We're the Only Ones Rich and Famous Enough

The sheriff has issued concealed-weapon permits to such actors as Ben Affleck, and in 1999, less than a year after being sworn in, he set up an “executive reserves” unit that allowed celebrities to wear a badge and carry a gun. All they had to do was take 64 hours of training and pass the department’s background check.

Critics of the program, who said it was nothing more than a sly way for Baca to pay back friends and supporters, were incensed when, less than a month after the unit was initiated, one of those reservists—Scott Zacky of the Zacky Farms chicken dynasty—was stripped of his badge for drawing a gun outside his Bel Air mansion after mistaking a couple on a date for car thieves. The unit was suspended in late 1999 after one member, a wealthy Baca supporter who owns a jewelry store, was arrested for money laundering.

Really?

[More from "The Only Ones" files]

[Via Of Arms and the Law and Say Uncle]

A Representative Sample

The debate can be paraphrased as follows:

Rep Gingrey: Here's my amendment; let's discuss it.
Appropriations Committee: We don't want to talk about that right now.
Rep Gingrey: Okay, I'll remove the amendment.

JPFO has some insights for us on the recent proposed BATFU budget amendment, and how its "champion" surrendered before the fight began.

Who in their right mind would expect auditors with the power to destroy a person's livlihood to have consistent documented procedures they are accountable for following? Why, if they did that, they wouldn't be able to make up the rules as they go along!

A Rational Fundraiser

Help out Rational Review if you can. Their request is pretty modest. If you don't know about them, now is as good a time as any to explore their website and find out. And then bookmark it, because it's a great place to keep tabs on stories and commentary that impact our freedom.

There's Something About Nancy

Mayor Nancy Chaney has asked for a legal opinion from the state attorney general's office on whether the city has the authority to ban both concealed and exposed weapons in such public areas.

Great idea, Nancy! We all know madmen are stopped in their tracks by municipal ordinances! Besides--this is a job for "The Only Ones"--I mean, based on results, right? And yeah, "We don't want to tread on anyone's Second Amendment rights,"--that's why we're proposing a gun ban. Duh.

Why do an inordinate amount of nitwit ideas always seem to emanate from politicians? And what is it about Nancy in particular? Maybe this:

Born in Seattle. Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Reasoning that Boise was at least in the same state as Sandpoint where my dad grew up, my family fled the traffic, crime, and crowds and moved to Boise where I attended high school and college.

Is that typical or what? Where will you flee to once you've ruined the place you came to for refuge, Nancy?

"Duped Again!"

It has now been 2 years since the inspection that revealed .4% clerical errors that the ATF deemed "willful" and decided to revoke our license after over 70 years. This case has tied up our court system and cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention what we have suffered personally which has been nearly $90,000 in legal fees and continuous attacks on our character.

I'd say the wrong people's character is being attacked here.

I hope Ryan Horsley's lawyers make a point of letting the judge know that comments posted on blogs by anonymous sources are sometimes trolling, sometimes spam, and sometimes like "letters to the editor"--just because one appears does not imply agreement or sanction by the blogger, as evidenced by people posting disagreements with me on this blog. Non-approval of content does not disqualify a comment from remaining posted here, nor on any honest blog, because doing so would ruin a blogger's reputation for credibility. I would hope those citing a lone anonymous statement-- one that was not a direct threat to anyone but was nevertheless subsequently removed-- are forced to concede under oath that they have no knowledge of who left the comment they are using against Ryan and where their sympathies truly lie. Either that, or they do know, and it was one of theirs. I'd ask them flat out if they could prove that poster was not an agent provocateur.

And as long as BATFU and the US Attorney Deborah Ferguson operate under such devious and self-serving rules of engagement, it's time to start picking up chairs in this bar fight. So I'd also go after a deposition of Area Supervisor Linda Young with the purpose of determining if that apparent stain running down the backside and leg of her slacks is from an external or internal source. If it turns out to be the latter, I'd file a formal complaint with OSHA for workplace safety and sanitation violations that endanger the health and safety of my employees and customers, and demand that she be forbidden to enter my premises unless and until mitigating controls and procedures are put into place.

This Day in History: August 2

Sir: By express last Night, I informed you of my having received intelligence, that the Enemy's Fleet had left the Capes, and Sailed towards the Eastward, and in consequence thereof directed you, without losing a moment to return with the two Brigades under your Command, and rejoin Genl. Putnam. The utmost dispatch is absolutely necessary; for there is every reason to suppose the Enemy's movements will be extremely rapid, in order if possible, to carry the Highlands by a sudden Stroke. March back as light as you can, without any baggage, except your Tents, leaving the rest to follow. I am &ca.