Free Republic

Women's rights advocates are angry after an amendment restricting abortion access and funding was added to the health care reform bill, which the House of Representatives passed on Saturday. "We had the most pro-choice candidate in decades, but we don't have the most pro-choice president," said Terry O'Neill, president of the half-million-strong National Organisation of Women. "The Stupak-Pitts amendment is a giant leap in the direction of making abortion completely inaccessible to all of us," O'Neill said. Sixty-four Democrats joined 176 Republicans to vote for the amendment, named after co-authors Representative Bart Stupak, a Democrat, and Republican lawmaker Joseph Pitts....

A top House Democrat said Monday she's "confident" that a conference committee will strip language in the House health bill on taxpayer funding for abortion. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), the Democrats' chief deputy whip in the House, said that she and other pro-choice lawmakers would work to strip the amendment included in the House health bill that bars federal funding from going to subsidize abortions. "I am confident that when it comes back from the conference committee that that language won't be there," Wasserman Schultz said during an appearance on MSNBC. "And I think we're all going to be...

Currently, the constitution allows prisoners to perform work for governmental agencies during their prison sentence, but the amendment would allow them to volunteer for religious, charitable and educational groups as well. Letting inmates work for non-profits was common practice for jails across the state until the state Commission of Correction determined it was unconstitutional about three years ago, state Sheriffs' Association Counsel Thomas Mitchell said. The nonprofit work could be used as an incentive for good behavior.

Explanatory Statements for the November 3rd, 2009 Constitutional Amendment Election Proposition 1 (HJR 132) HJR 132 would amend the constitution to authorize the legislature to allow a municipality or a county to issue bonds and notes to finance the purchase of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to military installations. The buffer areas would be used to prevent encroachment or to construct roadways utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation. The municipality or county may pledge increases in ad valorem tax revenues for repayment of the bonds or notes. The proposed amendment would...

This column is in answer to the linked NAACP objection to my column(s). Below are the column in question and the letter. Please read both before perusing my response. http://www.daveweinbaum.com/column100109.html http://www.therolladailynews.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor/x1340500084/NAACP-takes- issue-with-Weinbaum-online-column First I want to thank the NAACP for providing me with column fodder as this can be problematic on a weekly basis. My initial reaction to this communiqué and that of my liberal-leaning friend, webmaster and former editor of the RDN, Martin Schwartz was: “You (Weinbaum) made an opinion in the op-ed section of the RDN. They (NAACP) disagreed with it. So the NAACP wants to stop this...

That’s the title of a new article in the Columbia Law Review (the link is just to an abstract, since no PDF is available). The law review asked me whether I could write a commentary for its online supplement (the Sidebar), and I did, here, under the title The First and Second Amendments; the author’s response to my response is here. Here’s the text of my article (for the footnotes, see the version I link to above): I. The Supposed Analogy to Obscenity Analogies between the First Amendment and the Second (and comparable state constitutional protections) are over 200 years...

Rep. Bart Stupak (D.-Mich.) told CNSNews.com yesterday that he has organized a group of “about 40 likeminded Democrats” who will vote to kill the health-care bill if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) does not allow a floor vote on his amendment to prohibit federal funds from going to insurance plans that cover abortion. Under Stupak’s plan, the approximately 40 Democrats in his camp would join with all House Republicans in voting to defeat the special House “rule” that would set the terms for debating and amending the health-care bill on the House floor when it is brought up for a...

This is kind of funny. The Senate Finance Committee is going to vote this week on an amendment that would add a public option to their health care bill. If you are a Democrat, it sounds good so far, right? But the authors of the amendment, Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), have stated that they know the amendment will not pass in the committee. So why are they forcing an amendment that will only serve to embarrass their fellow Democrats? Well, to embarrass their fellow Democrats, of course.

Republican David Vitter says no federal funds should go to the New Orleans-based ACORN organization. Vitter has introduced an amendment to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development funding bill that would bar any federal money in that approrpriation from going to ACORN. "It's certainly not news to anyone that ACORN has been the subject of some controversy over the past year, and last year's presidential election brought to light evidence of ACORN chapters engaging in fraudulent voter registration activities," Vitter said. "They are currently under federal investigation and this is simply not the sort of organization that should be funded...

On July 16, an amendment by Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) that would have required use of the SAVE [Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements] program to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving the affordable premium credits was defeated by the House Ways and Means Committee.

