Thank You for the Kind Words

We draw our share of incoming fire, so the occasional "attaboy" is much appreciated. [More]

A Hero to the End

Courage, determination and perseverance in the face of death -- rest in peace, Mr. Harvey... [More]

[Via Mack H]

A Thwarted "Compromise"

Does anyone think a "compromise" would have been offered if it hadn't been perceived as a necessary skin-saving political move? [More]

Why turn down the heat and give those bastards a pass? You know they'll only be back at your throats when they think they can get away with it. Seems to me Independence Institute  has effectively done that.

Besides, the only one keeping you from getting such a magazine is you, and your vested unwillingness to acknowledge the new paradigm.

[Via cydl]

The Leadership Forum

NRA Putting GOP Establishment Over Gun Owners At 2015 Annual Meeting [More]

Seriously? Some weren't invited? I'd heard that about Rand Paul due to a NAGR connection, but have seen some apologists claiming it was due to a "schedule conflict,"  and Workman is reporting "The NRA reportedly could not accommodate Paul [and] None of this gets any traction with NRA leaders or the grassroots members attending the convention this weekend."

The truth of this is important to determine. If the allegations bear out, it merits traction and more. We need "NRA leaders" presenting options, not suppressing them.

That said, in terms of Paul, his "don't call it amnesty" position is one that needs to be elaborated so we can figure out what we should call it when he recommends an "eventual pathway to citizenship."  How will that result in anything but "eventual" evisceration of legally-recognized RKBA? And from what Larry tells me, the position will affect that "A+" grade.

When I was on Joe Miller's program, he was under the impression that, like GOA, NAGR was also one of the groups warning against the illegal immigration threat to gun rights. If so, I can find no evidence they are even mentioning that, or distancing themselves in any way from Paul on it.

By the People

Interesting concepts for peaceable "legal" revolution. [More]

Here's how it works.

What it does not address is "a right delayed," but still, the "death by a thousand cuts" definitely has its place as the counterpunch in the "new paradigm."

I'll be interested in reading the book when it comes out next month.

[Via Mack H]

There Oughta Be a Law

"Anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian." [More]

Thank you, John. Most cool of you to do this.

I do have a suggested edit: The statement is merely a truism, and does not go on to recommend a further action on the part of anyone -- any misconception otherwise is probably due to conflicts or confusion attributable to the way I've presented it.

If the response to the truism is to incarcerate an individual, he still has a right to fight off prison beatings and rapes  --  that is, failures of custodians to properly fulfill their obligations. That opens up a door into a whole 'nother room about what "we" should do about people who can no more be trusted to roam freely among us than we could trust a man-eating lion.  In any case, what John has designated "Codrea's Law" is silent on a "solution."

Now jump over to another point I frequently make -- that "illegal aliens" being given a "pathway to citizenship" will result in a majority that will allow for government evisceration of the right to keep and bear arms. While I definitely have strong opinions on the subject of immigration, "legal" and otherwise, my observation alone comes with no recommendation on "what to do about it" (aside from properly considering political actions supporting it to be "anti-gun" in effect). It merely states that based on all observable data, and without significant presently unknown factors altering outcomes, that will be the result. That's why I keep issuing my (unanswered to date) challenge to those who maintain otherwise to give us more than wishful thinking, anecdotes and platitudes, something that can be independently validated. Without it, all we're left with to guide an appropriate course are probabilities.

But back to Mr. Comeau's post, and lightening up a bit: When I read the title, my first thought involved a fantasy voice-over introduction to it. Realizing the extreme unlikelihood of that ever happening, my second thought went to an old Firesign Theater bit. And again.

UPDATE from Mike on Yesterday's Sporting Use/Ammo Ban Story

He's at the convention. I'll have to talk to him about why SSI is being blocked from the wi-fi setup there -- that could be a story in itself [UPDATE: Just spoke with Mike-- the block is at his hotel, not the meeting].

Here's the takeaway for now:

I CAN tell you that I have found more confirmation of that story and NO contradictory testimony. Something IS going on and I've been told the folks who are part of it are "shocked and pissed" about it.

No promises, but we may have another (but unrelated) surprise with the same effect.