Comments on: Ask. Tell.

By: JK

JK — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:15:48 +0000

There is a “tie-in.”

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2010/02/attending_the_prayer_breakfast.aspx

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:53:57 +0000

Don’t get me started, JK. I’m a Wolverines fan.

By: JK

JK — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:19:00 +0000

Remember the Spartans.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:04:35 +0000

Sadly, Bob, you are right: this is indeed how a great many people imagine the concept of “rights” these days — including, as we have seen, the President himself.

It’s utterly daft, of course: it is not forbidden for me to be, say, the White House chef, but I would hardly claim that I have a “right” to be.

By: bob koepp

bob koepp — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:34:31 +0000

Malcolm -
Given how the notion of ‘rights’ functions in positive law in our fair land, your suggestion that there is no right to serve in the military is bonkers. In our system, unless something is forbidden, it’s permitted. And if it’s permitted, each of us has a right to give it a whirl.

On the other hand, I think that we might need some careful study and frank discussion about whether allowing hazel eyed folk to enlist would make for a stronger military. Nah, that gets priorities and burdens of argument exactly backwards.

By: Malcolm

Malcolm — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:17:00 +0000

Thanks, Henry, and welcome. I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.

By: TheBigHenry

TheBigHenry — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:52:13 +0000

“… self-evident to all …”

I completely agree with your analysis and your final observation, though I am more pessimistic. Not only is it not self-evident to all, but I suspect it is not self-evident to most. Sigh …