Communitarianism

Norfolk County League of Sportsmen's Clubs links us to Paul Helmke's latest tyranny apologia. [More]

Helmke's piece is here, and guess what: He presents his position as "pragmatism" and he links to my Examiner piece when he writes "inflamed."

I'll take the PR, thanks, but if it's anything like last time, I doubt I'll see much of a boost. Maybe we should start calling it an Instalimp or something...?

He of course has it exactly wrong. The gun issue did divide voters. That's why the Stupid Party lost. What it didn't inspire us to do is unite with the RINOs.

These mutts scream about Mary McFate when the entire GOP leadership has been coopted by frickin' "moderate" moles like themselves--if their intent was to be subversive Fifth Columnists, drive away the core constituency and render the Republicans toothless they could not have done a better job.

Paul, you'll recall, made a career representing himself as a republican. As did Sarah and Jim Brady.

We're the Only Ones Cheaper than Dirt Enough

Ammo 9mm Federal 124 Grain +P+ Hydra Shok, JHP 50 Round Box Law Enforcement Sales Only [More]

And what virtues do "Only Ones" possess that make it more desirable for them to have this ammunition instead of, say, you and me?

Let's let reviewer 5pointbadge explain--he does it so much better than I ever could:


And who among us doesn't want "a Veteran Police Officer in the boonies" shooting "melon eaters"...?

Say, you don't think that's code for anything, do you, or that the fact that he's so "veteran" means he's been deploying with this attitude for years...? Still, it's refreshing to hear him admit they "attemp[t]to use deadly force" rather than shooting to stop an attack, and that he equates this to "ensur[ing] that Justice is carried out," especially with a "bleeding heart DA" mucking up the punishment.

Well, at least we know why guys like 5pb get the Hydra Shoks and we don't. They must figure if they're the ones being vigilante...uh..."vigilent" [sic], it's cheaper than dirt-napping in some melon patch.

[Via Steven K]

AK Carry in AZ?

SB 1270 is an Arizona constitutional carry bill that has been introduced in the Senate. It essentially would remove the current requirement to have a CCW permit when carrying a concealed weapon...[More]

Dustin's Gun Blog explains...

[Via Jeffersonian]

Patches, I'm Dependin' on You, Son...

Y'know, I could blame this title on the pain meds...

Anyway, go check out Thirdpower's line of Unorganized Militia patches, pins and stickers...[More]

We're the Only Ones Lying on Our Applications Enough

A Springfield judge has thrown out almost $2 million worth of cocaine and a loaded handgun as evidence in a drug trial because he says he doesn't believe two police officers told the truth when they applied for a search warrant. [More]

As much of a Sopranos character like "Big Fish" Jimmy appears, I'm actually glad to see the judge insist on a proper warrant.

I'd be even gladder if the perjuring "Only Ones" now faced charges. Lying on a warrant or under color of authority in general ought to invoke severe special penalties.

[Via Ed M]

Dead Men Tell No Tales

So "the best defense is vigilance"? I guess somehow knowing which alarm tells you your ship is being boarded and being fully aware of your throat being slit while the rapists are still passing you around...does what, exactly? [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column highlights the insanity of current policies against piracy.

Please do what you can to share the link.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

Austin: Brady Campaign to prevent democracy? (Part 2)

Charlotte: ‘Assault weapon’ opening salvo: Levin lies to Congress

Cleveland: Legislating away rights in an attempt to curb crime

DC: Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds sells out gun owners, fools gun banners

Los Angeles: Nationwide concealed carry, Part IV: First contact.

Milwaukee: Time to change our attitude about guns

St. Louis: 'Forget' something, Brady Campaign?

This Day in History: February 3

Upon considering the best mode of distressing the Enemy and rendering their Situation still more disagreeable, as well as retarding their early Operations in the Field; I have determined to remove, out of their reach, all the Horses, Waggons, and fat Cattle...[More]

Holder Confirmed

From the Senate Legislation & Records web page [More]

All Democrats voted for confirmation. So much for A grades and endorsements. Any bets on what they'll do when the party holds their feet to the fire on other anti-gun votes?

