And There Was War in Heaven

Mr Feldman, who is public enemy number one for the NRA, has just published Ricochet: Confessions of a Gun Lobbyist, in which he accuses the association of using scare tactics to keep the money pouring in so that its executives can pay themselves vast salaries. [More]

My first instinct was to dismiss this guy as just another Judas Bob, but I gotta say, his premise is not without foundation. I'll need to get my hands on this book (in my copious free time) and see what else he says, but I'll get it from a library rather than pay for it. Feldman's hands aren't clean by a long shot, being the architect of the Clinton White House Quisling Fest. The lesson to be learned here: You can't serve two masters. But some won't learn that lesson. Despite the outright defection of that wretched mercenary Ricker and the protection bartering of Feldman, The Firearms Coalition reported NRA advertising for a State Liaison, where "Experience with firearms, hunting and criminal justice reform issues helpful, but not required." If you're going to dally with whores, don't act all shocked and indignant when you find them doing somebody else. This whole scenario reminds me of nothing so much as the Mr. Slave/Paris Hilton face-off on "South Park". And just think--these guys are our "leaders," the ones making all the money at this racket.

How, Oh How?

Baltimore police said yesterday that they are investigating how a 15-year-old boy came into possession of a large handgun that they say he pointed at an officer, who then shot and killed the teen Monday.

Yeah, really. Unless maybe...gun control doesn't work?

What Happens When You Really Don't Have a Gun

The iron pressed against his arm was so hot that he could smell his flesh burning.

But in spite of his protests, the men torturing Reservoir Hills resident Kirtikant Desai refused to believe he did not have a gun or a safe.

I, for one, believe him.

Open Letter to Diane Edbril of CeaseFire PA

Daniel Barnett of Amendment II Democrats asks a gun-grabber if she really has no interest in grabbing guns.

We're the Only Ones Shooting AND Shooting Enough

Yesterday, city officials showed off the PistolCam, a lightweight, pager-sized digital camera that attaches to an officer's gun barrel and automatically begins recording as soon as the officer draws his weapon.

Yeah, I'm sure Daley and Bloomberg's enforcers will jump right on it. In NYPD's case, maybe they ought to put cameras on plunger handles.

But like "smart guns," supposedly being developed for the police, but now, somehow they're the "Only Ones" being exempted from requirements, I can see some opportunistic political whore proposing requiring these on all "civilian" guns. While we're at it, maybe we can also make the gun dial 911, where an attendant watching a monitor can authorize whether or not it will fire. And we can put any gun not so equipped on the "unsafe" list, just like they're doing with "microstamping."

Think of what an aid this would be to police investigations. And if it saves one life...

[Via Declan]

We're the Only Ones Conspiring Enough

Orange County Sheriff Michael S. Carona was charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and witness tampering in a wide-ranging indictment unsealed Tuesday that also implicates his wife, his “longtime mistress” and two former assistant sheriffs...

The Los Angeles Times reported in 2005 that he had issued badges and concealed-weapons permits to campaign contributors without proper training or background checks.

Well, that sucks. It always baffled me how he would be honored at CRPA banquets because he was a bit more liberal about scraping CCW crumbs on the floor for gun owners to scramble for. I fantasized at one such occasion, when he was being feted as a champion of RKBA, to publicly ask him if he was prepared to arrest me in front of the audience that was honoring him if I revealed I was carrying without a permit. Knowing what the certain answer would be (and mindful of the number of "pro-gun" cops at the event), I didn't see much payoff in having my life destroyed to prove an obvious point (that is, if I was truly carrying. Heavens. What kind of scofflaw radical white people-scaring extremist would actually engage in covert civil disobedience instead of just talking about it?)--and besides, it would have upset the ceremony where everyone was congratulating each other and passing out plaques over what a fine job they've done protecting gun rights in California.

All this aside, here's the part of this story that "really grinds my gears":

In August, Carona agreed to a settlement with the state Fair Political Practices Commission and paid a $15,000 fine after he incorrectly billed his campaign committee for thousands of dollars in non-itemized expenses.

Anyone care to explain why the FPPC economically destroyed Russ Howard's life with over $800,000 in fines over "infractions" nowhere near as serious, when he was trying to do the right thing?

[Via M.S.]
[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

The Oathbreakers Wall of Shame

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

HR 1022 Supporters. May their names, if remembered at all, be recalled by posterity with contempt:

Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] (introduced 2/13/2007)
Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 4/16/2007
Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 3/7/2007
Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] - 3/13/2007
Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] - 5/8/2007
Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 3/9/2007
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 7/12/2007
Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] - 3/9/2007
Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] - 3/7/2007
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] - 3/13/2007
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 3/13/2007
Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5] - 4/26/2007
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 3/9/2007
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 4/16/2007
Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 3/7/2007
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/7/2007
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/7/2007
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 3/9/2007
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] - 4/19/2007
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 10/22/2007
Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] - 3/13/2007
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 4/19/2007
Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] - 8/2/2007
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 3/7/2007
Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 9/4/2007
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 3/22/2007
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] - 10/25/2007
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 5/3/2007
Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 9/4/2007
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 3/15/2007
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 3/15/2007
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 3/7/2007
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 3/13/2007
Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - 9/25/2007
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 3/13/2007
Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] - 3/7/2007
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 3/9/2007
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/7/2007
Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 5/8/2007
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 5/8/2007
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 5/3/2007
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/13/2007
Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 3/22/2007
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 6/6/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 3/7/2007
Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] - 3/7/2007
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] - 3/15/2007
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 6/6/2007
Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 3/13/2007
Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] - 7/19/2007
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/15/2007
Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] - 9/4/2007
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/7/2007
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] - 3/22/2007
Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] - 4/26/2007
Rep Watt, Melvin L. [NC-12] - 5/8/2007
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 4/16/2007
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 3/9/2007
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] - 4/26/2007
Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] - 9/4/2007

Lest it has escaped anyone's notice, they are all democrats. That doesn't excuse the RINOs of a thing, but the observation must still be made.

Bob (and Weave) Casey

As you may know, I support the Second Amendment and will continue to uphold the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. I also believe we must fully enforce local gun laws and help local governments put more law enforcement officers on the street. Agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms do not have the resources to enforce current gun laws.

Ryan asks for help and gets back weasel-wording doublespeak.

Alien vs. Predator?

Speculation is rampant in California that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will challenge liberal Democrat Barbara Boxer for her Senate seat in 2010 – and a new poll has them running neck and neck.

Whoever wins...we lose.

Tell me this poster isn't prescient.

[Via KABA Newslinks]

This Day in History: October 31

Washington tries to encourage re-enlistment in the Army by reserving new supplies for those who agree to commit to another year of service. He also promises each man time to visit his family during the winter.