Obama and the 2nd Ammendment

A recent statement by Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vie President of The NRA:

“People have to keep in mind out there that if President Obama gets one more term it will break the back of the Second Amendment in this country,” LaPierre said. “He is out to erase the Second Amendment from the Bill of Rights, excise it from the Constitution of the United States. This is the most dangerous election of our lifetime if you are a supporter of the Second Amendment. And the truth really is if he gets reelected we will go to our grave mourning the freedom that will be lost.”

Read more on Newsmax.com: LaPierre: Obama Out to Erase Second Amendment

Founding Fathers on the Second Amendment

• GEORGE WASHINGTON (First President)
• "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the people's liberty teeth keystone... the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable... more than 99% of them by their silence indicate that they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference. When firearms go, all goes, we need them every hour." (Address to 1st session of Congress)
• THOMAS JEFFERSON (Author of Declaration of Independence, member Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President, 3rd President )
• "On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed." 12 Jun 1823 (The Complete Jeffersonp.32)
• "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." (Jefferson Papers, p. 334, C.J. Boyd, 1950)
• "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." (Thomas Jefferson Papers p. 334, 1950)
• "And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms...The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Letter to William S. Smith 13 Nov 1787 (Jefferson, On Democracy p. 20, 1939; Padover, editor)
• "The few cases wherein these things (proposed Bill of Rights) may do evil, cannot be weighed against the multitude where the want of them will do evil...I hope therefore a bill of rights will be formed to guard the people against the federal government..." (letter to Madison 31 July 1788, The Papers of James Madison, Hobson & Rutland, p.11:212)
• "I have a right to nothing which another has a right to take away." (letter to Uriah Forrest, 1787, Jefferson Papers, 12:477)
• "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." (letter to Isaac Tifany, 1819)
• GEORGE MASON (Virginia House of Burgesses, Virginia delegate to Constitutional Convention, wrote Virginia Declaration of Rights, wrote "Objections to the Constitution", urged creation of a Bill of Rights)
• "I ask, Who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers." (Jonathan Elliot, The Debates of the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution, [NY: Burt Franklin,1888] p.425-6)
• "Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised...to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia..." (In Virginia's Ratifying Convention, Elliot p.3:379-380)
• "The militia may be here destroyed by that method which has been practiced in other parts of the world before; that is, by rendering them useless - by disarming them." (Elliot, p. 3:379-80)
• "I consider and fear the natural propensity of rulers to oppress the people. I wish only to prevent them from doing evil." (In Virginia's Ratifying Convention, Elliot p.3:381)
• JOHN ADAMS (Signed Declaration of Independence, Continental Congress delegate, 1st Vice President, 2nd President)
• "Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion...in private self-defense..." 1788(A Defense of the Constitution of the Government of the USA, p.471)
• JAMES MONROE (Served in Revolutionary Army, member Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, U.S. Secretary of State, Secretary of War, 5th President)
• "But it ought always be held prominently in view that the safety of these States and of everything dear to a free people must depend in an eminent degree on the militia." (his first Inaugural Address, 1817)
• SAM ADAMS (Signed Declaration of Independence, organized the Sons of Liberty, participated in Boston Tea Party, Member of Continental Congress, Governor of Massachusetts)
• "And that the said Constitution be never construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press, or the right of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens, from keeping their own arms; ...or to prevent the people from petitioning , in a peaceable and orderly manner; or to subject the people to unreasonable searches and seizures of their persons, papers or possessions." (Debates of the Massachusetts Convention of 1788, p86-87)
• JAMES MADISON (Drafted Virginia Constitution, Member of Continental Congress, Virginia delegate to Constitutional Convention, named "Father of the Constitution", author of Federalist Papers, author of the Bill of Rights, Congressman from Virginia, Secretary of State, 4th President)
