We're the Only Ones Not Excessive Enough

Lund says he was feeding ducks at the park on Nov. 25, 2006 when officers with their guns drawn surrounded him and ordered him to raise his hands over his head. The suit claims Lund told the officers he could not raise his arms above shoulder level because of a disability but was tackled, handcuffed, dropped repeatedly on the ground and dragged across concrete. [More]

Plus, the reason he was approached in the first place is because of a vendetta by a person who had already wronged him.

Most disturbing are the assorted comments from "Only Ones" who think their brother officers deserve to be able to assault innocent 74-year-old disabled war vets and give them blood clots on the brain with impunity. No doubt they are some of those "few bad apples" we hear about, or do you think they might be more representative than the apologists care to admit?

One thing's for sure. As far as this crowd is concerned, it is "us vs. them."

The opinion is here.

[Via Al N]

UPDATE: Looks like the title-linked article has been removed. Wonder why.

UPDATE 2: Thanks to Tom in comments, we can preserve the comments by these exemplary public servants. Be sure you click on the profile links, so you can see just who it is that thinks this is a great way to protect and serve the public. I'm pasting them below anticipating the cache will go away at some point. I'm not sure if I can be legally ordered to take this down or not or if fair use and public interest will prevail, so view it/copy while you can.

• 

  copdog5515

  about 1 month ago

  8 comments

  Sounds like a good ruling from the bench ! So rare these day's.

• 

  LIDARguy

  about 1 month ago

  180 comments

  Ok, why does he need $10 million? I hope he continues to get what he deserves - absolutely nothing.

• 

  OFFICER_K_CPD

  about 1 month ago

  1234 comments

  Cool

• 

  Irishcop1961

  about 1 month ago

  2094 comments

  Lets hear for the Judge

• 

  Gtoli

  about 1 month ago

  776 comments

  Hopefully the third Officer will fair as well.

• 

  blueline111095

  about 1 month ago

  220 comments

  Glad too see a judge using his head

• 

  CaptainDan166

  about 1 month ago

  758 comments

  I've sat where those officers are sitting, at the wrong table! It was the one of the toughest few weeks in my life. Glad the officers made it and thank you to the Judge.

• 

  Jason_Reel

  about 1 month ago

  1390 comments

  Alright!!!! There is a Judge out there with some common sense.

• 

  phudson

  about 1 month ago

  342 comments

  At leasat the judge could see through the BS.

• 

  DeputyDuck

  about 1 month ago

  750 comments

  Finally one for the good guys

What Works in Chicago

One of President Barack Obama's first acts Tuesday was to put the brakes on all pending regulations that the Bush administration tried to push through in its waning days...

Another Bush administration regulation that went in effect this month overturned a 25-year-old federal rule that severely restricts loaded guns in national parks. [More]

So why would the "Authorized Journalists" bring that up unless...?

Ain't it nice to know he was only pandering to the AHSAholes when he said "what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne"...?

[Via Ed M]

"Killer App"

A new application has been launched for the iPod touch to help gun users line up a clean shot at their target. [More]

I can't believe this is legal!

Can children buy it?

What about criminals or [Gasp!] terrorists...?

Does that about cover it?

[Via info4all]

UPDATE: David Hamel, one of my favorite Canadians, sent me a link that provides a lot more details.

Lee and King

He was tortured, a man of deep conscience, who loved his country. He saw how that Republic was so quickly veering from the Founder's intent. He believed that serving his state was the right path and the path to bring us all back to what was meant to be. [More]

Mike H shares some thoughts...

This Day in History: January 21

General Putnam communicated to me last night, the disagreeable account that Lt.Col.Preston's party of Militia from Cumberland County in this State has deserted him; this practice in the Militia so generally prevails, that unless some effectual check can be speedily applied, I apprehend the most fatal Consequences. The mischief is not confined to the desertion alone, they stay till they are properly equipped to render essential Service, and by that means plunder the public of the necessaries that were at first otherwise intended and would be better applied. [More]

South Dakota: Action Alert

The State Legislature is in full swing, and South Dakota Gun Owners is working on several issues that will impact gun owners...

Action
Anti-gun Sen. Dave Knutson is the key opponent of the Citizen Self-Defense Bill. He is the left-leaning Majority Leader of the State Senate, and was primarily responsible for last year’s narrow defeat...

It is vital that Sen. Knudson receive a high volume of calls and emails. If possible, please do both. Let’s see if we can light up the Capitol switch board! [More]

Click on the link to find out more.

Hail to the Chief?

By the time some of you read this, Barack Hussein Obama will have been sworn in as 44th President of the United States. Untold millions will be ecstatic. The Era of Hope and Change has arrived. [More]

This is the first installment on a series I've got planned for this week's Gun Rights Examiner column: Obama's plans for guns.

Tell a friend?

I'm Trying to Remember Something...

..and I just can't put my finger on it.

Oh, right, that's it.

You've sent your fax, right?

Hamblen v US

"The Court concludes that Petitioner [Hamblen] has made a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right as to his Second Amendment claim, and reasonable jurists could find the Court's assessment of the constitutional claim debatable…Accordingly, the Court will issue a certificate of appealability on Petitioner's Second Amendment claim."--Judge Todd Campbell, U.S. Court for the Middle District Of Tennessee, Richard Hamblen vs. United States, No. 3:08-1034, December 5, 2008

The case involves possession of a machine gun by a member of a state-organized militia. Mr. Hamblen has approached me to call it to your attention.

