Littlestuff Weekender-12-11-2010

So, library books circulate and so do blood and radiator fluid. Why should career politicians circulate from one elective office to another then to a cushy highly paid lobbying gig?


Coming next week on a Littlestuff-minoosha near you is our series on “Submission, Secession or Sedition.” Don’t miss it if your dream is to be on a government watch list.

I believe that the Americans for Disability Act was a self-preserving bill for career politicians. They are tone deaf to what their constituents desire, they are often blind to the real impact of their meddling, they can’t walk the walk, and they all suffer from CSD---common sense deficiency.

Politicians are generally filled with scatological residue….especially their brains.

Personally, I am so thankful for what Christmas represents, but as an evangelical Christian, I know that without Resurrection Day, December 25th would be just another chilly day.

Have you ever suddenly discovered that your two-year old is alone in another room? Did your heart leap into your throat as you wondered what was going on? Do you ever think about Congress in Washington?

Let’s see: the Dream Act is amnesty for 16-35 year old “undocumented” aliens. The Food Safety Act will make food production more difficult….and on, and on. Shouldn’t the titles of legislative acts reflect their actual impacts on all of us?

Yesterday I attended an all day workshop dedicated to organic farming. Thanks to Mike Anderson, et. al for a truly informative program and LOTS of valuable handouts. I did learn one disturbing fact, though; the federal government has regulations for fecal excrement. Yes, you read it right…regulations for manure. I’m sorry ‘cause all this time I thought that the feds didn’t know sh*t. They dish it out, and they study it. We’re doomed.

In her book, “101 Things to Do ‘Til the Revolution,” Claire Wolfe writes: “America is at that awkward stage. It’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.”

I’m slurping from the saucer ‘cause my cup has overflowed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Despite my raging cynicism, I’m still hopeful. I see the spark for Liberty in my children and grandchildren. During the campaign, I spoke with 9 high school government classes and two school assemblies of juniors and seniors. Many were unmoved, but enough of them listened, questioned and responded that I sense that we may have a large enough remnant to carry the torch.

Back in the day I recorded a number of radio commercials. I’m not certain that I could record many today. Just can’t hear myself saying, “if the erec*ion persists for more than 4 hours, call your doctor.” Doesn’t have the same homey quality that Bunny Bread has.

The troubled troubadour trooped towards town to try to teach the tiny tots to tango tastefully.

Little Sully, my youngest grandson, will be nearly 20 months old on Christmas. It’s going to be so special. Shaun and Erin, my two older grandkids, have matriculated to the gift card or cash phase. Even so, Grandpa buys books for everyone…including Granny.

So, I’m looking at the Drudge Report this morning and I note headlines about Cher’s sex life and Miley Cyrus using a bong at her 18th birthday party. I think that it’s time to cue Nero to start playing his fiddle.

Charles Krauthammer has an interesting take on the “agreement” between the President and the GOP. In his Washington Post commentary he claims that the D’s were the big winners because Obama snookered the naïve weak Republicans. Actually, he’s several degrees off plumb: the real losers were the taxpayers and our progeny.

My exciting life continues today as I re-organize the office and the man cave to create space for the video studio. If successful, tomorrow I return to my shop for more rearranging so that next week I can build the video set.

Interesting development this past week as Secretary of State Brunner certified the 2010 General Election results. The preliminary total for our SoS race was 178,004, but the final certified number was 182,977. This was an increase of 4,973 votes which represents 715 more votes than we garnered in the Primary. Somewhat interesting but quite forgettable.

Have a special weekend. I’ll be back on Monday.

Comments: earl4sos@gmail.com or cearlwriting@hotmail.com

www.littlestuff-minoosha.blogspot.com

Food for Thought

Addressing the impact of pending legislation is always a risky undertaking. At any step along the tortuous path to passage the piece can be amended…either marginally or significantly. Despite my caution I will forge ahead to analyze the underlying basis for the Food Safety Act (the former S. 510) that has been folded into the continuing resolution for maintaining federal spending in lieu of a budget. Will the bill do everything its critics claim it does? Is the concept as beneficial and benign as promoted by its advocates? Frankly, I don’t know, but I DO know that I cannot trust any sweeping legislation from MY government.


