Seems to me that the Republicans have all bases covered.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if the ‘textualists’ on the Court decided that the only way you could own a gun was if you were going to be part of a militia? that would leave out hunters, people just defending themselves and gun collectors.

Or, they could say that the Constitution only says we can have a militia and essentially outlaw the standing army in favor of the National Guard.

With this crowd on the Court we really don’t know what kind of loony thing they might come up with.

Drumming up more bad karma for themselves…it’s a shame.

OT: If the Second Amendment is ruled by SCOTUS to mean that only militia can bear arms…does that leave the population ultimately at the mercy of Blackwater and their ilk, or is it a very narrow ruling about handguns in D.C…or is a Republican wedge issue…?

Blackwater is not a “militia” as defined in the Constitution. Militias are regulated by Congress in terms of training and discipline. Miltias are can only be called up by the President only in the event of invasion or armed insurrections (although the Constitutionally dubious subsequent legislation dealing with the National Guards have expanded this). Militias are to be composed of adult citizens…not mercenaries. And they are to have their officers selected by the State Government.

Blackwater is more of a private army that would be the precise sort that the Constitution considered “insurrectionary” and unregulated. The only possible role for them would be in the issuing of “letters of marque” that authorized such paramilitary groups as foreign agents of the United States in foreign conflicts. But a group like this domestically would be considered “pirates” or insurrectionary.

What we avoid is something all of us do to make an impact like not go to movies until the strike is settled. Even so small a step seems beyond us. For all the blogs and comments we are essentially disorganized, that is unable to take direct action. Yes, lots of money gets raised on the web. We contribute to Moveon and think we do something, and we do, but we must do more, something massive, something that makes the bastards sit up and take notice.

Ann in AZ @ 61

Untraceable money which nobody was accountable for, no less! It was at least $10B each for Iraq and Pakistan. That they would send a letter expecting to cash in on a moneyback guarantee for a soldier that was wounded is unconscionable.

This feels like one of those deals where the Pentagon tried to slip one by, got snagged, and will blame it on a bureaucratic snafu if it gets traction… Duh.

As Murtha said today at his presser: why would you believe the Pentagon about anything? C’mon guys, it’s the Pentagon….

Yep, rot starts from the head….

Joe Klein’s conscience @ 58

Isn’t greed one of the seven deadly sins?

For Christians it still is, however the folks in charge are better classified as christianists

My church pastor said that the ultimate goal of The Church (Christianity) is to convert the Middle East (and everyone else) to Christianity – not unlike the desires of Ann Coulter. The anti-womens rights, anti-birth-control and war-mongering in the name of Christ is regressive, oppressive and outrageous.

inability to continue combat duties: 3,000.00 penalty (return of bonus required)==

do you want your purple heart with the 33.57 velvet lined carrying case?

Untraceable money which nobody was accountable for, no less! It was at least $10B each for Iraq and Pakistan. That they would send a letter expecting to cash in on a moneyback guarantee for a soldier that was wounded is unconscionable.

This feels like one of those deals where the Pentagon tried to slip one by, got snagged, and will blame it on a bureaucratic snafu if it gets traction… Duh.