Brian,

The problem I most have with the concept of Natural Rights, is usually how they are presented and discussed. Many times, the phrase is bandied about in a way that could just as easily be replaced with the concept of a God. It is a belief held by a subset of society -of which I consider myself a part - and is no more a universal truth than the concept of God to an atheist.

"Likewise, the function of Natural Law is not to protect any claims, but rather to tell us which claims deserve protection."

I have no quarrel with this concept. It is rather well put, but his "we" is only referring to those who are believers in the Natural Rights doctrine. I just want to acknowledge that the doctrine doesn't exist in a vacuum and place it in the proper context. I hold no illusion such that everybody truly believes in the sanctity of Natural Rights but some are simply worse than others at the execution of this ethical doctrine.