My Thoughts On Life, Liberty, and Everything Else

Many people thought the police were going door-to-door and asking nicely if anyone had seen the bad guy.

Wrong.  Sadly, very , very wrong.

Watch this video, and read my last post…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vqJUam-KKcY

For those claiming “exigent circumstances”, the fact that he MIGHT have been in a given area does not equal that standard.  Observing him run into a specific home would have.

Is the Bill of Rights really worth standing up for?  Will anyone stand up for it when the time comes?  I know I will.  But I may be alone.

Apparently two individuals – possibly from Chechnya (Chechen Muslims?) – were responsible for the bombings at the Boston Marathon.  One of them is now dead, but the other is on the run.

In Watertown, the “authorities” have shut everything down.  They have requested that business not open.  Schools – including MIT – are shut down.  They are blocking access to the town.  People are being told to stay indoors.

Didn’t the Boston area play some role in the whole “American Independence” thing?  Did the men at Lexington and Concord cower in their homes and wait for the the “authorities” to save them?  Oh, that’s right!  In those days, it was the authorities that were coming to take their arms and their means for defending themselves, so that they would be totally reliant on the “authorities” in the future.  In those days, those men stood up and said “NO!”.

I’m sure that not all of them were “high speed, low drag”.  I’m sure many of them were overweight, not in the best of shape, or otherwise not the image of a perfect “soldier”.  But they were men, ready to defend themselves and their families.  They took a stand, and backed it up with their lives.  They were willing to stand between their loved homes and those that would harm them.

Things have, apparently, changed.

Now, Massachusetts has a ban on arms that are styled after those of our own military.  On this very date (19-April) in 1775, men stood and fought for their RIGHT to keep and bear arms in that place.  They took lives, and some gave their lives, to keep that right. It triggered a war that changed the world.

In 2004, they stood by as their elected representatives did through legislation, the same thing that the British forces tried to do in 1775.  They allowed them to succeed.

Now, they are cowering in their homes as ONE MAN SHUTS DOWN AN ENTIRE CITY!

Some will say that it would be too dangerous for them to attempt to confront this man themselves, that it is best left to the “professionals”.  Yes, professionals like those in Los Angeles, that shot INNOCENT PEOPLE in a desperate hunt for a cop killer.  Or professionals like the one that shot himself in the leg in front of school children when he had just finished telling them that he was the only one “professional enough” to handle such a firearm.  Professionals like those that are caught on video daily violating the rights of Americans around the country – in all of those “isolated incidents” we hear about.

What happened to WE THE PEOPLE, in so relatively few years?  Why aren’t men standing on their porches and in the doorways of their businesses with their “modern muskets” at the ready and their pistols on their hips?  Why aren’t the neighborhoods organized to defend against this scum?

Some will say that we are too “civilized” for this.  There is no need, since we have the police.

OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK AT REALITY!  There is a situation going on, right now, on 19-April-2013, in the Boston area of all places, that shows that THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

This is what happens when some among WE THE PEOPLE bow down and give up pieces of their rights.  They allowed for infringement on that which “shall not be infringed”, and today, 19-April-2013, we see the results.

I’m sure that the blood of those men that died on the side of Freedom at Lexington and Concord cries out, that those of today are not worthy.  That it was all in vain.  “Why didn’t they hold to that we we fought and died for them to have?”

I weep for the people of Boston.  Of all people, in all places, on this day – they should clearly see what they have given up.  They can not stand up and be men like those that came before them.

Let the rest of us see, and learn, and make our own determination that we will not allow this to happen to us.  Let them not take away your ability OR YOUR WILLINGNESS to stand up.  Be not disarmed, and be not afraid.

At all times, you need to be aware of your surroundings, what is going on, and be asking yourself “should I really be here”.

You should also be aware of the real world around you.  Don’t just think about how things “should be”.  Be alert and aware to what is really going on, including applying your understanding of history.  Pay attention to what’s going on, and learn to apply that understanding.

There was a terrible explosion in Texas at a plant that manufactures fertilizer.  There is a video on the internet taken by someone that decided to video it using his cell phone.  He had at least one child in his car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ROrpKx3aIjA

Now, if you apply knowledge of history, you know that the bomb that was used in Oklahoma City involved fertilizer.  Fertilizer can be explosive, as can things like grain and flour dust.

Let this be a lesson – if you see something like this, APPLY WHAT YOU KNOW.  If I knew that was a fertilizer plant and it was on fire, I would have got the hell out of there as fast as I could practically do so.  This video does show something very interesting, but I would not have been there to take it.  I’m hoping their hearing returns in time, but they are lucky to still be alive.

If you live near something like this, you need to have an emergency BUG OUT plan.  Yes, this was the time to grab your supplies, load up, and bug with with ALL DUE HASTE.  In this situation, you get the hell out of the area as fast as you effectively can.  There are places like this all over the USA.  Do you live near a fertilizer plant, explosives plant, grainery, natural gas storage facility, anyplace that has large chemical tanks, or a railroad?

