A Question for the Secretary of the Standing Army

I know I'm just a lowly member of the unorganized militia 'n all, but would someone please mind telling me just what in bloody freaking hell Command SGT Major Daniel Luke is doing posing on a world government-lobbying gungrabber site, in uniform, in blatant violation of Army Regulation 670–1, Uniforms and Insignia, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, Part One General Information and Responsibilities, Chapter 1 Introduction, 1–10. When the wear of the Army uniform is required or prohibited:

j. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment

?

You guys are still under civilian authority, right? So why is one of your noncoms out there exploiting the uniform and insignias of service, and undermining the unalienable right of sovereign American Citizens, by appealing to international authorities to regulate arms in contravention of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights--especially after the representative designated by the Commander in Chief has specifically repudiated global gun control as the administration's official position?

Note: I tried to check up on Sgt. Luke on the off-chance that someone posted his picture on the IANSA site without his authorization, or God forbid, that he died in service and a relative posted it. There's not much out there, but as this is a violation regardless, the Army should investigate.

UPDATE: The name tag on the above photo looks like it says "Diaz," not "Luke." I have been able to find some search hits for a Command SGT Major Daniel Luke Diaz, and if this is the same person, some of the posts ostensibly made by him say he is retired. I have no idea if the Army has recourse in this--I'm not sure what authority they would have to do anything but request that IANSA remove the picture. Whether or not--assuming this is willful--they would have any ability to pursue this with a retired sergeant is a matter for people knowledgeable in such matters.
UPDATE 2: Here we go. Hey Sarge, did you post your picture on the Million Faces website or is somebody doing this without your consent?

UPDATE 3: The Army just arrived.

Trust Busters

Some organizers cited "security reasons" for the candidate's sudden withdrawal. An advertisement in a Sikh newspaper said the fund-raiser, which was also to have featured President Clinton as a guest, had been postponed "due to the advice of the Secret Service." Others involved said some of those planning the fund-raiser failed either the campaign's vetting process or a Secret Service review...

What "security reasons" could there be? Ah, here it is...

Many of the Sikh men carried ceremonial daggers, often hidden under their clothes. Some who led the parade brandished swords. However, participants said the ritual weapons did not justify Mrs. Clinton's absence.

A savvy candidate would now do a spontaneous photo op with a bunch of dagger-wielding Sikhs. And he'd also do one at a random gun range surrounded by a bunch of unvetted armed Americans, without a security man in sight. The message ought to be one of them trusting him, not the other way around.

Removing All Doubt

We need laws that will close the loopholes that existing laws have. I have three handguns in my home. I have been a member of the NRA. I learned gun safety from a gun enthusiast way back when. Guns used in the right way are one of our American privileges.

J.W. Pollard proves out the words of Lincoln better than anything I could possibly say.

Dashing Adam's Hopes

Shooting death suspect wanted as parole violator

Uncle arrested in shooting of 17-year-old Clevelander

So, Adam, it's been just over a week. How are all those hopes of yours working out so far...?

Either/Or

So I ventured to the gun club ready to get my lesson in self-defense.

I ended up discovering that knowing how to shoot a gun probably wouldn't help me fend off criminals.

Then I'd say you failed the class. Either that or it failed you.

We're the Only Ones Clean Enough

Authorities believe an off-duty Houston police officer was killed Sunday in a gun-cleaning accident at his home.

After decades of cleaning guns without ever coming close to a negligent discharge, I'm left wondering how something like this can happen by accident.

Oh, here's another account that explains it all: "[H]is gun accidentally fired."

So it was the gun's fault.

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

The Great New Orleans Gun Grab

The Great New Orleans Gun Grab (Louisiana Publishing Inc., $19.95 softcover) by Gordon Hutchinson and Todd Masson, is the story of how business owners and homeowners who decided stay behind and protect their property found themselves in conflict with civil authorities. They were all gun owners and were prepared to protect their property with deadly force. The police disarmed many of them and confiscated some of their guns.

What, you mean the ones who didn't desert or weren't out looting?

The Little Bang Theory of Violence

Certain parents disagree.

In a recent New Jersey Star-Ledger online survey, one grandparent responded to news of Zapper by writing, "Why don't they enclose an application to the NRA in every box as well? ... The marketing person who came up with this brainchild of an idea should be fired."

Good grief.

So much for wisdom coming with age. The senile, humorless old coot ought to relax and have a cookie.

Today

We're the Only Ones Cruella Deville Enough

Responding to a call about a barking dog in Weston, a Broward County sheriff's deputy fired two shots at an 11-year-old Dalmatian after it lunged at her, according to police reports.

Hey, if she shoots a hundred more, she can make a coat...

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

This Day in History: November 19

The Battle of Fort Lee was fought on November 19, 1776 between American and British forces. The British were led by Charles Cornwallis, while the Americans were led by Nathanael Greene.

Fort Lee was rendered defenseless after the defeat of Manhattan by advancing British soldiers. George Washington and Nathanael Greene ordered the evacuation of the fort on November 19, 1776, when 5,000 British troops ferried up the Hudson on barges. They landed near Closter, New Jersey. Washington quickly alerted the soldiers at Fort Lee, followed by a hasty retreat.