We're the Only Ones "Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery" Enough

A city of Miami police officer shot himself in the foot on Thursday afternoon, a Miami Police Department spokesman said.

Every once in a while, the "Only Ones" come full circle and return to the original source of inspiration.

[Via John G]

Black and Light

Blackwater has their newsletters online. Page 6 of the March 2008 issue shows they really aren't expecting any sea changes in their operations when The Lightworker ascends to his exalted place among the kings of the earth.

[Via Whose Paranoid]

In This Paper's Opinion

Offering the first significant gun legislation since the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on the District of Columbia v. Heller, (the landmark case outlining the legality of gun laws) Representative Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4) has introduced a commonsense bill that tightens the criminal background check system by requiring background checks for all gun store employees and dealers.

Hey...wait a minute...that sounds word-for word like McCarthy's own statement...so much for hard-hitting independent watchdogging over at the Three Village Times.

I guess what this bill is about is--because there's a federal law against prohibited persons having guns--there needs to be another federal law prohibiting prohibited persons from having guns. And I suppose if that doesn't work, we can just keep adding layers of prohibition. Hey, when you're in public/private partnership with the "news" media, it doesn't have to make sense--they'll run interference for you and make it look like you know what you're doing.

Oh, and there's also a "fire sale loophole," just in case a dealer exterminated by BATFU for "willful violations"--you know, stuff like paperwork errors--wants to avoid complete financial ruin. This will make sure the boot continues crushing until the last bit of ooze is ground into the dirt. Because, you know, governments are instituted among men to secure the blessings of liberty...

I almost missed this part:

Thanks to Representatives McCarthy and Kirk, there are now bills introduced in Congress to fix these problems...

That would be Mark Kirk.

You'll recall I pointed out how Kirk was vulnerable, and how gun owners could deny him that critical few percentage points to unseat him--as an object lesson to other turncoat republicans. Well, it looks like the one principled alternative is no more.

It's telling when non-"extremists" spread the meme that we "radicals" have given up on working within the system, when in fact, political options are introduced and they ignore them. So now 10th District voters can justify to themselves how pulling the lever for Gungrabber R is a lesser of two evils choice than Gungrabber D, and anything else will be a wasted vote.

The one question I've never seen answered: How far down this path of failure are we supposed to allow ourselves to be led?

[Via Buzz]

A Man of Letters

...if A were to say all this to B, B would naturally conclude that A himself was the most impudent and dangerous burglar that he (B) had to fear; and that if he (B) wished to secure his property against burglars, his best way would be to kill A in the first place, and then take his chances against all such other burglars as might come afterwards.

Ah, Lysander Spooner, that irascible but loveable old curmudgeon. I guess when recognized historical figures talk about killing government agents, it's no longer threatening and actually becomes admirable and wise.

So how long does Mike Vanderboegh have to be dead before the non-"extreme" stop telling him to shut up?

[Via Jay H]

What a Difference a Percentage Point Makes

But being 99% honest is no longer enough.

This is "being 99% honest"?

"The story is false," he told reporters then. "It's completely untrue, ridiculous." He professed his love for his wife, who had an incurable form of cancer, saying, "I've been in love with the same woman for 30-plus years and as anybody who's been around us knows, she's an extraordinary human being, warm, loving, beautiful, sexy and as good a person as I have ever known. So the story's just false."

Dig yourself deeper, weakling.

The punk can't control himself but wants to control us. The liar's own family can't trust him but he wants us to.

What a hollow fraud.

This Day in History: August 9

Off Cape Ann, August 9, 1775, the British sloop of war Falcon, Captain Linzee, fell in with two schooners from the West Indies, bound to Salem...He anchored and sent two barges with fifteen men in each, armed with muskets and swivels; these were attended with a whale boat in which was the Lieutenant and six privates. Their orders were to seize the loaded schooner and bring her under the Falcon's bow. The Militia and other inhabitants were alarmed at this daring attempt and prepared for a vigorous opposition...(Pennsylvania Packet, August 28, 1775; N. E. Chronicle, August 25, 1775.)

A Mayor Against Guns

Shortly after Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick wakes up in jail this morning -- still reeling from becoming the first sitting mayor in Detroit's 307-year history to spend a night behind bars -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is expected to charge him with felony assault.

I know it's not kind or mature, but permit me my Nelson Muntz moment.

GUNS Magazine: August 1958

Chicago, Ill. Dr. Blaine Ramsay, 72, opened the door to his consulting room late at night to three visitors, two men and a woman. One of the three said, 'This is a stick-up," and pushed Dr. Ramsay back into a chair. They demanded money, ordered Dr. Ramsay to take his hands out of his pockets and get busy. Dr. Ramsay did. He hauled a .38 caliber revolver out of his pocket and started shooting. One of the men, an ex-convict, fell, badly wounded; the other man and the woman fled. This is not Dr. Ramsay's first experience in Such matters. In 1955, he killed another ex-convict who tried to hold him up in his office. Hold-up men should leave Dr. Ramsay alone, go to New York where there's less chance of encountering an armed victim.

Or they could just wait a few decades for Chicago to catch up.

The August 1958 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online. I'd like to think of it as a special PETA double feature issue: Not only does Roy Rogers execute a bear, but Elmer Keith goes all the way to Africa just to murder a rhinoceros!

Say "Cheesy"

To make good on his offer to help Chicago combat violence, Gov. Blagojevich envisions putting speed cameras on interstates across Illinois -- and using the revenue to form an "elite tactical team" that would operate in Chicago and other cities...

According to Trent, new State Police teams will stop motorists for traffic violations on Chicago expressways near high-crime areas. The troopers will also look for gun and drug violations. They can communicate with Chicago Police officers on radios and come to their aid when needed.

Ah, the "hog butcher for the world" has figured out a new way to fill the trough. And the fascists admit their speed traps have nothing to do with roadway safety and everything to do with highway robbery.

[Via Mack H and Brian F]

Go PETA...

...and leave the raving to us.

[Via Mack H]

"PARANOIA"

Brady Bunch's Knickers in a Twist Over, uh, Me?

by Mike Vanderboegh

A Rich Man

If a man is known by his enemies as much as his friends, then I am richer today than I was last week. The anti-liberty, anti-firearm Brady Bunch, it seems, has noticed my little letter to the Capitol Times of Madison, Wisconsin -- where even the trees lean hard to the left. It is, they say, an example of "bunker paranoia," describing it as a "crackpot's rant," "morally degenerate," "hyperbole from a possibly unstable individual," and my favorite, "immoral or . . . street-corner gibberish uttered by one who wears a tinfoil hat." See: http://www.bradycampaign.org/blog/2008/08/06/the-nra-spy-gate-and-bunker-paranoia/


I wondered briefly if they had been talking to my ex-wife, the equally liberal public employee and Democrat Wicked Witch of the North, who resides in Columbus, Ohio, and who is every now and then reportedly spotted on her broom flying in the airspace over the beer plant on I-270 north of town, skywriting in black, "Surrender Your Guns" in the bright blue Buckeye sky. Well, maybe those reports ARE exaggerated.

What isn't exaggerated is the Brady Bunch's apparent alarm over my letter and it can't be a case of being misquoted, for The "Brady Blog" reprinted the entire letter as Prosecution Exhibit #1. By their own account, here is what scared them: "In the wake of the Vanderboegh letter . . . armed revolt has been treated as a legitimate policy answer to gun control measures by one blogger after another in the gun community." Huh? Like it never was? That would have come as shock to the Founders. What did the Brady Bunch think those bumper stickers, which first appeared in the 1970s, meant? "You can have my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers."