I advised:

Suggestion: Start a free blog to be a central repository for information you want the public to know about. Go to another free service like esnips.com to post pdf and Word docs that can then be linked to--I can't post this memorandum in full anywhere, so if it were stored on a free server, I could give a summary statement and then send people there to read and download it for themselves. A guy like me can direct people to sources of information, but I can't take point on it.

Suggest you also publicize contact info, and if you're requesting people to do something, be specific about it. Also, if you have links to any news accounts, that would be helpful.

For now, you can learn more about his case from The Volokh Conspiracy (which has posted Judge Campbell's Memorandum) and from Of Arms and the Law.

I'll try to keep tabs on this as relevant developments happen.

Blackwell Blues?

Denny Church raises a flag. I have not had a chance to check it out and offer no opinion. I bring it up here because it's a comment on my site and I think it deserves to be explored, but I just don't have time right now. I leave it to you to read what he says and judge for yourself. [More]

The Bum Rush Giving the Bum's Rush to Constitutents

I received an email that's relevant not only to recent stories I've been following, but it also demonstrates the arrogance with which government treats We the People when we presume to involve ourselves in the way they would rule us.

It also shows us something we all need to be willing to do if we are to ever have a system of self government: Take the initiative to implement our own ideas.

My hat is off to my correspondent, who agreed to let me post his email here.

Mr. Codrea,

Thank you for your articles. I’ve been following your writing since I came across it 6 months ago. You do a great job of articulating what so many of us think and say in a less coherent manner. I just finished reading your “Kill the Bill” series and am gratified to see I could pick out the insanity in the bill almost as well as you.

I am unfortunate enough to live in the Illinois 1st Congressional district, so as soon as I saw this Rush Representative thing had introduced the bill, I stopped reading your article and read the bill for myself, hopefully without outside influence in how I interpreted what I read. While reading the bill, I noted the outrages and set them to paper with questions. All this, I hand-delivered to Mr. Rush’s local office in Midlothian, IL. I stated in the letter and told the worker there that I had many questions on the bill in my letter and as a constituent; I would greatly appreciate some answers. Here’s the mentality in that office: “Why didn’t you mail it?” “Well, as you can see, it’s quite heavy, and since I live a few blocks away, I thought I’d save a tad of money in postage. Besides, security being what it is, I’m here, envelope open for inspection for various things that may not be paper and you can assign a face to the name on the letter.” “Oh, thank you sir. What’s it about?” “H.R. 45, I have a lot of questions.” “Well I’ll see that it gets to Mr. Rush in Washington.” This, after being left to stand at the door outside for almost 10 minutes while I rang and knocked in -2 degree weather.

Mr. Codrea, I do not expect any reply whatsoever from this elitist. I’m not an educated man but I have some operating gray matter. As you can see, I can get wordy, but I believe I’m entitled to a reply to my questions from those who claim to represent me. I’ve written his office twice in the past 8 years about other issues and never received a reply. I’ve not received so much as an acknowledgment before. Come to think of it, the only Illinois political organization which has stooped to answering me was Jack Ryan’s campaign just before he was forced out of the race for governor. Granted, it was a staffer I spoke with, but I at least received a personal call and all my questions were answered over a 30 minute conversation. I’ll let you know what comes of this if you’re interested.

C. Quilty

Thank you. Mr. Quilty. For your effort, for sharing it with us, and for setting an example.

Guest Editorial: HR 45, the Assault Weapons Ban, and the Hegelian Dialectic

by Dominus Defensor

The Obama administration wants to craft a new assault weapon ban and make it permanent, and it wants to end the private sale of all firearms, among other things. This announcement from the potential attorney general is one of the most important events for the gun rights community in a long time. This is the first public expression of Obama's plans by an identifiable individual within the Obama administration.

At the 1-16-2009 Senate Judiciary Hearings Eric Holder said the following: "I also think that making the assault weapons ban permanent would be something that would be permitted under Heller, and I also think [it] would be good...."

The announcement by Holder is likely the real plan of the administration. The previously announced HR45 is likely a diversion as part of the implementation and execution of the Hegelian Dialectic. HR45, as recently discussed at WOG and at examiner.com outlines the draconian plans to require licenses to own firearms, the passing of a written exam, government access to your private medical records, and a central registry of all gun owners, etc. All of this just for the exercise of a fundamental human right.

HR45 is probably not their real agenda for the moment (not that they would be upset if they did achieve it). It was announced with perfect timing right before the Holder confirmation hearings. The drafting and announcement of HR45 was likely designed to achieve the following goals:

1. Execution of the Hegelian Dialectic. They intentionally create a sense of panic with the proposed draconian legislation (HR45) that the boot is about to stomp our heads. Then, when they subsequently release their slightly less draconian plans at the confirmation hearings for Holder (assault weapon ban, end all private transfers of guns, etc.), we breathe a sigh of relief that things are not as bad as we thought and voluntarily accept lesser infringements. (NOTE: it could be argued that the real plan is just the opposite in that HR45 is the goal and not another assault weapon ban. Either way, their ultimate goal is to deny us our fundamental human right to keep and bear arms, and the main thing for us is to understand the tactics behind their actions.)

We must counter this by knowing the nature and origin of our rights and refusing to surrender them in the most loud and raucous way possible. Never voluntarily surrender any rights. We must reinforce the idea that attempting to take these rights will come at a great cost for the enemy because we will never voluntarily submit to their abuses or their tricks.

