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Why does Justice Thomas’s opinion in McDonald v. Chicago matter? Because he recognized the Second Amendment as a fundamental individual right—one that states and cities must respect. He reached that conclusion by looking to Reconstruction, when freedmen relied on firearms to defend themselves against Klan violence. Read more in...

83,109 views • 15 days ago •via X (Twitter)

30 Comments

Shycollie's profile picture
Shycollie15 days ago

I have no idea why you turned down that Supreme Court spot, that was your destiny, your passion, where you are best suited and would have been most powerful. Senator is just one of a 100 and you’ll never be president. You’re like Tim Tebow refusing to switch to tight end

Joe Stiles's profile picture
Joe Stiles15 days ago

Thomas’s Reconstruction-era reasoning is one of the most important parts of McDonald. How much should the history surrounding the Fourteenth Amendment shape how we interpret constitutional rights today?

Jojo's profile picture
Jojo15 days ago

Hasbara. How much are they paying you through your podcast again?

Todd Em's profile picture
Todd Em15 days ago

The 14th was enacted to incorporate all of the Bill of Rights into state constitutions after the horrible read in Barron v Baltimore. The fact that the law of the land has been treated as nothing more than a suggestion by so many in government is appalling.

Frank Amari's profile picture
Frank Amari15 days ago

Clarence Thomas is one of the worst justices in history.

Joel O’Bryan's profile picture
Joel O’Bryan15 days ago

"... when freedmen relied on firearms to defend themselves against Democrat violence." There. Fixed it for ya. It wasn't always the Klan, but it was always a Democrat.

Irfan ali's profile picture
Irfan ali15 days ago

From “left wing radicalism” to MAGA right wing extremism. Are we supposed to be impressed?

BigDog9010's profile picture
BigDog901015 days ago

Thomas needs to be impeached.

Pete's profile picture
Pete15 days ago

That story would seal the deal on the 2nd Amendment. It's not about hunting. Needs to be the central plot of a well done movie, as historically accurate as is practical. Icing on the cake would be identifying the political party of the klansmen.

Robert Sims's profile picture
Robert Sims15 days ago

Who paid for that nifty sportcoat? Israel

Susan Cook's profile picture
Susan Cook15 days ago

A potent reminder, though one wonders what those Reconstruction-era freedmen would make of today's arms race.

dandydiamond@yahoo.com's profile picture

TED You don't have a f****** chance you piece of s***Wanna ride on Trump that aint gonna work dude. U might as well pack it up

Dr.Olamide HephzibahMs.,-'s profile picture
Dr.Olamide HephzibahMs.,-15 days ago

Huh 🤔

Bill Casey's profile picture
Bill Casey15 days ago

Hey Ted, Don’t you agree that US Supreme Court justices should have a statutorily required mandatory retirement age of 75 ? Let’s say on January 21st , 2029 , a bill was passed by House & Senate and signed by a newly elected US President that effectuated the above Wouldn’t that make a lot of sense , I mean 75 years old . At the State level, 37 of the 50 states have this requirement by the age of 75…including your home state of Texas and in Florida . Why not Ted ? Now don’t make up some BS against this idea Ted …because I know and most folks know ..that your Lying Ted

The Harbinger's profile picture
The Harbinger15 days ago

Why does yours?

ImpeachTrump's profile picture
ImpeachTrump15 days ago

Stupid fat cuck.

NH Mimi's profile picture
NH Mimi15 days ago

Robert’s will flip on a dime. HE is the leaker.

Ken Pasco's profile picture
Ken Pasco15 days ago

Do you mind if Anita Hill has a word?

Bob Lee's profile picture
Bob Lee15 days ago

Fuck Israel

Billy's profile picture
Billy15 days ago

Didn't Samuel Alito write the majority opinion in that ruling?

Deborah Anderson's profile picture
Deborah Anderson15 days ago

Go away. You will never be president. Pass the fvcking save act.

Grandpa Sith's profile picture
Grandpa Sith15 days ago

I would love to see you on the Supreme Court!

