Last Call discussion

Many GR reviewers compare Prohibition with the current policy on marijuana, but I think there may be lessons to learn about the gun debate as well, at least insofar as the cultural divide in the country. I believe in gun control. Why should anyone need a military-style assault weapon? But I live on the East Coast. I'm a product of my culture.

But one lesson of Prohibition is that the Constitution CAN be changed. It took an amendment to create it, and an amendment to appeal it. Is the second amendment so absolutely sacred? I'm not necessarily in favor of its repeal, but the guns' rights folks talk about it like it's a G-d given right, and it isn't. The framers knew they weren't perfect; that's why the Constitution has an elastic clause. Do people really need guns now like they did in colonial days? I, for one, don't think so.

Do you have a "god given" right to vote?

No, I have a Constitution-given right to vote.

And prior to the Constitution, did anyone have any rights? Does the the phrase "endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights" have no meaning for you?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - but not necessarily to carry a gun as that could impact someone else's rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

How do you propose to preserve that liberty? The folks who wrote the Constitution preserved theirs by taking up arms against a repressive government.

At least we both enjoyed the book

Here's my favorite verse from "America, the Beautiful"

Oh beautiful for pilgrim's feet
whose firm impassioned stress
a thoroughfare for freedom beat
across the wilderness.
America, America,
G-d mend thine every flaw.
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
thy liberty in law.