Paul Campaign: Make Lemons Out of Lemonade

We talked about this in passing here.

Now it looks like Ron Paul will be allowed to participate in the ABC debates.

"Fair and Balanced" and "conservative" Faux News will not allow him to appear, even though he finished in Iowa far ahead of Sean Hannity darling Rudy Giuliani, who is invited, and is polling far ahead of Fred Thompson, also an invitee, in New Hampshire.

You shouldn't need to be a Paul supporter to be outraged by this manipulation of the electorate by corporate media special interests. There are two things his supporters are encouraging us to do:

Leave a comment for the Faux propagandists at their "You Decide '08" page, and visit the "Protest Fox" webpage and learn how to send an email or two.

These are both good actions, and I will do them this weekend, but it's also time for some real creative and outside the box thinking from the Paul campaign team--immediate action. If negotiations are unsuccessful at getting their candidate in at the last minute, they should do three things--they should be starting on them now:

1. Use a portion of that $20M they've raised to buy a 1-minute ad for Ron to be aired immediately before the debate--if not on Fox, then on their competitor CNN. The content of the ad should be to call attention to his exclusion, to provide an overview of his message, and to direct viewers to #2,

2. Have Ron live on the Internet at the same time as the debate, answering all questions posed to the candidates on the Fox program. This could actually work to his advantage, as there'd be no distractions from other candidates, no questions intentionally leaving him out, and no misrepresentations of his positions or statements by the other candidates. It could also draw a significant portion of the audience away from Fox.

3. Publicize the hell out of this. Issue press releases to get it into the news. Use the unprecedented Internet network Paul supporters have established.

I have no real hopes that this will be done as I have no real influence with the Paul campaign. But I think if he did this, the wave of publicity and curiosity and potential for getting his message out could be tremendous. But if they're going to do it, they need to do it NOW, because the debate is tomorrow.

If you agree, contact the Paul campaign and tell them so. If they want to make this happen, nobody's going to go to bed tonight.

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/05/08

Well, it's Saturday. They're probably sleeping in.

NRA-ILA Responds on Sullivan

All of us who wrote got the same letter (thanks to everyone who forwarded theirs), and Armed and Safe presents it and pretty well sums everything up, so I won't duplicate that here.

It's what I expected when I said they didn't want to give an unequivocal "yes" or "no" answer. Their world is too labyrinthine for directness, and they're counting on being a force of influence on pending legislation. As such, they'll do nothing to alienate or jeopardize access, which, for lobbyists, is everything.

And this way, if and when "Maximum Mike" is confirmed, they will not have been among his assailants, providing additional capital.

If nothing else, it's masterful political judo, turning this to their advantage. And here's the other thing: While the rest of us are making noise, they're in there quietly behind the scenes working on legislation that should provide relief for some of the more egregious determinations of dealer noncompliance, such as abbreviations on forms...

And while the rest of us want nothing less than elimination of BATFU, well, really, if that's going to happen, how? Who's leading the effort, how much support and resources do they have, how many sponsors in the legislature...? Truth is, no one has assembled that army, let alone taken the first step to make it happen.

So, what, have I given up? Can I now expect comments about selling out, or asking who got to me?

No, not at all to the first, probably to the second. I'm just laying out the way things are--if we refuse to see them because they piss us off, well, nobody ever won anything through self-imposed blindness. And those of you who decry the NRA's position without anticipating and understanding the rationale for defending it will not be well served.

This Day in History: January 5

During the chilly late afternoon of January 5, 1781, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson stood helpless at his vantage point in Manchester as he watched warehouses and workshops in Richmond burn. Traitorous General Benedict Arnold, who hadn’t received a satisfactory response to his demand for the surrender of the one-year-old capital of Virginia, was torching the town.

It helps to recall the traitor Arnold when the other side trots out some former military man to use as a prop, as if that should trump reason. Bravery is admirable, but it does not excuse bad motives.

Batman vs The Riddler

When the man with the bat tried to attack the driver, investigators said, the second driver pulled out a gun and shot the first driver twice...

The shooter – whose identity has also not been released – had a license to carry a concealed weapon and investigators said he acted in self-defense and will not immediately face charges.

You know, "riddled with bullets..."?

Ahh, forget it.

Still, riddle me this, Caped Anti-Gun Crusaders: Would you prefer if the man being attacked had been unarmed and bludgeoned to death?

[Via Tony G]

If I Were a Carpenter...

...I'd be hammering back at Carpentersville.

Tony G shows us there's no shortage of little wooden heads supporting the destruction of guns.

World of Paulcraft

Apparently, sometime around 8:30 PM EST on Tuesday, a throng of Alliance members took to the streets of Ironforge in a surprisingly well-orchestrated in-game demonstration designed to drum up support for (very real life) Republican dark horse presidential candidate and Internet darling Ron Paul.

Pretty cool, but he'll need to get out of the virtual world and into the real one. it is encouraging that he's doing double-digits in a state where agricultural subsidies and cheap migrant labor are factors favoring Huckabee and McCain. I don't know what to make of Rudy's poor showing, since he blew Iowa off, but Paul getting more than three times Giuliani's support at least shows us Big City Republicans and the Heartland aren't much of a match.