• "Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.. (where) ..the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." (Federalist Papers #46)
• "I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."
• "They [proposed Bill of Rights] relate 1st. to private rights....the great object in view is to limit and qualify the powers of government..." 8 June 1789 (The Papers of James Madison, Hobson & Rutland, 12:193, 204)
• "To these (federal troops attempting to impose tyranny) would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands." (Federalist Papers #46)
• RICHARD HENRY LEE (Signed Declaration of Independence, introduced resolution in Continental Congress to become independent, proposed Bill of Rights from beginning, author of Anti-Fed Papers, Congressman and Senator from Virginia)
• "A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves...and include all men capable of bearing arms." 1788 (Federal Farmer, p.169)
• "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..." 1788 (Federal Farmer)
• "No free government was ever founded, or ever preserved its liberty, without uniting the characters of the citizen and soldier in those destined for the defense of the state... Such are a well regulated militia, composed of the freeholders, citizens and husbandman, who take up arms to preserve their property, as individuals, and their rights as freemen."
• PATRICK HENRY ('Liberty or Death' Speech, member of Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia, member Virginia convention to ratify U.S. Constitution, urged creation of Bill of Rights for Constitution )
• "The great object is, that every man be armed.... Every one who is able may have a gun." (Elliot p.3:386)
• "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 inevitably ruined." During Virginia Ratification Convention 1788 (Elliot p.3:45)
• "I am not well versed in history, but I will submit to your recollection, whether liberty has been destroyed most often by the licentiousness of the people, or by the tyranny of rulers. I imagine, sir, you will find the balance on the side of tyranny." (Elliot P.3:74)
• "My great objection to this government is, that it does not leave us the means of defending our rights, or of waging wars against tyrants." (Elliot, 3:47-48; in Virginia Ratifying Convention, before Bill of Rights)
• "O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone..." (Elliot p.3:50-52, in Virginia Ratifying Convention demanding a guarantee of the right to bear arms.)
• BEN FRANKLIN (member, Continental Congress, signed Declaration of Independence, attended Constitutional Convention, 1st Postmaster General)
• "Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." (Respectfully Quoted, p. 201, Suzy Platt, Barnes& Noble, 1993)
• NOAH WEBSTER (Served in Revolutionary Army, Printed dictionary; a federalist)
• "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed...." (An Examination of the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, Webster1787)
• "A people can never be deprived of their liberties, while they retain in their own hands, a power sufficient to any other power in the state." (Webster, p.42-43)
• ALEXANDER HAMILTON (Member of Continental Congress, Aid-de-camp to General Washington, commanded forces at Yorktown, New York delegate to the Constitutional Convention, wrote Federalist Papers, 1st Secretary of Treasury for George Washington, wanted 'President for life')
• "Little more can reasonably be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed and equipped." (Federalist Papers #29)
• TENCH COXE (friend of Madison, member of Continental Congress)
• "Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birth-right of an American...(T)he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." (Freeman's Journal, 20 Feb 1778)
• "As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow-citizens, the people are confirmed by the next article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." (introduction to his discussion, and support, of the 2nd Amend) "Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution" Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 18 June 1789, pg.2
• "The militia, who are in fact the effective part of the people at large, ...will form a powerful check upon the regular troops..." (Coxe, An Examination of the Constitution of the United States of America p.20-21)
• REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMSON (member of the first Congress of the United States)
• "The burden of the militia duty lies equally upon all persons;" in Congress, 22 Dec 1790 (Elliot, p423)
• WILLIAM GRAYSON (Senator from Virginia in first Congress under the United States Constitution)
• "Last Monday a string of amendments were presented to the lower house; these altogether respect personal liberty..." (in letter to Patrick Henry)
• ZACHARIA JOHNSON (delegate to Virginia Ratifying Convention)
• "The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them." (Elliot, 3:645-6)  

