Villaraigosa: Do as I Say

The mayor rarely, if ever, takes the bus or the train to work. Instead, he rides around town in a GMC Yukon chauffeured by a Los Angeles police officer who doubles as a bodyguard.

So in spite of haranguing We the Subjects into public transit, El Rey de Los Angeles sticks to his royal coach.

I went looking for this story because local radio quoted him as saying the people responsible for his protection thought public travel would present a security risk.

And needless to say, King Antonio I is one of the Bloomburgomeisters.

So allow me to translate the message His Highness is sending to We the Rabble:

I don't trust you, either to ride with me or to provide for your own protection. I consider the conveyances I expect you to ride in to be so unsafe and unsecured that I fear using them. But I don't care if you get hurt or killed--the important thing is that I'm insulated and protected.

Y'know, as much as I hate to admit it, I believe His Lordship may have a point: Anyone stupid enough to vote for this elitist hypocrite probably is too stupid to own a gun.

Is My Tiara on Straight?

Thanks, WP.

Just a few questions:

Will I need to carry an assault weapon if it bruises my legs?

And can I stand having my heart broken one more time?

But seriously, I do appreciate the kind sentiment. Out of the small pool of people who've even heard of me, there's no shortage of folks--many from "our side"--who would prefer I just go away. So the occasional bouquet among the barbs is appreciated.

Standing Up Like North Americans

Security of the person is non-negotiable. It is the prime given. It is the excuse government uses for nearly all its other actions. The thing about security of the person is that it is ultimately not something that can be delegated. Anyone who demands under any circumstances that a person delegate that authority 100% by disarming whether voluntarily or under duress is either running a protection racket or planning something very, very bad. Maybe even Pol Pot bad.

Clive Edwards has written an important essay here, one that deserves to be spread and read far and wide. It's especially a hopeful thing to see such sentiment springing from Canada.

[Via Cousin G]

Carmen Caldwell: Knowing Best in Spite of the Facts

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration.]

It was quite enlightening to learn how people around the country feel about their guns. Several felt insulted by my comment that "in 26 years of crime prevention I had not seen anything good regarding owning a gun." I should have clarified that my 26 years have been in Miami-Dade, which is apparently very different from the rest of the country.

What many of these readers do not understand is that residents of Miami-Dade County prefer to work with their law enforcement, working to prevent crime by cooperating with their neighbors and using their intelligence to avoid becoming victims of crime. This is a lot more challenging than just owning a gun.

Yes, Carmen. As the very newspaper you write for reports, Miami-Dade is apparently quite different:

Murders in Miami-Dade County are up 42 percent...

Wow, you're right. That is a lot more challenging than just owning a gun! Great job "cooperating" there, Carmen, although with an outcome like this, it might be fair to ask who your aversion to guns really benefits. Maybe you could travel the country and teach us how to follow your great example, so we can replicate these awesome results where we live.

[Via Cousin G]

This Day in History: November 20

On this day in 1789, New Jersey ratifies the Bill of Rights, becoming the first state to do so. New Jersey’s action was a first step toward making the first 10 amendments to the Constitution law and completing the revolutionary reforms begun by the Declaration of Independence.

Bringing a Fist to a Gunfight

Bob Renzi believes that teachers represent the first and best line of defense against school violence...For the past seven years, he has taught teachers how to protect themselves against violence in schools...Renzi teaches not only how to defend against violence, but how to prevent it. He urges teachers to tell their students how not to be victimized...

Renzi teaches individuals how to defend themselves against weapons, but does not believe teachers should carry guns into the classroom.

Well, you had me going for a minute there, Bob. I'm sure if some budding young Harris or Klebold wannabe shoots his way into Kristen Felentzer's third grade classroom, she'll be more than up to the task of defending herself and her charges.

Do you also teach her to yell "Judo CHOP!" as she strikes?

Unarmed martial arts skills have their place and everyone could benefit from learning them, but there are times when they just won't meet the task at hand. Here's hoping no one gets killed listening to you.

[Via Cousin G]

Nebraska to Demonstrate Newton's Third Law

You'll soon be seeing the signs-— a universal red circle with a slash across a handgun- on the doors of businesses and other buildings across the state.

The message: No guns here.

And as we all learned in elementary school science class when they introduced us to physics:

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

[Cryptic Subterranean kindly posted these cards for downloading here.]

[Via Cousin G]

The Witch Doctor Prescription

Steve Hargarten, a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and an emergency room physician, doesn't claim to be an expert on handguns. But he knows enough from years of treating gunshot wounds and directing the college's Injury Research Center that handguns can easily be made safer.

Hey, Steve, I've got this tapping noise coming from the back of my van and the engine light comes on after about 20 minutes. Also, I don't know if I should move some of the money from my 401k over to a high tech stock fund or shift it over to a safer bond portfolio.

Why don't you stick to what you know, Doc? Because when it comes to designing safe guns, you're an ignorant, agenda-driven propagandist who is unqualified to comment.

