Kevin's Korner

1st Amendment

“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.”

Indiana, earlier this week, became ground zero for controversy over a “Religious Freedom” bill that some say could lead to discrimination, especially against the gay community.

First off, let me just remind my readers that I support Gay Rights. In fact, when it comes to marriage I want the government out of it completely. Why should you need your government’s “permission” to get married? This is consistent with the Conservative view of smaller, less intrusive government.

Now I also support religious freedom 100%. It seems that the Left is more concerned with the “Establishment” clause then the “free exercise thereof” when it comes to religion and the 1st Amendment.

We need to respect the rights of individuals to practice their religion. To force a Christian to cater a gay wedding sure doesn’t sound like Freedom or Liberty to me.

There is no “right” to have a wedding cake at your wedding, gay or straight. There is a very simple solution to this. Just go to a different catering service for your wedding. Or just bake the damn cake yourself.

First, let me say thanks to the NRA (National Rifle Association) for the “Stand and Fight” drive. Protecting the 2nd amendment is the focus, and we need to heed the call.

Normally, I don’t write endorsements of organizations, much less make a plea for people to join them. But, never before, have our gun rights been attacked as they are currently being attacked across this country.

From Connecticut to Colorado, from New York to California, and all the way to Washington DC, the gun control forces are on the march, and they mean to take no prisoners. Make no mistake, the ultimate goal of the gun grabbers is to take all guns out of the hands of citizens. Frankly, it is more about Government control over people’s lives, then it is about guns.

With the White House pushing hardest for “gun control”, the battle will be at the top and all he way down to the state and local governments. With the recent Colorado actions we have seen the Vice President lobby State Representatives personally and forcefully. Our 2nd amendment enemies are strong.

We can be stronger. There are almost 100 million gun owners in this country. I suspect it is more, because some are already afraid to admit having guns for fear of being listed as “gun owner” by the government.

The NRA has been making very strong membership gains for many months now. They have pushed past 4 million members. Still, that is a small percentage of gun owners. A run on ammunition continues, and some guns are increasingly hard to find. Many do recognize the danger. But many still have not acted. It’s time for that to change.

I urge anyone who wants to see our 2nd amendment defended, to please join the NRA today. Don’t wait. Don’t put it off. Our enemies aren’t. They are strong and organized. But we gun owners can certainly fight back.

Even if you don’t wish to join the NRA there are other organizations you could join. The 2nd Amendment foundation and the Gun Owners of America are just two.

Just to be clear, I don’t benefit personally in ANY way if you join one of these groups. But, our country does benefit, and our country needs you. Will you answer the call?

NRA
http://www.NRA.org/

GOA
www.gunowners.org/

2nd Amendment Foundation
http://www.saf.org/

When I was growing up, guns were all around me. My grandfather had several, and it seemed every friend’s father had at least one gun. Most often it was a hunting rifle. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, Deer Hunting season was almost a religious holiday. There were never ending stories of how they got their first deer, or how they almost got that Big Buck.

My father and grandfather had already given up hunting, so I was left to hear the stories and use a bit of imagination. But after all these years, what really stands out, are the times the kids I grew up with, spent with their dad. It really was a great bonding time for all of them. Now, I didn’t really feel left out, my dad and grandfather were “baseball” dads and hardly missed a game, so we just had a different bonding activity. But even after giving up hunting, they never gave up their guns.

Like many of you, I watched the President’s statement on Wednesday on guns, and the sickening feeling I got, as I saw how he was using those children to try and play on people’s emotions, seemed to settle in my stomach. No, there would not be one fact, not one study, or one program cited that pointed out that “Gun Control” was somehow effective.This was about a photo op. A time to try and pull at people’s heartstrings, to get them to support something they normally would not.

But there was something else there. I haven’t heard anyone else mention this, or say they observed this, so maybe it was just me. However, what I saw, in the President’s face, was a man who look defeated. Oh, the impression of sadness was being made, but it seemed much more then sadness to me. The President tried to sound confident, but his tone, and his body language, betrayed him. It was almost if, he had just gotten off the phone with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and he had told the President that there was no way any of these measures would pass the Democratic controlled Senate, much less the GOP controlled House.

Oh, I certainly could be wrong. When I looked at those 23 Executive Orders he signed, I felt even more confident in my belief that the President already felt defeated. Yes, I do oppose them, but considering what I was expecting, it was extremely mild. And if we look closely, the President actually signed 3 executive “actions” (same thing as orders just a different name) and various letters and reports. One is, “nominate an ATF Director”. Seriously, you need to sign something saying that “we” need to do this?

WSJ: List of Executive Actions,
http://on.wsj.com/SKyGWk

My basic point here is that this was more song and dance then anything. The President was trying to give the appearance of “doing something” about guns.

Even so, those of us who believe in the 2nd Amendment, need to keep the pressure on Congress. We can’t let this be simply be “another issue”. It is about the right of a free people, to defend themselves, against a tyrannical government. Especially if you live in states, that have Democrat Senators, but have majorities of gun rights supporters in their state. Places like Nevada, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and several others.

I would suggest, that if you have not already, that you join the NRA or another 2nd Amendment supporting group. I am a proud member of the NRA and their work is critical, especially now. Guns SAVE many lives and Gun rights must not be sacrificed on the alter of emotional excesses. Freedom depends on it.

This past week, Vice President Joe Biden, met with various groups to discuss “gun violence”. Well, actually to talk about using government power to “control” guns. The key word here is “control”.

Here is what Biden said:
http://yhoo.it/Skr6S2

“We are not going to get caught up in the notion that unless we can do everything, we’re going to do nothing. It’s critically important that we act,” said Biden …”There are executive orders, executive action that can be taken. We haven’t decided what that is yet,” Biden said, adding that Obama is conferring with Attorney General Eric Holder on potential action.

So the Vice President wants the President to use “executive action”, but has no idea what that action may be. In other words, “We don’t care if our action is constitutional or not, we will figure out a way around that”.

Should this surprise anyone? This administration has shown total disregard for the U.S. Constitution.

One of the things this administration is “looking into” is more and better “tracking” of gun sales both public and private. Who are they trying to kid? Remember ‘Fast and Furious’ anyone? The government let guns go south of the border into Mexico on purpose, but now wants to restrict the American Public from their 2nd Amendment rights. Hypocritical doesn’t begin to describe this administrations actions.

More From the Vice President:

But now, “the president and I are determined to take action,” Biden said at Wednesday’s meeting with gun violence victims and gun-control advocates.
“This is not an exercise in photo opportunities or just getting to ask you all what your opinions are. We’re reaching out to all parties on whatever side of the debate you fall,” he said…

With all due respect Mr Vice President, that is EXACTLY what this was, a Photo Op. You, nor anyone else in this administration, plan on listening to anyone on this. The focus has been how you can grab guns from law abiding citizens. That was, and is you plan, no matter what was “discussed” at this meeting.

I won’t detail my support for the 2nd Amendment and why, but I will direct you to an article I wrote this past summer.

“The Second Amendment is Crucial to Freedom” —
http://bit.ly/ONQOFK

These proposed actions from the Obama administration, must be opposed. We cannot stand by, while they just shred the 2nd Amendment before our eyes. I encourage any of my readers, who have not yet joined the NRA, or any other 2nd Amendment defending organization, to join them now.

Here is a link to the NRA website:
www.nra.org

We must not be silent anymore.

Vice President Joe Biden