Be aware of anything like this in your community, be aware of what’s going on, and be prepared with a plan and then implement that plan when the time comes.  It just might save your life.

As I am sure you are aware, there were two bombings at the Boston Marathon yesterday.  We still have no clear information on who did it, and with our present governmental administration, I don’t know that we can trust what we are told.  President Obama was interested in who did it, and why.  Why they did it is far less important, unless he plans to listen to “their message” and apologize or something.

What I want to address here are a few thoughts on what you can do if you find yourself in such a situation, and even more importantly, how to avoid it.

First, don’t be there.  Large gatherings of people – and especially important focal points in those gatherings (such as start and finish lines) – are going to be prime target opportunities for people bent on killing and injuring as many as possible.  Sadly, it’s better not to be there.

Secondly, keep your eyes open.  Situational awareness is an absolute key to surviving such a situation.

• Do you see something that’s out of place, or someone or something that just makes you nervous?  Act on that feeling.  Get yourself and your family out of that area immediately.
• Know your entry and exit points, and be aware of where you are and what’s around you at all times.  If you think ahead, you can use Google Earth and take a look at photos of the area before you are there.  It will give you an advantage, especially if you have never been there before.
• One thing to point out, keep an eye on the authorities.  If you see them sweeping an area, or they announce a drill during an active event, something is wrong.  They won’t do a “drill” during an active event.
• We are encouraged by authorities using the phrase “see something, say something”.  Sadly, this is likely to cost you valuable time in such a situation.  If you stop and tell a cop, they will likely delay you and your family while they get your names, identification, descriptions, and ask you a ton of questions.  You want to be away from the area, then if you really feel like it, call it in.
• If soemething does happen, keep your wits about you.  Check yourself for injuries, and your family, then get away – but keep your head on a swivel.  One tactic that has been used for many years by the IRA, PLO, and others is to use multiple bombs a short time apart.  The first causes casualties and attracts first responders, then the next one causes casualties among the first responders.
• In the attack yesterday, the first bomb went off, and then 10 seconds later another went off about 100 yards away.  Authorities claim there were other devices that didn’t go off.  That may be true, and in that case it would seem to indicate that this was the attempted tactic yesterday.
• If you are there, if you can get yourself and your family away, do it.  Look up, and watch out for falling debris.  There were windows blown out yesterday, and fragments/shrapnel were blown around the area.  Keep your head on a swivel.
• Have an alternate means of communication.  They apparently shut down cell service in the area to prevent the attackers from communicating with each other and their explosives – which may have been triggered by cell phones.  Have a smartphone with WiFi and find a Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, or some other place with public WiFi.  Have the Skype application installed.
• But the best thing is to have an Amateur Radio Operator license, a HAM radio, and know how to use it.  That will give you many communications advantages.  In fact, if you have a police scanner and carry it, that can really help too.  Being aware of the big picture will give you intel that you can use to your advantage and help you get away from the danger faster.
• If you are caught up in the situation, the biggest thing is to not get separated.
• Have at least some first aid supplies on you.  A GSW (Gun Shot Wound) kit is a handy, small item to carry, and some QuickClot in such a scenario may just save your life, or that of a family member.

Part of living in a free society is knowing and accepting that bad things can happen.  You have the freedom to be prepared.  Do it.  Get ready today.

Kim Jong-un.  Wow.

As of late, he has been doing a lot of saber rattling and calling attention to how powerful his nation supposedly is.  They do have a large military, and they may indeed pose a threat to certain countries in that region.  If he really decides to push it, things in South Korea will be bad for some time.

What I wanted to address in this post stems from how I found myself feeling at some of their threats.

A video surfaced a while ago showing New York City being destroyed by bombs – presumably nuclear – from North Korea.

As I watched the video, I had two reactions.

I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing my first reaction.  It was “Well, it’s only NYC.  Who cares?”.  As I thought about this, I realized that between the nanny-state efforts of Bloomberg and his idiot ideas to control every little aspect of the lives of those in NYC, and the apparent acceptance of those living there to be ruled and controlled by him, it really wouldn’t hurt anything.  In fact, in many ways, the nation might indeed be better off without them.

My secondary reaction – and I found myself surprised that it was my secondary reaction – was “Well, mess with the USA and get what’s coming to you”.  I’d like to think that as Americans, this would be everyones’ first reaction.  But I soon found many others that had the identical set of reactions that I did, in the same order.

As I see it, nanny-state NYC (including the leadership there AND the people that voted them into office) isn’t really, well, American.  They have become more of a cowardly people that don’t trust themselves, and want a king to rule over and control them – someone that will protect them from themselves.  They don’t trust themselves with freedom, and so they seek government that takes it away.  It’s the same in Chicago, many places in southern California, now in Denver, and in many other cities around this nation.

It’s like the majority of people in those places have given up on the core principles that resulted in the formation of this American nation.  They are more like Torries than Americans, and I found myself not really caring as much if they take a nuke.