What's clear is, the networks keeping Ron Paul from the televised debates are abusing the public facilities they rely on for their private profits to advance their special interest political agenda. After Iowa, how do you keep Paul out and leave Giuliani in? Especially now that their own quoted "double digit" criteria has been met in the only "real" poll taken to date. These damned elitist "Authorized Journalist" gatekeepers are supposed to report stories, not engineer their outcomes.

[Via Thirdpower]

Marko...

Polo?

Fighting for Liberty identifies the "Only One" from yesterday's post.

Spiffmo

Regular WarOnGuns readers will remember Tomato 7.

Ben has pulled up stakes and reincarnated his blog as Spiffmo.

Check it out.

Granting Rights?

I just received the following email, in response to "'Privileges' Watch," my current Rights Watch column in GUNS Magazine:

David, I appreciate your time and effort in support of 2nd Amendment.

However, you make a statement in the article that I believe is incorrect and I thought I'd bring it to your attention. 4th para. into the article, "The Bill of Rights grants no rights. To believe that it does reverses the proper role...."

Please read the Sixth Amendment below:
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district where in the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Also, the Ninth Amendment states:
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Anyway, my red flag goes up when I hear or read sweeping general statements like that. The Bill of Rights does include the granting of certain rights, at least one is clearly stated in the 6th Amendment.

Be well,

ER

It's an interesting perspective, and I'm not trying to be stiff-necked, but I don't believe I'm wrong in this. The Sixth Amendment is not granting a right, it is acknowledging one codified in English Common Law and predating the Constitution, as do discussions of judicial powers and jury trials in the Federalist Papers. I guess we could also bring up differences between civil/legal rights and natural ones, and the dangerous blurring of what "rights" are, particularly with politicians bandying about terms like "Patients' Bill of Rights", etc., in an attempt to pander for votes and defraud people out of real ones...

But I'm starting to digress. I will cede that a right to trial by jury is meaningless in the absence of government, and that at one point, a body of men decided that a jury trial was a right to which government would yield. But that decision was also made about everything else we consider "unalienable" as well, and we see them being alienated all the time.

As for the Ninth Amendment, I believe the fact that it states rights are "retained by the people" speaks for itself as predating the article, and goes to the core of why some warned against including a Bill of Rights in the first place--so that what was enumerated wouldn't be construed as all that there was.

It's an interesting question, and I'd be interested in hearing more thoughts on this.

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/04/08

Do I hear "38"?

Britney Spears is On the List

Police were called to Britney Spears' home Thursday night in a custodial dispute that lasted nearly three hours before an intoxicated Spears reportedly turned over her children to ex-husband Kevin Federline.

She can't or won't control herself, but wants to impose controls on us.

This Day in History: January 4

It is not in the pages of History perhaps to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a post within musket shot of the Enemy for six months together [without powder] and at the same time to disband one Army and recruit another within that distance of twenty odd British regiments, is more than probably ever was attempted: But if we succeed as well in the latter, as we have hitherto in the former, I shall think it the most fortunate event of my whole Life.

We're the Only Ones Armed and Confused Enough

Authorities admitted today that they arrested the wrong man in a police shooting at an East Germantown rowhouse early New Year's Day that left three bystanders - one of them a 9-year-old boy - as well as the gunman wounded...

The 9-year-old was grazed by an officer's bullet, police said.

What's especially rich is the real perp seems to be an employee of the anti-gun "Authorized Journalists" at the Inquirer. And naturally, we know everybody's names except for the "Only One" who shot the kid.

[Via Tony G]

The Eve of Destruction

The board voted to save the gun, donated from an estate, until the village attorney determines what the parameters are for giving the gun to the VFW.

The thought of the used guns, mostly pistols, getting in the wrong hands generated weeks of debate among village trustees. Originally, the board voted to sell the guns to a federally licensed dealer for $3,000; but after Otto Engineering President Tom Roeser offered to donate $3,000 in exchange for the destruction of the guns, the board obliged.

I can't help but wonder why anyone would donate anything to this pack of ingrates. And I understand this Tom Roeser character is a real piece of work.

What Councillor Ian Macdonald Believes

"I don’t believe that a gun should be necessary for anyone, never mind someone under 18."

I know there can be a sense of frustration that anti-defense bigots like this will probably never face the consequences for the evil they do.

Let's focus instead on making ourselves invulnerable.

That's the goal.

Dodge City, Indiana

A customer at a grocery store stopped an armed robbery by pulling his own gun and holding the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived, authorities said.

Now see, if he'd been unarmed, we wouldn't have to tolerate this cowboy mentality recklessness. After all, we have a right to feel safe, don't we?

We're the Only Ones Screening Enough

Police in Ottawa say all bars and nightclubs should be screening patrons for weapons...

Police say it's not uncommon for people to bring guns into bars...

Let's see, we're talking Canada, so how many laws are already being broken?

