He also thought that the constitution should be rewritten every 19 years.
What do you think?
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The results are in (probably)
Unless the projected results of this night’s election are wrong, or some lawyers figure out a way to change it up, Obama is our next president. I wrote this blog over two months ago, and I was waiting to post it tonight. It did not matter who won or lost, the issues are still the same.
I wish that I could feel a scene of accomplishment for the election tonight. Or maybe a little twinge of things turning around. Unfortunately I do not. There are a lot of people with hurt feelings who thought because their candidate had a little R or a little D next to their name they were somehow righteously chosen to lead. This election has shown that is not true.
The rich still take advantage of the poor. The week are still at the mercy of the strong. Government is still corrupt. Big business still owns the politicians. We have worked our way into owing more money than we will ever be able to pay back. Nothing has changed.
I am reminded of stories found in the book of Judges. Where God was to lead the people, they needed a man to lead them. For a while they would do well, and then almost immediately go right back into mortal danger and need to be saved again. After the Judges we see Kings raised up to lead the people, and just like the Judges, they were flawed. People were still in danger all the time.
We need to stop believing in politics and on something bigger. No amount of elections or appointments will bring about a righteous government, because a government is anti-righteous. The Taliban would tell you they had a righteous government. So would the Romans, and the Catholic Church.
In the past few years I have learned a lot about what is right. As a member of the “Bigger than Most Other People” club as a youth, Might Makes Right is an easy conclusion. Being a bully came easy for me. After breaking my hip the first time, I quickly became the target for bullies. All those kids I had picked on were now beating the crap out of me.
It was at this time I started to believe in God. I quickly read the Bible through several times and like most religious people became a cocky bastard and switched my mind set to Right Makes Might. I could be judgmental and mean to people who thought differently than I did, because I was right about stuff.
About 5 years ago I had a series of life changing events. I lost a business I was starting; I then got laid off from two different jobs in the span of a week. I lost the apartment I was living in, and suddenly was faced with being homeless. I could not understand what was happening, I still believed in God, I went to church, I prayed and did everything I was supposed to, why was this happening.
It turns out that when you add the Might into a Right Makes equation you are wrong. Meek Makes Right is the real equation. To be righteous you need to be Humble, Meek, Mournful, Just, Chaste, Persecuted, and a Peacemaker.
You do not need to be scared or mad about the election. A man is once again in charge, and will make a horrible mess of things. We will always be in danger, and will continue to need to be saved. I suggest that you do a few things to make your position a little better. Trust in God, he will provide. (I promise, I know I’ve been there) Be nice to each other, it will make everyone’s life easier. Forgive each other, I bet that we have all made comments about this candidate or the other and have really offended some people.
If we all do these things, we will live in a righteous community.
I wish that I could feel a scene of accomplishment for the election tonight. Or maybe a little twinge of things turning around. Unfortunately I do not. There are a lot of people with hurt feelings who thought because their candidate had a little R or a little D next to their name they were somehow righteously chosen to lead. This election has shown that is not true.
The rich still take advantage of the poor. The week are still at the mercy of the strong. Government is still corrupt. Big business still owns the politicians. We have worked our way into owing more money than we will ever be able to pay back. Nothing has changed.
I am reminded of stories found in the book of Judges. Where God was to lead the people, they needed a man to lead them. For a while they would do well, and then almost immediately go right back into mortal danger and need to be saved again. After the Judges we see Kings raised up to lead the people, and just like the Judges, they were flawed. People were still in danger all the time.
We need to stop believing in politics and on something bigger. No amount of elections or appointments will bring about a righteous government, because a government is anti-righteous. The Taliban would tell you they had a righteous government. So would the Romans, and the Catholic Church.
In the past few years I have learned a lot about what is right. As a member of the “Bigger than Most Other People” club as a youth, Might Makes Right is an easy conclusion. Being a bully came easy for me. After breaking my hip the first time, I quickly became the target for bullies. All those kids I had picked on were now beating the crap out of me.
It was at this time I started to believe in God. I quickly read the Bible through several times and like most religious people became a cocky bastard and switched my mind set to Right Makes Might. I could be judgmental and mean to people who thought differently than I did, because I was right about stuff.
About 5 years ago I had a series of life changing events. I lost a business I was starting; I then got laid off from two different jobs in the span of a week. I lost the apartment I was living in, and suddenly was faced with being homeless. I could not understand what was happening, I still believed in God, I went to church, I prayed and did everything I was supposed to, why was this happening.
It turns out that when you add the Might into a Right Makes equation you are wrong. Meek Makes Right is the real equation. To be righteous you need to be Humble, Meek, Mournful, Just, Chaste, Persecuted, and a Peacemaker.
You do not need to be scared or mad about the election. A man is once again in charge, and will make a horrible mess of things. We will always be in danger, and will continue to need to be saved. I suggest that you do a few things to make your position a little better. Trust in God, he will provide. (I promise, I know I’ve been there) Be nice to each other, it will make everyone’s life easier. Forgive each other, I bet that we have all made comments about this candidate or the other and have really offended some people.