Summary of the Hegelian Dialectic:

This has been explained before, but here is another summary.

The basic premise of the Hegelian Dialectic is to incrementally move in the desired direction to the detriment of a group of people with the voluntary consent of the aggrieved people. This is done through fear and release. First, a terrifying plan is leaked out that would mean catastrophe or a gross violation of the target people's rights. Then, a less extreme plan is proposed as a compromise to the more extreme plan. This makes the target feel relieved that things will not be as bad as originally thought, creating a sense of release, and the target voluntarily chooses to submit to the less extreme plan under the false hope that the bad guys will be satiated and under the false belief that a crisis has been averted by choosing the lesser of two evils. The bad guys are NEVER satiated, and they will be back for more in the future. In addition, choosing the lesser of two evils as dictated by the bad guys is never the solution. We must dictate our own solutions that confront evil.

2. Divert attention from the Holder hearings so gun owners and freedom lovers will not pay attention to the planned infringements that are being publicly announced during the hearings. They are not hiding their plans from us. However, they are using simple tricks to make us look the other direction. Everything we need to know about their plans is right in front of our faces. They are simply creating the psychological opportunity for us to ignore reality.

We must counter this by facing reality, accepting what has been exposed right before our eyes, and getting the issues to the forefront. Also, we must publicly expose their actions and their plans in the most loud and raucous way possible. This does not mean we should ignore HR45. In fact, the recent efforts by David and and gun rights activists at examiner.com were very impressive, and they should serve as a model for how to agitate against Obama's plans as announced by Holder. We must understand their tactics and keep them under steady pressure on all fronts.

Here are the recent efforts at examiner.com:
-"Qualifying Firearms"
-"Kill (the) Bill"

3. Condition the target (us) to eventually accept the more draconian plan in the future and test the target for compliance and submissiveness. By constantly barraging the target with threatened attacks and incremental infringements, the hope is that the target will eventually grow weary of threats to the peace and will decide that the constant threats of warfare are not worth the price. They also want to use numerous small attacks to make it seem like they have an impossibly large number of supporters. The enemy believes that if they keep this up long enough, one of their attacks will eventually reveal us as totally submissive and compliant to their plans. They also hope that we will feel overwhelmed and give up. The war will be over at that point, and they are gradually trying to move us in that direction.

We must counter this by refusing to submit in a loud and raucous manner at every opportunity. We must push back at every attack point because we will find that their forces are spread very thin and offer very little in the form of dedicated, deep resistance at any point. This is obvious whenever we take an aggressive stand against them - all opposition melts away, and we are left standing alone and victorious. The perfect examples are the recent battles over at examiner.com on HR45. In every case, the enemy threw in the towel in the presence of our onslaught and disappeared into the night. We must make it clear that we will never grow weary of the fight, and we must be prepared to back up our words with the relevant actions.

4. Provide plausible deniability for the Obama administration in that they did not publicly propose the more draconian HR45. Obama and his administration can point the finger at "extremists" outside of their administration who drafted HR45. Obama can then play the role of a great compromiser (and a moderate, to boot) by proposing a less extreme agenda than what is found in HR45. The "less extreme" agenda will actually be filled with extremist plans (e.g.; permanent assault weapon, end of private transfer of firearms, etc.), but these plans will seem tame compared to what is in HR45.

We must counter this by exposing the fraud of their behavior, and we must never let the Obama administration successfully play the moderate/compromiser card. We must "name names", and never let anyone off the hook for their actions.

Conclusion

The tactics of the enemy reveal that he is weak. If he were strong, he would launch a direct attack against us and crush us with a single blow. He is not strong enough to beat us with a single blow, nor does he have the broad public support that the media deceptively portrays. The other side of this coin is that we are strong. The only way the enemy can beat us is if we voluntarily submit to his simple tricks. His tricks have now been revealed to everyone. Now, we must use our knowledge and continue to fight back. The war is clearly on, and so are we.

Thumbs Up for "Mall Cop"?

It's funny, 'cause it's true: Paul Blart, the unarmed mall security guard hero of the new film, is a more suitable exemplar of the "protect and serve" ethic than the government's armed enforcement agents.

I can believe the last part, easily, but this business of an unarmed protector works against reality on two counts--first that we should rely on protectors, and second, it perpetuates the myth that arms are superfluous when confronting violent evil-doers.

I typically have nothing but respect for what William N. Grigg writes, and my natural inclination is to trust him. In this case, I need to reserve judgment until I see the film. And I'm afraid with the cost of movies and with others out there I'd rather see, I'll just have to wait for it to come out on cable.

Maybe next year I'll gush in agreement. Still...

[Via Zachary G]

President for Life Obama

Say...this has the potential to turn into a real dictatorship. [More]

Bread and Circuses

So America continues the transition from a citizenry to a people, that waits for government handouts and the comforts of a monarchy as spectacle, broadcast simultaneously on all channels. While Obama preps a cabinet slate, half of whom belong in jail, the media continues applauding loudly to drown out any criticism. And the public watches with glazed eyes. [More]

Daniel Greenfield looks at the spectacle his neighbor to the south is putting on and speaks his mind. And how.

[Via Joe G]

A Free Market Solution

One group in the border city of Ciudad Juarez pledged last week to "clean our city of these criminals" and said their mission was to "end the life of a criminal every 24 hours." [More]

I'm trying to find the downside here.

