The Study Corner
531 – The Second Amendment and Your Right to Live Free
During the debates about the ratification of the Constitution, one of the questions involved the need for a Bill of Rights. One of the arguments against such a document was the idea that some may consider the listing of rights in the Constitution as permission to regulate those rights. We find an example of just such attempt to regulate rights in the Supreme Court case United States v. Hemani. Specifically, can the federal government deny your right to keep and bear arms if you use your liberty to use marijuana.
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530 – Semiquincentennial
Today, July 4th 2026, is the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Two hundred and fifty years is certainly an anniversary worth celebrating. Sadly, in our exuberance to celebrate, many have also shown their ignorance both of the document and our history. Today, in honor of the semiquincentennial, I want to look at both the history and the document that was such a turning point in our history.july 4th, july fourth, independence day, semiquincentennial, declaration of independence,
529 – Are You Smarter Than a Naturalized Citizen?
Most of us probably remember the TV Game Show “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader”, where contestants attempted to answer fifth grade questions for prizes. The answers given were often hilarious. What if they weren’t fifth grade questions, but civics questions? Would that answer the American people give still be funny?
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528 – Interstate Commerce
The Constitution delegates to Congress the power to regulate commerce “among the several States”. What makes commerce not just commerce interstate? That’s part of the question the Supreme Court was asked to answer in the case Flowers v. Brock.
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527 – Racial Gerrymandering
Racism is wrong. At least that’s what I’ve been told my entire life. But if racism is wrong, why do so many people demand we make decisions based on race? Is an election fair if the people are vote are racially chosen? If it was wrong for people to be denied the representation because of their race, why is it OK for them to deny representation to others for the same reason? Is choosing representation based on race is wrong? That is the question presented to the Supreme Court in the case LOUISIANA v. CALLAIS ET AL.
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526 – Use of Lethal Force
When is the use of lethal force legal in the United State? In every state of the union, lethal force can be used to protect an innocent part from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. But is that the only time? A recently signed bill in Tennessee defines other situations where deadly force can lawfully be used within the state.
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525 – The Frightful Despotism of Political Parties
George Washington warned us that political parties bring their own frightful despotism. From gerrymandering to primaries, We the People have allowed political parties to not only rule our elections, but to poison our interactions with their venom and hatred. Will we continue to let these private organizations drag the United States into the ash heap of history?
522 – Free Speech in Colorado
In the recent case Chiles v. Salazar, the Supreme Court was asked if Colorado’s “Conversion Therapy” law violated the Ms. Chiles right to free speech. As is so often the case, the court agreed that the law violated Ms. Chiles free speech rights, just for the wrong reasons.
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