The Collar of Obedience

According to this promotional video found at the Lamperd Less Lethal website, the bracelet would be worn by all airline passengers.

This bracelet would:

• take the place of an airline boarding pass

• contain personal information about the traveler

• be able to monitor the whereabouts of each passenger and his/her luggage

• shock the wearer on command, completely immobilizing him/her for several minutes [More]

Allow me to present an overview of video highlights:

ARGHHHH!!! We don't know what to do!!!

IT'S 9/11!!!!

We have the technology...


...but God forbid we profile with it...

Still, we can run old ladies and war veterans through the Fargo wood chipper...

Or get a little more intimate if the mood strikes us...

All administered by giving the lowest-paid and least qualified among us "Authoritah."

Yeah, there are air marshals, but we all know about "The Only Ones"...

Is that door locked? Why, I guess you're on your own...

Well I thought there was, but I have a feeling you have something else in mind...
EMD? How does it work?

Collars of Obedience!

Fortunately, it can only be activated by a Master Thrall.

"100 quatloos on the new comers!"

And if it works on planes, why not in society at large? After all, terrorism can happen anywhere, and if you're not doing anything wrong, why would you object?

I guess there's some controversy on whether or not this has government sanction--yet. Still, it proves the "capitalists will sell us the rope" adage the totalitarians are depending on.

And rats--I see one of the commentators also noticed the "Gamesters of Triskelion" parallel--probably not that unusual a reaction if you think about it...

[Via Stephen S and Cigar Rollers]

"Absolved" Chapter Locator

I mentioned doing this yesterday with Mike Vanderboegh's "Absolved," particularly since different chapters are posted on different websites.

Scroll to the bottom of the column in the left margin to access all chapters posted to date.

We're the Only Ones Safely Storing Enough

A Massachusetts State Trooper has been reassigned after police say his 12-year-old son allegedly took his unloaded service weapon, pointed it at a 5-year-old and pulled the trigger.

Maybe Harriet should start her prying at "Only One" households.

Listen to the follow-up back-and-forth at the end of the video.

"And Scott, no trigger guard or anything like that on this weapon...?"

"Authorized Journalists"--is there anything they don't know?

[Via JD]

We're the Only Ones Slap-Happy Enough

The New Orleans Police Department has suspended one of its officers after he allegedly led Crescent City Connection police on a high-speed chase, fled after being pulled over, and slapped a bridge police officer who followed him to his district station, authorities said...

Because Sanchell was cited with a municipal summons, he was not arrested and will not face state criminal charges. He has yet to be arraigned on the municipal charges. The charges carry a maximum sentence of five months and a fine of $500.

And he got to do all that? That might be worth it.

What? It's an option exclusive to The "Only Ones" and I don't qualify? Well there goes my dream vacation to the Big Easy...

[Via Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones "Sorry We Missed You" Enough

A couple of weeks later, she returned from work and found a note sticking in her door from Aurora police, asking her to go to the station.

Flores complied -- and was caught off guard when the officer read her Miranda rights, then asked her to confess to using a stolen credit card in five different transactions that totaled close to $240.

Sticky note to self: If The "Only Ones" ever leave an invitation to come visit them, do not comply. If they persist, decline to speak to them.

Do all your talking to your attorney.

[Via Mack]

The People's Princess

1894C touched on an important point when he commented on yesterday's "Dear Abby" post:

Yeah, SHE uses a $447 million dollar bankroll to deny Americans their Divine right of self defense and it's about the people's will.

But the WaPo kept portraying her as "the mom behind the movement" and a "stay-at-home mother of two." The brief mention about her buying influence with royal wealth was buried in the second page.

Gunbashing "Authorized Journalists" pulled the same crap several years back trying to convince everyone that Million Mom March founder Donna Dees Thomases was an "apolitical housewife" instead of a wealthy and connected democrat political operative.

Henceforth, WarOnGuns will refer to Ms. Spangler as "The People's Princess."

The Mark Kirk Wave

Yep.

It figures.

Condoning Harriet

If we condone gun ownership...

Well, that certainly tells me everything I need to know.

That and her expertise in guns and their defensive uses: she has none. But she does grow papayas.

Isn't it criminal negligence and fraud when you feign expertise in something with the intent of getting people to follow your advice? Particularly when it involves life-and-death decisions?

Why do we condone it?

What the Panther Taught the Eagle Redux

Do you think the people fighting gun control were supporters of the Black Panthers back in the '60s?

It's not unheard of for gun rights advocates to support the right of the Panthers to keep and bear arms for righteous purposes.

I know some who disparage Amendment II project and accuse us of only caring about our pet right and the rest be damned, but my experience is that many of the hardest core RKBA activists have been promoting what Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership calls a "Bill of Rights Culture"-- for years.

If you'd take the time to learn about what you write, "Authorized Journalist" Howard Hoffman, instead of assuming your biases are all the foundation you need, you would know that.

No Guns For Safety? Dream On, Kellermann

Oh, one more thing: Scalia's ludicrous vision of a little old lady clutching a handgun in one hand while dialing 911 with the other (try it sometime) doesn't fit the facts.

And Arthur Kellermann would know all about visions not fitting facts. For instance, his vision of citizen disarmament doesn't jibe with what he'd want for his own little old lady.

WarOnGuns readers who have been here from the start will recall the late Professor Preston Covey--those of you who don't would do well to discover him. He reminded us:

As stated by one prominent critic of defensive firearms ownership, Arthur Kellermann: "If you've got to resist, your chances of being hurt are less the more lethal your weapon. If that were my wife, would I want her to have a thirty-eight special in her hand? Yeah."
...Ann Japenga, "Would I Be Safer with a Gun?" Health March/April 1994.

And would you want her to be dialing 911 with the other, Doc?

This Day in History: July 9

The Continental Congress having been pleased to appoint Horatio Gates Esqr. Brigadier General, and Adjutant General of the Army; he is to be obeyed as such; and all Orders transmitted through him from the Commander in Chief, whether written, or verbal, are to be punctually, and immediately obey’d.

