We're the Only Ones Discouraging Alternative Transportation Enough

Any bets on whether the "Only One" or the bicyclist would have been indicted but for the video recording of what happened?

[Via Chris Horton]

Scuba for Governor

I guarantee he'll be a lot more honest than the current son of a bi....

More on the Con-Con and a Rant

We talked about it here.

Chuck Baldwin explains why they're so dangerous.

I understand the Ohio vote has been delayed. None of the legislators saw fit to get back with me--I guess they thought I might be a bit peeved.

But here's a question for you, who come here regularly every day, because I presume you get some value out of it.

I asked readers to join me (I never ask for anything I don't give myself), to send an email. I even provided all the addresses.

How many did?

Apathy is the most frustrating thing I confront. It's a bigger threat than anything out there. And I have to wonder what someone will do if they won't even take a minute, literally, to send a simple email.

I've answered dismissals about "preaching to the choir" before, the first time, I believe, in my article "You Say You Want a Revolution?" published by GUNS AND AMMO back in 2001:

If only this assumption was true. We would be invincible!

The choir is comprised of the volunteers up there doing the work, singing. These are the people who learn the music and the words and the programs. They take significant time out from their demanding professional and personal lives to practice, to learn and to perform. And they’ll do it again next week, and the next.

The overwhelming majority of gun owners are, at best, spectators. They may occasionally attend a service, they may even put a couple dollars in the plate when it’s passed, but to actually put forth time, effort and financial support on a continued basis, to do real work and make real sacrifices, is something they typically find reasons for not doing.

So it takes a special person for me to acknowledge as being a choir member.

I'm also reminded of a quote from Mr. Churchill.

I bring this up because I see the vast majority of gun owners, maybe, say, 97%, dismissing "threepers," sometimes with great contempt. Just the other day I saw myself characterized with the words "spittle-flying screaming about all the 'cowards' that won't start killing jack-booted thugs at the issuance of a traffic ticket."

I approached my accuser privately (and politely, I might add) and asked to see where I've done that, or even anything close to it to make it a fair caricature. For some reason he won't reply.

For the record, I'm doing what I can, and have been for years, to work toward restoration of the Republic through petitions for redress, political involvement, the legal system, the media...

The ironic thing is, if we do reach the much-mischaracterized "Vanderboegh scenario," it will be because many who decried it the loudest didn't hold up their end of the deal and actually do concrete work toward those political and legal results they tell us will be our salvation.

The rant is almost over. At the risk of alienating and driving anyone away, I'll say this flat out: If you're not doing something proactive on a regular basis to try and promote Liberty/discourage tyranny, you're part of the problem. It's not my place to tell you what to do, it's your place to find something that enthuses you and do it.

This week and the next and the next....

[Via W-3]

We're the Only Ones Who Know That Enough

The State is now conceding that the police informant in the case illegally broke into Frederick's home three nights before the raid. Until now, they had either denied the connection or refused to comment.

Frederick's attorney released an audio recording taken in a police car shortly after the raid. In it, Frederick tries to explain that he was confused and frightened because someone had broken into his home earlier in the week. A police detective replies, "We know that." In a second recording, the detective says again, "First off, we know your house had been broken into. OK?"

Let me get this straight.

Their guy breaks in.

They say they know that.

But then they say they didn't know it was their guy.

It's tough following "Only One" versions some times. They get kind of...convoluted...

[Via Carl S]

This Day in History: December 17

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

The Return of Burka Abeam

Well, at least HuffPo noticed. The "conservative" big shots I sent it to ignored it.

Be interesting to see what this does to the traffic...

UPDATE:

...and now Buzzflash.

Good day, stat wise.

Sheesh. I do all this work and the thing that gets noticed is the trivia.

If you go back to my original post from 5 days ago that's grabbing the attention now, you'll see somebody gave a copy of the paper to Jay Leno and he talked about it last night...

A Lesson to be Learned

There is, indeed, a lesson to be learned, and I'm curious to see if it has been. So I'm going to relinquish the floor. How would you respond to the assertion that it's too dangerous to keep a loaded gun in the home?

I have a question for the readers in today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Go there and share your thoughts with us.

Dial 911 and Die

Brittany Zimmerman, a 21-year-old college student who wanted to be a doctor, called 911 as she was being attacked by a stranger, police say.

But the police did not come for 48 minutes. By that time, Zimmerman was dead. Her fiance found her body.

Although the dispatcher claimed later to have heard nothing, the 911 tape captured screams, gasps and what sounds like a struggle, according to the court documents.

Tragic.

And, unfortunately, the dangers are well known and documented.

This eerily reminds me of an ad we produced years ago for Citizens of America.

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

[Via ebd10]

A Soaring Response...

...to this.

Per David J. Theroux:

As an update, our book THE FOUNDERS' SECOND AMENDMENT: Origins of the Rights to Bear Arms, by Independent Institute Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook, has skyrocketed to the following rankings at Amazon.com:

#1: Law
#1: Civil Rights and Liberties
#1: Constitutions
#1: Constitutional Law
#1: Revolutionary and Founding History
#12: History
#11: Professional and Technical
#26: Nonfiction (all)

The book has soared to an overall ranking of #140 at Amazon.com and #105 at Barnes & Noble.com. (With the enormous response, Amazon.com temporarily sold out of the book and is now being restocked.)

Y'know, we could do a lot worse than to get this information into the public consciousness.

Click here to learn more.

Sovietizing the Economy

William N. Grigg outlines "The Final Phase."

