imported post
smoking357 wrote:
That means when there's a dispute, the SOCTUS says, "This is constitutional" or, "This is not constitutional."
Non sequitur. You continually fall into the sea when you try to make this jump. It means simply this: when there's a dispute under the Constitution, the court tries the case and applies the Constitution. Nothing more. Pennsylvania sues when New York doesn't recognize Pennsylvania marriages.
In order to "apply" the Constitution they must interpret the meaning of it. When they make a ruling on the case, they determine whether the law/issue/whatever is in compliance with the constitution or not, which is exactly what I just said.
This has been explained to you in numerous examples. Maybe a direct one will help your simple mind.
"Keep and bear arms" Nowhere does the constitution define arms. It's the job of the court to determine what was meant by "arms." That's interpreting.
For your reference:
arm[suP]1[/suP]
play_w2("A0425900")
(ärm)
n.
1. An upper limb of the human body, connecting the hand and wrist to the shoulder.
2. A part similar to a human arm, such as the forelimb of an animal or a long part projecting from a central support in a machine.
3. Something, such as a sleeve on a garment or a support on a chair, that is designed to cover or support the human arm.
4. A relatively narrow extension jutting out from a large mass:
an arm of the sea. See Synonyms at
branch.
5. An administrative or functional branch, as of an organization.
6. Power or authority:
the long arm of the law.
7. Sports The skill of throwing or pitching a ball well.
arm[suP]2[/suP]
play_w2("A0425900")
(ärm)
n.
1. A weapon, especially a firearm:
troops bearing arms; ICBMs, bombs, and other nuclear arms.
2. A branch of a military force:
infantry, armor, and other combat arms.
3. arms
a. Warfare:
a call to arms against the invaders.
b. Military service:
several million volunteers under arms; the profession of arms.
4. arms
a. Heraldry Bearings.
b. Insignia, as of a state, an official, a family, or an organization.
v. armed,
arm·ing,
arms
v.intr.
1. To supply or equip oneself with weaponry.
2. To prepare oneself for warfare or conflict.
v.tr.
1. To equip with weapons:
armed themselves with loaded pistols; arm a missile with a warhead; arm a nation for war.
2. To equip with what is needed for effective action:
tax advisers who were armed with the latest forms.
3. To provide with something that strengthens or protects:
a space reentry vehicle that was armed with a ceramic shield.
4. To prepare (a weapon) for use or operation, as by releasing a safety device.
That's a lot of different arms. Which one is it? I thought language was plain and simple, andthere was only one meaning?
I'm done. Someone else can take over the job of making you look stupid.