The EPA was introduced by Nixon to regulate and moderate air and water. The implied goal was that their mandate involved not allowing room temperature air or water to become “chunky.” We now have in this nation some of the cleanest air and water in the industrialized world. We have developed new technologies and practices for protecting the environment without dismantling the economic engine. But the EPA and its gaggle of anti-capitalists couldn’t stop with success. They insisted on regulating, squeezing and demanding until they, along with greedy labor, forced many of our domestic manufacturers to pack up and relocate off shore. Admittedly, the EPA and labor unions were not the only responsible parties for the decimation of our heavy manufacturing base. I use them only as an illustration of how a government agency goes amok.

Like any bureaucracy, public or private, once a department or agency has fulfilled its mandate, it must seek greater fields to harvest. Smaller concerns yield greater power which morphs into an over- regulating Nanny environment. Bureaucracies must grow to increase their budgets and their power. Eventually they metastasize into tyrannical behemoths that cannot be thwarted no matter how silly or harmful their rulings may be. Proponents of the “Food Safety Act” cite the necessity for limiting the damage to people from e-coli, salmonella and other nasty things that are infrequently found in our food supply. Hallelujah! We need never fear the ravages of sickness or death again because the all-knowing, all-caring and reasonably restrained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is on the job.

Even if the proponents are telling the truth about the relatively limited purview of the FDA, can they guarantee us that the agency will not grasp for a broader jurisdiction? Can the advocates assure us that Monsanto and ADM with their unlimited funds for lobbying and bribery will not seek to have naturally grown products regulated beyond the cost of production? Can those who seek this legislation honestly promise that the entire food supply of the United States will not, at some future point, be limited to genetically engineered products whose bad effects or side effects may not manifest themselves for a couple of generations? Yes, they may guarantee, they may assure and they may promise, but their statements are as worthless as lips on a chicken.

The so-called “Food Safety Act” represents the camel’s nose. Once the ungainly beast secures an entry into our food supply, the ears will follow as just a little more regulation is deemed necessary. Our beneficent, all-knowing leaders will then decide that if some regulation is good, more is preferable, and the camel’s hump will sidle into the tent. Small farmers, gardeners and survivalists will complain about the camel’s stench, and Big Brother will respond with a “reform” package, the Food On Our Labels Safety act….FOOLS. The new reform will firmly place the entire camel inside every tent (except those who can afford exemptions). Food variety will suffer, and food production will dwindle. Our future will include Mid-East petroleum, Chinese manufactured products and South American food. The best way to avoid the camel’s stench in our tents is to kill it before it comes in. It is past the time for open season on camels.

Comment: earl4sos@gmail.com or cearlwriting@hotmail.com

Please read it all.

The Constitution of the United States


Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish

Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the

general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do

ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article. I. - The Legislative Branch

Section 1 - The Legislature

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States,

which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section 2 - The House

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year

by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the

Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State

Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five

Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when

elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which

may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be

determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to

Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other

Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th

Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after

the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term

of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives

shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one

Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire

shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight,

Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five and

Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority

thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall

have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section 3 - The Senate

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State,

(chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded

by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall

be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first

Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the

Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so

that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by

Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the

Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the

Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses

were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and

been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an

Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no

Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the

absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the

United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that

Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is

tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the

Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office,

and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the

United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to

Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section 4 - Elections, Meetings

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives,

shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any

time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on

the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded

by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own

Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller

number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance

of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may

provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for

disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the

same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and

Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of

those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other,

adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two

Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6 - Compensation

(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be

ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.) (The preceding

words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all

Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during

their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning

from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be

questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be

appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have

been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time;

and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either

House during his Continuance in Office.

Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the

Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall,

before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve

he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it

shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and

proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree

to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by

which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it

shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined

by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be

entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the

President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him,

the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by

their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of

Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be

presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect,

shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of

the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations

prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to

pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United

States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the

Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of

Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of

Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the

United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to

Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses

against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning

Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a

longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress

Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such

Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the

States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the

Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not

exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance

of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise

like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in

which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and

other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the

foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of

the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section 9 - Limits on Congress

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall

think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one

thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation,

not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases

of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or

Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by

the 16th Amendment.)

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of

one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged

to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations

made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of

all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any

Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of

any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or

foreign State.