The government that wants them disarmed isn't stopping the victimization, and is often in partnership with the gangs. What are people supposed to do under these circumstances? I'd be tempted to go all Guatemalan myself.

I guess it's time for my obligatory summation:

Damned American gun shows.

Curses! Foiled Again! has more.

Who is David Olofson?

The judge in this case has accomplished what the Brady Campaign, Dianne Feinstein, and other anti-gunners have been trying for years - convicting a law abiding citizen for owning a semi-automatic rifle by mis-labeling the firearm as a machine gun. [More]

Jennifer Freeman gives us a summary on the David Olofson case. Included are links to the Lou Dobbs segments, as well as to the Olofson Relief Fund.

What Libertarians Believe

No matter what you may hear to the contrary—generally from those individuals who wish to derive some benefit from being called libertarian, but who can't (or won't) make the cut ethically or politically—the one thing that sets real libertarians apart from other people is their strict adherence to a "Zero Aggression Principle"... [More]

L. Neil Smith presents an initial chapter in a larger endeavor.

This Day in History: January 20

Patriot and British forces skirmish at Somerset Courthouse (present-day Millstone), New Jersey. [More]

A Cost/Benefits Analysis

The efficiency and effectiveness of gun regulation is a matter of controversy. The debate over this issue has become notorious for its emotion driven rationales and hardened policy positions. This analysis is based on the belief that good laws and sound policy should be based on evidence and subject to effectiveness reviews. Accordingly, it examines the cost/benefits and effectiveness of gun registration as crime control. [More]

Article author Bruce Gold tells me:

The bill you are fighting Bobby Rush/H.R. 45 is so similar to the gun laws up here in Canada I suspect he has been reading if not copying our legislation. All of the things he wants have not effected crime in Canada one bit and have been enormously expensive coming in at about $2Billion for the Federal govt. Costs to Provinces, police, courts, the firearms industry, the shooting sports and gun owners are all in addition to that. I did a study awhile back on how successful regulating the law abiding is when "criminals" are the supposed target. I suspect the same sort of stats could be found in the US is someone wanted to hunt them down.

A Note from the SHOT Show

...emailed from an attendee:

The HS-Precision booth at SHOT always had several visitors whenever I walked by. The Horiuchi thing and their "Sorry you got your panties in a twist" non-apology don't seem to have hurt them much.

Some who I respect disagree with me on this, but my feeling has always been the higher-price rifle crowd in general are not as grassroots reactionary. I'm sure there are individuals who carry more than their share of the load, but I'm just sayin' in general...

Maybe I'm not being fair--in truth, I don't see nearly enough load-shouldering from any gun owner segment. I guess it's just a bias I have, that those with more resources have more opportunities to help out than most--a "With great powers come great responsibilities" kind'a thang, except that always had a Marxist "from each according to his abilities" ring to it...

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, Please?

An activist told me he'd approached one of his state groups for help fighting the Bobby Rush bill and was basically met with:

"There are so many against us!? What do we do?"

Any Greek language experts out there who know how to phrase "Come and take them" as a request...?

Eve of Destruction

In anticipation of which, some are modifying their blogs. [More]

Not me.


UPDATE: There appears to be some confusion. WRSA is merely reporting on another blogger. This is not about them.

We're the Only Ones Benched Enough

Via SayUncle, who says "Wow." [More]

Note I haven't verified the authenticity of this photograph, but with what we know about the Only Ones,"it's not hard to accept this as completely believable.

WARNING: I've been told there are some explicit ads on the linked site. I didn't notice--I was focused on the obscenity on the bench. Anyway, if that kind of things offends you, don't go there.

So Would it Be a Crime...

...to desecrate this flag...? [More]

I guess my idea to make a million marketing "Yes We Can" disposable wipes wouldn't go over too well with this crowd...

[Via Tom R]

Guard with Jealous Attention...

Tucson Police are furious with a local punk band for their latest album entitled "Kill a Cop For God." [More]

I can understand that. I can also understand objections to unauthorized use of the photograph. And seeking remedies for it.

What I can't understand is the ignorance of comment posters calling for fining and putting the band in jail because they are offended. The system works. The sheep demand to be fleeced.

I also can't understand why "Authorized Journalist" Lupita Murillo doesn't know how to spell "plagiarized."

[Via Avg Joe]

Fincher IFP Hearing

The Hearing is scheduled to start at 9:00 CST, on Tuesday, 20 January, in the Federal District Courtroom, 5th floor, at the John Paul Hammerschmidt building in Fayetteville, AR. [More]

More background on Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns

[Via Paul W. Davis]

Sporting Purpose Censorship

Last week I was reading a column by National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea about the new draconian legislation introduced by some liberal idiot from Illinois (that seems to be the state's greatest export).

I couldn't help but to notice the unusual number of comments left on this particular column and took a look. The bulk of the comments seemed to be in response to another National Examiner Columnist. [More]

FatWhiteMan feels he's being suppressed by a guy SayUncle had harsh words for.

Y'all will forgive me if I don't delve deeper into rocking this boat. In full disclosure, out of pure self-interest, I don't want to lose the good will of Examiner management.

I almost didn't post this because of it, but censoring out stuff that doesn't violate my policies (no threats, no trolls, no --is this a word?--agent-provocateuring, no saying the "f" word unless you're Straightarrow, who always does it so colorfully) just because it may put me in an uncomfortable situation is not my style...

Well, That's Not Working...

The Boston Police Department's record of solving homicides has not shown improvement since 2006... [More]

Gee, there's gotta be something we can try...

