All laws includes the second article in the Bill of Rights, it trumps any law Congress establishes with a simple majority. Which part of "shall not be infringed" do you think Atty. Gen. Ashcroft doesn't get? Perhaps after all his years in high office he's dizzy and now imagines there's a "but", or an "except for", "for the churlin", "safety", "the war on whatever"...yadda, yadda...somewhere in there.
"B).Ashcroft first AG to interpret the Second Amendment as and INDIVIDUAL right as opposed to a COLLECTIVE right in many years. Remember how Corporal Klinton's Solicitor Gen. argued otherwise? Ashcroft has so instructed his 93 Fed. DAs accordingly."
The 2nd Amendment is written in plain English, it needs no interpretation. In addition to being an individual right, it states absolutely and unconditionally, "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Does Atty. Gen. Ashcroft expect those of us that can read English and cherish Freedom to stand by silently as he engages the Justice Dept. in an assault on that individual right to render it fully infringed? Perhaps there are those that think it's OK and not a big deal to establish the precedent of infringing where it's not allowed, for whatever reason of safety and convenience the government comes up with. It's amazing that he would enlist the enemies of individual rights, Freedom and responsibility to defend what is a clear violation of the Bill of Rights.
Well maybe not so amazing, since he was appointed by a fellow that that signed a bill that clearly violates the first amendment clause forbidding the federal govm't from infringing on the right of free speech. That, simply because the Republican leadership thought it isn't all that important to oppose every little infringement of speech that rears it's little head. Well if it's not important, why the hell'd the founders pen the 1st amendment? I'll tell you why, it's because they wanted to do leave a reminder to the Free citizens of future generations of what they held to be important, to prevent those with vision from imposing their wandering nightmares on future generations of Americans. Free speech is imperative to the communication of truths and ideas.
"C).Although unrelated to RKBA, when Ashcroft was Gov. of Missouri, our state was ranked 48th in TOTAL tax burden. After 3 years of Carnahan and the Democrats, we rose to EIGHTEENTH! Right up there with Kali, Mass, NY,etc.
Apparently Ashcroft did little during his tenure as governor to educate and foster the ideas of Freedom and personal responsibility in the state of MO. If he did, why is it that when he left office folks felt compelled to install the tax and spend artists. Is it because he provided the same kind of leadership he demonstrates now with his assault on the 2nd amend? Sure, you have rights and we'll define them for you! That kind of treatment and definition of rights falls right in line with the 'toon's definition of freedom, "the ability to pick your rulers". It's bogus and empty!
"D)As for NRA? They are already confronting pols on their views of letting the AW Ban "sunset." Posted on nraila.org or gomemphis.com as well as most of the gun boards.
Are you suggesting Atty. Gen. Ashcroft get a pass of silence on his blatent disregard and lack of respect for the substance of the 2nd Amendment's prohibition on the infringement of the individual right? So if the people who care, clamor in outrage at his crass attack on the right, you refer to it as, "hog swallow"? The only "hog swallow" is coming out of the Bush admin's. Justice dept., not from the citizens of the U.S. that are observing them trash their right!
"If you long for the days of Rambo Reno? I'll see you on the beach...
The day Americans embrace one tyrany for another is the day America dies!
Apparently you don't understand-it was Ashcroft that argued citizens had and INDIVIDUAL right, not a COLLECTIVE right. I don't disagree with what you say (in your discussions of RKBA)-but the reality is, it was Klinton and his minions that argues the COLLECTIVE right interpretation of the Second Amendment.
You obviously have little understanding of Ashcroft. Are you one of those Libertarians that believe Ashcroft is a Fascist and Ho Chi Minh was a democrat(small d)?
Some here denounce Ashcroft, yet do not heed Larry Pratt's words about him, early on.
In 'D' I was discussing NRA's attempts to get pols to reveal their positions on letting AW Ban "sunset." Nothing about Ashcroft there.
To accuse Ashcroft of "tyranny" is laughable. Recall how he was grilled during his confirmation hearing? He must uphold the law, even the assine 18USC922(r) and all the crap it forces on us. He has no choice. He may be a "head-banger" but we are a nation at war, something many here forget. He dealt with organized crime in KC and St.L. Survived. Most here would be too timid to attempt such.