Sunday, January 14, 2007

Pentagon to Develop Super-Suits

The Pentagon is hoping that a new type of suit will give its soldiers super-human powers. It would be made from a newly developed super-strong but super-lightweight fabric that could stop bullets and increase the soldiers muscle power up to a hundredfold.
If and when they get the super-suit perfected, is there any question they'll be limited to the standing army/"Only Ones," and possession by the "militia" will be verboten?

This story reminded me of one of my favorite old "Outer Limits" episodes.

Another Senseless DHMO Death

A 28-year-old woman has died of water intoxication after taking part in a Californian radio station's water drinking contest.

She was in the "Hold Your Wee for a Wii" competition trying to win a Nintendo Wii video game system.
The answer, of course, is common sense water control laws, although some of us wonder if an outright ban on this dangerous substance might not be in everyone's interest.

If it saves one life...

We're the Only Ones Violating Parole Enough

Calamia, a former Indialantic police officer and Brevard Community College criminal justice instructor, pleaded no contest in 1988 to the execution-style killing of former reserve Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputy Gary Smith in 1987.
So the issue shouldn't be what's he doing out of the country, or what's he doing holding an AK-47.

The issue should be what the HELL is a convicted execution murderer doing out in the general population in the first place?

He served 10 years behind bars? Meanwhile, a crack dealer with a gun who never shot, let alone killed anyone just got 55.

But then, he's not an "Only One."

New WarOnGuns Poll

I'm playing around with a new poll feature (see left sidebar).

I dunno.

Is it worth it? Should I keep it or dump it?
  • Keep it?
  • Dump it?
  • Who cares?
I'll leave it up for a week. If it can attract a few hundred votes in that time, I'll figure there's enough interest to keep it.

Romney Retreats on Gun Control

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration.]
Former governor Mitt Romney, who once described himself as a supporter of strong gun laws, is distancing himself from that rhetoric now as he attempts to court the gun owners who make up a significant force in Republican primary politics...

But perhaps the most significant gun legislation Romney signed as governor was a 2004 measure instituting a permanent ban on assault weapons. The Legislature mirrored the law after the federal assault weapons ban, which was set to expire. According to activists at the time, the bill made Massachusetts the first state to enact its own such ban, and Romney hailed the move.

"These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense," he was quoted as saying. "They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people."
That's a lot more than just "rhetoric." Now that some are trying to help him erase the past, it would seem fair to require proof that he really has "reformed."

I'll change my opinion if he provides the right and unequivocal answers to some clear questions. If he won't, and he won't, you'll know he continues to be just another in a long train of power-mad political swindlers, which of course, he is:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county, state and federal? Will you direct the Department of Justice to do this?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

7. Do you support or oppose Project Exile-type programs, and do you agree with current NRA management’s call to “enforce existing gun laws”? Where is the Constitutional authority for this, and how do you square it with "shall not be infringed"?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

11. How will you personally atone for your past support of citizen disarmament edicts?

I'm sending these questions to the Romney campaign. Don't hold your breath.

[Photo from Organization for Mitt Romney blog: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, and National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre talk with attendees while touring the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. Romney has formed a presidential exploratory committee for the 2008 election. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhac)]

Wayne Fincher Update: January 14

Washington County Militia Leader Convicted in Federal Court
Fincher's defense argued that the law under which he was charged is unconstitutional because it violates the 2nd Amendment's guarantee of citizens' rights to bear arms...Prosecutors told jurors the case was simple -- Fincher had the machine guns and they weren't registered as required.
"No, his defense didn't argue a thing--they were not allowed to by the judge. If your only source of news as "authorized journalists," this piece would make you think Wayne Fincher got a fair trial.

U.S. Constitution One Nail Closer To Burial
The results of this governmental abuse of power are the tragedies of an innocent man in jail, his family broken-hearted and the abusers celebrating their contrived victory.

This case truly has never been about the law, evidence and justice. If it had, Fincher would have remained a free man and would have been found not guilty by the jury.
Dale Morfrey shares some candid observations.

[More about Wayne Fincher via WarOnGuns]

This Day in History: January 14

On this day in 1784, the Continental Congress ratifies the Second Treaty of Paris, ending the War for Independence.
I'm afraid the war for independence will never be over as long as there are those who make war against independence.