BATFU Zeroes In

The ATF is zeroing in on shipments of American-made firearms moving across the border through the southwestern United States.

Increased enforcement of the gun trade could mean greater oversight of gun retailers and gun shows and more inspections for Americans traveling to Mexico.

Sweet. The feds create the problem, the feds "solve" the problem--and we pay on both ends.

Maximum Mike must be getting desperate to prove he and his merry band of BATFU zeroes are capable of doing more than losing guns, screwing up records and losing cases.

[Via Eric J]

Packing Stories at the AP

Gun rights groups are appealing a federal judge's decision to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to allow licensed gun owners to pack heat in parts of the world's busiest airport.

"Pack heat."

It sounds like something George Raft would say.

Does anybody know of one serious gun owner who uses that term? Why would a reporter use it and his editor allow it, unless they wanted to provoke an emotional reaction in the minds of their readers, and why would that be considered straight news?

The "Authorized Journalists" at the Associated Press really are fluid containers with hose and nozzle attachments.

That means you, Greg Bluestein.

Sing for Change!

I was going to link to the "Sing for Change" video, but I guess it's been taken down because it creeped too many people out. If you didn't get a chance to see it, it was a bunch of kids from Venice CA singing the praises of The Lightworker under the direction of a grimacing Stepford-tranced music instructor, with approving adults beaming and others providing accompanying music. Plus it had some major Hollywood backing, which kind of makes the spontaneous grassroots support claim seem...ridiculous.

I wish the YouTube video hadn't been removed though, because there was a comment the teacher Kathy Sawada left there that just really exemplified the mutton-headed emotional mysticism that is the "liberal" Obama supporter--something along the lines of the children should be our leaders because they are innocent and don't know anything.

I also understand that the video also appeared at this link on Obama's website, which means someone there thought it would be a good idea.

Not to worry though. The concept has been done before, and you can get essentially the same experience by clicking here.

UPDATE: Cranky in "Comments tells me they've moved the video to here. And it has the Kathy Swabada quote I was looking for:

You are exactly right that children don't know about political issues, and for me, that's the point, they are our teachers...

Good grief, she's serious.

In Their Own Words

Interesting video documenting the dems who stifled all attempts to bring oversight to the housing lending scam we're now expected to pay for--or else. Understandable, since it was a great carrot for them to trade for votes. And they'll probably get away with it.

And if you still find the current economic mess confusing, Chris Horton links us to a good overview.

A Ration of...

People will have to be rationed to four modest portions of meat and one litre of milk a week if the world is to avoid run-away climate change, a major new report warns.

"Have to be"? That sounds mandatory. Naturally, there will be an elite class of people doing the rationing.

And no one really thinks the wife of a commissar shops at the same store as the wife of a proletariat worker? Or that ration cards won't become a lucrative commodity for those who control them?

Perhaps dumbing down the masses through media manipulation has reached a plateau, and some physiological changes are needed to reach the next level toward the ant state.

What's really telling are the Zargonian sympathizers leaving comments that look forward to this.

We're the Only Ones With Virgin Ears Enough

The South Dakota Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments over whether yelling profanities at a passing police officer is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution.

I admit mixed feelings on this. "Fighting words" do exist. Some verbal abuse a man just shouldn't have to take.

That said, my primary concern is making sure "Only Ones" aren't getting a free pass to do to citizens what they will not tolerate happening to them.

[Via Mama Liberty]

No Authority

I find no specific statutory authority granting the Department the authority to prohibit the open carrying of firearms in state parks.

Damn straight. Now let's make sure they don't exceed their authority.

I do find this headline over the top, hyperbole-wise. The VA AG wasn't "standing up for the Second Amendment!" He didn't even mention it, except for one footnote, and focused instead on Commonwealth code.

Still, this shows how a definitive opinion from a state attorney general can have a very real and immediate practical impact on the conduct of enforcer agencies. And just to clarify what I proposed for Ohio open carry yesterday: Don't for a minute think there's a sheriff, chief or cop in the state who doesn't already know the law in this regard. My aim was to take that excuse away from them, once and for all.

Not that I expect it to happen.

[Via Michael S]

Questioning the Mission

Months ago I wrote a letter to the editor of this newspaper. As a result, Federal Agent Thomas Chittum asked to move the trial of my friends Leonard and Tom Elliott to Frankfort and cited my letter as cause, claiming I had “polluted the jury pool.” I was named specifically before the court and was criticized for questioning both the mission of his agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and in particular his case against the Bacon Creek Gun Shop. I didn’t realize I was such an influential scribe.

More chilling of public oversight and criticism from our pals the feds--it seems to be one of the few standardized and uniformly applied procedures they have.

[Via SameNoKami]

L'etat, C'est Moi

[E]ven though he fought against changing term limits when he wasn't affected, Michael Bloomberg has decided that 'for the financial good of New York' he's going to fight to run for a third term.

It's good to be the king!

This Day in History: October 1

Lieut. Cummings of Capt. Dow's Company in Col Prescot's regiment, tried at a General Court martial, whereof Colo. Hitchock was presdt. for "misbehaviour in the action upon Bunkers-hill". The Court are unanimously of opinion, the prisoner is not guilty of the Charge; and the Complaint appears to the court, to be groundless and malicious. The General approves the proceedings of the court, and orders Lieut. Cummings to be immediately released from his arrest.