Judge Richard Posner: ‘No value’ in studying the U.S. Constitution

[Flightmare]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... nstitutio/

Wow, just wow.

[carlson1]

That is what is wrong with our Judicial System today. All though the best in the world it sure has people involved that should be plowing corn instead of making laws and setting on benches in our courtrooms.

Thank God for the remnant of great people who still remain faithful.

[Flightmare]

Ronald Reagan was the one who appointed this guy! Reagan has to be rolling over in his grave after these comments.

[Scott Farkus]

Saw that earlier. I am speechless.

We are losing the country before our very eyes. Something has to be done.

[pushpullpete]

Wow, what a piece of work. I believe he has something of a "little man syndrome".

[Flightmare]

He's up in Chicago....It could be that there is something in the water.

[The Annoyed Man]

Ronald Reagan was the one who appointed this guy! Reagan has to be rolling over in his grave after these comments.

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html ... &t=1361063
In 1967, while governor of California, Reagan signed the Mulford Act into law, outlawing the carrying of loaded firearms.

He supported passage of the Brady Bill, and opined that, had the bill already been law, perhaps neither he nor Jim Brady would have been shot.

When the 1993 AWB was about to go up for a vote, Reagan cosigned a letter with Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, saying:

To Members of the U.S. House of Representatives:

We are writing to urge your support for a ban on the domestic manufacture of military-style assault weapons. This is a matter of vital importance to public safety. Although assault weapons account for less than one percent of the guns in circulation, they account for nearly ten percent of the guns traced to crime.

Every major national law enforcement organization in America and dozens of leading labor, medical, religious, civil rights and civic groups support such a ban. Most importantly, poll after poll shows that the American public overwhelmingly support a ban on assault weapons. A 1993 CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 77% of Americans support a ban on the manufacture, sale and possession of semi-automatic assault guns, such as the AK-47.

The 1989 import ban resulted in an impressive 40% drop in imported assault weapons traced to crime between 1989 and 1991, but the killing continues. Last year, a killer armed with two TEC9s killed eight people at a San Francisco law firm and wounded several others. During the past five years, more than 40 law enforcement officers have been killed or wounded in the line of duty by an assault weapon.

While we recognize that assault weapon legislation will not stop all assault weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals. We urge you to listen to the American public and to the law enforcement community and support a ban on the further manufacture of these weapons.

In 1986, he gave this speech about banning so-called "cop-killer" bullets:

https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/arch ... 82886b.htm

It is a pleasure to be able to sign into law H.R. 3132 to ban the production or importation of the so-called cop-killer bullets, which pose an unreasonable threat to law enforcement officers who use soft body armor. This bill, similar to legislation jointly submitted to the Congress by the Departments of Justice and the Treasury in 1984, recognizes that certain forms of ammunition have no legitimate sporting, recreational, or self-defense use and thus should be prohibited. Such action is long overdue.

During the 6\1/2\ years that I have served as President, I have sought to strengthen law enforcement in this nation and to do everything possible to protect the lives and safety of the dedicated men and women who constitute our first line of defense against the forces of lawlessness. I am pleased, therefore, to sign H.R. 3132 to ban armor-piercing ammunition as this legislation has long had the strong endorsement of our outstanding law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Black Police Association, National Troopers Coalition, International Union of Police Associations, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Foundation, Police Management Associations, and the Major City Chiefs.

In signing this bill, I want to urge those States and localities that have not acquired body armor for their law enforcement officers to obtain such lifesaving equipment for their officers. The use of soft body armor is credited with saving the lives of more than 600 officers since it was first introduced in the 1970's. An even more important message is the one I have for law enforcement officers: If you have access to soft body armor, please use it. Your lives and safety are too important to risk needlessly. The fabric used in modern soft body armor is truly a miracle fiber, but it is useless if left in the dressing room locker or the trunk of a squad car.

In signing H.R. 3132, I am giving our law enforcement officers my pledge to do everything possible to eliminate the hazard posed by armor-piercing ammunition. Those officers who in the past may have used the threat of armor-piercing bullets as a justification for failing to wear soft body armor should no longer have that excuse. We are doing our best at the Federal level to enhance the safety of police officers but must have the cooperation of the officers themselves to secure the full benefits of this important legislative action.

Ronald Reagan had many traits to recommend him, and compared to Obama, I'm positively fond of him. But being a vocal supporter of the 2nd Amendment was not necessarily one of his strong suites. I regard him as another one of those California republicans whose view of the 2nd Amendment was that it guaranteed the right to any citizen to own a $40,000 over and under shotgun for upland bird hunting........but not an inexpensive pistol or a modern sporting rifle.

[Flightmare]

Eighteenth-century guys, however smart, could not foresee the culture, technology, etc., of the 21st century. Which means that the original Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the post–Civil War amendments (including the 14th), do not speak to today.

It's not just the 2nd amendment that he thinks is outdated. These are the type of judges that I am worried Hillary would appoint.

[Soap]

Ronald Reagan was the one who appointed this guy! Reagan has to be rolling over in his grave after these comments.

The same guy who got the drug war going and wanted to ban rifles?

[The Annoyed Man]

And even though Ronald Reagan didn't think you or I should be able to have one, HE had an AR15 of his own: http://volokh.com/wp-content/uploads/20 ... -19921.pdf

[JALLEN]

You'll be shocked to know that Sam Houston owned slaves, Jim Bowie was one of the most prolific land title swindlers, William Travis was a failure at everything he attempted except letter writing and David Crockett was not the "Fess Parker/Walt Disney" type fellow of legend.

If you want to cling to the believe that all these political heroes were in all ways pure, right thinking, and clean living, believed in the same things you do, etc., best remain ignorant and stay away from biographies and other factual sources.

It's also not a good idea to get your knickers wadded up over the comments of one judge/law professor. Criticise the idea(s), if you wish, not the speaker.

[twjones]

Didn't Posner sit on the panel that overturned the out right ban of conceal carry in Illinois in the Moore v. Madigan case?

Confused.

[jason812]

That is what is wrong with our Judicial System today. All though the best in the world it sure has people involved that should be plowing corn instead of making laws and setting on benches in our courtrooms.

Thank God for the remnant of great people who still remain faithful.

Nah, those people probably couldn't farm if their lives depended on it. However, I believe most farmers would do a much better job than 99% of the people in the Judicial System and elected offices.

[stroo]

Posner is basically a libertarian. That has meant that he has been a very good judge on economic issues and a somewhat liberal judge on social issues. I have followed him for years and had never seen this condescension towards the constitution before. However given his core belief in "logic" and data it doesn't surprise me that he takes this view of the Constitution although it is extremely disappointing.

[TxRVer]

Wouldn't he have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution?