Thursday, May 31, 2007

Look Who Else Showed Up


So--is the Cardinal gonna strap 'em on and finally do something about this rebellious embarrassment to the Church (and to humanity) or not?

Hey, Look Who Showed Up


I wonder if the IRS looked at this particular computer, how much political activism-related work product and correspondence they'd find?

Shameless Plug: Grabbers All

So we need to vote Republican, right?

Yeah, if you agree with Rudy Giuliani that we need federal licensing and testing to own a gun, and that semiautos should be banned...

Or take John McCain—please!

...The third “big” name among GOP contenders is former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney...

"Grabbers All" is my Rights Watch column for the July 2007 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at gripping newsstands throughout the Republic. (I actually liked my working title, "Heil to the Chief!" but then again, no one ever accused me of being tactful and delicate.)

Also, a psychologist wrote a nice letter about my Frank Melton article in the Crossfire section (pg 6).

BONUS: See pg 92 to find out how you can win a Vega Diamond Double Elite over & under 20-gauge shotgun, imported from Turkey by ADCO Sales.

The Pfleger Cover-Up Begins

Vince Clark, a spokesman for Pfleger, told Cybercast News Service Wednesday that the pastor wasn't aware of the violent connotation of "snuff" and didn't mean to threaten bodily harm. (Listen to Pfleger's comments)

"I've never heard that compared before with the word murder," Clark said. "He [Pfleger] was never aware of that. If that was the case he would never have used that language."

Right, Vince. The guy lives in da hood, throws out street slang like "the Benjamins," and no one has any idea what snuffing someone out means. And for gun owners to protest this lunatic's rantings "is uncalled for."

As for that Church hierarchy we're hoping will do something about this:

James Accurso, a spokesman for the Chicago Archdiocese...told Cybercast News Service that the church had no plans to take disciplinary action against Pfleger.

No, of course not. They're afraid of him, afraid he'll make a big stink, leave the priesthood and take his congregation with him. They have abdicated all authority for St. Sabina. It's no longer God's house, it's Mike Pfleger's. The rogue is calling the shots.

OK, what about the "authorized journalists," like our pals at The Trib? Nope, nothing there about this controversy, and that's no surprise to those of us who have been paying attention. Yuri Orlov gave us the reporter's reaction yesterday in a comment to a related post:
"Thank you for writing. If you read my story, you saw that I included very little of what was said at this rally. I was assigned to cover this story and assigned a certain amount of space for it. I did not include Father Pfleger's comments because I did not find them germane to the subject. I also will say it did not strike me as a threat of imminent violence. It sounded like a typical rally speech."

Well, we can see how much help we can count on there.

And what about the tax exempt issue reported by WarOnGuns? Forget coverage by any major media. And if you look at the links to that post, not many gun bloggers consider it meriting a mention, either, although I am grateful to KABA for posting it, as well as you few others.

Ah well. We do what we can.

MORE:
Armed and Safe (45superman has done a great job spreading the word and posting to forums. Many thanks, Kurt.)

We're the Only Ones Knee-Capping Daddy's Little Girl Enough

An off-duty New Haven police officer shot and wounded his 18-year-old daughter, apparently mistaking her for an intruder after she sneaked out of their Stratford home and re-entered through the basement.

Cryptic Subterranean has some threat assessment advice for us non-"Only Ones."

We need it, because unlike Cappy Pappy, (or would that be Coppy Poppy?) we would probably be charged.

Idaho Rifle Clinic

Western Rifle Shooters Association is having an intermediate rifle clinic on July 7/8 in Kooskia, ID.

Follow the title link to learn more, including what you'll need, what you'll learn, where you'll stay, how much it will cost, etc., and please pass the info on to your gun owner friends.

Nebraska Gun Owner Action Alert

From JoeMerchant24:
We need help here in Nebraska.

LB97 passed this morning, expanding the number of gun-free zones.

We need to get all of you to call Governor Dave Heineman at 402-471-2244 and politely ask him NOT TO SIGN LB97!!!!

There are so few days left in the session, we can pocket veto this.

There are talking points to be made to the guv at joemerchant24.blogspot.com

Thanks;
JM24

He has several posts explaining more. Please pass this info on to your friends in Nebraska and ask them to make the calls and spread the word.

MORE:

John Lott
The War on Guns

I couldn't readily find if NRA or GOA have action alerts out to their members to ask the governor to veto this bill, but due to time constraints only gave their respective sites a cursory once-over. If anyone can shed some light on this, please enter a "Comment," below.

This Day in History: May 31

Whereas by an Address presented to his Majesty by both Houses of Parliament in February last, the American Colonies are declared to be in a State of actual Rebelion, we conceive that all Laws and Commissions confirmed by, or derived from the Authority of the King or Parliament, are annulled and vacated, and the former civil Constitution of these Colinies for the present wholly suspended...

That the several Militia Companies in this county do provide themselves with proper Arms and Accoutrements, and hold themselves in Readiness to execute the commands and Directions of the Provincial Congress, and of this committee.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Snuff Poster


Sorry, couldn't resist.

And yeah, I know turning someone in to the feds is not conducive to "freedom." I'd have titled this "Heh," to indicate it's a joke, but I never was very trendy.

Still, if you don't want to get hit in the teeth with a stool, it's a pretty good idea not to start bar fights.

Welcome, Chicago Tribune


There will always be a place here at The War on Guns for "authorized journalists."

So-- are you going to report on this Mike Pfleger business, or what?

(My money's on "or what.")

Snuff Out Mike Pfleger

By now, you've probably heard of the recording of "moral authority" "Father" Michael Pfleger calling for John "R-i-g-g-i-o", the owner of a Chuck's Gun Shop (along with "legislators" who don't support citizen disarmament) to be "snuffed out."

Well like the good father says, "it's all about the Benjamins," which I guess is proof he understands street slang, and he understands what "snuff out" means among his (can you call a gaggle or a pack a "flock"?)

So what about the Benjamins, Mike? And why shouldn't your ability to apparently exploit tax laws the rest of us are forced to obey be snuffed out?

What am I talking about? Well, Mike's "church," St. Sabina, is a 501(c)(3) corporation.


That means, as a church, it's exempt from filing taxes, and contributions are tax deductible. But that also means, in order to qualify for this exemption, certain conditions must be adhered to. Per IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization, Chapter 3. Section 501(c)(3), "Application for Recognition of Exemption":
The organization will not, as a substantial part of its activities, attempt to influence legislation (unless it elects to come under the provisions allowing certain lobbying expenditures)...
When we look at the section on "Lobbying Expenditures," it says:
In general, if a substantial part of the activities of your organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, your organization’s exemption from federal income tax will be denied.