Yep, sounds like what they need is another law, forcing bars to install costly equipment and pay screeners. I know they say "all," but after the lobbying is done, I wonder if there will be size threshold, to provide relief to smaller corner bars, and if any consideration will be given to the clientele a bar attracts, or if, in the name of equality, Mom and Pop's neighborhood pub on the corner will be forced to install the same controls as Club Gangsta. Then, of course, we know bars pay their personnel so well and only employ those of highest ethical standards, so there's no way any would be corrupt or disgruntled enough to let patrons bribe them. And, of course, we can't forget the bathroom window loophole...

Great idea, there, Canadian "Only Ones"! Let us know when you've made things safe enough at known drug dealer/gangster hangouts to go club hopping again.

Painted in a Corner in SA

[A] number of security companies are contracting with clients to provide an armed reaction service although the company does not legally own firearms.

"It would appear that their reaction officers are being issued with paintball guns in order to defend themselves and their clients."

With the sorry history of South Africa and gun control, color me unsurprised it's devolved to this.

When Pork Chop Bones are Outlawed...

...only outlaws will have pork chop bones.

I wonder if it was one of those assault pork chop bones?

Helping the District

"I wanted to argue the case and thought I could help the District."

I can't think of a better way than by having you clear out your desk.

Here's hoping Peter Nickles' move is one of ego, as opposed to a sound legal decision.

[Via Peter G, and also Jeff S, who sent a link to the WaPo take on this and advises to check out the reader comments.]

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch: 01/03/08

I don't get it. I'm sure they know about this.

Why won't they update their page...?

This Day in History: January 3

Washington and his officers rally them, and more troops arrive and Washington himself leads them towards the British. Washington is only 30 yards from the British lines when he orders his men to fire. Both sides do fire, and Washington disappears in the smoke. When the smoke clears Washington is unharmed but Mawhood's regulars have broken. Washington orders a charge. The British troops retreat, some scattering into the woods, others turning for Cornwallis or New Brunswick. Washington also leads the pursuit, calling "Its a fine fox hunt, boys!"

A Small "L" Libertarian...

...urges us to consider the "pragmatically libertarian" reasons for putting aside our no compromise RKBA ideology and supporting Bloomberg for President.

Well...start considering.

BATFU Ignoring Congress

From Ryan Horsley:

"For 2 year in a row now the Appropriations committee has included language regarding the ATF shutting down dealers for minor paperwork violations."

He still urges us to contact our senators to block confirmation of "Maximum Mike".

And I still note deafening silence from our leaders in Fairfax, who came up with the excuse that their contact form was broken--as if that's the only way they'd ever hear about this. It should be clear to all by now that the reason they haven't weighed in is because they don't want to. I guess if that's the game we're going to play, it's time to tell them to quit stalling and give an unequivocal answer.

I also hear nothing but crickets from the Saxby Chambliss camp. For a while there, someone was hitting my site via the search term "Charlie Harman," and Ryan even made the unprecedented good faith effort of removing his post when the senator's aide told him it was "a misunderstanding" with a promise to revisit the issue. I'd say it's time to turn the lights on again.

Summing it Up

Say Uncle gives an overview.

UPDATE: Instapundit noticing ought to upset those who wish for people to stop looking.

Maybe I Should Follow Suit...

I like guns and, if I could own one, I would.

I'd like to be able to defend myself from gun-wielding nutters like you. You know, pop a cap in yo' ass. [More]

Now I'm in for it. Let's see, if I was going to follow the example of our brave and loyal opposition, now that a "death threat" of sorts has been made, I'd have to close down this blog and erase my tracks.

Wasn't that his rationale...? Still, I wonder why he hasn't shared links to the threats he claims he received...?

This is even more specific than threatening to "snuff out" somebody, and look at all the brouhaha that caused. It's not like anyone can claim they don't know what "pop a cap in yo' ass" means...

Hmmm...first trolls warn me I'll be sued if I don't drop an ongoing investigation and erase all records of it. That didn't work, and now a[nother?] troll is upping the ante in comments to the post where I say I won't back down.

And this is being done in "support" of a CeaseFire PA director, an organization that purportedly exists solely to reduce "gun violence"? What did the one [other?] troll say? Oh, yeah, "Why is it so few Americans do irony?"
I don't know, pal. Why don't you tell me?

Good thing I'm not the type to let my imagination run wild. Otherwise, I might think there's some connection, aside from the fact that people--regardless of the issue or which "side" they consider themselves to be on--who make anonymous threats share the trait of employing despicable and cowardly tactics. Which should surprise no one.

There's one other thing that could come up, so I'll just head it off before it does. Some may claim I posted the comment myself, or had a friend do it for me. Yeah, but there are a couple things that could make such a move dangerous to me: If the threatened litigation occurs, depositions with penalties for perjury will be made, and it's even conceivable that computer forensics experts will be retained. I'd imagine a lie would be pretty easy to expose and the consequences would be severe.

