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Gun owners and conservatives everywhere should stand up and applaud the Supreme Court's ruling today in favor of striking down the unlawful Washington, DC handgun ban. The Court also struck down Washington's requirement that firearms be equipped with trigger locks or kept disassembled.
Today’s decision affirming the 2nd Amendment right to an individual owning firearms is a refreshing decision from the court, and reminds us how important the election of the next President can be. The Washington, D. C. ban on handguns was clearly unconstitutional and the court ruling today reminds us that our Constitutional rights are not geographical---one locale cannot decide a different right than other locales—they are Constitutional rights—not community rights
Judge Antonin Scalia wrote the Majority Opinion which you can find here. Joining Justice Scalia were Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito, Thomas and Kennedy.
Many of you know I proudly own a variety of firearms and enjoy hunting as well as sports shooting with targets and clays. But even if I were not a hunter I would still be a firm believer in the Second Amendment right of Americans to own firearms for self-protection and as a matter of principle.
In 1998, after the tragic killing of a teacher and four students at the Westside Middle School near Jonesboro, Arkansas, I was being interviewed by Katie Couric on NBC’s Today show. She intimated that mass murder on school campuses seemed to be confined to schools in the Deep South, where there existed a “culture of guns.”
I assured her that yes hunting and ownership of firearms were Southern traditions. At the same time murder of innocent schoolchildren was most certainly not and such violence was inexplicable regardless of one’s geography. When she continued to press, looking for some validation of her view that these shootings were in some way connected to the South, I firmly reminded her that Colin Ferguson boarded a train in New York and coldly killed 27 people before finally being subdued. That event occurred in New York where the gun laws are among the toughest in the country and where gun ownership is much lower than in the South.
We certainly should be tough on those who abuse firearms by employing them in a crime. But abolishing firearms because there are reckless abusers makes as much sense as abolishing cars because some people drive while drunk.
Most firearms owners are responsible and exceptionally careful and safety conscious. My own membership in the NRA is something I cherish and value. This is not so much because I love guns but because I love freedom, and I believe to trample on one part of the Bill of Rights is to trample on all of it.
I encourage you to leave me a comment by clicking on the “Leave Comment” link. And if you have a moment, stand up and applaud the Supreme Court today.
Comments 1-50 of 72
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Sweeney-Ballou, Margaret
07/01/2008 03:39 PM
There is no more urgent issue in the coming election than the possibility of three more vacancies on the Supreme Court during the next administration.
The thought of the Court changing the CONSTITUTION by the vote of Justice Kennedy alone or by one or two Justice majorities changes the entire system of government we have supported and fought for over 200 years.
What would be our remedy if the Court voted to change the Constitution by one vote? How do you tell the Supreme Court they are overruled by the CONSTITUTION?
We need two or more Justices like Allito and Roberts.
Issues like abortion and same-sex marriages will become moot if the Court is solidly constitutional.
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Roe, Phil
06/30/2008 06:00 PM
Mike -
I love you man, but please don't preen over the NRA in Heller's name . . . they had NOTHING to do with the Heller decision, and in fact fought it's furtherance. The Heller decision was fought and won exclusively because of the courage of Robert Levy. Because of both his willingness to finance the effort, and his profound conviction that the Constitution still means something. Let's give credit where credit is due . . . and not where it is not due . . . to the NRA.
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Gatchel, Nancy
06/29/2008 11:28 PM
To Randy Davis,
I share your sentiments as expressed in your letter to Mr. Duncan. I honestly don't believe the GOP recognizes how critical the situation actually is.
There is now a bill in the senate for the 2008 Federal Marriage Protection Amendment. How will Senator McCain vote? Considering his committment to federalism (which I actually support), I'm very concerned. Since the California ruling, my Ohio DOMA is no longer safe. So much for respecting federalism. Since the judges have become unimpeded legislators, federalism isn't even safe.
Sen. McCain's vp choice is critical. Let's face it, there is absolutely NO one that would go further toward consolidating his base than Mike Huckabee.
I have written and I have called the McCain campaign to make that point perfectly clear. I can only pray he's listening.
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Moderation, Voice of
06/29/2008 07:31 PM
Tyger
You've really done your homework, I'm impressed! I've read all the articles you provided, and I still don't see any redeeming value for Al Hurra. Apparently with Mr. Register in charge, it's gone in the wrong direction, I don't read one of these articles that suggest otherwise. there seems to be a very strong consistency in this regard.
Since it's been run so poorly, I don't know whether this station could ever accomplish what it needs to, to warrant it's continuation, under new leadership. I'm of the opinion that with no changes to Al Hurra's policies, I'd feel better with saving taxpayers money and no TV station.
I think you're right in the sense that a TV station, no matter how well it's run, is no substitute to an active and positive diplomacy. At the same time, I do believe it has the potential to enhance any positive diplomatic moves we make.
Perhaps we should focus more of our attention on our own news media and fixing that before we delve foreign markets news. I'm generally disgusted with our news media, both right and left, for spending too much time hyping the elections like a horse race, rather than delving into substantive issues that don't make page one, but has policy implications. The extent of our news seems to be limited to repeating each party's spin, with no investigative reporting.
Why haven't we heard of Al Hurra, except for the recent 60 minute piece? Rebekah Jones mentioned the Supreme Court's decision regarding limitations for presenting evidence through public officials such as police officers in cases of domestic violence that leads to murder. Yet, who reported this on the impact of this in the news media, because it may not fuel the partisan divide as the gun control decision?
I sometimes think that the left-right partisan divide in this country is exacerbated by how the media and political parties focus on divisive issues. When I've worked on local non-partisan political campaigns, i've always found it fascinating how a cross section of people, from leftist liberals to right wing conservatives can work together in common cause, and how we all have so much more in common than what divides.
Well, it's good to hear from you again, Tyger!
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Tyger
06/29/2008 04:47 PM
Voice of Moderation: Near as I can tell, one's opinion of Al Hurra would be dependent on who they believe, and what they consider a credible source.
