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Originally Posted by CoLawman
Our founding fathers were wrong on several issues, which eventually led to amendments to the constitution. A few glaring examples of them being wrong;
Not until 1865 was slavery abolished.
Not until 1870 was "Race no bar to vote" amendment passed.
Not until 1920 were women given the right to vote.!
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Historical facts with the dates? Yes.
"...glaring examples of them being wrong." Are they wrong, or is it a product of the culture of the time. Slavery has been an issue since recorded history. I don't agree with it, but I'm also living at a much later time. "Race no bar to vote" was not new in every state. Again, was a fragile new union able to embrace this concept at this period? Women given the right to vote...another cultural concept not ready to be embraced by all in 1775-1776. My point here is that they were only wrong in you opinion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLawman
In no way am I denigrating the greatness of our founding fathers. They were not immune to influences of their time and place. While writing such phrases as "unalienable rights" they failed to consider how ludicrous and hypocritical those words were,considering the elephant in the room serving them refreshments.
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I agree completely with the first part of this. IMHO, it's a fact. The second part about "ludicrous and hypocritical" to me is your opinion and not a fact (based of the first part if nothing else). They cannot be expected to think with a 21st century mind set. Their circumstances, not only in time and culture, but in the fragile state of putting together a union.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLawman
We no longer hang horse thieves! I believe that is a good thing. We no longer lynch people, again a good thing. Since around 1978 or 1979 we no longer give police the authority to shoot a "fleeing felon". Once again a good thing.
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We don't hang horse thieves. You said that was your belief. I'll give you that sir. Your stated opinion. Correct me if I'm wrong here: lynching was mainly accomplished by a mob, forcibly taking a suspect from the custody of law enforcement and enacting punishment without a trial. I don't believe "we" did this. Unruly mobs exist today and they sometimes kill, taken from law enforcement or no. Not shooting a fleeing felon a good thing. Your opinion it is a good thing? Yes. A fact that it is good, debatable. My opinion? No.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoLawman
I believe our grandchildren and great grandchildren will look back at some of our archaic laws and wonder how we could have been so primitive. Abortion comes to mind.
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I look at how things are becoming and wonder what is happening to us. Some changes are for the better. However, concerning our response to crime, theft is becoming such a non issue that few are deterred. About a hundred years ago, the going rate was eight years for each count. It seems now it is hard to get a petty theft even filed. How many chances do we give someone these days? Enough to victimize the innocent time and time again. How many horse thieves (or car thieves) get picked up on their first offense? Most I've captured make it a routine. The consequences are minimal.
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Originally Posted by CoLawman
If a cop is not allowed to shoot under the same circumstances, then a murder has occurred.
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Sir, are you kidding? Neither one of us can make this judgement. Do I think this guy extended himself beyond the scope of the law? It sure appears so. Murder? That's for a jury presented with more of the facts that what we have here.
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Originally Posted by CoLawman
I would like to add, again, I am fully supportive of residents being allowed to use deadly force against an intruder. Totally different set of circumstances.
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I agree with you here as a matter of fact, at least the way the laws are written in my area. Do I like it personally? Not at all.
All I was trying to convey was that some of the above is not all fact. There appears opinions mixed in with them, which also appeared to me to be stated as facts.