As for reporting this to the "authorities," I would if I seriously thought it would not be an overreaction to something I can handle myself. That said, there is nothing to stop any of you from reporting this link to whatever agency you see fit, and if so, I'll cooperate fully with any investigation. And those are people you don't lie to unless you're prepared to go to jail. Again, I don't believe the snotty "pop a cap in yo' ass" comment rises to the level of a credible threat that would merit that, but I can't stop anyone who disagrees with me from doing what they think is right.
My bottom line: After exploiting it to show the mindset of our "ideological opponents," I laugh stuff like this off and press on. And I simply don't believe anyone who says this is the reason he took his blogs and profiles down and erased all records of them. I don't believe that for a minute.

It Came from Outer Space

Sebastian has the out-of-this-world details about yet another director of CeaseFire PA.

Look, I don't have a problem in the world with speculations that life may exist elsewhere, including the intelligent variety. I just don't happen to believe that--if it does--any culture that has mastered the unimaginable technologies to navigate the vastness of time and space would settle on cud-chewing herbivores as "the most intelligent and wise."

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch

Well, in fairness, the day is still young. I bet they'll get right on this and proudly acknowledge their new affiliation real soon. Maybe by tomorrow this reminder will go away, and we can get about the business of asking them "Why?" instead of "Why not?"

Les is More

An Illinois custom gun manufacturer opened the new year at the same old place in Illinois as construction continues on a new facility across the river in LeClaire.

Les Baer Custom of Hillsdale, Ill., announced in May it wanted to move out of Illinois and received approval of a development and site plan agreement in LeClaire...

Baer decided to move his company when a bill arose in the Illinois General Assembly banning large-capacity gun magazine clips.

Good for him. nice job, idiots in the legislature, driving a source of jobs and revenue away. Chasing out prosperity is certainly a proven way of reducing the conditions that lead to crime, and increasing your coffers to fight it.

For the timid manufacturers who are still in denial and waiting, it's not like the powers that be don't want to destroy you. And you can bank on their regrouping to try again.

Why We Don't Need Guns

This pretty much nails it.

This Day in History: January 2

This flag consisted of thirteen stripes red and white, with the cross of St. George and St. Andrew on a blue field in the canton or union. This preceded the Declaration of Independence and indicated that the colonies had not wholly broken from the mother country. This flag was first unfurled by Washington, January 2, 1776.

On Overreacting

Today's post about the Palm Beach Butt Crack Patrol reminded me of something my oldest son and I caught yesterday while flipping channels during Twilight Zone marathon commercials: another "To Catch a Predator" with Chris Hansen.

My concerns about the blurring between "Only Ones" and "Authorized Journalists" notwithstanding, we do generally find the show good for a few laughs at the loser idiot scumbags, and yesterday was no exception. But they've started doing something I don't remember from earlier shows: Now, in addition to the bellowing horde of weapons-ready tacklers, they've started having some guy in a ghillie suit emerge from the bushes to make first contact.

For some reason, it struck us as really funny, maybe because we weren't expecting it, and our first reaction was to wonder why Chewbacca was making a cameo on Dateline NBC. Then we started laughing and extrapolating fantasy scenarios about other ways to scare the hell out of people, for instance, jumping out of the bushes roaring like a monster while wearing a team mascot costume, or as the Mugato from Star Trek...

But that was just stupid boys having stupid fun, and the larger point was not lost: Here's Chris Hansen confronting these guys alone but for a hidden camera crew that emerges at the finale, possibly unwisely for being unarmed, and then the amount of force present to make the arrest just really stands out starkly against that.

Maybe I'm the one overreacting here, but I remember a time when these kinds of deployments were reserved for murderers, bank robbers, desperados...

Ah well. It's all just entertainment anyway, right?

CeaseFire PA Director's Watch

No biggie--it's a holiday. Probably tomorrow, right?

We're the Only Ones in Full Force Enough

"No one goes to the mall and wants to see the crack of someone's butt."

Probably true in general. But for God's sake, Palm Beach "Only Ones" needed "20 deputies, two canine units and a police helicopter" to deal with it?

Are they truly that afraid? And is that the kind of mentality we want running around confronting people while armed to the teeth with "weapons of war"?

[Via Mack]

Biggest Story of 2007

A comment that I think deserves wider attention was added last night to an older post.

[Via Waste Waste Waste]

This Day in History: January 1

A Bit of Lag Time, Perhaps?

Metro Philadelphia, Nov, 29, 2007:

...Riley, a sociologist and new member of CeaseFire PA’s board of directors.

The statewide gun-control group, arguably Pennsylvania’s most visible and expansive, added four new board members yesterday.

Ceasefire PA's Board of Directors page, as of today:


Huh. Notice anything missing?

Considering they've had over a month now, and with all that computer expertise in their corner, I think they'd at least be able to update a webpage to include their new directors.

Wonder what the holdup is? I'd think anyone fortunate enough to align themselves with a distinguished member of academia would lose no time publicly capitalizing on that. Surely they're proud of it?

Oh well, I'm sure they'll take care of the oversight and advertise their new affiliation soon into the New Year after everybody's back from the holidays, don't you think? In the mean time, just to make sure they don't forget, perhaps the following daily reminder might be helpful?

Bring it On

My advice to Mr Codrea would be to drop the matter now before it gets seriously out of hand. He and his buddies would also be well advised to figure out how to erase their tracks on Google too.