You can find GOA Senate ratings here. We should see an attendant reduction in grade for each "Yea" vote. NRA's grades are more difficult to acccess--you need to enter your membership number on the PVF site, find the election year for the senator in question and search by individual state.

See how your senators voted and react accordingly.

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

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111^th Congress - 1^st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

Question: On the Nomination (Confirmation Eric H. Holder, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Attorney General )
Vote Number:	32	Vote Date:	February 2, 2009, 06:15 PM
Required For Majority:	1/2	Vote Result:	Nomination Confirmed
Nomination Number:	PN64-7
Nomination Description:	Eric H. Holder, Jr., of the District of Columbia, to be Attorney General

Vote Counts:	YEAs	75
	NAYs	21
	Not Voting	3

Vote Summary

By Senator Name

By Vote Position

By Home State

Grouped by Home State

Alabama:	Sessions (R-AL), Yea -	Shelby (R-AL), Nay
Alaska:	Begich (D-AK), Not Voting	Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Arizona:	Kyl (R-AZ), Yea	McCain (R-AZ), Yea
Arkansas:	Lincoln (D-AR), Yea	Pryor (D-AR), Yea
California:	Boxer (D-CA), Yea	Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Colorado:	Bennet (D-CO), Yea	Udall (D-CO), Yea
Connecticut:	Dodd (D-CT), Yea	Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Delaware:	Carper (D-DE), Yea	Kaufman (D-DE), Yea
Florida:	Martinez (R-FL), Not Voting	Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Georgia:	Chambliss (R-GA), Yea	Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Hawaii:	Akaka (D-HI), Yea	Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Idaho:	Crapo (R-ID), Nay	Risch (R-ID), Nay
Illinois:	Burris (D-IL), Yea	Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Indiana:	Bayh (D-IN), Yea	Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Iowa:	Grassley (R-IA), Yea	Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Kansas:	Brownback (R-KS), Nay	Roberts (R-KS), Nay
Kentucky:	Bunning (R-KY), Nay	McConnell (R-KY), Nay
Louisiana:	Landrieu (D-LA), Yea	Vitter (R-LA), Nay
Maine:	Collins (R-ME), Yea	Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Maryland:	Cardin (D-MD), Yea	Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Massachusetts:	Kennedy (D-MA), Not Voting	Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Michigan:	Levin (D-MI), Yea	Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Minnesota:	Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Mississippi:	Cochran (R-MS), Nay	Wicker (R-MS), Nay
Missouri:	Bond (R-MO), Yea	McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
Montana:	Baucus (D-MT), Yea	Tester (D-MT), Yea
Nebraska:	Johanns (R-NE), Nay	Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Nevada:	Ensign (R-NV), Nay	Reid (D-NV), Yea
New Hampshire:	Gregg (R-NH), Yea	Shaheen (D-NH), Yea
New Jersey:	Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea	Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
New Mexico:	Bingaman (D-NM), Yea	Udall (D-NM), Yea
New York:	Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea	Schumer (D-NY), Yea
North Carolina:	Burr (R-NC), Nay	Hagan (D-NC), Yea
North Dakota:	Conrad (D-ND), Yea	Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Ohio:	Brown (D-OH), Yea	Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Oklahoma:	Coburn (R-OK), Nay	Inhofe (R-OK), Nay
Oregon:	Merkley (D-OR), Yea	Wyden (D-OR), Yea
Pennsylvania:	Casey (D-PA), Yea	Specter (R-PA), Yea
Rhode Island:	Reed (D-RI), Yea	Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
South Carolina:	DeMint (R-SC), Nay	Graham (R-SC), Yea
South Dakota:	Johnson (D-SD), Yea	Thune (R-SD), Nay
Tennessee:	Alexander (R-TN), Yea	Corker (R-TN), Yea
Texas:	Cornyn (R-TX), Nay	Hutchison (R-TX), Nay
Utah:	Bennett (R-UT), Yea	Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Vermont:	Leahy (D-VT), Yea	Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Virginia:	Warner (D-VA), Yea	Webb (D-VA), Yea
Washington:	Cantwell (D-WA), Yea	Murray (D-WA), Yea
West Virginia:	Byrd (D-WV), Yea	Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Wisconsin:	Feingold (D-WI), Yea	Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Wyoming:	Barrasso (R-WY), Nay	Enzi (R-WY), Nay

Audio of Police Interview with Ryan Frederick

This is the audio of the police interview with Ryan Frederick taken 30 minutes after the raid. It was played at Frederick’s trial yesterday. [More]

Via Billy Beck, who writes:

They're going to drill this kid.