Hates Al Hurra:
http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney10222004.html
http://powerlineblog.com/archives/017056.php
Distrusts Al Hurra:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/us_government_g.html
Thinks Al Hurra is on the right track after some hiccups:
http://framingconflict.blogspot.com/2007/03/is-al-hurra-now-terrorist-tv-station.html
http://framingconflict.blogspot.com/2007/03/register-and-al-hurra-part-2-mowbray.html
For sure there doesn't seem to be anyone ambivalent about Al Hurra. For myself, even the people who like the idea allow that there have been mis-steps, so clearly better oversight is needed.
As for cutting them off completely, I really can't say. As there isn't much of a middle ground, and until you posted I'd never even heard of them, I can't discern where the truth lies, so don't really have an opinion, though as a general statement I think an Arab language station with a pro-US slant is far less effective than in person contact with those members of our armed forces that aren't puppy-throwing losers, or even regular citizens from the US.
The problem there is that the citizens we've sent over there seem to have been on one mission or another,either to line their pockets with US and/or Iraqi money, or to bring the Iraqis to Jesus, neither of which is particularly welcome, and the penalty for the latter being death under Sharia.
Some of the military hasn't been much better.
I'm not sure a TV station (or a radio station) can fix that...
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Leibold, Robert
06/29/2008 04:39 AM
In my childhood it seemed most every father or grandfather or neighbor was either a WWI, WWII or Korean War vet, and all owned small-arms of some sort--antique German Mausers and Lugers captured during wartime, Japanese Arisaka's, etc. But gun-violence was a trifle in those years compared to today.
The problem isn't guns and it isn't the law-abiding men who own them: The problem is bad men who're easily parolled after committing countless crimes, and a jaded society so caught up in Hollywood's penchant for producing seedy, violent films, that our children today are wholly unable to reasonably distinguish between good and bad behavior. Were we to reintroduce a Board of Censors over Hollywood and American television, many of our problems concerning gun violence could likely be easily solved without unnecessary Supreme Court squabbles. Predictably, the liberals on our Supreme Court would rather confiscate your personal protective weapons than eliminate or reduce the true cause of much of our violent mindset. Many Americans rightly call this last a calculated political agenda.
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Rayborn, Linda
06/29/2008 02:55 AM
Please continue to call 703-418-2008 and ask for McCain/Huckabee. Email john @johnmccain.com or rickdavis.johnmccain.com. Send letters to John McCain, PO Box 16118, Arlington, Va. 22215. We need to let McCain's camp know that they have never seen supporters as loyal and excited about a candidate as we are about Mike. McCain has said all along that he needs to EXCITE the party. Well, let's show him what excited looks like!!! Think of some really unique or funny things to say on the phone or in the email or letters. Remember McCain and Mike have a great sense of humor. True someone else will be reading the letters, etc. but maybe some of them get to McCain. We need to try and get something thru to him....
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Moderation, Voice of
06/29/2008 01:49 AM
Honestly, in reading the second amendment, I can't make heads or tails out of what the intentions of the authors really were. However, I do support people having guns for hunting and for protection, especially in this day and age.
My only concern, not too dissimilar from what Doctor David had previously expressed, are people having access to assault weapons and armor piercing bullets that put our police at a definite disadvantage. I do feel that there should be some limits, and I'm not sure what the Supreme Court has allowed in this regard.
I do wonder where in the Constitution the court reasoned that firearms can be prohibited in courtrooms, and how far and under what circumstances that prohibition extends.
Tyger, that was a very funny dialogue!
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Randy Davis
06/29/2008 12:59 AM
RESPONSE TO NATIONAL REVIEW ARTICLE....
letters@nationalreview.com
"Mc Cain's Untouchables" by John Miller
Below is a letter I sent to the RNC a few months ago....I think it may help you to see where a much larger percentage of the Republican Party is at today than you even come close to realizing. The party "elites" days may be numbered. The GOP will become irrelevant and a permanent minority party without the full support of of true Christian and social conservatives. As National Review dishes out ridiculous articles such as "Mc Cain's Untouchables" by John Miller, the GOP grave gets another shovel full deeper. Millions of true conservative eyes are closely watching the Beltway/Ivy League/Rush Limbaugh type Republicans....and we are not amused. (or fooled)
Mike Duncan, Chairman
Republican National Committee
chairman@gop.com
Dear Mr. Duncan...
My family and I have been strong Republicans now for at least 27 years and have voted in every national, state and local election during that time. In fact, we just voted yesterday in a local County Attorney election for a young man by the name of Nathan Tucker, the Republican Candidate.
We were heavily involved in the Republican Caucus just recently here in Iowa. We had the largest turnout in history in a heavily Democrat County. We actually ran out of room in a large High School Auditorium. Governor Mike Huckabee won with 61 % of the vote....the next closet candidate was Mitt Romney with 17 %....followed by Ron Paul, John Mc Cain and Fred Thompson.
Our view is that there is one candidate in the Republican race who is truly a "once in a lifetime candidate." A real conservative with the potential of being not the "great communicator" as Reagan was....but the "greatest communicator" of true conservatism that our party has ever seen.
The primary reason I am writing is to inform you that we are dangerously close to leaving the party for good....or to be more precise, the Republican Party is dangerously close to leaving us for good. Since 1980 ...social conservatives have been patronized, laughed at, and ridiculed by many "higher ups" in our party at a national level for our concern for "values." We have never believed we should abandon the party over minor disagreements as Reagan taught in his "eleventh commandment."
Currently however, the RNC talking points being unleashed across the air waves are vividly telling us that socially conservative "evangelicals" and their hillbilly preacher candidate "Mike Huckleberry" are no longer needed for the Republican Party to survive.
We are more than sick and tired of listening to all the so called "conservative" media bash Governor Mike Huckabee over and over and over and over with false and distorted charges.
I'm not talking about the normal "negative attacks" that happen every election cycle....I'm referring to the pedal to the metal GOP propaganda machine that has pulled out all stops to defame Governor Huckabee and his real record. It's not just Rush Limbaugh and Fox News ........I won't even go through the long list of names because you already know who they are.
