Blowing the Whistle on Gun Murder

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Meantime, the gun-murder rate in Jamaica is among the highest in the world. But nobody mentioned that. In fact, the word "Jamaica" can't be found in any of these penetrating analyses, even though police will tell you off the record that 80 per cent or more of the city's gun crime is Jamaican-related.

Looks like somebody else is noticing that elephant in the room. The gutless blood-dancing politicians, the hand-wringing enuretics and the manipulating social engineers would have the gullible public believe it's all about inanimate objects.

Some are so paralyzed at the prospect of being charged with bigotry that they'll sabotage the truth. Others just have an agenda.

This would make an interesting statistical analysis for John Lott, who demonstrated media bias against mentioning defensive gun use. How many articles about "gun crime" mention the demographic and cultural trends wherein most of it takes place?

A Welcome Correspondence

I got the following email out of the blue yesterday from someone I have never heard from before. With the author's permission (he prefers to remain anonymous), I am presenting it here for two reasons: It supports much of what we have come to understand about federal law enforcement mentality--and the state worshippers who admire them; and because the kind words the writer had for this site come at a time when I'm struggling with whether or not it's worth the effort.

When you consider how a gun show can draw tens of thousands, and yet look at the pathetic site visit statistics this and most other gun blogs draw, it's easy to get discouraged. Take a look at the blogroll in the left column. There are many fine sites with great material being brought to you regularly by people of insight, talent and dedication. I encourage you to pick a few that you enjoy and visit regularly, and tell those bloggers you appreciate their work. Why not also tell your friends about these sites, and occasionally send them links to posts you find important, funny or interesting?

Dear Mr. Codrea:

I have been reading your web log for several months and I am heartened to know that you are out there dissenting in the face of the power mongers who want to take away our freedom. I live in Chicago, where police-state tactics are accepted as the normal way to do things. A few months ago a supposed friend told me he thought that his acquaintances in BATFE (or, as you put it, BATFU) were "cool" because they were "above the law" so they could break laws with impunity, where people who were not government agents would be arrested. These characters actually bragged to him that they could get him out of any trouble with a local cop and have any charges dropped as long as he didn't do something to personally antagonize the cop. So I found myself looking at another example of the blind worship of power.

I'm no longer surprised by the kinds of stories I read on your website. Most people seem to have absolutely no concept of the principles this nation was founded upon. What I like about your website is that you take an intelligent, thoughtful approach to the issues. Too many people focus only on the issue of guns, missing out
on the bigger freedom picture, and display knee-jerk reactions that follow the NRA party line or that of some other organization or individual they consider infallible.

Your website is a breath of fresh air in a world where our rights are routinely violated, and even many people who vaguely sense that something is wrong do not understand the concept of individual liberty. Thank you for carrying the unadulterated message of liberty.

Sincerely,
A Friend of Freedom

What, Me Weird?

Nicki tagged me to confess to 5 weird things about myself. I've always believed weird is in the eye of the beholder, and truth be known, am proud of my misfit status. I mean, in a culture that rewards the likes of Paris Hilton and Sniff Dog with celebrity, who with a shred of self esteem or intelligence would want to fit in?

1. I catch and release insects from the house whenever possible, rather than kill them.

2. Contrary to the impression some have from my writing, I'm actually quite humble in person.

3. I once tried to fight a malevolent ghost. No kidding. And I don't even believe in ghosts, but have no other explanation for what happened.

4. I sometimes dream that I can fly after taking a running leap. But I'm never more than a foot or so off the ground, leaning forward, kind of doing a perpetual ski jump.

5. Here's probably the biggest weird statement about myself I could make: I'm really not that much into guns. That's why you don't see "gun porn" here, or ever see me write about technical matters. For me, the passion is in the principles involved.

I tag anyone who wishes to add a comment to this post.