The *principal* problem here is that they cannot or will not think. That should be the most horrifying fact of all, because that's why this shit will not stop.

My god.

We're the Only Ones Essentially Defenselesss Enough

They were victims of a new kind of telephone fraud that exploits a weakness in the way the 911 system handles calls from Internet-based phone services. The attacks — called "swatting" because armed police SWAT teams usually respond — are virtually unstoppable, and an Associated Press investigation found that budget-strapped 911 centers are essentially defenseless without an overhaul of their computer systems. [More]

The "Only One" centers are defenseless? What about the poor citizens they wrongly raid?

He was even arrested as the result of one call, because authorities found weapons he wasn't supposed to have while they were searching the house.

I wonder if a solution would be found if...no, I don't want to go there...do I?

[Via HZ]

Lou Dobbs on Obama and Holder

I didn't see this on the Dobbs site so it may not be authorized. [More]

Movie Review

The basic plot (I won’t ruin it for you) is a gang of paranoid gun crazies who band together and terrorize a benevolent government that the crazies feel like are threatening them. [More]

Funny.

[Via thedweeze]

The Difference Between a Conservative and a Liberal

"Federal belt-tightening would worsen the problem right now," said Kevin Hassett, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. [More]

What kind of idiot would even suggest shrinking government as a solution to our woes?

We're all clear on conservatism now, right?

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

Salazar Likely to Overturn Some Bush Regs

In a 40-minute roundtable with reporters, Salazar promised to closely examine regulations that include...a regulation allowing visitors to carry concealed guns into national parks.

This is a subscription service, so unless you're signed up, you won't be able to read it. The significant thing to note is prior reports have described Salazar as supportive of guns in parks.

We shall see.

[Via Oregon Firearms Federation]

Presumptive Confirmation a Preemptive Surrender

Tonight's the night.

The Senate will vote Monday on Eric Holder’s nomination to become the 82nd attorney general, with confirmation all but guaranteed.

Guess who put out an editorial strongly warning us about how dangerously anti-gun he is? [More]

This is my final warning against Eric Holder before tonight's vote. I've done everything I can.

It's a pity others chose not to.

Please share the link.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

Austin: Brady Campaign to prevent democracy? (Part 2)

Charlotte: ‘Assault weapon’ opening salvo: Levin lies to Congress

Cleveland: The Audacity of Self Defense

DC: Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds sells out gun owners, fools gun banners

Los Angeles: Nationwide concealed carry, Part IV: First contact.

Milwaukee: Time to change our attitude about guns

St. Louis: 80 percent of crime is committed by gangs--must be 'the gun lobby's' fault

Some Monday Announcements

Gun Rights Examiner expands to two new cities [More]

We have added GREs in DC and Milwaukee, making a total of 7 cities and me at national. Go to my column to access theirs. And if you noticed, I've added links to my sidebar.

I also have some announcements for gun owners in Massachusetts and Oregon.

Tell a friend?

Excuse-Making

I'm off to a later than usual start today, and expect posting to be more abbreviated than normal. I'm still recovering from a surgery on Friday, and I'm balancing what I can do with what I think I need to do.

As such, many of you have sent me in news tips that I just won't be able to get to, nor will I probably reply to your email.

I'm not ignoring you and thank you for your understanding.

Thanks also to those who have expressed concern. If you'd like to help, there's two things I can think of:

Hold off on non-essential emails for the balance of this week.

Promote the Examiner columns. They are where I will expend the brunt of my energy.