Section 10 - Powers prohibited of States

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque

and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin

a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law

impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on

Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection

Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or

Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall

be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops,

or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another

State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such

imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article. II. - The Executive Branch

Section 1 - The President

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He

shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President

chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number

of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the

State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person

holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an

Elector.

(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of

whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they

shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which

List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the

United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall,

in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and

the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be

the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed;

and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of

Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them

for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the

said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the

Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a

quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the

States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case,

after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the

Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have

equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause

in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which

they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of

the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall

any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five

Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

(In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or

Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on

the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal,

Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what

Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the

Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has

been modified by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which

shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been

elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United

States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or

Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of

the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the

Constitution of the United States."

Section 2 - Civilian Power over Military, Cabinet, Pardon Power, Appointments

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States,

and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United

States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the

executive Departments, upon any subject relating to the Duties of their respective

Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the

United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make

Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and

by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other

public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the

United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which

shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such

inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in

the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the

Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their

next Session.

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union,

and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and

expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them,

and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment,

he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors

and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and

shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section 4 - Disqualification

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed

from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high

Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III. - The Judicial Branch

Section 1 - Judicial powers

The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in

such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The

Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good

Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which

shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section 2 - Trial by Jury, Original Jurisdiction, Jury Trials

(The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this

Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made,

under their Authority; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and

Consuls; to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies to which

the United States shall be a Party; to Controversies between two or more States; between

a State and Citizens of another State; between Citizens of different States; between

Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a

State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.) (This section in

parentheses is modified by the 11th Amendment.)

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in

which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the

other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both

as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress

shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial

shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not

committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress

may by Law have directed.

Section 3 - Treason

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in

adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of

Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on

Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of

Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the

Person attainted.

Article. IV. - The States

Section 1 - Each State to Honor all others

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial

Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the

Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect

thereof.

Section 2 - State citizens, Extradition

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in

the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from

Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the

State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction

of the Crime.

(No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into

another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from

such Service or Labour, But shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such

Service or Labour may be due.) (This clause in parentheses is superseded by the 13th

Amendment.)

Section 3 - New States

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be

formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by

the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the

Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations

respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in

this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or

of any particular State.

Section 4 - Republican government

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of

Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the

Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against

domestic Violence.

Article. V. - Amendment

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose

Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds

of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either

Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified

by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three

fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the

Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One

thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses

in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be

deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article. VI. - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this

Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under

the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance

thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United

States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be

bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary

notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several

State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and

of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;

but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public

Trust under the United States.

Article. VII. - Ratification

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the

Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth

Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven

and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In Witness whereof

We have hereunto subscribed our Names.

Go Washington - President and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

Connecticut - Wm Saml Johnson, Roger Sherman

New York - Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey - Wil Livingston, David Brearley, Wm Paterson, Jona. Dayton

Pensylvania - B Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos FitzSimons,

Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris

Delaware - Geo. Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco.

Broom

Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St Tho Jenifer, Danl Carroll

Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.

North Carolina - Wm Blount, Richd Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson

South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce

Butler

Georgia - William Few, Abr Baldwin

Attest: William Jackson, Secretary

The Amendments

The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments

collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the

free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of

the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of

grievances.

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the

people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791.

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the

Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against

unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but

upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the

place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified

12/15/1791.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a

presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval

forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall

any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor

shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived

of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be

taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified

12/15/1791.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,

by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been

committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be

informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses

against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have

the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the

right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined

in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common

law.

Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual

punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or

disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to

the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795.

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law

or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of

another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804.

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and

Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with

themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in

distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists

of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of

the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed

to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of

Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;

The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if

such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person

have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding

three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose

immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be

taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this

purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a

majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of

Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve

upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall

act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the

President.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-

President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if

no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall

choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the

whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a

choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible

to that of Vice-President of the United States.

Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865.

1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof

the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place

subject to their jurisdiction.

2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868.

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.

2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their

respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding

Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for

President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the

Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is

denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and

citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion,

or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion

which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens

twenty-one years of age in such State.

3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and

Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any

State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of

the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial

officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged

in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies

thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts

incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or

rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall

assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against

the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such

debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of

this article.

Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870.

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the

United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of

servitude.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913.

