I Second that Amendment

GRASS IN REVIEW

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAII

Nurturing the rights and responsibilities of the individual in a civil society.

WEEKLY GRASS IN REVIEW - July 2, 2008

I Second that Amendment
By Paul Jacob

The First Amendment recognizes some very basic rights:
* to speak truth to power, personally and through the press;
* to practice our religion — or not — as we choose;
* to associate with others and peaceably assemble together;
* to petition our government for a redress of grievances.

The Second Amendment, which recognizes our right to arm ourselves, means we — as individuals — may legally and practically secure the rights of the First.

Or does it?

The Amendment reads: “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.”

A debate has raged over what these words actually mean. Does the Amendment support an individual right to be armed... or only when enlisted in a state militia? This makes a big difference for gun regulation and prohibition.

Now, in the case D.C. v. Heller, the U.S. Supreme Court has settled the issue. Voting 5-4, the court says Yes, the Second Amendment does enshrine an individual right to bear arms.

This makes perfect sense to me. That’s why the framers wrote “right of the people.”

Indeed, this is a wonderful victory for freedom.

It is also welcome news for Washington, D.C., residents who now, whether driving a cab or sitting at home alone, will be able to protect themselves. Which means, in the end, less crime and violence.

Paul Jacob is a member of the GRIH Board of Advisors and is Senior Advisor at the Sam Adams Alliance and Foundation.

IN THE NEWS - HIGHLIGHTED COMMENTARIES
Grassroot Institute is regularly featured in news articles and broadcasts around the state. Here is a sample of some of our recent articles, research stories, and other articles of interest.

Drill Here. Drill Now. Drill ANWR.
By Paul Driessen

“We can’t drill our way out of our energy problem.” This daily mantra, mostly from Democrats, underscores an abysmal grasp of economics by the politicians, activists, bureaucrats and judges who are dictating U.S. policies. If only their hot air could be converted into usable energy.

Drilling is no silver bullet. But it is vital. It won’t generate overnight production. But just announcing that America is finally hunting oil again would send a powerful signal to energy markets… and to speculators – many of whom are betting that continued U.S. drilling restrictions will further exacerbate the global demand-supply imbalance, and send “futures” prices even higher.

(To read more, click here.)

FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii created the Fresh Perspective column exclusively to publish the work of high school and college students. In addition to work appearing on GRIH’s website, their work is also submitted to Hawaii Reporter. Submissions are welcome from any interested young adult, and we will publish work that is clearly written and grammatically sound. For earlier Fresh Perspectives please click here. Contact wendy@grassrootinstitute.org for more info.

Summer in the Swamp
By Kawika Vellalos

Editor's Note: Kawika Vellalos is a young man currently interning at Americans for Tax Reform. GRIH is proud to subsidize his rent for the three months he will be in Washington, D.C. He is a 2008 graduate of Patrick Henry College in Virginia and was homeschooled in Hawaii.

Free markets, free workers, anti-taxes – for a conservative college graduate like myself, working for the Americans for Tax Reform is a great fit. Interning at ATR under Brian Johnson, who is a Federal Relations Manager for ATR and the Executive Director of the Alliance for Worker Freedom, has given me the opportunity to attend events at the House and Senate office buildings, take notes at meetings, and meet world-renowned academics, writers, politicians, and activists. I sat four chairs away from Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for President, as he appealed for support from a room of conservatives. I wrote a “Myth & Facts” guide on prevailing wages which was published on the Alliance for Worker Freedom’s website (workerfreedom.org), and I am currently working on writing ATR’s official policy statement on school choice, in which I argue that states should implement statewide vouchers. After I finish the policy brief (hopefully this week) it will be edited and if approved, bound and published for distribution.

(To read more, click here.)

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE LAUNCHES ONLINE TV STATION
Videos, Comments and More at New YouTube Website

July 1, 2008, Honolulu, HI. --- The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii announced today a new communications tool that is aimed at helping educate and inform its members and Hawaii voters. "Grassroot TV" is a new area on the popular YouTube.com site which will feature various videos relating to public issues in Hawaii and beyond, as well as statements from the Institute on various concerns facing our communities.

