A discussion of the continuing relevance of the 2nd amendment

This is how you have a thoughtful, respectful discussion based on critical thinking with someone whom you disagree.

Sam Harris on Violence:
     The Riddle of the Gun
     The Truth about Violence
     FAQ on Violence <-- Includes great stats about violence in Europe and Australia

The quote I referenced from a Japanese General:
     "You cannot invade mainland America.  There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."  - Isoroku Yamamoto

There is some discussion and disagreement whether Yamamoto actually said that or if the quote came from somewhere else, or whether it's totally bogus.  I've also read it may have come from the files of Gordon Prange, historian for Gen MacArthur,but I haven't been able to find a reliable source for it yet.

Original intent of the 2nd Amendment:
     The Founders Second Amendment by Stephen Halbrook

     U.S. Supreme Court, Washington DC vs Heller  - In the "Heller Decision", the SCOTUS held that the 2nd amendment:
  1. Protects handgun ownership as well as rifles and shotguns
  2. "protects an individual right to keep and bear arms", saying that the right was "premised on the private use of arms for activities such as hunting and self-defense, the latter being understood as resistance to either private lawlessness or the depredations of a tyrannical government (or a threat from abroad)."
  3.  They also noted that though the right to bear arms also helped preserve the citizen militia, "the activities [the Amendment] protects are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual's enjoyment of the right contingent upon his or her continued or intermittent enrollment in the militia."

The book above, and the third statement in the Heller decision referenced above both are sources for the founders intent with regard to the second amendment that I referred to in my argument.

Information about Monsanto Chemical Company:
     Wikipedia
     Corporate Watch
     Daily Finance

It's Monsantos work with GMO's that's really upsetting people, but worse than that in my opinion is there work to consolidate and control all the seeds in the world.  Talk about gun control -  Try seed control!  Imagine the day where you can't own/plant your own seeds, only seeds patented by Monsanto.  Controlling our food is the ultimate level of control, and Monsanto is working toward that with amazing speed/effectiveness.

Vulnarability of our food distribution system:     ABC News - Hepatitis-A linked to berries sold by Costco.
     Wikipedia - List of foodborne disease outbreaks by year.