Second Amendment is not license for treason, armed revolt
According to some, the primary purpose of the Second Amendment is to ensure that citizens have enough firepower to overthrow the federal government, should it become necessary to do so. If the government ever loses its fear of such a revolt, the theory goes, our liberty ends and tyranny begins.
Let me be blunt: That is mythological claptrap. But like a lot of mythological claptrap, it can push weak-minded people — the Timothy McVeighs of the world — to do stupid and dangerous things.
It is certainly true that when the Second Amendment was drafted back in the 18th century, it was plausible to believe that an armed citizenry could be a check on overweening government power. Back then, there wasn’t much difference in the weapons available to private citizens and the weapons available to the military. It could have been, and sometimes was, a more or less even fight.
Today, that is no longer the case, and it hasn’t been the case for a century or longer. Around the world, governments have access to a range of weaponry that private citizens have no hope of matching or withstanding. There is simply no comparison between the brute, deadly force that a government can wield and that wielded by private citizens, individually or collectively. Technology has rendered that aspect of the Second Amendment a dead letter.
If you want to rejuvate that aspect of the Second Amendment, you have to be willing to grant private citizens access to fully automatic weapons, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, grenade launchers, etc. And it’s not going to happen.
That’s not just my opinion. It is also the opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court, as expressed by one of its most conservative members, Justice Antonin Scalia, in the most important Second Amendment opinion the court ever issued.
In District of Columbia v. Heller, issued in 2008, Scalia and the court made it clear for the first time that the Second Amendment “protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia.” But in that same opinion, Scalia brushed aside claims that the Second Amendment guarantees citizens the means to armed revolution. He concluded that technology has rendered that part of the amendment an archaic artifact, because “a militia, to be as effective as militias in the 18th century, would require sophisticated arms that are highly unusual in society at large” and that “no amount of small arms could be useful against modern-day bombers and tanks.”
For that reason, Scalia made it clear that the Second Amendment “does not protect those weapons not typically possessed by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes,” and that the government is fully within its rights to ban military-style weaponry.
In Iraq, for example, gun ownership is extremely widespread, with many if not most households owning fully automatic weapons that would be banned in this country. Yet Saddam Hussein had little trouble imposing and maintaining a brutal dictatorship in that country for decades. He did not confiscate guns, because he understood that such guns posed no real threat to his tyranny.
And as Joshua Keating notes at ForeignPolicy.com, look at Tunisia and Egypt, where private gun ownership is very low but citizens have nonetheless managed to overthrow brutal military dictatorships. If government now has a massive advantage in terms of brute force, innovations such as Twitter, Facebook, cellphones and satellite TV have more than offset it in the cause of freedom.
Guns don’t overthrow tyranny or guarantee liberty. People do.
– Jay Bookman
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1,326 comments Add your comment
Fly-On-The-Wall
January 17th, 2013
11:52 am
I get so tired of hearing how bad our government is but yet these same people vote into office the very representative government they despise. Can’t have it both ways.
BOB FROM ACCOUNT TEMPS
January 17th, 2013
11:52 am
Goldie
January 17th, 2013
11:48 am
Are you unable to comprehend the difference between what a weapon “LOOKS LIKE” and the weapons “PERFORMANCE” !
keith
January 17th, 2013
11:52 am
The feinstein bill will NOT pass. Even many Democrats oppose it.
Reality
January 17th, 2013
11:52 am
Some folks like facts, data, and true statements.
In Great Britan, there has not been a mass murder in decades. In fact, there has not been a gun related death, either. No one has walked into a school and murdered children. No one has walked into a movie theater and killed dozens.
What do they do differently?
They have a ban of all guns in the Country. Even the police are not allowed guns – they use billie clubs.
Now – what can we possibly learn from this?
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
11:53 am
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the trees I lose perspective. After browsing thru this forum today, I’ve read the following:
Hitler
Islamic President implementing scheme to kill all us infidels
The idea that the US government is behind the killing of these kids.
The bible has all the answers.
Cons are stupid
Liberals live in fantasy land
Delusional scary idiots
A high capacity gun will protect me from the LA riots
The supreme court has no idea what the 2nd amendment is all about.
Fox news sucks
Jews need more guns
Granny is a figment of Cynthia Tuckers imagination…
Just damn..
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 17th, 2013
11:54 am
RW Extreme, so a “Fort Sumter” situation would be that the “people” secede and then its okay after withdrawing from the Union and withdrawing from the protection of the constitution to use “2d amendment remedies”? Not a very well though or well-articulated test of when 2d amendment remedies arise and when they may be used. When may say, 4 guys in the North GA/TN mountains, lawfully claim that they have 2d amendment remedies and that they may use them? I see a lot of constitution waiving and broad claims, but even Senior Digits, runs away from answering the questions with a specific test that can be stated in court as a viable right.
Jefferson
January 17th, 2013
11:54 am
Reasonable people can come to reasonable conclusions under reasonable conditions unless you are a republican.
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 17th, 2013
11:54 am
J. Daly — “Jay, you base your argument on a partially false assumption. The first line of the holding in the case reads ” 1. The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.” The finding was not based on the potential purpose of overthrowing the government but found it to be a fundamental right within the Constitution.”
Actually, it’s not, and you really should read the dissenting opinion in Heller. It points out that Scalia and the majority founded their decision on *personal opinion* and not on any language found in the Constitution itself.
The Constitution’s quite clear on the point that the public’s right to keep and bear arms is *conditional* on their membership in a “well-regulated militia,” which — if you’ll read Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, is under the direct control and beck and call of Congress. It’s clear that the purpose of the militia — particularly in the absence of a standing Army, which the Founders did not want to have for any significant length of time — was to *fill in* on those defensive and protective duties that a standing Army would normally fulfill.
Of course, if anyone here would like to explain to me how the “militia” of Article 1, Section 8 is somehow different and distinct from the “militia” of the Second Amendment — and can point to language in the Constitution that supports them — I would be very interested in reading what they have to say.
keith
January 17th, 2013
11:55 am
the 4 million member NRA will soon be 5 million members. How many are in Bradys group?
stands for decibels
January 17th, 2013
11:55 am
The last two massive murders were done by liberals.
A decent person would apologize for posting something as beyond the pale as that.
Christian Conservative
January 17th, 2013
11:56 am
Its funny Bookman mentions treason in his tripe… Wouldn’t it be treasonous to circumvent Congress and to completely ignore the Constitution…. By the way Bookman… If someone does go ape$hit batty Oblama and the dems are the one’s you can blame…
Jefferson
January 17th, 2013
11:56 am
The NRA is ripping you scardy cats off, spend you money !!!
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
11:57 am
Stevie Ray
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the trees …
…………………………………..
There’s your sign……
straitroad
January 17th, 2013
11:57 am
Jay, you couldn’t be more wrong. If superior weaponry trumps a determined, armed population then Iraq and Afghanistan would have certainly have a different outcome as would Vietnam.
keith
January 17th, 2013
11:57 am
Some folks like facts, data, and true statements.
In Great Britan, there has not been a mass murder in decades. In fact, there has not been a gun related death, either. No one has walked into a school and murdered children. No one has walked into a movie theater and killed dozens.
What do they do differently?
They have a ban of all guns in the Country. Even the police are not allowed guns – they use billie clubs.
Now – what can we possibly learn from this?
Here we have someone calling to ban ALL guns. Just what the left has been assuring us that noone is doing. lol
stands for decibels
January 17th, 2013
11:57 am
the 4 million member NRA
according to the NRA. If you believe them.
I wouldn’t trust the NRA to change a 20, let alone give me accurate membership figures.
fedup
January 17th, 2013
11:58 am
Gun manufacturers motive. Munufacturers by steel, plastic, etc. by the pound. These are less than $1 a pound. Converting them to a gun cost probably 20-30 bucks. They sell their products hundreds of dollars. I would hire the brightest mind to do a PR job to keep that profit margin. These gun nuts are nuts.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
11:59 am
Anyone thats anti-gun and does not have a gunfree zone sign outside their home is a hypocrite.
That’s just silly.
I don’t have sign, ’cause I don’t wanna advertise.
What a Mr. Silly-pants
Aquagirl
January 17th, 2013
11:59 am
we are to believe that the next time a crazy dude or two kicks in your front door and gains access to your home that we are supposed to “reason” with him, invite him and his pals in for a beer
Somebody please get Kayaker his pills, he’s having imaginary conversations with imaginary people again.
keith
January 17th, 2013
12:00 pm
Well I am a member and we held a local membership drive where all current members paid for new members to join. it was VERY successful. We added hundreds of new members. And thats going on across the nation.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 17th, 2013
12:00 pm
R. Scootter — “He plans to do that JHM.Right after he is finished terrorizing y’all first!”
I LOLed
TrueDawg
January 17th, 2013
12:00 pm
You are soooowrong bookman! Are you even an american?? yes the military has more power but look in Syria to see how well that is working- you HAVE to have the people behind the military and if ALL the people revolt WE need guns to do it!!! Leave my guns alone! Let the gov protect our children with armed guards!!! Easy solution! America was founded on the people and not government again Leave MY guns alone! I am not bothering you with them-Leave them alone!