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever

source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to

any census or enumeration.

Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State,

elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The

electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most

numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive

authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That

the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary

appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator

chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21,

12/5/1933.

1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or

transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the

exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction

thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article

by appropriate legislation.

3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to

the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution,

within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the

United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933.

1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of

January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January,

of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified;

and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin

at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect

shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not

have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President

elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until

a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case

wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring

who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be

selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall

have qualified.

4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from

whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice

shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from

whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have

devolved upon them.

5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification

of this article.

6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to

the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven

years from the date of its submission.

Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933.

1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby

repealed.

2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United

States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof,

is hereby prohibited.

3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to

the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution,

within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951.

1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person

who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a

term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of

the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the

office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not

prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President,

during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of

President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to

the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven

years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia. Ratified 3/29/1961.

1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in

such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice

President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to

which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least

populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall

be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be

electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties

as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 24 - Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964.

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for

President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or

Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any

State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967.

1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the

Vice President shall become President.

2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall

nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of

both Houses of Congress.

3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to

discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written

declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice

President as Acting President.

4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the

executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to

the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of

his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the

office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and

the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability

exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a

majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body

as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore

of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration

that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon

Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if

not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written

declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is

required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is

unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue

to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the

powers and duties of his office.

Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971.

1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to

vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of

age.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases. Ratified 5/7/1992.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives,

shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

This file was prepared by USConstitution.net. Find us on the web at

http://www.usconstitution.net.

Who's Counting?

The 2010 Census results are in the final stages of tabulation and validation. Even so, I suspect that the numbers we are given will be, at best, approximations and, at worst, fabrications. Taking the census is a constitutionally mandated function that is found in Article 1, Section 2 of our pre-eminent governing document. The primary (and only constitutional) purpose of the “actual Enumeration” is to determine representation for the United States House of Representatives. The congressional districts are to be designed so that each member of the House represents a similar number of citizens. There are other uses for the census data that are outside the constitutional requirement, and the data that are collected have gone far beyond mere enumeration. Some would argue that the information sought by census takers transforms the census from a representation determinant to an intrusive social engineering mechanism. Indeed it does as many of the data are used to identify community clusters of poverty, households that lack amenities that may be more prevalent in other economic strata (e.g. 1 bathroom versus 2 bathrooms), or households that suffer because the available square footage per resident is lower than the typical figure.


The Constitution requires that we execute an “actual Enumeration.” In other words…count the people. The Constitution does NOT demand that all manner of intrusive busybody questions be asked. The Constitution does NOT call for or anticipate that computer modeling be used to “fill the gaps of knowledge.” The Constitution does NOT require that millions of people be hired for temporary positions. The Constitution does not demand that those millions of temporary workers ferret out minute details of people’s lives. If the long form census document were abandoned, then enumerators could COUNT, models would be unnecessary and the temporary boost in employment figures wouldn’t be so dramatic. Just like everything else the federal government undertakes, the census has become too cumbersome, too unwieldy and has distorted its original purpose.

Now that my rant about the census has ended, let’s look at the impact for Ohio’s congressional delegation. Currently, we have 18 M.O.C. (members of Congress), but early indications are that we will slip to 16 for the next decade. Because the House of Representatives is limited to 435 members from the 50 states (57 in Obama math), the total population is divided by 435 then apportioned accordingly. The growth in the Southwest, particularly Texas, has minimized the impact of Ohio’s relatively stable population of roughly 11 million people. So, the influence of the Buckeye State on the national scene will be diluted once again, and our impact on the Electoral College will slip from 20 to 18 electoral votes. The Presidential votes in a winner-take-all system in Ohio mean that we represent just fewer than seven per cent of the Electoral College. The reasons for our stagnate growth and our diminishing electoral influence are many, and I will explore them at a later time. I wish to briefly examine how the Census results will impact Ohio.