Of course, the Brady Bunch is not truly upset by that prospect in itself, since they propose that other people's sons and daughters in federal service take the risks and do the killing for them of those recalcitrant "morally degenerate" gunowners who refuse to see the wondrous future of their good intentions. They certainly do not envision themselves enforcing the tyrannical laws they propose. And that is the beauty of collectivism. It is power without personal consequences to the ruling elite. But the obverse of the "cold dead hands" coin is this: a man willing to die for his principles and his country is almost always willing to kill in defense of them too.

My sin was in reminding the Brady Bunch that such tyranny might indeed have personal, unintended consequences and THAT they CANNOT abide. The fact that this "inconvenient truth" (to quote one of their icons), is indeed true means nothing. Truth is spit in the wind to such people. This is because all tyranny requires illusion to succeed.

The Three Illusions of Tyranny

There is first the illusion that your selected enemies are somehow defective, not worthy as human beings, whose opinions, even lives, do not matter. As, in, for example the use of language like "gun nut," "religious fanatic," "crackpot," "morally degenerate," "unstable," "immoral," or in other countries and other times, "dirty kaffir," "degenerate Jew," "Bosnian cockroaches," "capitalist vermin," etc.

The next necessary illusion is the one that they and they alone are the Keepers of Truth. Ergo, anyone who doesn't believe as they do is one of the "untermenschen" categories above. This illusion excuses them from any responsibility for whatever human crockery is broken in their campaign to perfect humanity. This is why only they are principled, only they are reasonable, only they are, indeed, sane. For to them, opposition to their liberty-stealing plans only occurs to "madmen" who refuse to see the eminent peace and sanity of their schemes. This illusion works not only for themselves, but for the uncommitted audience watching, for they quickly absorb the point that if you don't want to be labeled as one of these "crackpots" you will fall in line with the rest of the "reasonable" people, which is to say, with them.

The last and most important illusion they are selling is that they and their friends represent THE majority, and thus the rights of the minority can be discounted once they have been out-voted. This is the democracy of three wolves and a sheep sitting down at the table to vote on what, or who, to have for dinner.

The Founders were distrustful of democracy unrestrained by constitutional republicanism. Thus, the Constitution as written provides a thin menu for would-be wolfish American tyrants, which is why they have been so assiduous in diluting and destroying it over the past seven decades, adding items a la carte so that they may be fed off the liberty and substance of the people.

But it is in this last illusion, that they represent the majority, that they are often left like the Emperor without his clothes, vulnerable to the first clear-thinking kid with 20-20 vision to point out the royal dinkie dangling in the wind. Denunciations like this one by the Brady Bunch are merely the latest iterations of the pompous, silly and ineffectual Wizard of Oz, shouting "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" I must say, I am honored.

You know, they really aren't very smart, these Bradyistas. By reprinting my letter in toto (no, not the dog), they have ensured it will be read by a much wider audience than the few hot-house liberal Madisonians (no relation to James) who choked on their morning lattes when they read it in the paper. By conflating it in the same breath with the NRA spy case and trying to tie my constitutional absolutism to those compromising losers discredits the theory in an instant to anyone with half a brain. I resigned the NRA many years ago over their political compromises with the likes of the Brady Bunch.

Indeed, the Bunch is only upset about the use of paid spies because it is their side which is now being spied upon. Where were their voices when the ADL and the Southern Poverty Law Center got caught doing the same thing to the "right wing"? I assure you, that when the Risen Lightworker Obama becomes the great and powerful Oz, these mokes won't mind a bit if his administration, restrained by inconvenient law, contracts with some mercenary outfit such as Blackwater to spy on his perceived "domestic enemies" -- you know, like American gunowners. For my part, I have no sympathy for the NRA nor the paid spy nor the collectivist gun control "lobby". A pox on all their houses.

"Tin-foil hats"

One final point which bears on the third of those collectivist illusions. Count them as you will, the Brady Bunch and their ilk are not a "majority" of the American people. But that's OK, neither are we. Here's the difference. It is they who are seeking to take our liberty and not the other way around. We want nothing from them. We do not seek to tax them out of their hobbies. Nor do we seek to ban their latte-sipping, nor their limousines, their gated communities, their armed security guards -- not even their right NOT to bear common sense. On the other hand, they want much from us, including something that the Founders considered key to the whole liberty thing: firearms in the hands of the people which enable them to resist a predatory government. Yes indeedy, Sarah, were talking about "armed revolt . . . as a legitimate policy answer to gun control measures." If that's "tinfoil hat" so was Lexington and Concord and if Thomas Jefferson were still here, he'd make tinfoil hats look stylish.

The Brady Bunch will get their will by conjuring their illusions and jawboning us into submission if they can, but they do not hesitate to propose the military might of government to seize it if we don't.

"I'm not crazy, Sarah . . ."

It is then, neither "bunker paranoia," "a crackpot's rant," "morally degenerate," "hyperbole from a possibly unstable individual," nor, "immoral . . . street-corner gibberish uttered by one who wears a tinfoil hat," to state plainly and publicly that the Law of Unintended Consequences still rules the world. Nor indeed is it nutty to say that people who wish for other people to be robbed of their God-given liberty and hard-earned property might want to consider for a moment just whose head that boomerang might hit. I'm not crazy, Sarah, I'm merely being polite. And who knows? Tin-foil hats may yet become stylish, if worn with semi-automatic rifle and bandoleer. It's an ensemble thing, I think. Wouldn't look good on you though, I'd guess.

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

The Mercenary Vanishes

However, one particular photograph from the Times story has drawn more attention than anything else. That picture, which has now been widely reproduced at blogs, shows a long-haired man, wearing a Blackwater tshirt and with a pistol at his belt, passing a box marked “DEA Evidence” to other agents participating in the raid.

And the picture has been removed? Where have we seen that before?

Maybe there's something to the concerns... but gosh--they're so friendly to gun bloggers...

[Via ranamacar]

It's Always Death

The State’s worshipers and pawns fall all over themselves to praise the brave uniformed thugs and denounce Bob as having “had it coming.”

Huh. Reminds me of the comments of some about David Olofson.

But he's been taken care of. Now we need a new target.

How about this guy? He's actually willful and defiant.

We can't have that.

[Via Luke O]

We're the Only Ones Compromised Enough

Couple appeared to be innocent victims of pot smuggling scheme...

Prince George's County Police Chief Melvin High said Wednesday that Calvo and his family were "most likely ... innocent victims," but he would not rule out their involvement, and he defended the way the raid was conducted. He and other officials did not apologize for killing the dogs, saying the officers felt threatened...

[O]fficials insisted they acted within the law, saying the operation was compromised when Calvo's mother-in-law saw officers approaching the house and screamed.

We talked about this earlier. Anyway, I know exactly what they mean. Who doesn't kill dogs when they hear a woman scream? Why should "Only Ones" be any different?

[Via half a dozen of you]

There's This Great Joke E-Mail Going Around

That's pretty darn funny there.

It is a joke, right?

See, this is why extreme talk hurts our cause, when political solutions exist to give us lip service.

Cheeseburger in Paradise

A double cheeseburger can change someone's life, said Celeste Noe, a juvenile probation officer for Cuyahoga County.

