Why is it flags honoring a communist murderer are prominently displayed in Cult of Set supporter offices and it's not headline news?
[Via Jed]
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Better Grasp
David Codrea, 'co-founder, GunTruths and Citizens of America' reads a story about Walthamstow and grasps very hard on the wrong end of the stick. Hope he grasps which end of a gun to use a bit better than he grasps British culture about guns.
Coincidentally, my editor just sent me a link to this story about the culture clash taking place in the UK, and the very real danger it poses.
In light of that, and the post he felt compelled to expound on, let me address Martin Belam's contentions, noting that by making a blanket assertion without presenting rational arguments, and by substituting snotty judgmentalism for wit, he's relieved me of any obligation for treating him gently.
First, off, mate, at least I have a gun to grasp. Unlike you and your countrymen in the UK (that I note you've left behind for Crete, which I guess makes you a Cret[i]n?), I haven't surrendered that choice to any masters.
As for British culture, I grasp a few things.
I grasp the "twisted outcome" of British gun laws.
I grasp that you lot make women apologize for defending themselves.
I grasp your government punishes you for doing so.
I grasp that same government is "not obliged" to protect your citizens, and not obliged to answer for that failure.
And noting your mercenary stint with the BBC, I grasp a vested interest on your part in preserving the facade that you've helped faciltiate journalism instead of propaganda.
I even grasp you, Martin, quite clearly.
So let me encourage you to grasp this. And somehow, I don't think you'll have any problem grasping "which end...to use. " Then just close your eyes and think of England.
And then grasp this, Martin, grasp what it meant to a better generation than yours, and grasp what it will probably never mean again with men like you representing the norm:
"All in All, Pretty Pro-Gun"
Joe's Crabby Shack has a television news experience that approximates straight reporting.
An "Awkward" Commitment
Len Savage emailed me his reaction to "Awkward" by Mike Vanderboegh, and consented to to my posting his thoughts here:
I understand some have not personally committed to do that, and understand all the reasons better than most--economic, social reputation, becoming a listed target for government scrutiny...been there, done that. The perceived negative repercussions are all true.
And yeah, I know about "Publius," but Madison, Jay and Hamilton had already put their necks in the noose--self-preservation wasn't their motivation.
Here's the thing: Someone who only has their toe in the pool can withdraw it at any time and appear dry. Not so with someone immersed in the deep end. It's all about commitment, without which, Liberty will never be won.
Yes, taking a stand makes you a target. And few targets make for easy pickings. I hold no hope that we'll ever be a few million self-proclaimed, at least until not after the time where that counts has passed.
Here are some questions all gun owners need to consider:
What will you do when the corrupt elites in power, abetted by their socialist media allies, fool enough of the people enough of the time and lock in control of the legislatures?
What will you do when they tell you to register your guns?
What will you do when they order you to get their permission to own your registered guns in the form of paid licenses with arbitrary and mutable qualifying standards?
What will you do when they tell you that your license application has been rejected, that your registered guns have been banned, that you must turn them in or face arrest and imprisonment?
I know what my answer will be, inspired by another contemporary patriot and friend.
Just so we're clear: I'm not chastising you personally for not following suit. Believe me, I understand why most will not. But in return, don't expect me to be particularly receptive to criticisms of "absolutists," people who have made a commitment, coming from safe quarters unknown.
My name is David Codrea and I will not disarm.
Mike's essay is certainly provocative. It appears to have forced some people from their comfort zone. He made people "think" [including me].A few Americans are putting it on the line, men like Len Savage, Ryan Horsley, Mike Vanderboegh, men who do not hide behind a veil of anonymity to escape repercussions. The Founders knew this, knew that Liberty required standing up, taking risks, pledging "Lives...Fortunes...and sacred Honor." These men who assume that spirit are following in their footsteps.
"Thinking and Acting before Feeling."
Good advice, I have had to suspend my emotions while engaging ATF on it's unlawful, and unconstitutional behavior. Passion is fine, emotions will give them a button to push. Why give them the option?
"But not the Americans, as the Abbe Raynal observed. They were "an 'enlightened people' who knew their rights and the limits of power and who, unlike any people before them, aimed to think before they felt."
Given the historic percentages of how many "Colonists" actually participated in the formation of America, I may be wrong, but would expect the same numbers would apply to current citizens who know their rights and limits of the power of government.
"Aren't you worried they'll come after you?" No, I told them, I wasn't. I knew that if they decided to come for me, worrying about it wasn't going to make any difference."
This is where the real power of an American resides, not violence. I KNOW at some point the ATF WILL come for me. I decided I will not stop exposing ATF contrivances until that day.
Maybe John Ross was right when he wrote "After the first one, the rest are free". When I went to US v. Glover [BATFE Fails The Test], I was marked as a target by ATF. I realized "the rest were free", hell I was already marked [read that threatened, screwed with, and leaned on]. I discovered there is "Freedom" in my situation now.