[Via Western Rifle Shooters Association]

Our Second National Holiday

And so, on the day we should probably celebrate as our SECOND great national holiday, on Dec. 15, 1791, Virginia became the 11th state to ratify the first 10 proposed amendments, Mr. Madison’s “Bill of Rights” — though a better name might be the “Bill of Prohibitions” on government conduct — thrown together in an attempt to placate such vociferous anti-federalists as Patrick Henry and Richard Henry Lee.

Vin Suprynowicz educates those of us who will sit still and listen about Bill of Rights Day.

[Via Western Rifle Shooters Association]

The Lonely War

Mike Vanderboegh really is an engaging writer and military historian, with a talent for putting you right in the action.

This is long (naturally) but well worth the time.

Also, you can meet Mike (and his chair) in Indianapolis the weekend of Jan. 9.

It Doesn't Get More Deadly

AAAGGGHHH!!!

"[R]apid-fire, high-powered assault-style rifles in Peoria"!!!!!

HELP!!! IT BU-R-R-RNS!!!!

And it's not the poor cop's fault. You need to put what he said in context with the rest of his statement:

"It's not the gun itself, but the person standing behind the gun."

But if "Authorized Journalist" Leslie Fark has a chance to introduce hysteria into the mix, then dammit, that's just what she's going to do.

[Via Bryan E]

What Happens Off Post Stays Off Post

Just confirmed through our legal folks that there is no Army requirement for Soldiers living off post to register fire arms on post.

Nicki went up the ladder and got a definitive answer on this.

BATFU Reenacts Sherman's March

The government had planned to burn hundreds of acres in the area on Tuesday to clear underbrush to aid in searching for more ammunition and explosives.

It's official.

Slash and burn, that is, components of total war, are now acceptable tools in BATFU's War on (Drugs and) Guns.

And of course, the other good thing about burning...uh...evidence is...is...well, it does put more weight on sworn testimony, doesn't it?

I wonder if they'll salt the earth afterward?

I also wonder if this has happened yet--the story is a few days old, and I can't find accounts of the burn having taken place. The thought strikes to get the left to carry some water--literally.

There's gotta be some environmentalcases we could plant a bug under about carbon footprints, greenhouse gasses, releasing toxins and carcinogens into the environment, endangering wildlife...

[Via Chris Horton]

A Joint Sobriety Driver License Checkpoint

Click on image to enlarge.

A "joint...checkpoint"?

Well, that ain't what I was directly told yesterday. I was told the Marines were observers, learning how to do the drill so they could apply it on base.

I don't dismiss the possibility that this could be clumsy wording on the part of CHP, but think this is now worth getting some official answers for -- in writing.

Naturally, the "Authorized Journalists" are completely out of the loop on this. What more proof do we need that bloggers are illegitimate?

For starters, were I a California constituent, particularly one from that region, I'd be sending inquiries to my state assemblyman and state senator, and to my congressional representative and senator. I'd also chide the local papers and ask why they aren't getting to the bottom of this.

[Via Zachary G]

This Day in History: December 16

IT is His Majesty’s Pleasure, that, from the date hereof, and during the continuance of the Rebellion now subsisting in North America, every person, who shall enlist as a soldier in any of His Majesty’s Marching Regiments of Foot, shall be entitled to his discharge at the end of Three Years, or at the end of the said Rebellion, at the option of His Majesty.

A Major Blow to Gun Rights in Oregon

An Oregon Appeals Court decision has found that your car is now considered a "public place." That means that possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle may be considered a crime if the locality in which you are traveling has a ban on open loaded carry.

This, of course, is naked in-your-face tyranny.

UPDATE: A lawyer weighs in and says it ain't exactly so...

Grassroots Activists Derail Con-Con

Imagine that. A "threeper" working the political side of the street.

If you only listened to some, people who were silent on this, incidentally, you wouldn't think we did that.

Not trying to renew a fight--only trying to correct the record.

No Rush to Judgment

"The boys found the gun in [their grandmother's] car, but police said the weapon belonged to the boys' aunt. The kids were playing 'gangster' when the shooting occurred..."

Good grief.

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Tell a friend?

"Authorized Journalists"

Still, government authorized journalism is only half the equation — we also need to look at what the anointed media do with their elite status. Meaning how they slant supposedly straight news stories to fit their anti-gun agenda. And ignore other stories altogether.

WarOnGuns regulars are familiar with "Authorized Journalists." That's also the title of my Feb. 2009 Rights Watch column for GUNS Magazine.

A Deadly Mix

I mean, really, how many times must we see the "Dodge City" predictions come tru...

What?

We haven't?

After how many years?

Well, still. We don't like guns and don't think you should be allowed to have them.

So there.

Oh well. The Courant is part of The Tribune Company, and we know how well they're doing.

Maybe if they hadn't spent all those years brewing a deadly mix of freedom-corroding lies some of us might be inclined to give a damn.

A Matter of Trust

Fondness for one's guns must not supersede sensibility if we are to ever co-exist in a country where we can all feel comfortable and possess basic trust for one another.

Coming from someone who doesn't trust you to own a gun--or to know the truth about her real intentions.

Nice. Talk about "exaggerated insecurity," Laura Eshelman. Project much?

And on Bill of Rights Day, no less.

Except she probably doesn't know that. And neither, based on a search attempt, does the Citizen- Times.

If Only...

...Texas had Mexican-style gun control, none of this would happen.

We all believe that, right?

Military Roadblocks in CA?

The Marine Corps Air and Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) Provost Marshal (head of a unit of military police) and the local California Highway Patrol office will begin working together 12/12 — and through the holiday season — in a joint effort to reduce accidents and drinking and driving. The combined mutual cooperation between the Marine Corps Military Police and State enforcement officers will begin somewhere along Highway 62. The CHP will set up DUI roadblocks with the presence of Military Police. A violation of the Posse Comitatus Act.

I can't find anything about this in a regular news search (which, as we've seen, can mean very little) or on any Marine sites I've checked (although they do have a "Hwy 62 Kill Zones" slideshow here, but it doesn't mention enforcement).

I'll need independent confirmation, including the scope and nature, before I venture an opinion. Anyone with knowledge or contacts, please educate the rest of us.

I'll try calling the base later today--as I post this, it's 5:33 AM their time.

[Via Zachary G]

UPDATE:I spoke with Gy Sgt Cox, named in the linked report. Nice guy.

They've got four or five Marines observing so they can learn and apply the lessons on base. I understand concerns over mission creep, but I'm just not seeing posse comitatus as an issue here, as there is "unequivocally" no assistance or enforcement.

Erin Go Blagh*

The Government has outlined its proposals for a ban on licensing handguns, which may be expanded to include all firearms in the future.

Faith and begorrah, that ought to test the luck o' the Irish, don't you think?

[Via Jeffersonian]

*

Search Me

Google is moving into new territory: not only making arbitrary, editorial choices - really no different to Fox News, say, or any other media organization. It's now in the business of validating and manufacturing consent: not only reporting what people say, but how you should think.

Gosh. That might partially explain the pH factor. To think there might be those who want to manipulate us.

I'm told I might do well to look into Scroogle and ixquick. I have no personal experience with either.

[Via Ron W]

A Polite Society

This is the typical response of the socially sensitive whiners who think that ritualistically going through the communally approved motions of confronting the alleged “causes” of crime in society, (early potty training distressed my psyche, Daddy didn’t hug me often enough) will prevent crime. These are people who have never actually been beaten to a bloody pulp by a thug. Meanwhile, confronting a thug with a .45 slug or ten will actually work wonders.

Dallas/Ft. Worth Libertarian Examiner Garry Reed shares his thoughts on an armed society.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

Deep in the Heart of Texas

TexasFred said...

David, I'd like to invite you and your readers to join us at The Texas Gun Owners Association Forum.

It's NOT just for Texans, ALL gun lovers are welcome!

We all know how well I do in forums, but despite my biases, they can be important places for gun owners to meet and share ideas. Check it out.

2A "Book Bomb"

I just got an email this morning about the "Second Amendment Book Bomb." They're asking gun activists to celebrate the day by buying a copy of, and spreading the word about Stephen P. Halbrook's "The Founders’ Second Amendment: Origins of the Right to Bear Arms."

I haven't read this one, but I've read lots of his other stuff, and its essential work.

Right now it looks like the link is timing out, so hopefully this means it's generating so much interest their site can't handle the traffic. If you can't get through, all I can suggest is try again later.

This Day in History: December 15

Happy Bill of Rights Day.

To see how far we've come, let's do a Google News search for the exact phrase "Bill of Rights Day."

Results 1 - 10 of about 22 for bill-of-rights-day.

Now let's apply the pH factor and search--again, limiting ourselves to just the "News" category, for another term of social import:

1 - 10 of about 7,430 for paris-hilton.

And the "Authorized Journalists" wonder why we love them so...

The Day the Earth Stood Still...

...managed to be even more offensive than the original subversive paean to UN rule/global disarmament.

What a piece of anti-human environmentalcase Hollywood crap. The only reason I saw it was to see if I could get a magazine piece out of it, and I just may be able to.

A Perfect Opportunity...

“No questions asked, no ID required,” assured the Rev. Ikenna Kokayi of the United African American Ministerial Action Council, which is spearheading the program.

That doesn't mean we can't ask a question of our own--like will you now accept responsibility for our safety?

This seems like a great way to introduce this card.

Anybody have contact with activist gun owners in San Diego who might want to try this and report on it?

[Via DJK]

Bugs

The U.S. military has been working for a while on tiny, buglike drones — to serve as miniature flying spies, Defense Department robot-makers say. But this video, from the Air Force Research Laboratory, shows that the military is also interested in turning these "Micro Air Vehicles," or MAVs, into biomorphic weapons that can lie in secret for weeks at a time — and then strike an adversary with lethal accuracy.

Coming soon, to a militarized police department near you.

Theoretical exercise: How would you defeat these things if you had to?

[Via Paul W. Davis]

We're the Only Ones in Pursuit Enough

Toronto Police were red faced both out of anger and embarrassment, after a suspect took off in one of their cruisers. An officer had been conducting a routine traffic stop...when a suspect suddenly jumped into the driver's seat, put it in gear and hit the accelerator, leaving the officer stranded at the scene.

And if the perp had escaped with the shotgun, and if it had later been used in a crime, the Canadian antis could have used that to bolster their statistics that guns can only be safeguarded in the hands of the "Only Ones"...

[Via Bruce Mills]

Weaponized Borats

Americans say that the Lithuanians are sort of a weaponized version of Borat, who think nothing of sauntering around a base in nothing but flip-flops and underwear. “They look like mountain men. They never shave, sometimes don’t bathe, and often roll out the gate wearing nothing but body armor and weapons. Not even a t-shirt,” an American soldier told me. The Lithuanians may be a little bit nuts, but the Americans love to have them around because Lithuanians love to fight, and when you need backup, you can count on them. That contrasts starkly with many of the NATO “partners.”

There may be a lesson in here somewhere...

[Via Peter G]

Urine His Yard...

...and ur up to no good...