Partisay
January 17th, 2013
12:01 pm
No thanks…. I’ll keep my 12 Ga
kayaker 71 – Have you heard anyone on here, or with the administration, talk about taking shotguns?
Bill Orvis White
January 17th, 2013
12:01 pm
Since King Hussein Obama has even thought of using Executive Order to disarm the citizenry, then “his” actions are an impeachable/removable offense. There is NO argument here. There is NO justification here. END OF STORY, FOLKS!
The bigger question here is, will Congress have the guts to rightfully follow through on rightful impeachment and removal proceedings? WHEN?
Amen,
Bill
stands for decibels
January 17th, 2013
12:01 pm
Here we have someone calling to ban ALL guns.
Not really.
Anyway, that “someone” isn’t correct about the English police never carrying guns…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_use_of_firearms_in_the_United_Kingdom
Keep Up the Good Fight!
January 17th, 2013
12:01 pm
I knew Fred heard voices in his head (
) but he’s Kam, Granny and Jay too? Wow…so when he and Kam go to eat and 2 meals are ordered, who pays? And who is sleeping with Mr. Zilla?
Any chance that you’ve identified the blog name used by Miss Alabama? Don’t tell me that’s Fred too!
Common Sense isn't very Common
January 17th, 2013
12:02 pm
Reality
11:52 am
They have a ban of all guns in the Country. Even the police are not allowed guns – they use billie clubs.
Now – what can we possibly learn from this?
———————————
But, but, but
They don’t have a Kenyan, Marxist, Socialist, Black Man as as their Leader
Joe Hussein Mama
January 17th, 2013
12:04 pm
Anyone thats anti-gun and does not have a gunfree zone sign outside their home is a hypocrite.
Anyone that’s pro-wealth and does not have an inventory of their valuables, including their retail prices, posted on a sign outside their home is a hypocrite.
Frederick Douglass
January 17th, 2013
12:04 pm
If the Obama family refuses to leave the White House in 2017, then that’ll be the time to exercise one’s 2nd amendment rights. This president was elected by a preponderous of the electorate, he’s no dictator or tyrant, he doesn’t want to take anyone’s guns, he’s probably a guy that’s befuddled by the carnage that took place in Newtown, Aurora, or Columbine, and he’s seeking ways to curtail it.
dnha14
January 17th, 2013
12:04 pm
“Guns don’t overthrow tyranny or guarantee liberty. People do.”
During the Revolutionary War it was people with guns that overthrew the tyranny. People alone would have been killed. Guns alone would have just laid on the ground and done nothing. The first choice should be people alone, which the founders tried vainly to accomplish. It was only after their lack of success trying to reason with the tyrant, that they picked up the guns. It was the combination of people and guns that created this great country and defeated the tyranny. I’d hate to think we would need to do it again, but that is why the 2nd Amendment is there, to ensure the First.
Robert Lee - Cogito ergo zoom
January 17th, 2013
12:05 pm
Hey all you cons President Obama won the election. I know it makes you mad and all but tough titty. Lots of us were mad when W took many of our freedoms away as well but we didn’t get all frothy at the mouth about it.
GT
January 17th, 2013
12:05 pm
The idea of a democracy is the democracy is the people it governs. These ideas don’t come from some imperial being but from the heart of a nation burying it’s children. Nobody is taking the second amendment away though its use is questionable in modern times, we are just tire of being the most violate country in the world by a multiply.
We had a revolution of a minority that couldn’t get their way on slavery, imagine that wanting to own other human beings and not understanding the moral issues involved. Why not make bank robbery a national pastime or rape? How does the Bible belted south always end up on the short stick of morality and then crave for a judgment day. People who believe in pro life, sponsor mass slaughter in their choice of blindness to the facts. There is no credibility in this part of the world, which leave to the conditions we find the south and have found it for centuries.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:06 pm
REALITY
British REALITY isn’t our REALITY. Gun genie out of bottle for 250 give or take years. Will never be returned. This is simply our elected rubes, rushing to do something regardless how effective, simply because they feel the people need action…bad approach…not to mention the theatre of the absurd BO is conducting putting those little kids on stage which suggest any of these tactics will make them safer..
obamaSINLADEN
January 17th, 2013
12:06 pm
Start reading an NRA mag called” First Freedom” to understand the NRA. This mag will enlighten everyone on the mission of the NRA and our members. (know your” enemy” type of reading). They provide law enfocement fire arm training, fire arm training for kids,women,men ect… and more.
