Saturday, September 07, 2013
Hey Amie'J..............
I don't know if this is something you will ever see. I have wanted to write a post here in hopes you might read it sometime but have delayed, delayed, delayed.
To try and keep this short I won't go into detail but I do want to say I have learned a lot about myself since we last saw each other.
I am not an easy person to live with or love and I do make mistakes. I had no idea how hard it may have been for you for all the years we were together.
I owe many apologies. I am not taking 100% responsibility but I sure own my part.
I may have not love you correctly all the time but I sure could have never loved you more. I worry for the girl I knew and loved.
Know after the years we have all moved on and no one here spends much time or effort in a rage or anger over things. Water under the bridge as it were.
Everyone has moved on and forgotten or forgiven or whatever. I do worry about our son. He is the one left with hurt and hardship over things. You have missed many good things in his life.
Time to stop missing him and heal things there.
Thanks for your part in the man he has become, and the woman my Bugsy is as well.
I hope you have found all you desired and I hope you are happy.
No hard feelings here, only about Jamesy.
Anything I can do to help there I will.
Good luck to you in your life,
Steve
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Monday, July 23, 2012
Chicago Gun Ban and the meaning of the Constitution
Well here we go again. Another citizen being forced to stand up against another state government that's suppressing an Americans Constitutional Rights.
State gun bans of any kind, in my opinion are in violation of a persons civil rights.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out how gun bans affect the law abiding citizens of this country.
The Constitution, as I read it, refers to 3 separate entities; The State, The Federal Government, and the People. These entities are are addressed plainly and are given certain powers and responsibilities individually or collectively.
The second amendment 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. ”
Note here we see the mention of the "State" and of the "People", two entities mentioned in the Constitution. Let's look back at history as well as quotes from our Founding Fathers and see if we can't figure out what the "State" and the "People" are supposed to mean.
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
- George Washington
Hmmmm, there's that pesky little word "people" again. "including their own government"? Wait a minute, isn't it the government being federal or state that the 2nd amendment is referring too?
Come on, pretty obvious I think.
"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
- Thomas Jefferson
Well he didn't say "State" government so that's what he must have meant,that the states should protect us from federal tyrants, right?
Is that it Mr. Jefferson? Your intent was for the states to protect the people, not for the people to protect themselves?
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson
OK, that's loud and clear, "No free man" seems pretty singular. He certainly didn't say "no free STATE shall be debarred" did he?
How about that President Washington? Any comment?
"A free people ought to be armed."
- George Washington
OK then "a free people" a "free man" think that's pretty simple and conclusive.
Any body else like to weigh in?
"I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few politicians."
- George Mason (father of the Bill of Rights and The Virginia Declaration of Rights)
Thank you Mr. Mason. You sir again used the word "people" I do believe you are making the statement that a militia is "the whole people" the individual coming together as one to defend its self.
If only someone was more specific in the definition of "people", we might be able to avoid this whole debate. Anyone help me here?
"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Samual Adams
Thank you Mr. Adams, "peaceable citizens" that pretty much sums it up for me. I'm a peaceable citizen, I am a part of the people, an individual, like my son, that would be asked and required by all decency and fairness to answer that call to arms, to fight and to die for the "people" of this state and the country united as a whole. That means I can keep my "own arms" doesn't it?
So I guess that just leaves us with the question of the legality of the government to disarm us. Okay so we see that the Founding Fathers and authors of the Constitution are clear on who's right to be armed, shall "not be infringed" but, what about the fact we live in this modern world, in a modern country, under a modern government? Isn't there Constitutionally legal ways to go about this?
Let's ask the experts if they can clarify for us, why they stated that this right, the right of the "people" to bear arms could not be infringed upon. Why was it so important to write that, so it was without question, a right that could not be removed?
"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty .... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins."
- Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts
We thank you Rep. Gerry for joining our conversation. Sadly sir, I would not want to be the one to tell you of the state of the State of Massachusetts today.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun."