That’s sad.  But it speaks to the state of things.  It speaks of an apparent majority in certain places that have regressed back to where they should be British.  They are certainly working to try to make their cities little British Empires for their desired kings.

Today, the North Koreans released photos of their “Dear Leader” in front of a map showing possible nuke strikes on Los Angeles, Washington DC, Hawaii, and Texas.

As I look at the first two, I’d feel regret about the historical sites in Washington DC, and the documents and history there, but little worry about the politicians and people there.  They support far too many things contrary to the Constitution – just as those in Los Angeles, and to a very unfortunate degree, Hawaii (which could actually be under a threat from that regime).

If they’d get on board, act American again, and “come in for the big win”, I’d feel very differently.  I’d stand beside them and defend them.  But would they stand up and defend themselves, or would they sit back, collect their government checks, and having turned in their guns, would they expect the rest of us to stand up for them?

It’s an interesting conundrum.  Ask yourself how you feel about it.  Would you want to stand up and defend them?  Do you have any confidence at all that they would stand beside you, or would they either be behind you, or worse – would they be more likely to just welcome their new tiny overlord and his great army?

If he promised them an obamaphone and a bigger check than they get now, I’m honestly expecting the latter.  And I won’t defend that.

A sad state of things indeed.

We have many in elected office that seek to tear down the Bill of Rights.  They seek to prevent protest, to create “free speech zones”, to restrict that which “shall not be infringed”, and to otherwise exceed their bounds.

Ever watch the movie “The Patriot”?

There is a line in there about the difference between a tyrant 3000 miles away, and 3000 tyrants a mile away.

The Founding Fathers were willing to accept that there would indeed be those, like Senator Feinstein, who would desire to become tyrants and do what they could to elevate themselves to that position. They left us a government – restrained by a Constitution and a Bill of Rights – and additional recourse, to so prevent them from success.

As evidenced by many events, most especially those of recent days, the elected representatives in government office do not seem to see themselves restrained by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. It seems that more and more of them see them as hindrances to be overcome, than as guides that protect us all.

Are we yet at the time to employ the other recourse they left us – even the very ones that these would-be tyrants are working to tear down?

I’ve been somewhat silent for the last couple of months, observing and pondering.

I have lurked online on a number of sites, and attended some recent gun shows.  I have read and overheard everything from “a civil war is coming” to “how will things look after the next civil war”.  The conversations have turned from people saying that talk like that is “tinfoil hat” stuff to how it will be handled.  Some are even talking about how new leadership will be elected after.

There are plenty that don’t want to see something like this happen.  I’d like to think that I’m one of those.  A civil war, a war to restore the Bill of Rights to a respected place would be costly, deadly…on many fronts.

There are now conversations about boycotting manufacturers that will sell products to LE agencies and officers that are restricted to the general citizenry of those locations.  A number of companies are refusing to sell anything to LE that an average citizen can’t buy, while others such as Armalite and PWS will continue to do so.

If you go to any sporting goods store or gun store, you find little – if any – ammunition on the shelf.  You find no black rifles (AR-15’s and similar) on the shelves.  Try to buy an FNH USA PS90 or FS-2000 – both of which are named specifically in the new AWB legislation being considered – and you can’t find them.  The few that you see at gun shows, even used, go for $3000 to $4000, and I have seen them sell for those prices.

I listen to these discussions, and I think of what discussions took place in pubs, homes, and churches back in the later 1700’s.  There are records that show debate of similar things – boycotts of enterprises loyal to King George, how to obtain powder and ball, how many people will die in the coming days, what will an American Nation be…

There is a tension in the air.  Many people are thinking that since the majority in the last election voted themselves largesse from the public treasury, that perhaps the time of the ballot box is done – that since things seem lost there, we have only the other recourse left to us by those that framed this nation.  Is it possible that things have strayed so far from honoring the Constitution and the Bill of Rights that we are at that point?

It’s a troubling idea – not in the least that one can ponder the question with good reason.  That it is truly a valid question should trouble EVERY American.  I walk back in my mind to those days in the 1700’s, where groups of men assembled to discuss these questions.  Some of them were fervently in favor of a revolution.  Some of them were most adamantly opposed and would never think to question their King.  Many were thoughtfully contemplative.  After hearing the discussion and reasoning of both sides, they came to a decision.

You can see it in the very document delivered to King George, where they made it clear that governments should not be changed for mere transient reasons.  They wisely noted that while it was tolerable to suffer some injustices, the people were more disposed to do so.

But once things became intolerable, the people had the right and the duty to change them.

And so they did.

We are at the point where taxes are more than burdensome.  We are at the point where many of the elected legislatures pass laws in the night, in the shadows, clearly without the assent of the people.  Those are among the points made by those that once took up arms to take back their natural rights.

We have elected leaders that refuse to honor the Bill of Rights.

I’d like to be able to stand before our Congress and make these points, and ask that they all take a step back and observe how close they are to the corner that they are backing the people into.  People are openly talking about revolution.  When it has reached that point, and it’s not just a few on the fringes but many in the mainstream of American life, it is time for them to clearly see that the course they are on is one that has the possibility of resulting in another American revolution.