Seems to me u got what u deserved.

[Via Zachary G]

Red Light District

Fullerton's red-light camera program violates a state law that bars cities from paying vendors based on the revenue their tickets generate, an Orange County Superior Court judge has ruled.

I used to drive through that intersection every day for years, to and from work, and to get to the freeway to visit customers.

I thought of several ways to monkeywrench the damn things but taking the profit out of "public/private partnerships" is the best solution of all...

Since revenue-sharing doesn't appear to be an issue, I don't think the same principles can be applied to these creepy fascist rope sellers, but there's gotta be some way to mire them down--that is, if the pure suckiness of their idea isn't enough. So far, it looks like they've made a lot of noise but no real headway.

If that assessment is correct, perhaps we should be encouraging the gunbashers to expend more resources into dead-end ventures...that'd be less they'd have to invest in more effective attacks.

Kind of like what I tried to do here, with "our man in the gun ban camp." Nobody's heard from that loser for a while, have they? Aside from his domain name being unused...?

Fighting Lies with Truth

Fighting crime with cash...

"Authorized Journalists."

Shall we see if they're redeemable?

Fox 13 and reporter Alcides Segui have missed a much larger story. If gun "buybacks" actually fight crime (and this totally dismisses the proven crime-fighting benefits some guns in private hands provide), that's big news--particularly since, per Don B. Kates and Gary Mauser in the Spring 2007 Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, "the US National Academy of Sciences ... failed to identify any gun control that reduced violent crime, suicides or gun accidents." This was "from a review of 153 journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications, and some original empirical research. The same conclusion was reached in 2003 by the US Centers for Disease Control...."

So if you have authoritative information to contradict these findings, don't you have a responsibility to share it? Or, more likely, are your headline and story just the hysterics of biased incompetents masquerading as journalists?

Not that I expect an answer, but if I get one I'll share it.

In the mean time, feel free to join me and ask them a question of your own. They're going to continue misinforming the public with drek like this unless and until they get shamed out of it.

[Via Edmund M]

Partners in Crime

VPC Lauds Introduction of Blagojevich Bill to Ban "Pocket Rockets"...

The legislation would ban the future sale of handgun with an overall length of less than 71/2 inches.

A blast from the past...

This is the filth who would control you.

Treat it as such.

[Via A C Frechtling]

This Day in History: December 14

Your favor of the 11th. Inst. was handed me by the two french Gentlemen, Monsieurs Penet and De pleurne, for which I am exceedingly obliged to you. I have heard their proposals and plan, for supplying the Continent with Arms and Amunition, which appear plausible and to promise Success; But not thinking myself Authorised to Enter into any contract respecting the same and being not fully acquainted with the Measures Congress have adopted for procuring these Articles; I have prevailed upon them to go to Philadelphia and Recommended them and the Consideration of their plan to that Body, where the Matter will be finally agreed upon or rejected.

When Seconds Count...

...the Bobbies are just minutes away.

[Via cycjec]

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise

‘Dress down’ or risk being robbed, police tell women

She asked for it. Look at the way she was dressed.

Yep. It's come to that.

[Via cycjec]

National Press Club Obama Challenge

I know there's no shortage of those who will be quick to jump on this as tinfoil hat conspiracy theory. There will be others just as passionately convinced of the opposite.

I've said before I haven't been convinced, but I do think the evidence deserves to be looked at. My thoughts on it are posted here.

While I laughed out loud during the preacher's prayer, I don't think referring to Obama as "this long-legged macdaddy" is helpful at establishing credibility in a forum like the National Press Club.

But I still may steal that description.

[Via Skip]

UPDATE: I'm continuing to listen to this as I do my work, and must say this reverend gets way off topic and doesn't help. The lawyers who put this news conference together should have stuck to the issue and not gone so far afield--there should be no discussion of black-on-white lust. This character is entertaining, but he comes off like Uncle Ruckus.

The Payoff

In a deal OK'd by the City Council, Minneapolis will pay a family more than $600,000 after a SWAT team wrongly raided its home.

Don't forget the cost of the medals...

[Via Buzz G]

Credit Where Due

"My spouse told me there was a man inside with a gun, saying he was going to kill everybody," said Robinson, an 11-year veteran of the highway patrol who is assigned to the Creek and Muskogee turnpikes.

He's braver than I am, wrestling with the guy instead of just shooting him.

[Via Joe G]

"Just As"?

If they do, they should conclude that the right to keep and bear arms is protected against infringement by the state governments, just as it is protected against the federal government.

In other words, that is, in the words of "Maximum Mike":

The bureau is studying the decision, but expects that it will not affect its continued enforcement of all existing federal firearms laws."

Nobody thinks we won't be screwed on incorporation just like on everything else, do they?

That's not how those corrupted by power operate.

All the polite academic discussions in the world won't change that. In the absence of a credible "stop or else," nothing will. What we're reconciling among ourselves now is whether such a check is likely to be produced through current stacked deck legislative and judicial efforts.

[Via Skip]

This Day in History: December 13

December 13, 1775 at Norfolk, Virginia - On December 13, after the American victory at the Battle of Great Bridge, the Patriot force occupies the town of Norfolk. Conclusion: American Victory

No Apology

Looks like HS-Precision figures they've done enough? Because that "apology" where they're sorry we feel that way is gone.

Outside the Box

We have a tough time getting anybody to listen to our message but ourselves.

How we go about changing that will be a subject for many columns to come. But in my years of promoting a peaceable armed citizenry, I've found our biggest impediment comes from within. Opportunities are squandered due to apathy.