Mad
January 17th, 2013
12:06 pm
“Let me be blunt: That is mythological claptrap.”
History aint your strong suit is it?
Here is something for you.
Crime escslates when there is no work. EVERY mass killer in the last 2 decades has been on pshchotropic drugs.
Why don’t you rail against the bankers who debase our currency 48 billion a month and the pharma for putting out mass murder/suicide drugs?
And as for you “mythological” BS, I bet the children the FEDs murdered (10 more than the crazy at Sandy Hook)in Waco would kick you in the mouth were they alive.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
12:06 pm
They have a ban of all guns in the Country.
No. In the UK there are certain firearms that are not banned.
Jim Davis
January 17th, 2013
12:07 pm
Is it any wonder that the AJC is in a death spiral with dolts like Bookman and Luckovich as political banner waivers? They both will eventually make good, no, make that great, assistant managers at Burger King (whoops, did I just insult Burger King?).
Ben Franklin
January 17th, 2013
12:07 pm
Write this with a turkey pen, on papyrus, and then send it on a horse. That’s what they were talking about when discussing the first amendment.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:09 pm
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
11:57
I have no idea what that over used comment has to do with my post excepting your feelings where ill-affected….point is if you step back and look at the opinions offered, some of our collective commentary appears silly..
I guess next time you will post “enter remarks here” or “strawman”, or possibly “sheets”..any originality in that pod of yours?
keith
January 17th, 2013
12:10 pm
Got to love this. On the Democratic Underground forums obamabots are now complaining because he raised their taxes too. One of the nuts said ” but he promised to just raise taxes on the rich, but now IM paying more. I LOVE IT!!!
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
12:11 pm
The secret is out. The government can violate the Constitution.
The government can take your guns. The government can kill you.
It is only reasonable men in government that keep that from happening.
indigo
January 17th, 2013
12:11 pm
Paddo O – 10:58
The Germans were defeated in WWII without us having to use the atom bomb.
Vietman occured much later, and we did not elect to use nukes there.
Common Sense isn't very Common
January 17th, 2013
12:12 pm
keith
January 17th, 2013
12:00 pm
Well I am a member and we held a local membership drive where all current members paid for new members to join. it was VERY successful. We added hundreds of new members. And thats going on across the nation.
————————————————–
So I guess the members you signed up were too POOR to pay their own membership eh?
Why didn’t you just write PREPAID membership cards for all the liberals in the county and claim SEE WHO WE SIGNED UP. LOL
Gafarmer
January 17th, 2013
12:13 pm
I don’t think any of the new laws will matter.Look at Columbine all of the Clinton bans were in effect at that time.Ten round magazines and no evil flash suppressors.How many did they kill?19 I think.
Laws will never stop criminals or the insane from doing things like happened in the last year.The killings at the movies and Sandy Hook.Because criminals do not obey laws.All these laws will do is make law abiding people criminals.Does that sound like the land of the free?
U5MC
January 17th, 2013
12:13 pm
All I need is a handgun to protect my family .. One Shot One Kill
-There is no need for an average citizen to have an assualt weapon. Those types of weapons are meant for warfare.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:13 pm
Robert Lee – Cogito ergo zoom
January 17th, 2013
12:05 pm
Wow, so you are suggesting that since, say Bush allowed unwarranted wire taps, it’s more than OK with BO? Pretty low bar wouldn’t you agree?
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
12:14 pm
Stevie Ray
Still wrapped up in the trees I see………
Bob
January 17th, 2013
12:15 pm
Jay Said: “If the government ever loses its fear of such a revolt, the theory goes, our liberty ends and tyranny begins.
Let me be blunt: That is mythological claptrap. But like a lot of mythological claptrap, it can push weak-minded people —…”
Weak Minded?
The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any body of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.
— Noah Webster, An Examination into the Leading Principals of the Federal Constitution, 1787
The tree of liberty must be watered periodically with the blood of tyrants and patriots alike. It is its natural manure.