Drop the matter?

I'm just getting warmed up. You ain't seen nothin' yet. And unlike with you, "anonymous," that's not a veiled threat, it's a promise. And I keep the ones I make.

Erase my tracks? Why would I want to do that? I'm pleased with the truths I've brought to light thus far. And I intend to keep excavating.

Funny thing about threats--unless you carry them out if your demands aren't met, they just come off as fear-driven bluffs, as laughable as the impotent creature making them.

I'm supposed to fear and then heed someone so cowardly he needs to threaten anonymously from the shadows?

I'd say someone is getting desperate and scared. And it's not me.

Breaching the Wall

Two-thirds of the guns gathered Saturday were dropped off at Shiloh Baptist Church on 9th Street in Northwest, one of the three locations where the department held the collections, according to police.

So apparently the great "wall of separation" between church and state we hear so much about doesn't apply to ideologies like all-powerful government worship...?

Hot Topic

Gun control is expected to become a hot topic for the US presidential election as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on a controversial handgun ban in the nation's capital.

Why not heat it up even more? The leading Democrat presidential candidates ought to be questioned on what they think the outcome of Heller should be, and their answer--or refusal to give an unequivocal one, ought to be publicized to "sportsmen".

I wouldn't expect this to cause much change within the GOP--even Rudy has made statements in support of Heller. This would be particularly damaging to the Dems, as they've been making noises recently to try and camouflage their tyrannical ambitions in re guns. This would be a way to approach the Democrat "sportsman" with proof that their candidate is so extreme they don't believe in a right to own guns at all--even at home.

It probably wouldn't make that big of a difference, but in politics, every percentage point counts toward tipping the scale, and who knows what damage could be engineered by loudly pointing out to duck hunters how their candidate is ducking an issue close to their hearts? Besides which, it would really be comical watching Paul Helmke and Peter Hamm try to spin it after their "judicial activism" tirades.

Bottom line: if it can hurt Hillary and Obama, why not?

We're the Only Ones Worth Protecting Enough

A man shot dead by police at a village near Sevenoaks in Kent had been reported wielding an Uzi-type sub-machine gun, the police watchdog said on
Sunday.

Wait a minute--are you saying "gun control" in the UK doesn't stop criminals from getting guns?

Unarmed Kent Police officers went to Stansted village on Saturday morning in response to a call that a man was threatening a member of the public, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.

So if a member of the public's life is being threatened, someone who is prohibited by law from protecting himself, that's not important enough to send someone 'round capable of giving him the protection he's denied?

Two armed response units joined the officers and challenged the man, who was white and aged around 40.

But once "The Only Ones" feel threatened, the means of defense are made available?

Police then shot the man two times and he died at the scene.

And the only thing that will stop an armed threat is another man on the scene who is also armed?

He is not thought to have held a firearms licence or to have been a member of a registered gun club.

I repeat my first question...

Michael Bloomberg for President?

Buoyed by the still unsettled field, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is growing increasingly enchanted with the idea of an independent presidential bid, and his aides are aggressively laying the groundwork for him to run.

That might not turn out as badly as it sounds.

He'd peel "moderate" votes away from the leading Republican and Democrat pretenders, and make an independent run by Ron Paul much more winnable. Plus, his cowardice in taking a stand on the Iraq war means the anti-war crowd would have nowhere else to turn.

Appropriate Use Policy

I don't know why, but somehow, reviewing a few highlights of Bucknell University's computer resources policy seemed like it might be--what's the word?--appropriate...

The use of Bucknell resources is a privilege, not a right, and is granted under the conditions of appropriate usage as stated in this policy. By using Bucknell's network, computing facilities, resources, and accounts, users agree to the guidelines contained herein.

General Guidelines
...Do not be destructive or malicious...

Appropriate Use
Use consistent with the educational mission of Bucknell University.
Use for purposes of, or in support of, education and research.
Use related to administrative and other support activities of the University...

Community Responsibilities
Do not use university resources (including, for example, e-mail, web pages, or newsgroups) to defame, harass, intimidate or threaten any other person(s), or to promote bigotry or discrimination...
Do not publish, post, transmit, or otherwise make available content that is copyrighted, obscene, or legally objectionable...

Ethical Use
...Do not forge, maliciously disguise or misrepresent your personal identity. This policy does not prohibit users from engaging in anonymous communications, providing that such communications do not otherwise violate the Appropriate Usage Policy...

Enforcement of the Appropriate Usage Policy
To insure adherence to the Appropriate Usage Policy and to protect the integrity of Bucknell's computing resources, ISR reserves the right to monitor the network and computers attached to it. In addition, ISR shall have the authority to examine files and account information, and to test passwords, to protect the security of Bucknell's network, computing resources and its users.

Reporting AUP Violations
Reports of problems or violations should be made on the Abuse Report Form.

This Day in History: December 31

On December 31, the American forces assaulted Quebec, with 600 men led by Arnold from the North and 300 men led by Montgomery from the South. The British were waiting between successive barriers. The Americans broke through the first line, but were stopped by the second. Arnold was wounded in the leg and carried from the battle field. Montgomery was killed by a bullet to the head, and the American assault failed. Six hundred men were captured and 60 died in the attempt to take Quebec.