We just received an update on the next step in the battle against the U.S. Customs and their proposal to revoke earlier rulings that assisted opening knives are not switchblades. To recap, the proposal would not only outlaw assisted opening knives, but its overly broad new definition of a switchblade would also include all one-handed opening knives and most other pocket knives! If you have not been keeping up with the news surrounding the legislation, we invite you to read these posts, which will get up to speed. U.S. Representatives will be back in D.C. right after Labor Day and...

A Proposal for the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America On the Authority of the Congress and the Presidency Whereas, The foundation and history of this nation is such that all citizens must be treated equally under the law, and The representatives of the people are themselves members of the several states and thus shall not be considered as a separate class of citizenry, and Those elected to federal offices are to conduct the business of the people whom they represent, and The authority of the President of the United States must be balanced with...

I have been lurking since 2000, and have not posted before. I haven't seen this posted as an idea, and think that it's a great time to propose this what with the healthcare debate, Rangel, et al.

I just wanted my Examiner friends to be the first to know that Larry Pratt, Executive Director of Gun Owners of America, has agreed to speak at the Second Amendment March on April 19th, 2010 on the Washington Monument Grounds. Myself and the leadership of the Second Amendment March are currently evaluating others who have asked to speak at the event. I'll announce other speakers as the information becomes available. (www.gunownersofamerica.org) Skip Coryell Founder, Second Amendment march www.secondamendmentmarch.com The following information was taken from the website of Gun Owners of America. Larry Pratt has been Executive Director of Gun Owners...

Let us suppose ... that some prince were desirous to force his subjects to ... preserve the health and strength of their bodies. ..." The above hypothetical was posited not in yesterday's debate but in 1685, in "A Letter Concerning Toleration," John Locke's momentous essay on religious liberty. To expose the folly of 17th-century religious intolerance, Locke brings it to a logical and ridiculous extreme: government-run health care. Self-evident to his contemporaries was the truth that . . . .

Editor: The following email was sent by Keith Mason, a leader in the movement to pass the Personhood Amendment in individual states. The Montana state senate, for example, passed SB 406 this past February, the language of which states: "all persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights ... person means a human being at all stages of human development of life, including the state of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning,or condition of dependency." A personhood amendment on the Colorado ballot in November, 2008 lost 73-27%.) Last week I wrote a brief report of...

THE28THAMENDMENTPROPOSAL.ORG ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR NATIONAL AND STATE MANAGERS; TWO OF TWELVE NATIONAL COMMITTEE BOARD POSITIONS FILLED EL PASO, TX, JULY 30, 2009: The National Committee Board for the grassroots initiative known as The28thAmendmentProposal.org announced a national search today for a National Administrative Coordinator, National Press and Public Relations Specialist, and State Program Managers and State Press and Public Relations Specialists in each of the sovereign united States. The National Committee Board is preparing for a major expansion in the organizational structure over the coming weeks, in advance of announcements of all of the National Committee Board positions. The28thAmendmentProposal.org is in...

Much of the discussion revolving around the decades-old flat tax proposal disregards reality, and often implies that at the same time such a proposal is put forth the amendment cannot also address some of the flaws or drawbacks in such a system. One argument comes from those who seem to have an unrealistic goal of completely abolishing a federal tax system altogether. Often these arguments are wrapped in some kind of discussion of natural rights, Constitutional restraints, and the like; they however seem to ignore two key points: - One, our founding fathers provided authority to the Congress to spend...

What can I do? I’ve written and called my representatives, and get a form letter, a stock answer or an argument. I’ve worked on campaigns. I’ve marched in Washington, and joined various groups. I’ve made my voice clear, and appear to be part of this overwhelming majority who have done the same in vain, constantly ignored, berated, pandered to, condescended, and held in contempt. When one set of bums is thrown out after the people have had enough, it seems another set of bums replace them; often it makes little difference which party they belong to other than the degree...

THE28THAMENDMENTPROPOSAL.ORG LAUNCHES NATIONAL GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN EL PASO, TX, JULY 24, 2009: A new grassroots campaign launched a public website and their proposal for passage of an amendment to the US Constitution today in El Paso, TX. THE28THAMENDMENTPROPOSAL.ORG National Committee announced the activation of the website explaining the proposal, and a national search for a number of positions to be filled in support of the effort. Interim National Chairperson D. Brian Carter briefly outlined the aims of the amendment proposal intiative: • “The proposal is a mechanism for the American People and the States to reclaim much of the liberty and...

