We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:05:18 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Anybody notice that the Attorney General of the United States issued an official opinion dated August 24th, but not released until recently (probably to keep it out of the presidential campaign) that states: The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias. Really. They came out and said it. Of course, a new Administration could come out and 'unsay' it - but it still carries weight I would think. Any lawyers out there? Newmax covered it - did anybody else? I musta been asleep at the... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html Wed, 22 Dec 2004 09:33:27 -0600 I will admit that the report did put a nice smile on my face, http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10662 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10662 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 21:35:30 -0600 Interestingly, the area of discussion of "the People" does not contain a discussion of the contemporary meaning of collectivity at "the Founding". It really only uses internal logical analysis of the text. If there is a shell game in the analysis, it may be there. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10659 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10659 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 12:36:38 -0600 I know nothing of your constitutional legalese but am unsure why the argument in section IIC is simply predicated on second half of the amendment being a prefatory statement as opposed to an operative one. Our constitution up here in Canada is a "living tree" which means we look to meaning in the present and not the meaning of the drafters of a document except as a last resort. Worrying about what folk understood at "The Founding" is a very weird concept to me for legal interpretation but one that is exactly in-line with how you would interpret literature. It would be very pleasant to take on the hobby of US constitutional interpretation - smacks of an opportunity to hunt out old dictionaries over pots of mulled sherry. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10658 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10658 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 12:30:52 -0600 "...individuals generally..." Hell. I'm a General Individual. Does that mean I command an Indivision??? Merry Christmas to all y'all. Good post on the 2nd Amendment clarification, and thank you for linking to Bill Lewis' notes. Chaplain Lewis is providing more than comfort and guidance to his flock and he deserves all the support the rest of us can muster. Please visit his site and keep him and the rest of our military and support personnel in your prayers. Merry Christmas. Dan Patterson Winston-Salem, NC http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10656 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10656 Thu, 23 Dec 2004 09:02:09 -0600 Great blog! Thanks for the "good advice" Hog On Ice from Coral Gables Florida. I reside in cracker country too...Fort Liquordale Florida. Yer pal BULLSEYE. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10627 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/12/oh_by_the_way.html#comment-10627 Wed, 22 Dec 2004 19:32:42 -0600