This morning we have new opportunities to make our voices heard by two different audiences.

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column...

Tell a friend?

The Great Waubonsie Valley BB Terror of '08

Two Waubonsie Valley High School students were charged with disorderly conduct after they were spotted handling a BB gun in the school, prompting the campus to be locked down for about five hours.

I particularly love the photo of the "We R OK" sign.

No you weren't, kids.

If it had been a real active shooter situation, you'd have been lambs in a slaughterhouse.

But you listened to a teacher who was utterly powerless to defend you and stayed penned in, didn't you?

Not a one of you thought independently and put a desk through that window so you could get out if you needed to, did you?

I wonder--had a monster thirsting for blood breached your classroom door, who would have screamed louder in helpless terror? You or the adult?

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

Lessons to Learn From

Mindful Musings rediscovers an excellent law review article from a decade ago.

Idiots

A JOINT RESOLUTION

Applying to the Congress of the United States pursuant to Article V of the United States Constitution to call a constitutional convention for proposing amendments.

Look guys, if they don't obey what's there now, if they twist and pervert plain meaning to produce the exact opposite of what the Founders intended, what the hell makes you think adding new verbiage is going to make a damn bit of difference?

This action presupposes there's something wrong with the Constitution, as opposed to the criminals ignoring it.

And it further opens the door for just about damn near anything.

Dumb idea. Even dumber when you consider the Evil Party majority in the current congress, and then realize the proponents of this nonsense are Stupid Party members all.

This is bigger than Ohio. They deserve to hear from everyone.

Matt Huffman: district04@ohr.state.oh.us
Colleeen Grady: district18@ohr.state.oh.us
Tom Brinkman: district34@ohr.state.oh.us
Arlene Setzer: district36@ohr.state.oh.us
Clyde Evans: district87@ohr.state.oh.us
Gerald L. Stebelton: district05@ohr.state.oh.us
William G. Batchelder: district69@ohr.state.oh.us
Louis W. Blessing, Jr.: district29@ohr.state.oh.us
John Adams: district78@ohr.state.oh.us
Josh Mandel: district17@ohr.state.oh.us
Ross McGregor: district72@ohr.state.oh.us
Kevin Bacon: district21@ohr.state.oh.us
Joe Uecker: district66@ohr.state.oh.us
James J. Zehringer: district77@ohr.state.oh.us

Please join me in doing this today.

[Via Brian F]

UPDATE:

Handbills...

...for the soldier or peace officer in your life.

[Via Ron W]

One Word

PULL!

[Via Sam W]

Preparing the Next Generation of Serfs

University of Utah engineers have invented a wireless car key device (sample shown at right) to stop teenage motorists from talking on their cell phone or sending text messages while driving. Each driver of a car would have a separate key device. When the key is extended from the device, it sends a signal to the teenage driver's phone, putting the phone in "driving mode" so it cannot be used to talk or send texts.

Huh. Anybody see a "911" exception?

And looky here:

Limiting some cell calls by adults "is a step in the right direction," he says.

Naturally. If we're going to teach the next generation they are untrustworthy and in need of external control, isn't it up to us to set the example?

I note the inventor is a urologist. Somehow, that seems so fitting.

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

A Fight is a Fight is a Fight

What I do not understand is how so many American gun owners -- including many who engage in combat-simulation training with their pistols, rifles, or both -- can and do fully adopt Colonel Cooper's color codes for encounters with street miscreants, but then completely lose that focus when the predators carry neither a knife or a gun, but the reins of executive, legislative, and judicial power.

A-yup.

Olofson Update

Per Len Savage:

Oral arguments in the 7th circuit. Court of Appeals is scheduled for US v. Olofson:

Thursday January 22, 2009, 9:30 am
7th, Court of Appeals,main Courtroom,
Chicago IL

Three Justice Panel yet to be named, 15 minute limit each side.

We're the Only Ones Not Private Actors Enough

Both officers were wearing black uniforms with gold emblems on the sleeves, displaying a gold badge virtually identical to a police shield, and bearing handguns; in short, they were the quintessential image of law enforcement as they ran with weapons drawn towards Day. The officers placed Day in restraints, "terried" him, and began questioning him about the gun and whether he had "anything illegal" on his person. Clearly the officers acted with the intent of deterring crime and assisting law enforcement.

I think a rent-an-Only One would have a problem with me. Particularly if they wanted to get "frisky."

And if they're public actors, does that mean the state assumes some liability for their misdeeds? They shouldn't be able to have it both ways.

[Via Mack H]

This Day in History: December 12

To provide much-needed fuel for the colony, the Massachusetts Council allows decayed barns, stores, and houses to be torn down, as well as any public buildings if needed.

Cluster

Read.

Dial 911 and Die

We've been focusing on gun "buybacks" lately because of the ones they held in Cleveland and Akron. While part of me says anyone oblivious enough to turn in a defense tool for a gift card has made their choice, another part wishes I could give them a copy of a book that's been part of my collection for over nine years, and is just as relevant today as when I first got it: "Dial 911 and Die."

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Tell a friend?

One Classy Lady

hold up that f- - - - - - Cubs s- - - . . . . f- - - them

Jeez, lady, you eat with that mouth?

Patti Blagojevich said on the taped call that she believes she is qualified, and would take such a job immediately.

And I'm sure she'd be worth every penny of that $150K.

Patti Blagojevich got on the phone to say that Tribune owner Sam Zell can "just fire" the offending writers...

Wonder when the "Authorized Journalists" are going to wake up to the fact that their masters consider them expendable?

That's OK. Patti & Co, are going to find out how expendable their masters consider them to be.

