Monday, May 28, 2012

A Salute to Our Veterans

Commentary--

As a U.S. Naval veteran of the Korean Era, I wish to salute all veterans of all of our wars. Of the several jobs I held after discharge, I consider the most valued of all, and one which I did with pride, was the five years I spent as a job counselor for returning Viet-Nam Veterans. I counseled men with a variety of missing limbs, hands, and miscellaneous prosthetic devices. Some were understandably bitter, having returned to hateful anti-war demonstrators, but others demonstrated positive attitudes, as they returned to the job of finding work and starting or continuing with their families.

On this Memorial Day, 2012, I am seeing the Viet-Nam Veteran beginning to receive the public acknowledgement of his service, which had been denied for so long. Today, Viet-Nam veterans occupy many leadership positions in industry and government.

Sadly, today, some universities, and public schools, along with much of the news media, portray our current service men and women as less than honorable and deny them the respect that is rightfully theirs.

I hope the future bodes much better for our returning service men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Americans deliberately confused on the true meaning of the second amendment of the constitution of the United States

The majority of the citizens of the united states are confused about the true meaning and original intent of the second amendment of the constitution of the united states.

I begin with original statements from some of our founders on the subject of the second amendment, militias, and our right to bear arms under the amendment. The amendment states, 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.Quotes on the Second Amendment by The Founding Fathers

"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." George Mason Co-author of the Second Amendment during Virginia's Convention to Ratify the Constitution, 1788

"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves …" Richard Henry Lee writing in Letters from the Federal Farmer to the Republic, Letter XVIII, May, 1788.

"The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full posession of them."Zachariah Johnson Elliot's Debates, vol. 3 "The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution."

"… the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms"Philadelphia Federal Gazette June 18, 1789, Pg. 2, Col. 2 Article on the Bill of Rights"

And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the Press, or the rights of Conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; …" Samuel Adams quoted in the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, August 20, 1789, "Propositions submitted to the Convention of this State"

The Founding Fathers on Arms

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." George Washington First President of the United States

"The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand arms, like laws, discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as property. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside … Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them." Thomas Paine

"To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." Richard Henry Lee American Statesman, 1788

"The great object is that every man be armed." and "Everyone who is able may have a gun."Patrick Henry American Patriot

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?" Patrick Henry American Patriot

"Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not." Thomas Jefferson Third President of the United States

"The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that … it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; … " Thomas Jefferson letter to Justice John Cartwright, June 5, 1824. ME 16:45.

"The best we can help for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed."Alexander Hamilton The Federalist Papers at 184-8 The Founding Fathers on Maintaining Freedom

"The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."Thomas Jefferson Third President of the United States

"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 American Lexicographer

"The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion." Edmund Burke British Statesman, 1784

"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms." Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin American Statesman Later Quotes on Gun Control

"The ruling class doesn't care about public safety. Having made it very difficult for States and localities to police themselves, having left ordinary citizens with no choice but to protect themselves as best they can, they now try to take our guns away. In fact they blame us and our guns for crime. This is so wrong that it cannot be an honest mistake." Malcolm Wallop former U.S. Sen. (R-WY)

Now, from one who found that Gun Control worked very well."This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!" Adolph Hitler Chancellor, Germany, 1933 Quotes above are from Cap-n-ball dot com.

The above quotes represent only a few from our founding fathers on the second amendment, which was made a part of the first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. These amendments were added to the constitution to limit the power of the federal government, created by the states as a servant of the states, from oppressing its creator, the states and its citizens. This is the obvious purpose of the founders for the amendment. The two main points can not be mistaken, and is the very reason the amendment was worded the way it is:

1. The founders intended each state to form a militia from its own citizens.

2. And to arm them. And also to permit them to own their own arms. Much of the fighting forces from both the North and the South used in the War Between the States, were militias of the various states.

Anyone who tells us the second amendment provides only for a militia, and not for the citizens of each state to be able to bear weapons, is lying to us. The two are bound together in the amendment. Individuals and laws of either the federal or state government who pass laws prohibiting their citizens from being not only owning arms, but bearing them, are guilty of breaking that bond. Anyone who tells you differently, is lying to you.

A final quote: The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it. -Thomas Jefferson. I do not think anyone can twist the meaning of this statement!

In conclusion. We can very easily see the intent of the framers of the constitution, especially the second amendment in the bill of rights, that both the states should have their own militias, with every able bodied citizen being members, and having their own firearms, or those given them by the states. We can also see that states and cities that prohibit both concealed and open carry are in violation of the second amendment.