From the e-mails and calls I have taken in just the past month alone, my fear is that there are multiple thousands of people, just like us....watching the Republican Party abandon social conservatives before our very eyes.
I have always looked at "third party" people as kooks and oddballs and I do not wish to go down that road. I read Zell Miller's book, "A National Party No More", a couple of years ago. Now, I feel I could start writing a new book by the same title ,only it would be for the Republican Party instead of the Democrat Party.
I don't think many of the "establishment" types in our party even have a vague clue as to how educated and politically informed people like I am speaking of are. I actually believe "I" am more informed now, than Rush Limbaugh is....something I never dreamed I would say or believe. I recently told him that he has educated us so well over the years that we are smart enough now to see through his transparent and ridiculous arguments against Governor Huckabee.
Rush is entitled to his opinion, of course, but he does not even have the facts straight to analyze and debate them when it comes to Mike Huckabee. He can't be that stupid, he HAS to know what he is spewing is unadulterated lies. He has correctly trumpeted for years that "liberalism" and "global warming" has become the "religion or god" of many Democrats. Here's what he is missing.... his "version" of conservatism and/or capitalism has become his.
Anyway, I thought it only fair to pass this along. I realize our financial support and votes for Republicans will not cause you or anyone to wring their hands in fear...but if and when the entire "social conservative" wing of the party heads for the door or gets left at the station....welcome to the land of unbridled socialism from now on.
There is absolutely, no possible way we will EVER vote for the Republican version of John Kerry, Mitt Romney. It has nothing to do with his faith or with his numerous position changes over the years. He is simply not honest. That is not an opinion, it is a fact. Period.
The GOP is currently in the process of driving away more future voters than you can envision in your mind right now....not to the "socialism" of the Democrat Party, but definitely away from the present state of the Republican Party. Just thought you should have a heads up....because I can hear the rumblings of an avalanche of epic proportions.
If there is anything you can do to help stop this GOP propaganda machine from "turning off the electricity" of true conservatism , we would greatly appreciate it. Our preference would be to stay with our party. But, if and when the lights go out, the party's over.
Randy Davis (Shirley and Wendy)
1935 Greenwood Drive
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501www.chalkartist.com
chalkart@netins.net
And by the way...here are just a few of many reasons Mike Huckabee would be far and away Mc Cain's best VP choice....
Mike has won virtually EVERY online VP poll so far.....
He is a great campaigner and by far the best speaker of all the candidates in either party....
He has the greatest debate ability....
He is young and healthy.....
He connects well with voters and the media....
He is trusted by social conservatives and pro-life crowds....
He is a proven fiscal conservative....
He appeals to the Christian community and many "evangelicals"....
He is well liked by media personalities....
He is already vetted....
He has no skeletons in his closet....
He connects well with the "MTV" generation and younger voters...
He has a compelling personal story....
He is humble and honest when he makes a mistake (which is rare) -
pierson, steven
06/28/2008 09:31 PM
I'm glad to see that the 2nd amendent was finaly slapped across the face of the liberals in this country.
Follow my progress at reducing my utility bills with an agressive plan that I came up with.
http://ncfthinker.blogspot.com/ -
Clements, Andrew
06/28/2008 08:21 PM
I'm so gald to hear a politician that supports the 2nd. My dad has his conceal and carry lincense and because he is an insurance sellsman he uses it quite often and that's why I would vote for you if I could
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M, Luke
06/28/2008 06:04 PM
Conservative Voice of Reason is proud to announce the starting of a new program called The Conservative Voice of Reason 2008. Donate $15 to Huckpac using R24758 as your code or fill out the donation widget on conservativevoiceofreason.blogspot.com, or click this link https://www.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Contribute.Home&r=24758 and then send me a proof of donation at conservativevoiceofreason@conservativekids.net. You can then send me an artical about who you are supporting for any office and why he should be the cconservative voice of reason of 2008. The artical will then be posted on conservativevoiceofreason.blogspot.com. At the end I will take my favorite 2-4 Candidates and put them in a poll on conservativevoiceofreason.blogspot.com and you get to vote for the conservative voice of reason 2008. The poll will go up sometime in August. At the end I will tell you how much money was raised and who won.
The articals must mention the candidates district and campaign site. Get Started!!!!
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Tyger
06/28/2008 03:54 PM
I am not a gun owner as it would involve far more patience than I possess to learn to shoot properly (I use only one eye at a time, though both work just fine...makes driving an adventure!). I applaud this decision, however.
I have used a BB gun in my own defense, but that is as close as I've ever come to gun ownership and it was by proxy as it was dad's BB gun. I am glad it was there, though, as without it I have no idea how I would have begun to defend myself against the people confronting me.
People should be allowed to defend themselves. I'm reminded of one of my favorite bits from All in the Family:
Gloria: Do you know that sixty percent of all deaths in America are caused by guns?
Archie Bunker: Would it make you feel any better, little girl, if they was pushed out of windows?
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Granny T
06/28/2008 11:38 AM
I'm thankful our Constitutional right to bear arms is still protected. When will people realize
? Mike,
Thanks for all you do to help protect our rights. -
Noble, Kay
06/28/2008 11:36 AM
I definitely applaud the Supreme Court on this one!
The margin was as narrow as possible; however, and again places emphasis on the fact that the PRESIDENT is responsible for nominating BOTH our Supreme Court Justices AND Federal Judges!! ... FEDERAL JUDGES are usualy the ones responsible for most anti-conservative decisions!
So the question arises ... which presidential candidate ensures the GREATER consideration of conservative values???
Third Party and write in votes in the 2008 Presidential Election do not have a "snowball's chance" ... so, those votes end up being a vote for the Democratic ticket ...
and Democrat appointments!
With the Dobson/Obama issue still generatiing conversation and press, although I respect him for good things he has accomplished, when Dr. Dobson said he will vote ... but may NOT vote for president ... Dr. Dobson DEFINITELY does NOT speak for me!!! -
Buchanon, Jeremy
06/28/2008 10:53 AM
I DO applaud the SCOTUS decision, but I'm also VERY disgusted with the four dissenting votes. How can anyone in this country, especially our "leadership" deny the intent of the 2nd Amend. to assure the personal right to own and use firearms.