— Thomas Jefferson
. . but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formitible to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights…
— Alexander Hamilton speaking of standing armies in Federalist Paper 29
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
— Patrick Henry
No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
— Thomas Jefferson
The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation where the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
— James Madison, The Federalist No. 46
http://www.tasigh.org/kevin/firearmq.html
Quite a list of “Weak Minded People”
Noah Webster
Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton
Patrick Henry
James Madison
etc…..
Krystal'sBalls
January 17th, 2013
12:15 pm
@RB from Gwinnett
Let me be “KRYSTAL” clear when I say this to you and anyone else who thinks like you. You can’t do S*** for me. Truth be told, my household is a 28% tax bracket. Of course I know where you go with your racist rant. I’m sure it is well known by now I am BLACK American. I make no pretense about the fact that people of your spirit “do not like” me and never will. Which is why I am sure it throws some people off that I would hold the position that I do on this whole gun debate. You see, I fully understand U.S. History and the different dynamics of different people who make up this country. I wholly subscribe to the idea that people like YOU are more of a threat to me than any “tyrannical government” could ever be. Yet another reason why when you hide behind the “Second Anendment”, so do I! Lovely the way that works isn’t it?? Like I said, until the U. S. honestly addresses the real problems behind this, it will forever be in turmoil.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:15 pm
Does NRA actually have 4 million members?
There you go, another important agenda controlled by the 1-2%…surprise.
Tom B
January 17th, 2013
12:16 pm
Let ME be blunt. The US military will not turn on its’ people just because Barry tells them to. Your little fantasy world would lead you to believe no revolution has overturned its’ government. But, hey, what do I know. I’m not a blogger.
Soothsayer
January 17th, 2013
12:16 pm
TURN UP THE CRAZY! Jay, this is one of the best threads of all time. Better than any FairTax thread could ever be. The Post-O-Meter is “redlining” on this one.
Little do our Fright-Wing nutjobs know that you are really an NSA, CIA, FBI, and Homeland Security operative who regularly runs these kinds of threads to identify and record the Fright-Wing nutjobs so that the black helicopters can come and pick them and take away their weapons!
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:16 pm
These same cons allowed w to steal freedom because they were cowards of aq.
Our President knew these cowards run run their mouths.
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:17 pm
would run.
Miss J
January 17th, 2013
12:17 pm
@ Jed E
“And the presidency is not a license to sign away constitutional rights, either, Bookman. But ‘
Wow….You have all these NRA folks talking about “thier” rights …. and yet these same folks want to change the Constitution to take away Gays from getting married….
What a joke………
Everybody wants their rights…… LOL
Bobo
January 17th, 2013
12:18 pm
YOU MISS THE FOREST FOR THE TREES
Here is the problem with your argument about firepower vs. firepower. I’m not sure anyone can call it treasonous to rebel against a government that increasingly ignores the needs of its tax-paying constituents to re-distribute income to those who refuse to work or even gain citizenship in said country. Why does anyone owe loyalty to an abusive and despotic power that doesn’t regard its citizens with enough respect to avoid running up a debt to the tune of $300,000 for each and every man, woman, and child in the land. Ultimately, normal people WILL get sick of this and have enough.
The firepower argument is irrelevant because the government will not use most of those weapons against regular citizens for the reason that local governments and state governments will be the first in the line of fire before it ever reaches the level of individual citizens. I’m fully convinced that a state like Texas will stare down Washington and refuse to blink. You can’t tell me that many military and police personnel won’t GLADLY rebel against the federal government if it means not turning on their own families and friends.
Ultimately, Washington can only enforce their laws as long as the rest of us play by their rules by our indoctrinated moral compass to be ‘good citizens’. When that gig is up, the same thing will happen here that will happen to the USSR or Nazi Germany or the same thing that happened in the Middle East and Vietnam. The lesson is the same….you CANNOT defeat a diffuse and furious enemy that has had enough of a central oppressive power. Typical military tactics don’t work if you want to maintain any sort of infrastructure, particularly in places you actually want back for the resources.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:19 pm
How many of you gun owners use, in addition to your gun, other practical security precautions?
Miss J
January 17th, 2013
12:19 pm
You can’t have it both ways…’
You can’t take a stand that you’re going to make sure no one takes away your rights …but what about the rights of those folks you don’t like or those lifestyles you don’t accept…
WHAT HYPOCRITES………….
Dennis
January 17th, 2013
12:20 pm
” Around the world, governments have access to a range of weaponry that private citizens have no hope of matching or withstanding. There is simply no comparison between the brute, deadly force that a government can wield and that wielded by private citizens, individually or collectively.”