I know from the weekend it looks like I'm back to posting normally, and I'm sure I'll do more today and in the coming days than I should, but that's just me being thick-necked and not knowing when I'm licked. I expect any minute Sweetie's gonna come in here, lay down the law, grab my ear and put me in my place, which is a big soft leather couch in front of a large screen TV, preferably tuned to something black and white, with cigarette-smoking protagonists and tough-talking dames.

This Day in History: February 2

I am no less Surprised than you are, at the policy of New England, how it will end I can not positively determine, but I dread its Consequences. I dare not (as they have) hazard the establishment of a practice, directly repugnant to a Resolve of Congress, and therefore can say nothing more to you, than desire that you would quickly determine, from Appearances, whether you can raise the Regiment by the time expected, if you think you can not, please to inform me immediately, for it would be only loosing time, [and injuring the Public,] to appoint Officers who can not answer the end proposed. [More]

Gun Trial Witness: Feds Out for 'Vengeance'

An expert who testified against the government in a disputed Wisconsin gun case involving what the defense has described as a "broken" gun says federal agents ever since have been retaliating and the government's actions are costing his business hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I am a witness in a still pending case, and I am being 'leaned on,'" Len Savage, of Historic Arms LLC, told WND. "This is not the first time ATF has taken out vengeance during a court case." [More]

Bob Unruh of WorldNetDaily continues to provide some of the rare coverage on this case that most of the media will not.

I'm grateful they are also one of the few outlets who will acknowledge my efforts at GUNS Magazine and Examiner.com on this and story.

You can directly affect the prospect of future such stories appearing.

How? By following the title link and reading the column. Then by sharing it with your gun owner friends by email, posting the url on forums, etc. The same kind of stuff I ask regulars here to do with my Examiner columns. They prosper through site visits enhancing advertising revenues. If liberty reporting is profitable, more will do it. Also, go ahead and write a letter to the editor (lettersATworldnetdailyDOTcom) and let them know you appreciate their coverage of this and other gun rights-related stories.

The Holder Nomination

by Russ Howard

Word is (and word fits with what's happening), that the NRA has unofficially informed Senators that confirmation of extremely anti-gun Eric Holder as attorney general will not be held against them. That's why there has been almost no resistance and Holder sailed through committee with only two "No"s. In fact, more "A rated" Senators voted for Holder in committee than F-rated Senators, once again revealing the perennial fraud of NRA's black box system of unearned "A" grades for gun grabbers and squishes, top-secret candidate questionnaires, and endorsements of anti-gun candidates over viable pro-gun opponents. Had all the "pro-gun" senators in committee stuck together and opposed Holder, he would've lost the vote and the momentum and it would've been a new ball game. They didn't because it was not requested.

This is a battle that will be lost because one side didn't fight. Perhaps a Holder confirmation is not the worst outcome gun owners face with the new "change" government. But that doesn't seem like a good reason not to resist and at least make the enemy pay for the turf. The games being played here are the kind that have cost gun owners dearly in gun control legislation in past decades. If the gun rights community continues to tolerate them, it may lead to far worse losses in the future than this nomination battle.

See articles by David Codrea of the War On Guns and Examiner.com, Kevin Starrett of Oregon Firearms Federation, Jeff Knox of the Firearms Coalition, etc. Links here and below.
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d28-Holder-approved-by-Senate-Judiciary-Committee
http://oregonfirearms.org/alertspage/01.29.09%20alert.html
www.firearmscoalition.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=338&Itemid=1

There was little resistance mainly because the NRA did not demand resistance and let the senate and their own members know that blocking Holder is important. "Pro-gun" senators still have the numbers to block him by filibuster -- if they actually tried, if senators knew that voting for cloture would be punished in grading and support. The enemy must bring 60 hard votes to kill a filibuster, even if only one senator shows up to support it. But the NRA will let Holder go to the floor, where he will be confirmed by majority.

Also see:
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d30-A-certain-outcome-for-Holder
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0901/28/ldt.01.html

'If enlisting beltway insiders who approved pardons for payoffs is "change", it's change we can do without.'
- Sample letter from Oregon Firearms Federation
http://oregonfirearms.org/alertspage/01.29.09%20alert.html
OFF Alert] Eric Holder. Janet Reno Reborn.
http://oregonfirearms.org/alertspage/01.24.09%20alert.html

www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/02/14/sullivan_atf_confirmation_blocked/
"Under Senate rules, a single senator can put a hold on legislative action for months."
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2009/01/sometimes-saying-no.html
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d6-How-to-hold-Holder-without-using-guns
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d8-Another-reason-to-hold-Holder
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d25-Holder-clutches-at-gun-rights
www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m1d24-A-progun-pick

I suppose blocking Holder is not as important as blocking an assault weapon bill. Perhaps that explains why even GOA's alert yesterday doesn't mention the word filibuster http://gunowners.org/a012909.htm , though it says "if confirmed, [Holder] will be in a position where he will be able to use the force of government to discourage or outlaw gun ownership in America." If Holder is that dangerous, isn't it worth pushing for filibuster, where he could be stopped with a minority? I don't know.

The public defection of two "pro-gun" A rated Quislings and a near unanimous committee vote occurred in the absence of pressure, encouraged by absence of pressure. To assert that what happened is a reasonable indication of what the numbers would've been had there been a clear commitment to fight with our strongest tools, seems like self-fulfilling prophesy.

If there really was no chance of keeping the enemy from getting 60 votes and we're not demanding a filibuster, then why write letters to try to keep them from getting 51 votes on the floor?

My instinct is Americans should make the enemies of constitutional liberty pay dearly for every inch of turf. Since when is it great strategy to roll over and not even try unless we're guaranteed to win, or because we're short a couple votes before serious pressure is applied? The battle itself is a vehicle to make our case against the other side and galvanize resistance. For several years running, immigration sanity groups have fought comprehensive immigration "reform" (amnesty, "guest" workers who never leave, etc.). They demanded filibusters and fought cloture votes even when it didn't look like they would win. The battle helped grow and focus the resistance. In at least one case they managed to beat "reform" after losing on cloture, because so much heat was the heat was growing before, during and after the filibuster.

In any case, consider this:

"…The single strongest argument against new federal gun bans is history: Democrats controlled Congress from 1948 to1994 when Clinton forced a passle of very reluctant Democratic members of Congress to vote for his "assault weapon" ban. In the ensuing election those reluctant supporters were defeated and the Republicans captured Congress for the first time in 50 years. Clinton attributed all this to his disastrous AW bill.

The Republicans are praying for the Democrats to enact a new AW ban."

-Howard Nemerov; forwarded cover note to his 1-30-09 examiner.com article "400 Years of Gun Control ... Part 1"
www.examiner.com/x-2879-Austin-Gun-RIghts-Examiner
(Article, link and cover note forwarded by Dan Gifford)

"The Republicans are praying for the Democrats to enact a new AW ban." If NRA members don't force the NRA to start holding senators accountable with honest grading and smart grade-weighting, then we are much more likely to get another AW ban and other new controls. Even though "pro-gun" senators have the power to block and filibuster a new gun control bill, enough of the phonies will flip to kill the filibuster, then the pro-gun side will cast a phony prearranged losing vote against the bill on the floor. They will help it pass while appearing to oppose it, and use the new law to force gun owners to increase donations and support to the very politicians who intentionally let it happen. The NRA will help them do it by covering it up with dishonest grades and endorsements. The NRA will also use it to get more money. It's like "protection".

The gun rights community needs a tough, honest, smart, weighted grading system that counts filibuster and similar maneuvers as more than one vote and withholds points for phony pre-arranged "pro-gun" floor votes.

RNC Sends Clear Message to Gun Owners

[More]

Anti-Gun Deception On The Senate Floor

Did we mention that our opponents are deliberately deceptive?

What--you mean they'll still give an A-rating to someone who votes for Eric Holder?

I want you to take a few minutes and read what NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox has to say about Holder, naturally under the "Vote Freedom First" header. Among other things:

...Holder's history of aggressive anti-gun activism is even worse than Emanuel's record of media-focused PR stunts.

