A Distressing Dissent

...Miller was never convicted -- commentators noted this was pretty suggestive the court hadn't bothered to read Miller before citing it.

...I guess he didn't read the Perpich case, either, let alone verify the dates and who did what.

And this level of judicial incompetence doesn't rise (sink?) to the level of malpractice? Assuming it wasn't "willful"?

We have to let these demonstrably ignorant and corrupt vultures rule over our lives, and there's no recourse?

I know no politician would stick his neck out or be able to get anything done, but would somebody please educate a simple non-lawyer: Is there any kind of bar you could file a complaint with and seek some sort of discipline/reprimand? How does that work--or doesn't it?

[Via Avg Joe]

A Constitutional Straitjacket

It is too early to know how much of a constitutional straitjacket the new rule will create.

Freedom is slavery...where have I heard that before?

It's been well over a decade. I guess I won't hold my breath waiting for an admission that they were wrong...

There's a Simple Explanation

The "birth certificate" claimed by the Barack Obama campaign is not certified as authentic and appears to be a photoshopped fake.

Hey, he's The Lightworker, "an attuned being...who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment."

What makes people think he's of this Earth?

I can't wait for this scene to play out at the Inauguration:

Look at me, Damien. It's all for you!

We're the Only Ones Facing Economic Hardships Enough

Five Summit County sheriff's deputies facing trial in the 2006 death of a county jail inmate were returned to the payroll this week but will not resume their law-enforcement duties until their court cases are resolved, agency officials said Wednesday.

Citing an economic-hardship clause in the agency's contract with the deputies, sheriff's legal counsel Christine Croce said, the deputies charged in the inmate's death submitted letters to the sheriff asking to be reinstated to the payroll.

We in the private sector paying for this all have clauses like that with our employers, don't we? I mean, I'm sure they can't be "The Only Ones" who can't do their job but still get paid--can they?

And do peruse the comments on this one.

We're the Only Ones Messianic Enough

Ex-Traffic Cop Says He's Jesus

So an "Only One" thinks he's God and if we don't obey and worship him we'll be destroyed.

That's news?

La La La La

"Jared's teacher covered her ears, trying to block the conversation, and singing 'la la la la.' When asked by another school employee about her odd behavior, the teacher claimed she did not want to hear about the boys and their 'killing.'..."

Far be it from me to suggest telling anyone what they don't want to hear.

A Question of Fairness

In ruling out a vote on Pence’s proposed Broadcaster's Freedom Act, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-CA.) also signaled her strong support for revival of the “Fairness Doctrine” -- which would require radio station owners to provide equal time to radio commentary when it is requested.

The ruling Marxists can't allow a marketplace of ideas. It must be controlled and directed.

What the hell kind of ant mentality views basic human decency as a "doctrine" to be imposed by the state anyway?

That Air America can't stay aloft when left to the choice of the people (hey, isn't that democracy...?) simply means that force must now be employed. And since the airwaves are the province of the collective...

See, it doesn't matter that broadcasters can move over to paid satellite radio--what Commisar Nancy is interested in is manipulating the masses--for now. They'll get to the privateers in due time--starting by convincing people they're "pirates."

Hey, you gotta demonize your enemies to gin up the manufactured hate.

And once that's all locked up, can the Internet be far behind?

A few days back I asked WoG readers to sign a petition sent to me by Michael Dukes. Like I said, I don't know if it will do any good, but it certainly can't hurt to invest a few seconds to make your stance known.

BATFU's First Blush

"There is nothing in terms of first blush to say it will significantly change our business," Michael Sullivan, acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said of the high court's decision.

Huh. I haven't seen BATFU blush since I posted some pictures.

But he's right--it was a narrow ruling. It didn't address stomping cats, racist picnics, lying under oath...

Yeah, I'd have to agree. It'll probably be business as usual.

A Promising Poll

The numbers are encouraging, aren't they?

I just got this link and don't have time to chase down the poll, size and methodology--if you have more information, please comment.

[Via ILiveFreeOrDie]

We're the Only Ones Warding Off Our Attackers Enough

An off-duty Chicago police officer was shot and wounded on the city's South Side overnight.

The officer was hit in the hand and leg during an exchange of gunfire with his assailant...

But if you're a non-"Only One," Bodyguarded Boss Daley would be "outraged" at your being able to send an attacker fleeing.

[Via JCR]

The BATFU Way

The Nahant Public Library wants to sell one of its most valuable possessions: a German machine gun captured by Army Sgt. Alvin C. York during World War I.

...Both Welsh and deStefano said at least two agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) have listened to the story but offered no recommendations, other than to suggest the machine gun be destroyed.

...Negotiations with the ATF have put deStefano in a funk. He described a four-way conference call during which an obviously young ATF agent admitted not knowing the story of Sgt. York or much about WWI. “That’s the person the ATF has making the decision about this machine gun. It’s no wonder we didn’t get very far,” he said.

Yeah, that's about what I would expect.

Reader Keith D. sent me this story and wrote "I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done, but I am going to write my senators and representative about this anyway. If you have any ideas, I'd like to hear them."

That sounds like as good a place as any to start.