Fear plays no part in my decisions to testify about ATF malfeasance, tampered evidence etc.
I understand some have not personally committed to do that, and understand all the reasons better than most--economic, social reputation, becoming a listed target for government scrutiny...been there, done that. The perceived negative repercussions are all true.
And yeah, I know about "Publius," but Madison, Jay and Hamilton had already put their necks in the noose--self-preservation wasn't their motivation.
Here's the thing: Someone who only has their toe in the pool can withdraw it at any time and appear dry. Not so with someone immersed in the deep end. It's all about commitment, without which, Liberty will never be won.
Yes, taking a stand makes you a target. And few targets make for easy pickings. I hold no hope that we'll ever be a few million self-proclaimed, at least until not after the time where that counts has passed.
Here are some questions all gun owners need to consider:
What will you do when the corrupt elites in power, abetted by their socialist media allies, fool enough of the people enough of the time and lock in control of the legislatures?
What will you do when they tell you to register your guns?
What will you do when they order you to get their permission to own your registered guns in the form of paid licenses with arbitrary and mutable qualifying standards?
What will you do when they tell you that your license application has been rejected, that your registered guns have been banned, that you must turn them in or face arrest and imprisonment?
I know what my answer will be, inspired by another contemporary patriot and friend.
Just so we're clear: I'm not chastising you personally for not following suit. Believe me, I understand why most will not. But in return, don't expect me to be particularly receptive to criticisms of "absolutists," people who have made a commitment, coming from safe quarters unknown.
My name is David Codrea and I will not disarm.
We're the Only Ones Who Can Hit the Side of a Bus Enough
A few years ago on Long Island, an off-duty Nassau County police officer providing security for a jewelry store took off in pursuit of an armed robber through Garden City, N.Y.'s Roosevelt Field Mall. When the chase led outside, the officer drew his gun and fired, only to hit the side of a school bus full of handicapped elementary school students.
What is it with "Only Ones" and the disabled...?
This is just a bit of prep work by the International Council of Shopping centers for their upcoming "Mall Violence Conference." As per usual, it will be steered to foregone conclusions by risk managers who wouldn't have a clue on how to respond were they under fire, and the consensus will be the American consumer will tolerate damn near anything, so metal detectors and physical searches will become a cost of doing business and a accepted way of life.
We're the Only Ones Paraphrasing Enough
[Use BugMeNot to bypass site log-in/registration]
Paraphrase...paraphrase...
Well, waddya know...I guess there is a legitimate "Only Ones" usage after all...
[Via Done! SEO]
Los Angeles Police Department investigators routinely fail to fully investigate citizens' complaints against allegedly abusive officers, often omitting or altering crucial information in ways that help exonerate the officers, according to a report to be released today...
In one complaint about excessive force, a witness said in a tape-recorded interview shortly after the incident that there had been too many officers surrounding the man to get a good view of what happened. But in their report, the internal affairs officers paraphrased the witness' comments much differently, writing that the man "had a clear and unobstructed view and did not see or hear the alleged acts occur." Problems with paraphrasing in this case and several others, the report found, were the reason the officers were ultimately absolved of any wrongdoing.
Paraphrase...paraphrase...
Well, waddya know...I guess there is a legitimate "Only Ones" usage after all...
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Willfulness As a Matter of Law
Per MacEntyre:
COURT AGAIN REJECTS ATF MOTION TO REVOKE N.C. DEALER LICENSE . . . Stating that, "While willfulness may be inferred from an individual's plain indifference to a legal requirement ... a licensee's repeated violations of the Gun Control Act do not necessarily compel a finding of willfulness as a matter of law," the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina again rejected an ATF motion to revoke the federal firearms license of a North Carolina retailer. The matter will now proceed to trial.Noting that their "willful" deception is the excuse being tendered for BATFU's harassment of Red's, I hope Ryan's attorney is making use of this.
We're the Only Ones Crippled Inside Enough
He says a deputy looked at him and didn’t believe he was a quadriplegic. She walked behind him, took the handles on the back of the hospital-grade wheel chair and dumped it forward.
This is what happens when a small, mean person is given power over others. The victim is fortunate his neck wasn't broken.
Can you imagine the outrage if this wretched "Only One's" victim had been someone with connections, say Jim Brady? Or if a citizen assaulted a disabled cop?
"Relieved of her duties without pay"?
"Not officially terminated"?
Why the hell isn't this malignancy behind bars trying to make bail?
Mr. Lennon, lyrics please:
Well now you know that your[Via DONE! SEO and Luke O]
Cat has nine lives
Nine lives to itself
But you only got one
And a dog's life ain't fun
Mamma take a look outside
This Day in History: February 13
I am informed, that you have been since September last, absent from your Regiment, on a Furlough given you by General Gates; which must be supposed to have expired before this; I have to desire you will, without fail, immediately join your Regiment.