I re-read the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) to see what our founding fathers had to say about a well-regulated Militia.
The America people have been bamboozled by gun companies wanting to sell more guns for greater profits—undermining safety in our nation. 1/
The word militia appears 6 times in the U.S. Constitution.
From the description of Militia (in sections 2 & 8 ), it’s clear that Militia is not one individual with individual gun rights. Militia are the national guard of each state that can be called to form an army. 2/
3. Section 8: “Congress shall have the Power: to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers…” 3/
“… and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress.”
“Congress shall have the Power: to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions.” 4/
Thus, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, clearly describes Militia as an organized national guard, with officers appointed by the states, under the authority of training by Congress used to protect the nation from insurrection or invasion. 5/
Section 2: “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.”
The President commands the Militia when called into service. 6/
The Constitution is a legal document. They’ve already explained what a Militia is three times before the 2nd amendment says, “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…” 7/
So, the context and intent was that states would maintain a state guard, with members having guns, that could be called up to protect nation under the command of the president. 8/
So, the context and intent was that states would maintain a state guard, with members having guns, that could be called up to protect nation under the command of the president. 8/
The propaganda that individuals have an unregulated right to have as many guns as they want—in case they want to overthrow their government—isn’t contained anywhere in the Constitution. 9/
At a minimum, we should return the original intent that those who want to bear arms should be well-regulated and well-trained according to laws prescribed by Congress, based on the will of the people.
The propaganda that individuals have an unregulated right to have as many guns as they want—in case they want to overthrow their government—isn’t contained anywhere in the Constitution. 9/10
At a minimum, we should return the original intent that those who want to bear arms should be well-regulated and well-trained according to laws prescribed by Congress, based on the will of the people.
1. As I witness (from afar) innocent Ukrainians—who want their freedom and democracy—bombed by an imperial invasion, I keep asking myself, “What would I want done if I were standing in their shoes?”
2. Today, I remembered that America was once a young nation desiring freedom from an empire. I remembered that foreign aid helped us win our revolution.
3. But it was not until the French committed troops and a superior navy that Cornwallis surrendered, trapped. A French army of 4,000 men under Rochambeau joined Washington’s 2,500 troops. Lafayatte’s forces and De Grasse’s warships completed the circle—ending the war.
1. Back in Sept. 2021, concerned that @SenatorSinema was about to betray her constituents, I wrote to the Arizona Election Services Division about if a senator from AZ can be recalled.
They replied that there is one way a senator from AZ can be recalled.
2. To manage expectations, being subject to recall in Arizona would require the senator’s cooperation. And would have to be pledged during the campaign.
3. I’m sharing the way recall works in AZ as using “the recall pledge” in the future might be a tool for people in Arizona to identify better which senate candidates will serve their constituents and which will serve only themselves.
2/ 4 key takeaways that America should consider before history repeats.
#1 Don’t think it can’t happen here
#2 Don’t cooperate with those who show authoritarian tendencies
#3 Holding political people accountable to the rule of law saves lives
#4 Disinformation leads to death
3/ Some details from the @PBS episodes that jumped out, if you’re interested.
12 helpful facts in the Texas Harris County Drive-through voting case. #HarrisVotes
1. In June, to protect voters' health during a pandemic, the Texas Secretary of State approved drive-through voting in the 2020 election.
2. In July, drive-through voting was successfully piloted in the Harris Country primary run-off election.
3. In August, Harris County (the most populated county in Texas) approved funding to offer drive-thru voting in the General Election after the Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the list of early voting locations, which included drive-through locations.