Guns of November

Q: Is there a role for politics in our judicial system?
A: None whatever.
The absolute worst violation of the judge's oath
is to decide a case based on a partisan
political or philosophical basis, rather than what the law requires
--Associate Justice Antonin Scalia

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
--Everybody Knows, Leonard Cohen

Ranger Question of the Day:
Which President signed an executive order banning
import and sale of assault weapons?
Hint : the order was signed in 1989
_______________

"Why Gun Owners Must Vote for McCain," by James H. Warner, was the featured editorial in the October '08 Dillon Blue Press. Of course one can expect emotionalism there, but the argument neglects any considerations for the good of the country. It is as narrow a rationale as can be imagined.

You know what kind of a ride you are in for when you see the minstrel caricature of Obama. The visual alone is offensive, and it gets worse from there. (And everyone knows blacks use TEC-9's, not regular pistols.)

Warner trots out the usual image of McCain as a man tested by fire, and he brings the testimonial authority of one who spent time in Hoa Lo prison, the infamous Hanoi Hilton, with McCain. There is no question that experience is a trial beyond that of the ordinary man, but it is not necessarily the forge in which presidents are formed.

Beyond his apparent vouchsafing of McCain's integrity, Warner concludes, "Regardless of any other differences you may have with McCain, you must help elect him so we can keep our guns." That is it. Not so your country will prosper, or become more humane or functional -- simply: You can keep your guns.

His argument for McCain is reduced to one: we need to pack the Supreme Court with men the likes of Justice Alito. Warner is delighted the court recently ruled in favor of individual gun rights, but that same court also allowed secret FISA courts, FBI warrantless investigation, suspension of habeas corpus for U.S. citizens, torture, secret prisons, endless incarceration of non-citizen terror suspects and financial malfeasance of epic proportions.

O.K. gun owners, play with your pistols until your dick is so hard the end splits, but how does this promote democracy? If the economy tanks, will your handgun be a democratic tool?

Sales of weapons have risen 8-10% prior to the upcoming elections (Gun Sales Thriving in Uncertain Times.), just as they did prior to Bush 41's signing of the assault weapons ban in 1989 (National Institute of Justice Brief.) Though the National Rifle Association questions McCain's position on gun ownership, they are said to feel much more comfortable with running mate Palin on this issue.

Why do the gun advocacy groups feel that a handgun is the key to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Will a warm gun guarantee social security, a stable stock market or mortgage payment? Will a handgun insure a successful retirement program? Protect one from a federal SWAT team with tanks and attack helicopters?

Well, will they, punk?