An Election We Can Win

Go answer one poll question.

Yeah, I know the real poll was yesterday and this won't make any difference, but what the hey.

[Via Tom Z]

But in Ourselves...

It is what it is. The spawn of the Chicago political machine has won, bringing with him all that implies.

"But in Ourselves..." is my post-election commentary for today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Pfollowing Pfleger

I just wanted to insert a pointer here. Those of you who check WarOnGuns in the morning may not have seen this post from yesterday afternoon.

Snuffy is at it again.

This was my suggestion:


Some want to ramp it up further and start playing hard ball.

UPDATE:


Y'know, I really wouldn't mind some company...and while you're at it, why not go for two...?



UPDATE: Thirdpower also covered this.

UnALIENable Rights

The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the National Rifle Association, today filed a lawsuit in federal court against the State of Washington, seeking to overturn a state law that discriminates against legal resident aliens who own firearms by violating their Second Amendment rights under the equal protections affirmed by the 14th Amendment.

Good for them. If we believe rights depends on club membership, we lose the argument that they are unalienable, inherent to the condition of being human, and predate, and thus do not emanate from, government.

And, ah, look:

The Second Amendment Foundation of Bellevue, Washington, is joining with NRA in filing the suit.

I'm glad it looks like we finally got the matter of proper credit straightened out.

A Damaged Mood

There is one work of "art" on display, however, that I think has had its run and should seek other pastures—pastures far, far away. And that piece of work is the 30-foot-tall, man-killing Kalishnakov and M-16 rifle sculptures that sit so visibly alongside the highway between Ketchum and Hailey. That "work of art" represents one of the worst aspects of mankind (the tendency to slaughter each other) and to have it staring you in the face every time you drive up or down the valley is a real pain, and never fails to damage my mood.

Guess what, David Groverman? Whether or not you're in the mood isn't a factor.

Avg Joe is gonna love this story--a California "liberal" demanding that Idaho norms not offend his delicate sensibilities.

He Didn't Have a Chance?

Two gunmen entered Bullseye Indoor Pistol Range, 1012 10th Street E., with their faces covered in bandanas before overpowering the man at about 5:30 p.m...

“He didn’t have a chance to arm himself,” said Tom Santoro, owner of Bullseye...

He didn't have a chance?

You mean he wasn't already...?

If that's true, do you think maybe they noticed that when they showed up earlier to case the joint?

The Right to Infringe

A northwestern Iowa father and son have filed a federal lawsuit challenging an Iowa law that gives local authorities the power to decide who will be issued permits to carry a weapon.

Sheriff Douglas Weber, what the hell is wrong with you? Forget as an official, as a man...?

Here's the essence of this story, at least for me:

Kaardal said the lawsuit is not seeking to eliminate the state's right to regulate guns...

Perhaps, if the suit is successful, we can consider the ruling an incremental victory. Just understand that unless this country swings radically toward embracing unalienable rights, no lawsuit and no legislative act is ever going to change the reality of infringements.

Ever.

Let the Gloating Begin

Election Night Results So Far: Common Sense On Guns Confirmed

It's gonna get worse before it gets better. And it will get louder and more raucous, more in-your-face and bolder. We'll see the statists show even less grace in victory than they do in defeat. That's what spiritually ugly people do.

I do wonder though, how many of our "leaders" will hold to the conviction that our hope for change is exclusively the province of majority rule, or if rallying cries for resistance will emanate from more polite quarters than, say, here...?

Or are we going to continue down the path of caving on principle, disparaging those who won't, and surrendering to the perceived least offensive compromiser...?

Seems to me, now is the time to send the GOP a message, loud and clear: This is what happens when you abandon core principles. If you intend to regain center stage, you're going to need to actually become leaders in liberty.

That is, if you believe it's not too late, or if there's any chance such a message will get through and be taken to heart.

There is one unintended consequence to all this: Look for fear to become a potent tool for increasing "gun lobby" membership rolls. Thing is, we need to ask ourselves how much of that leadership deserves the windfall, and if it'll do anything besides solidify some cushy gigs.

It Would Seem Beggars Can be Choosers

A North Dakota program that distributes venison to the needy will accept only deer killed with arrows, fearing that firearm-shot meat may contain lead fragments.

Then the hell with the ingrates.

Let all those "sportsmen" for Obama do the provisioning (maybe AHSA can bring in all its ground troops), keeping in mind that when they speak of spreading the wealth, they generally mean yours, not their personally.

[Via Stephen Q]

A Silver Lining?

Because in truth the Republicans under John "I support the bailout" McCain would scarcely have done much better. The economic global meltdown is only just starting to roll: if you think the sub-prime mortgage crisis was the biggie, just wait until you see the fallout from the fun and frolics of the impending mess in other areas, such as debt swaps. This is all going to get worse, a lot worse, and Obama is going to do absolutely everything to dig the holes deeper.

True enough.

He's optimistic when he speaks of rebirth.

In the physical world, births are bloody and painful, with the time up and only one way out.

[Via Peter G]

Logan's Runs

Considering the Second Amendment was created when prominent politicians Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr found it appropriate to duel to the death, reassessing the rights to gun ownership seems plausible.

Ask 'em if they ran into Doug and Tony.

Yeah, that and guns scare him. Still,"We can still have respect for the Second Amendment, but we should treat guns more as a privilege to reputable citizens, instead of a right to all."

That's some respect.

Rapex testimonial candidate and "Authorized Journalist" Logan Short soils his shorts.

This Day in History: November 5

As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope -- He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.