This Day in History: December 27

In Congress Decr. 27th. 1776.

Resolved,

That Genl. Washington be empowered to use every Endeavor, by giving Bounties and otherwise, to prevail upon the Troops whose Time of Enlistment shall expire at the End of the Month to stay with the Army so long after that Period as its Situation shall render their Stay necessary...

Meanwhile, Back in "the Safest Big City"...

Nine people were shot in separate incidents in New York on Monday and early Tuesday, police said. Four of the victims died and five others are wounded. Detectives are investigating.

Rudy? Mike? What happened?

I also can't help but notice it said detectives are investigating, as in after the fact. I can't find anything in this story about them actually preventing anything or protecting anyone...

I also note they haven't actually caught any of the monsters still out there, and have been reduced to begging the disarmed public to help ID them.

Kind'a makes you wonder if there might be a better way...

"Extraordinary Misconduct"

That's a federal judge talking about "Maximum Mike."

Meanwhile, NRA has still not seen fit to give a life member--or anyone else, for that matter-- the courtesy of a reply.

We're the Only Ones Waiving Enough

People turning in working firearms will receive cash, and gun possession charges will be waived.

Because in a nation of laws, we're "The Only Ones" with authority to decide which ones we will enforce, against whom, and under what conditions. And all the while disregarding the "supreme law of the land"...

1,700 Percent!

I know that if I own a gun, the chances of a member of my family or me being shot and killed goes up by 1,700 percent.

Hey, Roger Ray said it, I believe it, that settles it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go clean up that "tidal wave of blood" my guns keep causing. They've invited some assault weapons over, and I'd like to tidy the place up a bit before the killings begin anew.

We're the Only Ones Untrained Enough

The number of police officers trained to use firearms has fallen, despite a rise in gun crime, new figures show.

I don't know what more evidence the hapless subjects in the UK--or anywhere, for that matter--need to see that "The Only Ones" are utterly incapable of protecting them, and essentially serve to ensure that they will be unable to protect themselves.

Why would you allow anyone to do that to you?

Fincher Makes "Top Ten"

The sentencing of Wayne Fincher last June attracted national attention from several pro-Second Amendment Internet bloggers, which led to a Montana lawyer taking on the case for free.

I'm sure that's just what he always wanted to be--a statistic for "Authorized Journalists," not a one of whom saw the real story behind his persecution.

It's easy to forget about this man--out of sight, out of mind--and we're all with families and doing Christmas things...

He's not with his family. And he probably won't be next year, or the next, unless something happens within the legal system to change his current status. But nothing will happen unless people like us help out.

This page tells you how to do just that, and includes the most recent update from Dec. 24, when the government's brief was posted. As always, WarOnGuns will continue to provide updates as I find out about them, but I sure do feel like we could use a lot more people doing the same...

We're the Only Ones Post Traumatic, Stressful and Disordered Enough

Each class at the Idaho Police Officer Standards and Training Academy is allowed to choose a slogan that is printed on its graduation programs, and the class of 43 graduates came up with "Don't suffer from PTSD, go out and cause it."

...Black said the class president was ex-military, and that the slogan "slipped in." He declined to identify the graduate. Black said future slogans would be vetted by academy leaders.

Wonderful attitude to start out with, eh? The proper relationship between "civilians" and "Only Ones" has been pretty well drilled into them? And now they're ready to take on the world?

I presume they will just get more jaded and insular with experience? And by all means, protect the identity of valedictorian--we wouldn't want to give his future PTSD patients a heads up. Besides, there's a man with leadership potential.

One question--if this crop is successful at "causing it," might their victims get kicked out as prohibited persons on NICS?

[Via HZ]

A State of Terror

"Are we sending a signal that if you're black in this country and you defend your home, that's different than if you're white?" he asked.

Sharpton contrasted White with Bernhard Goetz, who was celebrated as a "subway vigilante" after shooting four black youths who he thought were trying to rob him in 1984.

Goetz was acquitted of major charges by a predominantly white jury and did just 250 days in jail on a weapons charge.

"Here's someone who came to someone's house to do harm and he defended himself," Sharpton said of White. "Why is Goetz a society hero and John White is a demon?"

Perhaps a better question, Rev. Al? Why do you now advocate armed defense, whereas before,your position on right to carry was "We'd be living in a state of terror"?

Racial posturing aside, people like me aren't the ones calling for disarming "the community" and continuing the daily cycle of terror. Hustlers like you are.

[Via Illspirit]

Family Affair

He and relatives of others killed or injured on the campus in Blacksburg will lobby for changes to the state's gun and mental health laws during the General Assembly session that begins Jan. 9.

Why--so that the rest of us can be even more at the mercy of maniacs?

My sympathy for surviving family members goes right out the window when I see them exploiting pity to make others pitiable, too.

[Via Tony G]

This Day in History: December 26

Merry Christmas, 2007

This will be the first Christmas for some of us where a loved one will no longer be with us to celebrate. All of us will have loved ones who have been gone from us for longer.

Take time today to rejoice that we had the privilege to share in those lives. Then let us all show those who are with us on this day how much we cherish them.

I thank all of you who have taken time out of your lives this year to give me the gift of your time and wisdom, whether it has been by sending me stories to help illustrate the preciousness of rights endowed by our Creator, to send a word of encouragement, or to educate and help me grow--either by confirming or correcting my assumptions.

My Christmas wish for you is that you have as much love in your life as I have been fortunate to find in mine. It surely beats all the riches in the world.

Merry Christmas.

A Couple of Posts I'm Working On...

...that will need to wait until after Christmas.

One is about the despicable bastards trying to paint Ron Paul as a racist. I'm coming after you, and you're not going to like it. Too bad. You shouldn't lie.

Also, I've been corresponding with other gun bloggers about a certain member of a certain anti-rights group. We should have some interesting information to share.

I don't mean this to be a tease--it's just that doing things properly involves a lot of work and care, and hey, it's Christmas.

I'll post a greeting tomorrow, but barring anything of profound significance, will be taking it easy for the rest of today and tomorrow.

On Rights Secured

Dr. Kyle Litz shared the following:

I found this snippet from the famous Miranda case and had to share it. The force of its reason and truth rang so loudly I hoped you'd find a use for it against the war on guns.

“When rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or legislation which would abrogate them.” Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 US 436 p. 491.

Not a bad thought to keep in mind...

A Christmas Tragedy

There were not supposed to be any guns in the house. But 3-year-old Gerald Miranda found one and shot himself in the chest. Spider-Man costumes and toys were waiting for him under the Christmas tree.

Police have not determined who owned the pistol, and the family is struggling with the question of who would bring it into the house.

This was sent to me by WarOnGuns Correspondent Tony G, who adds:

I know we that read your blogs are responsible gun owners but please lets warn people of the dangers of leaving your gun out if even for a few seconds.

Here's the thing, Tony. I don't know if we can fix this. A few random thoughts:

I agree, leaving a firearm where a 3-year-old can get to it is unconscionably negligent. How do you fix that?

We could talk training--which for a 3-year-old is problematic. For those older, there is Eddie Eagle, but our enemies turn people off to it using the "Joe Camel with feathers" pejorative. In some neighborhoods--I suspect most urban ones--NRA grassroots volunteers trying to provide such training would be unwelcome.

For families who aren't part of the educated community of gun owners, there isn't much they can turn to. Most mainstream sources of information--from police, to newspapers, to pediatricians, to schools --will tell you not to have a gun in the house in the first place (and we see from this story that was the assumed state of the house involved, although I reserve judgment on whether I believe that), or if you do, to keep it locked away, with ammunition under separate lock and key.

But, of course, we don't want to enable any more pitchfork murders...

There are those of us who have trained our children in responsible use and handling of firearms--starting very young and continuing development of skills at maturity-appropriate stages. I'm at a loss for what more we can do than that--except continue to espouse the truth about guns so that the curious, the motivated and the intellectually honest can learn more if they choose to.

We're the Only Ones Illegal Enough

The U.S. deported a man to Mexico on Sunday who had taken a dead cousin's identity to pose as a citizen in order to become a Milwaukee police officer.

My original questions stand. As do my concerns about making the hiring of Mexican nationals to police Americans a standard practice...

[Via SameNoKami]

[Mas de "Los Uniquos" Archivos...]

This Day in History: December 24

I have this moment dispatched a proper Person over the river to make the following inquires/ & to return tomorrow morning at which time a Home will be provided for him, to wait upon your Excellency, with such information as he may obtain. Viz: what guards are posted upon the different roads leading to Trenton, the number on the Mill Bridge, where the cannon lay, what number; to ascertain the numbers of the Enemy in Trenton, & whether any reinforcements have lately arrived, or any (?);) only a (..?) and such intelligence as he can profitably procure.

Hey Andrew, Could You Tone Down the Whining?

I didn't believe it at first. I've always thought that he who shouts the loudest usually is trying to make up for his lack of a point.

Well, you're the one with the mass media forum allowing your voice to reach the most people, Andrew Heller, so I'd say that makes you the loudest. And yeah, your lack of a coherent point kind's makes your case for you, but probably not as you intended.

Legal Remedies

The parents of a woman killed during a shooting rampage in a Utah mall are asking a federal judge to impose a 99-month sentence on the gun-seller that provided the weapon.

As long as they're going for legal remedies, I hope they don't forget to sue Trolley Square for ensuring a target-rich environment.

We're the Only Ones Getting to the Meat of the Argument Enough

A Vancouver police officer was put on paid leave after he drew his gun while off duty during an argument that started inside a meat market, authorities said.

It sounds like he gets into it with the butcher, steps outside to settle things, realizes he might get his butt whooped, so pulls his "Only One" trump card, doesn't it?

So naturally he's "placed on administrative leave." Any guesses what would have happened had the meat man pulled a weapon on the cop?

The Vise Tightens

Cops clamp down on gun crime

Thank goodness. I was wondering when the UK was finally going to do something...

How About a Waiting Period Before Printing Gun Articles?

Michael Z. Williamson takes a wayward attorney to task.

We're the Only Ones (Allegedly) Lady-Killer Enough

After nearly three months, a city cop was indicted Thursday in the murder of his fiancée - a fellow officer...

This is one of those "Only Ones" "lift a finger" paradoxes.

[Via Mack]

Point/Counterpoint

Professor Alexander Tristan Riley thinks we shouldn't have academic debates that present "extremist" points of view, as opposed to those that conform with mainstream "polling data".

Professor Mike Adams assumes that Prof. Riley is either a "liar...simple-minded...[or]...cowardly."

Yeah, that sounds about right.

[Via Mack]

Makin' a List and Checkin' it Twice...

A newly declassified document shows that J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, had a plan to suspend habeas corpus and imprison some 12,000 Americans he suspected of disloyalty.

Hoover sent his plan to the White House on July 7, 1950, 12 days after the Korean War began. It envisioned putting suspect Americans in military prisons...

Just in case anyone thinks this is only the stuff of lunatic fringe paranoid conspiracy theories...

[Via Vinnie]

This Day in History: December 23

George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on December 23, 1783, in the senate chamber of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, where the Continental Congress was then meeting.

Dennis Kucinich's Vanishing Handgun Act

It seems someone has edited the Answers.com page on Ohio's resident neo-Stalinist bobblehead to delete the fact that the politican who wants to ban handguns once carried...a handgun for his own protection.

Where, oh where have we seen that technique of erasing inconvenient historical records employed before?

David Drake has the details. Click on the title link to find out more.

Aloha?

Is anybody reading this a member of a gun rights group in Hawaii?

I know about the Hawaii Rifle Association. Are there other groups more along the lines of GOA or VCDL?

Lethal Legos

Chris Horton posted a very cool video that he got from Cryptic Subterranean.

Better not tell BATFU, though...

An Unexpected Ally Against Sullivan

I received the following email:

David:

You can find out who I am by Googling me.

I agree with you on this. Sullivan should not be allowed to serve 1 nanosecond at BATFE's confirmed head.

Irwin J. Nowick

My reply:

Mr. Nowick, I have heard of you. Would you be willing to give me a reason or two why, that I can quote? First, because I'd be very interested to find out why you consider him to be the wrong choice, but mostly because we lack compelling arguments to persuade the democrat side--or is it presumptuous of me to assume your reasons are different from mine?

Thanks,

David

His response:

It's based on the warrant comments and his general behavior as US Attorney in Massachusetts.

Unless Crapo and Senator Tap-Tap lift the hold, his nomination will not come up. This is a hold placed on a Bush nominee by 2 US Republican Senators. Harry Reid who is tight with the NRA will not interfere with a GOP internal food fight unless Bush gives him a huge incentive to do so.

Having said that, as an in your face I would not be surprised if Bush does a bill signing ceremony on the NICS Improvement Act in which this issue comes up and Sullivan is there.

Either Crapo and Tap-Tap fold (and Tap Tap being involved raises the media notoriety of this) or Sullivan withdraws as a nominee. How this is portrayed in the media is critical which is why Sullivan opponents have be on their best behavior and factual in the reasons for their opposition.

Mr. Nowick's opinions should be considered extremely qualified. California legislators listen to him. In this case, we should, too.

UPDATE: I just received the following additional observations from Irwin Nowick:

Sullivan's hold is supported by a slew of people for a slew of reasons.

In terms of why the number of FFL's are dropping, it has to do with the 1986 Firearms Owner Protection Act and the 1993 and 1994 licensing bills. Much has been written about this but because FOPA created a standard for who was required to have a license, the converse also became the case. If you did not meet the standard that required that you get the license, you became ineligible to get the license. That is why the number of FFL's have dropped. I would argue that under a fair regulatory scheme you do not want in a business situation so many market entrants in this field that it cannot be regulated. That is not good for any one.

I would also point out a big problem with the GCA - the law not BATFE - and the NRA could have fixed this in 1986 - is that there are no intermediate sanctions for no heavy violations. While HR 4900 fixes some of that it has some overkill provisions that make it DOA. A new BATFE head should have been asked about this at his confirmation and coming in could have committed to working with the stakeholders to fix these issues and stated when he would have legislation ready. It also would help if the President showed some interest in these issues. So that gets into the temperament issue which is a key attribute of being head of BATFE or any other agency. Particularly in a very controversial area if you want to get things done you have temperament.

In CA, for all the complaining starting under Lockyer the head of the Firearms Division (Randy Rossi who is now retired) had stakeholder groups which would bring up issues and we would address them through either legislation or the like by banging heads together. It worked because while Randy was a cop he was also a hunter and competition shooter who owned guns in his individual capacity so he understood guns as a gun owner. He had LEADERSHIP skills.

Incidentally, on the licensing issue, there is an analogy in terms of CA law. In many states, the exemptions from carrying a handgun are very restrictive so when the NRA pushed for shall issue laws, they were in effect pushing to have people licensed to carry handguns under conditions that were really enhanced regulations. In many of these cases, the NRA was so focused on the licensing that they ignored creating additional exemptions besides the license.

In CA, while we have had a substantial amount of licensing reforms (AB 2022 in 1998 being just one - though I could add others), the chiefs and sheriffs - while they recognized that there were legitimate reasons to carry/transport guns so we added all these locked container exemptions or other provisions which solved the problem but with due respect to persons concerns. The effect of the exemptions though were that in CA the number of general carry licensees has climbed somewhat but the number of persons legally carrying guns under some other provision or procedure jumped considerably such that the chiefs and sheriffs when they denied license requests stated the reason you asked for the license is denied is that you don't need one for what you want to do. It just did not show up in the overall statistics.

We're the Only Ones Not Under a Cloud Enough

While in uniform and on duty, three San Antonio police officers on separate occasions engaged in sexual acts with women, including offering payment to an 18-year-old for oral sex, according to affidavits for those officers' arrests...

So far this year, officers have been involved in a number of controversial incidents, including the alleged assault of an 18-year-old woman at a community pool and the alleged strip search of several men and women at a bar, leading to disciplinary measures taken against officers involved.

So naturally:

The chief said he'd talk to the commander about the community's growing perception of corruption and abuse.

"In no way do I feel there is a cloud hanging over the south substation," he said.

Of course not. Even "Only Ones" need a little loving now and then.

"Sexytime!"

[Via Tony G]

Let's Horse Trade!

Joe's Crabby Shack discusses "some rumors coming out of the [Nebraska] Statehouse," essentially tacking some amendments on to a lock up your safety/report gun theft bill that would "include complete pre-emption for CCW, full reciprocity (no details on what states), and the elimination of private businesses ability to post 'no-guns' signs" in exchange for "a ban on assault weapons."

I emphasize, at this point it's a rumor. While some may question passing this along, this is The War on Guns, and field intelligence involving possible enemy movement needs to be at least checked out lest they maneuver us into a position of disadvantage while we're sleeping at our posts.

We're the Only Ones With 'No Appreciable Signs of Impairment' Enough

An on-duty trooper smelling of alcohol harassed construction workers in a busy work zone...The caller said the trooper "got out of the car staggering"... the state trooper is running up and down the road harassing people...and he got out and just tried to fight an old man. And the smell on his breath, he's drunk, really drunk"...

Sgt. Eric Thompson, also smelled alcohol on Grubbs, but determined there was not enough probable cause to make an arrest on a DWI charge...

"He made the determination that (Grubbs) did not show appreciable signs of impairment," Beatty said.

Call me jaded, but why do I think things might have gone down differently had a non-"Only One" been involved...?

[Via Ben]

This Day in History: December 22

On December 22, 1776, General Washington had about 6,000 men listed in his roles having lost men on November 30 when their enlistments ran out. Of those, about 4,700 were fit for duty. His fall campaign had been little more than a series of retreats and morale was very low with the successive defeats and the loss of New York City.

It's always darkest before the dawn.

We Don't Need No Ed-ju-kay'-shun

He faced suspension from teaching at Grantown Grammar School because of his alleged right-wing views...Police revoked Mr Nicoll's gun licences three years ago because of the "propaganda and indoctrination" he taught at the school.

God forbid anything other than left-wing dogma--I mean, truths-- be espoused. Only right wing stuff is "propaganda."

Besides, what does he think he's teaching, history and modern studies?

We're the Only Ones Unregistered Enough

A Chicago Police officer has been cleared of charges he operated a gambling parlor but was fired for keeping an unregistered gun in his police locker.

No doubt Chicago authorities would dismiss criminal charges against a non-"Only One" with an unregistered handgun, too.

Right?

When Guns Go Wrong...

The gun that killed Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor...

Police say the gun went off...

I'm going to check on mine right now. They're generally pretty well behaved, but I think the Raven has been upset about the "poor chrome trash from the wrong side of the Ring of Fire" comment the Ruger made the other day, and everybody's getting tired of the Garand acting like age is an excuse for being cranky and rude.

"Privileges" Watch

“Public opinion polls show that, although more than 60 percent of Americans erroneously believe the Constitution gives them a right to be armed, only a minority of Americans believe that it should grant that right,” The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Legal Action Project declares.

They’re right, you know, if not in their percentages, then certainly in their assertion. If you believe the Constitution gives you the right to be armed, you’re simply and demonstrably wrong. If you think the Constitution should grant you that right, sorry, you’re wrong again.

"'Privileges' Watch," my Rights Watch column for the Feb. 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, is now online.

I kind'a wish they didn't post these to their website so soon--I do my "Shameless Plugs" hoping to help generate magazine sales...

We're the Only Ones Taking the Kids for a Dip Enough

A highway patrol trooper arrested for driving while impaired has resigned.On Dec. 4, police say 38-year-old Steven Bradley, of Apex, ran a stop sign and drove his car into a pond on Jones Franklin Road in Raleigh. His two children were in the car with him at the time.

Ah, the family that does things together!

A little "Only Ones" pre-Christmas cheer, perhaps...?

VA AG Supports Heller

Should Americans be allowed to have guns? Virginia's Attorney General says they should.

Correspondent Clint Kritzer tells me he's surprised I missed this.

Not quite--I've just been dreading having to update the map, but that's no excuse. Maybe I'll have time over Christmas break, with squabbling boys off from school and stomping about the joint...

A Red's Trifecta

From Ryan Horsley:

Well there is quite a bit going on, the first post is regarding the New ATF Reform Act that was just introduced:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-atf-reform-act-introduced.html

I have Texas Senator John Cornyn's response to opposition to Sullivan:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/texas-senator-john-cornyns-response-to.html

And lastly Mitt Romney's Weapons of Unusual Lethality and his earlier statements on Sullivan:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/romney-does-not-believe-we-should-have.html

A Brady Victory!

What?

Westroads Replaces "No Guns" Sign

Joe's Crabby Shack has the scoop (yet again), along with photos.

Wait a minute--if cameras can be brought in and used against mall policy (repeatedly)--and no one is able to prevent it beforehand or do anything about it while it's happening--how much less effective would these mercantile disarmers be against someone who decided to shoot people instead of photographs?

Oh, wait--we already saw that question answered, didn't we?

I love the wording these corporate weasels use. They "ask that everyone observe a few courtesies" and "refrain from...activities," which one could take as a request, as opposed to a command, but back everything up under threat of arrest. Still, the ultimate arrogance is represented by the assertion that "All rules are subject to change by Mall Management in its sole discretion at any time without notice."

Godlike little money grubbers, aren't they, instantaneously creating or annihilating unalienable rights at whim? Or at least that's how they apparently see themselves...

As long as we're wrapping ourselves up in legalese, here's another phrase I'd like to see these shameless maniac enablers address--in a court of law, with huge damage awards at stake: "...knew or should have known..."

This Day in History; December 21

On December 21, 1776, Richard Caswell was elected the first Governor of North Carolina under the new constitution. Caswell took the oath of office at Tryon Palace. He served as Governor of North Carolina from 1776-1780, and after this term was completed, he commanded the North Carolina troops at the Battle of Camden in 1780.

The NICS Mental Health Expansion

Quite a few of you have sent me various links on this, and it's the talk of the gun blogs today. I'm not going to rehash what you'll read elsewhere, as my goal is to attempt originality. So without opening up the great NRA Sell-Out/GOA Misrepresentation debate that is no doubt occurring on innumerable sites right now, I'd just like to offer a few simple observations:

In a battle, the initial object is to keep the invading enemy from gaining a foothold in the defended territory. If they can't establish a front on the beach, they can't mount an assault against your positions on the cliffs above.

As the admittedly "partisan" Oregon Firearms Federation notes:

The NRA and the Brady Campaign are now issueing [sic] press releases praising the same bill. If this does not give you chills, you are not paying attention.

In the interests of fairness, here is NRA's admittedly "partisan" take:

After months of careful negotiation, pro-gun legislation was passed through Congress today. The National Rifle Association (NRA) worked closely with Senator Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to address his concerns regarding H.R. 2640, the National Instant Check System (NICS) Improvement Act. These changes make a good bill even better. The end product is a win for American gun owners.

NRA embracing this erodes the argument that gun control is not an effective means of crime control. It's not, and this won't stop further incidents or further calls for citizen disarmament, but there you have it.

At this point, it's a done deal, so I'm not inclined to focus on a screaming match over who will prove to be right. My thoughts on mental health--that anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian--have been a matter of record for years now, but it is what it is.

The political reality is this is here and will be with us, and that because the perceived impact on most of us will be minimal, revisiting it will not be a matter of priority.

Ron Paul Keeps Racist's Money. Good for Him.

Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is planning on keeping a contribution from a former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, according to a campaign spokesman.

Good for him.

That's money that will not be available for nefarious purposes that will now be used to promote liberty.

Good for him.

He refuses to pander and bow to the "politically correct," choosing instead to stand on principle.

Good for him.

As friend Russ Howard and I have been asking since this became an issue: Let me get this straight--you want him to give money to Nazis? And for the record, I gave this exact advice to his Arizona & Utah campaign coordinator in a telephone conversation a few weeks back.

Dr. Paul explains this and other positions in detail in his interview with Glenn Beck, that allows him more than the sound bite relegated by the rest of the Establishment media. When all you have is a few seconds, it's easy to take your statements out of context and portray you as a loon, as opposed to when you actually have time to answer the questions...

For now, that interview video is available on Beck's main page, and the transcript is here.

Fred Says "Buy a Gun"

UPDATE: BIG OOPS. I'd never heard of the website and didn't realize it was a satire site. Just goes to show you, we can all be had. I'm not deleting this post just to provide a reminder of that.

Republican Presidential candidate Fred Thompson today, upon hearing that rival Ron Paul’s supporters had raised $6 million in 24 hours to commemorate the Boston Tea Party, called on his supporters to match that figure in gun purchases before Christmas to mark George Washington’s victory at the Battle of Trenton.

That's a great move on his part, and he just went up a few notches in my esteem. Now if he'd just drop the "enforce existing gun laws" mantra...

[Via Vinnie]

We're the Only Ones Showering Lead Enough

An off-duty Clearwater police officer who was taking a shower when his home was broken into today fired one shot at the suspect and continued to fire at the get-away vehicle as it sped away...

The question here is not so much whether or not that was the right thing to do as it is what would have happened had a non-"Only One" done the same thing?

[Via Robb Allen]

We're the Only Ones All Tricked Out Enough

A Capitol police officer is out of a job after telling investigators he hired a prostitute who took a handgun from his Harrisburg apartment.

What a blow to his career.

[Via Tony G]

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

We're the Only Ones Fair and Equitable Enough

Another sentencing involving police in Tuxedo Park raises another set of questions about fairness and equity in Orange County courts.

"Authorized Journalists" discover "Only Ones" and are shocked...shocked...

[Via Declan, who writes: "These guys have just discovered what you have been reporting...and are acting like they have unearthed an incredible injustice, they seem so proud. No wonder they hate bloggers."]

We're the Only Ones Designated Driving Enough

Colchester police officers twice in the 1990s chose not to charge off-duty police officers suspected of driving under the influence and instead transported the officers to their homes...The two cases, which took place in 1994 and 1996, mirror an incident made public this week involving allegations that a Colchester officer failed to charge a Burlington officer found driving under the influence of alcohol. That officer was also given a ride home.

Go "Only Ones"--and Leave the Driving to Us!

[Via Declan]

Chambliss Update: Signs of Progress

Yesterday, we discussed Senator Chambliss's bandwagon being too full to haul "Maximum Mike" out of town.

What a difference a day makes. I'm now being told this was "a misunderstanding," and that the senator's chief of staff will conference with Ryan Horsley and Len Savage. As an act of good faith, Ryan has removed the post from his blog pending the outcome of that conference.

Two Georgia gun rights groups I've been in contact with are also on hold, awaiting the results. (Georgia Packing has already posted a forum page discussing this.)

It's too early to pronounce anything a done deal, but it certainly does look like we at least got their attention, and reaffirmed the reality that there is a political cost attached to every perceived benefit. For now, as far as Chambliss is concerned, my advice is hold fire.

Which brings us to other senators taking a non-position. We just saw two examples yesterday, courtesy of Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. Here's why, even though there's no principle-based excuse, their lack of action is understandable: NRA has ignored this. Without the big dog in the fight, they're free to assume they're dealing with a handful of disgruntled malcontents lacking the clout to make it worth their while to expend any political capital.

That's both the perception and the reality.

NRA's silence is inexcusable in principle, but again, politically understandable. There's nothing to force a change in position for one reason and one reason only: they have not been besieged by determined members letting them know there will be an "or else" attached to their failure to act. As far as Fairfax is concerned, it's just the same small group of irritating gnats buzzing about, so there's no new incentive to change course.

Which means, as is typical, it really is the fault of gun owners who read these words--in this instance and in countless other appeals for action--and do nothing. Politician's don't give it a priority because the NRA doesn't give it a priority because gun owners won't give it a priority.

Which, in a nutshell, is the reason why we have "gun control laws" in the first damn place.

Chechen Self-Made Weapons

Shots of the various self-made weapons seized by Russian army and police in Chechnya. There is even self-made machine gun.

Where there's a will there's a way, and these are the way to obtaining better weaponry.

Do they work? Are they reliable?

Let me put it this way--if someone got the drop on you and was pointing one at your head, how inclined would you be to bet your life that they'd do nothing, misfire or blow up in your assailant's face?

If the answer is "Not very," then we've eliminated the need for anything but the most rudimentary of tools and materials.

[Via Featherless Biped]

This Day in History: December 20

On December 20, 1776, Maj. General John Sullivan arrived in command of the remaining 2,000 men from the 5,000 that had been under Maj. General Charles Lee's command untl his capture. On the same day, Maj. General Horatio Gates arrived 800 men set down from Fort Ticonderoga by Northern Department Commander Maj. General Philip Schuyler. Even though the New Jersey militia had not come to General Washington's call, they were carrying out their own campaign. They had remained near their homes to protect them from the British and especially the Hessian troops, who had quickly developed a reputation among the rebels for brutality and theft. The militia were soon taking advantage of the stretched British lines across New Jersey by carrying out regular raids on British patrols, stealing supplies and interfering with communications.

The Problem With Principles

But his insistence on opposing all but the perfect means that under a Ron Paul presidency we might never get a chance to pursue the good too.

So let me get this straight--the guy who lost the senate primary is lecturing the 10-term congressman on how to win elections?

And the guy who is attracting phenomenal and unprecedented support from people who are enthusiastic about the ideals he represents is being advised to tone down on those ideals and embrace typical beltway dealmaking and compromises--regardless of what the Constitution says? And that would put more fire in the belly of his supporters how...?

Is that about the crux of it?

I guess if you allow the Club for Growth to be the arbiter of what is "good," they might have a point. But if "good" is defined as allowing government to assume undelegated powers just because they're doing your bidding, it should be obvious to all what a dangerous and destructive path that is. How much more evidence--aside from the sorry mess we're in now--do we need?

Perhaps they should change their name to the Club for Metastasization...?

[Via Snowflakes in Hell]

Unfettered 'Citizen Journalism' Too Risky

Too risky for what? Unfettered control by the Establishment?

Yeah, you propagandist frauds are doing such a bang-up job at government watchdogging, that's must be why I have an entire category of examples I don't even go out actively looking for under the "Authorized Journalism" heading. For you to talk about trust would be laughable if the consequences of your daily treason weren't so destructive.

This is like saying someone who carries a scalpel is a "citizen surgeon" or someone who can read a law book is a "citizen lawyer."

Oh, yeah, the equivalent training and requirements makes this such an apt analogy--Stand back: I'm a highly trained liberal arts major!

So without any real standards, anyone has a right to declare himself or herself a journalist.

Uh...yeah. Even ones who were disapproved of. And we became better and freer for it.

Put fetters on yourself, Hazinski. And a muzzle. And leave the rest of us the hell alone.

[Via JunkFoodScience via KCB]

A Gala Event

Hollywood stars Will Ferrell, Amy Brenneman, Jeffrey Ross, James
Whitmore and Peter Weller all turned out for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence event...

I never heard of Brenneman and Ross, Whitmore I've known about for a long time, but "Elf" and "Robocop" are disappointments, although not unexpected when you consider the universe-revolves-around-my-navel outlook of the elites.

I love the sensitivity of these Brady clods: they just get done talking about "Mary Read, who was tragically lost in the Virginia Tech massacre, " and segue right in to "Comedian Jeffrey Ross performed a hilarious routine at the end of the evening."

Ha ha.

Oh, and send money.

"The Sarah Brady Visionary Award." Good Lord.

Be sure and watch the video, too, just make sure you have a bucket near by.

[Via 1894C]

Saxby Sidelines Self on Sullivan

Len Savage reports Sen. Saxby Chambliss' aide, Charlie Harman has rejected any action on the Michael Sullivan confirmation with the following excuse:

We have some other issues we are working on. Obviously, there are others who are taking action that is agreeable to you. For now, since this bandwagon is full, we are going to be on the sidelines.

Nuh-uh, senator.

The request is made of you, not your doorman. Tell your impertinent butler or whoever this guy is that this is unacceptable, and your employers are expecting that you will take this expectation seriously.

"The bandwagon is full." Good grief, enough with the excuse-making, as if this will take more than five minutes of your time. You can't "be on the sidelines," senator, without abandoning your most supportive constitutents.

I'm hoping some Georgia gun owners will realize the implications of a continued "Maximum Mike" regime and apply the requisite pressure to let Mr. Chambliss know there will be a price for letting his public-paid servant dictate the agenda to his employers.

We're the Only Ones Happy Motoring! Enough

An off-duty Miami-Dade police officer has been arrested on a drunken driving charge.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Officer Jeffrey Janish was in police uniform when he was pulled over and arrested early Tuesday on one count of driving under the influence. He had been speeding in his police car on Florida's Turnpike, swerving from lane to lane, according to the FHP.

They didn't find boxing gloves in the car, did they? Maybe he was on his way to an "Only Ones" poster photo shoot...?

Thank goodness he's been suspended "with pay," what with the price of booze these days.

[Via Michael Hawkins]

We're the Only Ones Taking Off the Gloves Enough

Pennsylvania's former top cop has been busted for drunken driving.

Paul J. Evanko, a Lancaster County native who led a campaign against DUI during his eight years as state police commissioner, was charged with the offense Monday after a crash in suburban Harrisburg Friday night.

Evanko's blood-alcohol level was 0.183, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08...

I'd love to be able to get my hands on one of the posters produced during gRendell's Reign of Terror, featuring "boxing gloves and stern photos of Jones and Evanko with the headline, 'We’re taking off the gloves against DUI offenders.'"

Too bad he didn't take off his driving gloves.

[Via Chris Horton]

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

We're the Only Ones Delayed Pending the Outcome Enough

A man who signed on to become a Clark County sheriff's deputy accidentally shot his wife to death in Tualatin on Sunday, according to police...His first day of work was to be Dec. 19, but his hiring has been delayed pending the outcome of the investigation.

What, you mean there's still a chance they'll let him become an "Only One"?

[Via Robb Allen]

The Liberal Hour

On social issues, most Americans reject Republican dogma. They support early abortion. They oppose a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. They don't feel unsafe that the death penalty is used half as often as it was eight years ago and don't fear gun control.

Keep dreaming. Just try rounding up our guns.

Anybody who thinks George Bush is a "conservative" is just a mindless noisemaker anyway.

What you're misreading in your leftist fantasies are a couple important factors:

Most Americans rely on the establishment media for what information they do get, and while they may indeed form opinions, the strength of their convictions do not translate into the tireless activism needed to win the day for their positions.

Yet even with this, we see two-thirds believe in an individual right to own a gun.

I don't know where he gets the figures to back up his other assertions--they sound like wishful thinking--but I will say the ascendancy of Ron Paul, along with the enthusiastic support he's garnering, indicate a growing body of people hungry for solutions not from the iron fist of the state, what Andrew Cohen's neo-Marxist cheerleading urges us to embrace, and more toward innovative solutions possible only in a climate of individual liberty.

[Via Bruce Mills]

Toasting Jefferson's Ghost

WarOnGuns Correspondent TJH has some thoughts on alcohol and firearms, normally subjects that don't mix well, but do here in a thought-provoking manner with an interesting question: Does government have the authority to determine purpose?

He'd entered them as post comments. I didn't want to see them buried there and thought they deserved wider readership. They're in two parts, beginning here.

Quel Faux Pas!

What was the home owner's crime you ask? There was none. The SWAT team simply raided the wrong house...

The Pickle gives us extended commentary on some badly informed "Only Ones" and their ilk.

Early Release

California State Senator, Don Perata, is quoted as saying, "We are jammed up with this situation right now because we have fallen in love with one of the most undocumented beliefs: That somehow you get safer if you put more people in jail."

This is interesting since Perata is one of the leading gun banners in the state. Apparently he wants to let criminals roam free while simultaneously disarming law abiding citizens. It is worth noting that Senator Perata has a coveted CCW license which he claims he needs for self protection.

That is interesting, because the wretched Perata would have no problem putting a gun owner who defied his evil citizen disarmament edicts in the slammer, and was not above suggesting the Golden State apply ideological cleansing to rid itself of an Olympic shooting team.

Perata, incidentally, was the subject of one of our first GunTruths posters-- now residing as a ghost in the Internet archives.

This Day in History: December 19

These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

3rd Senator Puts Sullivan on Hold

From Ryan Horsley:

I just received word that another Second Amendment Senator has joined Idaho Senators in placing a hold on ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan's confirmation to Director. Senator David Vitter has announced that he is also placing a hold on Sullivan's confirmation.

Excellent. Please keep working on your senators.

Meanwhile, our leaders in Fairfax still haven't seen fit to acknowledge that this issue even exists.

More from the Ghost of Thomas Jefferson

The following was forwarded by Len Savage. The author, in the tradition of PUBLIUS, is unknown.

Once the Founding Fathers had broken the chains of tyranny they realized that what stood before them was a task unequaled in history. Civilizations have always risen and fallen, usually due to the enlightened or misguided paths the leaders chose. Having set the stage for a new civilization guided by the ideals of personal responsibility, honor, and freedom, the men who cast off the oppressors of their time found that creating a nation bound by laws that prohibited a government that set itself apart from the people was a task not easily accomplished.

To express the difficulty they faced to future generations so that their intent and desires would not and could not be questioned, they documented much of their discussions. The prime example is of course the Federalist Papers. Notes from the First and Second Continental Congress provide insight as well. Though these documents do exist and are exquisitely detailed as to the intent of the Founding Fathers, most American citizens do not know or understand what is contained within these historic pages. Sadly, while the technological knowledge base has increased over the centuries, the fundamental understanding of history and civic lessons of the past are being neglected, dooming the United States to follow other civilizations that fell to the burdensome weight of their governments. This lack of education is the leading culprit that places the United States in the dire position it now is.

Recent passage of laws such as the misleadingly named Patriot Act and the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act has subtly eroded away the freedoms recognized in the Bill of Rights. The lack of public outcry to such travesties of justice and freedom is purely shocking.

The men who created this new nation knew that the right to express discontent to the Government was a paramount right that only existed if the ability to vocalize such redress of grievance was reinforced by the capability to physically prevent the Government from taking an action that the citizenry felt compelled to stop. This is the foundation of the recognition of the right to use force to defend life, liberty and freedom. The Founding Fathers outlined this in the Second Amendment with the clear intention, as shown by documentation of the period, to prevent a new dictatorship from occurring in the new United States.

A perfect example of the wisdom of the Founding Fathers in action dates back to the late nineteen-forties. Athens, Tennessee became a battleground when armed citizens prevented election fraud and the foundations of a local tyrant. Yet, how many civics textbooks used in the school systems in our nation have even a single sentence in reference to this small but historically significant event?

The men who stood against tyranny in Athens, Tennessee believed in the words and deeds of the Founding Fathers. Instead of kneeling to the iron fist of a dictator, these men risked their lives to uphold the belief that no man is above the law.

Unfortunately, the events in Tennessee were nearly a decade and a half late. During the nineteen-twenties, the first real nationwide push to dictate restrictions upon the citizens became real. Prohibitionists demonized imbibing of alcohol and successfully barred the practice by forcing their position on everyone, even those who disagreed. Two things of paramount importance happened with the passage of the Amendment. The first thing to occur was the willful disregard of the public to abide by the restriction. This set into motion a new view of the Government and laws in which were passed. The response by the Government was one that haunts the nation to this day. The creation of what would be considered one of the most hated agencies associated with the United States Government came into being. When Prohibition was abolished, instead of learning from the experience, the United States Government attempted to follow the same insane path by passing into law the 1934 National Firearms Act. The publicized goal of this law was to prevent access to machine guns and certain other arms by the criminal element that came to exist due directly to the failed attempt at banning alcohol. A database was created and a tax was imposed on the transfer of machine guns, silencers, and long guns with barrels shorter than a specific length. Though the law was highly unconstitutional, most people remained silent on the matter since the precedent had been set less than a decade before when the citizens ignored Prohibition. This silence was considered approval by a greatly misdirected Congress. A new department came into being solely designed to manage the database and to aid in enforcing the law. Within a few decades, this department would grow to become a vile example of tyranny within the borders of the United States.

When Congress passed the 1968 Gun Control Act, one of the worst blows to the Constitution occurred. A seemingly insignificant phrase contained within the new law set the stage for decades of horror. The law delegated to the Attorney General the power to determine the status of a firearm based upon its sporting suitability. The so-called sporting purpose clause allowed the Attorney General to unconstitutionally interpret the law recklessly and loosely. It wasn't long before the duty of determining sporting purpose was further delegated to the BATF with disastrous results.

Since that time, the BATF has repeatedly re-interpreted the sporting purpose clause to suit its needs of the moment leading to unjust prosecutions and unjustifiable deaths. Instead of addressing those seeking a redress of grievance, Congress has repeatedly ignored complaints from the public and professional firearms community. The result of this has been an emboldening of action by the BATF further infringing upon the rights and freedoms of citizens.

This has culminated to the point where the BATF has openly begun to operate outside the law. Ignoring legal mandate, the BATF is now repeatedly creating evidence using the sporting purpose clause to justify their actions. By using an undefined term called "readily restorable", meaning that a firearm can be made into a machine gun without setting standards for what defines readily, the BATF is now making determinations with no basis in scientific procedures or standards, leaving the public openly questioning what is legal under BATF mandate and what isn't.

To say that choices for Congress and the Presidency are lacking is an understatement. No longer do people of good character and upstanding moral qualities offer to sacrifice their time to perform the civic duty of becoming an elected official. Instead, those who would seek to increase their personal power and glory attempt to command the field. With this appalling situation the citizens must seek justice through the courts. When District of Columbia v. Heller was appealed to the Supreme Court, the possibility of justice prevailing became a possibility leaving the political spectrum behind.

This possibility concerns the BATF greatly. Congress has made itself an accomplice to the illegal actions of the BATF by refusing to address the illegal actions of the agency and when it invoked "National Security" to conceal the committee hearings regarding the confirmation of Mr. Michael Sullivan to the position of Director of the BATFE. Instead of addressing the concerns of the people, Congress has decided to separate itself from the people even further. BATF has for many years lobbied Congress, though highly illegal, for its own ends. Without an opportunity to lobby the Court, the BATFE must now decide on how it will address future issues should it survive intact after the District of Columbia v. Heller decision comes down.

The conduct of the BATFE will most likely be of concern to the Court in their decision making process. At least one Justice is familiar with the process required by the BATFE regarding the NFA. Documentation available through the Congressional Research Staff and other documentation available on the internet regarding the less than appropriate conduct of the BATFE and the unprofessional actions by employees of the BATFE in court and during professional contact with the firearms industry should have a great impact on the Court.

Would the Founding Fathers approve of the nation as it rests today? That is something every citizen must ask. It is not time to water that famous tree while hope still exists. Should that change, undoubtedly the citizens will come to understand what their forefathers knew at Concord, Lexington and not so long ago in Athens.

With warmest regards-
The Ghost of Thomas Jefferson

[More from Jefferson's Ghost]

The Loyal Opposition

Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that the first thing his wife Hillary will do when she reaches the White House is dispatch him and his predecessor, President George H.W. Bush, on an around-the-world mission to repair the damage done to America's reputation by the current president — Bush's son, George W. Bush.

Right.

Clinton is a devotee of Carroll Quigley. He, Hillary and the Bushes exemplify the maxim of "Tragedy and Hope":

The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can ‘throw the rascals out’ at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy.

Anybody who thinks they won't get more of the same with any of the anointed Establishment candidates from either party is willfully deluding themselves.

How much more clearly do the masters need to spell it out?

Yep, Desperate

Today, I challenge the Presidential candidates to...stand up and support meaningful action to reduce gun violence in America.

Yeah, Paul Helmke. That's why they're tripping all over themselves to reverse their records and let gun owners know what pals they are. That's why even Hillary is slamming Obama for being unelectable on guns, and handguns at that, you know, as in Handgun Control...

Must be tough to know the nag you're riding is such a political loser. So how many candidates have presented themselves for an obligatory bend-and-spread-'em at a Brady Center national forum again?

And what's with you and Kristen Rand playing tag team sob sisters?

UPDATE: Looks like Sebastian had the same reaction.

It's Not Quite That Black and White

It’s arm against blacks, or disarm them, though few will admit it...

That no doubt drives much of the debate, but there are some of us who want all to claim their birthright.

But we also want to take care of that pesky elephant.

VPC Sounding Desperate

The overwhelming historical evidence and weight of judicial precedent support the position that the Second Amendment was intended and designed to protect a militia-based right.

Well gee, Kristen Rand, I repeat the challenge. If what you say is true, you should have no problem producing reams of quotes from the founders supporting your contention.

There is also strong scholarship to support the argument that James Madison wrote the amendment primarily to allay southern fears that Congress would undermine the slave system by disarming the militia - thereby denying the southern states an effective means of slave control. Under this longstanding interpretation of the amendment, the district's handgun ban would survive.

Yep, no doubt about it--the historical affinity for keeping blacks disarmed by the establishment would be affirmed. Why don't you just come out and say it, instead of making it sound like you have some kind of noble purpose?

You're getting desperate, Kristen. And as for making DC the model for the rest of the nation, you just aren't paying attention to public sentiment, are you? Or maybe you are, and that's why your yappings are becoming more urgent, more shrill...

Help Wanted

From CCRKBA:

The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms has two positions immediately available at their National Headquarters in Bellevue, Washington.

The first position is for a full-time Projects Director. Read the complete job description and application instructions [PDF].

The second position is for a part-time Administrative Assistant. Read the complete job description and application instructions [PDF].

Places of Refuge

Both of Alaska's U.S. senators have signed a letter asking the Interior Department to repeal federal gun rules for national parks and wildlife refuges, saying that the existing guidelines are "confusing, burdensome and unnecessary."

How about unconstitutional, tyrannical and evil...?

If the letter doesn't work, this outrageous and stupid prohibition ought to be the next lawsuit after the DC ban is struck down. If the DC ban isn't struck down, well then, the nature of the game will become more complex.

Hey, as long as these senators are in RKBA promotion mode, I've got another opportunity to show it...any Alaskans care to ask 'em?

This Day in History: December 18

What may be the effect of such large and frequent emissions, of the dissentions, Parties, extravagance, and a general lax of public virtue Heaven alone can tell! I am affraid even to think of It; but it appears as dear to me as ever the Sun did in its meredian brightness, that America never stood in more eminent need of the wise, patriotic, and Spirited exertions of her Sons than at this period...

A Christmas Story

Go read it. Then share the url far and wide. This deserves recognition as a Christmas classic.

Shameless Plug: "Privileges" Watch

“Public opinion polls show that, although more than 60 percent of Americans erroneously believe the Constitution gives them a right to be armed, only a minority of Americans believe that it should grant that right,” The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Legal Action Project declares.

They’re right, you know, if not in their percentages, then certainly in their assertion. If you believe the Constitution gives you the right to be armed, you’re simply and demonstrably wrong. If you think the Constitution should grant you that right, sorry, you’re wrong again.

"'Privileges' Watch" is my Rights Watch column for the February 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at privileged newsstands throughout the Republic.

Poll Dancers

Look at how unimportant "gun rights" are deemed. It would seem most "conservatives" just don't get it.

Alien vs. Predator

Forget it. We've got a better matchup in "Authorized Journalist vs. Only One."

...Lane was arrested early yesterday on charges of punching a New York City cop in the face.

According to the police complaint, the Emmy-winning anchor yelled at the female police officer, "I don't give a f--- who you are, I'm a f---ing TV reporter, you f---ing dyke"...

This is too funny. But I do wonder what Patrick Lynch is going to do about it, since she allegedly lifted five fingers.

Anything BUT Normal

Incredibly, the church victimized had an armed security guard. An armed security guard at a church in the United States!

...Dr. John A. Bertsche

Normal

So you would have preferred the alternative?

A Wee Setback

A 28-year-old man is facing a weapons charge in Northern Ireland following a police operation against dissident republican paramilitaries.

Faith and begorrah. We were led to believe this was a done deal.

So Do We Have a Quorum?

Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they believe the Constitution guarantees each person the right to own a gun, according to a poll released Sunday.

At least they didn't say "gives." And no, I'm not suggesting we vote on it.

This is a good trend. It doesn't reflect any depth of understanding, but if the direction and numbers were reversed, we'd be seeing a lot more action, as opposed to mere sound and fury from tantrum throwers who aren't getting their way quickly enough.

We're the Only Ones Troubled and Immature Enough

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration]

"We've got the right to take somebody's life and we need these people on their toes," said Nancy Hove, who's sheriff in Pierce County, just across the St. Croix River from Minnesota. "I don't need someone out there who's not functioning on all cylinders, so to speak."

Starting with you, Nancy?

Where do you get off asserting a right to take life? Can you show that enumerated delegated power, and identify who has the authority to bestow it upon you?

This is more than just misspeaking--this demonstrates a monstrous authoritarian arrogance that must not be condoned. And if this is coming from the sheriff, what attitude is being conveyed to the rank and file?