And yet, that has not stopped the CIA, nor the Pentagon, from supplying “small arms” to willing rebels in countries where the U.S. hopes to topple a government it doesn’t like and set up another dictator that it does like.
The fact is, the so-called, “Patriot Acts” (written before the GWB administration passed them, and now extended by Obama) are being wielded as much, or more, for controlling the American people as supposedly being used to protect them.
The fact is that the American news media soft-peddle, and out-right lie about, the wrong doings of the American government – in this country, and outside of it as well.
But when the American media are corporate controlled, as they are, Americans can’t expect any better.
There is more honest “fair and balanced” news on Al Jeezra than on any American media in this country.
The will of the American people and the will of the American government are not one and the same.
And the American government knows it.
While no one wants violence with guns, government control of weapons in the hands of American citzens is just another step to control them.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
12:21 pm
“I talk to the trees
But they don’t listen to me.”
– Thomas “Pardner” Jefferson
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 17th, 2013
12:21 pm
“There is simply no comparison between the brute, deadly force that a government can wield and that wielded by private citizens, individually or collectively.”
.
Actually there IS.
Federalies are generally dumb.
Intelligence and basic decency can ..and will…..prevail over brute might AND dumbness.
(see federales).
.
Buzz Belle
January 17th, 2013
12:21 pm
Uh Huh….Nonsensical Idea 11:39 am
Funny you mentioned that – I was in Buffalo for a wedding and met Brian Higgens, the democratic rep. I was introduced as a liberal fromt he state of Georgia – his reply “I didn’t know Ga had any of those”. How can the democratic party be redefined and gain it’s strenght back? This state is one of the laughing stocks of the country – I’l like to change that. Any ideas?
Robert Lee - Cogito ergo zoom
January 17th, 2013
12:22 pm
Stevie Ray !2:14 Wow, so you are suggesting that since, say Bush allowed unwarranted wire taps, it’s more than OK with BO? Pretty low bar wouldn’t you agree?
Nope, not what I said. There are ways to fight against things you don;t agree with. Threats of violense and armed insurrection against the elected government are bordering on treasonous.
Bill
January 17th, 2013
12:23 pm
And now the slaves ancesters have the (illagal) guns and are killing each other. How do we stop that? We don’t, it’s their culture. It’s up to them and their so called leaders to stop it.
Miss J
January 17th, 2013
12:23 pm
NRA lovers….oh oh always quoting the 2nd Amendment… but these same folks now the right to marry who ever you want is currently guranteed by our U.S. Constituion…so what do they want to do..
Amend it so Gays can’t get married…but oh hell Jim Bob..they better not take away my GUNS….
WHAT A JOKE……
Jefferson
January 17th, 2013
12:24 pm
Know it alls, the GOP flock. Stay mad, my friend.
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:24 pm
The con kooks crawl out under their rocks for this one.
They could take your guns easily cons and you would hide under your beds.
How do I know?
Because I watched you cowards hide under your beds when w stole freedom.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
12:24 pm
And now the slaves ancesters have the (illagal)[sic] guns and are killing each other.
There’s your sign.
Juan
January 17th, 2013
12:24 pm
Jay Bookman Second Amendment is not license for treason, armed revolt
8:12 am January 17, 2013, by Jay
Hi Jay,
I am disappointed that you did not expand your topic to include the commercialzed side of presenting the 2nd amendment as an exploitable commodity. Those who think the NRA does not need to be controlled have blinders on.
Thomas Heyward Jr
January 17th, 2013
12:25 pm
And further more…………….if the Federales were so powerful…………………….why is Obama and/or Bookman tangling their respective underwear over the issue of disarming law-abiding citizens.
.
I smell a bunch of scairt rabbits.
King Obama
January 17th, 2013
12:25 pm
Why can’t we just ban all guns period!!!!
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
12:25 pm
I have the right to be free from the threat of unlimited
assault weapons in the hands of anonymous individuals.
Soothsayer
January 17th, 2013
12:26 pm
I think I’m starting to get the point the Fright-Wingers are trying to make: that even though individually, we are only armed with assault weapons, collectively we can whoop the United States government.
Does this mean I still have to pay my taxes?
Heck, if we can whoop the United States government, then our local county shouldn’t pose no threat at all.
Does that mean I don’t have to pay property taxes on my home?
godless heathen
January 17th, 2013
12:26 pm
n Great Britan, there has not been a mass murder in decades. In fact, there has not been a gun related death, either. No one has walked into a school and murdered children. No one has walked into a movie theater and killed dozens.
