Do you believe the Bill of Rights is outdated and should be either dropped in its entirety or at least rewritten?

And because it is a living document, just like the Constitution, we can and should examine it often to see if it is still what we need. And I believe it is still pertinent today.

Master Chief, where do you change it and where do you draw the line on changing it. Do we allow the fringe to dictate changing the first and second amendments because some people do not like what others say or do we remove fire arms from law abiding citizens because criminals do not obey the laws? I for one will never give up my guns, nor will I succumb to cultural marxism and be politically correct. Once we start messing with the Bill of Rights and the Constitution to satisfy the kooks on the fringe, we enter a very slippery slope that may have no end in sight. Currently, the democrats in the Senate want to restrict free speech, including freedom of the press, not including MSM. That is not the America I, or you risked our neck for. Just my thoughts. Don't mean to step on anyone's toes, but I am very passionate about leaving the Constitution which defines this nation, alone.

SSG A. could not agree more about the 1st. It really does offer as much, if not more, protection to atheists than people with religions. However the biggest debate in the country right now does seem to center on the 2nd. Every time there is any firearm violence of any type, the media jumps all over it and screams, "WOLF." As long as the headlines sell papers and Time, we will have this going on.

Yes, absolutely, the MSM has held free thought hostage for some time. Unfortunately, it is still our fault for not better educating each other against an abrasive and manipulative media. If I can see through their B.S., then my kids should have my same talent. The media promotes a submissive mindset, one of fear and dependency, that urges the individual to adopt a false sense of security from the collective. The problem is these media types, like most of the left, have never faced down a tough situation or someone who would do harm to them or their family. They have spent their lives avoiding confrontation and conflict, running from the fist fight and apologizing to those who wronged them, before they are in a position where they might have to defend themselves or stand up for something. They claim to be the bigger person or the intellectual, but really they are the sheep, the weak and faint-hearted. They are the reason that men and women like those who occupy this site must exist. The left swallows the "everything will be okay" kool-aid because it just feels good to them to believe that they are safe. And should they become threatened, BIG statist government and it's security blanket will swoop in and save them. Their stupidity comes into play when you realize that the BIG statist government doesn't have a security blanket, it has guns. And it rarely saves anyone. If and when these peace loving, individual disarming leftists run into the wrong end of the gun, they change their mind immediately I am sure. The bias is so clear it blows my mind that people fall for it. The sense of being an armed citizen able to defend myself is so clear it blows my mind that people don't see it. The funny thing is, the anti-gun idiots aren't anti-gun at all. They still want their security blanket, they just dont have the fortitude or the courage to provide it. And they don't trust you to provide it. They are very pro-gun, they just only want the trustworthy Government to have the guns. When you have a citizenry in THIS COUNTRY of all the countries, who believes only the Government should have guns and that we are all safe as long as we are unarmed...well that is an epic failure of generations of parents and Americans who are already ignoring the lessons of fewer than 300 years ago. Idiocracy is real.

SSG A, MCPO Treants mentioned in an earlier post the key to freeing our thoughts from the stronghold the media and politicians have on them. Critical thinking, I believe is the key to sifting through all the rhetoric, hype, and propaganda.

The Main stream media, which I think is a branch of the government propaganda machine, counts on citizens to not think critically. If one thinks, then one can see through the BS.

Politicians also count on the majority to stay ignorant of what is really going on and to take them at their word. This is why mud slinging campaigns are so effective, and can influence polls during elections.

If people would really think, then mudslinging would not be an effective campaign tool.

The only way for this country to get back on track is for more people to become active in what takes place in government, and to get as close to the source itself.

I will use the Bill of Rights as an example. Too many base their knowledge of the Constitution on the rhetoric of the media and politicians. Why not read the document, critically, and then base one's opinion on their own interpretation, instead of other's opinions.

I don't disagree at all. Knowledge is power, and as I have indicated education is the only solution to the problem.

Agree SSG Spencer, yet they still argued and discussed for long periods of time before reaching consensus.

Master Chief:

Many kids have this unrealistic expectation that they can change human nature - we see it in our own liberals "If we just love them enough, or leave them alone, they [terrorists] will leave us alone..." or "it's our fault - we should never have been in their country in the first place". The truth is, you can't change the evil that exists in much of the world - you can only fight it.