It's not like we might be working the wrong end of the spectrum, or anything, and maybe it would be nice if there were fewer homicides to solve...

I know: Let's try more "gun control"!

[Via Ed M]

Lightworker Lincoln

The political Left (which includes almost all journalists in America) just can’t make up its mind over whether Barack Obama most resembles Lincoln, FDR, Jesus Christ – or some combination thereof. [More]

Does it matter?

He will save us.

The heirs of Liberty are reduced to worshipping idols?

Any nation so conceived and so dedicated can not long endure

[Via Ron W]

An Ode to Maximum Mike

[I]t’ll always be a mystery to me why Senate Republicans stopped their fellow Republican for purely ideological reasons,” Kerry said in the statement. [More]

Unalienable rights will always be a mystery to you, Senator.

That's pretty much universal with tyrants.

[Via Ed M]

The Big Apple Loophole

Old firearms given new life by restrictive New York gun control laws [More]

J.D. Tuccille explains...

Compelling Connectivity

With millions of Americans now buying guns like never before, one interesting news analysis organization is matching numbers, it seems, for what the armed citizen is really all about, and how he or she plays a powerful role in all our freedoms.

"Examiner.com’s regular columns to balance anti-gun programs are reaching growing audiences," National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea said today. [More]

I'm continually asking regulars here to help spread the word about the Gun Rights Examiner effort. Here's a press release you can use to help spread the word.

As I said in today's column:

With the advent of the most anti-gun administration imaginable, and with anti-gunners licking their chops at the prospect, I hope you agree how urgently this message is needed. I hope regular readers of this column, and of the columns in Cleveland, Los Angeles and St. Louis agree-- that it's worth a moment of your time to act as force multipliers and help spread the word.

Other Gun Rights Examiners

Here's the latest from my colleagues in other cities:

Daniel White, Cleveland: "Who has the right to know about your CHL?"

John Longenecker, Los Angeles: "The best kept secrets of the anti-violence movement, Part I: You don't find violence, it finds you."

Kurt Hofmann, St. Louis: "Mayor Slay's bias against peaceable armed citizens"

Holder's First Hurdle

Disappointing, considering when they last ran for office, Hatch received an A+ grade from NRA and Martinez was given an A. But aside from a letter criticizing Holder for, among other things, not being a strong enough proponent of federal "Project Exile" gun control provisions, the Association has declined to mobilize its membership to oppose Holder's confirmation, and has even gone one further step, according to RedState.com:

The NRA does not want to hurt their scores. Therefore they’ll make noises in opposition to Holder, but they will not score a vote for Holder to impact legislators’ rankings.

[More]

My advice is to keep swinging. And to remember.

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column. It may be seen by some as divisive, which is funny, because what I've been trying to do is unite gun owners to oppose confirmation of the most anti-gun attorney general nominee since Janet Reno.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: January 19

SPRINGFIELD January 19, 1777
Militia kills eight or ten Waldeckers and captures remainder of party with no losses during raid. [More]

Did You Send Your Free Fax Yet?

What fax?

This fax.

And if you don't like one finger, you can always send three...

Olofson Update

From Vanderboegh...[More]

I Guess They Don't Want...

...the competition...? [More]

Which is actually insulting to prostitutes.

There's nothing consensual when government takes your money and rapes you.

If you ask me, "the world's oldest profession" is actually murderous thief.

True, you can get an STD from a sex worker. But there's no protecting yourself and there's nothing deadlier than a GTD (Government-Transmitted Despotism) epidemic.

It's Like They Do This Stuff on Purpose

Dreams of Obama...[More]

Click on the title link to see for yourself before the page changes. Here's a screenshot:


Click to enlarge. Could the guy look any more the part?

Goebbels would be proud of the state-sponsored propaganda, don't you think?

Funding for The Choice 2008 was provided in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

For some reason I'm reminded of the reputed Chicom practice of making families pay for the bullet used to execute prisoners.

The Dead Zone

Cleveland Police Investigate Three Homicides...[More]

Well, at least we know what won't work...

There's a Man With a Gun Over There...

...and the LASD apparently needs to make sure he doesn't presume himself to be an equal of the "Only Ones"...[More]

[Via Jeffersonian]

Garbage In, Garbage Out

Anything that breaks the morning pattern is obvious to them, which makes it easy for the garbage collectors to perform an added job — eyes for the police. [More]

I'm just surprised the cops don't have a corp of sewer workers with wetsuits, masks and snorkels.

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

[Via Declan]

When Authorized Journalists and Only Ones Collide

When the deputy stopped the car, Rhodes got out and his pants and belt were undone... [More]

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to finally find an "Authorized Journalist" who is so intimately familiar with and has such a firm grasp of his subject matter...

As for being "charged with obstructing or opposing an officer without violence," that's OK. The "Only One" more than made up for your nonviolence, Mr. Rhodes. And I see by your apology you apparently believe you got what you deserved. You're a bad citizen. Bad, bad bad...

Continue being a useful cheerleader for the police state.

Speaking of which, who do you think worked him over...I mean, "forced him to the ground"...?

A peace officer or a law enforcement officer?

Y'know if that face is the result of citizen nonviolence, some of us might be inclined to consider a more...robust resistance...