"Hora Bucuriei Praecox"

A Rumination Upon Heller,
Special to David Codrea's War on Guns Blog.
by Mike Vanderboegh
8 July 2008

Dancing the hora on Dealul Spirii (Spirii Hill), Bucharest (1857 lithograph)

Hora: a type of circle dance originating in the Balkans but now found in a number of countries, most of which use slightly different spellings. . . Hora (pl. hore) is a traditional Romanian folk dance that gathers everyone into a big closed circle. The dancers hold each other's hands and the circle spins, usually clockwise, as each participant follows a sequence of three steps forward and one step back. The dance is usually accompanied by musical instruments such as the cymbalum, accordion, violin, viola, double bass, saxophone, trumpet or even the panflute. Hora is popular during wedding celebrations and festivals, and is an essential part of the social entertainment in rural areas. One of the most famous hore is the Hora Unirii (Hora of the Union), which became a Romanian patriotic song as a result of being the hymn when Wallachia and Moldavia united to form the Principality of Romania in 1859. During the 2006/2007 New Year's Eve celebration, when Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union, people were dancing Hora Bucuriei (Hora of Joy) over the boulevards of Bucharest as a tribute to the EU anthem, Ode to Joy. . . A different dance, also called the Horah, is the most popular of Jewish folk dances and played a foundational role in modern Israeli folk dancing. It is usually performed to Jewish or Israeli folk songs, typically to the music of Hava Nagila. -- Wikipedia.

Hora Bucuriei: Dance of Joy

You can perhaps see now why I chose David Codrea's War on Guns blog for the venue of this essay. David is, after all, my favorite Rumanian-American. Or is it American-Rumanian? He is certainly first and foremost a great American. Perhaps American of Rumanian descent? In any case, he's one heck of a guy and an indomitable fighter for our Second Amendment rights. I don't know. My ancestry is Dutch-German with some Scotch-Irish thrown in, but I've never been one to claim "Dutch-American" as a title. Now, if the Spanish government ever gets around to paying reparations for the evil oppression that King Phillip carried out upon the country of my great-great grandparents, I could perhaps embrace the term. If there was money in it.

But I thought of the Rumanian dance of joy when I watched the celebrations in Internet Gunnie Land around the Heller decision. Many of us seem to believe the battle, if not the war, is over. But another term sprang to my mind the same instant: praecox. It is an ugly little Latin word meaning premature, as in:

Dementia praecox: Latin for premature dementia.
1. Any of several psychotic disorders charaterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact.
2. Schizophrenia. No longer in technical use.
or,

Ejaculatio praecox: Latin for premature ejaculation; a lack of ejaculatory control, which interferes with sexual or emotional well being in one or both partners.

Hora bucuriei praecox. Thus, in the first Rumanian-Latin phrase that I've ever created, I combine the terms Hora (dance), bucuriei (joy) and praecox (premature) in the title of this essay, for many of us certainly seem to be engaging in a premature dance of joy. Here's why.

Nine Black Robes and One Vote

Yup. One vote. 5 to 4. Give us another liberal president, which we are sure to have no matter who's elected, and the balance could shift with the suddenness of a heart attack, or maybe a stroke. Read the dissents and you will see what awaits us -- collectivism that the Founders would laugh at with derisive scorn. Except the Founders aren't around any more. One vote. Do you think the enemies of liberty in this country are going away? They're in it for the long haul. This decision is a temporary setback to them, if it is a setback at all.

The Decision Secures What, Exactly?

[Vizzini has just cut the rope The Dread Pirate Roberts is climbing up]
Vizzini: HE DIDN'T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means. -- The Princess Bride, 1987

Heller secures "an individual right to bear arms." So they say. But how is that when the language of Scalia's majority opinion leaves a regulatory barn door large enough to parade an elephant (with "Predatory ATF" painted on its ass) through it? "Individual right to bear arms," may we introduce you to "reasonable regulation?" What a crock. Why are you dancing?

Olofson Trumps Heller

Also, we have "Maximum Mike" Sullivan of the ATF telling us that Heller is a decision "we can live with." Heck yes, he can live with it. It and every other law his unconstitutional agency ignores. Witness, if you please, the Olofson case. Until the ATF abides by the law, laws -- or Supreme Court decisions -- secure NOTHING.

It is claimed that even with all of Heller's faults, we should celebrate for "we have a dodged a bullet." Uh, huh. Dodging a bullet on a battlefield where many more bullets are flying and the enemy continues to advance is trivial and incidental.

"Legality": the Opiate of the American Masses

Finally, there is this. Marx called religion the "opiate of the masses." In modern day American, the opiate is "legality." The only thing Heller accomplishes is to lull that minority of the American people who really care about their Second Amendment rights into a false sense of security. Oh, your "individual right" to own a firearm is "secured," except (after the next administration closes "the gun show loophole") you will have to have the government's permission to buy or sell one; AND they'll be able to choke off your ammunition supply with confiscatory taxes or "labeling" schemes; AND they'll be able to ban "assault weapons" or "sniper rifles" or whatever. Oh, yes, you have an individual right secured by Heller. An individual right to be further victimized by collectivists. But it's "legal," so it's OK. Right?

Try to remember that liberty as the Founders envisioned it and "legality" as our current politicians use the term, are two entirely different things. When the Founders encountered the King's legality, they struck hard, knocking it down to secure their own liberty through the Constitution. Government misconduct as in Olofson may trump Supreme Court opinions like Heller, but liberty trumps legality. This is a point that from time to time in American history has been unfortunately necessary to make at the business end of a rifle.

The Hora is a great dance, an expression of human community and joy. It is, however, in the case of the Heller decision, entirely premature.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126
GeorgeMason1776@aol.com

We're the Only Ones With Our Priorities Straight Enough

Knife crime has overtaken terrorism as the No 1 priority for the Metropolitan Police, one of Britain’s most senior officers said yesterday.

I don't suppose I'm "The Only One" who thinks priorities in Sarah Brady Paradise are, in a word, insane?

[Via Jeffersonian, Zachary G and Tony G]

What Else Wasn't a Factor

Latino gang members were hunting for black people in the Harbor Gateway community of Los Angeles.

Age was not a factor. Neither was gender.

I guess carry permits weren't a factor, either, since you can't get one if you're not politically connected in LA County.

[Via Avg Joe]

The Sappiest Place on Earth

A new state law went on the books Tuesday saying people could bring guns to work if they kept them locked in their car. Disney, though, said it was exempt from the new law and its 62,000 employees needed to keep their guns at home.

Friday, a worker who protested the park’s decision told Channel 9 he was suspended.

This isn't the first time the Magic Kingdom Scofflaws have acted like the law doesn't apply to them.

[Via Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones Who Can't Stay Out of Trouble Enough

A suspended Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department narcotics investigator was back in jail Friday after he allegedly violated his bond agreement.

Maybe he's "The Only One" who accepted "Y" and "N" instead of "Yes" and "No" on the Form 4473?