Reflections on Life

It's February 12, 2012.  A lot has been going on in my life personally and that is largely why i haven't posted lately.  Where to begin... I suppose I will begin with life experiences and changes.

My best friend has shipped successfully to Paris Island.  He's attempting to become a US Marine. I am proud of him for doing so.  He's wanted this for a long time, and worked towards making it happen for the better part of a year.  It's hard to believe he's already there, and been there for 3 or so weeks.  I have received one letter from him thus far, and it was very nice to get.  I know he's going thru a lot there but the end result will be worth it i am sure.  I've written him as well, and hope he's getting my letters.  His wife seems to be doing well throughout all this.. Yes she misses him, but overall she's seemingly taking it in stride.

My grandfather as of late has celebrated his 89th birthday.  Last month he surprised me by calling and stating he had decided to go forward with a surgery to remove bladder cancer. he has came through that with no issues and flying colors so far. I am glad he is doing so well. the same cannot be said of my grandmother, but again you reap what you sow.

Things at home are what they are with em working nights. Shes looking for a job, but right now its impossible to find anything in her field.  The second has landed a job on her own merit at my place of employ. She's in another department but starts tomorrow.  I am sure she will do well. Everyone is very proud of her and excited as well.  I've started the renovations on the den back up. I've emptied all the walls, and now re-mudded some. i continue to mud, and get it ready to sand. I will sand it soon, as I'm running out of things i can do without a first sanding.  this is both good and bad.  I hate the thought that i will have to remove the whole furniture setup from my den, and remove the TV from the wall, as well as the rest of our dens items.  It will suck, but the end result will be worth it.  Even though it is an inconvenience.  I was going to nockk out a wall and build a new one and extend the space of my laundry room, but alas i ran out of money again.  I estimate 200 more dollars to do this, I probably should just do it... but the amount of work is not something i look forward to doing either, and well we don't plan on being here forever.

the dogs are doing well. Although my rotties rear legs are giving him issues in his old age. It is hard to believe that both of our dogs are 12 years old.

I've been drooling over trucks / suv's again. I have one locally i love, but lack the funding to actually purchase.  18k is not easy to come up with. Its a 04-06 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71.  4x4 black, leather, sunroof, all that i want.. including 3rd row.  If i get a Tahoe / suburban it would have to have 3rd row seating. This one does.  its at a local dealer.. its not a perfect vehicle being used, but i don't need new, and as long as it is mechanically and electrically sound, I'm down.  maybe if i hit the lotto someday i can. hell i played last night, don't even know if i won much less if anyone else did.

work has been incredibly busy lately, much because we are beginning implementation of a new EMR system. I hope that i can get myself situated that I will be able to get promotions/raises.  Money is hard to come by at the state largely because of the fact the state has to approve it, and then the upper mgmet has to as well. well forces outside of my department aren't favorable for raises.

I guess that's it in a nutshell. I'll try to write more often and keep more current. I hope all is well with everyone.  Hell who am i kidding. i don't know if anyone even reads this drivel.

Put me in charge...

this was fwd'ed to me in a email. I'm not sure of the original author, but I must admit it makes a lot of sense.


PUT ME IN CHARGE . . .

Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no cash
for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans,
blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want
steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women
Norplant birth control implants or tubal legations. Then, we'll test
recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. If you want to reproduce or use
drugs, alcohol, or smoke, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military barracks?

You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair.
Your home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be
inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your
own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week
or you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways
of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We
will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo
and speakers and put that money toward the "common good.."

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of
the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules. Before you
say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self esteem," consider
that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing
absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at
least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system
rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

AND While you are on Gov't subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes,
that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will
voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov't
welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.



now lets just see if someone does something bout it....

Out with the old, in with the new....

Happy new year everyone. 2011 is drawing to a close finally. As I write this on new years eve I take a little time to reflect on the previous year. Alot has happened.. both good and bad, as im sure it has been for many folks. I've had alot of new experiences, some of which i will never forget in my lifetime. These are the things that memories are made of and well theres no replacing life experiences. The bad, well as the clock hits 12:00 am i'll try to forget, and leave in the past.

The good things however, well like i said they are things that make life worth living. I am blessed, i know, I have good health ( as far as i know) and i make decent money, yes its not the greatest, but there are many by far worse off than i am. Family, for the most part is few, but those that are there have my love, and i know i have theirs. My job is great, i work with talented and exceptional people that not only am i lucky enough to call friend as well as co-workers.

My friends however, are my real riches. I dont have a ton of close friends, but i do have a very few select few that i know i could count on no matter what. I konw this because i feel it from them. Not in words always, not in deed always, but i do feel that the small close group of friends that i have have blessed me by having them in my life. I dont need to name names, but I hope they konw who they are. I hope they konw i love them and will do anything i can for them. I hope they know that even though i dont say it enough or show it all the time I love them, am thankful for them, and appreciate them in my life. They are a speial group, full of surprises, intelligence, laughter, and love.(although they dont know it, and dont see them as i see them, I hope they know how much they mean to me)

Material things come and go, but a true friend is forever. In 2012 i hope that i am blessed to continune my relationships with them, get closer with them, and enjoy them more. I hope they feel the same for me, as i do them. I hope that the bad thigns that happen in life are small and trivial in 2012, and i hope we all can be stronger, better off, and better people in the coming year.

Benjamin franklin once said "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and may each new year find you a better man". I sure hope that this is the case for me, and i wish each of you my best wishes in future finances, friendship, love, and happiness. May peace be with you, and know that im there for you as a friend if you need me. :)

To give of ones self is the greatest gift of all.

