The Rabbi

Ive got a 13 yr old son. I don't see what the problem is? Did it damage the tree at all??

It's precisely NOT right on the money. The money is the issue. OK gets tons of money from the Feds, and that is the leverage the Federal gov't has to do what they want. So no policies will change in OK as a result of this legislation. It is solely designed so some voting bubba can sit in his recliner, sip his PBR and during the commercial breaks in the NASCAR race belch and say "yeah, buddy, them's my buds in the state government."

Geez, the ultimate in feel-good legislation. You can tell someone's up for re-election.

You're right. The Radom P64 absolutely is made whole again by substituting a reduced power Walther PPk hammer spring, reducing trigger pull from about 20 lbs to 5. But other than that I am right.

I still recall my NRA instructor's advice: Leave the !@#$% thing alone. I don't think I've ever seen a modification that really added much, and they all detract to some degree.

Was the gun not working properly?

I have personal friends who are cops. I've never personally had a bad experience. That is irrelevant to the issue of police abusing their powers. You can't deny it doesn't happen. It does. And when it does it creates a serious problem not just for the poor sap involved but for society in general. And when a teacher is bad it does not create the issues that a bad cop does, because the officer on the side of the dark highway at night with the motorist is essentially god. This is why it is crucial. It is unfortunate that legitimate criticism of police tactics that overstep their boundaries is perceived as "cop bashing." No doubt in some cases it is. But in other cases it is bringing an important issue up. I'd prefer to think of the other side as "Constitution bashing." As for this scenario for the record I think LE acted exactly right. It was a declared disaster and normal rules don't really apply.

But if we're trying to bring democracy to the world then its only fitting that we start by showing them what rights are and granting them. Right?? Right??

If they added a rotating cylinder I'd buy one in a minute.

I re-read Americas First Freedom article on Heller this AM from one of the attorneys present at oral arguments. It seems clear that they will get a large majority to agree with an individual right but I expect a lot of individual opinions on the various questions of strict vs intermediate scrutiny etc. There will be some kind of consensus. What I don't see happening is an upholding of DC's ban. And for those of you bashing the Bush administration, this wouldn't have been possible without him.

I'm surprised it isnt being marketed by Popeil's.

I predict they will save it for last as it will be the most contentious and make the biggest news splash. Of course I've been wrong before. In 1978 as a matter of fact.

How would you define neutral? MAybe a French magistrate? Perhaps a Saudi? There are judicial proceedings there based on military tribunals. There already is judicial process. That isn't what the suit was about.

So your point is that since we, the public, do not know the details of every single case then we must grant the detainees all the rights of US citizens. Well, that's hard to argue with. I guess you're right. Thanks for the discussion and good luck with that one.

And it so happens Eastside Gun Shop is not far out of your way.

That would be an apt description of your responses. I'll answer yours. How do I know? I dont. But there is a prima facie case that they are guilty based on the circumstances of their detainment. The soldiers at the scene thought they were guilty and that's good enough for me in this case. That isn't enough for a civilian court but we aren't dealing with civilians here. NSNate has already given reasons why that is. Why shouldnt the gov't be required to answer a habeas corpus? As NSNate wrote, habeas is a right of citizens. These people are not citizens, they are enemy soldiers in war time. Actually they aren't even that, they are essentially spies, since they fight out of uniform, not in accord with the Geneva Convention. If we extend protections of the Geneva accord, much less rights of US Citizens, then we are fighting with one maybe two hands tied behind our back. Imagine a mujahideen bringing suit because the army used unnecessary force. Bringing suits for damages. It would make a mockery of the whole system. OK, thats my response. Now you. WHo said anything about executions? What makes you think they are being punished?

Your premise is correct. Abominable Hillbilly's premise is that the government of the US is evil and dedicated to destroying the rights of its citizens and this is one more step on that road. I evacuate myself on that premise.

I'm dodging?? I asked you how you know they are to be executed. You didnt answer but changed your wording. I asked you how you know they are being punished. You didnt answer. I dont care that some people think its punishment. My daughter thinks my not buying her a car is punishment. It is irrelevant. The men have access to military tribunals. That is all they need. They are not like German tourists picked up on a morals charge in Miami. They are combatants. So I ask you, who says they are to be executed? Who says they are being punished? The Constitution gives authority to the President and Congress for conduct of war and foreign policy. Those two branches have acted and put in place regulations and laws. They are accountable to the people through elections. The Supreme Court has stepped in and second guessed those bodies. That is a problem. I would much rather trust elected representatives who are answerable to the people than appointed jurists holding a life time tenure.

So now it's "executing them or otherwise punishing them." Who said anything about either of those things? They are not being punished. They are being held so they don't go back and do what they were doing to begin with. Are POWs being punished by being held in camps? No, I don't think so.

Who is talking about executing anyone? How many detainees have we executed so far in this war? Where do you get these ideas? They are guilty because they were largely picked up with rifles in their hands pointing them at our troops. They didnt get there from overdue parking tickets.

DId I mention I have the Kuhnhausen video at half price?

If they affirm an individual right they will have to decide whether legislation about it is subject to strict scrutiny or not. That will be the killer. Because all the other rights are, afaik. So it is unclear how they could differentiate this one.

They aren't. Besides, this is just a step up from getting killed on the battlefield. What if innocents get killed on the battlefield? It's collateral damage. Same here.

That's your opinion, buster. I just said good bye to my daughter, who will be in Baltimore for 7 weeks. I already miss her.

Nah, you know me. I never express an opinion about anything.