The yellow-and-red fast-food gift cards that Noe doles out have been the incentive for some to stop ditching out on their court-ordered curfew.

Burgers? That's all it takes for us to live forever more in Kumbaya harmony? Actually, getting juvenile predators fat and out of shape might not be such a bad idea...

Thing is, somebody ought to tell 'em in LA their fast food ban is going about it wrong. Then again, if not for banning things and then exploiting the predictably bad results, what would petty tyrants do?

This Day in History: August 8

This Colony the last Fall, not confiding entirely in the precarious Supply of Powder that might be expected from the Merchants, imported a considerable Quantity, though not so large as was ordered. The supplying the Inhabitants, who were in a Manner utterly destitute, the Army near Boston, and our armed Vessels have so exhausted this Stock that the Powder now left which is all in this Place is greatly insufficient to resist even a short Attack upon it. Our Situation is the same with Respect to Lead. So that at present none of either Article can be spared from the Colony.

Getting a Reputation

The con case is, well, everything from the aforementioned eye to encouraging more of a gun obsession than the Nerf guns have already inspired. Plus we don't want to get a reputation as the "gun family" in the neighborhood when all his buddies start asking their own parents for one.

Yeah--we'd rather have the reputation of being a bunch of leftard GFWs.

When my youngest was around 7, one of the kids on his ball team was just about the wimpiest boy I'd ever encountered. My son invited him to a movie, but the kid started crying because he was afraid of--not what was on the screen--but the entire experience, including being in the dark. So I had to take him home and miss the show myself while my wife stayed with the other kids--there went two tickets plus the exorbitantly priced drink and candy I'd treated him to. When I got him home, his dad was laying around and when I told him why I was returning the kid early, he said he was aware the boy was scared of movies.

I figured I could either burn his ears off demanding to know why the hell he let me go through the expense and the effort, including paying for missing the experience when he knew this. I was so steamed I knew if I got started it would not be pretty, so I stifled my impulses in the interest of harmony at future games--after all, it was for the kids' benefit, not the parents.

A week later this guy shows up (late) at practice wearing an HCI T-shirt. Suddenly all the pieces fell into place.

That poor kid never had a chance.

We're the Only Ones Ready for Action Enough

Top cop gives gun to prostitute Pamela

When Leading Senior Constable Steven Owen arrived at the Harem brothel in South Melbourne, he was on duty, in uniform, armed - and ready for action.

Blew that one, didn't you, buddy? I mean, Pamela. Oh, that's mean, you were mostly just talking, right?

I just wonder how, on a cop's salary, he could afford to go through "$16,000 in three months on dozens of five- and six-hour sessions" when he was the "single parent of three children."

What I don't get is the big deal about his "still trying to function normally" as an "Only One."

Isn't that what he was doing?

The "Who'll Be the Bigger Oath-Breaker?" Test

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun control coalition is asking Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain to answer a questionnaire about their positions on gun issues.

I don't get it--they dropped this bomb last Pearl Harbor Day. Anybody know if there's a new survey, or if Newsday is just a bit behind on the news of the day...?

I'd think by now we'd be able to see their answers.

Bob Barr's (Incomplete) Gun Record

Yes, George Dance addresses Lautenberg, but totally avoids Bob Barr's refusal to repudiate it and apologize.

Without that repudiation and apology, GOA isn't doing their reputation for "no compromise" any favors. It's evident they're jumping through hoops to redirect the argument to what he's done that they like. But Barr's and the LP's nonresponsiveness can only mean he's unrepentant (more like unwilling to take political heat). That GOA doesn't demand a retraction before jumping in to help the guy makes their "F-" rating for John McCain look more than a bit disingenuous.

And I think I've made my views on McCain pretty clear.

I Thought That's What Everybody Was Doing

The question now becomes "What the...?"

Oh. I should have figured it was Straightarrow's fault.

Why So Silent, Brady Campaign?

Conservatives don't have friends and I don't consider them to qualify for personhood.

Seriously...

And consider me more highly motivated than ever to put the last gun in the crusher where they all belong.

Advocating total disarmament and spreading the public message that individuals belonging to a group you hate are subhuman with the intent of effecting social change against them. And if they're not persons, they have no say. Where have we seen that before?

So why are the Brady's not decrying this genocide-enabling end product of that slippery slope they say doesn't exist? Why do they "cater" to it instead? They should come down from their guard tower and explain themselves.

Hey, if they can pin responsibility for Mike Vanderboegh on the NRA...

Why Mike Vanderboegh is Right

I'm surprised I didn't notice this before--it's a very well-written defense.

Yesterday's offering reinforced a growing sense of how profound and true so much of what Mike writes is, and how shallow, poorly thought out and just plain childish so much of the criticism is.

A McFate Worse than...Well, Not Really

Ceasefire PA finally booted Mary from their roster.

Still no word on Alex.

This Day in History: August 7

On August 7, the sloop Commerce, commanded by Capt. Clement Lempriere, headed to St. Augustine to capture the gunpowder and military stores on the island. He learned that the HMS Betsy, commanded by Capt. Alvara Lofthouse, was sailing to St. Augustine and contained a huge supply of gunpowder. The Commerce spotted the Betsy and pulled alongside it. The armed crew jumped on board the Betsy and quickly captured the sleeping crew. They were able to unload about 17,000 lbs. of gunpowder when the Commerce was spotted by the HMS St. John, coming out of the harbor. The Commerce departed the area and escaped with their stolen powder. Conclusion: American Victory

So Much for the Disadvantage of Being Honest

The NRA should come out of their bunker and explain themselves.

Huh? I thought Bryan Miller said the truth was on his side.

Why are you associating Mike Vanderboegh's opinions with NRA? The folks who champion their legislative approach have been Mike's most vehement critics in the gun blogosphere.

So what's with lying to the world that this somehow has NRA sanction?

[Via 45superman]

About Last Night...

You can listen to the show here.

I was pleased with the outcome. Caleb and Bonnie indeed moderated with personal feelings in check, although I note the characterization of "extreme" isn't exactly neutral. Mike Vanderboegh stated his case reasonably and authoritatively. And Kurt and Sebastian presented and defended their arguments clearly and without acrimony.

I do take exception with some of the conclusions, but now is not the time or place to start swinging again. I see a lot of value in the call-in venue for debating differences with more civility than we typically see in the "comments" fusillades.

We're the Only Ones Doing Our Duty Enough

What kind of world would it be if we didn't have police officers," Kluge said. "Joe was doing his duty."

No non sequitur there. Besides, haven't we already established that "Only Ones" get a pass on shooting mothers holding babies?

[Via Mark G]

Stalking Menace Terrorizes NY Only Ones!!!

"We can have him arrested for menacing or stalking," Huntley said of Jimmy, signaling a possible new confrontation in the streets. "For too long, we've been abused by the public and the media. We're not going to be a punching bag anymore in New York City."

Yeah, and if he resists, you can kill him! Imagine, having the nerve to document "Only Ones" breaking the law! And the gall of his doing it assertively! Who does this...this uppity civilian think he is?

So you're admitting to being part of a criminal conspiracy to deprive a citizen of his human rights under color of authority? And you're counting on Liberty Lynchin' Patrick of "lift a finger and die" notoriety to be provide the strong-arm enforcement?

[Via Brian F]

Two Questions

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to allow a vote next month on a bill that would end local handgun control in the District, making it easier for D.C. residents to acquire pistols, including semiautomatics, while eliminating the strict handgun-storage requirements imposed by the city.