Millions of Americans watch with horror as the Obama administration continues to implement its own version of 'change.' Change that involves an unprecedented and systematic devolution of power to the federal government, in direct contravention of the Constitution. From the pending takeover of 17% of economy under the auspices of health care reform, to the government takeover and subsequent ownership of automobile companies, to the unconstitutional interference in the formerly private market under the rubric of stimulating the economy. Not to mention the proposed cap and trade legislation which would give the federal government unlimited powers of taxation and regulation...

Here is a real Rara Avis: a liberal newspaper from San Diego publishing an impartial , unbiased and well researched article on guns and the California UOC (Unloaded Open Carry) movement. Kudos to every participant in the interview and kudos to Miss Rosa Jurjevic, she proved herself to be is a great gal and an honest journalist.

After the Heller decision some speculated the anti-Second Amendment groups will start to lose credibility and funding.

House Defeats Amendment to Stop Obama's Tax-Funded Abortions Washington, DC -- A House committee on Tuesday night defeated a pro-life amendment designed to stop President Barack Obama's plan to fund abortions in the nation's capital with taxpayer dollars. The House Appropriations Committee voted largely along partisan lines to prevent restoration of the funding ban. Full report and action alerts at: http://www.LifeNews.com/nat5200.html

Drastic situations demand drastic measures. Democratic Socialists running Washington DC have the American people on their heels as they launch a continuous barrage of attacks on all fundamental American principles, values and rights. Their strategy of attacking on every front all at once makes it impossible for the average American to keep up, much less defend against the daily attacks on an issue by issue basis. Democratic Socialists are working at a fever pace to dismantle the United States of America before the people can mount a viable defense, and they are taking no prisoners. They are well organized and...

New reality series about a Colorado gun store coming up on SHOWTIME. Looks like the show will take a pro-Second Amendment stance. Video trailer at the link.

The Virginia Citizens Defense League is used to fighting for the right to carry guns. But now it's having to defend the right to wear stickers about carrying guns. The group says officials at the Richmond Coliseum recently attempted to stop members from handing out blaze-orange "Guns Save Lives" stickers before an appearance by radio and television talk-show host Glenn Beck. "It's bad enough they're trying to trample the Second Amendment. Then you come and attack the First," President Philip Van Cleave said, referring to the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of the right to bear arms and to free speech. Dolly...

Michelle Bachman is asking for everyone to sign a petition in support of her Amendment that would stop Acorn and other organizations from receiving tax dollars while they are under indictment under state or federal law.

House Democrats Prevent Amendment Limiting Obama's Intl Abortion Agenda Washington, DC -- The House of Representatives is slated to consider a bill today to fund the State Department, but House Democrats wielded their control over the chamber by preventing a pro-life amendment. Rep. Chris Smith had hoped to offer an amendment to limit President Barack Obama's international abortion agenda. Full story: http://www.LifeNews.com/int1229.html

Dear Federal Government, Please stop spending. Please stop regulating. Please stop nationalizing. Please stop greening. Please don't make California's problem my problem. I respectfully remind you that you have not been delegated authority to do much of what you are doing. Please stop. You have given us a patients Bill of Rights. You have given us a Credit Card Bill of Rights. You have given us a mortgage holders Bill of Rights. But you do not have authority to convey any of these so called "rights." I know this because I have read the actual Bill of Rights. So... WHEREAS,...

The Home Office has issued the latest list of people it believes should not come to the country because they hold extremist opinions. It is a state's prerogative to decide who it wants to come to its country. That is, after all, what a visa system is for. But those banned from entry used to be people who were likely to cause public disorder or who had criminal records. In the 1960s there was a row when George Raft, the Hollywood actor, was refused entry because of his alleged links to organised crime. Now we are more likely than not...

"I have an amendment on the floor to stop TARP funds from being used to buy common stocks and take ownership of private companies."... come on and tell your senators to support this amendment......

Interview of Gov. Ed Rendel saying civilians only need revolvers and have no use for "assault weapons". He is also stating there is no slippery slope. He is also demanding the banning of high capacity clips.

Has the Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller–which affirmed the Second Amendment and declared the D.C. handgun ban unconstitutional–been of almost no significance? So claimed the New York Times in a recent article by Supreme Court reporter Adam Liptak. Unfortunately, Liptak’s article followed in a long New York Times tradition of credulously reporting the claims of one anti-gun professor, without conducting sufficient research to see if the claims hold up. Let’s start with the most obvious facts which the Times overlooked. On the day that Heller was decided, the citizens of five Chicago suburbs, and of Chicago...