We know how the first one turned out.

Honor the Bill of Rights.  Realize that in a truly free society, sometimes bad things will happen.  Rather than trying to legislate away everthing (such as the society in the movie Demolition Man), permit freedom and liberty.  If you back The People into a corner, enough of them will do what it takes to restore the Bill of Rights as an honored and un-infringed limit on our government.

Don’t back them into that corner.  Please.  But that means abandoming these legislative infringements.  Turn away from this course before it’s too late.  Don’t force what will surely follow if you do.

First, in New York City – there is an article in the mainstream media (CBS) about the police wondering IF they will be confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens and how to go about doing it…

 http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/12/22/police-wonder-if-theyll-need-to-confiscate-assault-weapons-in-event-of-ban/

Now, the 2nd Amendment has been declared to apply to the states as well as the federal government (see the McDonald decision), and the 2nd “shall not be infringed”.  But here they are, openly and actively talking about doing EXACTLY what the British did those relatively few years ago, that caused the shooting war to begin in Lexington and Concord.

And we have Diane F at it again, revealing more of her plans.

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4254274

She wants us to have to register all of our existing “evil” firearms, I would assume she wants the $200 tax stamp for each, and they want to prohibit transfers,ban normal magazines, etc.

I again call upon our political “leaders” to look at the history of this nation, and of the world.

Germany did this in the 1930’s.  Within 10 years, the world was in a very bad situation – especially the disarmed Jews.

Other nations have done this.  It does NOT accomplish the stated “goals”, but accomplishes things that are of a much darker agenda.

The British tried to do this a bit over 200 years ago.  It didn’t work out so well for them.

Turn away from this self-destructive course you are on.    Leave the 2nd Amendment alone.  Admit that the Constitution is there and that it means what it says.  Don’t keep trying to destroy it.

If you persist, well, history tells us what will happen.  The cost will be great on both sides, but I’m willing if you force it.  I don’t want that, and ask that you back off now, before this goes to the point of no return.

Apparently NY is looking at adding more gun laws and more restrictions on law-abiding people.  One of his comments is a bit worrisome…

From http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/21/nyregion/cuomo-says-he-will-outline-gun-measures-next-month.html?_r=1&

In the interview, Mr. Cuomo did not offer specifics about the measures he might propose, but, while discussing assault weapons, he said: “Confiscation could be an option. Mandatory sale to the state could be an option.

I seem to remember that the British tried something along the same lines.  They marched through a place called Lexington on the way to do just that in a place called Concord.  Something happened.

If they come for them, it’s not time to bury them, or time to say you lost them in a boating accident.  If the Founding Fathers would have done that, well, we’d be British.

We aren’t.  We are Americans.  The men of that day drew a line, and defended it.  The result was a new world of freedom, protected by a Bill of Rights, and a limited government bounded by a Constitution.  I still think more of us believe in those ideas than are willing to throw them all away.

Please Mr Cuomo, and others that think like you.  Turn away from this self-destructive course you are on before it’s too late.  Embrace your heritage as an American and honor the Bill of Rights, or go somewhere else.  They went your way in Australia, try there.

Don’t try to make America something it isn’t.  The consequences of your attempt may be very different than you imagine.

UPDATE:

Someone sent the following…

Said it before, saying it again. They could disarm most of this country without incident because most gun owners don’t care THAT much, and aren’t going to risk the prospect of wishing their kids a “happy birthday” through 3 inches of plexiglass while some felon breathes down their neck.

I wonder. I know that there were many, many discussions on both sides before the colonists finally said enough. I bet many of those discussions, in pubs and courthouses, sounded a lot like the discussions here.

I know that there are people that realize that there is a line, and if crossed won’t be worrying about what you postulate.

Charleton Heston famously quoted “From My Cold Dead Hands”.

If they actually come for them, I know that as for me, the rallying cry will be “Let the cold, dead hands be theirs”. I’m no John J. I’m not a superwarrior. I’m not high speed, low drag. But I am like those men at Lexington and Concord so long ago – a man. I love liberty. To me, giving up what was so hard fought for would not be worth living for. Better to fight for freedom than to die in chains.

“The Minstrel Boy” comes to mind.

I keep hoping they will turn away from this madness, before the consequences of their actions bring about what I feel will come. I really hope they do.

Apparently Fox News had an “expert” on that called the Bushmaster .223 “the most powerful gun in America”.

I’m really glad to know that, and I mean that.  I have been considering something in a .308, and would would have loved to have purchased a .50BMG.  Those are so expensive, and now I can save the money.  I would like to know what laws of physics they were able to break to accomplish making the .223 more powerful than those rounds, but I’m sure they will have a follow-up story on that.  I’ll keep you posted on this astonishing development.

In other news, the calls for new and more stringent “assault weapons bans” continue.  Far too many are willing to give up a few rights in order to feel more safe.  The problem is, they won’t be.

