I've already covered my view of "the ENTIRE Second Amendment" in another
message, and won't rehash it here, except to say that "well regulated" in the
18th century meant "properly adjusted and working."  (For instance, accurate
timepieces were said to be well regulated.)  A properly trained and equipped
citizenry constitutes a well regulated militia.  If every honest person in our
society carried a weapon and knew how to use it, not only would crime be much
lower but we'd all be more civil to each other.  As Robert Heinlein said, "An
armed society is a polite society."

As for the word "respecting" in the First Amendment:  Considering it's usage in
Colonial times, I believe it means "with regard to" or "with reference to" or
(my personal favorite in this context) "having anything to do with."

And that's it for me in this discussion.  I'm going to have to put in enough
unpaid overtime this week as it is, without making up time spent on email.  :-)

Wayne




"Bruce A. Randall" <[log in to unmask]> on 07/11/2000 12:56:11 PM

Please respond to "Bruce A. Randall" <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:    (bcc: Wayne Brown/Corporate/Altec)

Subject:  Re: [HP3000-L] e-commerce in hype-rdrive



---off topic but very important ---
The ENTIRE second amendment states exactly "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 amendment was added to
protect the states from the power of the federal government not to give
people the right to carry concealed weapons or stock their homes with
shotguns and hand grenades. In the old days, a "well regulated militia" was
the only armed force a state had.  The supreme court has consistantly ruled
that local and state governments can regulate the purchace, and use of arms.

The first amendment states exactly "Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress
of grievances.". So what does "respecting" mean? My interpretation is that
Congress can not favor one religion over another BUT words like respecting,
establishemnt, free exercise beg to be interpreted by the supreme court.
Bruce A Randall