The first thing to do is have them train with a professional - someone who knows how to explain guns.

My wife used to be afraid of guns. I paid $80 to have her take a shotgun course at a local shooting range. The guy really knew how to get her to relate - explained it's like a sewing machine - a tool.

It's not the people who are legally licensed who are the threat. It's the ones who aren't. Once they grasp that, and once they understand that someone who doesn't care about doing things the legal way isn't going to care about a gun law that prohibits guns, you might have a chance of changing their mind.

Make sure that they understand that the FACTS don't lie. No matter what the media says, they can be a victim (and probably will be) of violent crime, or they can decide NOW not to be a victim. Even if they don't like guns, they should be encouraged to take self defense classes, or learn how to use a knife (a real knife, not the poser crap like a lot of guys think "looks cool"), and if they go the knife route, they will still lose against a gun carrying thug.

Next, take them to several types of shooting events where they can shoot targets. In the case of my wife, after her lessons, she went to the Clay Target center one day. Once she broke her first target, she was hooked.

She then got her CCW, and then bought me a gun for my birthday after I got back from Iraq.

If they are still anti-gun, then fine, you probably can't un-brainwash them - only common sense, or them actually becoming a victim may change their mind - but hopefully, with some education, training, and experience, they will at least let others be and know the real dangers that are lurking out there.

SFC Wayman, great comment. I partially disagree though with the statements "It's not the people who are legally licensed who are the threat. It's the ones who aren't." One doesn't have to be "legally licensed" to no longer be considered a threat. I know of many people who are shooting enthusiasts and who are not threats at all. They just choose to not get licensed. Also, for those few states who allow "open carry" without a license, are the people who do so threats or merely exercising their right to protect themselves? The problem is those who do NOT care for the rule of law as well as valuing human life.

I definitely agree and support the rest of your comment. Taking people to a range and paying for the activity yourself is a great way to introduce them to the wonderful world of shooting.

I find it interesting the part of becoming a victim. I definitely agree with that since sometimes it takes a serious emotional event for a person's eyes and mind to open up to the truth. Sadly, there are some who take it to the further extreme left even after becoming a victim. I don't remember where I read this from but many years ago a thug with a knife decided to assault some people in a grocery store. As he had a victim on the ground and about to stab and kill her, a man presented his concealed firearm, stuck it to the back of the thug's head and told him to stop or he would die. The man prevented the woman from being murdered. Shortly afterward, another woman who was nearby during the assault loudly complained "Why did he have to have a gun?" I was flabbergasted at the ignorance of the woman in thinking a firearm is something bad.

Just to add to this. See this article regarding the father of one of the victims of the recent shooting in California. While my heart aches for the victims and their families, I find this man's interview very disturbing. It's not stated in this particular article but he blames "irresponsible and craven politicians as well as the NRA." Seriously? I can probably bet I know which politicians he's referring to but he's absolutely wrong. Sadly, too many are willing to blame the innocent and the law-abiding instead of the criminal themselves. The fact is the vast majority of these shootings occur in GUN FREE ZONES, the areas that liberals like to say are now safe. Totally ridiculous. The areas are MORE unsafe now.

Sorry, didn't add the article. http://news.yahoo.com/tearful-plea-victims-dad-deadly-rampage-233719408.html

SFC Pate, very good point.

I have to agree that many of our HS and College classes as well are failing miserably.

that's a good time to scrap it Captain Jack

Seriously CMDCM Gene Treants ? Tell me either I'm misunderstanding you or you're misunderstanding me, please. You're ready to surrender self-governance and individual liberty? I sure as hell am not...

CPT Jack Durish I do believe you misunderstood me sir. I agreed with you that the only time to scrap the BOR and abandon the Constitution is IF "we wish to abandon self-government and our individual rights." NO,I am not ready to do that either.

Of course since the SCOUS has become part of the problem lately that might be a solution to that part of the problem.

You say that like it is a bad thing. Obviously you are not a liberal.

I'm nothing related to either of the parties brother. I'm from the Veteran party; I believe in global warming, gun rights, freedom of choice, less government, and America...not parties.

I fully agree Cpl Mark McMiller