The Congressional districts are determined by the Ohio General Assembly. Following the November 2010 midterm elections, the GOP will assume control of both chambers with overwhelming numerical advantages. In the House the Republicans hold 59 seats and the Democrats have 40. The Senate favors the GOP by a 23 to 10 margin. Historically, the redistricting process has involved the two parties working together to equally distribute the pain of lost congressional seats. If that model were to be implemented this time, I would expect Dennis Kucinich and Jean Schmidt will see their districts carved and dismantled. It would not surprise me, however, for the GOP to exercise its new power and place four Democratic incumbents in primary races for two districts. To quote the inept Colonel Klink, “verrry interesting.” However the redistricting process unfolds (I understand that it has been drawn already), the GOP General Assembly will face some justified criticism. Work with the “D’s” and it’s the same old business as usual…the two parties working to undermine the will of the electorate. Exercise the raw power of the numbers, and the GOP becomes the party of bullies who run roughshod over the minority. Whatever route the majority chooses to follow, they have ten years to recover.

Comment:  earl4sos@gmail.com   or  cearlwriting@hotmail.com

Big Bang - Local view.

One of my favorite bumper stickers claims that “An armed society is a polite society.” Works for me. For those of you who remember the Cold War, we had a policy of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) when the Soviet Union and the United States were the two nuclear superpowers. Although nuclear proliferation throughout the globe has, to some degree, removed the certainty of mutual destruction, the principle still endures. If you possess the ability and the will to retaliate, then those who seek to harm you will be very cautious and careful to not provoke you. Although each of the major powers had a sense of the overall capabilities of the other, there were generally some knowledge gaps regarding deployment schemes and technological upgrades. In other words, it was the unknown factors that led to a reasonable hesitancy to engage the opponent. Even when a nation had the firepower to destroy an adversary, it was aware that the opponent could, in turn, decimate it. Stalemate.


When proposed, the Second Amendment to the Constitution was deemed to be a necessary reiteration of an individual’s right to protect himself/herself. Clearly the Founders believed that an armed citizenry was a major deterrent for those in government who were inclined towards tyranny. It should be obvious that all governments drift toward tyranny when their power accumulates to the level that the citizens feel impotent and frustrated. It should also be noted that tyranny is not only the outgrowth of evil intent, but can morph from the government’s overzealous efforts to do “good.” Elitists who manipulate the levers of state power always believe that their visions for a society are superior to the competing ideals. So, given the geometric growth of our out-of-control government and its plethora of laws, rules and regulations that circumscribe and limit our freedom, then an armed citizenry is critical if freedom is to endure.

Another vital aspect of our right to bear arms is in the realm of personal protection. If a potential perpetrator suspects that a likely target may be packing, the perp may hesitate and seek greener pastures. It follows, therefore, that if ALL citizens could exercise their rights to bear arms, then opportunistic criminals would find their targets of opportunity severely curtailed. This represents the local community version of Mutually Assured Destruction. It shouldn’t require a JD in Constitutional Law to understand that many states and localities have “infringed” upon a natural right by their implementation of overly restrictive laws and ordinances that in essence disarm the populace. The McDonald v. Chicago and D.C v. Heller were helpful, …..but not definitive. Certainly two of the most toxic anti-Second Amendment cities were put in their places (somewhat), but the narrow SCOTUS margins encouraged the disarmament crowd to continue tweaking their restrictive measures in hopes of passing Court muster. The slim margins within the court were further compounded by the narrow scopes of the decisions. The likelihood of a clear MAD policy in the realm of personal protection will always be at risk as long as state and local governments seek to usurp our natural and constitutional rights. In addition, if the SCOTUS fails to unequivocally and emphatically uphold and restore our rights to bear arms, then those who wish to do harm, within and outside government, need merely to target more selectively.

It has been argued that a citizenry that can be armed would not be a deterrent against terrorists. After all the argument goes, a terrorist is committed to martyrdom, and an armed citizen can do nothing to short-circuit his (or her) fast track to paradise. My understanding of the theology underlying martyrdom is that the terrorist must destroy infidels to earn his ticket to the heavenly realm and its bevy of virgins. If the crazed zealot unsuccessfully executes the mission, then he/she simply becomes a dead spiritual warrior with no appreciable heavenly benefit. In my view an armed and observant citizenry has the capacity to preempt fast-track trips to paradise. If the alert, armed citizen is present when an individual with theologically-based murderous intent begins to implement the deadly plan, the conscientious and armed citizen can, perhaps, help the zealot to meet his maker….and enjoy eternity alone.