Father Mike's monomaniacal "crusade" against people being able to protect themselves was evidenced not only by his appearance at the rally, not only in his pledge to continue harassing lawful businesses and the citizens who operate and patronize them, and not only by a history of disarmament advocacy (Google search terms "Michael Pfleger" gun).

All one really needs to do is look at the St. Sabina webpage:


He certainly doesn't make much effort to separate "Gun Legislation to Support in Illinois" from the rest of the church's mission, does he?

And what legislation would that be? Why don't we take a look:


What are those 501(c)(3) restrictions again?

But wait--there's more. We also see a link for "The Beloved Community, Inc." which a little searching also reveals to be a 501 (c)(3) for which contributions are tax deductible:


It might not be out of line to ask why they're listed as the "bullet" (hah!) for:
Save Our Children - STOP Gangs - Killing - Guns - Drugs - What Can I Do? Download the flier and Stop sign
especially since they answered "NO" on their 2005 Form 990, Part III, "Statement About Activities," question 1:
During the year, has the organization attempted to influence national, state or local legislation, including any attempt to influence public opinion on a legislative matter or referendum?

(I could present a picture of the form in question here, but that would violate the terms of use for the information source--but the IRS will know where to find it.)

But it probably doesn't matter anyway--because the links to the information and fliers are dead (but curiously, went to St. Sabina webpages anyway, not to the "Beloved Community" site.)

Fortunately, we have one of my favorite resources, The Wayback Machine, that archived the page in question. From it, you can download their flier:



You can print out their sign:


You can "Call legislators and tell them to pass common sense gun laws..." (How very compliant with 501(c)(3) restrictions!)

You can call the anonymous hotline (paid for with tax deductible contributions?)!

And you can even get "REWARDS!"
We will offer rewards to people who call in to our anonymous hotline 773-483-HELP (4357) and give us information that leads to finding and getting guns out of our community.
Hmm. I wonder if the funds for those were taken from tax deductible donations to the church, and how much was paid out?

These are just rhetorical questions I'm asking, mind you. I personally could never sic the IRS on anyone, as I view the entire agency to be a usurpation and a betrayal of the intent of the Founders. My purpose in posting this was merely to point out some questions that deserve to be answered.

Of course, were someone from the government to use this information and "snuff out" Mike Pfleger's ability to apparently circumvent rules the rest of us must follow, well...

This Day in History: May 30

Mr [Thomas] Willing, one of the delegates for Pensylvania, informed the Congress, that a gentleman was just arrived from London, who had brought with him a paper, which he says he recd from Lord North, and which was written, at the desire of his Lordship, by Mr. Gray Cooper, Under-Secy of the Treasury; and he understood it to be his Lordship's desire that it shod be communicated to the Congress.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Jesse's Law

"Futures not funerals!" Jackson exhorted the crowd. "Sons not guns!"

...Jackson and Revs. James Meeks and Michael Pfleger encouraged the crowd to push for stricter gun laws. They vowed that the rally was just the beginning and that civil disobedience was possible.

So Jesse is now the final arbiter of which laws should be enforced and which should be ignored?

Who does he think he is--Gavin Newsom?

[Via HZ]

How Total Gun Control Works

A PRISON employee smuggled a loaded gun into a jail...

See that? When the government controls everything, we can have all cash transactions, no background or mental health checks, no paper trail...

Maybe we've been going about this the wrong way...

Dances With Jackals

Kevin Costner is urging U.S. lawmakers to come up with a series of strict new gun legislation - even if it limits his own shooting time...Costner feels that legislators should get tough with firearms owners, who refuse to accept their practices could harm others.
Another big "but" gun owner. Come and get 'em, Kevin. Oh, that's right--you're only a hero when the cameras are rolling. You want others to take all the risks and do your dirty work for you.

Punk.

WarOnGuns Poll: Financial Support

Here are the results of last week's poll (click on image to enlarge):



Because I got a late start this week due to the long Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to postpone introducing a new poll until next Sunday.

Catch-22

Advocates for the mentally ill are questioning Houston police officers' use of stun guns on suspects with mental problems, many of whom were unarmed and then never charged with a crime.
So that's why we need to create a registry that identifies who the nutjobs are so we can keep them from buying guns--because otherwise, they might not want to be shocked, and might take steps to prevent it.

But wait a minute--that would be a rational response. And to try and prevent rational responses would be irrational...

My head hurts. Who exactly are the crazy people here again?

A So-Called Gun Nut

A legislator who has been pushing to legalize the carrying of guns in state parks says he now wants to block the mentally ill from buying weapons.

"Right now, you can get out of a mental institution in the morning and buy a gun that afternoon," said Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains. "I'm a so-called gun nut, and I think that's just wrong."
But you want 'em out buying gasoline, fertilizer and box cutters, Frank? Nicely done, Frank. You appear to be another gun rights supporter with a big "but."

Either a person is a danger to himself and others--in which case, he needs to be in custodial care--or he isn't--in which case, he poses no danger.

Gun Detectors?

Mr Obara said the crackdown on illegal firearms would be spread to other parts of Garissa and Tana River districts especially now that the officers were equipped with gun detecting gadgets with a range of one kilometre.

The United States-made equipment resembles a police walkie talkie is barely a week old in the country.
A metal detector scanning wand that works when swept inches away I could believe. But "a range of one kilometre" and through cars? I'm not sure if this is ignorant reporting or intentional misinformation to throw some uncertainty into the opposing factions. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this developed and in use some day.

We're the Only Ones Losing It Enough

Somewhere, somebody is illegally holding a loaded, semi-automatic handgun and 45 bullets that are the rightful property of the Waterloo regional police. Somewhere, and it might be on the streets of Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal or here in Waterloo Region, ordinary people face a greater threat of being shot or traumatized by violence because this stolen weapon is in the wrong hands.

This has been the situation since last Thursday when somebody took the gun and ammunition of a plainclothes officer after the officer left them unattended on a Kitchener sidewalk.

I don't understand it. Every time I leave my guns on the sidewalk, this never happens.

Thank goodness the "authorized journalists" saw fit not to name the unfortunate "Only One." I imagine the poor guy must have gone through enough already!

Good Grief!

Good grief! Is Ackermann suggesting that we should be armed all of the time in order to be prepared to deal with a person who has gone berserk?
Not at all. We should also be prepared for a host of other, more common threats. And yeah, pretty much "all the time," unless you have some magic way of determining when and where everything is safe.

You need that pointed out?

Good grief.

When You're in Wisconsin...

...be sure and avoid Badger Ammo like the plague.