[Via Ed M]

An Unconfirmed Rumor About Russian Ammo

As long as we clearly understand this is totally unconfirmed, I still feel compelled to share it on the chance there could be something to it:

I attended the ...Gun Show today... this 600 table show draws exhibitors from throughout the Southeast, including the NRA and the BATFE (separate rooms in the exhibit hall). While I was at the BATFE table (I would simultaneously talk to Jesus and Satan if I could arrange it), an exhibitor approached the two BATFE agents (who actually were very nice and advising two FFL’s how to better handle a particularly obnoxious and notorious overzealous local BATFE agent to effect a positive outcome for the FFL’s) and complained that U.S. Customs in the Port of Miami impounded his shipment of Russian small arms ammunition in anticipation of a ammunition import policy change effective January 20, 2009 (Obama Inauguration Day). The two BATFE agents basically stated that they would be “the last to know”, but as far as they knew there was no policy change, and they advised that the exhibitor’s attorney should contact U.S. Customs to inquire what the particular problem was to effect immediate release of the shipment. Common sense and logical advice, but a few days will tell. I was impressed by the two BATFE agents and how they handled the people approaching them at the show.

I'm keeping the name of my correspondent and identifying information about the particular show out of this because I don't want anyone embarrassed by this (but me, and I don't embarrass) should it turn out to be nothing.

As for being impressed by the personable BATFU reps, I do wonder if they'd leave such a favorable impression were someone acting like "shall not be infringed" means what it says in front of them...

They Need to Shorten Up the Name a Bit, but Yeah...

From the “Only police should have guns file”...

Y'know, I kind'a like that concept.

Somebody should start up a file like that...

"FROM MY COLD DEAD HANDS!!!"

This "Threeper" crap has gotta stop. We're scaring people away, and it makes us all look bad.

Ditto with the name calling. "Jack-booted thugs" makes us look like anti-law enforcement extremists.

Doesn't everyone agree?

Obama's Totalitarian Choice for Attorney General

Codrea is right about one thing - forget about the wimps in the NRA who are doing nothing to stop this fiasco. [More]

Actually, I'd say complaining Holder isn't a strong enough proponent of federal gun control and then letting senators know a confirmation vote will not be held against them is worse than doing nothing.

But they sure straddle both sides of the fence like seasoned pros, don't they?

I Don't Know Art, But I Know What I Like

Hundreds of Vietnamese Americans demonstrated Saturday outside a provocative art exhibit in Santa Ana that had featured Communist symbols that protesters claimed mocked their painful experiences as political refugees. [More]

I so love hip, artsy Southern California libs.

I remember years back, the modern art museum held an Andy Warhol exhibit, and had plastered banners of his Mao portrait all over town, even hanging from street lamps, which means they had local government endorsement. The section I was driving through was known for its large Jewish community. Matter of fact, the reason we were there was to go to my favorite deli.

I remember at the time wondering if it would have been so enthusiastically supported/ passively accepted had the banners featured Hitler's portrait. Or are some genocidal monsters more acceptable in enlightened society than others?

My favorite interaction with modern artists--and in the interests of full disclosure I deem most of them ridiculous frauds-- is when we took the kids to the LaBrea Tar Pits museum and decided to have lunch at (the now-closed) Johnnie's a block or so down...

In order to get there, we had to pass the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and they were having some kind of local artists' sidewalk exhibit--my wife pushed the stroller with youngest feral son Qusay peacefully slumbering, and I held hands and walked behind with eldest feral son Uday, probably four at the time...

To make a long story short, the kid has always been precocious, to my continued amazement and joy. Anyway, as we walked past the various exhibitors, he decided on his own to size up their work and give on-the-spot critiques.

The wife, who is more sensitive (and an all-around nicer human being) than I am, was properly mortified. Me, I could barely suppress the laughter seeing the reactions as we passed each canvas, the danged munchkin pointing and pronouncing "Good...good...crap...crap...crap..."

Isn't that what art is supposed to do? Give us new ways of exploring truth...?

"Easy Access"

He has repelled two monsters, this brave youth, most certainly saving his grandmother, and probably himself, as murderers tend not to look upon witnesses with favor. He has stopped a violent crime from happening and assured that at least one sociopathic reptile will never again find human victims.

So where are the headlines: RESPONSIBLE ARMED YOUTH SAVES LIVES...? I mean, the press is supposed to be objective and unbiased, right?

Do you think the scenario may have played out differently had the wonks at Handgun Control, Inc., been heeded?[More]

I dust off an old article for my Gun Rights Examiner readers who probably have not seen it.

You may not have, either.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: January 18

On January 18, 1777, while the Declaration was still in Baltimore, Congress, bolstered by military successes at Trenton and Princeton, ordered the second official printing of the document. The July 4 printing had included only the names of John Hancock and Charles Thomson, and even though the first printing had been promptly circulated to the states, the names of subsequent signers were kept secret for a time because of fear of British reprisals. [More]

We're the Only Ones Leaving You at a Loss Enough

But it is equally true that John Connolly probably will never serve a single day of the 40 years, that he will most likely get out of prison in a couple of years after wrapping up his 10-year racketeering sentence. [More]

I will not put in print what my life's mission would be if it had been my child set up for murder.

[Via Ed M]

Craigslist Ad

To the Guy Who Mugged Me Downtown...[More]

That's pretty funny.

Per Bruce W. Krafft:

According to digg it was an actual CraigsList post which has since been flagged for removal (but I found a post which referred to it).

We're the Only Ones Dressed for Success Enough

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says the FBI made a big mistake when it reported to Homeland Security that 500 uniforms had gone missing from the agency last year...