- Patrick Henry
Wow, so Mr. Henry feels that if we lost the right to bear arms we would be ruined in our ability to defend our liberty. Even stating that every citizen capable of owning and using a gun should in fact have one to defend themselves and the country. That really clears up a lot of this conversation and debate.
"Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel" Certainly sir, you did not know the decency and integrity of the Clinton's and Obama's. If you had ,you would stand tall and proud next to the likes of Pelosi, Reid, and the Brady's.
No, just kidding. I understand you're in fact warning us of such people. Though I'm sure there intentions are good.
"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority ... the Constitution was made to guard against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
- Noah Webster
You are correct Mr. Webster, forgive my poor humor, I beg thee.
Isn't it best in today's world to remove arms from the people? I mean considering the crime rates and all? Things have changed since you guys were around.
"Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense."
- John Adams
"The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
- Thomas Jefferson (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria)
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
OK, OK point taken gentlemen, however today we have so many government agencies to protect us, from Federal agencies down to the city and community level. In fact our great and fearless leader as current, President Barack Obama, has even suggested a federal police force just as well armed, and just as well funded, as the military. Certainly we would be protected then? Not meaning to disregard Mr. Henry's earlier statement, I'm just trying to fully understand the importance here and, I'm trying to allow room for changing times. Forgive me gentlemen, but we seem to believe we have evolved into more modern, and decent people then you were, I guess.
"To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe."
- Noah Webster
"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."
- Noah Webster
"A government resting on the minority is an aristocracy, not a Republic, and could not be safe with a numerical and physical force against it, without a standing army, an enslaved press and a disarmed populace."
- James Madison
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
- James Madison
Once again I stand corrected. I can see the importance of the "people" being armed goes way beyond defending our lives, families, and homes from criminals. This whole thing is about protecting ourselves, our loved ones, our property, our way of life, as well as the freedoms given us by God and granted under the Constitution.
It is obvious that this was written for the people as individuals to protect themselves, individuals collectively as a state, to protect that state, and for states united, as a country, to protect its self, even from its self.
I thank you Gentlemen for your time and wisdom here. I also thank you for the sacrifice and suffering that you endured as well as those men that supported and fought beside you. Thanks to the families of those fathers and sons, as well as to all the women who sacrificed so much in defense of that great dream, the dream that has become the Greatest Country in this world.
America is unique because of the Constitution. It is in fact what separates us from the rest of the world. I understand that gun rights are not the up most concern for all people. I feel that is in general, a lack of understanding their importance. Some things just do not make sense:
Gun registration; It has never not led to gun bans or confiscation. Never in history has it not. Look at the gun registration imposed by Hitler, it's obvious why that happened. People allowed it because they thought that they lived in modern times, in a modern country, under a modern government. That was a mistake.
Look even more recently at countries like, England, Canada, Australia, see what has happened to the crime rates there.
Even California, registration first, then new laws, then certain guns were ban and confiscated. It always works that way.
Registration is a farce really. Did you know that it's unconstitutional to force a felon to register his guns? He isn't allowed to have them, therefor if he is forced to register them his 5th amendment rights are violated. The right to not incriminate ones self, the right to not aid in your own prosecution.
Only good law abiding citizens would, or legally, could register their guns. Only the lawful citizen is disarmed in a gun ban.
There is a saying that "Criminals prefer unarmed victims" and it's true. There are currently over 20,000 gun laws on the books, what law will convince murders and thugs to obey it? The only way to guarantee peace is to prepare for war, it's the same thing.
Speaking of war, did you know that it was because of America's Second Amendment that the Japanese decided against invading California? Now California is one of the most anti-second amendment states in the union. Did you know it was because of America's ability to produce better, more quality made weapons, even small arms that we were able to defeat such a determined and committed people as the Japanese?
Look at our history as a country, the gun is a critical and valued piece of American history. it has earned a place in every nightstand, every holster , and every hand of every law abiding and capable citizen in this great country.
To tax and regulate this constitutional right is no different then taxing and regulating any other.
Would you like to be forced to take a mental evaluation so the government was sure you were thinking clearly and choosing your religion of your own free will?