US citizens NEED to stay diligent!!!
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TOGETHER WE STAND!!!
06/28/2008 10:14 AM
I Think by letting McCain go all the way until Nov. thinking every thing is alright and everyone's onboard is wrong, just watch the news or look at the net. McCain has got to do something to get his whole party excited and together, I'm telling you, with millions of new Dem's going to the polls
excited and energize ,most or going to vote all Dem. on the ballets. this is going to cause the Rep's to lose even more sets.
PLEASE FOR THE GOOD OF THE PARTY GO TO MACAINS BLOG AND SUGGEST HOW HE CAN GET EVERYONE ENERGIZED AND ON BOARD. I have been telling them reasons Huckabee needs to be VP. They seem tobe for him going more Dem. that will make it worst. Rep's. has to be motivated to go to the polls to win back control, this who is the less evil is not cutting it, its not just a few who are setting out are crossing over. -
All-in-for-Mike
06/28/2008 02:07 AM
Sharon Schwendemann--
Thanks for posting the P.O. Box address for McCain again -- I had just bought another postcard and didn't have the address with me to mail it.Three times yesterday, I tried to post a comment in support of Mike for VP on McCain's blog. It wouldn't go through. Harumph. ;-) McCain's blog makes me sad -- what a dismal place. Chaotic, negative, sycophantic, and snarky. Let us pray!
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XRGR
06/27/2008 11:27 PM
Mike:
Having observed how our govt. operates in the past 2 decades, their greed, their being irresponsible, so unloving, so terrifying, we have already realized that one day not too far in the future we WOULD need guns to protect ourselves from both terrorists and our govt.!
The day will come that we need guns to protect ourselves against the imported terrorists and our govt. from within. At that time we need to grow and eat from our own gardens! It would not be a very happy time! I'm counting every happy day I can steal from tomorrows until that time dues.
I thank Mike from my heart for fighting and protecting that law for us.
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Hambright, Michael
06/27/2008 08:56 PM
While many in the media cheaply tout the Supreme Court's decision as a "victory for gun owners", I see this decision as a victory for the Constitition. The Second Amendment, and the others, are crystal clear and not subject to interpretation. I am pleased beyond words that the Supreme Court supported the Second Amendment and the Constitution, but it alarms me that the vote was as close as it was. Clearly there are 4 Justices on the bench that think that America's Constitution and the rights of this country's citizens are negotiable and subject to the changing whims of "politcal correctness".
Mike... you NEED to run again in 2012!!!
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mxnwilson
06/27/2008 08:47 PM
This is a great victory, not only for gun-owners, but for all Americans who still believe in our constitutional rights. I now look forward to a McCain victory in 08, and trust and pray within time, there will be a pro-life victory.
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Los Angeles, Mike
06/27/2008 08:26 PM
Re: Decisions Making News- News Out of New Hampshire, Bob Clegg Territory
While the Supreme Court was making a decision regarding 2nd Amendment rights, other major decisions were being made in New Hampshire, a state with a very clear position on the 2nd Amendment.
1. Sen Obama and Sen. Clinton
One big decision that got a lot of press time was Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton coming together to unite in a small town called Unity, N.H. With such hubris I am surprised they did not make Gun Barrel City, Texas as their coming out place. It was obvious that they were targeting New Hampshire to make it look like New Hampshire is just waiting for November to give up some of their "live free or die" independence and vote for "new" leadership. As Mike Huckabee says, "...holes are being dug that he/they cannot get out of." Politics as usual is something Americans do not want.
Following this line of campaign politics, I suppose next Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton will go to Energy, Illinois, Petroleum, KY, and Nirvanna, Michigan and use these places as backdrops to blame President Bush for that "state" of the states and misrepresent Sen. Mccain's record to make it look like he is not the independent thinker he actually is.
This is okay. This "shot gun" wedding at Unity, New Hampshire looks impressive, but some Democrats do not see this as a marriage made in Heaven. They actually were looking for a president who has experience, ideas, White House know-how, and the skills to bring America together. And now with Sen. Clinton being the last to fall after Biden, Dodd, and Richardson, they are looking to John Mccain for answers.
2. Sen. Mccain
I heard from a few folks from N.H. last year that they wouldn't mind seeing a Mccain/Huckabee ticket. It seems that N.H. likes people with experience and independent thinking, but who can be challenged from time to time by civil reasoning.
Good news for Sen. Mccain came the other day when a former Clinton official from N.H. agreed to co-chair "Democrats for John Mccain."
This kind of organized outreach is quite necessary. It also sets up a place where not only Democrats for Mccain can find a place to belong, but it will also give social conservative Democrats for Huckabee the same place to express themselves. Recall that the N.H. Teacher's Union endorsed Huckabee last year in the primaries and republican Bob Clegg helped out Mike in his N.H. campaign.
While N.H. does have a civil-union law, if New Hampshire votes for a Mccain/Huckabee ticket it will show that they are concerned about energy, tax issues, education for their children, and protection of their nation above anymore liberal social experimentation.
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Judge Deborah
06/27/2008 08:13 PM
I predict an Obama/Clinton vs a McCain/Huckabee national campaign.
Donate $20.08 and enter R23732 under Donor or Event Code.
Power to the People!
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Tyger
06/27/2008 06:29 PM
Huckabee4u: Please check your facts...this stuff just makes us look small and petty.
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Hastings, Jerry
06/27/2008 04:53 PM
Sorry, I meant ANWR in my previous post (didn't proofread).
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huckabee4u
06/27/2008 03:36 PM
OBAMA MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE EITHER!!!
My oldest son was born in HI in 1984. I know for a FACT the state of HI has never used only electronic birth certificates. Obama claimed he could not provide a paper one for this reason. An official from the Dept of Health in HI according to the article below, states that is impossible!!!
After pressing the campaign to produce an actual certified copy, that one has been determined to be an obvious FAKE according to this story.