Owner Mick Beatovic evidently favors throwing private sellers under the bus. How very humanitarian. I mean, there's no financial incentive to do that, is there Mick?

The Gang

A former minor tax collection department is now a billion-dollar agency.

This groundbreaking documentary exposes how this agency harasses, oppresses, intimidates, and terrifies small businesses and decent citizens.

STAND UP TO THE BATFE -- SIT DOWN AND ORDER THE GANG TODAY!

JPFO's new documentary is now available. Click on the title link to find out more and to order your own copy.

This Day in History: May 29

We most sincerely condole with you on the arrival of that day, in the course of which, the sun could not shine on a single freeman in all your extensive dominion. Be assured, that your unmerited degradation has engaged the most unfeigned pity of your sister colonies; and we flatter ourselves you will not, by tamely bearing the yoke, suffer that pity to be supplanted by contempt.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Oh, I Don't Know, Let's See...

Sen. Russ Karpisek says he’s a gun-loving redneck.

And he gets a lot of business at his meat market from hunters.

“I’m not intending to anger the NRA,” the Wilber senator said, “but why on earth would you need a concealed weapon in a hospital?”
Yeah--it's not like the friends of shot up gang members ever drop by for a visit.

Meathead. Why don't you take your "Wilber Wiener" and...

[Via JoeMerchant24]

Kaine Shows True Colors

In a move to capitalize on the VT shooting Gov. Tim Kaine of VA is looking for restrictions on how much ammo a citizen my have. He is “troubled” that a citizen could “stockpile” ammo without the police knowing about it.

Surprise, surprise.

Time to Disarm Authorized Journalists?

The editor of The Baltimore Examiner was arrested and charged with threatening his next-door neighbors with a shotgun, police said Thursday.

No! Not The Baltimore Examiner that editorialized:
Now, there’s a generation of young people who simply reach for the gun when they feel they’ve been slighted.

Not The Baltimore Examiner that admitted:
In 2002 the entire Dawson family — Carnell and Angela and their five children — were murdered in their city home for standing up to drug dealers in their neighborhood. And the state’s highest court ruled earlier this month that relatives could not sue the city for failing to protect the family, who placed 109 calls to 911 or 311 between Jan. 1, 2000, and Oct. 16, 2002, about illegal activity in their neighborhood.

While the crime was horrible, police must not be held criminally liable for failing to prevent murders.

"Authorized journalists" certainly have no problem advocating you and I can't be trusted with a gun. I wonder how much of that is projection--because they know they can't trust themselves?

The Numbers Racket

In San Francisco, there are 41,614 registered semiautomatic pistols and 14,886 revolvers, Lenore Anderson, director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, told The Examiner on Thursday.
And how many are there that aren't registered, Lenore?

You have no idea, do you, you fraud.

We're the Only Ones Hambriento Enough

A 4-year-old child found a gun while out to dinner with his family at Azteca Mexican Restaurant last Saturday night...The restaurant manager confirms a police officer called and said he had left his bag at the restaurant...
I guess there will be no charges because the "authorized journalists" whose primary function is to act as a watchdog over government don't have the resources to find out who he is.

Besides:
A representative from the Tacoma Police Department says it is not a violation of policy to forget a weapon...
Not if you're an "Only One" it isn't.

[Via Paul Grant]

Thompson and Paul Leading GOP Straw Poll

It wasn't that way yesterday. No doubt the yellow stripers in the middle will dismiss this as "spamming," instead of showing how motivated gun owners are against the Big Tent Sale charlatans.

I'm a Paul man myself, but Thompson is looking pretty good on the gun issue. Those two as a team could reignite the fire in activist bellies that establishment darlings Romney, Giuliani and McCain are doing their best to douse.

[Via Joe McCutcheon]

Expert Opinions

Samaha is turning into an advocate for gun safety, though. He did not know much about the subject before his 18-year-old daughter, Reema, became a victim, but now, he said he’s becoming somewhat of an expert.
"Expert." In a month-and-a-half. How the ignorant can cheapen a word...
If Virginia Tech students had legal permits to carry firearms on campus, the panel agreed it probably wouldn’t have mattered. If anything, they said, it would have made things worse.
And you can believe it because they said so. No doubt they're experts.
"If you open fire in a school, you will be eliminated," said Frederick Rappina, a Fairfax County police officer with the youth services division, and a Robinson Secondary school resource officer.
Frederick must be an expert if he can do this while hiding behind a tree.

Lauren Glendenning has proven herself to be an expert "authorized journalist." Why, if one didn't know better, and most don't, they'd perceive this hit job to be a straight news story.

Extra Special Bonus Expert: Read the story through and you'll find a guest appearance by expert turncoat "Judas" Bob Ricker.

[Via 45superman]

SF Stormtroopers

"Just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn't mean that we're not going to walk into that home and check to see if you're being responsible and safe in the way that you conduct your affairs," Harris said.
Cryptic Subterranean has further commentary on the communist parasite dictatorship of San Francisco.

Sad thing is, most of their slaves would ridicule this post.

We're the Only Ones Not Clicking it Enough

I know--you're not required to wear a seat belt on private property. The reason I included this post is, the other day I drove by one of those "Click it or Ticket" billboards warning us if we did not employ state-approved personal safety devices, enforcers would take us hostage and kill us if we resisted. Simultaneously, a radio spot was playing with the same message, and at the end of it, an announcer said something to the effect of "Brought to you by the US Department of Transportation."

And that got me to thinkin': Where the hell is the Constitutional authority for fedgov to be spending money on this? And why is it me and everyone I personally know will labor for the rest of our lives and not be able to sustain the cost of this boondoggle via the extorted fruits of our labors, and this is but one obscure little tentacle...

Republicans have been traditionally supported by the conservative-minded under certain assumptions: smaller government, less taxes, protective of sovereignty, supportive of gun ownership, those kinds of things...

I look at the current crop of traitors leading the pack and I look at "The Only One" currently behind the wheel and fear the sell-out is damn near complete.

[Via WmH]

Why is NRA Ignoring Santa Barbara Gun Owners?

I've been compiling "testimonials" from Santa Barbara area gun owners concerning their attempts to contact NRA about their A rating and endorsement of anti-gun Sheriff Bill Brown. Note that in some cases, I do not have permission to use full names, but I would be able to produce evidence via emails should I ever be required to do so--plus many of them were copied to NRA reps, and phone records of calls exist.

This will be a long post, but I think you'll get the gist pretty quickly. Also note that I have not edited the original emails for spelling or grammar.

From Larry Rankin:
Just so you know Ed Worley has been contacted about this issue many times, by many people in and out of Santa Barbara. Ed Has not responded to one person! Many have called his office three times. Also your Fairfax office has been contacted by many of the same people, because Ed has not returned there calls. NRA's response...call Ed. I have a Friend who call Ed a least three time and ended up calling Fairfax, he would not take, "call Sacramento", as an answer. After going through four or five people, he found someone that listened and even said they will contact me. He gave them all of my information. I was wise enough not to hold my breath! That was well over three weeks ago.

To be very honest, I do believe the NRA would like this to go a way by not addressing the issue! The only way this will go away at this point...is NOT with just an apology and we will not support Sheriff Bill Brown with an "A" as we did to help him get into office! They were warned by me and by David Codrea about this before he was elected!

Now NRA head quarters needs to call me and I can set up a game plan with them. This needs to be on a conference call, with the group, "Santa Barbara CCW United". Any thing less will not be accessible!

From BL:
R: Ed Worley _ I called and left a message - result: NADA! I called Virginia, was told to call Sacramento, I replied that was useless and the woman in Vir said, "We don't know about that," or words to that effect. What a load of crap.

From Gerhard Paul:
David, i was a paid voting member of the NRA but decided not to renew my membership because of the very same problems we are having now regarding Ed Worley! This is not new from the NRA in regards to giving "A" rating that should be "F".

You can use my name. Gerhard Paul former paid voting member of NRA

From JS:
My confidence in the ability of the NRA to defend the Second Amendment has been sagging for years , while my support of Gun Owners of America has increased . My vote for Sheriff Brown was based strictly upon the NRA recommendation and went against the advice of more informed local citizens!

One can only wonder how the NRA ever came up with its recommendation !! ??

From Jim Berkley:
Larry Rankin forwarded me your request for experiences calling the NRA to report Brown’s “anti” policies.

I was a holder of a CCW permit for 6 years prior to Brown’s election. I received an orange card from the NRA before the election endorsing Brown.

Although nothing changed re my “need” for a permit, Brown did not renew my CCW permit when I came up for renewal in Feb. I met with Brown and he stated allegiance to the NRA and the 2nd amendment, but that he didn’t want people carrying guns. Not sure how you reconcile those two ideas but he didn’t seem to have any trouble with it.

I called the NRA in Fairfax and told them what the situation was. I was told to call the Sacramento office which I did. A receptionist answered the phone and I told her that we had a new Sheriff, Mr Brown, and that he had been endorsed by the NRA and duly elected. The purpose of my call was to notify them that something had gone terribly wrong because he was actively denying existing permit holders and when I got together with him he made it clear that he did not want people carrying guns.

She said that the lobbyist, Ed Worley, would be very interested to hear this and took my number and said he would call back.

Two weeks passed without a return call, so I called the Sacrament office again. I left a message on Worley’s voice mail and also one on Steve Hellsley’s e-mail. Both messages were very nice and basically said you guys need to know what this man is up to so it doesn’t happen again.

It has been over a month since I left those messages.

Hope this helps – feel free to email me or call if you have any questions or need further info.

From RD:
I don’t know why the NRA does not support its members.

They do not return calls and the only people you can find at the NRA is those who will take your money!

From TB:
I wish to add my voice of protest to the NRA's policy of giving high pro-gun ratings to political candidates that have not proved themselves worth of our support.

I can understand how this could happen if a candidate falseifies his response to the NRA questionnaire. But there is no excuse for the NRA's maintaining their support and not informing the voters that the candidate misstated his positions and changing their rating to a a far lower grade.

Sincerely

TB
NRA member

From KD:
David - I recently dissolved my association with both the NRA and FNRA committee. My reason for doing so was the NRA's lack of response to my repeated requests for a return call to discuss Sheriff Brown's position on concealed carry in Santa Barbara County. I can no longer support an organization which, in the light of clear evidence, will not step up and recognize its mistake in endorsing Sheriff Brown. I will neither renew my NRA membership, nor will I assit in FNRA fund raising, until the NRA publicly decries Sheriff Brown's tactics and reassigns an "F" rating, as is
appropriate.

From Steve:
i called worleys office a few minutes ago. the lady i spoke to was very nice, but said she didn't know why he isn't returning calls. she gave me randy kozuch's number. he is director of state and local affairs. worley's boss. the first lady said to go up the chain of command. randy is supposed to call me back.

More from Steve:
I called Ed Worley Tuesday morning. I asked his secretary after stating my business in regards to the above subject, why hasn't or doesn't he return the calls people have asked him for? She said she didn't know why, but I could call HIS boss. Randy Kozuch is the Director of State and Local Affairs, and is a name I had not seen or heard of in my correspondence with Larry . Kozuch's "secretary" said he was out to lunch (approx 1100hrs-I didn't believe her) and would return my call when he came back. I left my number, and have not heard from him.

From PS:
I called the office of the NRA Manager of Governmental Affairs Executive Director Ed Worley 5-15-07 at 9:45 am PST.

I spoke with Intern Dan Reed who is a good 2nd Amendment proponent, and is law student at McGeorge Law School.

I stated that many people whom I know had called his office in the last 2 months and were upset that the NRA had given an A rating to then candidate Bill Brown for Sheriff of Santa Barbara County, CA. He said "This is about Mr. Rankin, right?". I said that many NRA members will not renew, nor will they contribute another penny to the NRA, including life members. I said that everyone whom I know who is informed about the rating, and once Sheriff not renewing Carry Concealed Weapon permits to long time holders, and not providing a questionnaire to then incumbent Sheriff Jim Anderson, is upset and will stay upset about the NRA misleading them. And that those persons will communicate loudly and clearly to all their friends, family and co workers and tell them to re-direct the funds they had given the NRA for years, to GOA, 2nd Amendment Foundation, JPFO and other actually pro-gun organizations with backbone and accountability.

Dan said that he'd been there 5 months 3 days a week and that all he could do was make notes in the call log and forward the message to Ed Worley. I said that many people of my acquaintance had called Ed already, multiple times, and that NO ONE had been called back by Ed Worley. Dan said that he had the call log, and "only a couple" of people had called, which I know personally to be untrue. The call log may not have been entered to reflect the calls, but people have told me they've called. I told Dan that people had also called Fairfax to complain, and been promised return calls, and again no one had ever been called back, in spite of repeated calls (as many as 4 from the same person within a 2 week period). Dan told me that it concerned him to hear people disgruntled and not supporting the NRA. He said again that all he could do was forward the subject and message of the call to Ed Worley. I told him to leave the NRA and get a position at an organization that had integrity.