Fun With Language

The federal statute making it a crime for a person subject to a domestic violence injunction to possess a firearm does not violate the right to bear arms.

They don't even try to pretend anymore, do they?

[Via cycjec]

I Missed Human Rights Day!!!!

Fortunately, J.D. Tuccille did not:

Beating the crap out of a few gay-bashing cops during the Stonewall riots accomplished more for the rights of gays and lesbians than the UN General assembly ever will.

Also fortunately, I had finished swallowing my coffee before reading that.

Vermont, SC

A South Carolina House member is filing a bill to allow residents to carry weapons without a permit.

Not to pick nits, but I'd prefer instead of "allow" that it read "A South Carolina House member is filing a bill to prosecute any government agent who infringes on the right of citizens to carry weapons."

But in the interest of not being an intractable three-percenter who doesn't know how to compromise, I'll give this a qualified pass.

Which, unfortunately, is more than the legislature will.

[Via Zachary G]

UPDATE: I've been sent a link to the actual bill and told it may not be as cut and dried as the AP article indicates. I'll have more tomorrow.

A Different Take

...on the Blago scandal from Amendment II Democrats...

Burka Abeam

[Click to enlarge, then read caption]

This was just emailed to me.

At first I thought it must be Photoshopped, but Comment #11 would indicate some kind of independent corroboration. If it's real, all I can say is "Good grief" and link over to my "Authorized Journalist" files.

Either way, it's funny. Anyone who can verify or debunk, please weigh in.

UPDATE: CONFIRMED AS REAL. The person who sent it to me is also the one who scanned it. He tells me "it ran in the Los Angeles Daily News on Dec 10, 08 on Page A21."

Dec. 16 UPDATE: Jay Leno talked about it last night (start at 10:43 into the show).



--------------

Be sure and visit my Gun Rights Examiner column.

We're the Only Ones Really Into Kids Enough

The officer lives in Durham. He's been charged with rape, criminal sex act, endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct.

Every time I hear about "Only Ones" and their special love of children, I keep coming back to the same old question...

[Via Declan]

Well Within Police Discretion

[O]fficer safety was such a central concern in public encounters (especially at roadside) that a pat-down search for weapons should be considered well within police discretion. Heytens indicated that authority might even exist if the officer came upon someone changing a tire — if the officer had a notion that the individual was a threat to the officer’s safety.

Just what the government needs--more unaccountable authority for violating individual privacy.

And so much for the argument that "conservative" judges are our last best hope.

And remember: "They" hate us because we're free...

[Via Tom Z]

No Fence-Sitting Here

The reason I am sitting on the fence on this one is that, while I do not have a problem with our military or police aged 18-20 owning a handgun, I also do not feel that they are any better than non military or law enforcement aged 18-20. If we need 18-20 year olds to own or possess handguns, rather they be police officers, an Ohio Reservist or a college student, why don't we just change the law to allow all 18-20 year olds to possess handguns. Why do we need to create higher classes of citizens that are better than someone else because they were hired by a police force?

Your misgivings are right. Listen to them.

I don't believe in "Only Ones." Either we're all in it together or we are not equal under the law. This is no incremental step in the right direction. It's simply more elitism.

You notice once cops got nationwide concealed carry how many of them went to the wall to include the rest of us? Funny thing--once they have their place at the table, they don't concern themselves overmuch with those of us standing outside in the cold looking at the banquet through the window. Except maybe to pull the drapes closed.

That said, I absolutely support the right of these individuals to keep and bear arms without infringement--right there alongside you and me.

We're the Only Ones Déjà Vu All Over Again

WaronGuns Correspondent Jeet reminds me that this was not the first time...

I should have read the article completely through, because it's not exactly like we're strangers here to the Thames Valley Police. As a matter of fact, I'm obliged to them for a paycheck...

We're the Only Ones "To Catch a Predator" Enough

City Officer Kills Himself; Was Under Investigation For Child Porn

And Chris Hansen wasn't even involved.

I'm sure had they been taking a non-"Only One" into police headquarters, we'd have been armed, uncuffed and able to exit the patrol car, too.

[Via Avg Joe]

Weapons Check

The following is an email I received this morning. it should be evident why I'm posting it without identifying the author:

David,

Really enjoy reading your posts and the Examiner column. Keep up the good fight.

This is a little something that happened to me the other day, that struck me as a bit ominous.

The military, despite being an organization whose bread and butter is firearms, is one of the most namby-pamby outfits when it comes to personally owned firearms. If you reside on post or wish to bring your weapon on post to use the post range, all weapons must be registered by serial number with the Provost Marshall. When you turn this information in, the Provost Marshall will conduct a NICS background check on you to see if you are even eligible to own these weapons, and presumably to see if there are any serial numbers listed as stolen with local law enforcement. These serial numbers are now in a federal data-base that is maintained on the post where you reside and with the unit commander. If a soldier is E-4 and below and lives in the barracks all weapons must be stored in the unit arms room and are accounted for daily through the unit armorer's inventory inspection. If a soldier is E-4 and below and lives in government housing the commander may authorize the soldier to keep the weapon in his quarters, but often does not. Regardless of the soldier's rank, if there are allegations of domestic violence, the commander may order all personally owned weapons to be surrendered to the arms room.

Nothing too crazy here, this has all been policy for years. Yesterday, however there was something different that immediately made me take notice. Our squadron is preparing for a regimental command inspection, and as part of that regiment will be looking at the commander's list of all personally owned weapons. In preparation for this, all soldiers were ordered to make sure that all weapons were registered with the Provost Marshall, whether they lived on post or not. I asked for clarification on this and it seems the squadron commander (O5/LTC) wants all personally owned weapons registered regardless of where they are stored.

