Law and Order

The Essence of Democracy

Friday, December 15, 2006 marks the 215th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, the very essence of our democracy.

The National Archives Experience Website says that during the debates on the adoption of the Constitution, its opponents repeatedly charged that the Constitution as drafted would open the way to tyranny by the central government. Fresh in their minds was the memory of the British violation of civil rights before and during the Revolution. They demanded a “bill of rights” that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens. Several state conventions in their formal ratification of the Constitution asked for such amendments; others ratified the Constitution with the understanding that the amendments would be offered.

On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States therefore proposed to the state legislatures 12 amendments to the Constitution that met arguments most frequently advanced against it. The first two proposed amendments, which concerned the number of constituents for each Representative and the compensation of Congressmen, were not ratified. Articles 3 to 12, however, ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures, constitute the first ten amendments of the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.

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Abandon All Hope

California residents are abandoning the state in favor of other nearby states according to the Department of Finance. Associated Press and other media outlets will be quick to blame the trend on the cost of housing here, but there are other reasons as well.

California is a state where:

  • income taxes are extremely high
  • sales taxes are extremely high
  • property taxes are extremely high
  • gasoline taxes are extremely high
  • courts are generally soft on criminals
  • immigration laws are not enforced
  • a half-million illegals and supporters clogged the streets of Los Angeles
  • vehicle emissions controls are unreasonably severe
  • congressional districts are gerrymandered to assure Democrats stay in power
  • judges make rulings for political reasons rather than upholding laws
  • unreasonable environmental laws cripple business and industry
  • a jury acquitted OJ Simpson of murder despite compelling evidence he was guilty
  • extreme firearms laws exist that violate citizens’ second amendment rights
  • cities like San Francisco attract and cater to degenerates

Of course these are just a sample of things wrong with California.

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A Visit from Santa

Last night in our neighborhood, Santa Claus came to visit. Thanks to our Police Department and the Police Officers Association, Santa goes to almost all residential areas of the city starting late in November (we’re almost first on his list) and continues through Christmas Eve. He is preceded by an entourage playing Christmas Songs over a mobile music system and several police cars with red/blue lights and sirens — pretty impressive, not to mention that it gets your attention. Lots of kids show up curbside to see Santa and collect a candy cane or two.

photo of Santa

Home Defense

Coconut Commando, “currently enjoying an extended, all inclusive vacation package to Iraq,” composed a very good article on home defense. I especially liked this recommendation for a home defense weapon. Here’s the excerpt:

From Defending the Ponderosa

Generally, the best choice for home defense, tactical movement inside buildings, firepower, low cost and pure fear factor is a shotgun. They’re easy to use and criminals, as well as insurgents, dread getting anywhere near the business end of a shotgun. It has been my first hand experience, through years of training and multiple combat tours, that a shotgun is the top choice for home defense. The 12-Gauge Remington 870 “Youth Model” makes an excellent choice because of it size, dependability, ease of use, and cost. It is also best suited for women due to their smaller frame.

I just LOVE MINE!   shotgun

Prayers Needed

Retired Geezer and Mrs. G at Blog Idaho have a tragedy on their hands. Please offer your thoughts and prayers for their son and his passenger.

UPDATE: From Retired Geezer . . .

Mrs. G just got off the phone with Flyin’ Brian.
He sounded really old cause he is drugged up with pain meds.

He has a compound fracture of his leg, broken nose and multiple cuts.

He got choked up when he told us that if it wasn’t for the other people on the ground, searching for the woman, they both would have died because they crashed in the river. The other searchers pulled them out.

We’re going to drive to SLC tomorrow.

Brian comes under the heading of Praise but please continue to pray for Kevin Orr.

What They Didn’t Tell You Today

Not only do conservatives have to filter the BS out of print and broadcast media, but so do firearms enthusiasts and second-amendment rights advocates. And when we’re not filtering, we have to “fill in the gaps” where important news items have been editorially omitted.

Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association, determined to bridge the media gap, is now offering an online weblog to bring the views of gun owners and enthusiasts to the fore, as well as exposing those stories that go unreported in the mainstream media.

Doing my part, I now have an animated sidebar widget that takes you to the NRA News site. You can read Wayne LaPierre’s eMail announcement below the fold.

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