Monday, September 29, 2008

Case Studies in Civil Disobedience

The Radical Cleric
Michael Pfleger and about 50 supporters locked arms and blocked metal detectors and elevators inside a state building in downtown Chicago to highlight their cause Wednesday...

Protestors are calling for an assault weapon ban and stricter background checks for people wanting to buy guns.
Another Radical Cleric
Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmental crusader Al Gore urged young people on Wednesday to engage in civil disobedience to stop the construction of coal plants without the ability to store carbon.
So both of them encourage breaking laws they don't like until more government controls over private lives and activities are implemented. Snuffy even "said he succeeded in everything except getting arrested," and could Reuters have stuck their nose any further up Gore's uh...carbon emitter?

On the surface, civil disobedience sounds like a fine continuation of an American tradition. What was Thoreau's major premise in his defining work?
"That government is best which governs least"...
OK, so what happens when someone who's not connected suggests he'd like to disregard laws he opposes just like the big boys--and does so to call for less government instead of more?

Oh. Never mind.

Challenging BS

This year, her Republican opponent, Mineola Village Mayor Jack Martins, is promising to make McCarthy's long tenure in Congress - rather than her newness - the main issue in the campaign. With a well-funded campaign, Martins may prove McCarthy's most serious challenge in years.
What, old BS (Barrel Shroud) McCarthy has some competition?

Thing is, I looked at this guy Martins' campaign site and elsewhere on the web. I can't find anything that suggests he gives a damn about RKBA.

Anybody know different? Or are the Republicans giving us more BS of their own?

Essential Standards

The Police Department here shut down its crime laboratory on Thursday after an audit uncovered serious errors in numerous cases. The audit said sloppy work had probably resulted in wrongful convictions, and officials expect a wave of appeals in cases that the laboratory processed...

The inspection found that the laboratory’s firearms unit was in compliance with just 42 percent of “essential standards"...
One word: Detroit.

The areas in this country with the heaviest government influence and controls are so screwed up. Why on earth would anyone propose more of it for us all as the solution?

Oh.

Cause and Effect

As economy sours, gun sales boom
Gee, I wonder why?

Overkill

Tacking on gun charges for those who face murder, robbery and assault charges may strike some as overkill. It's not.

I'd say that depends.

If the gun allows me to victimize more people, punish me for that.

But like "hate crimes," whether I kill you because you're black or white, or with a brick or a gun, you're going to be just as dead.

And what may seem like self defense in your eyes may be portrayed to a jury as an assault or murder.

Mount Vernon to Stage Flash Points

Police will begin staging gun checkpoints at the city's borders tonight as a way to curb violence in the city, officials said yesterday...

[O]fficers will stop cars and talk to drivers about antiviolence, the Mount Vernon and county gun programs and even ask if people are carrying illegal firearms, Chong said. He added that the checkpoints will be similar to DWI checkpoints.

"We are not going to violate anyone's civil rights, but there has to be a very strong and clear message. Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear," Young said.
Yeah, as long as you let us temporarily take you hostage and act with appropriate servile obedience, we'll maybe let you live.

But if you act like a free man, well, we're going to have us a problem. Besides--what have you got to hide?

Everybody still believe "it" can't happen in America?

The Bloomberg Collection


He marketed a line of bright colors called the "Bloomberg Collection," sold hundreds of graffiti-style patterns for five-borough themed machine guns, and just introduced a bright-red shade called "Furious Mike." [More]

I like this guy's attitude.

Maybe he can also develop a color for Bloomberg's Reich Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Jason Post.

Some shade of yellow...

Lingering Questions

New York's 7-year-old database of handgun "fingerprints" has yet to lead to a criminal prosecution, and questions linger about its effectiveness. Still, state police remain committed to the database, saying more time and a long-awaited link to a federal ballistics database could bring success.
"Questions linger"?

I have no lingering questions. The thing's a damned boondoggle, but one politicians find gives them cover for "doing something."

Anybody have any lingering questions?

The only lingering questions the "committed" cops have are:What, are you NUTS? Why would we get rid of this sweet funding scam?

The excuses they're giving now ought to play for a couple more years, assuming the economy doesn't totally blow out. And if it does, I imagine police funding will be a priority anyway.

[Via Zachary G]

Viscous Animals

It's time for people to snitch on criminals instead of protecting viscous animals that prey on law-abiding citizens...

Sure thugs are committing crimes with firearms, but if it was tougher to purchase a weapon, maybe these animals wouldn't be able to acquire a gun as easily as buying a pack of gum...

And why do people need assault weapons? For hunting? Ever see what an M-16 does to a deer?
So far, all comments seem to be slapping this fool silly. Here's mine:
Viscous Animals?

What, you mean like cytoplasm-filled amoebas?

This has got to be one of the most moronic, disjointed and ignorant opinion pieces I've yet run across, and I've been reading 'em for decades. No wonder the byline has been left blank.

No--I've never seen what an M16 does to a deer. When did you? Or are you just thinking yourself clever?

You want to know what more and more Americans are tired of tolerating? Know-nothing blowhards like you presuming to have a say on our rights.
Feel free to slap him around a bit yourself--I doubt we'll rattle any sense into him, but sometimes, just having fun is enough.

We're the Only Ones Stressed Out Enough

Stressed-out officer shot dead after gun rampage
Officer kills colleague, wounds two others
And who better to be an "Only One" than someone "showing signs of severe stress and paranoia"?

True "Home Rule"

Prior to the officers arriving, police say the suspect forced his way into the victim's home. The victim attempted to evade the suspect by retreating into a bedroom. The suspect followed her and she fatally shot him.
Too bad the Brady Campaign's "home rule" (you know, the one where the government rules your home?) wasn't in effect--then she might be dead.

[Via Featherless Biped]

We're the Only Ones Electrifying Everyone Enough

"As the brother was getting tased the dad approached asked them to stop tasing his son, then they started tasing the dad at that time there were three cops tasing two people who were already on the floor," said witness Janine Esquivel.
Hardly shocking behavior for the "Only Ones"...

[Via Dave Licht]

This Day in History: September 29

I have no notion of being hanged for half treason. When a subject draws his sword against his prince, he must cut his way through, if he means afterward to sit down in safety.
Colonel Joseph Reed, to Mr. Pettit, September 29, 1775