What?

He didn't use the form?

[Via Shermlock Shomes]

We're the Only Ones Investigating Bloggers Enough

They don't pretend to be Woodward and Bernstein. The bloggers call themselves amateur journalists and describe their website, Badgewars.com, as "the electronic bathroom wall."

But they have piqued the interest of Boston police, who have launched an internal affairs investigation to find out who is behind the website.

While you're at it, you guys may want to see what we say about you in "The Only Ones" Files...

[Via Brian F]

Killdozer Revisited

From Matt L:

Finally released are the videos of the takedown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGXRwdgPM4g&feature=email

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=email&v=Q9nnn4fmGAE

WorldNetDaily broke the story about the off duty soldier who stopped the rampage. http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68676

Some of my favorite highlights.

"Klessner can be seen shooting the terrorist several times in the head, halting an attack that had already killed three – including two female teachers – and injured 57 others. Klessner had grabbed the gun of a nearby police officer."

"Apparently heroism runs close to Klessner. His brother-in-law, David Shapira, a civilian and former soldier, was the man who finally killed a terrorist gunman in March during a yeshiva massacre in Jerusalem in which eight students were murdered in cold blood. Shapira had run into the school while other police officers refused to engage the terrorist during the gunman's rampage.

"June 29th in Maryland, a off-duty secret service agent was involved in an attempted car-jacking. He had 5 assailants assault him. Fired his gun at least once. Did hit one of the attempted car-jackers. Remember that Maryland prohibits its citizens from carrying. http://www.nbc4.com/news/16740256/detail.html?dl=headlineclick

Lessons learned.
1. Don't wait for the cops. They at best are 5-10 minutes away. If and when they respond, most of them lack the cajones to do anything. Look at Columbine and Virginia Tech for proof.
2. Carry a gun. No matter the law, carry one. Maryland prohibits carrying guns. Only because the SS Agent was an "ONLY ONE" could he carry.
3. Familiarize yourself with various handguns.
4. No 5 shot .38 will cut it. This incident in Israel had the guy shoot 4 times in the video. Then a IDF soldier shoots the Tango once with his rifle. Criminals aren't just once tango anymore. Multiple assailants are becoming much more common. A spare mag is a necessity.
5. Having a rifle in your car with at least one magazine of "AP" type rounds. In the AR platform - a mag of SS109 that is color differentiated for easy grabbing.

Israeli Libertarian first alerted me to this story and I was so wrapped up in wrapping up for a big family weekend I did not have time to post on this.

Fourth of July Fireworks--Chicago Style

One person was fatally shot and two others suffered gunshot wounds...

Thank goodness Bodyguarded Boss Daley imposes such strict gun controls...

[Via HZ]

Point/Counterpoint

SF Chronicle

McHenry County Sportsmen's Association

"Leftwich," indeed.

[Via Less]

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise...

Det Ch Insp Cliff Lyons said: "This is another senseless incident in which a young life has been taken away by a knife.

"Given that this happened outside a block of flats in broad daylight, I am certain there are people who will have witnessed this murder."

Ah yes, life in the "gun-free" UK.

And Chief Inspector Clous...uh...Lyons placing the blame on an object demonstrates why things will not improve.

[Via Andre D]

Heller of a Note

The boys and girls in black robes can minimalize the true reason for the 2A. They could even 'say' they are taking them away. So be it. We must remind them they have no business doing so.

Mike H. shares his thoughts on Heller.

Dear Abby's Advice to Herbivores

She doesn't look quite as skeletal in this photo--maybe she took my advice about the steak and fries.

I'm sure a carnivore that looked at her as meat would be impressed with her knowledge of Mahler and Puccini, though, aren't you?

[Via Zachary G]

Give Me Liberty

From HZ:

I recently saw the movie 'Give me Liberty' on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). It's only a 22 minute film but what an excellent 22 minutes. It's basically a vehicle for portraying Patrick Henry's famous speech. I had never heard of this movie short but I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. Unfortunately it is not available on DVD.

This is where I hope you can help. If you would consider mentioning it on your blog, maybe a few of your other readers would go to this page and vote for it's release on DVD. If you have ever read his entire speech and can imagine a well done rendition complete in fiery oratory form ... well, you would have this movie.

Our Own Private Idaho

"Idaho is Idaho," said Peter Hamm, the communications director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and an Interior Department official in the Clinton administration. But he called the Kempthorne-backed proposal to allow firearms in parks a "backward" and unsafe" idea, and said that it's not up to just the Idaho senators or Idaho residents to determine gun regulations for federal lands that belong to all Americans.

"Idaho is Idaho."

What kind of condescending "clinging to their guns" urban elitist crap is that? But then again, Hamm-handed Peter has never exactly been one to carefully choose his words.

They quote Ryan, and I know many of you are impatient for word on what's happening. Please remain patient--our first concern as far as that goes needs to be doing what's right for him, so again I ask all to please hold on speculation.

[Via Avg Joe]

We're the Only Ones Cracking Up Enough

The patrol car of a Kern County sheriff’s deputy struck a telephone pole after the deputy lost control while trying to avoid a truck about 8 p.m. Thursday.

Am I the "Only One" who noticed no mention of a breathalyzer test...? Or the deputy's name...?

(Central) America's Mayor

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has toured some of the most dangerous parts of Mexico City on a visit aimed at eradicating corruption and violence in the Mexican capital.

I suppose after that he will part the sea.

I can't help but wonder if Giuliani Safety & Security knows anything about this...?

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

We're the Only Ones Rocky Raccoon Enough

A relative of the woman says she was nicked either by a bullet or shrapnel as East Los Angeles deputies fired on an allegedly armed man, who was later arrested. Officials call the wound a 'scratch.'

Mr. McCartney? Your cue:

He said Rocky you met your match
and Rocky said Doc it's only a scratch
And I'll be better, I'll be better doc as soon as I am able...

The "Only Ones" providing prenatal care enough, no doubt. And so sympathetically, too...

This Day in History: July 8

Knowing to what violent resentments and incurable animosities, civil discords are apt to exasperate and inflame the contending parties, we think ourselves required by indispensable obligations to Almighty God, to your Majesty, to our fellow subjects, and to ourselves, immediately to use all the means in our power, not incompatible with our safety, for stopping the further effusion of blood, and for averting the impending calamities that threaten the British Empire.

"Not incompatible with our safety..."

We don't want trouble.

We're doing everything within reason to avoid trouble.

But damn it, there's a line that must not be crossed.