But sheriff's office spokesman J.D. Callaway said today that five agency outfits — not 500 — went missing last year, and they were casual items worn by evidence technicians that do not resemble official deputies' uniforms. [More]

Oh, well that's very different. Never mind.

Gee, you don't think the "Only Ones" could be this careless with other reports, do you...?

[Via Ed M]

Say No to Cops

I am a police skeptic and a former Sheriff’s Deputy. I am increasingly ill at ease with the burgeoning police state, misbehavior of all levels of "law enforcement" and the willing complicity of united States subjects to an ocean of bad laws, both unconstitutional and foolish. [More]

Interesting perspective, to say the least.

[Via Ron W]

Kill (the) Bill - Volume Three

I know some view it as a non-starter, just a political attention-getter, not worth expending effort to oppose lest we use up "political capital" that will be needed for future battles. My own preference is to play Whack-a-Mole as these things pop their heads up, shine the light, bang the pots and pans, and drive them scurrying back under the baseboards. It's my belief that the gun activist community can be sufficiently motivated --by the proper leadership-- to walk today and chew gum six months from now. It's also my belief that if they can't be, if the detachment and apathy is truly insurmountable, we're kidding ourselves about the Second Amendment anyway. [More]

I wrap up my Bobby Rush/H.R. 45 series in today's Gun Rights Examiner.

Tell a friend?

Send a Card to Bobby

...to Bobby L. Rush, that is, the congressman who wants to license and register your guns and require you to submit a thumbprint:


You can get a snail address here. His website email contact is by form, so you can't send him this as an attachment. I filled out the form in the hopes of getting an edress I could post here, but so far, no reply. If anyone can provide that, please do. I think an email campaign would be quick and easy, well-deserved, let us blow off a little steam at this subversive meathead, and hopefully p*** him off.

UPDATE: Good idea. His fax number in Washington is 202-226-0333, for his district office is 773-224-9624, and for his south suburban office is 708-385-3860.

UPDATE TWO:

BobbyRushFax.pdf

Hosted by eSnips

A copy of the graphic suitable for faxing is stored at e-snips. Click on the widget to access and download.

You can then send it from FaxZero. I'm going to test this out to make sure it all works...

Many thanks Brian F.

UPDATE THREE:

Fax Status: Success!

Your 1-page fax to Bobby Rush--Subversive has been delivered successfully.
(The page count does not include the cover page.)

Thank you for using FaxZero.com

This Day in History: January 17

Capt. Bell of Philadelphia, a very intelligent and credible person, made his escape from New York about ten days ago. He informs that there were no troops upon Long Island, but Delancy's45 Brigade and not more than 1000 Men upon York Island, all the rest having joined the Army now in Jersey. And that Transports were gone up the Sound to bring back the Troops from Rhode Island, in order to make a Junction of their whole Army, to endeavour to give us a total defeat. This I think by no means improbable; [More]

Friday Afternoon Housekeeping

A follow-up on my radio appearance, a nod to Gun Owners of Nevada, and a reminder about the Cleveland, Los Angeles and St. Louis Gun Rights Examiners...[More]

Radio Daze

I am overwhelmed of late. The quantity of demands requiring attention and response are burying me. Not that I'm complaining--it's better than calling out and only hearing echoes, but please understand if an email slips through the cracks--I'm not ignoring you on purpose.

So I'm just now getting a moment to post this, my segment on The Steve Gill Show.

He was pretty knowledgeable during our chat--he was up on the latest Mayors Against (Your) Guns youth outreach, for example...it made it easy to keep the conversation flowing, which I like.

I was only on for 15 minutes, but I think we crammed a lot in our back-and-forth, and he certainly let me have my say. Next time, I'll make sure I email the producer on how to pronounce my last name and will ask them to let me give a website plug for my Gun Rights Examiner column.

Anyway, here's how those who didn't tune in live and give a damn can listen:

Go to The Steve Gill Show website.
Click on the "Listen to Steve 24/7 via podcast" widget thingie, just below the "On the Air" button.
Scroll down about halfway and look at the right column box that says "Steve Gill - January 15, 2009 Hr3 Tim Geitner; David Codrea - Columnist for Guns Magazine; American Idol Highlights"

If you just want to listen to my part, drag the slider about to the middle and then hit Play.

I'd link you directly to it, but understand some consider that a misappropriation of bandwidth. I don't want to do anything to where they'll think unkindly of me, because producer Dusty Jensen wrote me after the show:

Thanks so much David! Steve said he really enjoyed speaking with you. If you don't mind, we'd love to keep your contact info to have you back when these sorts of gun issues arise. Is that okay? Thanks again!

Yeah, I suppose it would be.

You May Rest Assured

Brian McGraw shares the following:

[Click to enlarge]

Most of us have received similar noncommittal weasel words from our senaturds, including those we're constantly told are "staunch supporters of the Second Amendment" in the donation request du jour.

They know they can ignore us because they've reportedly been given a pass that it's OK:

The NRA will send out a letter in opposition to Holder, but will neither testify against Holder nor score legislators based on their votes for or against Holder.

"You may rest assured." Right. Some of us could be resting in peace.

Remember that if our Lairdless effort is repelled, and Holder rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.

We're the Only Ones Hitting on You Enough

A judge sentenced a rogue FBI agent to 40 years in prison on Thursday for the 1982 mob-related killing of a witness who was about to testify against Boston mob members, court officials said. [More]

But up until he was caught, he enjoyed "Only One" special "powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men." Because, apparently, they're just so much more trustworthy and morally developed than the rest of us.

