The "FREEDOM" to bear arms

[flatandy]

There's a question of what the Turks will let into the Black Sea through the Dardanelles. They've always been very careful about stopping movement of fighting boats from fighting countries.

Anyhoo, once again Ukraine is not successfully defending itself because random members of the public have Glocks, of even AR-15s. Do we think that random members of the Ukrainian public should be allowed to buy $1m howitzers? And members of the US public under the second amendment?

[flatandy]

(posts deleted because the story has its own thread)

[Repat Van]

May 19, 2022 6:55:46 GMT mids said:

What the far extreme left won't admit is that they want to ban guns for Ukrainian citizens too.

You still haven’t taken my advice to stop smoking crack I see.

[flatandy]

Yesterday was a big day for the gun makers and gun nuts in the US.

The media are cheering "the largest gun control bill in decades" being passed by the Senate. What they are refusing to say is that this is basically just damning of the built in intransigence of the US legislative system, a function of the filibuster. Nothing has passed in three decades, so this incredibly tiny change - that people under 21 have to pass background checks, and that states are encouraged to (but not required to) restrict guns to known threats - is considered a big deal. And even this needs a $15bn sop to the gun nuts who've claimed that the only problem in school shootings is that schools are militarised enough.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court struck down much more serious existing laws in the states that say you're not allowed to carry a concealed weapon unless you have a reason to. Apparently needing a reason to carry a concealed gun is too much of an infringement on the right to bear arms, and states should not be allowed to make their own laws. The concealed carry thing is itself a massive deal, but even more this seems to restrict states from making almost any gun control laws. It's absolutely insane and a much much bigger deal than the small-beer law brought in by the senate.

The Supreme Court is basically just making law for the country now.

[jimboky]

The ruling only says that the states cannot discriminate, using the subjective term as showing "need" to get a carry permit, you still have to pass a back ground test, take training course, or whatever
the 2nd adm. has been around for a while, not really new,
you don't have to show need for the constitution,

a small win but a win for the constitution,

[perrykneeham]

I wonder if it's crossed anyone's mind that the US Constitution is a bit shite?

[flatandy]

it was pretty good for its time, but incredibly limited and is obviously a quarter millennium old and therefore out of date.

The real problems are that a lot of people treat it as a near-holy document, and people treat it as the sole basis for making law rather than a useful relic, that the entire US system of governance is inherently reactionary and increasingly broken, and that over the last 30 or 40 year the Supreme Court has become way more activist and has started replacing the normal process of federal law making and instead effectively made or struck down laws themselves rather than letting the government and legislature do their jobs.

[jimboky]

people who like the constitution are those who believe that LIMITED government works best for the citizens, those who oppose tend to like stronger governments like China, Russia, Cuba,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I consider myself lucky to live in a limited government country where there are still some checks on the government, and don't wish to see it become China, Russia, Cuba,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, no matter what uncle joe thinks

[perrykneeham]

What you need is a constitutional Monarchy, squire. Most of the better countries in the World do, you know.

[ootlg]

A good US friend of ours who's 'something in the US news media' says the country is getting worryingly close to insurrection or civil war.

[jimboky]

Jun 25, 2022 13:30:12 GMT perrykneeham said:

What you need is a constitutional Monarchy, squire. Most of the better countries in the World do, you know.

this from a country who turned their monarch into a side-show

[jimboky]

Jun 25, 2022 14:49:52 GMT ootlg said:

A good US friend of ours who's 'something in the US news media' says the country is getting worryingly close to insurrection or civil war.

the insurrection I see is the left going crazy due to Supreme Court rulings, led by sitting congress critters, of course the democrats would like us to disarm,

[perrykneeham]

Jun 25, 2022 15:11:08 GMT jimboky said:

Jun 25, 2022 13:30:12 GMT perrykneeham said:

What you need is a constitutional Monarchy, squire. Most of the better countries in the World do, you know.

this from a country who turned their monarch into a side-show

Eh, she's the head of state.

[jimboky]

figure head of state,

[perrykneeham]

Nah, you might have noticed her about recently. She retains all manner or powers, not the least of which are the utmost loyalty and affection of her subjects.

[perrykneeham]

I know lots of people who are indifferent to the goings on of the royal family and hold the court in mocking irreverence. They are pretty well 100% solidly loyal to the Crown as a concept and a power.

Hard to imagine a US president commanding that kind of allegiance.

[wetkingcanute]

Wot Baloo say.

I don't give a monkey's about the people or goings on in the Royal Family.
But I am very pleased we have a Constitutional Monarchy instead of a Presidency.

It's less expensive and the Monarch can stay constant and above the dirty business of Government.

[mids]

Wot WKC and Baloo sed.

[perrykneeham]

I see that former French colony Gabon is joining Her Majesty's Commonwealth of Nations, joining Belgium's Rwanda and Portugal's Mozambique.

America had better be quick ....

[jimboky]

Jun 25, 2022 16:05:26 GMT mids said:

Wot WKC and Baloo sed.

so everybody is where they choose,, good, BTW, I do like your Queen, however there has to be a reason why Charles is not now King, surely QE must know something, otherwise she would have turned it over to him by now, she is after 90something,, 96?