We have TWO nominees, one of each major party that are BOTH on shaky ground about even being ELIGIBLE to become President!!!
This MUST be finally taken SERIOUSLY!!!! Do we honor our own US Constitution or NOT???
Nostradomus predicted back in the 1400's a country would erupt into a Constitutional crises because of their Presidential election in the year 2008.
Huckabee/Hunter 2008 or Bust! KEEP THE FAITH, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!!!
http://americandaily.ws/index.php/article/1190
Lori Stacey -
Hastings, Jerry
06/27/2008 02:30 PM
The Supreme Court's decision affirmed that the US Govt. never had or will never have the ability to ban firearms for law abiding citizens. Since every State and every city is a part of the United States, this decision should tend to level the field some given enough time.
Mike should get with McCain and persuade McCain that the energy policy he advocates is very long termed (maybe beyond many of our lifetimes). While these policies may benefit our children or grandchildren and are important to pursue, they are not enough. They do little to address the need for gas price reduction NOW!
John McCain needs to get over his stigma concerning AMWAR and the coastlines. Drilling in these areas starting ASAP will both go a long way toward energy independence and lowering gas prices now. Drilling and bringing an oil well online will not take 10 years as liberal Democrats are fond of saying, 1-3 years is more like it.
As most Americans can surely deduct when they think it through, speculation is grossly driving up the price of oil/gasoline/diesel. This should be reasonably controlled to allow for a more stable and lower price right now. If it reduces runaway profits of some millionaires and billionaires, so what!
Meanwhile we should be pursuing other alternative fuels for the long term. Long termed it will be because the infrastructure and technologies are still a long way off.
Push things like hydrogen and ethanol production from non food stocks instead of so much on battery technologies. Rechargeable battery powered electric cars are not the answer for many Americans! The electric grids we have in place now cannot produce that much additional electricity if all US cars were magically transformed overnight into rechargeable electric versions. Additional electric plants will not help the green thing either. Duh!
To win in November, John McCain needs to get out of the twilight zone and back to reality right now!
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Gatchel, Nancy
06/27/2008 02:09 PM
Hurray! The Constitution was honored by the Supreme Court!
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SSC - Hardcore Texan
06/27/2008 01:11 PM
Thanks to those who provide links to see and hear Mike speak, it always revs me up and inspires me to do more.
To All-in-for-Mike, you expressesd many of my thoughts and experiences also. Thanks for taking the time to share with us. This site is a great communication tool and a source for finding truthful news.
Today the CR Report shared a story about McCain meeting with the Ohio Christian Alliance to ask for their support. The leader, Chris Long, told McCain he should pick a social conservative running mate. HOORAY!
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Doc
06/27/2008 12:10 PM
All-in-for-Mike and Barbara Kiser: Great posts. Thanks.
Here is an email to John McCain's campaign:
I have just read Senator McCain's proposals on taxes. It is almost beyond belief that he doesn't support the FairTax (H25 and S1025) since this bill will do ALL that he proposes. John McCain should reconsider this brilliant, fair, progressive, non-punitive, simple, economically stimulating tax system. He should also ask Governor Mike Huckabee to be his running mate so that Barack Obama does not get elected. Thanks.
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Moderation, Voice of
06/27/2008 11:47 AM
Tyger -
I checked out Wikipedia and the information seemed scant compared with 60 Minutes. 60 Minutes made an issue that much of the problem resulted from lack of proper oversight, given that administration officials lacked the proper language skills in Arabic. Understanding that 60 Minutes may have selected isolated incidents that have now been corrected, may be the case, but it wasn't the impression that was given.
No doubt, a well run operation that counters much of the erroneous or misleading information that is perpetrated by terrorists and their Middle East allies could help us bring a better understanding in that region and possibly rein in some of the extremist elements there. However, if we are just contributing to the misinformation that already exists there, and do things that only intensifies Arab hatred of Israel, then continuing with Alhurra, at least in this current administration can't be justified.
I think the most responsible action is for Congress, in a bipartisan effort, investigate this matter further. I'd also like to hear from my representatives so they may either look further into this matter or correct the impression that 60 minutes has left. If Congress is going to either investigate or justify the current course of Alhurra, then they need to feel the heat. This gives Congress an opportunity to respond directly to the 60 Minutes show this past Sunday.
Thanks for checking this out. If you find other information on this, I'd like to hear about it.
Also, the Obama campaign is the first and only one to respond to my inquiry so far. It was a canned e-mail that said absolutely nothing of importance, and didn't even address this specific issue.
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Oney, Janis
06/27/2008 11:26 AM
Just for this Sunday Arron I wished I lived in Ga. I would attend the service... The closest Mike has come to my area was last March when he was in Abilene, Tx. and we had such an ice storm I could not go... That event was a bit unsual for this area and it just made me ill... I will send out the word however, I hope someone makes a vid of and will share with the rest of us...
In the meantime go here for some really neat names you can adopt..
I have these three
HuckaBOOT,HuckaTICK, and HuckaMILEhttp://www.freewebs.com/huckapedia
http://www.freewebs.com/huckapedia/huckacentral.htmlJanis/Brownwood, Tx (HuckaTICK) that means ticking up and I am not doing that at the moment..
R24666
Please donate and let me move up just a little bit... $5.00 or $10.00 just any amount.. -
Noyes, Burt
06/27/2008 11:16 AM
Watch the video of Mike on Fox and Friends this morning at OnlyHuckabee.com
Also, great new Toon from Dale: Michellatron!.
Pre-order his new book for $18.96 so you can be one of the first to read "Do the Right Thing".
Visit OnlyHuckabee.com for the best selection of conservative news and political commentary from a Christian perspective.
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Acuesta, Nathan
06/27/2008 11:05 AM
Why I agree on owning a gun.
There's a small town in Asia Pacific where the cottage industry was gun smithing. Every house hold owns a gun(s).
They had the cleanest street, most respectful people and crime is almost unheard of.
Looking back, I wondered where I could attribute the peace they had only to conclude that because everyone knew everyone owned a gun that mutual respect developed.
Everyone has the means to fight to live in peace.
It is by design that we respect power (especially when handled rightly)
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Nix, Nue
06/27/2008 10:42 AM
All-In-For-Mike! that was a nice piece!
Keep on going!Jill, where are you?
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Sloan, William
06/27/2008 10:16 AM
http://www.newsflavor.com/Alternative/Supreme-Court-Gets-It-Right-Upholds-The-Second-Amendment.150279
A very good decision to overturn legislative activism on the part of DC, a good policy debate, and most importantly the Court (Anthony Kennedy) sticking up for the Constitution.
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Tyger
06/27/2008 09:53 AM
Voice of Moderation: not that I consider Wikipedia the Font of all Wisdom, but is this incorrect then? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhurra It does reference some of what you've talked about, but says they were isolated incidents, not a general philosophy.
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Schwendemann, Sharon
06/27/2008 07:34 AM
It was good to see Gov. Huckabee this morning on Fox and Friends. We look forward to his comments on TV.
Does anyoe remember that Mike Huckabee was voicing ENERGY INDEPENDENCE over and
over in his campaign. Others are just now
catching up.
Write your Real Paper letter to John McCain.
Ask him to choose Mike Huckabe as his
Vice President
John McCain 2008
P.O. Box 16118
Arlington, Virginia 22215
Email everyone on your list. -
Conservative, The New
06/27/2008 07:21 AM
I remember Mike saying that the Second Amendment was the way we protect out First Amendment rights. The founder said first we give you the right to speakly freely, now we give you a way to protect your right to speak freely.
http://www.thenewconservatives.blogspot.com/
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Kiser, Barbara
06/27/2008 04:12 AM
Please check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_MUUvcvjEg
http://www.citizenlink.org/CLNews/A000007684.cfm'Jane Roe' of Roe v. Wade records first TV spot.
Norma McCorvey — known as Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade — has just finished her first television spot. As Jane Roe, she was the icon for abortion; now, McCorvey wants to be known for protecting life.
“In 1973, I was a very confused 21-year-old, with one child, and facing an unplanned pregnancy," she says in the ad. "At the time, I fought to obtain a legal abortion, but truth be told, I have three daughters and have never had an abortion.”
McCorvey goes on to share that she’s a Christian and that being involved in Roe v. Wade was the biggest mistake of her life.
“You read about me in the history books, but now I’m dedicated to spreading the truth about preserving the dignity of all human life, from natural conception to natural death," she says.
Jonathan Saenz, staff attorney at the Liberty Legal Institute, applauded McCorvey for spreading the truth about abortion.
“It’s so wonderful to see Norma McCorvey taking such a strong stand, being so vocal, and so public on one of the most important issues of our time," he said. “If Norma can see the truth, there’s no reason why the rest of the country and our courts shouldn’t embrace the truth (that) abortion ends the life of an unborn child.
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Moderation, Voice of
06/27/2008 01:55 AM
I'm curious as to why the media, other than 60 Minutes, didn't pick up that our government has created and continued to support an Arab language network, Alhurra, that espouses anti-American, anti-Israel propaganda to the tune of $500 Million from taxpayers so far. This network gives terrorists a platform for which we the american taxpayer pays for. They give the platform for those Arab nations that deny the Holocaust and broadcast these events to the Middle East.
I've written my 2 senators, congressman, and both major presidential candidates. I would encourage others to do the same. The claim is typical George Bush, that no one in charge of this network from the Administration spoke Arabic and had no idea what was being said on the network that we fund as taxpayers. This is still going on, so I suggest everyone write to your representatives and demand some accountability otherwise ask them to pull the plug to Alhurra.
Does the incompetence ever end?
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All-in-for-Mike
06/27/2008 01:54 AM
Why I now support gun rights...
I grew up in an area where the educational system taught us liberal values. I read "Newsweek" and "Time" and they definitely influenced my positions. I firmly believed (when I was young) that no one needed to own a gun.
Then as I grew up, I began to see that those publications were quite liberal. (They are now what I would call "Extremely liberal.")
Anyway, a bit later in life I had the interesting experience of living for 3 years in the heart of Washington, DC. Wow... was that an eye-opening time in my life.
Washington, DC had-- until today's court ruling -- the most restrictive gun-control laws in the country. It was basically illegal to possess a personal firearm inside the city limits.
And yet.... day and night we heard sirens, gun shots, and it seemed like a murder happened somewhere in the city every single day.
One day, when we had only lived there a month or so, I heard what I thought was a firecracker go off just outside my kitchen window. It frightened my 9-month old daughter who was sitting nearby in her high chair. So, like an idiot, I went outside to ask the kids to use their fireworks elsewhere.
I looked down the alley, and saw 4 teenagers (one was the lookout). The oldest, who looked about 14 yrs old, was stuffing a Magnum .357 into his pants. It looked like a cannon!
I went back inside and called the police. They were there in minutes, dozens of cars. Arrests were made, but they got the wrong kid.
An hour later I poked my head outside the front door to see what was going on. A large gang of youths were walking across the street. One of them looked at me and shouted, "We gonna get your white a--."
I found out later that the kid who shot the gun was the son of a police officer. He was 12.
A couple years later, I was getting ready for bed one night. It was about 11:30 PM and my oldest son (age 11, I think) was having trouble getting to sleep. I had just finished chatting with him in his room.
As I brushed my teeth, I heard shots ring out. (By now I was quite familiar with the sound of gun shots.) They sounded very close by. Then we heard people screaming, "Oh my God! Oh my God! Wake up!! Oh my God she's DEAD!"
Sirens wailed and screeched to the scene. A 16-year-old girl was dead, just around the corner from our house. We later learned that the killer was after the OTHER girl in the car, who owed him money for drugs. But instead he hit the victim, who was an honor student.
We finally had enough, and moved to the suburbs. The move took place in late August 2005 just as Hurricane Katrina hit. We watched the TV coverage as looters WITH GUNS raided stores and stole food, diapers, then jeans, TV sets, and personal stereos. Citizens and business owners were powerless. A significant portion of the New Orleans police department went AWOL. The ones who were left were too few in number to protect the city.