Awareness, Mary Ann Lindley Style

There are alternatives. The one that was pounded into me, and which I still use every time I am approaching a vast parking garage, heading toward a car-filled parking lot, walking alone as dark descends, or sometimes just in a large crowd, is awareness...We were trained in physical maneuvers, some of the less-refined martial arts moves that could help us fight if necessary before we could flee. Quick kicks or punches to the throat, groin and eyes are what most attackers wouldn't expect. [More]

Yes, awareness/preparedness are all part of Col. Cooper's basics. But that's not enough.I'm sure all those Ted Bundy victims you mentioned were quite aware of what was happening to them.

You stupid little girl: I know someone very well who is 6'3" and weighs 230 lbs. He has years of martial arts experience as a young man, starting with Korean Tae Kwan Do, heavy involvement with Okinawan Ishin Ryu, including tournament competition, judo, and even a college course in hand-to-hand combat taught by the late Joe Begala, the man who wrote the Navy/Marine aviator training manual used in WWII and who was "the winningest wrestling coach" in the nation. Plus he's been in a few real fights and knows what it's like to be struck, kicked, kneed and grappled full force, and to bleed.

He's even the subject of some Herman Munster ribbing from his family, like over the time he yanked up too hard on the parking brake and ripped it out of the car floor, or lifted the end of the van enough so it could be freed from a snow-filled pothole.

He would never call any of this to anyone's attention to make them think how "bad" he was: quite the contrary. Since you brought up the Clint Eastwood quote, let me offer another: "A man's gotta know his limitations."

Not being aware of that is the same as being oblivious.

There are plenty of guys he knows who could mop the floor with him--and many of them little guys, like any of his teachers, or men who have never taken a day of martial arts training in their lives and are simply tougher, faster, stronger... The only chance he'd stand, and he freely admits this, is if he had a weapon to overcome their physical advantage.

So you take a basic intro class, and that's all your 10-week session really was, and think you're now qualified to instruct? You fool. I'm sure you'd like to give everyone your expertise on what you'd do when an enraged animal with twice your upper body strength has you on the ground, which is where most fights end up--it's not like in the movies, where everything is choreographed with perfect form, you know.

This is journalistic malpractice, and proves that a little bit of knowledge truly is a dangerous thing. Anyone who listens to an incompetent such as yourself is liable to get themselves killed.

Another UK Gun Registration Victory

A gun stolen from a British military base or smuggled by troops from Afghanistan or Iraq has been used in the attempted murder of a policewoman, The Observer can reveal.

Wow, it's a good thing the Brits keep such meticulous registration lists so stuff like this won't happen. Plus nobody keeps more meticulous inventory records than the military...

[Via Paul W. Davis]

We're the Only Ones Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Enough

At the Iron Tiger Martial Arts school in Middletown and in Milford, N.J., New York City police Officer Trent Young taught kids self-defense.

But Middletown police say Young twisted the tenets of self-reliance to sexually abuse one teenage female student and try to abuse another.

Master Only One say "When you can snatch the pebble from my..."

[Via Declan]

This Day in History: December 30

Being appointed by Colo. Sheldon to procure Cloathing and accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign, you are to repair immediately to Boston as the most probable place of furnishing yourself. Upon your arrival there, you are, thro General Heath (to whom I have written) to apply to the persons purchasing Cloathing for Continental use, for as much as will be Sufficient, and as you have the measures of your Men, have it made up as expeditiously as possible. For the Articles of Boots, Saddlery &ca. you are to contract yourself, and Genl. Heath will furnish you with the Money.

Links to Yesterday's Post on Racist Anti-Gunner

I'm out the door and in a hurry this morning, so I don't have time to do the post I wanted. For now, go here to see what others are blogging about the "mystery racist."

Boy, if it's not who it looks like it is, someone is going to a lot of trouble to set up circumstantial evidence to frame him. That's why my call for an independent investigation is the only way to resolve this.

I'll have more later-- a lot more. As will these other bloggers, I'm sure.

This Day in History: December 29

December 29. 1775

In Schenectady, New York, the local Committee of Correspondence asks local magistrates to prevent the firing of guns on New Year's Day in order to conserve gun powder.

Ahh...The Founding Fathers' version of gun control...

Uganda: We're from the Government and We're Here to Help You

While the United Nations works diligently to curb the Second Amendment rights of Americans, it is turning a blind eye to abused Karamojong tribesmen fighting a brutal government to keep their only means of self-defense.

Paul Gallant sent me this link to his latest article, co-authored with Dave Kopel and Joanne D. Eisen.

"Esp. the Nigers!"

About a month or so ago, I noticed on my Technorati page that I was getting hits from a blog called "Guns Make Us Free." It was run by a blogger who called himself "NRAFourever," and it didn't take long to realize this was an anti-gun site designed to make gun owners look stupid and racist. So I did what I usually do with hate-filled people trying to call attention to themselves: I ignored it. No way was I going to link to it and give the guy any traffic.