One side says safety = eliminate guns.  Now, is that possible?  No.  Even if it were, and you manage to disarm the bad guys too, they will still have swords, knives, and rocks.  You will STILL have to worry.

The other side of the equation is – wait for it – more guns.  Yes, if more people have training and carry concealed firearms, there will be more safety.

There have also been calls to “harden” schools. Basically, let’s turn them into mini prisons with only the most controlled of ways in and out. Have armed officers (multiple) in the schools too.

Unintended Consequences, anyone?

Public Schools already teach children that it’s ok to give up some of our freedoms for a feeling of security. Having them go to lockdown every weekday for roughly 12 years isn’t going to to anything to reinforce the idea of freedom.

Just imagine how much worse Dianne Feinstein would have been like had she come from such an environment? She sees nothing wrong with throwing our freedoms away now. Had she grown up in that environment, I can only imagine what legislation she’d feel was appropriate then.

Armed Officers? Uniformed = Target #1. Plain Clothes = Target #1 for anyone that has planned it out.

Volunteers? Good idea, but then you get into standards and training, turnover, etc. Plus, you have a target #1 scenario again.

The best solution is FREEDOM. Teaching people to accept that bad things can happen in a free society, and ALLOWING THEM THE FREEDOM TO TAKE THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SAFETY.

Allow teachers – such as here in Utah – to carry concealed. Think this one through.

You will have the liberal teachers that won’t touch a gun. You will have some liberal administrators that will do the same.

You will have others that will take the responsibility for their safety and arm up.

Every time a bad guy goes into a classroom, it will be a game of russian roulette for him. Will this one fight back, or will they all be shot as their only option was to cower in a closet?

Parents will be able to decide, which kind of room do you want your child in – one that is unprotected, or one where they will at least have a fighting chance?

That latter part may be very telling. What would you chose? Will even a liberal parent send their child to a sheeple room? Or will they want their child to have a fighting chance?

One last thought, have the terrorists already won?  If not, what more do they need to do?

Well, go to an airport and ask yourself if you are really free – especially when you see elderly Americans or disable children searched and prodded.  Buy a house or open a bank account and look at the “patriot” act documentation you have to deal with.

They have already won in many respects.  But all the way?  They don’t need to do anything else.

They only need recliners, beers, and a TV with C-SPAN.  They can watch Dianne Feinstein, Dick Durbin, and Congresswoman Donna Edwards work to dismantle the Constitution, and further weaken the fabric which made this nation great.

Sadly, they call themselves Americans, but they don’t even understand what that means.

James Bell Jr.

I have been posting some articles on the recent shooting around the USA, and rather than cross-positing them here, I’ll refer you to that blog.

http://blog.iCarryUtah.com

James Bell Jr.

So, a suspected shoplifter is dead…

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/alleged-shoplifter-dies-after-being-subdued-by-wal/nTFPx/

Honestly, how many store security folks have you seen that have exhibited the ability to make really good decisions? I mean, to really OBSERVE what is truly happening, and to be able to REPORT it and act accordingly?

Keep in mind that most places don’t pay anything reasonable for security. They aren’t looking for the sharpest knife in the drawer. They are really just looking for a body to occupy a space, and hoping that the presense of that body is enough to keep most people from stealing anything worth any real value. However, the folks that often get into this line of work are also the ones that want to be police but have failed some element of the hiring process – often the psychological screenings. They may just be looking for an opportunity to “prove themselves”. I’ve see than first hand.

Of course, knowing that if you ever really DO anything you are likely to be let go, who else are they going to hire?

We all know that if it were up to lawyers, the world would be in a state of paralysis. However, knowing who they are hiring from – that’s why so many retail establishments have their operational rules for security. The ones that actually permit the “guard” to apprehend someone usually require that they can articulate exactly what item was taken – not just a CD for example, but a Garth Brooks CD – and exactly where on the person it is hidden. If they can’t do that, they can’t apprehend. It makes it MUCH harder, but it prevents a number of legal problems on the back end. The cost of the item is much less than the legal issues.

Look at it this way. With the observational skills and decision-making processes that their average employee has, would you trust a Wal-Mart security person with the ability to grab a hold of your wife or son or daughter and handle the situation appropriately based on what they think they might have seen?

This person may just have been shoplifiting. They might have resisted the attempt to stop them. Is using a sleeper hold appropriate for a store security guard? Did they push the issue to becoming a need to defend themselves? Was it prudent to actively confront the individual, or would it have been better for them to have followed the person, got vehicle information, and reported that to LE?

Here in Utah we have the “citizens arrest”. However, if YOU do not PERSONALLY have an absolute knoweldge of the situation, you are best leaving that to LE. Discretion is indeed often the better part of valor.

Or you can get involved, and take an active part. What’s the worst that can happen? I’d ask George Zimmerman. Or this Wal-Mart guard.

How many of you knew that today (technically tomorrow, but observed today) is Constitution Day?  How many of you know what that is?

On 17-September-1787, our 4200-word Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention – which began in on 25-May-1787.  It took 4 months of hard work by delegates from the several states, to come to a general consensus on a Constitution which would frame the best government, that the best minds of the day could come up with.