What do they do differently?
They have a ban of all guns in the Country. Even the police are not allowed guns – they use billie clubs.
Now – what can we possibly learn from this?
Not much except that you are a liar.
Sam
January 17th, 2013
12:26 pm
Thank you for writing and explaining that in a public forum, and the explanation that it is people who preserve liberty and not guns, spot on. Great work
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:26 pm
The kids are watching your behavior.
The majority are watching your behavior.
The gop will never win another election.
The gop will dissolve.
Scuba Steve
January 17th, 2013
12:26 pm
LOL ancestors are killing each other? How in the heck is that possible?
Rockerbabe
January 17th, 2013
12:27 pm
JohnnyReb: “And, it’s not doing anything to stop the Obama tyranny either”. Oh please! President Obama hasn’t lied to us about WMD in order to get us into two unnecessary, immoral wars of choice for which the Congress has yet to pay the bills that have come do.
President Obama did not bail out the bankers, Bush and his ilk did. He was left a mess to clean up and he did. You don’t have to like what he has done, but at least he didn’t lie about it and has made good on his claim to get government out of the banks asap [when they completely repay the loans + interes].
Gitmo is another story; the cowards in Congress stopped him from closing that hell-hole.
He has protected Social Security, Medicare and what is left of the social safety net. He has also protected all of the unemployed from being made destitute due to the folly of the bankers.
President Obama is trying to do sensible gun control laws and as usual, the old white boys in Congress are choosing to do absolutely nothing. The only way Congress and the GOP governors are going to act responsibility, is for someone to shoot their kids and riddle the little bodies with bullets. I think that is the only way anyone in power [these days] will ever begin to understand the grief that Gabby Giffords has suffered and the families in Newtown, CT have suffered. Doing nothing is not an option.
There is NOTHING tyrannical about President Obama and his actions. He is acting on behalf of the American public that wants something done. You only call him names because he isn’t beholden to the NRA.
barking frog
January 17th, 2013
12:28 pm
Gays have the right to take up arms because they are denied
equal protection under the law.
Lt Col Razorback
January 17th, 2013
12:28 pm
Jay,
One man’s claptrap is another man’s truth.
A foundation of American political thought during the Revolutionary period was the well justified concern about political corruption and governmental tyranny. Even the federalists, fending off their opponents who accused them of creating an oppressive regime, were careful to acknowledge the risks of tyranny. Many Anti-federalists feared the new federal government would choose to disarm state militias.
Given our current President’s predilection to govern by exercising his authority to issue executive orders, rather than to argue his positions in the Congress and seek legislative authority to govern, I am one that understands that we might well be in an era when the apprehensions of the Founding Fathers are coming to pass. Therefore, the 2nd amendment may be more important now than it ever has been in our history, and it could be that a well-armed populace should be in existence in order to fend off an Executive Branch attempt to take away all of the freedoms granted to us by our wonderful constitution and the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms could be our only defense against that happening.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
12:29 pm
LOL ancestors are killing each other? How in the heck is that possible?
Mr. Peabody’s wayback machine.
DannyX
January 17th, 2013
12:29 pm
So when is the big uprising against the tyrannical Obama going to happen?
You gun nuts are good at shooting off at the mouth When are you going to put your ammo where your mouths are? Get off the couch, grab your guns, lets see you end the horrible tyranny. What are you waiting for? How about a second amendment solution. You’re not a bunch of hysterical phonies are you?
College football season is over, you only have 7 months until next season, better hurry!
larry
January 17th, 2013
12:29 pm
Well, i took the tank out for a ride . It rolls real good in the rain, cant wait to take it out when it snows.
BTW, anyone that would like a smushed patrol car , let me know okay.
And no, the deputy wasnt in the car. TELL ME ABOUT MY 2nd amendment rights.
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:30 pm
Our President should be honored for listening to the majority of the American people and acted quickly.
The gop can’t compete with that.
Game over.
Oscar
January 17th, 2013
12:32 pm
Razorback – Mass non=violent demonstrations and strikes are better and more effective than armed revolt.
Stevie Ray
January 17th, 2013
12:32 pm
Robert Lee – Cogito ergo zoom
January 17th, 2013
12:22 pm
I agree with you wholeheartedly. These are the same folks who think we were behind 911, behind the school killings and other sorts of sundry and ridiculous things. We all know that the argument about rising up against a government that is becoming a threat is similar to the drama about throwing granny over a cliff…except granny I presume had no gun..