There are a couple of possible explanations for this. It may be that the SCO is being over-zealous in his efforts to show what a good scout he is. The army has a trend towards, "You can add to, but not take away from", any given procedure or regulation. You may have seen this effect in Alaska, where that knucklehead post commander banned the troops stationed there from any kind of concealed carry.

This directive, if it did not come from our squadron command, may have come from regiment or from the post commander. If it did than it is likely little more than someone's personal agenda being exercised. Field grade officers are funny creatures. Utterly convinced of their righteousness, they can come up with some downright goofy stuff. I once had a battalion commander who was convinced that the NRA was an extremist organization and soldiers were not allowed to be present at functions affiliated with them. Wow.

If however, this directive did not come from any of these sources then it came from higher up in the army, and I find that troubling. It seems like a minor point, but it would indicate a major shift in policy. I will let you draw your own conclusions as to possible motives, if this is indeed the case. I have made no more inquiries, but I am keeping my ear to the ground,

I cannot speak for the other soldiers in this command, or their on how likely they are to comply with this directive. As for me, I am moving from this post in a few weeks and will not bother with this. When I get to where I am going I will be residing off post, nor will I ever live on post again.

I may decide to never own a firearm again...but my wife is sure nuts about her gun collection.

Your experiences along these lines will be welcome. Please feel free to share them in "Comments."

And the Lightworker Said...

...Let us make a nation in our image, after our likeness...

Nice to see the religious ecstasy wasn't just a campaign ploy, and we can look forward to at least four years of eye-rolling idolatry.

Where's that "wall of separation" when you really need it...?

The Laws of War

"The question they want answered is whether we can build automated weapons that would conform to the laws of war. Can we use ethical theory to help design these machines?"

I think one of the reasons we may get into so many wars is we've convinced ourselves they have laws.

Enemies of human dignity and liberty don't recognize rules. The only way they've ever been defeated is when we've been so desperate that we had to do monstrous things to them, to utterly destroy their capabilities and their will.

That's why we should never get involved in war unless there is absolutely no other choice and our freedom depends on it. And unless we have the will to do whatever it takes to win.

It's a terrible thing to contemplate, isn't it?

Thing is, we can't avoid thinking about it and preparing for it if we wish to remain free. And we owe it to everyone involved, including aggressors and those abetting them, to understand how horrible it would be.

I would think our best hope to prevent such horror would be to amplify, not diminish that understanding.

[Via Lane]

The First Line of Defense

Officials are considering a plan that would have fourth- and fifth-graders trained to help fight off an armed gunman should one enter their elementary school.

Why does that remind me of this?

Not everyone is for it (naturellement).

In truth, neither am I--at least the way it's being proposed. It's not a child's job to protect adults who are too stupid and cowardly to do what it takes. Now if you want to require as a condition of employment that all teachers, administrators and staff be armed and undergo tactical training, and if you also want to include competent age-appropriate defensive training for children, including in firearms, we can probably do a lot to make schools less attractive and vulnerable targets.

But if we're talking some aging liberal arts major, who is essentially qualified to shriek and evacuate their bowels, telling kids to throw bookbags and trash cans, come on...

Do what you can to teach your children how anything can be a weapon, but especially how to escape. Because we've seen how well lockdowns, waiting to be rescued and listening to the "experts" work.

[Via Brian F]

This Day in History: December 11

...there Situation is such (being on two Peninsula’s very strongly fortified and surrounded by Ships of War and Floating Batteries) that we cannot get to them and they do not choose to come to us. This being the case we have spent the Summer in drawing Lines of Circumvalation round them – cutting of all supplies of fresh Provisions by Land; and, latterly by water; For finding no great prospect of a visit from them, I fitted out (in behalf of the Continent) Six armed Vessels; with which we have Intersected their Provision Boats from Nova Scotia & Canada, and taken some others from G. Britain & the West Indies with Stores for the use of the Garrison...

'You Got to Protect Yourself'

Enter Mike Ditka, showing more bone-in meat between his ears than that 30 oz. "Tomahawk" ribeye they serve at his namesake restaurant...

Browns coach Romeo Crennel showed a much more reasoned approach...

Defense shouldn't be that hard of a concept for a football coach to grasp.

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Tell a friend?

Why Obama Supporters Want You Disarmed

Apparently so they can, like, rape you.

We're the Only Ones Valedictorian Enough

The State Patrol is recommending felony theft charges against nine troopers accused of buying fake diplomas to win a pay increase.

What? This doesn't count as "Only One" higher education?



[Via The Bitter Clinger]

A More Likely Explanation

In Nassau County, New York, a revised handgun application went into effect in January 2007. A new question asks: “Have you used or still use narcotics, tranquilizers or anti depressant [sic] medication? If YES, record doctor's name, address and phone number, (attach).” If the applicant answers in the affirmative, a list of those medications is also required.

The new question may have been added as a means of increasing public safety, but Nassau County licensees have maintained a nearly spotless record in this area. A more likely explanation is that this could be the next practical step in denying exercise of the Second Amendment.

If it comes from Nassau County, that's the only explanation.

Dr. Paul Gallant and Dr. Joanne D. Eisen talk about a lethal mix: guns, drugs and government.

I Second the Nomination...

...for Quote of the Year.

Except I'd be inclined to say "Century."

FDA Says "No" to Palm Pistol.