Not all were satisfied.  Some felt that a Bill of Rights should be included – to specially protect certain freedoms that were essential to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  The first call for a Bill of Rights came on 12-September-1787.  However, it was not until the Constitution had been sent to the States for ratification that it became clear that such as Bill of Rights would be essential to gain ratification and full acceptance.

In exchange for an agreement that the Constitution be amended with the Bill of Rights, the several States agreed to ratify it.

After the first Congress went into session, James Madison wrote what would become our Bill of Rights – the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.  These were intended to protect those essential liberties.  This was introduced jointly by Congress on 25-September-1789, and was fully ratified on 15-December-1791.

I’d recommend that all of  you take some time to read both The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  They are amazing documents, and they are a legacy that all of us must uphold and protect.

I’m thankful for them.  I hope you are too.

I just do not understand some people…

From http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=17157556

SALT LAKE CITY — Ten years ago anyone could walk up to an airline gate to wish a friend or family member good bye, but then came September 11, 2001. The creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration was just the start of how security in this country would change. “People understand that we are in a different era now and that we have to give up some of our, what we believed were rights, in order to be safe and secure,” said Dwayne Baird with the Utah Department of Public Safety. Baird was a Salt Lake City police officer during the 9/11 attacks and was preparing for the 2002 Olympics. He later worked for the TSA and then transitioned to his current job with the state DPS.

There is a quote that if often attributed to Benjamin Franklin which is very appropriate here…

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Oh what wise men that were raised up in those days.  They were willing to put on the line their own lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

They did so for US – the generations that would follow them – that WE would have secured for us the liberty that they fought for, and that many died for.

And here we have Dwayne Baird throwing all of that down the toilet.  Dwayne, I’d like to ask that you resign from your position, and hang your head in shame.  ANYONE that would say that – especially working in government here in Utah, where there is a more full understanding of those men and their place – should not be a part of ANY public institution.

WE THE PEOPLE must never accept the idea that we have to give up freedom or rights in order to be secure.  In a truly free society, bad things can and will happen.  We must prepare, and be vigilant, but we must also accept the responsibility for our PERSONAL SAFETY, and not be willing to let our government take away rights or freedoms in order to obtain it.

If we do, we are throwing away a sacred legacy that was paid for with the blood of good and honorable men.  And if we would do so, then we do not indeed deserve the legacy they bought for us.  And that is ULTIMATELY SAD for anyone that call themselves AMERICAN.

Look at the history of our nation – most especially at the date 19-April-1775 – and look at the Declaration of Independence. Let’s consider that first.

In the Declaration of Independence, there is a list of some of the many items which forced the Founding Fathers to quite literally “mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor”. They literally laid it all on the line in signing that document.

They also made a very interesting statement…

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

Then you look to the events of Lexington and Concord on that fateful day – 19-April-1775.

They were driven to begin shooting when the troops came to take their guns. They were willing to suffer much, but in their day, that was the last straw.

In our day there have been far too many abuses of the 2nd Amendment, the only one in the Bill of Rights (which in and of itself was presumed to never be infringed) to have the further special protection of the line “shall not be infringed”. It was given extra protection. Given the severity that was placed on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights at their approval, that says something very important. In their day, none would dare tread upon it.

In our day, it has been tread upon many times and in many places, and yet – few have fired any shots over it. But how much longer will the people of this day be willing to “suffer that which is sufferable”? Let us all pray that it doesn’t get that far.

As for who was shot – there are practical examples in our day, but the ones that were shot on 4-19-1775 were the foot soldiers that were sent to do the job.

In our day we have the very practical examples of soldiers doing house searches of terrorist homes. House clearing is very dangerous. It is not to be taken lightly. More often than not, the first guy in is the first one shot.

If the day ever were to come where that was so ordered on our soil to infringe on that which shall not be infringed, I think the same would happen on a far more frequent basis. Eventually, it would boil down to everyone ending up being the first one in the door.

The change will come when the next “first one in” says “NO” – and the ones sending them in say “ENOUGH”.

Honestly, let’s hope it never comes to that. We have two recent Supreme Court “victories”, even though 4 of the 9 Justices are too prideful and arrogant to admit that the plain and clear language of the Bill of Rights says what it says. In these two recent cases – the Constitution was vindicated, and our nation is stronger for it.

Remember, elections DO have consequences, including the ability to nominate (literally to appoint) Justices to the Supreme Court in the case of the Office of President.

Be vigilant in your voting at ALL levels. Be ardent in your support of those that respect and honor the Constitution. And be prepared for whatever comes your way as a consequence of those that do not.

As soon as the ruling was released, I got a copy of it and started reading.  For those of you that have never read a Supreme Court item, I’d recommend reading Heller and McDonald to start with…

http://www.icarryutah.com/heller.pdf

http://www.icarryutah.com/McDonald.pdf

The Heller decision (by a vote of 5 to 4) verified that the 2nd Amendment (Right To Keep And Bear Arms) is an INDIVIDUAL right.  Just like the rest of the Bill of Rights.