There is some language, NSFW unless you have headphones or quiet speakers. Penn and Teller on the 1st Amendment

So true...but the gun hating liberals will just ignore logical arguments like this until they're blue in the face. Read on

I would like to ask for your help in writing a new Constitutional Amendment, one that will prevent the kind of abuse of our Constitution now being used by slick legislators to circumvent the limits on government powers that are supposed to be inherent in our Constitution. We're seeing language being inserted in international treaties that is specifically contrary to our Constitution, in an effort to take advantage of the supremacy clause in the Constitution, which grants treaties the same legal status as our Constitution. To stop this abuse, I'd like to propose the following Amendment to our Constitution: Proposed...

From F.I.R.E - Foundation For Individual Rights In Education, a pro-free speech, Second Amendment rights article----- "Too Often, First Amendment Protections Denied to Second Amendment Speech" read on

Who else here has received the information on the end game where our 2nd Amendment is concerned? After all, 0bama doesn't need a Congressional vote and court decision(s) if he & Hillary negotiate a treaty with the UN that binds the US citizenry from having/owning weapons.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it… I wonder how it is the “People” might alter or abolish their government without the tools necessary to do so. Liberals will...

In spite of its recent support for an individual right to bear arms, the Supreme Court on Tuesday adopted an expansive reading of the federal law that bans possession of firearms by those who have been convicted of felonies or of "a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence." The meaning of the phrase about misdemeanors was the issue in United States v. Hayes, decided by a 7-2 vote in a decision available here. West Virginia resident Randy Hayes was prosecuted under that section of the law in 2005. The predicate crime that triggered the law in his case was a 1994...

Say goodbye to cheap military style sporting rifles and rifle parts kits imported from Eastern Europe: 53 Democrooks sent letter to Obama to enforce an import ban of such "cop killing instruments of death". How come then every confused liberal posing as a gun owner assured me before the elections that "Democrats learned their lesson" not to support more anti-gun crap? Read on

The attack on our Second Amendment Rights is continuous from those that want more gun control. The approach today is to raise the cost of compliance with laws regarding our right to keep and bear arms, so that it becomes prohibitively expensive. This approach, however, may prove to be unconstitutional. "We the People" should not have to pay on an individual basis for our Constitutional Rights. They are guaranteed by our Constitution. So when states pass ordinances that require us to pay fees to exercise those rights, I believe they are violating our Constitutional Rights. Let's have a look at...

Author Unknown: ( from Soldier of Fortune magazine, October 1994.) We Will Not Disarm!!! Notice To All Politicians: It is time to speak plainly for the good citizens and patriots of this nation who believe unendingly in the Constitution of the United States of America. Though foreign governments may disarm their subjects, we will not go down that road. We will not disarm and see our freedoms stripped away. The lessons of history are numerous, clear, and bloody. Read on

Here is a surprisingly unbiased piece from Washington (com)Post on pro-Second Amendment student groups and their efforts to legalize the right carry concealed firearms in university campuses for self protection. Read on

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), the far left anti-gun group under investigation for voter fraud, could be eligible to receive millions, if not billions of dollars from the economic bailout bill that passed out of the House of Representatives. ACORN was an aggressive supporter of Barack Obama -- who had served as the group's legal counsel and even trained ACORN in "community organizing" -- in the presidential election. The Obama campaign even paid the group $800,000 for "voter turnout," the very activities that came under scrutiny by the FBI. In October 2008, ACORN's Las Vegas office...

Citizens Grilling The Gun Grabbing O.C. Sheriff A video recording of the Orange County Board Of Supervisors meeting that took place this morning is now available for viewing.

What make gun grabbers like Hussein Obama, Diane Feinstein, Paul Helmke, Carolyn McCarthy, Charles Schumer or Eric Holder tick? Gus Cotey, Jr. from Jews for Preservation of Firearms Ownership has the answer. Read on

For the first 26 years of my life I lived under one of Eastern Europe darkest, most deranged and authoritarian communist dictatorships. What you will read on this page happened in America, supposedly the freest country in the world; however from the behavior manifested by the law enforcement officers attending a recent Board of Supervisors meeting you would think their employer is Nicolae Ceausescu not the citizens of Orange County, California. Read on

It started when the Pahrump NV. Town Manager Bill Kohbarger placed on the town board meeting agenda a proposition banning guns from the city property. However, Pahrump residents caught wind of what Kohbarger and his leftist gun grabbing acolytes were scheming and by the time the board meeting started, scores of angry citizens were already packing the town hall. Read what happened next: