Right to Bear Arms & Gunfight at OK Corral
Did you know that the most famous gunfight in the wild west happened when Vigil Earp deputized his brothers Wyatt and Morgan plus Doc Holliday to enforce Tombstone Arizona’s ‘No Carry” law? These laws existed in places like Abilene, Deadwood and Dodge City so that citizens could feel safe and enjoy civilized society by refusing guns inside their towns. Read more. The Gun Fight at the OK Corral took place October 26, 1881, ninety years after the United States modified the Constitution. The Second Amendment granting citizens the right to buy, own and carry arms reads, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” So, the Second Amendment protects gun ownership for: Well-regulated Militias Necessary to the security of a free State To this understanding, the Wall Street Journal adds, “The Second Amendment cannot, in good faith, be interpreted to establish a right to individual gun ownership. … The inherent purpose of a gun is to kill. An item whose sole purpose is bloodshed does not deserve the protection of the Constitution.” Read more. On March 4, 1791, Vermont was accepted into this country’s union, so that just fourteen states existed to ratify the Bill of Rights. Times have changed since France still owned Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Colorado and Wyoming were Mexican Further, in the days of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, learning to load and shoot a firearm was a complicated process that required training and practice. In 1791, mass shootings wouldn’t have been possible. As noted in FireArms Then and Now, “a maniac could get off only one shot into a crowd, then while he was spending thirty seconds trying to reload, the rest of the people … would take his gun away.” Jimmy Kimmel’s poignant monologue on May 26 [see below] offered several, noteworthy observations on gun violence in the United States, including: Firearms are now #1 cause of death for children and teens. This is not a time for Moments of Silence. This is a time to be loud and to stay loud and not stop until we fix this. Some people say this is a mental health problem. Others say it’s a gun problem. It’s both. And it can be both. So let’s work on both. How? Six Ways to Reduce Gun Violence in America: Five Things you Can Do Now to End Gun Violence Prevent More Deaths Also, honor those who died so that the freedoms and opportunities described in our Declaration of Independence become true for everyone: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Succeed and Soar, Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Shop Sandra’s Galleries Puzzles are made from premium 0.2” thick paper stock Include a semi-gloss coating that makes the top vibrant Arrives in a puzzle box with artwork printed on top for safe storage Puzzle pieces are unique shapes 18×24-inch has 500 pieces. 20×28-inch puzzle has 1,000 pieces. Buy Sandra’s art framed, on canvas, as posters. Also on totes, weekenders, tee shirts, journals, caps, baby onesies, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more. Purchase this puzzle. Shop All Collections HERE.
Your Independence Day
“… without equality there can be no democracy.” Eleanor Roosevelt Two hundred forty-five years ago, on July 4, 1776, thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies declared their independence from a ruling monarch because they believed, “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Independence means freedom from being ruled by other people or things. Imagine a world where each individual can celebrate personal and national independence days. Wikihow describes some great steps, including: Becoming your own hero Accepting life may not be fair Saving money Planning your day around you and more. This post’s quote is from Mrs. Roosevelt’s October 12, 1944 “My Day” essay where she wrote, Long ago, there was a noble word, liberal, which derives from the word free. Now a strange thing happened to that word. A man named Hitler made it a term of abuse, a matter of suspicion, because those who were not with him were against him, and liberals had no use for Hitler. And then another man named McCarthy cast the same opprobrium on the word. … We must cherish and honor the word free or it will cease to apply to us. Interestingly, “equality” blends the words ‘equal’ and ‘quality,’ suggesting that individuals and nations will be enriched where all are equals. Onward and upward everyone, and, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy Lots of Goodies Next Week Did you know that July 3rd [today] is Compliment Your Mirror Day? Here are ways to honor this special time. June 22 was the United State’s Kissing Day. In case you missed it [or want to celebrate worldwide], July 6th is International Kissing Day, which has great health benefits. Read more. Although all of July is Ice Cream Month. July 7 is dedicated to Strawberry Sundaes. Here are fabulous recipes. Image Source Eleanor’s Insights Collection Succeed and Soar’s “Eleanor’s Insights” series is illustrated with my photographs of ‘wild places.’ This week’s Featured Art reminds me of a song that compared freedom to how wild grass grows and wind blows. I love the glittering green of these grasses and their dances as they sway with the wind. Art is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here
Path to Joy: 12th of 12 – Your Magnificence
Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence. Teresa of Avila The last of these Twelve Paths to Joy is: Allowing Our Magnificence. This concept aligns with the United States’ founding belief, written by Thomas Jefferson:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now, add these uplifting thoughts: Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future. Gordon B. Hinckley Be magnificent. Life’s short. Get out there. You can do it. Everyone can do it. Everyone. -Andy Serkis When we focus on special gifts that allow happiness, what wonderful lives become possible. What joys can bloom in the world. Read the entire Declaration of Independence that begins: When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for a people to dissolve political bands which have connected them with another … I hope you enjoy this “Paths to Joy” series. I’m working on a beautiful little book. When it’s finished, Join My Mail List and you’ll be the first to know. Each “Path to Joy” and its art is in this special section here at Succeed and Soar. Stop by for refreshments, and be sure to view The Right Cut [Kut Kings] video. This true story about a barber shop on wheels will warm your heart, make you smile and shed a tear of joy. A Path to Joy Arts Meditation: Your Magnificence What I like best about the picture The glowing flowers. Why They’re like a meadow of Independence Day fireworks, seeds grown into fields of bright possibilities. What does this picture teach? I understand each Illustrated Wisdom is a symbol-rich reminder from my heart and soul to my mind. This one teaches that I exist in a field of many who glow with magnificent talents. How can these insights lead to joy? Marianne Williamson gives a great answer, We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us. Read entire poem Seek joy! NOTE: These ‘Paths to Joy’ are adapted from The Treasure Chest, an old book I found years ago. Page 117 contained “The Twelve Rules of Happiness.” Of special delight is using paints markers and ink to illustrate meditations inspired by this wisdom. The technique is adapted from the book Visual Journaling, Going Deeper Than Words, by Barbara Ganim and Susan Fox. For information about and to purchase the art, visit Sandra’s Galleries.