This Day in History: November 20

November 20, 1777 at Fort Mercer, New Jersey - With Fort Mifflin lost to the British, Fort Mercer appeared to be impossible for the Americans to hold because Gen. William Howe effectively controled the entire area from the Delaware River to the Red Bank. Brig. Gen. Nathanael Greene believed the odds were against the Americans. On November 20, Col. Christopher Greene, judging his garrison to be in a hopeless position, evacuated Fort Mercer with Brig. Gen. Greene's concurrence. The American force burned the fort's buildings and supplies when they finally left. Without a shot being fired, Fort Mercer fell to Gen. Charles Cornwallis. Howe now controlled the Delaware River all the way to Philadelphia. The few American ships that were still upriver were destroyed and burned to prevent them from being captured by the British. Conclusion: British Victory [More]

Whoa, I Left the River Out and I Don't Know Why

Way back when, we talked about mondegreens. And then we talked some more.

This is one of the funniest examples I've seen.

And yeah, I know, internal links in the old posts are mostly dead and gone.

Incidentally, one of the worst examples is when Joan Baez presumed to sing "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

It was Stoneman's cavalry.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Indian authorities are investigating whether two men recently arrested in Chicago on terrorism charges had a role in last November's attacks in Mumbai that killed 165 people, government officials in India said. [More]

I doubt it. Didn't the attackers use guns?

'Anti-Gunner' OSHA Nominee Advances

The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today approved without question and without comment the nomination of David Michaels, the chief of a George-Soros-funded Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy, as the next head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. [More]

WorldNetDaily covers this, and quotes yours truly.

The War on Gottlieb: Notes from the Resistance

Dave Workman fleshes out something we've been talking about here in recent days. [More]

Having an Unreasonable Fit

Under intermediate scrutiny, the government need not establish a close fit between the statute’s means and its end, but it must at least establish a reasonable fit. The government has done almost nothing to discharge this burden. Instead, it has premised its argument almost entirely on Heller’s reference to the presumptive validity of felon-dispossession laws and reasoned by analogy that § 922(g)(9) therefore passes constitutional muster. That’s not enough. Accordingly, we vacate Skoien’s conviction and remand to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. [More]

So does that mean if they come back with a different incantation next time their gun ban magic will work again?

I guess this is a good thing, as far as an incremental step goes. But can you imagine explaining this close/reasonable fit and intermediate scrutiny business--as it applies to national government authority to restrict possession of arms--to an anti-Federalist?

[Via Andre C]

We're the Only Ones Teaching You a Lesson Enough

"As I walked closer, about five to six feet away from them, I heard Chief Ramsey say we're going to lock them up and teach them a lesson," Detective Paul Hustler said in the written testimony, claiming no protesters had been arrested before Ramsey made the comment. [More]

I can't help but notice that Snouty here has as many stars on his shoulder as George S. Patton.

So the function of peace officers is to teach lessons through punishment? Maybe some day, he will be taught a lesson of his own. Something about how he was supposed to be a public servant, not an imperious "Only One"...

No Complaints

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) has found a solution: Stop Complaining So Much. [More]

Well, I would, you arrogant piece of...work, except you're an F-rated gun grabber.

I'd be delighted if you stopped giving me so many reasons to complain.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

So Now We Need Designated Defenders?

The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a state law barring intoxicated people from having guns. [More]

Oh, I guess my title question is answered further down.

I wonder why they don't tack on additional charges for possessing, say, box cutters or matches?

[Via Cocked and Loaded]

We're the Only Ones Rising and Falling Enough

An Oceanside police sergeant called a "rising star" by his supervisors was booked into jail Thursday after pleading not guilty to charges of grand theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy. [More]

Beautiful Oceanside--I've spent many happy times there.

Of course, I had to be careful, since carrying the means of defense isn't exactly approved of there.

That "privilege" is reserved for the "Only Ones," who are officially considered more trustworthy than I am.

They evidently have nicer TVs, too.

[Via DJK]

CNN Goes After Oath Keepers

Acosta seems incredulous when he asks Rhodes who is talking about taking guns away. The administration and their congressional allies are talking about it, and what's more, they are doing things to incrementally erode our right to keep and bear arms. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at an investigative reporter who seemingly can't find any evidence of current "gun control" efforts.

