Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Let's Not Be Dupes Ourselves

I see a lot of people beating up on frequent comment poster "Russn8r" over at my last GRE because he's saying things that they don't want to hear.  They're accusing him of being an Obama shill and a Democrat troll because he is pointing out NRA's role in allowing Obamacare to pass.

Here's a real simple test, if you think he's a liar, as many have accused him of being. Take what he's saying here and test it for yourself.  We all have access to search engines.

The guy may state things in a provocative and even combative way, but then again, it's not like the folks ready to write him off as an anti-gun "progressive" are showing a willingness to do much more than kill the messenger. And it's not like someone doesn't need to say it in no uncertain terms.

It does us no good to point out how anti-gunners allow themselves to be played as pawns if gun rights advocates refuse to even entertain the possibility that all may not be as they've been led to believe, and if we don't even recognize that the voice warning us is one of our own.

How do I know?

Because I read what he said and it's consistent with many of my own concerns that I've seen corroborated over the years.

And no, it's not me.  I post under my own name and very rarely get into arguments in comments because I just don't have the time. I posted this because I thought it needed to be addressed and I get more bang for the buck for my efforts here than being buried in a comment thread.

UPDATE: Here is just one of many factors to consider.

Sins of Omission

History will ultimately note the shameful, tyranny and corruption-enabling conduct of what Biden calls "legitimate news media." [More

[Via Florida Guy]   

Corvallis Cuban Commies for Commonsense Community Control

¿Armas para que? [Watch]

Everybody remember who asked that?

Yeah, great, "progressive" idea, let communists disarm us!

What could go wrong?

What Could Go Wrong?

Besides, we need those rifles to be found later at crime scenes in Mexico. [More]

[Via Florida Guy]   

We Need This in America, Too

After all, Hollywood is all about "common sense gun control" when it applies to others. [More]

[Via Mike H]

When It Comes to Obama, All I See Is Color!

That's because, in addition to being a shallow, lottery-winning, self-destructive mercenary, you're also a disgusting racist. [More]

You know, a typical "progressive" celebrity...

A Blank-Free Zone

I wonder what Tim Libham (appropriate name!) is prepared to do about it should someone with evil intent ignore his pathetic wishes...  [More]

[Via cydl]

A Warm Reception

In re yesterday's post on the stealth wooing of manufacturers, now that the antis have been thoroughly trounced at the national level, so naturally the beneficiaries of OUR ACTIVISM are receptive to ways to sell us out and "compromise" so they'll appear as tolerant to people who want to destroy them, we see this:
While the effort reportedly received a “warm reception” from Ruger...
THIS Ruger?

The one we're told strayed off course a generation ago, but has since returned to the fold by, among other things, buying an indulgence financing a museum gallery to show us the way things used to be?

Yes Gomer? You'd like to add something?

Uh-oh. There  I go bashing again.

[Via MM]

The Enemy Within

"Republicans" do this because they can. [More]

Blind "loyalists" make all betrayals possible.

That goes for groups as well as parties.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words?

You WaPo Fourth Estate Fifth Columnists still don't get it, do you? [More]

And there you go, repeating the Gundupe talking point about the percentage of homes with a gun decreasing--the whole point behind that is to create a false picture of desperate, shrinking white racists clinging to their guns and religion, hiding behind their barricades and who will be bred out in another few decades.

I'm sure Gallup got accurate numbers from their urban outreach, as well as from those who would not share personal tactical defense and property intel with  a stranger on the phone.

In any case, has the NUMBER increased? Forget the rate, because that's the same sleight of mind the antis use to claim how safe high population areas like Chicago and DC are. The other relevant factor is the artificial increase in total population imposed by unenforced and insane immigration laws.

What did Mr. Pynchon say abut asking the wrong question? NRA being powerful is an effect, not a cause.

A Messaging Problem

Yeah, it couldn't possibly be the message itself... [More]

The Obvious Solution

Start demolishing the damn bridge when there are no eggs or hatchlings. [More]

They'll fly away and nest elsewhere. It's not like they're as dumb as "progressives."

Absolutely Guilty as Charged

[More]
Really?

Just based on your anonymous hearsay?

You don't have to present evidence?  I don't get to cross-examine?  I don't get to confront you, my accuser, including to determine identity, qualifications, loyalties, motives...?  And you get to render the verdict?

Dang, "Tim." I hope you never serve on a jury.

Just out of curiosity though-- what is it that qualifies as "bashing" in your world?

If someone sees something wrong and points it out, sees something they disagree with and tells people why, and documents it, does that qualify? Because I've had furious Fairfax "loyalists" call me all kinds of name over those, the most polite one being "liar."

Should I just shut up and  not raise any flags, when doing so could alter a course for the better? I'm just supposed to keep my differences to myself and  parrot the party line because you've turned off your willingness to recognize the distinction between truth and "bashing"?

Here are my NRA bona fides, "Tim."  Care to step out of the shadows and present yours?  Care to identify any policies promoted by any "gun rights organization" EMPLOYEES (ah, there's another distinction you didn't make) whom you've disagreed with, and show how you handled it, and what effect that had?

Real "Gunsense"

Looks like there are some in Ferguson awakening from their slumber. [More]

I Don't Disagree

Some individuals are heroes, some individuals aren't. Some deserve our gratitude, some don't. [More]

Case in point, before he shot up the place, if one ran into Maj. Hasan at an airport, there are some who would walk up, thank him for his service, buy him a cup of coffee, or even give up their first class seat. And it's not like we aren't all aware of other embedded bad actors, and that goes double for civilian "Only Ones."

While some "conservatives" are feigning outrage over this Salon piece, I find it hopeful to see someone with collectivist sympathies resisting the tendency to view a group comprised of individuals as a homogeneous collective.

More Guns Less Crime

That would make a great book title, don't you think? [More]

[Via Jo Anne Moretti]

The Beast Reawakens

And words from one of the great moral leaders of our time are resurrected to help us confront it, repel it, and send it howling in the darkness. [More]

Opposite Day Projection

When "progressives" accuse us of only caring about the Second Amendment, throw this back in their lying faces. [More]

Totalitarians mean to control everything.

Suits Them to a T

Anti-gun male Harmon Leon is feeling Alinsky Rule 5 clever! Snark-Snark! [More]

Oh, Harmony, you're such a Gundupe:


That's a word I wouldn't mind seeing entered into that "national conversation on guns" the brainless hive insects keep buzzing about.

Exploitable Weaknesses

We know I-594 backers had comparatively overwhelming financial resources. That said, there were some fundamental negatives from "our" side:

Running a competing measure rather than just educating and urging "No" confused a significant number of voters, who ended up voting for both measures. Fudds were not only of no help, they were, in many cases, oblivious. NRA did not invest itself in this.  The paid media campaign as well as the ground game were lacking.

Dean Weingarten has come up with the best postmortem on this campaign I have seen. Of special significance: 90% is a lie. Even with all the kings horses and all the king's men pulling and lying like mad, it was more like 60 (analysis via John Lott).

There are ways to beat this when it comes to other states.  That's not just opinion. I say this as someone who, professionally, helped coordinate the successful defeat of numerous municipal ballot measures to ban fireworks in California, and never lost one. Helping to win three at the same time got me my last full-time corporate job.

This Day in History: November 11

In giving permission of absence to Officers for the recovery of their health, I have supposed the experiment of change of air & diet might be made in a few weeks, as well as in any length of time; I must therefore consider the indulgence given to you for the purpose, as limited to eight weeks from the date hereof, at the expiration of which time, I shall expect you will return to the Army. [More]