[Via Les K]

"Bigger than the Constitution"

"I certainly respect the Constitution," Melton said, "but we have some issues that are much bigger than the Constitution." [More]

Frank Melton.

Another criminal Mayor Against Guns.

[Via Stephen S]

Far More Likely?

Far more likely is the prospect of tragedy resulting from random possession of firearms... [More]

"Far more likely"?

How much more?

You just made a definitive assertion, stated as fact. Like you know something.

Care to cite your source?

Do you have one?

Or do you have expertise in the field that makes you an authority? Credentials, please?

Or is it "far more likely" you're just another subversive pinko hoplophobic enuretic mantrap placeholder, who would be utterly useless to yourself and all others if a Cho-clone ever entered your little "gun free" imaginary bubble and turned his attention to you and yours...?

And who better to consult for his expert opinion than one of the helpless victims?

Good grief.

[Via Mike H]

Harsh Words

SayUncle has noticed a controversy.

Honest--I didn't ask him to.

But I'm not displeased. [More]

We're the Only Ones Not Guilty Enough

The former transit police officer charged with murder in the shooting of an unarmed black man on New Year's Day pleaded not guilty Thursday. [More]

Understandable. His life is precious.

No sane person wants his life destroyed.

I'll bet Oscar Grant didn't want his life destroyed either, right up until the instant when this...this "Only One" shot him in the back at point-blank range.

[Via Jeffersonian]

Jackass

Authorities detained Johnny Knoxville on Thursday for allegedly bringing an inert grenade into Los Angeles International Airport. After security screeners spotted the grenade in the "Jackass" star's carry-on luggage, a bomb squad determined it lacked a firing pin or explosive. [More]

Dennis Farina...

Jerry Lewis...

and now Johnny Knoxville...

I can't help but wonder what kind of body cavity spelunking and terrorism charges a non-celebrity would be forced to endure...

Still, I have to admit--someone who can fire a bottle rocket out of his...uh...body cavity... makes a contribution to society most of us could never hope to match.

[Via W-3]

Survival of the Fittest?

A trio of new studies on prehistoric weapons suggests Neanderthals made sophisticated weapons and tools -- possibly including the first sticky adhesive -- but they lacked the projectile weapons possessed by early humans. [More]

If this is true, if there is a survival benefit to possessing sophisticated weapons, why would our government and their media partners want to...?

...Ohhhh...

[Via Brian F]

Haney v. United States

Georgia Carry has issued a lengthy email update. In short, a man pardoned for his 1960s drug conviction with a full restoration of firearms rights was denied a transfer this year (even though they approved one two years ago). The NICS people then called the Forsyth County Probate Judge and ordered the judge to revoke the man's Georgia firearms license, which is really going out of their way. In addition, when he appealed the NICS decision, they told him he was ineligible to even possess a gun under federal law.

The preliminary injunction was to keep the man from being prosecuted during the pendency of the federal lawsuit.

Here is the link to the court pleadings (Complaint, motion for preliminary injunction, and motion for summary judgment).

Suffice it to say that the federal government was going way out of its way to disarm Mr. Haney, but he stood up for his rights, hired two top notch lawyers, and the federal government completely caved in and conceded its case before the hearing even started yesterday.

“Dead! Dead! Dead!”

Rolling Stone magazine reported that at a dinner celebrating Clinton’s election win, Emanuel began reeling off the names of his enemies. As he said each name, he stabbed a steak knife into the table. “Dead! Dead! Dead!” he screamed as he said each enemy’s name.

“When he was done, the table looked like a lunar landscape,” one of the other diners remembered. “It was like something out of The Godfather. [More]

Or "The Untouchables"...

I want him DEAD! I want his family DEAD! I want his house burned to the GROUND!

Although in the case of Ness...

[Via Libertyteeth]

We're the Only Ones Unconvicted Enough

An appeals court on Thursday overturned the conviction of a former Atlanta police officer sentenced to prison for lying to FBI agents about the killing of a 92-year-old woman during a botched drug raid. [More]

Too bad the lying scum "Only One" and the judge can't reverse Kathryn Johnston's murder.

[Via Avg Joe]

The Bipartisan Homeland Security State

Now, in the name of bipartisanship and national unity under the rule of the Sainted One, even His Holiness Barack Obama, we're likely to see a synthesis of the worst elements from both the Bush and Clinton eras. [More]

I'd go so far as to substitute "likely" with "certain."

[Via Ron W]

Impressive

Willis said the man’s accuracy was impressive. [More]

Yes it was. As was his mindset.

And I'm wondering where Jamarcus will be Ushered to...

[Via Bow]

Working Well

“Allowing visitors to carry firearms into these national treasures makes no sense. The weapons ban has worked well all these years. It has reduced poaching of endangered species and kept the level of violence between people to a minimum.” [More]

Vin Suprynowicz deconstructs that argument.

Those of you who are new to WarOnGuns may not remember the promotion I did for his novel "The Black Arrow."

You can rectify that, you know...

[Via Ron W]

A 'Sideshow Issue'

A "B-list topic"?

...A "sideshow issue"? [More]

You know, our unalienable right to keep and bear arms.

Here's what the media cheerleaders think of our objection to the holder confirmation, today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Please share the link wherever you can.

This Day in History: January 16

A convention in Westminster votes to ask Congress to recognize the new state of New Connecticut (present-day Vermont). [More]