How many gun freaks drive corvettes?
Lt Col Razorback
January 17th, 2013
12:33 pm
Jay,
One man’s claptrap is another man’s truth.
A foundation of American political thought during the Revolutionary period was the well justified concern about political corruption and governmental tyranny. Even the federalists, fending off their opponents who accused them of creating an oppressive regime, were careful to acknowledge the risks of tyranny. Many Anti-federalists feared the new federal government would choose to disarm state militias.
Given our current President’s predilection to govern by exercising his authority to issue executive orders, rather than to argue his positions in the Congress and seek legislative authority to govern, I am one that understands that we might well be in an era when the apprehensions of the Founding Fathers are coming to pass. Therefore, the 2nd amendment may be more important now than it ever has been and it could be that a well-armed populace should be in existence in order to fend off an Executive Branch attempt to take away all of the freedoms granted to us by our wonderful constitution and the right to bear arms could be our only defense against that happening.
Joe Hussein Mama
January 17th, 2013
12:33 pm
Bob — “Quite a list of “Weak Minded People”
Noah Webster
Thomas Jefferson
Alexander Hamilton
Patrick Henry
James Madison
etc…..”
Fortunately, none of them dictate our laws, so their personal opinions are beside the point.
Pretty much every one of our Founders disagreed with *something* in the Constitution; none of them agreed with every provision and codicil in it. Because of that, even a Founder’s personal opinion is not authoritative on the legal meaning and import of any facet of the Constitution.
Laws stand as they are written, not as any particular individual — even their *author* — might like for them to be read.
Drudge
January 17th, 2013
12:34 pm
Actually it kind of is… Keep and bear arms mainly in defense of tyranny. Don’t try to hang the second amendment over our heads when your president is doing his best to circumvent it. Let’s try this; all stick to the rules, period. I know other presidents have used executive orders extensively, but not to circumvent the constitution or make sweeping changes to hard laws – that, sir, is the definition of tyranny. Checks and balances exist for a reason – and the president laments that. It’s an annoyance to his agenda that he has labeled “obstructive” – but it is working exactly like it should.
Don’t you see the hypocrisy in you statement? Accusing law abiding people of treason when Obama violated the first sentence of his oath of office to defend the constitution of the US? It’s never treason when it’s your guy doing it I guess.
Redcoat
January 17th, 2013
12:34 pm
We have “modest” gun control now………why is our inferior weaponry feared? Guns are not the problem. Little by little…………
scubasteve
January 17th, 2013
12:34 pm
Does anybody really think that our armed forces would kill their own people? A real civil war would be state vs. state vs. federal government with armed civilians forming underground rebellions…and yes it has been proven over and over again…determined, less “state of the art” militias can fend off more powerful militaries. So yes, the 2nd amendment is important to keeping our freedom. People that think nothing can or will ever happen in our country…with the way natural resources are dwindling and the overpopultion in the world…are living a dream!
Janney
January 17th, 2013
12:35 pm
Love this article, Jay. Am sending it to one of my (slightly deluded) right-winger friend.
Oscar
January 17th, 2013
12:35 pm
Ancestors and descendants. Easy to get those words confused. Give the guy a break.
Granny Godzilla
January 17th, 2013
12:35 pm
Yep, the battle against tyranny is being waged at keyboards in trailer parks, basements and
subdivisions.
I am unimpressed.
getalife
January 17th, 2013
12:36 pm
Go for it lt.
Or are you just running your cowardly mouth?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
January 17th, 2013
12:37 pm
One man’s claptrap is another man’s truth.
The smoking gun is the mushroom cloud.
DannyX
January 17th, 2013
12:37 pm
From what I understand Obama is coming to get your guns, after that he is getting rid of college football, then he is scheduled to end NASCAR, then Obama will be coming after your light beer!
TYRANNY!!!!
Soothsayer
January 17th, 2013
12:37 pm
“So when is the big uprising against the tyrannical Obama going to happen?”
Everyone’s waiting for the “super-secret signal!”
RB from Gwinnett
January 17th, 2013
12:37 pm
“Reality
11:52 am
They have a ban of all guns in the Country. Even the police are not allowed guns – they use billie clubs.
Now – what can we possibly learn from this?”
That it’s not true… http://www.scottishhuntingtours.com/
They ain’t hunting with rocks.
Oscar
January 17th, 2013
12:38 pm
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