Also see what WorldNetDaily is saying about yesterday's committee vote for an anti-gun OSHA head, learn about a legal setback for self-defense in Oregon, and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: November 19

November 19, 1777. “These (Gates Northern Army Continentals) reinforcements amount to 5,000 men, but according to rebel reports 18,000 which probably accounts for the rumor they tend to attack us. This we doubt very much because of our well fortified camp, the right flank of which is anchored on the Delaware and the left on the Schuylkill. In the front we have 10 well placed redoubts, which are connected by parapets.”
—Captain Friedrich von Muenchhausen 44. [More]

Anti-Gun OSHA Nominee Michaels Approved by Senate Committee

Of note:

"The HELP Committee voted on Michaels despite failing to hold a confirmation hearing."

So much for new openness and transparency in government. [More]

The rulers continue showing contempt for our concerns, thus today's second Gun Rights Examiner column.

beebobby says

Wonderfully put. Go read the comment by "beebobby."

We're the Only Ones Bargaining Enough

The county has responded to the financial downturn by offering buyouts; raising fees, such as dog licenses; not handing out raises to nonbargaining employees; imposing unpaid furloughs on some workers; and instituting a hiring freeze earlier this year. [More]

So the "Only Ones" have elite compensation status, too? I guess I'm just ignorant as to how it works, since I've only ever been employed on an "at will" basis. If my bosses wanted to get rid of me, they could, which made me try extra hard not to make them want to do that. And when I did get into situations that seemed irreconcilable, I never once had anyone offer me "paid leave" until the situation resolved itself

But it looks the well is going dry.

Gee, maybe more people are going to have to start thinking about protecting themselves.

I wonder if they enforcers are still going to have the manpower to issue self-defense permission licenses?

The CCW Menace

Kristen Rand, legislative director for the Violence Policy Center, states, "This new web site makes clear that contrary to the false promises of the gun lobby the simple and deadly fact is that state concealed handgun systems are arming cop-killers, mass shooters, and other murderers." [More]

The VPC said it. I believe it. That settles it.

I mean, they would never lie about anything, would they?

And it's not like all of their "case studies" have been resolved, meaning...what, exactly, according to the way our legal system is supposed to work?

Besides which, if we're going to play the statistics game, we need to factor in how the "85" number measures up to the millions of citizens who have not shot anyone in the last two-and-a-half years of the VPC "study," compare their rate of being "law-abiding" to, say, the "Only Ones," and then not forget to factor DGUs into the equation, which VPC always manages to conveniently overlook...

What seems to be obvious is Josh Sugarmann & Co. are increasingly showing themselves to be anti-human rights loons who are reduced to coming up with more and more preposterous ways to scream at passers-by for attention.

[Via Mack H and orygunner1]

At Least We're Not Intellectual Property Theft Nuts

Oleg Volk says:

Seattle News used my photo without permission. They did not return my phone call. My attorney is on this matter already. [More]

The subversives at Seattle Weekly have been on a tear against Alan Gottlieb lately: See here and here.

What a great illustration of the arrogance of the collectivists, who think they can control the property of others--including and especially our guns--with impunity...

We're the Only Ones Practicing "Catch and Release" Enough

2 'extremely dangerous' inmates escape Peoria Jail [More]

As a special service to you Illinois ladies out there, the "Only Ones" have developed a special four-part self-defense strategy to keep you safe should you encounter one of the violent animals they've set loose among you:

1. Vomit
2. Surrender
3. (My personal favorite) Scream (while poking with "a rat tail comb")
4. Pull the covers over your head.

With so many available options, we're sure you'll find a solution that works for you!

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

How Stimulating

First, take this:

A $400 tax credit provided by the economic stimulus plan may leave more than 15.4 million Americans owing money to the IRS...

And add this:

In fact, Recovery.gov lists hundreds of millions spent and hundreds of jobs created in Congressional districts that don't exist.

Good ol' government! Why not let them take over health care, too?

It's not like any unforeseen outrageous consequences are likely to happen.

[Via M. Terry]

A Real Bush-Leaguer

Bush aide urges weapons ban to slow Mexican drug war [More]

Yeah, I know.

What did I just get done saying about RINOs?

As an aside, I always get a warm feeling of collegial affinity seeing the "Authorized Journalists" bring in a story some of us were talking about a month ago.

[Via retrotruckman]