Back Tomorrow in Full Force

I've had out-of-state relatives as house guests all weekend, thus the minimal posting. It was great.

No point in more new posts today as most site visitors have already come and gone by this time. I hope to be back in full swing tomorrow and start addressing the many tips and inquiries that have been piling up. Sorry for not getting back to all of you promptly.

You Wanna Go Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

Recently Lori Drew was charged with violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for signing the up for a MySpace account under a fake name. While the larger circumstances were quite shocking (and have been covered enough I don’t think I need to go into them), she was charged for nothing more than pretending to be someone else on the Internet. The indictment calls this a felony, under title 130 section (a) (2) (c) of the US Code, which criminalizes anyone who “intentionally accesses a computer without authorization or exceeds authorized access, and thereby obtains information from any protected computer if the conduct involved an interstate or foreign communication.” The access to MySpace was unauthorized because using a fake name violated the terms of service. The information from a “protected computer” was the profiles of other MySpace users.

Huh. I wonder if this could affect the ability to blog or comment under an alias?

[Via Carl S]

L. Neil on Barr

Via email:

My name is L. Neil Smith, and and I am a writer. I first joined the Libertarian Party during the first full year it existed, 1972. I am also the libertarian movement's foremost advocate of the right to own and carry weapons.

I am writing this because it's important that you understand that the national organization has been infiltrated and taken over by neoconservatives. There are reasons this happened, and they go back a long way, mostly to idiots and shapeshifters who wanted to broaden the appeal of the party by watering down what it stands for.

For more on this, see:
http://www.ncc-1776.org/tle2008/tle471-20080608-02.html

It's equally important that you understand that real libertarians are working to take their party back. This will require some time and effort, but it _will_ happen. So withhold your vote for Barr, just as you should for Obama and McCain. Libertarians have had a harsh wake-up call, but they are responding.

We're the Only Ones Two-Wheeling Enough

Chinese elite anti-terror police officers are wheeling into action ahead of next month's Beijing Olympics on two-wheeled scooters.

You knew it would only be a matter of time before "The Only Ones" took these dopey things and turned them into assault...I mean "patrol" vehicles.

[Via Matt Maynard]

This Day in History: July 7

It is with inexpressible Concern that the General upon his first Arrival in the army, should find an Officer sentenced by a General Court-Martial to be cashier'd for Cowardice. A Crime of all others, the most infamous in a Soldier, the most injurious to an Army, and the last to be forgiven; inasmuch as it may, and often does happen, that the Cowardice of a single Officer may prove the Distruction of the whole Army...

An Independence Day Message from the Olofson's

July 4

Yesterday was the hardest day of our lives, writing this, right now seems to be the second. We drove David, along with Larry Pratt of GOA, to the Sandstone institution yesterday. Larry’s presence, words of wisdom and comfort were invaluable. We would be faring a lot worse today if it would have not been for him – thank you Larry from the bottom of our hearts. We would ask all of you, if you can, to please support GOA in the defense of David for this unthinkable miscarriage of injustice. This conviction MUST be righted for ALL Americans, for David, and for the 2nd Amendment of America’s Constitution. With this present ruling, anyone who owns a firearm can be made guilty of owning a machine gun.

We just received a call from David early this AM. He is doing fine, so far. He did admit that he under estimated how badly all the people there are being gouged for everything they must buy. The $200 he took with him will not get him very far. I told him we would see the he gets his allotment of $300 for every mo. Please DO NOT send him any money. We will talk to a few people on how to handle that subject, and if there is something you all can do we will pass that information on. As an example David indicated he is getting a tooth ache and a small bottle, 24 pills, of ibuprofen cost him $7.

The few people he has talked to indicated that they are treated well - to which we replied: follow your new counsel’s advice. And we know his new representation has HIS best interests in mind, as opposed to his prior.

He did ask that we pass on his address for everyone, and please pass it on so everyone who wants to can write him:

David R. Olofson
08632089-K1
Federal Correctional Institute
PO Box 1000
Sandstone, MN 55072

David also indicated that there is no e-mail, so snail mail is the only option.

We hope everyone has a happier 4th, and please keep David in your prayers.

Dave & Pat Olofson

This Day in History: July 4

We all know what happened on this date. Most of us who frequent sites like this even know why it was significant.

Barring unforeseen events, I'm only making one post today besides this one, and I think you'll agree it's an important one for us to keep in mind--especially today.

Unlike Mr. Olofson, I will be with my family today--including two sets of cousins coming in from opposite coasts. I'm hosting a big family gathering today and need to get busy. Posting will also be relatively slow for the remainder of the weekend--I'll still be around, but most people will be occupied with the benefits of three days off work.

Go and enjoy--remember that the men who put their lives on the line to sign the Declaration considered "the pursuit of Happiness" right up there with Life and Liberty. Taking time to enjoy the fruits of your labors with those you love certainly qualifies, and I hope you have as much to pursue this weekend as I do.

GUNS Magazine: July 1958

SWITZERLAND, SAFE FROM WAR THROUGH 600 YEARS, PRESERVES PEACE BY TRAINING ITS CIVILIANS TO SHOOT THE WEAPONS THEY WOULD USE IN WAR

I know I should be dulled to it by now, but it still just flat out amazes me that everybody doesn't get that simple concept.

The July 1958 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online. Enjoy.

We're the Only Ones Growing Into the Job Enough

Police in Dillon, a small town near the North Carolina border, say a 13-year-old with an interest in law enforcement twice stole a police cruiser and took it out to do some patrolling.

He wants to be an "Only One" and he's already learned how to ignore the rules and do what he wants.

Sounds like a natural for some of the forces we've reported on here.

[Via Emmett A]

Sitting on Rights in Utah

The same day the Supreme Court said the Second Amendment is an individual right, Utah’s governor said he’d like to see fewer individuals exercise that right.

Specifically, he said he wants to limit the access of out-of-staters to Utah’s pistol permit.

His legal rationale: It doesn’t “sit right" with him.

Sounds like he needs to be unseated.

[Via Jeffersonian]

UPDATE: Al F just sent me this email:

VCDL has been following this pretty closely. Here are some links about the incident if you are interested.
http://www2.vcdl.org/webapps/vcdl/vadetail.html?RECID=1746595
http://media.hamptonroads.com/media/content/pilotonline/2007/08/gunmeeting.html

2A Ruled Non-Binding on States?

Senior Norfolk Judge Henry Coke Morgan held in a local federal case the day after Heller was decided that the individual right created by the Second Amendment does not impose any obligations whatsoever on state or local governments: only the federal government. The decision came in the controversial case of Chet Szymecki v. City of Norfolk where the citizen was detained, handcuffed and roughed up by Norfolk The count made under the Second Amendment for injunctive relief and for compensation was dismissed. The other constitutional claims made by Szymecki, for an unreasonable seizure and for the use of excessive force by police, survived dismissal, at least for now.

I don't know if it's the person reporting this or what the Norfolk court ruled, but the Heller majority opinion was pretty clear in saying RKBA was not "created" by 2A.

I can't claim personal experience with this forum or the poster--but he seems credible. The name "Szymecki" does not turn up on a Google news search to verify this, but you can find more info on the case here--I just don't have time to dig right now.

[Via Mack H]

Vanderboegh: In re Keeku

Our sins are those of omission.

Keeku's are sins of commission.

Which is worse is for God and history to judge.

I do have something to add to one thing you presented, Mike:

Ultimately, the then-sitting Boundary County Prosecutor, Brett Benson, who had defeated Woodbury in the 2000 election, decided to drop the charges because he felt it was unlikely the state could prove the case and too much time had passed.

That ain't the whole story.

Not by a long shot.

[Via Chris Horton]

We're the Only Ones Privately Selling Enough

Jason Barber, 32, was charged with the sale of a handgun to a convicted felon and official misconduct.

Investigators said Barber sold the gun to a felon in March who was wearing a recording device and paid him in marked bills.

There are "Only Ones" and then there are Special Indianapolis "Only Ones."

[Via Carl S]

We're the Only Ones Losing Track Enough

The New York City Police Department can't keep track of the guns it seizes, according to a report issued yesterday.

Maybe Bloomberg ought to sue 'em...

Manhattan officials failed to account for or find 94 of the 324 firearms specified, adding that other boroughs' property divisions were found in a "similar state of disarray."

Well, they probably filled out the "Yes" and "No" spaces on the form correctly, so it wasn't "willful" and thus no big deal. Besides which, they're "Only Ones"...

[Via Carl S]

If It Ducks Like a Duck...

Derek Barr cheeses out. At least the campaign can't claim they're unaware of gun owners demanding an explanation for Bob Barr's support of the Lautenberg gun ban. Further refusal to squarely address it can only be seen as an intentional strategy.

Jay21 responds with an open letter.

The Real Gun Guys enter the poster contest.

And the LRC blog has noticed.

The Deadly Assault Sausage

A man was charged with battery after he hit his mother in the head with a three-pound package of Polish sausage, police said.

It's dumb, but I read this and wondered if he'd have been charged with sausage if he'd hit her with batteries.

I go this from the MSSA, who ask:

What on Earth can the government be thinking about, allowing these large, dangerous sausages to be sold to any member of the public? Isn't it time for sausage control, allowing no sausages to be sold that are larger than standard American hot dogs? After all, no real American really needs a sausage larger than the all-American hot dog.

This tragic Florida case just proves that larger sausages will cause people to turn violent. Large sausages should be restricted to responsible government employees only, such as the BATFEEEEE annual "good old boys" rally in the South, and perhaps for feeding company-sized units of Marines.

Further, the less dangerous American hot dogs should be restricted to packages of no more than three. If anyone really needs more than three hot dogs, they can buy more packages, but perhaps not on one day.

Wherever good people concerned about mother mayhem gather, let them raise their voices against the evils of inordinately large and dangerous Polish sausages, infiltrating America from the once-Communist Poland, and crowding out the more benign and traditional American hot dog.

“Cap-and-Trade”

Sunday’s Los Angeles Times brought us as glorious an example of ivory-tower impracticality as ever put forth, this one by a pair of university professors who, if one may judge from their curricula vitae, are well steeped in academic theory but lacking sufficient practical experience to realize what they propose is manifestly absurd.

We talked about this here.

And oh gee, The Times is in trouble. What a pity.

[Via Michael G]

We're the Only Ones Who Love You Long, Long Time Enough

An Indianapolis police officer and his wife were accused Wednesday of running a prostitution ring out of their Greenwood home, and a former top criminal justice agency official was arrested and charged with patronizing a prostitute.

While their fellow "Only Ones" devoted resources to eliminating the competition, no doubt.

[Via Shermlock Shomes]

V

So why am I concerned about the history of the "V" sign? It's just this. As gunnies, as members of the armed citizenry of the Republic of the united States, we too need a symbol. Something as short, sweet and powerful as the "V".

Mike Vanderboegh tells us there is power in a symbol.

Olofson Surrenders

A Wisconsin man today surrendered to federal authorities to begin serving a 30-month prison term for having a broken rifle, prompting the Gun Owners of America to issue a warning about the owner's liability should any semi-automatic weapon ever misfire.

WorldNetDaily has the story. They also quote my GUNS Magazine article.

I don't see anything on Lou Dobbs' site yet about last night's program, but will bring you a video link when they post it.

A prayer for Mr. Olofson and his family would not be out of order.

UPDATE: Jake in "Comments gives us the video link.

This Day in History: July 3

July 3, 1775 - At Cambridge, Massachusetts, George Washington takes command of the Continental Army which now has about 17,000 men.

BREAKING: Lou Dobbs to Cover Olofson Tonight

I've just received word from Len Savage that Lou Dobbs will feature the surrender of David R. Olofson tonight. It's on CNN, and their site says 7:00 pm, but as always, check your local listings.

Please spread the word.

Any Bets...

...that "Operation Blunt Two" will have about as much effect on violent crime in the UK as if nothing had been banned at all...?

It really is like watching a bunch of Flatlanders totally oblivious to the concept of looking up.

[Via 1894C]

We're the Only Ones Judging On-Site Enough

You laugh, but the good cops never let problems get to judges. They are judge on-site, I like to say.

In other words, they're the "Only Ones" who can operate outside the law? And they don't view that as a terrorist act?

Good thing it's only a few bad apples, right? I mean, if it were more widespread, non-"Only Ones might start taking the law into their hands, too, and then what would we have?

And I'm not laughing.

[Via Andre D]

We're the Only Ones Surprised Enough

Police Chief Henry Reyes said Tony McElyea, a Strategic Counterdrug Team agent, decided to surprise a good friend and former police academy cadet at his home in the 1300 block of Virginia Boulevard...

McElyea, his girlfriend, and the friend's wife snuck into the home at about 2:30 a.m.

Only an "Only One" would be surprised by what happened next.

Good grief.

[Via Chris Horton]

We're the Only Ones Framing the Matter Enough

In echoes of Rampart scandal, defense attorney says officers planted cocaine on man accused of being a gang member. On surveillance tape produced at trial, one officer tells another: 'Be creative in your writing.'

Huh. We just had a similar story two days ago on the other side of the country. You don't think such conduct is institutionalized, do you?

These "Only Ones" seem intent on ensuring writing about them isn't the only way people will get creative, don't they?

[Via Cigar Rollers]

An Undeserved Sense of Accomplishment

One of the advantages of having attended law school is that when I read judicial opinions interpreting the Constitution, I almost understand them...

That aside, even without a legal education, I have a reasonable amount of common sense and a pretty good nose for hypocrisy.

Sorry, Jeff Cronin, I'm just not seeing it.

You seem like just another run of the mill neo-Marx ... uh ... "progressive" with a reading comprehension problem to me.

Although I will buy into your "counterintelligence" claim...

Atlanta Update

GCO filed a federal lawsuit in the morning naming Mayor Shirley Franklin and Ben DeCosta and personally served them both at the press conference!

I would love to see a video of that!

WRSA updates us on the Atlanta Airport showdown.

UK to Ban Nothing

But councils believe they have found a better use for their money: reducing the number of holes in chip shop salt shakers.

Research has suggested that slashing the holes from the traditional 17 to five could cut the amount people sprinkle on their food by more than half.

And what is a hole, if not "nothing"? If you think about it, they are actually banning an absence, a void.

Seems to me people will just keep shaking the damn things until they get what they want. Damned nanny staters won't even let you eat in peace.

But it does give petty area shakers and movers a chance to expend public plunder, and salt somebody's pockets...

I can't wait for this pilot program to go nationwide and become enforceable. Can you imagine a police as-salt team (sorry) doing a flash-bang dynamic entry and dragging any surviving violaters away to the...uh...salt mines?

The Happiest Place on Earth!

According to their survey, Denmark's residents are the happiest in the world...

Sounds like a Disney movie, with their little anthropomorphic animal friends...

No wonder they're so happy!

So why the "higher suicide rates than other countries in Scandinavia and most countries in Western Europe"?

And though we are led to believe guns are responsible in this country, we are also told:

Sweden and Denmark are two more examples of nations with high murder rates but few guns.

Happy Happy Joy Joy.

Why is this Woman Prostrating Herself in Terror?

Because she's poor beyond our ken and needs the basic necessities of life. And she got caught providing them to herself.

Click on the title link and go through the slide show to get the complete picture, and the answer to why she's on the ground in abject humiliation will be clear. No one should force another human being to grovel, and an "Only One" requiring it is unforgivable.

I'm skeptical of the reporter's claim that most times folks like this get a warning. Look at these people and their ingrained reaction to "authority"--they know the score. If the photographer hadn't been there, who knows what ditch these subjects would have ended up in?

There are ways to protect the Virunga gorillas and their habitat. Unfortunately, an Africa/UN coalition that does not value and protect human rights is unlikely to find them.

"Protecting Your Freedom Since, Um..."

21 Guns, Salute enters the Bob Barr Poster Contest.

Speaking of which, Western Rifle Shooters Association has posted the gallery to date (not bad since this was just announced the other day).

We're having fun--please join us--if you have a blog I'll direct traffic there. if you don't, I'll post your entry here.

And even if you're not the artistic type, there's still a way to participate--and I'd actually like to get everyone reading this to do so:

Tonight at 6:30 (I assume EST since the blog appears to originate in VA), Bob Barr's son and campaign spokesman, Derek Barr, will be "liveblogging" at Good Sense. As you can see from the "Comments," I've already set the stage for the reason I'm holding this poster contest:

Why is the Barr campaign and Libertarian Party not replying to email inquiries about his support for the Lautenberg gun ban?

Some backup during the live blog will be appreciated, especially if the response needs to be expanded or clarified. I understand from the "Reader Information" link that it's not a chat room and a moderator must decide on passing on all questions.

Anyway, I'll be there watching, and hope you can make it, too. These people want the gun owner vote, but they continue to ignore our legitimate concerns.

This Day in History: July 2

To Plant a Seed

“Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow.” — Stevens Point Daily Journal, August 1897.

"To Plant a Seed," my August 2008 Guns Magazine Rights Watch column about the Appleseed Project , is now online.

Voting Ends Today

Which gun blogger should go to Blackwater?

Tradition Meets Innovation

So, how many years do you think the feds would give this guy?

BLACK-AND-TANS

Mike Vanderboegh's novella continues to intrigue...

Thanks, Meathead!

Chris Horton's Bob Barr Poster Contest entry made me laugh out loud.

Join us and have some fun.

We're the Only Ones Off Duty Enough

Police said officers saw Abel strike the other man in the back of the head using the butt of his gun, at which point, the gun fired, striking the man in his right hand...

Investigators said Abel's blood alcohol level registered at .111, over the legal limit of .08.

Sounds like if he doesn't mend his ways, "Only One" Abel could be setting himself up for a meeting with Cain...

[Via Tony G]

Vanderboegh: Mayoral Mendacity & The Private Sale of Firearms

To the editor, WSJ

re: "Some Gun Rules We Can All Agree On" by Michael Bloomberg and Thomas Merino, WSJ, June 30, 2008

Mayors Tom and Mike would have us believe that "closing the gun-show loophole" is a rule "we can all agree on." Well answer me this, my mendacious mayors: If the whole edifice of federal control of gun dealers is based upon the constitutionally shaky premise of "interstate commerce," then how can you stretch that fig leaf to cover individuals who are not dealers and who only buy or sell a few personal guns a year within their state of residence?

Gun dealers who participate in gun shows are already required to conduct themselves as they would in their shops, with full federal paperwork and background checks. What you're after is total government control of the private sale of arms. Not even King George III was THAT grasping.

This is very dangerous ground you're pushing the country toward. Just because you have two presidential candidates who agree with this monstrous attack on individual liberty doesn't mean the armed citizenry will go along with it. You remember us, surely? We are citizens, not subjects, and we're the ones with the firearms.

Mike Vanderboegh
PO Box 926
Pinson, AL 35126

Whatever They Think is Necessary

They knew that the kids were downstairs by themselves(because we found out that she was staking out the house for a little while prior to the raid) and when they broke into the house, they pointed very large machine guns at Alexander (age 6) and Isabella (age 2). Ms. Keeku said "that they were the ATF and could do whatever they think is necessary.

From David R. Olofson:




Click here for .pdf file.

Candice Marie Olof...

Hosted by eSnips

A new phase of his ordeal begins tomorrow. While we go into the weekend to celebrate American Liberty and Independence, the federal government will be persecuting one of ours, a man who has never committed a true crime or act of violence. He and his family will be suffering in ways most of us cannot imagine.

It's obscene.

Some of us will be watching. His safety while in custody should now be our primary focus and concern.

[These esnips widgets don't display properly in some browsers, but ought to work.]

We're the Only Ones Muellheaded Enough

Last week's landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld a constitutional right to own guns for self-defense and hunting may harm efforts to deter violent crime in communities and college campuses, FBI Director Robert Mueller said Monday. [More]

Because we're "The Only Ones" capable of keeping and bearing them safely. Everywhere. Just like the Framers intend...uh...no, wait...

Why doesn't the "Vote Freedom First President" fire this arrogant Muellhead?

Oh, that's right--he's the guy who nominated him.

[Via jpr9]

We're the Only Ones Dispensing Jailhouse Justice Enough

Ronnie White's death was a homicide, the Maryland Medical Examiner ruled Monday. He died Sunday in the Prince George's County Correctional Center from asphyxiation and strangulation, the examiner said...

There have been several problems recently at the county jail, including a former police corporal convicted of murdering a man who was found with a handcuffs key. The county's director of corrections was fired in early June when four handguns went missing from the jail armory.

This guy doesn't sound like the boy next door, but what can be done to one prisoner can be done to others--and the more it's gotten away with, the more ingrained in the guard culture and likely it becomes. Never doubt for one minute there are brutal and sadistic "Only Ones" more than willing to arrange a convenient outcome for incarcerated gun owners and political activists.

I can't help but think about Irv Rubin and Earl Krugel. Simply put, I have never believed the official accounts of their in-custody deaths.

It is enough to make a man wonder why he should surrender when so ordered.

[Title link via HZ]

High Noon in Atlanta

Airport General Manager Ben DeCosta said if Bearden shows up at the world's busiest airport with a gun, he'll be busted.

"I can identify him, and I'll have him arrested," DeCosta said Monday. "We're not fooling around. This is a post-terrorism environment."

So you're saying you know he's not a terrorist but you're willing to destroy him if he defies you, Ben?

Doesn't that make you the terrorist?

Per WRSA:

GCO will not stand by and watch this happen. Stay tuned.

I will.

UPDATE: Nope. The showdown will happen in court.

[Via Peter W, Avg Joe, SameNoKami, did I forget anyone else?]

Light Work in Durham

Satanic Ritual Sex Crime Leads to Arrest of North Carolina Democratic Leader

There site is undergoing a little "Commissar Vanishes" maintenance, but naturally, the cache shows the Indigo Dawn casts it's "magick" illumination on The Lightworker--and, of course, on citizen disarmament, because their followers won't need guns where they're going.

The Gunsuicide(TM) Menace

"Other methods are not as lethal," said Jon Vernick, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research in Baltimore.

You hear that, Ruslana?

How about you folks?

Still, if we're going to begin applying "gun control" as a preventive measure in this country, we may as well begin where the problem is most acute.

Horn Free; AP Not

A suburban Houston homeowner was cleared by a grand jury Monday for fatally shooting two men he suspected of burglarizing his neighbor's home.

Joe Horn will go free. Now watch the civil suits begin.

There's been a brouhaha in recent weeks about the AP, which filed this story, going after bloggers about citing their stuff--even brief passages like above--and wanting to establish a fee structure for even a simple quote like I've used here. $2.50 for every word over four. They want $44.50 for the above cite.

They can basically plant one. They're among the most notorious "Authorized Journalist" outlets out there as far as injecting an agenda and just plain getting it wrong, and as long as they're out there either incompetently or intentionally misdirecting people, I'm going to call them on it.

Their drek typically doesn't add value--it creates work to clean up after them.

UPDATE: I am told in "Comments" :

LawDog noted that 'Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 83, Mr. Horn is now "immune from civil liability for personal injury or death that results from the defendant's use of force or deadly force".'

This Day in History: July 1

That in case any agent of the ministry shall induce the Indian tribes, or any of them, to commit actual hostilities against these colonies, or to enter into an offensive alliance with the British troops, thereupon the colonies ought to avail themselves of an alliance with such Indian nations as will enter into the same, to oppose such British troops and their Indian allies.

Life Imitates Art

NBC Universal has settled a $105 million lawsuit brought by a woman who claimed a televised sex sting by "Dateline NBC: To Catch A Predator" drove her brother to kill himself.

I've expressed concerns before, but it looks like South Park totally nailed it.

[Via SayUncle/View from the Porch]

The Wicked Official: A Fable

The following is a work of fiction involving fictional characters. Any similarities with real persons, living or dead, and actual events is purely coincidental.

Once upon a time, in a faraway empire, there lived a wicked official who worked in the Bastion of Assault, Terror, Fraud and Usurpation.

Now this man was known throughout the Bastion for his ill temper and abusive ways.

One day, one of his maidservants, the comely wife of one of his guards, entered his ministerial chamber in the course of her duties.

"Aha!" cried the wicked official, who coveted her. "Come here, wench, so that I may feel the ripeness of your fruits!"

With that, the wicked official grabbed lustily at her breasts.

Horrified, the maidservant ran from the chamber to her husband, and told him what had transpired.

Furious--for even though he knew he was part of a band that plagued the land, he still had his pride as a man--the guard rushed to confront the wicked official, and finding him, dashed him to the ground.

Now the wicked official was, as is often the case with abusive and arrogant men, a coward. Rather than fight man-to-man, he drew his service wea...uh...sword, and pointed it at his insubordinate guard, who knew if he did not surrender he would surely be struck down.

When word of this reached the Emperor's minister, who perused a personnel file thick with performance deficiencies, the wicked official was ordered to temporarily turn in his gun, go to anger management classes and take a walk every afternoon during business hours, where he spent his time throwing rocks at traffic signs.

Until one day, he retired with full pension and benefits, but despite this, remained angry and bitter until the end of his days.

The End

Personally, I prefer fairy tales with happier endings...

I've Been Meaning to Bring this Up...

...and keep getting derailed by projects and this thing called life...

I just want to remind everyone that if you're looking for a summation of blogs dealing with RKBA, you owe it to yourself to bookmark The Liberty Sphere and consult it frequently.

And it's not just an aggregator--D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan does his share of original and insightful commentary, too.

I've been thinking of doing a regular feature, kind of a WaronGuns' Blog of the Week. So many of you out there are doing such good things that deserve to be recognized, but more often than not I get preoccupied with my own agenda and don't steer people to your sites as often as I should.

Consider Liberty Sphere the first one. Thanks for the work you do.

Bob Barr Poster Contest: It's On

[Poster design by ryanmguard]

We talked about this here.

Since that time, there has been no response from either the Bob Barr campaign or the Libertarian Party. Indeed, the LP continues to beg support from gun owners via solicitations that ignore emails we have sent to them. They even issue media statements saying the other candidates are "get[ting] free passes on [the] gun issue."

Well they don't get a free pass either. Don't tell me you've got a "pro gun" candidate when he has endorsed and introduced edicts as offensive to Liberty as any.

If the "Party of Principle" thinks their best course is to continue ignoring this rather than addressing it squarely, that's their choice. But some of us aren't going to stay silent while they do.

Western Rifle Shooters Association introduced their poster last week. Now we have this one.

Let's have a contest.

Design a Barr/Lautenberg poster of your own. If you have a blog, post it and send me a link so I can send traffic your way. If you don't, just send me your graphic as a .jpg file.

I'll post them as I get them, and will pick a time--maybe two weeks from now--to present them together. I still have to figure out how to select a "winner" and what prize I can come up with, but what the heck--let's have some fun.

And feel free to let the LP and Barr campaign know about this.

UPDATE: Good one!

Some Gun Rules We Can All Agree On

Excuse me...

I don't agree.

If I don't obey, are you going to kill me?

[Via Michael G]

Mercenaries

For Erik Prince and Niccolo Machiavelli have very different ideas on the subject of mercenaries. Not that Erik Prince would even embrace that term. His employees are called "private contractors" not mercenaries. This is true in the same sense that prostitutes are now called "sex workers" to avoid the stigma.

Mike Vanderboegh examines our friends at Blackwater.

After you've read it, I have a couple questions I'd be interested in gleaning opinions on.

Per Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, Congress has the specific enumerated power to issue letters of marque and reprisal. We know that privateers played a part in protecting American interests in the past. And no less a Constitutionalist than Ron Paul has proposed resurrecting the practice.

What would that look like? Would a Blackwater or other private actor necessarily and always be a bad thing? How would such a system work and what kind of oversights would be needed? How would that differ from what we do now? What do we do now?

Do Blackwater ops fall under military procurement regs? Are there RFPs and bids? Do they have defense contract audit oversight? Do they ever employ government equipment, and if so, do they follow federal acquisition and government property regs, etc.? Or is this a hybrid, or even a creature all its own?

If you have thoughts, please share them.

We're the Only Ones Managing Emergencies Enough

A FEMA inspector, angered at a pedestrian who got in his way, allegedly took out a golf club, chased the pedestrian down and bashed him across the arm, breaking the club in the process...

According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Koley stopped the car, got out and insisted that "he didn't have to slow down, he was with FEMA."

That's almost as good as "Do you know who I am?"

Yeah, we do. You're a punk "Only One" with a totally unearned sense of importance. You're lucky someone didn't wrestle away that golf club and take a few divots out of your sorry back nine with it.

[Via Avg Joe]

The Heller Misdirection

Like the inhabitants of other formerly free societies, Americans are content to define "freedom" in terms of those liberties we are permitted to exercise. Yesterday's Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller is perfectly in harmony with this self-defeating concept of "freedom."

While everybody's popping champagne corks, William Norman Grigg issues a warning that we ignore at our peril. We need such critical examinations, especially since there will be no shortage of "practical" voices, ostensibly from "our side," dismissing such examiners.

I especially am moved by his observation that "the intellectual and psychological disarmament of our population is nearly complete."

[Via Ron W]

Heller High Water

My best friend is a Public Defender in Phoenix. Hard-corps Jew, entire family wiped out in the Holocaust except his dad (who was 17 at the time). Political Science professor as well - he and I went to college together, and he is a big 2nd Amendment supporter (for obvious reasons). We talked about Heller yesterday and here is what he has written, after reading it all - his lawyerly opinions are quite insightful, and should give us hope (and some fear) as well.

This really is a good analysis, and deserves wider distribution. Pay special attention to his concerns about registration.

On a side note, I finished and sent in my Heller column to the magazine yesterday, and thought I'd come up with an original title: "The Heller High Watermark." I see from Google that while that exact title hasn't been used, enough have jumped on the pun. I don't see much point in changing it now--I bumped an earlier submission to get this one in under the wire--and it looks like all the "good" puns (are there such things?) have already been exploited anyway.

[Via HZ]

We're the Only Ones Carrying Out the Intent of the Framers Enough

Undercover police officers who arrested four men on drug charges are under investigation after surveillance video proved the men they arrested committed no crime.

More of Steven Abootman...uh...Patrick Lynch's lift-a-finger-against-us-and-die "Only Ones," I see.

So happy over their ability to do whatever the hell they want to whoever the hell they want any damn time they want they're dancing with joy.

Tell me these are rare exception. Is this the behavior of any but those who know they can get away with it because they have over and over again, and who know corruption is so institutionalized into the system the exception is getting caught?

In the 6 months it took to clear the Colon brothers names, they lost their business and their savings.

Yeah, Jose and Maximo.

As ususal, the "Authorized Journalist" government watchdogs have dropped the ball again (or never bothered to pick it up).

What were the names of those lying, life-destroying thugs again...?

[Via Jeff R]

So Take a Tip from a Mayor Who Does...

Prosecutors are investigating whether Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon received thousands of dollars in gifts - including fur coats - from a prominent developer whose projects benefited from tax breaks and zoning changes she supported as City Council president, a document obtained by The Sun shows.

Not Mayor Against Guns Sheila...?

Are there no heroes left anywhere...?

We're the Only Ones Crowd-Dispersing Enough

French officials were probing Monday an incident that left 17 people injured, including a child in critical condition, when soldiers used live rounds in a weekend visitors day display.

Fifteen civilians, including five children, and two soldiers were injured on Sunday when members of a marines parachute regiment demonstrated a hostage liberation exercise to visitors at their barracks outside the southwestern city of Carcassonne, regional officials said.

Ah...Les Seuls...

Sarkozy's heroes showing everyone how liberated they'll make them...

This Day in History: June 30

Journals of the Continental Congress Articles of War, June 30, 1775