Sounds good. Why would they do that?

Norton said in a statement that those Democrats "hope to relieve election year pressure by getting a Democratic-backed bill to the floor, out of fear that the [National Rifle Association] will run hometown ads against their reelection."

Ah, OK--two questions: Any chance this will derail Heller II? Should we maybe be having this discussion in a very open way so that we're all on board with the costs and benefits of doing things legislatively vs. judicially?

[Via Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones With the Power of Life and Death Enough

You see professor, police are special, very much so; they have conferred upon them an awesome, and totally unique responsibility, by the public that they serve, and that is the power to take a life!

And we're the "Only Ones" who can!

I wonder what this letter sounds like in the original German...?

[Via DJK]

Meanwhile, Over at Larry Hincker Paradise

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said he is not aware of any discussions university officials have had involving changes to campus security after an employee shot himself in Tech's Cassell Coliseum last weekend...

"I'm not sure what you can do," Hincker said.

Of course you are, Larry. You're just not honest enough to admit it.

Why do you still have a job, anyway?

[Via Tom James]

Quote of the Year

"In the battle of ideas with the gun lobby, we're at a constant disadvantage because we're honest."

Thanks, Bryan Miller. I needed a good laugh.

But seriously, folks, if it turns out to be true that NRA paid her to spy--and I'm not convinced it is, and I'm further not convinced it wouldn't be justified under my any chair in a bar fight rules of engagement--it becomes legitimate to ask and debate what hurts our public image more: "Extreme activism" letters to the editor, or "pragmatic" tactics like this?

[Via HZ]

Blackhawk Up

Hundreds of law enforcement officers using a Blackhawk helicopter fanned across South Florida today to hunt for the gunman accused of killing a customs agent in broad daylight during an argument in a post office parking lot.

Not to minimize the very real agony and loss surviving family is feeling, but do you think such resources would be employed for one of us?

[Via Avg Joe]

Vanderboegh: Birmingham

Race and Armed Defense of Individual Liberty and the Republic

What are you still doing hanging around here? Go. Read.

We're the Only Ones Banging Around Enough

Gun fired...it went off...it fired...

I sure hope that "Only One" standard incident review gets these dangerous self-activating guns off the streets!

[Via John K]

This Day in History: August 6

How large a proportion of the people in general think with you or think with me it is in none of our powers to ascertain. I believe, because I think I can prove it, that your party, to serve an obvious party purpose, exceedingly magnify the numbers of those whom they suppose to take part with you, and you tax us with doing the same.

It's not a new debate...

Sloppy Housekeeping

I guess they haven't had time to take Mary off.

Or put Alex on.

Why would they demand gun registration lists with tens of millions of names if they can't even update their director's page?

We're the Only Ones Feeling the Heat Enough

In the wake of three murders and the recent attack on a federal prosecutor in a New York courtroom, a group representing the nation's federal prosecutors is calling for stepped-up security, including home alarms, self-defense training and the right to carry firearms....

"Statistically, we are threatened more than judges"...

Yeah?

How about cab drivers? Convenience store clerks? Minority residents in any major urban area?

How are their statistics? Are you going to demand RKBA and secure parking for them?

Or is it just an "Only Ones" thang...?

[Via KABA Newslinks]

Honor Khang Instead

Why is his bravery and intelligence under fire any less worthy of recognition?

Second letter down.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune prints my letter about the wrong house-raiding cops getting medals.

I used to get letters published all the time but don't so much any more now that I'm focusing on my own venues. For those of you who aren't, I highly recommend it--I see so many brilliant and well-crafted comments here, it's a shame they're not reaching a wider audience.

So I have a challenge for those of you who are regular commentators here: Commit to writing one letter a week to various papers you see linked to on this site--if the story grabs you enough to leave a comment here, make it a force multiplier by sending it there.

As a general tip, to maximize your chances of getting ink, think of an original way to look at the topic, stick with one thought and keep it to around 150 words or so.

I honestly think this is one of the more valuable contributions you could make.

Oh, and feel free to add your thoughts about my letter in the Star Tribune comments box thingy.

Now That It's MY Turn...

A death row inmate scheduled for execution says he's too fat to be put to death, claiming executioners would have trouble finding his veins and that his weight could diminish the effectiveness of one of the lethal injection drugs.

Aw, poor baby.

Read what he did: He participated in trapping, raping, torturing, mutilating and brutally murdering two beautiful young girls who were working hard to make something of their lives. And at the time, when confronted by the family, he proclaimed "I believe in the death penalty and an eye for an eye." Guess that was just a "Please don't throw me in d'at briar patch" ploy.

I've always had mixed feelings about the death penalty. Certainly no one wants to see an innocent ever be put down, and I have very strong concerns about giving the state such power. What I come down to is what I would do to this worthless demon if he'd tortured and killed one of mine and I was able to get him in my power. Lethal injection would be an act of supreme mercy.

We all have the beast inside--some of us just control it better than others. I pray I will never choose to unleash mine.

Welcome to Connecticut!

Several of you have sent me the link to this outrage:

Using a unique state law, police in Connecticut have disarmed dozens of gun owners based on suspicions that they might harm themselves or others.

The state's gun seizure law is considered the first and only law in the country that allows the confiscation of a gun before the owner commits an act of violence. Police and state prosecutors can obtain seizure warrants based on concerns about someone's intentions.

Concerned American shares his thoughts.

When Zargonians Attack

The FBI is investigating two firebombings targeting University of California, Santa Cruz scientists as the latest in an outbreak of attacks against UC researchers who experiment on animals...

It forced the man, his wife and two small children to flee out a second story window as the house filled with smoke. The family then managed to escape down a fire ladder from the window, according to police.

Too bad he didn't have a rifle. I wouldn't mind mounting a few Zargonian heads on my wall.

Here's the thing about experimenting on animals: Forget humans for a second. How would you develop a safe and effective pet medicine without clinical trials? How many more animals would die if the research was stopped?

The most ridiculous counter I've heard to that is to use computer modeling, that is, freeze the database of knowledge to where it's at.

I think the preferable, and certainly more satisfying solution, is DEATH TO ZARGON!

[Via Michael G]

More from the They Hate Us Because We're Free Department

Garbage collectors would inspect San Francisco residents' trash to make sure pizza crusts aren't mixed in with chip bags or wine bottles under a proposal by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

And if residents or businesses don't separate the coffee grounds from the newspapers, they would face fines of up to $1,000 and eventually could have their garbage service stopped.

So where would I throw away an alcohol and saliva-coated fellated microphone cover?

San Francisco is trying to out-UK the UK. Can the wheelie bin death squads be far behind?

The most toxic garbage that really needs to be disposed of is at City Hall.

[Via John G]

Your Show of Shows

45superman is going to be on a podcast tonight.

11 pm EST here.

There's a call-in number: (347)-539-5436

Some just won't let go of Mike Vanderboegh. It's funny, really, because he's not going to stop, and this just gives more people exposure to his work.

Representing "the other side" will be Sebastian. Except also representing the other side will be the host. Who's made his views on this more than clear:

OH NO AD HOMINEM BETTER IGNORE EVERYTHING I SAY.

There's balance for you.

Smells like a gang-up to me. I'd say I wonder what excuse will be given for not inviting Vanderboegh to discuss his own work instead of bringing in a third party, but I think we all know why it's being put together this way.

S'Okay, Kurt can hold his own.