It might save someone from some freak and suicidal cult, wouldn't one life be worth it?
Apply for your license for your faith and pay an appropriate tax to cover the licensing fee's and evaluations. Pay more if it's not main stream, just in case you marry children or all take cyanide to catch a ride on a comet. There will certainly be mental health concerns for the victims and survivors.
Point is, if your not into the gun rights, fine. Just try and relate this to the rights you do care about and then realize, it's the second amendment that guarantees all those other rights.
Our founding Fathers knew it. Hell, they lived it. Listen to what they had to say. Be aware of anyone that seeks to take away any right from you.
State gun bans of any kind, in my opinion are in violation of a persons civil rights.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out how gun bans affect the law abiding citizens of this country.
The Constitution, as I read it, refers to 3 separate entities; The State, The Federal Government, and the People. These entities are are addressed plainly and are given certain powers and responsibilities individually or collectively.
The second amendment 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. ”
Note here we see the mention of the "State" and of the "People", two entities mentioned in the Constitution. Let's look back at history as well as quotes from our Founding Fathers and see if we can't figure out what the "State" and the "People" are supposed to mean.
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."
- George Washington
Hmmmm, there's that pesky little word "people" again. "including their own government"? Wait a minute, isn't it the government being federal or state that the 2nd amendment is referring too?
Come on, pretty obvious I think.
"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
- Thomas Jefferson
Well he didn't say "State" government so that's what he must have meant,that the states should protect us from federal tyrants, right?
Is that it Mr. Jefferson? Your intent was for the states to protect the people, not for the people to protect themselves?
"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson
OK, that's loud and clear, "No free man" seems pretty singular. He certainly didn't say "no free STATE shall be debarred" did he?
How about that President Washington? Any comment?
"A free people ought to be armed."
- George Washington
OK then "a free people" a "free man" think that's pretty simple and conclusive.
Any body else like to weigh in?
"I ask sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few politicians."
- George Mason (father of the Bill of Rights and The Virginia Declaration of Rights)
Thank you Mr. Mason. You sir again used the word "people" I do believe you are making the statement that a militia is "the whole people" the individual coming together as one to defend its self.
If only someone was more specific in the definition of "people", we might be able to avoid this whole debate. Anyone help me here?
"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Samual Adams
Thank you Mr. Adams, "peaceable citizens" that pretty much sums it up for me. I'm a peaceable citizen, I am a part of the people, an individual, like my son, that would be asked and required by all decency and fairness to answer that call to arms, to fight and to die for the "people" of this state and the country united as a whole. That means I can keep my "own arms" doesn't it?
So I guess that just leaves us with the question of the legality of the government to disarm us. Okay so we see that the Founding Fathers and authors of the Constitution are clear on who's right to be armed, shall "not be infringed" but, what about the fact we live in this modern world, in a modern country, under a modern government? Isn't there Constitutionally legal ways to go about this?
Let's ask the experts if they can clarify for us, why they stated that this right, the right of the "people" to bear arms could not be infringed upon. Why was it so important to write that, so it was without question, a right that could not be removed?
"What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty .... Whenever Governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins."
- Rep. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts
We thank you Rep. Gerry for joining our conversation. Sadly sir, I would not want to be the one to tell you of the state of the State of Massachusetts today.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun."
- Patrick Henry
Wow, so Mr. Henry feels that if we lost the right to bear arms we would be ruined in our ability to defend our liberty. Even stating that every citizen capable of owning and using a gun should in fact have one to defend themselves and the country. That really clears up a lot of this conversation and debate.
"Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel" Certainly sir, you did not know the decency and integrity of the Clinton's and Obama's. If you had ,you would stand tall and proud next to the likes of Pelosi, Reid, and the Brady's.
No, just kidding. I understand you're in fact warning us of such people. Though I'm sure there intentions are good.
"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority ... the Constitution was made to guard against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
- Noah Webster
You are correct Mr. Webster, forgive my poor humor, I beg thee.
Isn't it best in today's world to remove arms from the people? I mean considering the crime rates and all? Things have changed since you guys were around.
"Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion in private self defense."