Health conscious people, dentists and accountants all warn us that prevention is the best cure for whatever may ail us. It follows, therefore, that when confronting crime, terrorism or an out-of-control government, then a forewarned and well armed citizenry may be our best and maybe our only cure. When one watches the news or reads the papers, one becomes aware that ALL of our natural rights as identified in the Constitution are under assault. Thoughtful citizens must understand that our rights cannot be taken or given away. Concerned citizens must exercise every available mechanism for protecting our rights. Free citizens will NOT allow our rights to be infringed or abridged.

Comments: earl4sos@gmail.com or cearlwriting@hotmail.com

The Big Bang-Cosmic view

Think about “infinity” for a moment. Sorry, that was a cheap trick because if you truly consider “infinity,” you can never stop. The concept of infinity, however, is another matter. In other words, the definition or the concept of infinity is easier to grasp than is the reality. We humans do have a distinct advantage over other species because of our cognitive and communication skills. For example, I asked my dog, Frosty, what he thought about “infinity,” and he telepathically asked me where his treat was….very limited cognitive capacity. This examination of the “Big Bang Theory” will necessarily be rather amateurish for two reasons: I am NOT a physicist, and the topic gives me a headache.


My understanding of the “Big Bang Theory” is that the universe is the result of an explosion of an extremely dense sub-atomic particle. In other words, a tiny little spot of cosmic dust was compacted to its maximum capacity, and the resultant release of compressed energy caused the particle to explode and create millions of stars, planets, moons, asteroids and other bodies in the vacuum we know as space. Some theorists insist that the explosion is continuing because they calculate that the universe is continuing to expand. Others suspect that the expansion phase has ended, and the contraction has begun….leading to another power-laden particle in the distant future. Picture stretching a rubber band as far as possible without breaking it, then when it reaches its maximum, the energy is converted into the rubber band’s contraction to its original state.

So, my untrained astrophysicist’s mind questions how the maximum density level for the particle was determined. If we look at the universe with its 70 sextillion galaxies and 300 sextillion planets plus moons and other bodies, then the particle, the tiny little subatomic particle, clearly weighed many, many trillions of tons before it reached its “no mas” and blew up. What was the law or the rule of physics that informed the particle that it could become no denser? And, didn’t that law or rule predate the particle? Clearly, for scientists to predict outcomes or to identify pre-historic beginnings, they must have reliable systems of predictable and consistent rules. It seems, therefore, that the existence of rules would minimize the occurrence of randomness, or at least, limit randomness to predictable limits.

Now along comes Roger Penrose, an eminent British mathematician. He postulates (from the Toledo Blade) that physical evidence exists that predates the Big Bang. Holy Firecracker, Batman, we seem to be approaching eternity here…the time-based version of infinity. He suspects that there may have been a massive collision of two super big black holes preceding the Big Bang. He and his partner, Dr. V. G. Gurzadyan, speculate that our present universe is just one of a series of universes that continue forward and backward through infinite time. Thanks, gents, but we still don’t know when or how it started.

Deism is the belief that God exists, but is not involved in His handiwork. The deistic approach is similar to the Prime Mover view of cosmic origins wherein a creator initiated the process for the development of the universe but plays no active role in the subsequent outcomes or permutations of the universe. Theism is the metaphysical point of view that God pre-existed before the universe, that God created the universe, and that God remains actively engaged in the universe…particularly with people.

Some time ago I heard an author or physicist (don’t recall who it was or his qualifications) remark that metaphysics (the philosophy or science of the principles and causes of all existing things) fills in the gaps of physics and science. He also stated that over time, metaphysic’s domain would shrink as the discoveries of science expanded. I believe that he was mistaken. I am thankful for scientific inquiry and discovery. As our scientists and researchers seek to unlock the mysteries of the universe and our planet, they have uncovered the keys to elements that have phenomenal potential for making our lives better. Wisdom has been defined as knowing what one does not know. It seems to me that the closer astrophysicists get to the “ultimate source,” the more elusive the answer becomes. For years we heard the mantra of the Big Bang, based in large part on computer modeling, but if Drs. Penrose’s and Gurzadyan’s hypothesis is correct, then the greater universe is eternal. I’m aware that what I’ve written so far is mind-numbingly unsophisticated. Let me add, too, that many of our more talented and competent scientists are challenged by what they do not know.