The McDonald decision (also by a vote of 5 to 4) verified that the 2nd Amendment applies to all levels of government (just like the rest of the Bill of Rights) via the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment.

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

It is very interesting to note that Clarence Thomas sided with the majority, but felt that they should have invoked the “privileges or immunities” clause.  I agree that would have been an even stronger statement, and I am very impressed with his reasoning.  I want to quote a few sections here…

The notion that a constitutional provision that guarantees only “process” before a person is deprived of life, liberty, or property could define the substance of those rights strains credulity for even the most casual user of words. Moreover, this fiction is a particularly dangerous one. The one theme that links the Court’s substantive due process precedents together ist heir lack of a guiding principle to distinguish “fundamental” rights that warrant protection from nonfundamental rights that do not. Today’s decision illustrates the point. Replaying a debate that has endured from the inception ofthe Court’s substantive due process jurisprudence, the dissents laud the “flexibility” in this Court’s substantive due process doctrine, post, at 14 (STEVENS, J., dissenting); see post, at 6–8 (BREYER, J., dissenting), while the plural-ity makes yet another effort to impose principled restraints on its exercise, see ante, at 33–41. But neither side argues that the meaning they attribute to the Due Process Clause was consistent with public understanding at the time of its ratification.

…

I cannot accept a theory of constitutional interpretation that rests on such tenuous footing. This Court’s substantive due process framework fails to account for both the text of the Fourteenth Amendment and the history that led to its adoption, filling that gap with a jurisprudence devoid of a guiding principle. I believe the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment offers a superior alternative, and that a return to that meaning would allow this Court to enforce the rights the Fourteenth Amendment is designed to protect with greater clarity and predictability than the substantive due process framework has so far managed.
I acknowledge the volume of precedents that have been built upon the substantive due process framework, and I further acknowledge the importance of stare decisis to the stability of our Nation’s legal system. But stare decisis is only an “adjunct” of our duty as judges to decide by ourbest lights what the Constitution means. Planned Par-enthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, 505 U. S. 833, 963 (1992) (Rehnquist, C. J., concurring in judgment in part and dissenting in part). It is not “an inexorable command.” Lawrence, supra, at 577. Moreover, as judges, we interpret the Constitution one case or controversy at a time. The question presented in this case is not whether our entire Fourteenth Amendment jurisprudence must be preserved or revised, but only whether, and to what extent, a particular clause in the Constitution protects the particular right at issue here. With the inquiry appropriately narrowed, I believe this case presents an opportunity to reexamine, and begin the process of restoring, the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment agreed upon by those who ratified it.

I would encourage you to read his entire statement.  I gained a new respect for Justice Thomas in reading his insights into this.

I am – however – once again dismayed that 4 of the Justices refused to simply do what was clearly and honestly the right thing and true to the meaning and intent of The Constitution.  One of them used the term “insurrectionists” is his disertation against the ruling.  If they persist in pushing an agenda that is clearly contrary to the intent and meaning of The Constitution, they may just create said “insurrectionists”. 

With this decision, even as it stands with the Due Process clause invoked – The Constitution is stronger with this decision than it was the night before it was released.

For those of us in Utah, little will change.  We have no weapons bans here.  We have the State preemption clause forbidding local jurisdictions from making gun laws.  We are in pretty good shape here, and things seem to improve with each legislative session.

For those in California, New York, Maryland, and other states with restrictive laws, there may now be the possibility of hope.  I’m sure that we will see many lawsuits to change them, because those that are opposed to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights don’t use the “common sense” that they have long spoken about.  Common Sense would dictate a quick change of heart to them.  Since they don’t listen to it, the courts of this nation will have to dictate these changes to them, at great cost and expense of time.

So let it begin.

There are a bunch of folks out there that feel that we should be using the so-called “No Fly List” that Homeland Security keeps as a further check on firearms purchases.  They feel that if you are on the list, you are obviously not qualified to purchase a firearm. 

 The problem is that they haven’t researched that list – including the parameters for being added to it, the parameters for double-checking someone on the list, and the parameters for fixing the list if it is in error.

They haven’t checked into it, because these things don’t exist.  And that is very dangerous – especially in a free society.  If you have ANY doubts, read this…

 http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-news-westlake-ohio-six-year-old-no-fly-list,0,1122601.story

WESTLAKE, Ohio – Alyssa Thomas, 6, is a little girl who is already under the spotlight of the federal government. Her family recently discovered that Alyssa is on the “no fly” list maintained by U.S. Homeland Security.

“We were, like, puzzled,” said Dr. Santhosh Thomas. “I’m like, well, she’s kinda six-years-old and this is not something that should be typical.”

Dr. Thomas and his wife were made aware of the listing during a recent trip from Cleveland to Minneapolis. The ticket agent at the Continental counter at Hopkins Airport notified the family. “They said, well, she’s on the list. We’re like, okay, what’s the story? What do we have to do to get off the list? This isn’t exactly the list we want to be on,” said Dr. Thomas.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations in Cleveland will confirm that a list exists, but for national security reasons, no one will discuss who is on the list or why.