"It's an exciting new tool for us to use to help keep our members and the community at large informed about what our government is or is not doing," explained Communications Director Tom McAuliffe. "Video is one of the most effective communications mediums available today, and the Grassroot Institute intends to use it to help educate, inform and - who knows - maybe even entertain!" McAuliffe is looking for videos and ideas for the new site, which is available now at www.youtube.com/user/GrassrootHawaii.

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE NOW DOES PODCASTS!

GIR readers and visitors to the GRIH website are now able to enjoy "Grassroot Insights", a periodic podcast hosted by the Institute’s Director of Communications, Tom McAuliffe. The audio interviews with community leaders and special guests at GRIH's monthly meetings are available for download to your iPod or for listening via the Internet. McAuliffe is a former major market on-air radio personality.

In our latest podcast, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Chair of the Hawaii House of Representatives Finance Committee, discusses government fiscal transparency as well as Act 272, which he authored during the last legislative session.

Click here to listen to the interview with Rep. Oshiro, as well as our other recent podcasts with Dr. Mark Skousen, GRIH President Emeritus Dick Rowland, and GRIH President Jamie Story.

We hope you'll give Grassroot Insights a listen, and if you have any ideas for the show please let Tom know at tom@grassrootinstitute.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS
All of the Institute’s events, research publication dates and speaking engagements are available on our website.

SAVE THE DATE! On Thursday, July 31st, the Grassroot Institute will again be celebrating the birthday of Milton Friedman with a luncheon on what would have been his 96th birthday. The luncheon will be held at the Pacific Club, and University of San Diego School of Law professor Gail Heriot will be the keynote speaker.

TRY OUR BLOGS
Use these links to access various topics.

Dash of Calabash>>>Drew Carey Bashes the Trade-Bashers

The Mystery of Hawaiian History>>>90 minute radio interview of Ken Conklin

Read what others have written or add your own thoughts by clicking here.

LIBERTY NETWORK

GRIH Board Member Dale Evans, a director of the Hawaii Highway Users Alliance, had an article published in Hawaii Reporter on 6/25/08: "Honolulu's Rail Plan is Not About Improving Transportation".
GRIH President Jamie Story and Board Members Cliff Slater and Dale Evans were mentioned in local papers last week, including the Honolulu Advertiser ("'Hypocritical' attacks intensify rivalry", 6/29/08) and Honolulu Star Bulletin ("Mayor slams media and 'attack' over rail", 6/26/08).
GRIH Director of Communications Tom McAuliffe had a letter published in the Honolulu Advertiser on 6/30/08: "Mayor Should Tone Down Transit Rhetoric".
GRIH President Jamie Story was the subject of a Hawaii Reporter article by Malia Zimmerman on 6/25/08: "Beauty Queen Voodoo".
GRIH Grassroot Insights Podcast #4: Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Chair of the Hawaii House of Representatives Finance Committee, is the featured guest in the fourth of GRIH's periodic podcasts with leaders in the community and beyond. In this podcast, Rep. Oshiro discusses government fiscal transparency, as well as Act 272, which he authored during the last legislative session. Click here to listen.

HONOLULUTRAFFIC.COM
The mission of HonoluluTraffic.com is to seek cost effective ways to reduce traffic congestion on Oahu. Add your name to the list of supporters.

STOPRAILNOW.COM
The goal of Stop Rail Now is to collect the nearly 45,000 signatures necessary to put on the ballot: "Honolulu mass transit shall not include trains or rail transit." Go to the website to sign up or download a petition, due back July 25th.

How fast does the state spend your money?
State spending is out of control. Watch the dollars fly out the window.....

Have an Institute speaker at your next meeting!
From taxation to education, from health care to transportation, the Institute’s staff is ready to address your group regarding the important policy issues facing all citizens of Hawaii. Call (808) 591-9193 to check availability and make arrangements, or e-mail us at wendy@grassrootinstitute.org .

Grassroot Institute is a proud member of the State Policy Network and Townhall.

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