Dan said I could also call Fairfax, which I did, immediately. I spoke with a mature sounding woman who didn't provide her name. I relayed the same story and message. She said that candidates must request a questionnaire, and that I should call the lobbyist (Ed Worley) in charge of the my area. I said that I just had, and that Ed Worley hasn't returned any of many calls from many people, and in fact has been completely uncooperative, unresponsive, irresponsible and people feel totally insulted. I then stated that the same people had called her office (the office of Chris Cox) and been promised return calls, and that calls would be made to Larry Rankin, and those people provided his phone number, and called back and been re-promised and again, no calls returned to them or calls to Larry Rankin.
She said that she'd pass on the message to Chris Cox.

From WT:
I had already decided not to donate this year as well as not contribute dues to the Golden Eagles. No one at the NRA acknowledged my letters (to three different officers) that were sent in April.

Too bad the principals stated by the NRA are not followed. For any years they have been at the forefront defending the rights of gun owners, but have apparently become an unwieldy bureaucracy.

It's evident the powers that be are hoping this will go away. Too bad.

It can't--not until the political "experts" come clean with why they misled their members on Brown's stance on their right to keep and bear arms, and come up with some way of ensuring they deserve credibility on future ratings and endorsements.

One thing is for sure--ignoring all these requests is no way to endear grassroots supporters to an organization that purports to represent their interests.

There will be a "Friends of NRA" dinner on June 2. Mr. Rankin is contacting Santa Barbara gun owners to boycott the event and sponsors not to donate to it. It's a shame it's come down to this, but it's also understandable. I'll keep an eye on this and report any developments that merit attention.

One final word: I also tried contacting NRA before my first post on this matter, and got the same runaround and lack of response as the people above. I repeat the offer I made last October:
If anyone authorized to speak for NRA wishes to post a response, I will be happy to post it in its entirety.


UPDATE:

Well, we got somebody's attention (click to enlarge)...



Come on out fellas. Talk to us.

I'm No Dick Cheney Fan...

...but what a shamefully exploitive way for an obvious democrat to make a cheap political point. And the left accuses us of having "no sense of decency."

I call these types "gun owners with big buts," and they certainly seem to be coming out of the woodwork lately.

Peace Through the Police State

“Anyone brandishing a firearm and is not a member of the armed forces or of the police will be arrested,” Duterte said today in a statement. “And if that someone is a bodyguard of a politician, the politician will be arrested as well,” he said. “This is how we will do it, we just have to be really firm in applying the law and protecting the people.”
See, it helps that Duterte is mayor--that way, his bodyguards--the armed forces and the police--are exempted.

Hopefully There's a Middle Ground

Should everyone be armed, or should handguns be banned altogether? Hopefully, there is a middle ground that would be a step in the right direction.
There's that lie again.

No Sense of Decency

If you want to know why the gun debate is so bitter, look inside the community room of the Mason District government center. There you could find plenty of guns, but no sense of decency to bind a community.

Mary Cocco proves she's self-righteous and ignorant.

Rudy #1 With Gun Owners?

Rudy Giuliani, a supporter of gun control, still comes out on top with gun owners, a new survey has found.




The above ought to be all a gun owner concerned about his rights needs to see.

The Daily News and the Gallup organization are hardly reliable and unbiased source for gun rights-related information.

Poll results and methodology are here. Of the "2,013 adults, aged 18 and older" surveyed, the sample contained "670 gun owners." Left unsaid is whether these were registered voters, if so, whether they were high propensity voters, whether the survey participants were a representative cross section, what questions were asked, and if the gun owners were highly motivated, indicative of a level of commitment. Also, gun ownership crosses party lines, and the report admits "[i]n the Democratic primaries, gun owners seem just as inclined as non-owners to support Clinton."

I hardly hold myself out to be a polling expert, but this appears to be a case "of sound and fury signifying nothing." If anyone with credentials would like to weigh in and either confirm or challenge my assumptions, or if you just want to say your piece about this, well, that's why there's a "Comments" section below.

[More on Rudy from WarOnGuns]

This Day in History: May 24

I find that the American Affairs, on this Side of the Atlantick, are in a State of disorder, very much resembling that, which is so much to be regretted on the other. Our Resources are very inadequate to the demands upon Us, which are perhaps increased unnecessarily increased, by several irregularities of Proceeding. We have, in some places, two or three Persons, who claim the Character of American Agents; Agents for commercial Affairs; and continental Agents, for they are called by all these different Appellations.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Speaking of Führers...

These powers, of course, will be inherited by Hillary...or whichever democrat this scary individual is intent on guaranteeing the presidency to.

Not that we should be surprised--by this, or by the viciousness with which the GOP establishment is going after Ron Paul.

What's in a Name?

Claire comments on "Czars."

My longstanding question remains:

How come we never call them "Führers"?

Message for Gun Dealers: STOP BEING STUPID

The owners of Keller Gun Works Inc. pleaded guilty to firearms violations stemming from the sale of a rifle to an undercover federal agent and allowing another person to complete the required paperwork, U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said Tuesday.
Yes, I know, this regulation is an infringement. But for right now, it is what it is, and we're seeing far too many gun shops getting closed down because the people behind the counter think cutting corners is going to get them something besides a world of hurt. I can't believe experienced dealers with a proprietary interest in their business and their freedom acted this negligently.

It's not rocket science. There are forms that need to be properly and completely filled out, ID that needs to be produced, a check that needs to be run, records that need to be kept. There are practices to follow and behaviors to beware that everyone is well aware of--and if not, is too damned oblivious to trust anyway.

Note to gun dealers and their employees: In case you haven't noticed, BATFU is doing its best to close you down and prosecute you with criminal charges and financial penalties. They are strongly motivated, they will mess you up nine ways from Sunday, and they will enjoy the experience.

Deal courteously with all customers, but always bear in mind they may be agents, they may be informants--even long time customers and "friends"--you don't know who's got what on them, and they may be turning you over to save themselves. That's the way it works--that's why they call this sort of thing "corruption."

Don't be tempted by the prospect of a sale to cut corners. Whatever benefit you perceive just ain't worth the risk if it turns out you're being set up. And be prepared to summarily fire any employee who jeopardizes your business.

I can't believe it's me endorsing anyone to obey "gun laws," but there it is--we need to live with the reality, not in my fantasy "maybe someday" world of going down to the local hardware store and picking up an MP5.

Because We All Know You'll Be Safer When You're Defenseless

Mayors from across the state joined Gov. Ed Rendell at a rally Tuesday urging lawmakers to enact tougher gun-control laws.
Besides, as we can see from the previous post, they've got everything under control.

Urban constituencies--is there anything they don't know?

