[URL]http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=82374[/URL]

It appears as if Barack's appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State violates Article 1, Section 6 of the United States Constitution.

[quote]
"No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."
[/quote]

For a self-proclaimed Constitutional genius, how is it Barack has already begun committing unconstitutional actions? It's going to be a long four years folks, and presumably a long eight with the way this country is enamored with this guy. Just one more action committed by our government which subverts our Constitution; I think it's time we just throw the document away. It's apparent that it means nothing to the folks in Washington.

Double Eights

For those of you unaware of what I'm talking about, just visit the forum in the NFL section of the forums. I'll continue from where we left off.

[quote=Squint;2038950603]Again, I'm all about the right to bear arms, but you're insinuating part of the second amendment's purpose is self protection in Burress' situation.

It's main intent is to keep and maintain a well regulated militia.

The Constitution [I]preserves[/I] the right for people to be able to own a firearm (which Burress is allowed to do). The state of New York has made it a law to have a license to carry a concealed weapon under their state Constitution.

All completely within the bounds of the framework of the U.S. Constitution.[/quote]

See this is where we disagree, as I firmly believe it is within the rights of every individual (well, everyone who isn't in Prison) to own and possess a firearm.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. These are the three basic human rights we have, given to us by our creator or by nature for those of us who don't believe in a supreme being.

How are we to protect these rights, if the government mandates we need their "approval," via a license, to do so? Our rights are not only to protect ourselves from other individuals, but from the government themselves. To even think that the Founders meant for us need approval to carry a firearm is ludacris, especially in the time when the Constitution was formed (you know, after they spent years fighting the British government to secure these rights).

Regardless of whether you are pro-gun or anti-gun, your opinion is irrelevant (irrelevant in the sense that if you disagree, the Constitution still states that your disagreement doesn't change anything), that is until there is a convention to determine whether or not we should amend the second amendment. Until the amendment is changed, we [I]all [/I]have a right to keep and bear arms, and anyone familiar with the Constitution, Liberty, and our history will understand that.

Edit: Let me leave you with some quotes.

No free man shall ever be de-barred the use of arms.- Thomas Jefferson, proposal for Virginia's constitution of 1776

The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, and this without any qualification as to their condition or degree, as is the case in the British government. -- This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty... The right of self-defense is the first law of nature; in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Whenever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction. - St. George Tucker, [U]Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England [/U](1803)

Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence. From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good. - George Washington, in a speech to Congress, January 7,1790. (Note: There is a rumor that this quote was NOT made by Washington.)

The people of the various provinces are strictly forbidden to have in their possession any swords, short swords, bows, spears, firearms, or other types of arms. The possession of unnecessary implements makes difficult the collection of taxes and dues and tends to foment uprisings. - Toyotomi Hideyoshi, dictator of Japan, August 1588

Rome remained free for four hundred years and Sparta eight hundred, although their citizens were armed all that time; but many other states that have been disarmed have lost their liberties in less than forty years. - Niccolo Machiavelli

“Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” - Benjamin Franklin

Double Eights

This technically isn't a blog, but instead some statistics on the infamous Bailout we've all been "paying attention" to. For those of you who are unaware of just how much you will be paying for this bailout, here's a rough estimate....

[quote]• Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
• Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
• Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
• S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
• Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
• The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
• Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
• Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
• NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion

TOTAL: $3.92 trillion[/quote]The actual cost of the bailout has currently surpassed [B]$4.6165 trillion [/B](nearly $1 trillion more than World War II). And here's the kicker, not one dollar of the $4.6165 trillion will actually go to the Ameican people.

[URL]http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2008/11/big-bailouts-bigger-bucks/[/URL]

Thanks to Bianco Research for the data.

Double Eights