The Thomas family was allowed to make their trip but they were told to contact Homeland Security to clear-up the matter. Alyssa just received a letter from the government, notifying the six-year-old that nothing will be changed and they won’t confirm nor deny any information they have about her or someone else with the same name.

“She’s been flying since she was two-months old, so that has not been an issue,” said Alyssa’s dad. “In fact, we had traveled to Mexico in February and there were no issues at that time.”

According to the Transportation Security Administration, Alyssa never had any problems before because the Secure Flight Program just began in June for all domestic flights. A spokesperson will only say, “the watch lists are an important layer of security to prevent individuals with known or suspected ties to terrorism from flying.”

Right now, Alyssa has other priorities. “My Barbies, my magic mirror and jumping on my bed!” But her name will likely stay on the list and as for the next time she flies, the FBI says they’ll rely on the common sense of the security agents.

“She may have threatened her sister, but I don’t think that constitutes Homeland Security triggers,” said Dr. Thomas.

The Thomas family can still fly, but the check-in process will likely take much longer. They plan on making another appeal to U.S. Homeland Security.

This is not what The United States of America is intended to be.  We should not be living like this.  And some people want to expand the uses of this erroneous list.

I don’t think so.  The terrorists have already won in the battle to hurt our way of life.  They have won in hurting this family. 

Why did we let this happen? 

I had a couple of comments asking me to clarify what I meant in my previous entry.  Am I advocating another American Revolution?  Let me try to put it in more simple terms.

First, I’d like to recommend that you read the whole text of the Declaration of Independence.  You can find it at http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

That is an amazing document.  Not only is it the Founding Fathers declaring the independence of this nation – but an enumeration of the REASONS WHY, and an explanation of their rationale.   Let me focus on a few of the points they made…

“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

They were pointing out that they did NOT take their actions lightly.  In fact, there was a great deal of debate among them over if they even SHOULD.  But when they took the next line into account, the debate quickly became WHEN they should.

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

A long train of abuses…  Many in America see the way that the Federal Government has – over the last many years – ignored WE THE PEOPLE, has infringed on the Second Amendment which explicitly states that it SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED, and has taken upon itself powers and authority that it does not have under the Constitution – and they feel that this (which has happened over many years) is a long train of abuses.

The Founding Fathers then enumerated the many issues that forced them to take the actions which they did.  I will make a few notes about some of these.  There are some parallels with our day…

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”

Many of the several States are enacting laws that attempt to take back powers that are not enumerated for the Federal Government.  The Federal Government refuses to assent to these.

“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.”

In the present administration in particular – we have seen the appointment of CZARS.  These are not elected positions,  and yet have the power and authority in this administration to create policy.  It can be said that much of what they do does indeed harass our people, and the new taxes and “fees” do indeed eat our our substance.

“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:”

Many of the elected representatives in the Congress – over the strongly vocal objections of their constituents – voted for a new bill mandating that all Americans (which the exceptions of some few to gain the votes of their elected representatives) purchase health insurance (for which we are taxed) or pay fines (enforced by the Government under penalty of imprisonment).  With the strong objections of a majority of Americans, they went ahead and did this.  We did not consent to it.

“For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.”

Many feel that the Federal Government has reached far beyond the Constitution in order to control more of our finances, commerce, and lives in general.  They declared this authority for themselves without the backing of the Constitution and without the consent of WE THE PEOPLE.

From what I have observed, this is what many of the “Tea Party” protest folks are saying.  And I agree with it.

Think about this – in all of our history, only twice have the “conservatives” had such demonstrations.   The last time, they were forced to pick up guns and replace their government with one that was designed to be limited – that would only have certain enumerated powers, and the rest belonged to the several States or to WE THE PEOPLE.

Yet, the Founding Fathers made it clear that people are more disposed to suffer than to take up arms to replace their government.  And we see people protesting and WORKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM to bring our elected representatives to a remembrance of the Constitution.  The way I see it, the message is …

“You are on a self-destructive course, that can be legitimately compared with previous oppressive governments.  You are not representing our interests.  You are making a larger government that is taking upon itself powers that it does not have legitimately.  You are going far beyond the mark.  WE THE PEOPLE ARE FED UP.   WE ASK YOU TO TURN AWAY FROM THIS COURSE BEFORE YOU FORCE US TO TAKE THE OTHER RECOURSE WHICH THE FOUNDING FATHERS LEFT TO US. ”

Thomas Jefferson left us some wisdom here …

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” I completely agree – LET US TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

They were smart enough to know that someday it might have to happen again.  I personally hope that our elected representatives will see this, and turn away from the course they are before we are forced to do it.  I do not want to see it happen, yet I love the ideals upon which this nation was founded to see that it could happen, and to say that if it must happen, let it happen in my day that my nieces and nephews may not have to see it in theirs.