Mass Idiocy.

Uh, Battlestar Galactica themed space combat? Yes please.

I’m going to be seriously considering what Mr. Barnett has suggested here. It’s time to take the power back.

The Obama-tron just came out with the administration’s take on gun control action. This list is full of generico “now no one can say we didn’t do anything!” type actions. What’s worse is that rather than admitting that governmental gun control doesn’t work, the administration has decided to blame video games and waste taxpayer dollar an similar nonsense. This tragedy is being used as an excuse to expand the (currently ineffective) bureaucracy even more.

The reason that I’m reposting on this subject has to do with the comments in the Mercury article above. The only sensible comment was that any weapons restrictions on the citizenry should be imposed on the police also. My biggest qualm is the idea that weapons bans don’t violate the 2nd Amendment.

As a precursor, I am a consitutional originalist. When a comment says, “I don’t believe there is any justification to oppose any of the above [proposals]. And it absolutely DOES NOT [sic] infringe upon anyone’s Second Amendment rights.” it either shows a complete communication breakdown (I am totally misinterpreting his statement) or this person is completely ignorant of why the 2nd Amendment exists. Since this chap’s sentiment is very popular among liberal leftist-types allow me to drop some knowledge on you.

The 2nd Amendment reads: “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.” [wiki] Militias? Who does that anymore? Let’s think about this: The Framers lived in a time where they had just overthrown - what they considered - an oppressive, non-American government (the British). Due to their past problems with the British military, one of concerns at the front of their minds was: how do we defend against a totalitarian government who uses force to oppress their citizens? The answer was fairly simple: guns.

By allowing regular citizens to own firearms, they could defend themselves from outside invaders and protect themselves from a corrupt government. Remember, a large number of arms used in the Revolution were privately owned. Any legislation which opposes this idea (namely making it hard for citizens to defend themselves from invasion or oppression at home) is definitely unconstitutional.

An “assault weapon” ban in every way opposes the 2nd Amendment. This right in no way protects the use of hunting or sporting arms and the Framers probably didn’t intend for it to be used for home protection either. It is literally designed so that you protect yourself from and fight against the government should they become despotic. When your government has access to M16s and they come knocking on your door, how do you defend yourself? If they drag people out in the streets what can you do? Gun control is the device of tyrannical governments everywhere.

Know your history and know your rights. The rights and liberties set forth in the Constitution are not just a bunch of stupid scribbles by a bunch of irrelevant old guys. They are important and they ought to be protected. Ignorance is your undoing.

Mass Idiocy.

A couple good ones out there for those of you who aren’t familiar. First up, of course, is the current debate on gun control. I tend to agree with this man’s assessment of the situation: An intelligent, well thought out argument.

Next, the curse of the 90’s strikes again! It’s not video games or television or mass media that corrupted our generation, it was the baby boomer generation. So open-minded and appreciative and accepting that they set us up to be soft. Taught us to expect everything for nothing and to explain away our failings so that nothing was truly our fault. An entire generation of kids has grown up with unrealistic expectations of themselves and the world around them. Its time to buck up, let’s ride.

Now this one I liked. For those of you who are not familiar with my politics, I am a Constitutional originalist (in the extreme). I don’t believe that the Constitution is a “living breathing document” subject to the opinions of the time. I think it was Anton Scalia who said that a “living consitutionalist” judge is the type of person who comes home to his wife and says ‘Joy! The Constitution means exactly what I think it ought to mean!’ regardless of what has been written. This sort of thinking is incredibly dangerous and allows people of authority to take advantage of its citizenry by manipulating the law to their own aims. The reason this article is awesome, is because the author states his heresy for all to see: Abandon the Constitution, he says. I’d rather leftists simply admit to this philosophy rather than try to pervert the law to suite their desires. You want to be progressive? Want to right social injustice and force that on everyone as you see fit? All you have to do is ignore the Constitution. Otherwise you have the terrifying task of having to allow people to live the way they want and not the way you think they should.

Finally this little gem. I don’t really understand the distinction between casual and hardcore gamers. Gamers used to be losers. Like social pariah style. This is why the image of the fat, sweaty dude with poor hygiene, good grades and no friends is the gamer stereotype. In recent years this image has changed and video games have moved to the forefront of coolness. Fraternity brothers have all-night Halo and Madden competitions, cute girls love mario party (or mario cart or any other goofy Nintendo game) and the media itself is beginning to evolve into an intelligent form of art. For some reason, as gaming has become more prevalent, individuals feel the need to reclassify their hobby as “better than yours” in some way. Not exactly sure why this distinction between gamers and non-gamers and casual and hardcore gamers but what do I know?

The old man sent me this a while back but I hadn’t checked up on it until now. Very good piece and I think it hits the nail on the head, like this little gem:

“Hanson comes back to the virtue of self-reliance and the toll its absence is taking on society: “Today’s suburban American has a therapeutic view of the world. We think we all die in our sleep at 90 years old without ever being sick. We don’t expect to lose our jobs. When these things happen, we go to counseling, thinking life’s not fair. Or we look to the government for help.”

“The society’s attitude toward the citizen—that we will guarantee you a degree of material and psychological security—is something that we can’t honor.” He adds: “I think that we are emasculating the citizen.””

A good read. Check the link above.

Beer and brewing news, friends!

Getting close to bottling time on the latest batch of beer. For those of you not in the know, its a toss up if this one’s going to come out. It boiled-over during fermentation so I have no idea if its still good - I’ll test it for safety before distributing tasters.

Further, Original Gravity is having their official Grand Opening Party so check it out. Promises to be a good time with an excellent tap list. I’ll be there, will you?

Cheers.