If we all do these things, we will live in a righteous community.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
politics.
So after that last post (which to date has garnered the most responses), I have gotten a few calls and a lot of e-mails questioning my politics. I will try to make it short and simple and I’m sure I will fail at that.
I am not going to vote. It is not because I’m a convicted felon, or an illegal alien. I joke and say it’s because I’m too lazy, but really it is because there are no candidates whom I would want in office. I refuse to buy the lesser evil argument because it is stupid.
I would like to prioritize my issues for you. All you have to do is go down and see where I stand on things.
1.I am a huge supporter of human rights. Do you support human rights? Most do not. What group do you think needs more representation? Gays, blacks, women, immigrants or white males? Whichever group you choose I want you to think about maybe not killing them before they are born. I hate abortion. I think there should be exceptions for rape victims, incest cases, and where giving birth would cause severe health complications for the mother. Other than that, don’t murder people because you are too lazy to use birth-control.
I am not some right wing nut-job that thinks people do not have sex, or shouldn’t have sex. Everyone has sex. (Except me). No judgments, no looking down on people who like to have what I am told is the best thing ever. Use one of these methods to prevent killing someone because you are too stupid or too ashamed to admit you had sex. (Remember everyone has it). Here is a list. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/contraception_which.htm
I have more to say about this, but I said I would be brief. Abortion a tough decision for rape, incest, danger to moms. Not a means for birth-control.
2. Our other rights. All 27 of them. (Except the 18th which was repealed, so only the 26 of them)
Free speech, religion, assembly, guns, due process, trial by jury, vote or not, and all the rest. These were not given to us by the bill of rights or the other amendments of the constitution. These are things that all people on the planet should expect. Any Politian who runs on a campaign of limiting the rights of people will not be supported by me. Ever. If some Politian makes it past the first thing I care about, they usually get hung up in the second.
One thing that seems to be guaranteed by the bill of rights is use of drugs. I am not some left wing nut-job that thinks that everyone uses drugs. (But just about everyone does) If you are starting to get a holier than though feeling about not using drugs, remember that headache that went away with aspirin? That cup of joe you had this morning? That night cap you like to have with that special someone? All drugs. All legal for some reason, but still drugs. I’m not saying legalize weed, I’m saying legalize everything.
Prostitution and drugs for everyone, not just the polititans.
3. Money. I earned it, let me keep it. Stop wasting it on stupid shit. A lot of Politians say they want me to keep my money, but they are liars. Democrats or Republicans will equally waste my money. Why should I pay for a bridge in Oklahoma, a state I will never go to intentionally? I shouldn’t that’s why.
That might actually be all I care about. To recap, you should do whatever makes you happy, unless it harms another human being, and don’t touch whats mine.
I am not going to vote. It is not because I’m a convicted felon, or an illegal alien. I joke and say it’s because I’m too lazy, but really it is because there are no candidates whom I would want in office. I refuse to buy the lesser evil argument because it is stupid.
I would like to prioritize my issues for you. All you have to do is go down and see where I stand on things.
1.I am a huge supporter of human rights. Do you support human rights? Most do not. What group do you think needs more representation? Gays, blacks, women, immigrants or white males? Whichever group you choose I want you to think about maybe not killing them before they are born. I hate abortion. I think there should be exceptions for rape victims, incest cases, and where giving birth would cause severe health complications for the mother. Other than that, don’t murder people because you are too lazy to use birth-control.
I am not some right wing nut-job that thinks people do not have sex, or shouldn’t have sex. Everyone has sex. (Except me). No judgments, no looking down on people who like to have what I am told is the best thing ever. Use one of these methods to prevent killing someone because you are too stupid or too ashamed to admit you had sex. (Remember everyone has it). Here is a list. http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/contraception_which.htm
I have more to say about this, but I said I would be brief. Abortion a tough decision for rape, incest, danger to moms. Not a means for birth-control.
2. Our other rights. All 27 of them. (Except the 18th which was repealed, so only the 26 of them)
Free speech, religion, assembly, guns, due process, trial by jury, vote or not, and all the rest. These were not given to us by the bill of rights or the other amendments of the constitution. These are things that all people on the planet should expect. Any Politian who runs on a campaign of limiting the rights of people will not be supported by me. Ever. If some Politian makes it past the first thing I care about, they usually get hung up in the second.
One thing that seems to be guaranteed by the bill of rights is use of drugs. I am not some left wing nut-job that thinks that everyone uses drugs. (But just about everyone does) If you are starting to get a holier than though feeling about not using drugs, remember that headache that went away with aspirin? That cup of joe you had this morning? That night cap you like to have with that special someone? All drugs. All legal for some reason, but still drugs. I’m not saying legalize weed, I’m saying legalize everything.
Prostitution and drugs for everyone, not just the polititans.
3. Money. I earned it, let me keep it. Stop wasting it on stupid shit. A lot of Politians say they want me to keep my money, but they are liars. Democrats or Republicans will equally waste my money. Why should I pay for a bridge in Oklahoma, a state I will never go to intentionally? I shouldn’t that’s why.