The Authorities Will Protect Us

The United States is just as vulnerable to attack as it was on 9-11, particularly now that street gangs are draining resources from law enforcement agencies working to head off future attacks, a panel of terrorism experts said Monday.

Speaking at a forum at UCLA, officials said the war on terrorism has been replaced by the war on gangs - a huge concern in Los Angeles, which has an estimated 40,000 gang members and is an attractive target for terrorists.
Sword Medical

"We are not safe, and we will not be safe for many years," Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Leap said at the forum sponsored by the university's School of Public Affairs.
Threats from without, threats from within. According to "the professionals' " own assessment, "WE ARE NOT SAFE."

The solution?

Enforce citizen disarmament. Prohibit people from keeping and bearing arms, and prosecute them if they do in spite of your edicts.

If the terrorists do manage to stage a large scale attack on LA, who thinks responder resources will be available to protect their neighborhoods? And as for the 40,000 gang members that those imposing the general disarmament are so concerned about creating sanctuary for, at what other time and place in history would such a force be considered anything other than an occupying army? And if terrorist hell breaks loose, does anyone think they'll be sitting idly by while the only force even marginally containing them is occupied elsewhere?

We're the Only Ones Implementing Segregation Enough

Currently the public is free to come and go at the Statehouse through 13 different doors. Beginning Jun. 4 entry will come through one of just two doors: the second floor door on the east side of the building or the first floor door on the west side.
I wonder if we'll also have separate restrooms and water fountains?

But while the building may be free from weapons carried by members of the public, some of the people who work in the building will still be armed.

"The rule allows for members of the judiciary because I believe there is a separate statute authorizing them to carry a firearm. Legislators are exempt, too, pursuant to the rule," said Brian Renner, Indiana Department of Administration.

Just like the old days! Besides, "The Only Ones' " lives are so much more valuable than yours and mine.

[Via Mike H]

Truth Laid Bare

Per Blogger links:

Per Truth Laid Bear:

I've had problems with this utility before, to the point where I've removed their code from my template and just said the hell with it. I realize this site--along with most gun blogs-- is no great shakes when it comes to site traffic and linkage compared to, say, anything having to do with Paris or Britney, but dammit, the numbers presented as representative of what we do earn shouldn't be this off. Yeah, I know, mountain out of a molehill, but when you earn very little, every little bit counts. Besides, they promise it's the "truth."

Jesse Jackson Endorses Slavery

Metropolitan areas -- where most people live -- have no use for gun peddlers, for people packing concealed weapons, for kids fighting gang wars with assault weapons. If given their choice, most citizens in cities and suburbs would simply ban handguns, ban assault weapons and ban gun shops and gun dealers. Hunters could buy their guns in the rural areas where they hunt.
Yeah, I'm sure fathers in "the community" not being there for their offspring have nothing to do with any of this, right, "Reverend"? And I'm sure all your supporters have their own bodyguards?

[Via HZ]

This Day in History: May 23

It is after midnight on May 23, 1777. The British Redcoats are dug in on the high ground of Sag Harbor. A single shot is heard, coming from the direction of armed vessels in the harbor. The uneasy village residents wake up and listen for a second shot.

At James Howell's Inn on Main Street, commandeered by British officers, Lieutenant Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs and his rebel raiders from Connecticut have just pulled the British commander from his bed and taken him prisoner.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

"Apples to Oranges"

Well lets look at that. Did the Sons of Liberty contribute substantially to our freedom? I would argue no. If vandalism could have changed the course of things there would have been no need for that bloody conflict known as The Revolution, now would there? What their activities did do was prompt the British to increase the troop presence in the Colonies. The men at Lexington and Concord weren’t having a rockfight, they were involved in an all out shooting war.

The Sons of Liberty were terrorists. They attempted to use fear and intimidation against the civilian population in order to enforce a trade embargo. And it didn’t work. Armed revolution did.
GoldFalcon has some "caustic commentary" about Mike Vanderboegh's latest post. Knowing Mike, I wouldn't be surprised to see some return causticity...

Oh, look-- I was right.

RKBA: A Human Right

Does a woman have a human right to resist rape or murder? Do people have a human right to resist tyranny? The United Nations Human Rights Council has said “no”—that international law recognizes no human right of self-defense. To the contrary, the Human Rights Council declares that very severe gun control—more restrictive than even the laws of New York City--is a human right.

Dave Kopel, Joanne Eisen and Paul Gallant present a history of international law dealing with the right of self defense, and conclude that it "is a widely-recognized human right which no government and no international body have the authority to abrogate."

[Via Dan Gifford]

We're the Only Ones Taking Care of Business and Working Overtime Enough

This village's police department wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars by paying officers for unnecessary or unauthorized overtime shifts and, possibly, shifts they never worked, according to the mayor's summary of an internal investigation report.

If you ever get annoyed

Look at me I'm self-employed

I love to work at nothing all day

And we be

Only Ones in business every day

Only Ones in business every way

Only Ones in business, it's all mine

Only Ones in business and working overtime

Work out!


[Via Declan]

We're the Only Ones X-Rated Enough

The Tennessee Highway Patrol suspended one of their own after an alleged run-in with a porn star.
He may have just blown his career. Or something.

[Via 45superman]

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

We're the Only Ones Getting Our Moms Hopping Mad Enough

A state trooper has been charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment after allegedly shooting his mother in the foot during a domestic dispute in Chester County.
Maybe he could get her together with Lee Paige, the Godfather of "The Only Ones," and enter them in a three-legged race...

Walking the Walk

Zach Doty is raising eyebrows by taking the Second Amendment for a walk.

We've been discussing and admiring this young man for a few days now.

This Day in History: May 22

On May 22, 1775, the New Hampshire Provincial Congress voted to raise a volunteer force of 2,000 men to join the patriot army at Boston. These “provincials” were organized into three regiments, each regiment having an official establishment of 648 officers and men in ten companies.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Guest Editorial: Rock 'Em

[FOREWORD: These speculations may make some uncomfortable. Some may deem them irresponsible. That's understandable--we're good and peaceable people, and the thought of actually resisting encroaching tyranny is beyond the experience of most of us. We want to be able to resolve things with words, with reason.

There will also no doubt be those who say this crosses the boundaries of free speech and enters into the realm of inciting crime--they may even deem such words "domestic terrorism." My intent of posting this essay is to illustrate what has been done historically by people we now revere as champions of Liberty--and to illustrate what could happen again if those who just keep pushing with the intent of destroying Freedom don't back off.

Against that background, these speculations could be considered a modest response. Having children, it is my desperate wish--and the reason I have devoted much of my life to fighting the tyranny of gun control--that reason will prevail. It's why I try to rally people to get involved--so that we become so strong, that the potential for confrontation and conflict diminishes into improbability.