Well now the page is down--not only that, but all record of the blog has been erased from internet archives, Google cache...and it appears this was not the only site run by this individual, and that they have all been taken down.

Why?

Perhaps it's because the racism went over the top, and the purveyor realized it could backfire and hurt him, badly, as well as damage organizations with which he is affiliated. That's my theory, and a YouTube posting that he couldn't delete shows just how bad he got.

At this point, I need to pause and cede something to political correctness--it's a shame that our culture requires it, but a charge of racism (even when fabricated, as in the case of the malignant dwarfs attacking Ron Paul) can damage or even destroy a person's reputation, so perhaps it would help if I presented the "inclusion policy" I drafted for the old GunTruths site:

We support the right of all peaceable people to keep and bear arms. Your age, race, sex, religion, political party, sexual orientation, or national origin are of no concern to us. Anyone who requires you to disarm is not your friend, and not our friend. Only when all peaceable citizens can freely exercise their inalienable right to self defense, and their right to keep and bear arms, will we attain the ultimate safeguard for our mutual protection, as individuals, as members of a community, and as citizens of the Republic. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness extends to all human beings, and all who support the right to keep and bear arms are welcome here, period.

I bring it up because this post is going to contain some highly offensive racist rhetoric. So with that necessary measure in self protection out of the way, let's examine the tactics used by one sick individual before we go about the task of unmasking him.

Desperate to escape, and running from the light like the shamed coward he is, he closed his YouTube account, so his profile has now been deleted. That alone should tell you all you need to know about this wretch. Here's why, in comments I extracted from his posts on this page (bolding added to highlight racial slurs):

Yea, thats rite, but I think you got the stastic rong. I heard Wayyne LaPeare say it was 2 1/2 milloin! THat's a LOT more than you said hear! So I aggree, but lets get our numbers right to show that wer'e smarter than the gun GRABERS LIBS! GO NRA GO! If any of you getto nigers come to steal m y truck, I will PWN you with my rifel!

HA HA LOL LOL YOUR RITE, the libs are STUPIDE! NOT like us, we have smarte names like NRA FOUREVER and WHITECRACKER to show what we think clear and clean! Plus, we barricaede ourself in our house with guns b/c of our fear of the world! Esp. the nigers! Its not b/c were inseckure, its b/c its our RITEs gave by JESIS! Plus we love being intimete with our guns! GO NRA GO!

Not only that, but in DORFAR and in RAWANAD aprocksomately 5.5 MILLION poeple (mostly nigers) were MURDERDE because they had LOST THEIR GUNS (I think the NRA had a chapeter their too for a while). So you should put that i n your statstics next time! The LIB media never did say anything about that! GO NRA GO!

SINK95, your RONG! And probably A LI B too. GUNS have always SHRINKED all dying except for dumb and evil (and nigers). YOU ARE VICTIM OF THE LIB MEIDEA! Get educated--listen to the speaches of Mr. Wayyne LaPErro and Mr. Charelton H., they have all the staticsts and facts you need! JOIN THE PATRIOTICS! NRA ALL THE EWAY!

IF you try, I have up to 50 guns, armed and ready. YOUR the STUPIDE one who thinks that the studeys are rong, 2.5 milion is more than 2555 or whatever you think. I red it on NRA web sight, they are relyable. Stop cusing or Jesis will not love you (in non-homasexeul way). Guns is a tool! Use it for hamer or jug emptyer, or to shoot any minorety crimanal (or Zionest UN member) stealing your parking place. GO NRA GO!

YEA TRainer, were going to INGNORE you! GO NRA GO! Whitecrackerracist is RITE! WHITE POWER is the NRA WAY!

Among other things, he sounds quite illiterate, doesn't he? Actually, we're probably dealing with a highly educated creature, albeit one of questionable stability. And clues to his identity--the ones he's been covering his tracks over--point to a prominent member of an anti-gun group, one with academic credentials who parlays those to get his loopy views posted on "Authorized Journalist" editorial pages.

So who is this creep? That's not my story, so it's not my place to break it here, as other bloggers have done the compilation of evidence, complete with screenshots and emails. I'm not going to steal their thunder, but will link to their posts when they're ready to come forward with them. I've been in correspondence with several colleagues in recent days, and they've amassed some pretty compelling documentation.

Here's what I'm hoping to do with this: attract the attention of some civil rights groups and turn the evidence over to them so they can investigate. The principals involved will be less inclined to stonewall them, and more inclined to clean house and distance themselves from the central villain of this story. I'd also like to see involvement by the establishment media, and perhaps get some "official" reporters looking into this. And I think requesting a board of inquiry from the president of a certain university might also be in order, along with asking a certain alumni association whether this may jeopardize their mission...

Now here's an important caveat: I purposely haven't named names. Even though things appear to point to a certain individual, everyone deserves a presumption of innocence. So if it turns out that someone from the pro-gun camp is setting up circumstantial evidence to smear an ideological opponent, I want to see the perpetrator unmasked as much as anybody.