Gun Blogs

It's a pretty good site except they keep posting a recurring picture of some goofball with a rifle.

Check 'em out.

We're the Only Ones Mostly Mum Enough

All was quiet Saturday at the Wellston city hall and police station, a day after the new police chief and former chief got into a brawl there.

City officials were mostly mum about the scuffle, in which both men pulled out pistols. No shots were fired, and no arrests have been made.

I don't even need to ask a rhetorical "Only Ones" question any more, do I?

[Via Chris Horton]

From the They Hate Us Because We're Free Department

Peter Tubic ignored a $50 parking fine in 2004, and on Monday, it cost him his $245,000 house.

OK, his excuses sound all whiny and pathetic and stuff, but really--take the guy's house? What sounds even more whiny and pathetic is the bureaucrat Don Schaewe who says his hands are tied and he can't do anything about it now.

Of course there's something the city can do, Don. Except the parasites have no incentive to recall that our governments was established to "secure the blessings of liberty," not to "sen[d] hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance."

[Via Avg Joe and John G]

Settle in for Another Überpost

Truly. Almost 4,000 words, the first 2,400 devoted to explaining how much of an authority he is before he even mentions Vanderboegh?

And the grand conclusion after slogging through all this? Don't scare white people, make them MAD instead.

Whatever.

I'm reminded of a comment I once heard a wise immigrant make:

Talky talky no go no place.

[58 words]

This Day in History: August 5

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, writes to London: "Be assured peace will never be firmly established between Great Britain and America, until the latter receives an ample recognition of her rights, and a full satisfaction for the blood that has or may be shed."

A Self-Identified Man

The writer identifies himself as "a longtime constitutional militia man and Internet advocate for Second Amendment rights."

Nice way to deflect from the content of the letter, and mask your utter lack of journalistic ethics by failing to issue a retraction, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

That's what you get for traumatizing the melanin deficient, Vanderboegh. I'd accuse you of making me look bad, but when I think about all the potentials for that, all I can say is take a number.

That and good letter, Mike!

How to Lose Your Guns Without Due Process in Freeport

I promised an update to the case of Gabriel Razzano. Here’s his recounting of how he lost his guns, taken from notes of our telephone conversation on July 24. Note the events described here took place in the first part of 2007. They are still unresolved over a year later.

Mr. Razzano is a community activist and, as a member of the Minutemen, has an interest in stopping illegal immigration. As such, he works within the system, including making his views known to his congressional representative. Over the course of several years, he developed a working relationship with Carolyn McCarthy’s former Chief of Staff—to the point where this individual had even visited Razzano at his home. When he learned the chief of staff had been replaced, Razzano asked to speak with the new one, but never had his call returned.

On a subsequent trip to her office, Razzano was informed he was not one of McCarthy’s constituents due to redistricting, and his representative was Peter King. He then went to the Board of Elections and obtained a certified copy stating he was in her district.

When he went back to McCarthy’s office with his “proof of constituency,” a detective approached him, told him to leave and to stop “annoying” Rep. McCarthy because he was not a constituent. The detective escorted Razzano down the elevator—at the bottom, when the doors opened, Rep. McCarthy was there. She ignored Razanno when he tried to speak to her and the detective escorted him out the building.

The very next day, Razanno got a call from his mother who lives a few doors down—the police were at her house demanding his guns or they would arrest him. He was told there was a 911 call about him, and he needed to surrender his firearms for a 90-day “cooling off period.” In other words, they would take the guns or they would take him. It was portrayed to him by the confiscating officer as “not a big deal.”

The police took all of his legally registered guns—nine rifles and 15 handguns, and they also seized his fiancée’s handgun. This despite no statutory authority to do this-- It’s important here to note that this was not a domestic or any other kind of violence incident. Razzano didn’t even get a receipt for the seized property until a week later—after he requested one.

A little over a month after the seizures, he received notice from Chief Anthony Rocco that his pistol license had been revoked. This has been done with no adjudication under “authority” of the chief, who indicated he believed Razzano to be “obsessed with the day laborer situation” and offered his unqualified opinion that Razzano’s actions had raised “concerns” over his “suitability” to have a license.

The letter made no mention of the 911 call, and in fact, a judge had to order McCarthy’s office to identify the employee who had called 911—after McCarthy had denied any involvement.

To sum it up, for exercising his First Amendment right to petition his representative, Razzano had the cops called on him by Congressman McCarthy’s office, which denied doing so until ordered by a magistrate to produce the name of the staffer who did this. Using the call as their reason to intervene, police made a decision to “temporarily” confiscate Mr. Razzano’s firearms. They subsequently revoked his pistol license, effectively barring return of his property. They have also retained custody of his long arms, and there is no provision to return them. And at no time has Mr. Razzano been charged with any crime, nor has he been adjudicated unsuitable or examined by any professional who has rendered that determination.

Razzano has filed a lawsuit in United States District Court, Eastern District of New York to recover his property and seek compensatory damages. That’s where the case stands as of today.

I have seen other documents, including the Razzano’s complaint, his certificate of registration from the Elections Board, the license revocation letter from Chief Rocco, and other legal particulars related to the case. While I would like to post them, as I said when I first brought this story onto WarOnGuns, I don’t want to do anything that his lawyer thinks inadvisable or that will hurt Mr. Razzano’s case. If I can get an OK to do that I will—otherwise, all information will be cleared before I discuss it here. Further information will be forthcoming as they happen with those conditions in mind.

Gabriel Razzano adds:

The only point I think might be added was the week before the incident I was in her office and they told me I "was in the wrong district" and they were "going to straighten it out." I left the phone numbers I could be reached at. They never called, and one week later I went back. Just thought the fact that Mc Carthy's office knew there was an election fraud happening, yet did nothing, till they called the police, to report me, not the election fraud!

Further Reading:
Another Look at Freeport Gun Seizure
Don't Mess With the Tyrant

And to Think All We Needed Was a Billboard

GIANT posters of the jailed gang who flooded Manchester with guns have been put up in Moss Side to deter others from following in their footsteps.

Posters. Now why didn't we think of that? That ought to totally offset the "£1,500 for a gun and £7 a bullet" financial incentive created by prohibition, don't you think?

I can see how combining this effort along with an anonymous snitch program (which would never be used to eliminate the competition, would it?) and all the high quality color charts and graphs in their Policing Strategy ought to turn Gunche...uh...Manchester into a Sarah Brady Paradise in no time.

Funny How it Works Out

One man was shot and another beaten Saturday when an altercation broke out between suspected gang members on a Metro Orange Line bus, sheriffs deputies said.

It's revealing how the same socialists who want us disarmed also want us out of our cars and into public transportation...

The Power of One

The first day of Hobbema's gun amnesty ended with a single firearm being turned in to authorities.

Keep hoping for snowballs there, Cpl. Larsen. I expect that gang violence will plummet any day now...or not.

A New Type of Flower Power

Lily pollen is notoriously difficult to remove once it has stuck to a surfaces.

"It is a new type of flower power," Paul Sermon, the leader of the research, said. "The tags primarily consist of naturally occurring pollen, a substance that evolution has provided with extraordinary adhesive properties.

"Each cartridge would have between 1,000 and one million tags on it, and if you touch one you will end up with a large number of those on your hands, gloves or clothes. They are almost impossible to get off and they don't degrade over time."

Yeah, I want to gum up the works with that!

Tell you what, guys--get the military and police to use it as standard issue and then get back to me.

What a ridiculous idea, on so many levels.

A Direct Connection

The percentage of young people who use a gun to kill themselves is higher in Switzerland than any other European country, according to an international survey.

This is directly connected to liberal Swiss gun laws and the easy availability of weapons, said researchers from the European Alliance Against Depression, whose study is published in the current edition of the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Well yeah...haven't we established that guns cause suicide...? Oh, wait...

I love the way assumptions are selectively engineered to highlight the intended outcome and omit everything else. That's not the way science works, but it is a common tactic used by scam artists. I'll be curious to see what someone like John Lott can tell us about the methodologies and conclusions. But in the mean time, the sound bite has been created to send the hysterics off and running.

Globalist headshrinkers. Is there anything they don't know?

Thumb Saver

The Device is a replacement for the GI op rod catch and it stops automatic bolt release when loading a clip. It also prevents auto clip ejection when the last round is fired.

With it installed, the Garand operates much like the M-14/M1A. When a full clip is inserted into the receiver it will latch, however you must pull and release the bolt handle to charge the top round. It will operate in the normal manner until the last round is fired and the bolt will lock open but the clip will not eject. To eject the clip you must push the eject button on the receiver...

With an empty clip latched in the receiver, single rounds can be loaded into the clip, 1 through 8. when you have as many as you wish, just pull and release and away you go.......

The rifle is not modified and can be converted back to GI by replacing the Device with the original catch.

Anybody know anything about this?

[Via Vlad S]

So The Germans Could March in the Shade*

Tonyaa-aa-aaa-aaa Wearthersebee recruits Mayors Against Guns and the Violence Policy Center to convince us we should be more like the French. Fortunately:

In any case, that night in Paris didn't turn me against those of us who cherish the right to own a gun.

Well thank goodness--with all that misinformation you regurgitated to conclude we "have to cower" because of them, I was starting to wonder.

[Via John G]

* Why did the French plant trees along the Champs-Élysées?

What is to Be Done

It's unpleasant in the extreme to face, but the pro-freedom, pro-individual, pro-principles segment of the American populace is a decided (and frankly, despised) minority.

Plans predicated on any other demographic assumption will almost certainly come to ruin.

Western Rifle Shooters Association reports on the situation.

This Day in History: August 4

WHEREAS, I have spoken injuriously of the distressed people of the Town of Boston, and disrespectfully of the measures prosecuting for the redress of American grievances: I do hereby declare that I am heartily sorry for what I have done, voluntarily renouncing my former principles, and promise, for the future, to render my conduct unexceptionably to my countrymen, by strictly adhering to the measures of the Congress.

Somewhere in Maslow's Hierarchy* Between Boils and Chlamydia

"And we need, and I need, Michael Moore in my life." [More]

Madonna. Is there anything she can't advise us on?

Why not put a little Michael Moore in your life?

*

Collateral Damage from the Olofson Case

While common sense, history, and principle are firmly on Savage’s side, a technicality and guile might lean toward the proven manipulative, vindictive, and duplicitous ATF.

This is the best summary I've seen. Do yourself a favor--go read it and then share it.

We're the Only Ones Not in the Habit Enough

"We're not in the habit of going to homes and shooting peoples' dogs," Ellis said. "If we were, there would be a lot more dead dogs around the county."

That's gotta be one of the more chilling "Only Ones" statements I've ever seen in print.

There's a video here.

I guess it never occurs to these flash-bang types that if you calmly and quietly go about your business, you can get results minus panic. It's like TASING somebody and then doing it again because they went into seizures instead of stayed still.

Most family dogs are approachable if you display the right attitude of confidence and calmness. One big thing I've always found helps is to not be a chickenshit on steroids. And even for those animals that stay aggressive, there are plenty of capture/restraining devices that make a lethal response one of last resort--just ask the town dogcatcher--they do it every day. A little training in animal control techniques is too much to expect from those empowered to employ lethal force?

I don't know what part the "persons of interest" played in all this, and the irony of a person who makes laws that others must obey--or else--being caught up in the system isn't lost on me. But anybody could have sent that package--a rival, an enemy--and for the cops to be right on top of it raises the question of "how?"

And do we really want dynamic entry teams with guns a-blazin' over a box of pot?

[Via John G]

We're the Only Ones "South of the Border Down Mexico Way" Enough

A Soledad police officer and a Monterey police officer were arrested Friday while trying to smuggle firearms into Mexico, police said.

Watch the accompanying video to hear an "Authorized Journalist" intone "5,000 rounds" with shock and awe. I guess that and a couple of pistols is an "arsenal."

Still, it's interesting how it took the one cop "losing" three guns to get him canned while on probation.

I wouldn't put too much stock in this story being anything but an aberration--after all, the "Only Ones" have assured us that Mexican criminals get the lion's share of their firepower from American gun shows, and if we were to question that, we might as well just suspect them outright of having an agenda.

That's just crazy talk, isn't it?

[Via Dave Licht]

No Thanks to Bob Barr

When Lou Matteo got his handgun collection back, town police averted a legal battle based on a new U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding an individual's right to own a gun.

Matteo, 75, turned over his firearms in March after a verbal spat with his wife led to an order of protection against him. Guilderland police refused to give the guns back, citing a federal law barring anyone under an order of protection from possessing firearms.

"Gee," mused Bob Barr bewilderedly, "why is everybody mad at me...?"

[Via Jeffersonian]

Burma Rave

Rangoon is seething with frustration after last year's failed protests, which were led by monks. The government's callous handling of the cyclone in May which killed at least 140,000 people has increased popular anger.

Some now talk about taking up arms against the government after the failure of last year's non-violent protests.

A group of young men in a Rangoon bar spoke openly about wanting to attack the army. "If we could find guns, we would do it," said one English-speaking teenager. "I marched last year, we were shot at and we had nothing to shoot back with."

They ought to knock that kind of talk off. It's not pragmatic and they're going to scare yellow people.

[Via Tom H]

This Day in History: August 3

I Inclose Agreable to your Excellencys desire a List of Such Officers in the army as have received Commissions from the Congress of this Colony: and Also the Resolves of the Congress: which though Inaccurate may serve to Shew in what manner the Congress Intended to Rank the several Regiments raised in this Colony.

SiteMeter IE Issues Resolved

So I put the widget back in the margin.

We're the Only Ones Who Shouldn't be Questioned Enough

When police arrived, they found Hutchinson under an overpass on U.S. 65 Saturday morning, Springfield's KY3 News reported. The boy had fallen 30 feet off the overpass and was lying on the shoulder.

When the boy didn't respond to police, they Tasered him, repeatedly.

I'll bet that got a response.

Authorities say their use of a Taser weapon should not be questioned, because they were trying to help Hutchinson to safety.

We're going to help you or else. What's that road to hell paved with again?

[More from The "Only Ones" Files]

That's Pretty Funny There

Peter G says about links to gun grabber sites:

I wouldn't click them with *your* mouse.

"I Wouldn't Say No"

Well somebody should.

See, It's Old Subversives Like This...

...that make a Mike Vanderboegh response a necessary part of the toolkit, regardless of any condemnation you might hear from the more amenable. And incidentally, 45superman confirmed what I suspected and would have reported on yesterday had I not been locked out: All the PSH over that, and I mean all of it, came from that camp.

When a paper bills itself as "You Progressive Voice," I have no problem speaking to communists and their supporters like the genocide-enabling dogs they are.

That includes you, Amitai. That you fled from Nazi Germany and yet still embrace "gun control" and"communitarianism" as "a carefully crafted balance between rights and responsibilities and autonomy and order" makes you especially contemptible.

Foolish Homeowners Endanger Selves and Children

Alexander Erion Neal, 20...and two other armed men had kicked in the door and were trying to rob the house, when they encountered an elderly couple and their adult sons, police said. One of the sons, who is in his 20s, was armed with a high-powered rifle, Lt. Brian Whitten said. The man opened fire on the intruders, killing Neal in the doorway.

How sad--another "child gun death."

Don't these people realize the statistics about a gun in the home? They're lucky the assailants didn't take that rifle and use it against them.

And "high-powered"? I wonder what it will turn out to be...

Why "They" Hate Us

Because we're free, of course.

Federal agents may take a traveler's laptop or other electronic device to an off-site location for an unspecified period of time without any suspicion of wrongdoing, as part of border search policies the Department of Homeland Security recently disclosed.

Guaranteeing More Marios

"If we see someone calling the police, then we target them," said Mario Garcia, 20, who describes himself as a former tagger trying to become a professional artist. "You are trying to stop me from what I live, what I believe in and what I breathe? We are not going to let no one get in the way."

Let me explain something, young and ignorant savage. When human beings suffer property damage from territory-spraying animals, they either neuter or eradicate them, depending on what's most cost-effective. When the animal proves dangerous, it's generally the latter.

You know nothing about honor--you seem to have it confused with a psychotic demand to have everything your way or you'll attack. That you find yourself a jackal among sheep is merely your good luck. Try that crap around men, stupid little boy, and you'll be lucky if all they do is kick your worthless ass. I'm envisioning a large red smear on a wall left as a warning--I don't know art, but I know what would amuse me.

So naturally, the "official position" is to let the animals run wild on the streets and let the trained, professional "Only Ones" handle everything. Talk about guaranteeing more Marios...

There and Back Again--Sort Of

Well, I'm no longer blocked from posting. But Google must have done something in their "fix" to screw up IE. I'm doing this in Firefox, and Safari also works.

Someone suggested clearing the cache, but that can be a pain, particularly if you do it and it still doesn't work. I'll do some searching around--I know there are other Blogspot blogs this is happening to, so rather than try a local fix, I think I'll see what's happening globally first.

Anyway, expect blogging to be haphazard this weekend. My goal is to be up to full speed by Monday.

Many thanks to all of you who generously offered me assistance of all kinds--I may indeed end up taking some of you up on it as soon as I figure out the direction I want to go.

UPDATE: A cursory search as well as comments by some of you here, on the WordPress site and via emails showed the "culprit" to be the Site Meter code. I gather the folks there are doing some upgrading and didn't count on the legendary stand-offishness of Microsoft to play well with others. I removed it and IE is now working. Pity--it was more useful for quick snapshot access to BATFU visits than Stat Counter. Perhaps after they work the bugs out, I will restore the code.

UPDATE: Here's the bird's eye lowdown on Site Meter. They're doing an upgrade and it blew up in everyone's face. The thing is, I went to their site and they say nothing about this, so it's a double screw-up on their part that we have to find out from others.

My suggestion, bearing in mind that I have the computer savvy of a coral reef: Remove the code from your site (but copy it and save it somewhere). Also record the numbers so you know where to reset (this probably isn't necessary because deleting the code should not terminate your Site Meter account, which ought to have the code and last count, but I've always been a big Department of Redundancy Department fan in situations where not having backup might mean either everything I've worked for all these years is lost, lost and gone forever, I tell you, or else it's readily retrievable and restorable.

UPDATE: Bottom line, it's Bill Gates' fault.

Turns out that this was the result of a bug in Internet Explorer, which the Sitemeter developers didn't account or test for. The technical details and a description of the bug involved are here. Does this still mean that Sitemeter are to blame, or are we about to see the backlash shift to Microsoft because of a known bug and a developer not testing.

This Day in History: August 2

Capt. Oliver Parker of Col. Prescotts Regiment, tried by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Glover was President, for “defrauding his men of their advance pay, and by false Returns, imposing upon the Commissary, and drawing more Rations than he had men in his company, and for selling the provisions he by that means obtained” is by the Court found guilty of the whole charge against him and sentenced to be cashiered, mulcted of all his pay and rendered incapable of future service.

"Zero Tolerance"

On Board Restrictions
For everyone's safety and comfort, Greyhound asks that customers please follow certain restrictions while on board. Federal law does not permit smoking on Greyhound buses. We have a zero tolerance for alcohol, drugs, weapons and unruly behavior.

Yeah, right.

Go Greyhound and leave your safety to us.

Fight or Flight

It's one of several Illinois communities — reluctant to spend money on legal fights — rushing to repeal their gun bans after the court struck down a Washington, D.C., ban, even as cities such as Chicago and San Francisco stand firm.

For some reason, that bit about Frisco doesn't sound quite right. But the hold 'em/fold 'em reactions to these post-Heller challenges bring to mind a question for those more pragmatic than me: Say a liberal court like the Ninth Circuit twists the ruling and allows a ban to stay. Then say SCOTUS ducks the issue and refuses to hear the case.

What next? Elect better representatives and change the law? In California?

Is that it? "Majority rule democracy" is the end word? And until that changes, tough luck for blue-staters and urbanites who wish to exercise their rights?

Under those circumstances, you'd condemn civil disobedience and self defense against those who would deny rights? Would this apply across the board to all rights, or just to RKBA?

Since some of the "radical" sentiments expressed by some of us are dismissed out of hand, I think it's fair to ask where more moderate guidance could ultimately lead us.

Is there a pragmatic line in the sand? What is it? What happens if it's crossed? (Assuming discussing it openly won't traumatize the melanin-deficient, of course...)

What'll it be--fight or flight? Assuming there will always be a place to flee to if no one ever make a stand...

[Via Jeffersonian]

Zargonians Issue Ultimatum

Alabama Boy Gets Death Threats for Hunting 1,000-Pound ‘Monster Pig’

Anonymous cowards wishing death on children they hate. How very courageous.

My feel is, the boy could no doubt take 'em.

On a positive note, if the Zargonians are resorting to psy-ops instead of direct engagement, it means we've got 'em on the run.

[Via Zachary G]

I'm the Only One Begging Off Enough

I'm getting so many "Only Ones" tips I'm losing focus on other issues of equal importance.

They will continue to be a regular part of this blog, but I'm noticing how many I've already posted today, and several more are in the queue I doubt I'll be able to get to.

It's a tough balance to know how much is too much. I don't want to discourage tips and am gratified to see this category resonates with so many. By the same token, I don't want it to be the dominant theme here.

I suppose the outrageous thing is that there is an unending and continually replenished stream of examples.

I guess all I'm saying is, don't stop, just please understand if I don't select your tip--in this category or any other--and again, I should be, and am grateful so many of you invest your time and thoughts toward bettering the content of this blog.

Thank you for understanding.

A Handgun Against an Army=10 Years After

Mike Vanderboegh revisits an essay, available for both your edification and general melanin-deficient individual traumatizing purposes, at two convenient locations: Mindful Musings and Western Rifle Shooters Association.

All Your Babe Are Belong to Us

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to debate two bills that could give the federal government unprecedented control over the way parents raise their children – even providing funds for state workers to come into homes and screen babies for emotional and developmental problems.

Securing the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, government-style, I see...

[Via Cigar Rollers]

We're the Only Ones Shocked, Shocked Enough

“I’m shocked - completely shocked,” Raynham Police Chief Lou Pacheco said of Valerio Rodriguez’ no-show at Taunton District Court on July 29.

Yeah--after reading about how you let the groper go, Chief, and went after the child victim's father, why would any reasonable person believe the suspect was a flight risk?

Good grief.

[Via JD]

We're the Only Ones Awarding Enough

A family whose house was raided by police in error is outraged that eight officers involved were honored. Police say the eight, who also took fire, "performed bravely."

Fine.

The "Only Ones" at the Minneapolis PD want to play it that way, then let's give 'em back their own policy in spades.

The criteria is "the officers 'performed very bravely under gunfire and made smart decisions'"?

OK, well their victim, Mr. Khang "thought he was being robbed. Khang shot through his bedroom door at the officers until he understood who they were."

Why is his bravery and intelligence under fire any less worthy of recognition?

In accordance with Minneapolis Police Department Policy 2-306.01 CITIZEN’S AWARD OF VALOR, which states:

The Citizen’s Award of Valor may be awarded to citizens for exemplary and heroic acts that expose them to considerable danger.

I'd say Mr. Khang qualifies just as much--if not more so--than his assailants. Since the award needs to be initiated by a MPD employee, I call on Chief Timothy Dolan to nominate and approve him for the award.

Please take a moment and join me in writing to the chief: police@ci.minneapolis.mn.us . And please spread the word and recruit others--it'll only take a minute, so let's have some fun with this.


[Via kissme126, TedPB, Brian F, Plug Nickel Times]

Kitsch

Maybe so, but I'd rather be a well-defended and self-sufficient Heartlander than a helpless "sophisticate" bleeding out all over designer clothes.

[Via cycjec]

Something About Mary

Mary McFate was a prominent gun control activist. Mary Lou Sapone was a freelance spy with an NRA connection. They are the same person. [More]

In general I have nothing against an activist going underground to mess up the enemy. In general I'm uneasy when they do it for pay at the behest of an organization, because if they get caught, "it makes us all look bad."

That said, the way this is worded, it's inconclusive. And as far as gaining valuable intelligence on the goals of the groups she infiltrated, there's hardly any secret on their targets, their tactics, and their MOs.

Now if she had come up with damaging quotes, questionable practices, names of covert donors unwilling to "come out," etc., we might have something. Mostly what I see here is a forum for antis to make a lot of noise and act like injured parties, courtesy of the subversive media co-conspirator that is Mother Jones.

Just keep in mind that penetration "at the highest levels" works both ways.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

This Day in History: July 31

[H]aving just before the Receipt of it had Accounts by a private Hand of the Sailing of a Number of Men of War and Transports from Boston; which I conjectured were designed to supply the Enemy with fresh Provisions. I immediately sent the Intelligence to Block-Island together with a Quantity of Powder Ball and Flints to enable them to defend their Property, and gave them Assurances of further Assistance if necessary.

Just So They Know Who Owns Them

A school in Texas will force students who don't follow the rules to wear prison-like jumpsuits in a controversial move this coming school year.

Sounds like good preparation for the Chattel of Tomorrow. And what a moral lesson for impressionable young minds: If you have the power, you can force those with less to do any damn thing you please.

Props for Jerry

American comedian Jerry Lewis has been held by police after an unloaded gun was found in his hand-luggage at the main airport in Las Vegas.

If it was a prop, why do the cops say it was registered?

Per this account:

Lewis's manager, Claudia Marghilano, said the handgun was a hollowed-out prop gun that Lewis sometimes twirls during his show.

We shall see...

Olofson Incarceration Update

From Len Savage:

On Monday I received a collect call from David Olofson. David says he is doing well. He was assigned to the prison law library and does duties as teachers aide, and helps other convicts look up the subject laws involving their cases. He tells me he helped three so far.

He has been receiving correspondence regularly and he enjoys it. He was disappointed at the level of censoring, and his family photos keep getting sent back to his family.

David remarked at the sub-standard food. He gave me an example that when they serve ground beef, it means it includes beef byproducts like gristle, kidney, etc. He said if that is the worst he has to deal with he will manage just fine.

David is very concerned for his family, his wife could use some encouragement. The fact is his family is getting the worst of the punishments according to David. His wife gets up at 4:00am to gather the children together so she can still work, as they have a home, and to make ends meet.

As a side note please give David's mailing address again. If possible a link to GOA website for those who would like to help save the family home during his incarceration.

"De Oppresso liber" to liberate the oppressed...

Gladly:

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

Olofson Relief Fund

Why Not Treat it Like the "Gun Epidemic"?

The AIDS epidemic among African-Americans in some parts of the United States is as severe as in parts of Africa, according to a report out Tuesday.

Sounds like some people can't be trusted with genitals. Time to get them out of the hands of young people, off the streets, out of our homes...perhaps a "buyback" of sorts could be arranged, with gift certificates offered in exchange for...

And why aren't "community leaders" calling for the same types of "solutions" they do with "gundeaths"? You know, laws, prohibitions, bans...but for everyone, everywhere...or wait...should it be based on "home rule"? They keep changing demands...

Maybe Snuffy Pfleger can lead a march on a suburban sex shop...

[Via John G]

We're the Only Ones Improving Race Relations Enough

A white police officer accused of fatally shooting an unarmed black woman holding her 1-year-old son thought he was being fired upon by a drug dealer when he pulled the trigger, his attorney said Tuesday.

Turns out his fellow raiders were the "Only Ones" who fired...

Eight months maximum sentence...? Really?

And an all white jury in a community with a substantial black population?

Oh, this should end well.

[Via The Price of Liberty]

“Have I Said or Done Something to Offend You?”

Oh, gee, I don't know, Bob Barr campaign.

[Via Luke O and Say Uncle]

Bound by Law

The lone 19-year-old female clerk was confronted by two of the robbers, one of whom was armed with a black semi-automatic pistol. She was moved into a back room where she was bound with duct tape.

Very scary. And once they have you bound, they can do anything they want to you, no matter how much muffled-howling terror or agony it causes. That they did not seems more a matter of luck for the clerk than anything else, because anyone lacking sufficient morality to pull a gun and bind a fellow human being for petty gain is capable of any evil.

And, of course, while 19 is old enough to serve in the military, well, California law wouldn't permit this young lady to even possess, let alone carry a handgun. Of course, it's a sure bet that the predators aren't allowed either, not that such formalities ever stop them.

We're the Only Ones Commemorating the Occasion Enough

The allegations began when pictures were posted on MySpace. We are told they were from a negligee party the weekend before last where teenagers were drinking and having sex...

But there weren't any pictures of the dispatcher.

Investigators are being told the dispatcher, Lorene Cheswick, was the one behind the camera taking the racy pictures.

Say chee-eese!

[More from the "Only Ones" Files]

"Nothing Was Lacking"

Mall marketing director Bob Jenkins said nothing was lacking the day the bullets flew inside the mall. Police were on the scene in minutes, and surveillance cameras captured the shooting and footage of the suspect.

Of course something was lacking, Bob. And that you don't know what it was shows something lacking in you.

This Day in History: July 30

July 30. 1775
- Samuel Adams writes his wife that the Continental Congress will adjourn soon, the delegates having decided "to make a Recess during the sultry August of August."