Yesterday the inventor of the Palm Pistol, intended primarily to allow arthritic old people to settle beefs, claimed it had been approved as a medical gadget by the FDA. On the matter, the FDA had this to say: "NO."

"Settle beefs."

Nice.

As are most of the comments from their technowimp readers, who would no doubt glowingly approve of this device--assuming they're not already wearing them.

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

UPDATE: Be sure and read Ned's comment. Well said. I love it when people take these posts and do something with them.

Sign of the Times

Actually, the rarer the earth, the more expensive it becomes...

Forget Ammunition Accountability

I'll settle for moral accountability from these useful idiot rope sellers.

[Via Avg Joe]

We're the Only Ones Occupying Enough

...Commissioner Ray Kelly has come out with guns blazing - with a plan to get all 1,000 rookie cops ready to use heavy artillery in time for New Year's Eve, The Post has learned.

The NYPD wants all 1,000 Police Academy recruits trained to use M4 automatic machine guns - which are now carried only by the 400 cops in its elite Emergency Service Unit - in time for the holiday celebration in Times Square.

The recruits currently at the academy will get three days of training to familiarize them with the weapon, police said.

What, weapons of war? Things with no purpose but to kill as many people as possible? Bullet hoses?

Oh, excuse me. I mistakenly used the gungrabbers' description for semiautos.

And three days is all it takes to turn rookies loose on the rest of us?

Dang, good thing they're fledgling "Only Ones," and are thus so much more trustworthy and competent and...yeah, good word...elite than the rest of us, who would get over six years if they presumed to be as equal.

A Word About Blago

I was away from the computer yesterday when the news broke, and while I have tips in my inbox to dozens of reports, other "gun bloggers" have pretty much covered the story, including the delicious irony of Blagojevich having his FOID suspended without due process.

At this point, Nelson Muntz pretty much speaks for me and says what I want to say.

Another Idiot to Boycott

Blue Ridge Arsenal in Virginia...

I love the purported excuse: the owner didn't know the camera was running when he said he voted for Obama.

Oh, that makes it all better.

Hedging His Bet

So convinced am I of this that during several email exchanges, online and offline, with gun nuts, I bet them no gun bill would get through Congress any time during the next four years.

I see, "Fudd" offends Comrade Schnieder, but "gun nut" is OK.

Why not make it as many terms as he servess, Bill, and include presidential directives/emergency actions/BATFU "interpretations"? And I notice you're not saying the incoming administration won't try...

Forget narrowing the criteria. How about if we cut to the essentials? I bet during Obama's tenure as president, the right of the people to keep and bear arms will be subjected to further infringements. After all, that's what it's all about.

And let's all pray another mass shooting in a victim disarmament zone doesn't accelerate the schedule.

[Via jpr9]

We're the Only Ones "Do You Feel Lucky?" Enough

The constable was giving a lecture to employees and showing the kind of weapons police officers can come up against.

While he was demonstrating the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, the gun used by Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry movies, it suddenly went off.

See, he "had no idea the handgun was loaded with live ammunition." Neither did "a second official."

We all know how difficult it is to check that on a revolver. And if a UK "Only One" credited with being a "marksman" could make such a mistake...I mean, be so victimized by a gun...thank goodness they're not permitted for mere subjects...

[Via Jeet]

This Day in History: December 10

The volunteers in the Connecticut service were enlisted until December 10, 1775, those from the other New England states until the end of the year. The men were dressed for the most part in homespun clothes and armed with muskets of varied types; powder and ball were short and only the barest few had bayonets.

Tre Crips say 'Turn in those guns'

You'll never guess who's endorsing a gun "buyback."

File this one under "Good grief."

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Tell a friend?

We're the Only Ones Petitioning Enough

Dolton inspector general Robert Shaw was attacked on the street Saturday by a Cook County corrections officer circulating nominating petitions for Shaw's political foe, police said.

Now wait a minute--we're talking Cook County "Only Ones" here.

What is the problem?

[Via The Bitter Clinger]

We're the Only Ones P***ing You Off Enough.

All we ever hear from those on the left is how police are the 'Only Ones' that should be able to have firearms. Because they are the 'only ones' who have the correct 'training' and correct 'temperament'. And apparently because they are the 'only ones' with the skills to rape a woman with a foreign object.

Michael Dukes shares some thoughts on fluid tactical situations...

Just so you know who owns your urethra...

We're the Only Ones Roguish Enough

Left unchecked by his State Health Department bosses, a supervising narcotics investigator with a yen for addictive fentanyl lollipops took over a New York City narcotics control office, abused suspects’ rights and endangered lives, the New York State inspector general has found...

It said he had once fired his gun accidentally after delivering a prisoner to a city jail, never reporting the incident.

It also said that he had falsified his credentials and was essentially unqualified for the job.

Now I don't know about that. If you spend much time going through the "Only Ones" files, you might get the idea he fits right in...

[Via Declan]

Guns for What?

...President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that gun-owning Americans do not need to rush out and stock up before he is sworn in next month.

Or, as another ""community organizer is reputed to have asked*:

Armas para que ?

[Via Zachary G]

* I've never actually been able to confirm this with an authoritative source citation...

Obama Doesn't Get It

Not to be contrary, but I think he does.

Flatware Follies

Les K tell us his friend took the picture of the sign we talked about yesterday.

This Day in History: December 9

Great Bridge...was the key point on the only land route providing access to Norfolk. Lord Dunmore built a small wooden fort there in a strong defensive position. Lacking a cannon, Colonel William Woodford 's Virginia forces hesitated to attack. Thinking that North Carolina reinforcements were on their way, the British left their strong position and attacked. The battle lasted 30 minutes.