Two things should be clear to both sides in the gun debate: The racist rhetoric posted above has no place in it, and it is in the interest of both our sides to disassociate ourselves from anyone who would employ such vile tactics. That's why I invite people from "across the aisle" to join me in calling for an independent investigation, free of the "special interests" I admit as my motivation, to confirm the identity of the person behind the racist posts, regardless of whose "side" he is ultimately revealed to be on.

Dangerously Bad Form

At one point, Huckabee’s party turned toward a cluster of reporters and cameramen and, when they kicked up a pheasant, fired shotgun blasts over the group’s heads.

This, friends, is dangerously bad hunting form.

If what happened is as reported, I agree.

Besides which, I'm sick of politicians pandering to gun owners with hunting photo ops. I know Huckabee has a fair 2A record as far as establishment politicos go, but John Kerry wore me out on this tactic.

But what do I know about politics? Sadly, for many "sportsmen," it probably works.

Another Red's Trifecta

From Ryan Horsley:

The posts today are to guest posts, the first from Bill Akins of Akins Accelerator.

The other is from a customer of ours about his ATF experience.

Here is the latest story on our fight.

Have a great weekend and a happy new year. Thank you for your friendship and support this year,

Ryan

This Day in History: December 28

This they have done, and are still doing, notwithstanding the base and cruel measures fallen upon by those in power, in Britain and America, to prevent their procuring the means of defence; in which, however, they have hitherto been unsuccessful, as the Americans have, though at a great expense, been supplied with ammunition sufficient to enable them to maintain a defensive war for many months, during which time they have used every method that could be devised, to prevail with the governing powers in Britain to repeal their unjust and cruel acts, and to revive that peace and harmony which formerly subsisted between Britain and America. Petitions, addresses, &c, have been sent to them, and that repeatedly, in hopes that at last they would meet with the desired and deserved success. But alas! Britons thirst for American blood!

We're not unique. Moral people try everything in their power to resolve things peaceably, and through "the system." It's only when all means of doing this have been barred that the potential for everything going to hell becomes likely.

Just Our Luck

With the U.S. Supreme Court set to decide whether the Second Amendment gives law-abiding citizens the right to keep a handgun at home, a convicted felon in New York decided to test his luck.

The inmate, Damon Lucky, isn't law-abiding. Nor did the gun he was convicted of possessing stay in his home. Still, Lucky decided to "see how far we can ride this pony," his lawyer, Harry Batchelder Jr., said, referring to the federal judiciary's apparent willingness to examine gun control laws critically.

My argument here will not be that the Second Amendment doesn't give anything, nor will it be my often-repeated assertion that anyone who can't be trusted with a gun can't be trusted without a custodian.

My argument is that luck really has nothing to do with it--it was inevitable. Those who avoided a Second Amendment challenge all these years because they were waiting for the "just right" Goldilocks case, or wanted to avoid it altogether because of the risk of losing, practically ensured that the wrong case, with a repulsive central character, would come to the fore. The question couldn't be more basic: would you rather engage with a case you engineered, at a time and place of your choosing--or wait to be blindsided by a train wreck of a case that you have no control or influence over?

I don't see this case going anywhere, but this will certainly make it problematic for future restoration of rights cases. For instance, Josh Sugarmann recently came out with a screed against the NICS expansion bill on the grounds that:

This provision is contrary to a unanimous 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ATF's failure to act on a relief application from a felon (because of a lack of appropriations) did not constitute a denial that would entitle the applicant to judicial review.

Here's what he conveniently didn't tell you about the "felon" in question: He was Thomas Lamar Bean, who was convicted in Mexico for leaving 200 rounds of ammunition in the back seat of his car. In one of the great travesties of US "justice," the Supreme Court unanimously confirmed the Catch 22 situation that an ATF denial was a requisite for judicial review, and that an ATF action was impossible to obtain because Congress had specifically defunded the agency from addressing appeals.

The unspoken danger, aside from the outrageousness of this intentional legal paradox, is the practical effect that foreign law trumps the Bill of Rights in the eyes of the court. Spreading the gospel in China is also equivalent to a felony, or violating Sharia "law" in Saudi Arabia...

"Lucky" won't make it any easier to rectify this. And future defunding of the new bill is merely a matter of political will, and rumor has it we have elections coming up soon where none of the front runners are people of principle or Constitutional fidelity.

[Via Alphecca]

Friend Seeks Clemency For Fincher

A Fort Smith man is asking the governor and the state’s legislative delegation to consider pressing the president for clemency or a pardon for a Fayettville man convicted of possessing machine guns...

“Mr. Fincher is not a subversive, not an enemy of the state, not a violent man, nor is he a threat to any peaceful law-abiding citizen of the State of Arkansas or the United States of America,” according to the letter.

But that's not the point, is it?

[More about Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns]

Full Page Paul Ad in NYT

This ad was written and paid for by Lawrence W. Lepard, who did the same thing with USA Today. I encourage you to read the entire thing, and then to reflect on the enthusiasm and positive reasons so many Liberty-minded Americans have for supporting Ron Paul's candidacy.

I'll be getting onto some of the negative reasons some are spreading lies about this candidate in the coming days.

[Via Jeffrey H]

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.