I realized then that America has changed. The Christian foundations of our country are no longer pervasive enough to influence the majority of our population to maintain personal integrity, honesty, and moral rectitude. We cannot count on "the government" to protect us from those who do not value other people's lives or property.
What if pandemic flu broke out, and the government enacted draconian quarantine laws? What if the trucks that deliver our food and goods were not able to run?
We live in a neighborhood of mostly "haves," but we live only 2 blocks from a neighborhood of "have nots." The difference in crime rates is significant.
So I pray that God will protect our nation, and my family. I pray for the economy to stay strong, and for social justice to advance in the name of Jesus. I pray that the "have-nots" will climb the ladder of prosperity and become "haves."
But it's also become clear to me that if a civil emergency were to break out, like a tornado, hurricane, terror attack, or biological emergency, it would be "every man and woman for themselves," and it would be up to each family to protect their own loved ones. This is how it was in America for hundreds of years, until the idea became widespread that "the government" will take care of us.
I have no interest in hunting... in fact, I must confess I've never understood the attraction of taking the life of a beautiful animal just for sport. And I hope I never will be forced to use my gun(s). But I am keenly interested in using any means necessary to make sure that justice prevails around the boundaries of my home.
I do support background checks, and urge the use of safety devices like a gun safe, to keep weapons out of the hands of children, adults with Alzheimer's, and criminals.
The longer I live, the more I see that Democrats and liberals are just plain wrong on almost every issue.
I'm going to get a bumper sticker for my car that says, "The next time liberals demand change... tell 'em you don't HAVE any!"
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All-in-for-Mike
06/27/2008 01:25 AM
Why We MUST Support John McCain: It's all about the SUPREME COURT!
Hold your nose if you must, but support him!!
As most of you know, the Court now has 4 members who are (for the most part) reliably conservative, or at least "lean" that way.
The Court presently has 4 members who reliably vote or lean liberal.
The member who "swings" most often is Justice Kennedy. (Did you know that many years ago, he almost voted to overturn Roe v. Wade? Then he changed his mind. Pray for him!)
Whoever is the next president will probably get to fill two vacancies on the court.
Liberal justice John Paul Stevens is 88 yrs old.
Ultra-liberal Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who formerly served as legal counsel for the ACLU, is 75. In 1999 she had surgery for colon cancer.
Scalia and Kennedy are both 72 yrs old.
If we support John McCain, we hopefully will get justices who are conservative, or, at the very least, moderate.
But if we don't support McCain, we will definitely get President Obama... and then there's absolutely no doubt that he will pack the court with more justices like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who will take away ALL your rights -- freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to free speech, and who will make sure that your daughter can get an abortion through the 9th month without breathing a word to her parents.
Now like many of you, personally John McCain would not have been my first or even fourth choice for president. I went pedal-to-the-metal for Mike until he had to quit... and I've been working HARD to get him the VP slot. But in the meantime, it is what it is -- we have GOT to support McCain. Otherwise it will be an unthinkably horrible season in our nation's history, and indeed in the world.
The radical Islamists hate Bush...but they fear and respect him, because they know he's resolute. All Obama would do is sit invite the jihadists to sit around a campfire and sing "KumBaYah" and see if he can talk them into playing nice. The Democrats have NO idea what is going on in the world or what's at stake. That's why Osama bin Laden published a tape before the 2004 presidential election in which he ordered Americans to vote for Kerry, or else!
National polls have McCain and Obama pretty close in approval numbers.... but in terms of who is registering to vote, it's Obama by 2-1... and in terms of who is showing up to vote, it's also Obama, by 2-1, and in some places 3-1.
This is an emergency!
Get your friends and family to register to vote!
Get them to show up on November 4 and vote!!
Offer to drive them if you must!
There will be at least 2 vacancies on the Supreme Court, possibly three. This is truly an historic moment. I beg you-- Let's don't miss it by trying to "teach the GOP a lesson" and thereby give Obama the chance to appoint two Supreme Court justices. Those justices are there for the rest of their lives... and we won't get another chance to shape this highly influential and powerful branch of our government.
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Norris, Ana Maria
06/26/2008 10:52 PM
I was so mad at the 5-4 decision. Yes, it was a victory but way too close! If we had the RIGHT Supreme Court Justices that read the Constitution as written...it should have been a 9-0 decision. We need conservative judges looking out for the people!
Therefore, it is imperative we elect a Republican as our next President. I wanted that so to be our Gov Huckabee...but have signed up both my husband and I as McCain supporters, donated and listed "Gov Mike Huckabee" as a referral!
I still proudly remain, Huckabee Ranger 7105.
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Huckapedia
06/26/2008 10:48 PM
SharonNC, Doctor David
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother's. It must have been very difficult to lose someone so close. I'm sure you got many great memories of them. My wife lost her father recently to cancer, but I can feel that he's in Heaven now enjoying paradise.
Personally, I've never owned a gun so it's harder for me to appreciate the victory in this decision. But if Mike say's it's a victory, then I believe him. I trust in his wisdom.
Guns have their advantages, such as enjoying targets and clay. Guns are good to protect one's family if an extreme situation occurred and one was left with only one option.
Not sure how most of our food resources are made, although I suspect that guns are used in some cases like hunting. I don't think I have the courage to shot a animal in the woods, unless it was a bear chasing after me or my family.
But at the same time, we need food so hunting is necessary I suppose. Jesus gave Fish on the Mount of Olives, so it would seem to be right to eat animals if he showed us this example. Although, that was a fish, but still has has two eyes, mouth, brain so I presume he must have meant God supplied us animals in cases like this to live on Earth.
But at the same, time I'm pulled in another direction thinking the thoughts that Jesus said those that use a sword will die by a sword. Seems as if he was saying using a weapon is not good. Peter used a sword on the solider's ear to protect Jesus but Jesus seemed to rebuke him for using a weapon to even protect.
So, personally I've never been in a situation to experience the need for a gun so I havent come to appreciate it, but that's not to say it shouldn't be appreciated.