[More from "The Only Ones" Files]

We're the Only Ones Badly Informed Enough

[Use BugMeNot to bypass site registration]

Police blamed bad information for sending a SWAT team into a north Minneapolis house early Sunday morning in a raid that ended with shots exchanged between police -- who were struck by bullets -- and the resident, who said he was just defending his family.

"Who said"?

What evidence does the "Authorized Journalist" have for the implication that the homeowner's actions are based on what he said, and therefore subject to doubt, as opposed to what he did?

And naturally, "The names of the officers were not immediately available." Right, like "The Only Ones" don't know. But we can miraculously ferret out the names of the homeowner and his brother.

Some watchdog, this Patrick Kennedy.

[Via ChareltonHest]

This Day in History: December 17

Patriot forces in Montreal build ramparts of snow and ice. An American describes the event in a letter stating, "Who but Yankees would have thought of such a contrivance or who but enthusiastics for liberty would carry on a siege at such a season of the year."

The Unasked Question

It looks like a postcard sent out by alarmists - STOP ILLEGAL GUNS NOW!!!

On the back of the postcard is the name and address of the person responsible for sending it out to more than 50,000 Jersey City residents: Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, City Hall, 280 Grove St., Jersey City, NJ 07302.

As it turns out, the postcard unfolds into a letter from Healy asking recipients to fill out the accompanying card at the bottom with their name, address, telephone number, and e-mail, and send it back to City Hall.

Healy seeking support for the "One Gun A Month" Bill currently up for a vote in the state Senate.

It looks like it was sent out by an alarmist because it was sent out by an alarmist. And while I would have been inclined to change the hook line to IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT CLANK YOUR CHAINS!!!, there's one bit of vital information that "Authorized Journalist" Ricardo Kaulessar overlooked in all his professional reporterizing:

Who's paying for this expensive mailing? Frank Caso indicates it's the taxpayers.

How is that legal?

UPDATE: I just sent the reporter the following email. I'll of course advise if he responds.

I didn't get a clear sense from your story on who paid for the printing and mailing--I know you quoted Frank Caso as saying it was by the taxpayers, but is it legal to conduct political canvassing/promote issue adovcacy using tax money in New Jersey?

50,000 mailers would be expensive to design, print and mail--and it sounds from the story like there's a return mail option, although whether that is prepaid or not isn't stated.

Is there any other source of funding?

Don't you agree the public has a right to know, and the story without this information is incomplete?

David Codrea

Tragedy and Hope

Gun buy-back spurs hope for safer city

Yeah, and if wishes were fishes...

Meanwhile, Over in Sarah Brady Paradise

Japanese media called for tighter gun-control laws on Sunday following a deadly shooting at a sports club, which sent shockwaves through the country in which gun crimes are emerging.

"We feel fear that (Japan) has turned out to be a gun society like the United States," the Yomiuri Shimbun said in an editorial.

Think I'd get in trouble if I made a crack about "Autholized Joulnarists" and "Onry Ones"?

Enroll or Die

A homeschooling mom in Utah has been ordered by a judge to enroll her children in a public school district within 24 hours, and have them in class tomorrow...

Where they will then be subject to abridgements if they draw pictures or speak or write in a way the state disapproves of, where "Gun Free School Zones" ensure there will be no adults to protect them, where locker, backpack, body and car searches are the order of the day, where self incrimination protections are conveniently bypassed through forced drug tests, where normal channels of legal protection are bypassed through administration and school board decisions, where cruel and unusual punishments--such as expulsion, arrest and felony charges against 10-year-olds with food knives are routinely applied, and where all sorts of other assaults against unenumerated rights take place by self-appointed "authorities" as an unchallenged matter of course.

All this while propagandizing to the little proto-inmates, drugging those who find their own path more interesting (while instructing that "drugs are bad, m'kay?"), sexualizing them against the moral foundations established by their parents and their churches, and generally doing their utmost to ensure the end product is socialized and conditioned to find any other paradigm for human living inconceivable.

What were we all celebrating the other day? Oh, yeah: Happy Bill of Rights Day!

The Larry Hincker Award

We talked about it yesterday (actually, I talked about it before that).

Robb Allen came up with a great design.


I opted for a plaque because I'm too unskilled to work with shapes. Honest, we both selected the same silhouette source independently.


I like Robb's as he actually knows what he's doing with a graphics program. But I also like the text on mine, so perhaps something could be arranged...?

Now I'll put together a nominating process, the rules loosely being someone who creates or encourages a "Gun Free Zone" and people end up getting killed.

Off the top of my head I can come up with:

The award's namesake.

The proprietors of Trolley Square.

The proprietors of Westroads Mall.

Chancellor O'Keefe.

Maybe this guy?

Send in your nominations, along with a brief summary and link to show what they did to qualify and I'll finalize the list and put up a poll where we can vote on the 2007 recipient.

Red Sky in Morning

An elementary student in Marion County was arrested Thursday after school officials found her cutting food during lunch with a knife that she brought from home, police said.

The 10-year-old girl, a student at Sunrise Elementary School in Ocala, was charged possession of a weapon on school property, which is a felony.

"Sunrise Elementary School--Where the Sun Never Sets on Learning."

I'll say. That'll teach her!

These are the contemptible kneejerk bureaucrats responsible. In true Orwellian fashion, they even have a page against bullying.

This is truly insanely evil.

Here's the principal's email address.

[Via Jeffrey H]

Today We're Having a Special

My blog is worth $103,310.82.
How much is your blog worth?

I'll let it go for half that.

This Day in History: December 16

On the cold evening of December 16, 1773, a large band of patriots, disguised as Mohawk Indians, burst from the South Meeting House with the spirit of freedom burning in their eyes. The patriots headed towards Griffin's Wharf and the three ships. Quickly, quietly, and in an orderly manner, the Sons of Liberty boarded each of the tea ships. Once on board, the patriots went to work striking the chests with axes and hatchets. Thousands of spectators watched in silence. Only the sounds of ax blades splitting wood rang out from Boston Harbor. Once the crates were open, the patriots dumped the tea into the sea.

No Breakthrough

No breakthrough has been reported so far in the brutal execution-style murder of two Indian doctoral scholars at the Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, even as authorities announced on Friday that they were looking for three young males who appeared to be making a getaway from the double homicide scene.

How progressive of him, that while these animals are still out there running loose, Chancellor O'Keefe is making damn sure they'll be offered every advantage should they return.

I need to come up with a Larry Hincker Award trophy graphic. My rough idea is a cowering human figure atop a standard trophy base. This guy certainly deserves one.

The Real Solution

The real solution, he said, is for Congress to enact a new ban on assault weapons. "Then we wouldn't have to have an arms race going," he said.

No, Paul Helmke, although your desperation is understandable.

That's because the real solution has been demonstrated for the world to see, in the person of Jeanne Assam. Had it been you instead of her in that church, you Bradyites would have been able to claim more dead to raise funds off of. But you know in your heart that had it been you, you'd have been blubbering and helpless to do anything, as you and those around you were cut down at will by an assailant with no one to stop him and nothing to fear.

Helpless, Paul, and useless, a victim of your own unmanly, un-American cowardice. And no amount of whining and deception on your part will change that.