What the world needs now is guns, more guns

As soon as I read the news blurb about the Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment protects the individual's right to have a gun in one's home, I ran over the the computer as fast as I could to blog up my ideas. That's right, Standardchuck readers, there are only a few topics (racism, stupidity, dumb sports things, Lyle Lovett) that make me drop everything to type out some e-words. Gun control is one of them, particularly when a conservative Supreme Court decides to legislate.

In the majority opinion, Justice Antonin "I hate freedom" Scalia "said the history of the 2nd Amendment shows its authors intended to protect the 'right of the people' as individuals to have weapons, both to defend themselves and their community." Thus, we now have a definite ruling by the Supreme Court that the Second Amendment specifically protects the rights of individuals to own and possess guns. This is a most disturbing turn of events, especially in light of the fact that this was the first time the high court has even overturned a gun ban on the basis of the second amendment.

The wording of the second Amendment is as follows: 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.

This is a classic moment where there is a disconnect between the original intent of the Amendment and the current interpretation that the Supreme Court's conservative majority utilized to protect gun rights using the amendment. The key word for me seems to be militia, which is defined as "civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army." The average gun owner is not a trained soldier. Simply going to a gun range and shooting at a target does not make you a soldier. Soldiers have duties to protect not only themselves and their immediate families, but also their country and their countries interest. The simple reduction of militia to meaning individual seems to be a huge, illogical linguistic jump. Last time I checked, militia was not a synonym for individual.

The frightening thing is that this landmark decision is the point which will lead to the expansion of gun rights in America. Even though Scalia threw in the point that the second amendment does not grant boundless freedoms, there will now be precedent set so that gun control legislation will be severely curtained. Just what the USA needed, more guns in homes, more guns in the hands of individuals, and more money pouring into the hands of anyone involved in the firearms buisness.

I am deeply saddened by the insistence of rational individuals who think that they are safer having a handgun in the home. Then again, first of all, I met and listened to Antonin Scalia, who has a great sense of humor. He's a nutbag. Second, I've lived all over the country and met many gun fans, of all different creeds and colors, and that should have convinced me that there is a lack of rational individuals in America.

Let the shoot out begin, wackos. Thanks, Edwards court.

What Could Have Been...

June 18, 2008 - Los Angelas, California. It was a performance for the ages by the MVPs, and Kobe Bryant finally has his fourth ring. More importantly, Kevin Garnett has his first. The Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 92 - 87 at the Staples Center...

Today's Boston Globe has the front page story about the Celtics taking the NBA Finals series with their destruction of the Lakers 131-92. The two top scorers for the Celts were Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. However, the stories could have been different if not for the sequence of draft picking in 2007.

What if the envelopes for the top two picks of the draft had contained the Boston Celtics' logo? They deserved it, right? They tanked so many games to finish at 24-58. Looking at their roster at the time, the Celts highest paid players included Wally "double Z" Szczerbiack, Theo Ratliff, and Vin Baker. They earned Greg Oden or Kevin Durant.

So, instead, the cruel lottery balls of the NBA granted the Celtics the fifth pick. They trade it away to get Ray Allen. They then convince KG to come roost in the new Garden. The rest is history.

What if they had the first two picks? First they would have either had Oden's non-playing gimpy knees or Kevin Durant's pretty good year. Second, they would not have had Ray Allen. Third, I'm pretty sure that KG wouldn't want to come be apart of another rebuilding team. Fourth, you probably lose Paul Pierce. If he's still on the team at this time in our alternate NBA universe, he would be shout to any available news media outlet that he wants out of the NBA altogether, ready to run off with Starbury to the former USSR.

So, here's a possible starting five if they had the first pick: Rondo (G), West (G), Pierce (F), Jefferson (F), Perkins (C). Sub in Durant for West if they had the second pick. Expectation, 35-40 wins maybe?

Thank the bounce of the ping pong ball, Celtics fans.

Symbolic caring about the environment

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/06/climate-change.html

Remember when Senators would argue about climate change then leave their offices to get into idling SUVs to go a few blocks to get their drink on? No? Well, it happened. I'm glad that America's getting serious (sort-of) about environmental issues. Go Democrat controlled Congress!!!

It's Over! Right?

So, apparently the Democratic primary is over...close to over...since Clinton lost the latest contest and Obama grabbed Fmr. President Jimmy Carter's endorsement. Additionally, Hillary has publicly stated that she wouldn't mind being VP on Obama's ticket.

Thank goodness it is over. Seriously, other than major politickheads, has anyone keep up with this ridiculousness?

Apparently Upper Deck has...

Look at how crappy Hillary looks on the right card...

That is all. I'm just glad that it is over, since the Democrats, as always, have been working to lose another race.