The Second Obsolete?
James W. Dark, executive director of the Texas State Rifle Association, in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram column, does his best to sell the relevancy of the Second Amendment, an eighteenth century law still the law of the land in twenty-first century America. He's right that the Founding Fathers distrusted a standing army and put their trust in a militia to defend our country. But the intent of having a militia was defense against, not bears and wildcats, not house burglars, not a standing American army, but against invading foreign armies. He doesn't tell you that the history of the militia in America wasn't a great success. It was our oceans that protected our freedom, not our militia.
If Dark wants to put his trust back in a militia, then he ought to be lobbying for us to quit ignoring the first part of the Second Amendment, the part that says, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the defense of a free state, ..." The Texas State Rifle Association ought to be lobbying to have active militia, consisting of all able-bodied men, like they envisioned in the eighteenth century. Everyone should be required to attend regular drills, to make sure the arms they bear are in good working condition and everyone is well trained in their use and safety.
But Dark is really interested in only the last part of the Second Amendment, the part that guarantees his right to bear arms. He has no interest in the responsibility that goes along with it, the responsibility for the state to maintain a well-regulated militia. You see, he alos thinks the Second Amendment is obsolete, all except for the parts he likes, that is.
Will Austin Eclipse Albany?
Robert T Garrett, on Trail Blazers, points out that the New York governorship has launched the careers of four presidents, six vice presidents, two Supreme Court chief justices and three Secretaries of State. He wonders if Austin will ever be in that company.
Probably not. Texas has a limited form of state government, with a part-time legislature and a weak governor. You don't earn the experience and prestige needed for the national stage in such a setting. George W Bush won the presidency less on his performance in Austin than on his promises to cut taxes and restore dignity to the White House. Voters would have done better if they had listened to the promises less and dug into that Austin stay more.
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