That might actually be all I care about. To recap, you should do whatever makes you happy, unless it harms another human being, and don’t touch whats mine.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Suddenly I'm interested
So I hear a story from Tim that maybe Obama isn't an American citizen. The story is not being run on the mainstream media outlets, which is weird considering the implications.
There have been numerous questions raised about Obama’s background with no satisfactory answers. The questions that have been addressed include:
1. Where was Obama born? Hawaii; an island off of Hawaii; Kenya; Canada; or ?
2. Was he a citizen of Kenya, Indonesia and/or Canada?
3. What was the early childhood of Obama in Hawaii; in Kenya; in Indonesia when he was adopted; and later, back to Hawaii?
4. An explanation as to the various names utilized by Obama that include: Barack Hussein Obama; Barry Soetoro; Barry Obama; Barack Dunham; and Barry Dunham.
5. Illinois Bar Application – Obama fails to acknowledge use of names other than Barack Hussein Obama, a blatant lie.
If Obama can prove U.S. citizenship, we still have the issue of muti-citizenship with responsibilities owed to and allegiance to other countries. There are like 2 things that you have to be to be president, 35 and a natural born citizen. Can we even have this man running for office if he is not one of them?
It's not even that this is a huge issue, but has he been blantently decieving everyone about this issue? I don't think that we need a third liar in office in a row.
You can find the entire story at http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6524
There have been numerous questions raised about Obama’s background with no satisfactory answers. The questions that have been addressed include:
1. Where was Obama born? Hawaii; an island off of Hawaii; Kenya; Canada; or ?
2. Was he a citizen of Kenya, Indonesia and/or Canada?
3. What was the early childhood of Obama in Hawaii; in Kenya; in Indonesia when he was adopted; and later, back to Hawaii?
4. An explanation as to the various names utilized by Obama that include: Barack Hussein Obama; Barry Soetoro; Barry Obama; Barack Dunham; and Barry Dunham.
5. Illinois Bar Application – Obama fails to acknowledge use of names other than Barack Hussein Obama, a blatant lie.
If Obama can prove U.S. citizenship, we still have the issue of muti-citizenship with responsibilities owed to and allegiance to other countries. There are like 2 things that you have to be to be president, 35 and a natural born citizen. Can we even have this man running for office if he is not one of them?
It's not even that this is a huge issue, but has he been blantently decieving everyone about this issue? I don't think that we need a third liar in office in a row.
You can find the entire story at http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6524
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The great buyout
After checking some figures, and doing some looooong division, each US citizen who paid taxes 2007 contributed $7008.
How does that make you feel?
I sure could use seven grand.
How does that make you feel?
I sure could use seven grand.
Monday, August 25, 2008
What the duce?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26393591/
Police had to use pepper spray to "discourage" protesters. What is amazing to me is that it was for demonstraters at the Deomocratic convention.
Seems kinda like the twilight zone, people demonstraiting democrats.
Police had to use pepper spray to "discourage" protesters. What is amazing to me is that it was for demonstraters at the Deomocratic convention.
Seems kinda like the twilight zone, people demonstraiting democrats.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Religion and Politics.
I recently read Dune by Frank Herbert and have a few comments that I think are relevant to both subjects. Maybe it should be 2 blogs…?
I do not know the religion of Mr. Herbert however the scene he has set in Dune is very reminiscent of what I see in the Middle East.
Here are a people, who live in a desert, who rely on water, and see their own environment to be hostile and non productive. However there are people who invade their land and take it to mine a commodity that is used to expand and fuel their empire. Is this not a description of both Dune and The Middle East?
One great quote from Dune that I hope I am not messing up was “When Religion and Politics ride in the same wagon, the people are blind. They do not see the precipice until it is too late.” I see that as a possible horrible future in America, and a horrible reality in the Middle East.
I think that ruling any country through the guise of a religion would be wrong. It did not work in the Bible. It did not work out for the Romans, or the Mayans, or the Taliban. I do not think that a Christian Government in the US is a good idea either. As much as I hate to admit it, Obama’s statement about multiplicity in Christianity would have severe destructive consequences on both Religion and Politics.
I do not know the religion of Mr. Herbert however the scene he has set in Dune is very reminiscent of what I see in the Middle East.
Here are a people, who live in a desert, who rely on water, and see their own environment to be hostile and non productive. However there are people who invade their land and take it to mine a commodity that is used to expand and fuel their empire. Is this not a description of both Dune and The Middle East?
One great quote from Dune that I hope I am not messing up was “When Religion and Politics ride in the same wagon, the people are blind. They do not see the precipice until it is too late.” I see that as a possible horrible future in America, and a horrible reality in the Middle East.
I think that ruling any country through the guise of a religion would be wrong. It did not work in the Bible. It did not work out for the Romans, or the Mayans, or the Taliban. I do not think that a Christian Government in the US is a good idea either. As much as I hate to admit it, Obama’s statement about multiplicity in Christianity would have severe destructive consequences on both Religion and Politics.
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