James Barry's profile picture
James Barry15 days ago

Rafael, you complain a lot about America. If you really don't like it here you can go back to your home country where you were born Canada

DukeofPaducah's profile picture
DukeofPaducah15 days ago

Raphael needs a butterfly net so he can sample for ticks while he’s out in the weeds

Timbitz's profile picture
Timbitz15 days ago

And that's why the Left wants to take our guns. So we can't defend ourselves from them when they manage to grab ultimate power and try to subdue us.

Al's profile picture
Al15 days ago

What’s your angle here, Teddy? Clarence Thomas is no friend of the black man. His rulings make it harder for the black man to vote, and if running for office to get elected. Plus, he seems to be lacking in ethics and character. Are you going to get sued and need his help?

Caitlin's profile picture
Caitlin15 days ago

The Reconstruction part is the part people always skip

RMN172's profile picture
RMN17215 days ago

A right to bear arms via the Privileges and Immunities Clause is not necessarily the same thing as the Second Amendment. In any event, even if a right to bear arms under the Second Amendment is “incorporated” via the Privileges and Immunites Clause or the Due Process Clause, the right should be subject to reasonable restrictions and there should be no reason why it protects, for example, bearing AR-15’s in public. Justice Thomas would do well to follow the lead of Professor Akhil Reed Amar on this subject.

The Abuye Reprort's profile picture
The Abuye Reprort15 days ago

Phgggg......the first thing you did after taking property away from me was threaten my life. You wouldn't have gone to the length you have to suppress and shadow ban this voice.

Richard Escareno's profile picture
Richard Escareno15 days ago

You would make a great Chief Justice of the SCOTUS.

Related Videos

As a firearms educator and a 2A absolutist, I believe the 2nd Amendment is both a human right and a civil right. The 2nd Amendment does not grant permission—it affirms a pre-existing, natural right of all people to keep and bear arms. The U.S. Supreme Court made this clear in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and reaffirmed in McDonald v. Chicago (2010): the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right, fundamental to our system of ordered liberty, and incorporated against the states. In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), the Court further held that the 2nd Amendment protects the right to carry firearms in public for lawful purposes, especially self-defense. But lawful purpose is the key distinction. I teach my students a foundational principle: the mind is the weapon; the gun is the tool. Firearms are carried to defend and protect life, not to impose our will on others—but to ensure that others cannot force their will upon us. We are peaceful, not harmless. We are at a dangerous point in our society where radical leftists are openly taking up arms and encouraging others to do the same, not for self-defense, but to seek out violence against their fellow countrymen. That conduct is not protected by the 2nd Amendment, because the Constitution does not protect violent intent, criminal conspiracy, or political terror. The Supreme Court has been clear across constitutional law that rights do not extend to violent misuse. The 2nd Amendment protects keeping and bearing arms for lawful purposes—it does not protect threats, incitement, or plans to harm others. Just as the First Amendment does not protect true threats or incitement to violence, the Second Amendment does not shield those who seek to abuse it. As a firearms instructor, I am not the government. I am not issuing permits; I am certifying training and competency. Instructors have long-recognized professional discretion and duty of care—especially when credible threats or statements of violent intent are expressed. Is refusing to certify someone who demonstrates dangerous intent gun control, disarmament, and a constitutional violation? Or, is it a private professional judgment, grounded in safety, ethics, and responsibility? When credible threats of violence are made, is alerting law enforcement a betrayal of liberty? The Supreme Court has never held that the 2nd Amendment creates a right to anonymity in violent plotting or shields criminal intent from lawful investigation. So here’s the question I’m wrestling with—and I want your thoughts: As a firearms instructor, should I be able—or obligated—to deny concealed carry certification to individuals who express violent or extremist intent? Should instructors alert law enforcement when credible threats are made? Am I violating my principles by refusing to arm those who seek chaos—or am I upholding the true purpose of the 2nd Amendment? Let me know in the comments.

Alicia Garcia

33,744 views • 8 months ago