Because of this, I don't endorse Mike's conclusion--and that is possibly because he is a more direct and courageous man than me. Nonetheless, I've never insisted on people agreeing with me, and think it's critically important that people understand such sentiments as expressed herein exist. The cynic in me says my way--getting enough people involved and radicalized to render our enemies impotent--is probably a fool's errand. The idealist in me says I can't stop trying.

So perhaps my timidity is helping to keep the frog in the pot. Or perhaps, enough time is being bought so that when the frog finally jumps, he won't be alone.

Read Mike's latest, and make up your own mind.--DC]



Rock 'Em: The Last Chance to Stop the Amnesty Conspiracy
By Mike Vanderboegh


Rebellion is my theme all day;
I only wish ‘twould come
(As who knows but perhaps it may?)
A little nearer home.

Yon roaring boys, who rave and fight
On t’other side the Atlantic,
I always held them in the right,
But most so when most frantic.

When lawless mobs insult the court,
That man shall be my toast,
If breaking windows be the sport,
Who bravely breaks the most.
-- The Modern Patriot, William Cowper, 1779.


"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had...and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistines."-- 1 Samuel 17:40.

"Hey, I'm a voter. Aren't you supposed to kiss my butt?"

The Amnesty Conspiracy's bipartisan toadies in the United States Senate wish to ring the death knell for the Founder's Republic. As soon as the 20 million illegals who are now here are, presto, change-o, dubbed "American citizens" and their relatives in the millions upon millions are brought north in "compassionate" reuniting grace, you can hang up any thought of a return to the limited government and constitutional rule of law of the Founders.

Are you concerned about gun confiscation? Its a fact of life in Mexico. Big government intrusion on private free enterprise? Can you say PEMEX? Worried about campaign finance and political corruption? The Mexicans have a word for the endemic bribery that characterizes their government: "mordida"-- the bite, and they expect to be bitten by every official at every level. No matter what issue concerns you, the undeniable tidal wave of a deliberately imported third world culture is about to swamp it.

Let's face it, the only reason we've been electorally competitive this long is that the liberals have been murdering the children within their wombs for the past 35 years. Well, they're going to be importing those wombs now to finish the job.

These folks, God bless 'em, are used to nationalized industries, gun control, soldiers walking the streets dispensing their own rough "justice" with machineguns, identity-grievance politics and, above all, the undefeatable evil synergy of crooked politicians and drug lords controlling events. They are used to being ruled by a godless oligarchy of the privileged rich who know what's "best" for them. You know, they're Democrats.

You may ask anyone familiar with Mexican history since 1912 what the rule of law means south of the border. Or, for a modern example closer to home, take a look at some of the seamier La Raza-dominated suburbs of LA. These millions of newly minted citizens will toil upon the Democrat latifundistas' political plantations as indentured servants for the next fifty years and gradually, in the end, the American Republic will be as dead as its Greek and Roman predecessors. If, that is, it doesn't catastrophically collapse in the next decade or so in a welter of racial warfare and Balkan "ethnic cleansing" that will make the former Yugoslavia look like a kindergarten at play. The devil will walk abroad in the land and our children's children's children will curse our folly.

What then shall we do? Both political parties are equally complicit, ignoring the law and their own sworn oaths to the Constitution, not to mention the polls and the plain will of the majority of the American people who wish them to secure the border, enforce immigration laws and jail the employers of illegals. Like Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, we can only plaintively wonder: "Hey, I'm a voter. Aren't you supposed to kiss my butt?"

You can laugh, but make it a bitter laughter. The Amnesty Conspirators are willing to flout the received political wisdom of the way things are supposed to work because they believe they can change the entire equation of political power in this country without consequence to themselves. They believe that we, the voters, will get mad but that we won't get even. They believe that by the time we figure out what happened, it will be too late.

The last whispered hope of the anti-amnesty politicos is that the House will stop the Senate bill. Now, given all that's happened in the past fifteen years, that is a slender reed indeed to pin your children's future on. I have a better idea. It's an old idea, but I believe that its time has come round again.

"If breaking windows be the sport..."

The breaking windows that the English poet Cowper was celebrating were the windows of American Tories, broken by the Sons of Liberty in the run-up to the American Revolution. In Eighteenth Century America, windows were expensive and difficult to replace. It was said you could tell an American colonist's wealth by the size and number of the windows in his house. As most of the high-ranking Tories loyal to the King were rich, their windows became natural targets when the Sons of Liberty wanted to send a message. If the head of the local militia was a Tory, he would be persuaded to resign his commission by breaking his windows. If a Boston merchant refused to join the boycott of British goods, he would have to hire a glazier in the morning. Tax collectors and other crown functionaries shuttered their houses, only have the shutters torn from their hinges by a mob and then have their windows broken. Sounds harsh? The rise of American independence was accompanied by the tune of breaking glass, and we wouldn't be free today without it.

Of course how free we are, and are going to be, is the question, isn't it? Eight years ago I wrote a speculative piece of fiction called "The Window War" about what might happen if gunowners, outraged by one too many laws restricting their natural, God-given and traditional rights, took the Sons of Liberty's methods to heart and hand.

(You can find it at: http://www.keepandbeararms.com/information/XcIBViewItem.asp?ID=1604)

The story circulated to modest approval in the email circles of my fellow gunnies and then dropped into the electronic wastebasket of history. Dropped, that is, until the election crisis of 2000. On the 11th of November of that disputatious year, a fellow named Jeff Head reposted The Window War on the Free Republic website with the notation: "Not advocating anything here. . .just wondering if Mike had thought about a work of fiction called "'Window War II' as it applies to fraudulent elections?" Free Republic was at that time (before its editorial sanitizing in later years by the myrmidons of the Republican National Committee) the premier forum by which conservative activists communicated. Other "Freeper" posters agreed, saying things like "have rocks will travel". The discussion percolated for a few days and then died, until....

"We would not tolerate an illegal government."

Friday November 24 3:11 PM ET
Amid protest, Fla. Counties Plow on With Recount
By Marianne Armshaw and Michael Conner

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Reuters)

Dozens of supporters of Republican George W. Bush protested on Friday against what they called Democrat efforts to "steal" the U.S. Presidential election for Al Gore as Friday's Palm Beach and Broward counties plowed on with reviewing disputed ballots. . .

Unknown persons threw a brick through a window at the Democratic Party's Broward County headquarters late on Thursday or early on Friday when the office was closed, police said. Scrawled on the brick was the message: : "We would not tolerate an illegal government." Plantation, Florida, police were investigating the incident, in which no one was injured.

