Law School Conservative

Donald Devine, of Conservative Battleline, wrote this piece on Religion at Christmas.

Every so often, abortion groups hand out wire hangers in a form of awareness protest for their cause.

Gay groups remain silent for a day.

Animal Rights groups have their “meat out” days.

They are generally praised for their “creative” and “thought provoking” methods of raising awareness for their cause.

I wonder how the main-stream media feels about these guys.

Yeah, that’s right. Students in Penn State, Miami University of Ohio, Seattle Pacific University and other schools wore empty holsters to school all week to protest campus policies that outright ignore state law and prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons.

The campaign, run by Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, lasted all week, and was intended to bring awareness to policies that prevent students from being armed and able to defend themselves on campus. These students argue that one armed student or professor could have stopped the Virginia Tech massacre last April.

What did the morons at the Brady Campaign say to this?

“You don’t like the fact that you can’t have a gun on your college campus? Drop out of school”

No one should be forced to choose between civil rights and education, but I digress.

Even if the main-stream media does not praise these students for bravely standing up for the bill of rights (nothing like using the first amendment to defend the second), we do. Good job, guys! Keep up the fight!

By: Carlos S. Ramirez

Instead of writing individual posts about all of these, I am writing one big post.

Boston mayor comes up with a weird proposal to punish gun offenders.

VA Governor Tim Kaine seeks more mental health info for gun purchases.

The York (PA) Daily Record, on the PA gun registration bill.

The Cincinnati Post shreds 4 myths about gun control.

By: Nathan D. Fox

I wonder if Sharpton and Jackson will be demanding the resignation of Philadelphia fire fighter Rodney Jean-Jacques, a.k.a. rapper Cal Akbar.  Mr. Jean-Jacques has released a song proclaiming these poetic lyrics:
“I got a surprise for them cops,” Jean-Jacques raps, as sounds of gunfire erupt in the background. “I hope the news is taping this, ’cause I’m gonna turn pigs into bacon bits.”

I have heard the song on a Philadelphia morning radio talk show.  There is clear machinegun fire in the background.  Clearly Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson, who are on a crusade against hate speech, cannot condone this.  Or can they?  I very much doubt that these two reverse-racist Poverty Pimps (term borrowed from Rush Limbaugh) are going to mention this disgrace.  It does not fit their template.  They need to perpetuate the myth that racism and hate speech only come from a certain segment of the population.  And of course, one cannot criticize hip-hop, being the bastion of cultural enlightenment that it is.

Personally, I think Mr. Sharpton and Mr. Jackson are barking up the wrong tree.  Don Imus (and the others they criticize) did not invent, coin, or creatively do anything with his offensive comments.  While Imus’ comments were repugnant and disgraceful, people (such as the Right Reverends Squared) should be calling out inappropriate speech at its original source.  However, do not look for that to happen.  It simply does not fit their template.  Mr. Cal Akbar and the hip-hop crowd will continue to get a free pass.

By: Nathan D. Fox

Effective Sunday April 1st, the United States Marine Corps is banning “any extra-large tattoos below the elbow or knee.” The Marines believe that this new tattoo policy will help uphold their “spit and polish image.” However, when I think of old school Marines, I think of the classic globe and anchor tattoo right smack dab on the forearm. Under the new policy, this could be banned if it is not a size appropriate tattoo.

While partially I am with the Marines on this, I believe that full arm/leg tattoos are not indicative of the image of the Marines, this could potentially be an interesting legal battle in the future. I picture a drill sergeant with a micrometer measuring a newly enlisted private’s forearm tattoo and making him do push-ups until his arms grow or his tattoo shrinks. And then a rash of lawsuits for 1st Amendment violations from all of the individuals who are denied enlistment for their ink. Possibly an unfair depiction of what will happen.

In all actuality, I think this new tattoo policy is poorly written and ill conceived. If they really want to enforce a policy, they should use a clearer standard than “extra large.” Just for reference, the Army has actually relaxed its tattoo policy to try to bolster ranks. If it can be shown that having tattoos makes one a lesser Marine, then enforce the policy. However, the last thing the Marines need, in my opinion, is trouble regarding a tattoo policy.

What’s the point of all this you ask? Well there used to be a day when this would not even have been a consideration. However, today people’s bodies have become almost billboards for self-expression. Admittedly, I take a libertarian view on the subject. I can see the USMC’s reasoning for no body piercing, earings, etc. because in drills and combat it would not be a good thing if two Marines got their earrings tangled. Yuck. However, I have the greatest respect for the Marines. But for many sports injuries medically disqualifying me, I would be one (I tried in 2002, but the USMC frowns upon accepting people who have fractured their spine and have no cartilage certain parts of the knee). Also, my father-in-law proudly served his country (tattoo-less) in Vietnam.

Because of the respect I have for the Marines, I choose to look past any and all forearm or leg tattoos. These guys deserve a little latitude for putting their lives on the line so we can all enjoy the freedoms we hold so dear. If they want a tattoo to memorialize the Corps, fallen comrades, their country, or just express themselves, go ahead.

While tattoos do not necessarily fit the spit and polish image of the Corps, I believe there are more important issues. But the bottom line is the Marines are one amazing group of men and women, and if the upper brass says no big ink to maintain this level of class, I guess that means no big ink. On the economic plus side, this Saturday will probably be a big weekend at all tattoo parlors nearby USMC bases.