A Conspiracy Theory

Twice convicted of felonies, James Francis Barton Jr. faces charges of violating a federal law barring felons from owning guns after police found seven pistols, three shotguns, and five rifles at his home south of Pittsburgh.

As a defense, Barton and several other defendants in federal gun cases argue that last month's Supreme Court ruling allows them to keep loaded handguns at home for self-defense.

I've made my position on this clear for years--anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian. But this isn't about that--and I will address it in a post next week--or even about more appropriate sentencing.

I can't help but wonder if some on the side of the Enemy want to bring forth cases they know they'll lose--damage control so post-Heller limitation precedents can be established.

Probably just me being paranoid.

A Bit 'o the Blarney

Gardai have smashed a guns-for-sale racket in which suspected former members of the Provisional IRA supplied firearms to a drug trafficking gang in north Dublin.

Officers believe the suppliers were linked more recently with the dissident republican group, the Continuity IRA, but were also heavily involved in criminal activities.

Oh, be off with ye, then.

Everybody knows the IRA disarmed.

Next you'll be tellin' us ye heard it from the wee people.

It Comes as No Surprise

Dennis Farina may be able to carry a gun on-screen, but he won't be able to own one in California for several months.

Well, we knew that was coming.

I'll bet if someone had the resources to look into it, they'd find all kinds of non-connected citizens--particularly minorities from distressed neighborhoods where the risks are highest--get shown leniency on weapons charges every day.

No?

The Tools of the Enemy

Armed and Safe tells us the Enemies (I like that--it's more hard line and response-evocative than "antis") have a utility to find local newspaper contacts for writing letters to editors.

I agree--use their tools against them. I'd wager more of "our "people will end up using this than theirs.

Your Desperation is Showing, Mr. Mayor

Mayor Daley wants to raise $1 million to buy back guns and remove them from Chicago streets, but the latest in a string of corporate fund-raisers got off to a slow start.

If he ever raises the dough, I know where he can get a deal...

His utter lack of solutions and the growing obviousness as to the source of the problems is becoming clearer. As the breakdown accelerates, expect the administration to become more desperate, meaner, more dangerous. That's the way with unimaginative thugs.

I think the Hog Butcher is starting to sweat. And I think it's getting even hotter.

[Via HZ]

Anybody Know Latin?

The online translators have proven worthless. I'm trying to find out how to say "Any chair in a bar fight" to express my philosophy for responding to unprovoked aggression when there's no safe or honorable way out.

UPDATE: The closest approximation after being tried out for a while appears to be VLLA SELLA IN PVGNA IN TABERNA. 

08/11/2020 UPDATE: I have been told by someone who taught Latin for six years that the correct all-caps presentation is ULLA SELLA IN TABERNA PUGNA.

11/13/2023 UPDATE: I'm told it should be CVM VLLA SELLA IN TABERNA PVGNA.

Cookin' Out Tonight!

Tell me you don't want one. I've found similar grills on the Internet, but this is by far the nicest. I wish I had more information on it.

Imagine the indignation from the neighborhood herd animals!

[Via John G]

Blog of the Week

Cryptic Subterranean.

The guy lives in Northern Ireland and has a better grasp on the American experiment than...I can't quantify it with a statistically valid number, but he's right up there with the best of us.

He was also my "across the pond" contact for "Not Obliged."

His interests are eclectic, from politics to fantasy art to...well, go find out for yourself. I check him out all the time, and am always glad for the experience.

We're the Only Ones Who Can't Say Enough

A Greenfield police officer is serving a 45-day unpaid suspension resulting from his handling of a traffic stop and narcotics investigation...

Both Jester and Greenfield Mayor Brad DeReamer defended their decision not to release details on the specific reasons for Phillips' suspension.

"I believe in openness, and I campaigned on it," DeReamer said.

Openness "Only Ones" style.

It reminds me of the old Three Stooges telephone routine.

"You don't say. You don't say. You don't say."

"Who was it?"

"He didn't say."

[Via Shermlock Shomes]

The Dead Samaritan

It's not clear, but it could well be that he thought if he indicated he had a gun the perp would simply flee. It's common enough to believe that. Big mistake. One should follow through and stop the threat, whatever it takes....Never ever think a perp will fold. Be ready to stop the threat aka using deadly force if necessary.

What he said.

The Key to Her Heart

Bronx [NYC] resident William Hallowell filed suit in the Southern District yesterday claiming police and prosecutors blundered by wrongfully arresting him for an e-mail he never sent.

See, he's exchanging email with his supervisor, Robin Berson, about a key and she mistypes his edress, sending the mail to the wrong Hallowell, who writes her back message saying he'd "sold the key for 'hookers,' a 'handful' of drugs and a gun [and] also professed his desire for [her] and proposed a sexual liaison in the library."

So she complains against the guy she thought she emailed and he takes the fall. And even if he hadn't been the wrong Hallowell, what's the crime? I can't begin to tell you some of the replies I've seen for the Nigerian 419 scammers. They get a lot more graphic than "I want your sweet body against my skin" (although I may use that line on the next one who offers a wire transfer from his late father the prime minister's account).

And it takes the idiot Bronx prosecutor 4 months to clear it up? I'd ask if they know what that much time with a charge hanging over a man's head does to him, but of course they do. They count on that, to break people down, soften them up to where they just want to get it over with and will plea to enough to make the prosecutor look like a success.

That's why the thugs in power get so enraged and vindictive when they come across someone who will fight them all the way on principle.

How dare you not roll over and die when we demand it?

Oh, looky here: Robin is looking for an intern. Guess she burned out the last one. If interested in the position, go ahead and apply. Also let her know if you found that key.

[Via cycjec]

This Day in History: July 19

We cannot express our concern to you, being obliged to Inform you, that at present neither arms nor ammunition can be expected from us, as we have not so many as to serve the Troops raised by our Colony, and intended for the defence of our Northern and Eastern frontier.