A Christmas Story

Go read it. Then share the url far and wide. This deserves recognition as a Christmas classic.

Shameless Plug: "Privileges" Watch

“Public opinion polls show that, although more than 60 percent of Americans erroneously believe the Constitution gives them a right to be armed, only a minority of Americans believe that it should grant that right,” The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Legal Action Project declares.

They’re right, you know, if not in their percentages, then certainly in their assertion. If you believe the Constitution gives you the right to be armed, you’re simply and demonstrably wrong. If you think the Constitution should grant you that right, sorry, you’re wrong again.

"'Privileges' Watch" is my Rights Watch column for the February 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at privileged newsstands throughout the Republic.

Poll Dancers

Look at how unimportant "gun rights" are deemed. It would seem most "conservatives" just don't get it.

Alien vs. Predator

Forget it. We've got a better matchup in "Authorized Journalist vs. Only One."

...Lane was arrested early yesterday on charges of punching a New York City cop in the face.

According to the police complaint, the Emmy-winning anchor yelled at the female police officer, "I don't give a f--- who you are, I'm a f---ing TV reporter, you f---ing dyke"...

This is too funny. But I do wonder what Patrick Lynch is going to do about it, since she allegedly lifted five fingers.

Anything BUT Normal

Incredibly, the church victimized had an armed security guard. An armed security guard at a church in the United States!

...Dr. John A. Bertsche

Normal

So you would have preferred the alternative?

A Wee Setback

A 28-year-old man is facing a weapons charge in Northern Ireland following a police operation against dissident republican paramilitaries.

Faith and begorrah. We were led to believe this was a done deal.

So Do We Have a Quorum?

Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they believe the Constitution guarantees each person the right to own a gun, according to a poll released Sunday.

At least they didn't say "gives." And no, I'm not suggesting we vote on it.

This is a good trend. It doesn't reflect any depth of understanding, but if the direction and numbers were reversed, we'd be seeing a lot more action, as opposed to mere sound and fury from tantrum throwers who aren't getting their way quickly enough.

We're the Only Ones Troubled and Immature Enough

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"We've got the right to take somebody's life and we need these people on their toes," said Nancy Hove, who's sheriff in Pierce County, just across the St. Croix River from Minnesota. "I don't need someone out there who's not functioning on all cylinders, so to speak."

Starting with you, Nancy?

Where do you get off asserting a right to take life? Can you show that enumerated delegated power, and identify who has the authority to bestow it upon you?

This is more than just misspeaking--this demonstrates a monstrous authoritarian arrogance that must not be condoned. And if this is coming from the sheriff, what attitude is being conveyed to the rank and file?

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

We're the Only Ones Badly Informed Enough

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Police blamed bad information for sending a SWAT team into a north Minneapolis house early Sunday morning in a raid that ended with shots exchanged between police -- who were struck by bullets -- and the resident, who said he was just defending his family.

"Who said"?

What evidence does the "Authorized Journalist" have for the implication that the homeowner's actions are based on what he said, and therefore subject to doubt, as opposed to what he did?

And naturally, "The names of the officers were not immediately available." Right, like "The Only Ones" don't know. But we can miraculously ferret out the names of the homeowner and his brother.

Some watchdog, this Patrick Kennedy.

[Via ChareltonHest]

This Day in History: December 17

Patriot forces in Montreal build ramparts of snow and ice. An American describes the event in a letter stating, "Who but Yankees would have thought of such a contrivance or who but enthusiastics for liberty would carry on a siege at such a season of the year."