The idea of a perpetual universe that periodically expands into many sextillion galaxies and contracts back into a cosmic pebble is beyond my comprehension. Think back to an earlier analogy---will not the rubber band eventually snap? Unless, of course, the expansion and contraction follow immutable laws. Can unbreakable laws exist in a vacuum? What is the source of the laws? My limited knowledge leads me to discern that laws can only exist within a relationship or environment. If “One” existed alone with no “Other” and no interaction, then laws are superfluous.

Bottom line for me is that I find it less fantastic to recognize and believe in an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and interactive God and Creator than I do in an eternally expanding and contracting scheme for the universe that has no beginning and no end. My internal sense tells me that God is too big for science to discover or to measure. For me my knowledge and awareness of God far exceeds the believability and the understandability of the astrophysical and mathematical explanations of who we are, why we are and how we got here. I am not against scientific inquiry. I embrace it when I can, but the search for “the beginning” has illustrated that the answer appears too big for us to grasp without faith. It’s the Law Giver and Creator who is too big for telescope, microscope or computer. My tools for now begin with Joshua 24:15 and Psalm 23:6. To me they represent the alpha and omega.

Comments: earl4sos@gmail.com or cearlwriting@hotmail.com

Littlestuff Weekender-12-5-2010

In a column that I will release tomorrow, I examine the “Big Bang Theory.” Related to that review is the claim by some scientists that there may be an additional 70 sextrillion galaxies and 300 sextrillion planets in addition to our galaxy (The Milky Way) and planet. A sextrillion includes the original number (in the above cases either 70 or 300) followed by 21 zeros. Twenty-one zeros is more than one-fifth of the U.S. Senate.


Here we are on December 5th, 2010, and the Congress has not passed a budget for FY 2011. By law it was due for completion on October 1st, 2010. So, they’ve been passing a series of ‘continuing resolutions” to authorize the expenditure of fund….well, nonexistent money.

It appears that the Democratic majorities will not be passing the budget in this lame duck session, so it offers a REAL opportunity for the new GOP majority in the House to engage in some serious changing of our nation’s priorities. The difficulty will come when picking the committee chairs. Traditionally a chairmanship goes to the party’s most senior member of the committee. Some of the GOP holdovers are notorious big spenders. Jerry Lewis from California is a great example of the profligate members of the Republican Party. Add to his propensity for spending other people’s money the fact that he has been in Congress since January of 1979. When one combines big spending with long-term arrogance as chair of the Appropriations Committee, it’s a recipe more disappointment. There are 13 appropriators scattered among the committees in the House, and nearly all of them will be career politicians who love using the national credit card.

As a writer and a commentator, I have some unique attributes. I know a little about a lot. I know a lot about very little, but I seem to have the compulsion to comment on everything. I guess that makes me an arrogant amateur.

This weekend and next I’ll list a few books that I recommend as well as some authors that I seek out when browsing for reading material. Right now, I have about 35 books on my “to read” shelves. When I find a work that intrigues me, I get it and put it on the shelf. One of my great personal losses during the campaign was my limited time for reading. Pat gave me one of those electronic readers last week, and that little innovation should provide me with more flexibility and time.

Inclined to Liberty by Louis E. Carabini

FairTax: The Truth by Boortz and Linder (the sequel)

The Five Thousand Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen

The Concise Guide to Economics (3rd.ed.) by Jim Cox

Anything by Allan W. Eckert: Eckert writes narrative histories of the Great Lakes region.

Anything by C.S. Lewis, Ayn Rand, John MacArthur, John Maxwell, Andrew Murray, R.C. Sproul, Max Lucado, Francis Schaeffer and many more.

Anything by Judge Andrew Napolitano, Fredrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, Ludwig von Mises, and more.

Favorite fiction writers: Vince Flynn, Joel Rosenberg, Dale Brown, Ken Follett, Brad Thor, and a few others.

Poetry by Dylan Thomas

Geo-political analyses, historical biographies, political biographies, movement histories ad infinitum.

We’ll have another list next week.



Today’s column will close with three oxymorons:

Libertarian consensus, Democratic frugality, Republican courage.

Comments: earl4sos@gmail.com or cearlwriting@hotmail.com