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Papers by John Rorabacher
The Founding Fathers of the U.S., with good reason, were fearful of governments that did not subm... more The Founding Fathers of the U.S., with good reason, were fearful of governments that did not submit to or grant individual human, natural rights. One of these was the right of self-defense. For these men, an armed society was a hedge against tyranny. The Second Amendment through debate and mis-transcription assumed a somewhat different character than that envisioned by the Founding Fathers. As a consequence, this amendment remained the focus of repeated contention until 2008, when the Supreme Court, for the first time, defined the individual rights of each citizen to defend him or herself.
Nevertheless, today, the use of firearms in America, when viewed superficially, gives one the impression of a nation bent on destroying itself through unbridled homicide and suicide. This is borne out by the sheer number of deaths attributed to guns annually in America. However, sheer numbers can be deceiving and cannot be used for comparative purposes. In this paper, we examine the history of guns in the U.S., searching for the causation of gun-related homicide. We also examine Pieter Spierenburg's thesis that democracy came too early to America.
The flooding that resulted from the Kosi Afflux Bund Breach in Nepal, in August 2008, approximate... more The flooding that resulted from the Kosi Afflux Bund Breach in Nepal, in August 2008, approximately 12 kms upstream from the Bhimnagar Barrage, was unlike that of any flood that has been associated with the Kosi in more than 60 years. It was unique because of the location of its epicenter and extent. For the first time, an earthen levee, located in Nepal breached, spilling water into areas that have not experienced Kosi related floods in nearly 100 years. While the immediate causes of the flood can be attributed to the failure of an engineered structure, the consequences of the subsequent flood must be apportioned among the engineers, contractors, and politicians responsible for the construction, maintenance, and unrepentant commitment to the use of earthen levees to affect flood control and protect the citizens of Bihar.
Books by John Rorabacher
Despite attempts at gun control in the United States, the Second Amendment to its Constitution, h... more Despite attempts at gun control in the United States, the Second Amendment to its Constitution, has always stood as a roadblock because it prohibited the government's ability to remove firearms from law abiding citizens. Canada, on the other hand, has no such right built into its Constitution, not even the Common Law aspect of such a right. As a consequence, firearm ownership is a government-granted privilege; and for this reason, gun controls can be used to effectively disarm the Canadian population. This work examines the differences and consequences of rights and privilege.
The Founding Fathers of the U.S., with good reason, were fearful of governments that did not subm... more The Founding Fathers of the U.S., with good reason, were fearful of governments that did not submit to or grant individual human, natural rights. One of these was the right of self-defense. For these men, an armed society was a hedge against tyranny. The Second Amendment through debate and mis-transcription assumed a somewhat different character than that envisioned by the Founding Fathers. As a consequence, this amendment remained the focus of repeated contention until 2008, when the Supreme Court, for the first time, defined the individual rights of each citizen to defend him or herself.
Nevertheless, today, the use of firearms in America, when viewed superficially, gives one the impression of a nation bent on destroying itself through unbridled homicide and suicide. This is borne out by the sheer number of deaths attributed to guns annually in America. However, sheer numbers can be deceiving and cannot be used for comparative purposes. In this paper, we examine the history of guns in the U.S., searching for the causation of gun-related homicide. We also examine Pieter Spierenburg's thesis that democracy came too early to America.
The flooding that resulted from the Kosi Afflux Bund Breach in Nepal, in August 2008, approximate... more The flooding that resulted from the Kosi Afflux Bund Breach in Nepal, in August 2008, approximately 12 kms upstream from the Bhimnagar Barrage, was unlike that of any flood that has been associated with the Kosi in more than 60 years. It was unique because of the location of its epicenter and extent. For the first time, an earthen levee, located in Nepal breached, spilling water into areas that have not experienced Kosi related floods in nearly 100 years. While the immediate causes of the flood can be attributed to the failure of an engineered structure, the consequences of the subsequent flood must be apportioned among the engineers, contractors, and politicians responsible for the construction, maintenance, and unrepentant commitment to the use of earthen levees to affect flood control and protect the citizens of Bihar.
Despite attempts at gun control in the United States, the Second Amendment to its Constitution, h... more Despite attempts at gun control in the United States, the Second Amendment to its Constitution, has always stood as a roadblock because it prohibited the government's ability to remove firearms from law abiding citizens. Canada, on the other hand, has no such right built into its Constitution, not even the Common Law aspect of such a right. As a consequence, firearm ownership is a government-granted privilege; and for this reason, gun controls can be used to effectively disarm the Canadian population. This work examines the differences and consequences of rights and privilege.