Within 34 minutes this story was posted on Free Republic with the screaming banner: "The Window War has Begun!" Whether because of the intimidation of the brick or not, the Broward County Dems folded their recount efforts shortly thereafter, and one by one, the rest of the Florida Democratic Party county election officials involved in recounts followed suit over the next several days. Eventually, the Supreme Court settled the issue.

"We have been too law-abiding."

You know, I'd like to think that the fellow who threw that brick had read my piece, but I have no idea. Even if he did, did the brick intimidate the Broward County Dems? Who knows? But I do know this: liberals as a class are cowards. The political/business/racial-identity cabal that makes up the Amnesty Conspiracy are cowards as well. Heck, I know of no American liberals who have been willing to personally suffer, let alone die, for any of their misbegotten beliefs since the early 1960s. They get government to do the heavy lifting for them. They genuflect at its altar and cannot comprehend anyone else who doesn't. And one other thing: they never, ever think that their public actions and pronouncements will have private consequences. And why should they? As I observed in the afterward to "The Window War":

"For sixty years, the liberals have used our respect for the law against us. Each time they moved the line of law to further their agenda, breaking off a bit of the Constitution, we, as law-abiding citizens have backed up grumbling but complying. And why should they stop pushing us back from our God-given liberties? We've never pushed back to stop them. We have been too law-abiding."
"I aim to misbehave."

We are at a crossroads in our history. No one can deny it. If this amnesty passes into law, everything after it will be changed in ways that are surely as preventable as they are foreseeable. The Mandarin class of our "betters" has decided they no longer need to listen to us. How then shall we get their attention? What will it take to change the disastrous future they seek to write for us?

Maybe a Sons of Liberty brick through the window of every Democrat and Republican county headquarters with "Jail illegal employers!" written on one side and "No amnesty!" on the other will work. As a tactic, it does have the advantage of having been successfully employed in the past. Just ask Sam Adams. It is past time to demonstrate to the arrogant political class who believe themselves to be our rulers and not our servants that the Sons of Liberty still live. It is time to get their attention. It is time, in the words the fictional Captain Malcolm Reynolds of the Firefly class space freighter Serenity, to "misbehave." Remember, "behaving" has gotten us to this point. What have we got to lose? More importantly, what will we lose if we don't?

For those of you who would hesitate at vandalism in liberty's cause, perhaps you could deliver the brick to your particular politician's office with the message and the implication. They listened last year when thousands shipped bricks to them to build the wall. Maybe they'll listen if you tell them that this time it's through the door by mail, next time it's through the window by hand. Heck, just print out this essay and wrap the brick in it. They'll get the message.

There are those who say that I should be arrested for simply making the suggestion that deliberate political vandalism in the defense of liberty is no vice. I quote to them, "If this be treason, then make the most of it!" To my American brothers and sisters of all races, religions and creeds, who believe as I do -- to those who believe not in the false collectivist promises of those who would rule us, but in the individual liberty and prosperity of the shining city on a hill that was and is the promise of the Founder's Republic -- I say to you: "ROCK 'EM." Let the Window War begin. It won't take long to get the attention of the cowardly and treasonable Amnesty Conspirators. And when we do, somewhere Sam Adams and the Sons of Liberty of old will be smiling.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126
GeorgeMason1776ATaol.com

NOTE: Folks, if you agree with this essay, pass it on. It's the only way the word will spread, for the MSM won't pick it up and most blogs will shun it as well.

Alice Falls Down the Rabbit Hole

Alice said...

You wouldn't get a harsher penalty if you had a decent lawyer which Senator Hinojosa did. Less than 10% of those who accidently attempt to take a handgun through security are prosecuted because of the way the law is written. Sen. Hinojosa is pro-gun and pro-CHL.

Well, gee, Alice. I thought the post concerned itself with elites enjoying privileges and immunities not available to commoners--I'm sure Sen. Hinojosa can afford all kinds of things less fortunate people cannot--but what you appear to be saying is, if you're poor and obscure, and charged with the same crime as a rich, connected man, you're screwed. I didn't realize MORE "equal justice" was a concept worth defending.

Your "pro-gun" champion voted against a measure that would have protected the names of those CHL holders you say he supports from public disclosure.

Then he "championed" registration of all private purchases conducted at gun shows--which would have made private transactions without NICS checks felonies.

This guy might look like a gun rights hero through your looking glass, Alice. Feel free to drop by and spin some more fantasy tales. For instance, I'd love to hear where you get that "less than 10%" prosecution rate from.

Wayne Fincher Update: May 21

To all,

Wayne is doing o.k. The letters that everyone has being sending are having an effect so please, please keep writing letters for personal support for Wayne. Pass it along to everyone you know. Keep Hollis Wayne Fincher alive. The sentencing will be held at the Federal Court House on June 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. Support is needed at this time. We should not let the court benches be empty on this day. Hollis Wayne Fincher would be in court for you backing you all the way if you we're innocent too. Please send letters to the Judge Larry Jimm Hendren, to Wayne's lawyer Shannon L. Blatt at P.O. Box 1825 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72902-1825 and Hollis Wayne Fincher's mailing address is 801 S. "A" Street Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901

We appreciate all the letters and support that everyone has given. Please keep praying for Wayne as we continue to exhaust every avenue that we can. Please tell everyone you know.

Sincerely,
Connie Fields
[More about Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns]

Remarkable Young Men

Two home-schooled teenagers in this northern Idaho town say they are carrying loaded guns to the library, grocery store and other public areas for self-defense, as a crime deterrent, and to educate others about their rights.

Zach Doty, 18, carries a loaded Glock handgun on his hip. His 15-year-old brother, Steven, carries a .22-caliber rifle in a sling on his back.

Police have been called on several occasions to question the teens but have not found the teens to be in violation of the law.
No, but they've been systematically harassing them.

And this isn't the first time this family has undergone government harassment because they choose to live as free people. Because he was apprenticing his son--who enjoyed the work--his father had to move the family from Washington state to avoid the child labor law nazis, who would rather see shiftless, effete young men stunted and hypnotized by pointless and indolent self indulgence. They lost their house through draconian fines and liens.

And yet look at the fine young men they have raised, in spite of the collective "wisdom" of the state.

It's obvious the enforcers are intent on continuing their abuse of these young men--so it's up to us to make that more difficult by exposing them to the light.

Here's the original thread from OpenCarry.org that gives the details. Note there is no shortage of handlicking chatroom warriors who would rather find fault with this young man than admit the appropriateness of a sovereign individual acting that way.

More on Zach Doty from WarOnGuns:
A Remarkable Young Man
Zach Doty Update

[Via M1Thumb and ChareltonHest]