- John Adams
"The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
- Thomas Jefferson (quoting 18th century criminologist Cesare Beccaria)
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
OK, OK point taken gentlemen, however today we have so many government agencies to protect us, from Federal agencies down to the city and community level. In fact our great and fearless leader as current, President Barack Obama, has even suggested a federal police force just as well armed, and just as well funded, as the military. Certainly we would be protected then? Not meaning to disregard Mr. Henry's earlier statement, I'm just trying to fully understand the importance here and, I'm trying to allow room for changing times. Forgive me gentlemen, but we seem to believe we have evolved into more modern, and decent people then you were, I guess.
"To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them."
- George Mason
"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe."
- Noah Webster
"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."
- Noah Webster
"A government resting on the minority is an aristocracy, not a Republic, and could not be safe with a numerical and physical force against it, without a standing army, an enslaved press and a disarmed populace."
- James Madison
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
- James Madison
Once again I stand corrected. I can see the importance of the "people" being armed goes way beyond defending our lives, families, and homes from criminals. This whole thing is about protecting ourselves, our loved ones, our property, our way of life, as well as the freedoms given us by God and granted under the Constitution.
It is obvious that this was written for the people as individuals to protect themselves, individuals collectively as a state, to protect that state, and for states united, as a country, to protect its self, even from its self.
I thank you Gentlemen for your time and wisdom here. I also thank you for the sacrifice and suffering that you endured as well as those men that supported and fought beside you. Thanks to the families of those fathers and sons, as well as to all the women who sacrificed so much in defense of that great dream, the dream that has become the Greatest Country in this world.
America is unique because of the Constitution. It is in fact what separates us from the rest of the world. I understand that gun rights are not the up most concern for all people. I feel that is in general, a lack of understanding their importance. Some things just do not make sense:
Gun registration; It has never not led to gun bans or confiscation. Never in history has it not. Look at the gun registration imposed by Hitler, it's obvious why that happened. People allowed it because they thought that they lived in modern times, in a modern country, under a modern government. That was a mistake.
Look even more recently at countries like, England, Canada, Australia, see what has happened to the crime rates there.
Even California, registration first, then new laws, then certain guns were ban and confiscated. It always works that way.
Registration is a farce really. Did you know that it's unconstitutional to force a felon to register his guns? He isn't allowed to have them, therefor if he is forced to register them his 5th amendment rights are violated. The right to not incriminate ones self, the right to not aid in your own prosecution.
Only good law abiding citizens would, or legally, could register their guns. Only the lawful citizen is disarmed in a gun ban.
There is a saying that "Criminals prefer unarmed victims" and it's true. There are currently over 20,000 gun laws on the books, what law will convince murders and thugs to obey it? The only way to guarantee peace is to prepare for war, it's the same thing.
Speaking of war, did you know that it was because of America's Second Amendment that the Japanese decided against invading California? Now California is one of the most anti-second amendment states in the union. Did you know it was because of America's ability to produce better, more quality made weapons, even small arms that we were able to defeat such a determined and committed people as the Japanese?
Look at our history as a country, the gun is a critical and valued piece of American history. it has earned a place in every nightstand, every holster , and every hand of every law abiding and capable citizen in this great country.
To tax and regulate this constitutional right is no different then taxing and regulating any other.
Would you like to be forced to take a mental evaluation so the government was sure you were thinking clearly and choosing your religion of your own free will?
It might save someone from some freak and suicidal cult, wouldn't one life be worth it?
Apply for your license for your faith and pay an appropriate tax to cover the licensing fee's and evaluations. Pay more if it's not main stream, just in case you marry children or all take cyanide to catch a ride on a comet. There will certainly be mental health concerns for the victims and survivors.
Point is, if your not into the gun rights, fine. Just try and relate this to the rights you do care about and then realize, it's the second amendment that guarantees all those other rights.
Our founding Fathers knew it. Hell, they lived it. Listen to what they had to say. Be aware of anyone that seeks to take away any right from you.
Jesus on being armed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then said he unto them,
"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
LUKE 22:36
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