I'm going to contact the library and ask if there is any organized effort they would like public support for, and will report back on what they tell me.

UPDATE: That was quick!

Dear Mr. Codrea,

Those of us who care about American history should know that the Maxim gun has been placed under agreement between the Nahant Public Library and the Museum of Appalachia, in Tennessee. The Library should receive a monetary gift in consideration of its donation to the museum. The historic relic, which American soldiers fought to capture, will eventually be placed on exhibit for all to appreciate, as the Museum of Appalachia is constructing an exhibition around the machine gun. Transfer to the museum from the Library is awaiting paperwork from the BATFE.

Thank you for your concern. This issue seems to have been settled in favor of history and patriotism.

My Best,

Daniel deStefano

Director

"Closed Hand": An Open Letter to the ATF's Jim Cavanaugh

You should understand that many of us gun owners today feel the same way as the Cheyenne and Lakota did about the predatory federal government in 1876 -- especially after the Olofson case proved to all of us who were paying attention that Waco Rules still govern the ATF.

Mindful Musings presents the latest from Mike Vanderboegh.

I was going to post this yesterday, but figured it might get lost in all the Heller to-do.

Calling All Cars! Calling All Cars!

Free man spotted on bus.

Proceed immediately and stop him.

[Via Jeffersonian]

Creating Instability

The NRA has it wrong. Guns don't kill people--AK-47s kill people.

This is why there's so much instability in Somalia. It's the proliferation of small arms that creates instability in countries.

Kaj Larsen demonstrates his seasoned grasp of cause and effect. If only we were rid of guns, Mogadishu would be a paradise.

He's been somewhat more objective in the past, but this piece lets his real sentiments show through. Maybe that's why the Vanguard PR flacks didn't contact me this time and ask me to promote the piece.

I'm not sure what he really uncovered here that made it worth putting his life on the line. There's a difference between cutting edge journalism and thrill-seeking. Since it's well known there are Third World marketplaces where you can buy all kinds of military arms, it doesn't seem like very good judgment, and it looks like they had a few scares.

I guess based on his loopy conclusions, we shouldn't expect better.

[Via Zachary G and Joe G]

We're the Only Ones Unambiguous Enough

[Scroll down to second letter]

The lawsuit about the May 9 incident with Dickson City police over the right to bear arms seems like a way to cash in on this ambiguity.

That's Anthony J. Mariano, talking about the Old Country Buffet incident, and revealing the depths of his Second Amendment scholarship as well as the regard he holds for the citizens he works for.

Surprise, surprise--guess who one of the "Only Ones" named in the lawsuit is?

Nice mentality there, public servant. The only reason people have for taking legal measures to protect their rights rights is money.

Courts exist to provide relief, meaning that extra-legal relief does not need to be sought. If I were someone abusing my authority, I hope I'd be smart enough to realize that might just somehow work to my advantage.

Sorry you didn't get your wish, there, Anthony.

There goes your unambiguous elitism. Except I have a feeling it will manifest itself again real soon.

[Via Skullz]

Sad Snuffy Pledges More Public Temper Tantrums

An activist Catholic priest from Chicago is calling for rallies and demonstrations across the country to show public outrage over the Supreme Court decision striking down Washington's handgun ban.

I hope you get more people than you did with that "Huge Success" you achieved last time, Snuff-man.

I don't know if "sad" is the right word, though. The one I'm looking for has more of a "pathetic" feel to it...

[Via jpr9]

Lowering the Barr

The ruling “will go down as one of the Supreme Court’s most important rulings on behalf of liberty,” says Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr.

Forgive me, Mr. Barr and the LP, if I roll my eyes.

Maybe if you'd man up and address this I'd assign you some credibility on gun rights and liberty. But instead, you're acting like a typical politician and a typical political party--ignoring it and hoping it will go away before too many people notice.

That's not going to happen.

I'm thinking of doing something to turn up the heat, and the most bang-for-the-buck idea I can come up with is a contest--inviting readers and other bloggers to design a poster themed on Bob Barr and his support for the Lautenberg gun ban. I've already received one from an activist I correspond with after I told him about this idea.

I could host graphics for people who don't have blogs here, and provide links to logs that feature posters of their own and their readers'. And here's a handy tool for creating them.

Which means I'd need to pick a date to submit entries by and to showcase them, a way to pick a winner, and probably some kind of prize.

On the other hand, candidate Barr could just decide to have a candid discussion with gun owners...

[Via 1894C and Peter W]

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Federal agents raided Blackwater Worldwide this week as part of an investigation into whether the private security company sidestepped federal laws prohibiting the private purchase of automatic assault rifles, the company said Thursday.

...Court documents show that agents seized 22 guns as evidence from a vault dedicated to county authorities.

We talked about this a couple days back .

I know their contracts and connections would preclude any resistance, but can you imagine what would have happened if the Blackwater special ops guys decided to kick some BATFU butt? I'd order that on Pay-Per-View.

[Via Avg Joe]

'It is Impossible for Us to be Naive'

Which can only mean Mayor Fenty and Chief Lanier must be fully aware of the evil that they do...?

[Via Zachary G]

This Day in History: June 27

June 27. 1775
- Congress authorizes invasion of Canada.