Recently things have been a bit busy. I too have been a bit ill.  some sort of sinus induced funk that has plagued me since tuesday of this week.  Not fun. I seem to be largely over it now, and only have a slight cough every so often.

A while back emily had mentioned that she was off a couple of days and we could go to D.C. to visit family.  I would have to get with my dad and see if he had time off. I called him once i got the ok for work, and got the time off for me.  He said he had to do some legwork and see if he could get it off.  Well last friday i learned he couldnt get the time off, and thus we didnt go to DC.  I had a contingency though, it was to go see my grandfather in myrtle beach.  This is in fact what we did do.  We also went and did some christmas shopping while down at the beach.

I hadnt seen my grandfather since before thanksgiving of 2008.  This is largely because of his wife, and my half sister.  I've blogged about that situation previously.   They remain dead to me as they did the day that the rift in the family had formed.  Seeing my grandfather was great though.  However, it also made me realize that he is starting to get older, and sadly starting to slow down.  I felt bad for the things hes having to deal with in regards with my grandmother, and her commitment into the assisted living facility.  It makes me realize how things in life are too short, and that you need to cherish every moment.  I hope he enjoyed our visit, it wasn't long enough.  It was especially nice to see him before christmas.

Today is christmas eve.  Emily works tonight, and tomorrow.  So we plan on opening our gifts tomorrow morning when she gets home.  It should be very nice especially since we're going to do breakfast as well.   I hate that she works nights though, and still wish she'd get off the night shift.  All in time  i hope.  As 2011 comes to an end, i can hope for alot of things.   I am thankful for what i have, and hope that everyone has a great Christmas and new year, and an even better 2012. 

How to fix Congress

this is a letter i received recently.  I am told this is from Warren Buffett.  If so, hes got some Great ideas here.  I think there will be more needed to fix it though than just this, but this is a hell of a start.  what do you all think? I look forward to your comments.

Warren Buffet is asking

_*Congressional Reform Act of 2011*_

1. No Tenure / No Pension.

A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no
pay when they're out of office.

2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social
Security.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the
Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into
the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the
American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all
Americans do.

4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.
Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

5. Congress loses their current health care system and
participates in the same health care system as the American people.

6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the
American people.

7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void
effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this
contract with Congressmen/women.

Congressmen/women made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in
Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers
envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their
term(s), then go home and back to work.



thoughts?

Black Fridaygiving and A family visit.

I know I've been slack with posting. Life has been busy.  This past week was thanksgiving.  its an American holiday for those of you foreigners that may or may not read this blog. :)

This is the time of year for family, friends, and thanking those for their part in your life.  It is also a time for reflection upon what you have both materially and immaterially.  It is a time of happiness and immense sadness for me, as I'm sure it is for many.  

My dad called in Virginia a couple of weeks ago.  He stated that his mom, my grandmother, was going to be put into an assisted living community. She has Dementia and possibly Alzheimer's.  It is good that she's going to be put in this place, as it will help her, and she will be safe from herself.  The sad part is this, that this thanksgiving is the first time since 1959ish that they didn't get to hold thanksgiving at her home.  It was a tradition that i fondly remember from my youth.  Every thanksgiving we'd go over to her house on Elgar Street.   My dad, and his brothers would play football in the field across the street with neighbors and cousins, while sometimes id play too, and other times I'd just watch.  Then supper was ready, and we'd eat our selves stupid.  Once food was done, we'd go down to the rec room and watch football and talk and eat more.  It was a good time.  Fond memories of days long gone now.  

Looking back on these memories are good things, but at the same time its sad because of how they will never happen again. Now the season is changing into full swing of Christmas.  I have decorated the house some with the help of Emily, whom loves this time of the year.  it is hard for me to get into the spirit of things though because of the lack of family now a days.  There was a time when all was well and everyone was together, sadly that will never happen again.  I guess it is  part of life.  I don't know. Now i have to shop for gifts, and i really don't know what all to buy for anyone.  It all seems so odd to me and kinda pointless to give stuff that probably isn't wanted or needed..  I think i need to think about the gifting a lot more now.  Maybe more sentimental things, maybe things with more meaning.  Store bought gifts are great if you needed something,but these days i don't know if anyone needs anything really.  I think sometimes that that which everyone thinks they need they don't, and that which they do need they don't know they need... or at least till its gone.  Who knows. Food for thought i suppose....