To abuse your status as a physician to prescribe otherwise is a dangerous fraud. And to demand changes to the law based on your ignorant superstitions is nothing short of unethical.

[Via Cousin G]

We're the Only...Hey Moe!

A clumsy constable attending a domestic dispute in Central Auckland accidentally shocked himself and a teenager with a taser gun before pepper-spraying an innocent woman, reports said on Saturday.

Why, you, gimme that...
CLONK!
Woo-bwoo-bwoo-bwoo-bwoo...
N'yuck-n'yuck-n'yuck...

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

[Via Eric from Of Arms and the Law]

We're the Only Ones Shortchanged Enough

A Dallas police lieutenant is under investigation after he allegedly argued with a fast-food clerk over his change, flashed his badge, grabbed an employee and left with the money he thought he was owed.

Hey, they're lucky he didn't spray them.

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

[Via Blackfork 6]

This Day in History: November 19

On this day in 1776, Congress pleads for the states to send more soldiers to serve in the Continental Army, reminding them "how indispensable it is to the common safety, that they pursue the most immediate and vigorous measures to furnish their respective quotas of Troops for the new Army, as the time of service for which the present Army was enlisted, is so near expiring."

We're the Only Ones Understandable Enough

Columbus State Community College (Ohio) President Val Moeller doesn’t want guns on her campus. Understandable -- when it comes to the institution’s civilian faculty and nearly 23,000 students -- but extremely controversial when you realize that Moeller’s resolve to maintain a firearms-free environment extends to the sworn officers who make up the college’s police force.

What exactly is it you "sworn officers" have sworn, Scott Buhrmaster? And why is rendering We the People defenseless "understandable"?

Is it because you're an "Only One" and the rest of us aren't? We tried it your way at Columbine, Scott--all the armed cops, and particularly the one assigned to protect the campus, escaped just fine, thank you very much.

I can tell you're competent and qualified by the exemplary gun safety you exhibit in your official portrait, Scott. I like it so much I'm thinking of submitting it to Xavier's "Idiots With Guns" gallery. After all, it's not like negligent discharges aren't a common occurrence among you "professionals."

[Via Cousin G]

Contempt of Court

After the verdict was read, Judge Ammons gave Mr. Hines some advice.

"Take that concealed weapon permit and turn it in to the Sheriff's Office - you don't need it," Judge Ammons said. "If the gun is returned to you, go sell it. You don't need it."

The Pistolero illustrates a case of "judicial malpractice.'

He's being charitable in his assessment.

We're the Only Ones Officially Misconducting Ourselves Enough

An Illinois State Police master sergeant has been charged with official misconduct and home invasion after he allegedly barged into a woman's apartment and hit a man with his gun...Knezevich is still being paid pending the results of the case...Authorities said he used a law enforcement database to get information on one of the alleged victims...

Let's see, they know what income you've earned, where you got it from, where you've invested it, where you've spent it, what properties, vehicles, boats and guns you own, your medical history, including a record of every pharmaceutical prescription written for you, your political affiliations, which charities you support...

But don't worry--access to these databases is limited to exclusive use by "The Only Ones," who can use it to track you down any time they please.

Hey, if you're not doing anything wrong, what have you got to hide?

[Via k_romulus]

Wayne Fincher Update: 11/18

Militia Leader Still in Custody

This Day in History: November 18

In honor of Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, who had stormed the post five days earlier, British Commander in Chief General William Howe renames Fort Washington "Fort Knyphausen" on this day in 1776.

Sexiest Man Alive Comes to NC

Oh, wait...I thought this was about me.

Never mind.

Besides, I like pâté, and even more since this happened...

We're the Only Ones Thieving and Tampering Enough

Former Troup Police Chief Chester Kennedy was found guilty of theft and tampering with physical evidence...guilty of theft for taking a pistol from the police department...guilty of tampering with physical evidence for giving a 30-pack of Natural Light beer that was evidence in a criminal case to former Troup Officer Samuel "Mark" Turner...Murphy said the two empty bags found in Kennedy's drawer should have contained 13 rocks of crack cocaine and $400 but it was nowhere to be found.

Yeah, I agree with his defense attorney. It sounds more like "mismanagement and poor judgment" than a crime, don't you think? I know that kind of stuff turns up missing every time I have a lapse, and I'm sure you've experienced the same thing...

Ho...ney, I just mismanaged again. Did you see where I left the crack...?

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

[Thanks to Blackfork6]

A Telephone Survey

GUN owners across North Yorkshire have been warned not to divulge any information over the phone about their firearms after several people received calls from bogus firearms enquiry officers.

Gee, I wonder where they got their call list from?

A Case for Guns

It certainly was the right of Margaret Johnson to bear arms in September, when a mugger tried to rob the wheelchair-bound Harlem resident. She drew the pistol she was carrying and shot him in his elbow...

New York doesn't need more victims or ineffective gun control. We need more Margaret Johnsons.

Carrying a gun for self defense! What a "cowboy"! What a non-"Only One"! She obviously needs to learn rights from wrongs.

[Via Cousin G]