But in the end run, whatever Mike says is good then I trust what he says. He knows the Bible very well being a pastor, so I'm sure he has a better understaning of the use of guns and how it applies in the Bible as a right or wrong choice.
Anything really could be used as a weapon, a stone, a hammer, a car, a blanket, etc... so it's impossible to eliminate all those things so in this sense it does make sense that allowing one to keep a gun is the right thing to do.
And as Janis Oney (aka HuckaBOOT, HuckaTICK, HuckaMILE) says: It is my belief that guns do not kill people, people kill people makes a lot of sense.
Signed,
Huckapedia -
Amy
06/26/2008 10:31 PM
Bravo to the Supreme Court on this one! It's rare right now for me to actually hear a supreme court ruling and be proud and happy about the result rather than outraged about the court once again overstepping it's boundaries. This was a good day for America, and reinforces what Gov. Huckabee has been emphasizing about how crucial this election is for conservatives, especially as relates to judicial nominations.
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Judge Deborah
06/26/2008 10:02 PM
I just went to the website "James Dobson Doesn't Speak For Me" and clicked on "sign the statement" and entered the following:
[url]http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/[/url}
Dr. James Dobson DOES SPEAK FOR ME!
Dr. Dobson is the reason that I used my God given right to home school my own children like Laura Ingalls mother on "Little House on the Prairie".
When our country was founded, all colleges were Christian colleges and were started by Pastors and there were no co-ed dorms.
There were Bibles and crosses and the Ten Commandments in every class room, every court room and in every home.
Homosexuality was not embraced because it was considered an abomination before God.
Christians for centuries from the time of Deborah the prophetess in the book of Judges chapters 4, 5 and 6 have realized that God and Jesus were not saying to turn the other cheek when it comes to national defense.
Prophetess Deborah told General Barak to destroy King Jabin and his army because they had been picking on God's chosen people the Israelites.
If we laid down every weapon now, before Jesus comes back to rule the earth, the enemies of America would overrun us.
Dr. Dobson is not picking a fight with Barack Obama personally. He is challenging his thought processes in an open debate forum, which is honorable and noble.
Barack Obama wants to force government control over American families, over our health care choices, over our minor children being able to get abortions without reporting to parents, with controlling the media through the "Fairness Doctrine" and many other areas.
The free enterprise system has always worked better and provided better incentives than a socialistic, communistic, controlling systems of government.
I'm not saying that John McCain is any better, because quite frankly, I don't see quite as much difference between Obama and McCain because they both change their positions to suit the audience they are speaking in front of and change their minds frequently.
I surely don't understand why Barack Obama won't salute our flag by putting his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance. Putting your hand over your heart is American.
I don't understand why Obama encourages sexual harassment and domestic violence and abuse by encouraging homosexual bathroom sharing in public.
I don't want to walk into a bathroom stall in a public bathroom and see high heels under one stall and men's shoes under the next stall. That would be ridiculous and very dangerous.
Obama's brave new world sounds radically dangerous to me.
Women have worked hard to protect children from sexual molestation. How would co-ed bathrooms help?
Our country went downhill when colleges started co-ed dorms. We have become a heathen nation.
Seriously, does Obama really want women and men to share public bathrooms like Gov. Bill Ritter does in Colorado? That is where the homosexual agenda takes us.
Our country is in deep trouble spiritually and morally if we continue to go in this direction.
I feel very discouraged for my country, because we have lost our way.
Toastmaster Deborah, Charter Member of the United Republican Toastmasters Club of Dayton, Ohio
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Olga H
06/26/2008 09:53 PM
My father who had fought in WWII owned rifles he would use for deer hunting. But in the process, he taught his 2 sons and 4 daughters how to use them, safely and respectfully. When we moved to Sacramento, California, murder was a rarity and very seldom someone would be a victim of an accidental shooting. But today living in the city, we often hear gun shots at night from my home. The death rate from murders in California alone, may run neck and neck with the soldiers we’ve lost in Iraq. Yet it’s usually addressed as gang violence. In the last couple of years, I’ve personally known 6 families who have lost members and each one was unarmed and innocent. Last year a 5 month old infant was shot dead point blank along with his father. The Sheriffs Dept. claims, there’s one gun shot wound for every day of the year. Often the police don’t catch the shooters. Who are they and where are the guns coming from? We can be sure most of them aren’t responsible citizens with a gun license. It’s highly probable that these guns come in through our borders, along with the millions of pounds of illegal drugs and illegal terrorists that have already hit our city streets, training our youth in our Tax-funded terrorist camps, our prisons. Then they go out and play target practice on human lives. There used to be traditions that fathers would teach their sons, the use and respect of weapons and many homes remained safe because criminals knew that the people inside were armed and trained. Perhaps gun safety and respect for defense, is something that needs to be taught American youth again, or they may learn from those bent on killing. I also commend the Supreme Court for taking the right step in their decision to uphold our Constitutional right for self defense.
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Kochersberger, Carl
06/26/2008 09:45 PM
A great ruling. Not only afirming that the 2nd Amendment protects a pre-existing individual right, but ruling that states laws allowing long guns but not handguns are not constitutional. An enormous victory for gun rights advocates, though we still have a long hard road ahead of us.
The 5-4 position points out a stark reality, though. We are 1 mis-swallowed ham sandwich from this ruling swinging the other way. I wanted Mike Huckabee to be our nominee (and still do some day-how about a Huckabee/Gingrich or Huckabee/Jindal ticket?). John McCain was my last choice, except for maybe Ron Paul. But if we want more rulings like that in DC vs. Heller and less like the Kelo decision, we better do everything in our power to elect John McCain, as well as Senators who'll confirm his judicial appointments.
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Joseph
06/26/2008 09:42 PM
How the 2nd Amendment is ever opposed is beyond me. Does anyone honestly think that someone, who is willing to kill another human being, cares whether or not there is a law against guns? Does anyone honestly think that someone, who is willing to kill another human being, cares where they have to get their gun and if it is legal to do so?
SharonNC is exactly right. And tragically, knows this first hand.
It reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw when I was a kid that said: "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns".