Holder has always been among the first in front of the cameras to exploit tragedy for political gain. From Columbine to the September 11 attacks, there was no event in which Holder couldn't find some inspiration for gun bans, gun registration, gun rationing and more. Just weeks after terrorists used box cutters to turn airplanes into guided missiles, Holder wrote in the Washington Post, "One measure that is an essential part of any plan is the need to tighten our nation's gun laws, which allow the easy and legal sale of firearms to terrorists and criminals."

Holder claimed, mistakenly, "No court has ever said that the Second Amendment actually says that. I think, if you look at it, it talks about bearing guns in a well-regulated militia. And I don't think anywhere it talks about an individual." Holder most recently signed a brief...in the Heller case that "The Second Amendment does not protect firearm possession or use that is unrelated to participation in a well-regulated militia."

But if senators don't "Vote Freedom First," well, anybody who has a problem with that just doesn't understand how politics works.

And forget talking filibuster. With the betrayal by all those A-rated republicans on the Judiciary Committee, we're told we just don't have the numbers. And why did they feel comfortable with betrayal again? Where was the NRA-ILA Alert leading a concerted effort to oppose Holder from Day One, to write, call and email senators, to publicly, loudly and repeatedly make it known that "Vote Tyranny First" would not be cost-free?

Right. After what Cox just told us, we're supposed to turn around and accept that this is just not important enough to expend political capital on? Besides, activist gun owners would be so worn out from making a few phone calls and sending a few letters that they'd just be totally spent when AWB2 comes around. What, you think we can walk now and chew gun six months later?

Which I guess means a vote for cloture if someone does strap 'em on to filibuster won't be held against them, either. Or against any of those A-rated and endorsed "pro-gun" democrats:

If the assumption is "all the current Democratic senators," what can we expect from our new shining "pro-gun Democrat" star? Or we might ask where our "true champion of Second Amendment freedoms" Max Baucus stands...or Tim Johnson...or...

There is one point where I agree with the Lairds of Fairfax. There is anti-gun deception on the Senate floor. And it is deliberate.

The Riddle of Steele

The GOP has spoken.

Michael Steele is the new party chairman.

What does this mean for gun owners? [More]

Here's today's Gun Rights Examiner column. Please share it with your friends.

As I said yesterday, I'm recovering from a surgery. I'm feeling good enough to do some moderate posting, although I won't be able to get to any of the email tips that have been sent in. I do have a few other posts I'll make today that are priorities for me, but then plan to knock it off and take it easy the rest of the day.

Hopefully I'll be assuming a full schedule early on--I find being somewhat active is really about the best medicine, and the pills they gave me for pain haven't seemed to affect my luci...lucidituhhh....Whoah...I have hands...

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

Austin: Brady Campaign to prevent democracy? (Part 2)

Charlotte: 'Ammunition Accountability' is a fraud

Cleveland: What is the Tiahrt Amendment?

DC: Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds sells out gun owners, fools gun banners

Los Angeles: Congratulations to RNC Chairman Michael Steele. Permission to speak frankly, Sir.

Milwaukee: Time to change our attitude about guns

St. Louis: Upcoming events for shooters, gun rights activists

An appealing development

Attorney Alan Gura has filed an opening brief in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Hey, I had an outpatient surgery yesterday and am doing the pain pill routine--this is probably it for this weekend. I'd prepared this column the day before I went in.

Please spread the word about this new column and please go easy on the emails or I'll be swamped when I'm back up and running.

Thanks.

Gangswell

Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation, according to a gang threat assessment compiled by federal officials. [More]

Say, I've got a swell idea...

Let's disarm you and me...

We're the Only Ones Forgive Us Our Trespasses Enough

A former Teton County Sheriff's deputy who shot a dog three times after its owner had tied it to a tree pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor trespassing..[More]

I had to dig through a lot of stuff to find the last time I talked about this.

Enter "dog" in the site search box and see for yourself.

I may have to start a category right alongside the "Only Ones" files. Well, not too close to it. We all know how that can end up.

So--what do you think? "Misdemeanor trespassing" for us, too...?

[Via Avg Joe]

Not Close Enough for Government Work?

From thedweeze:

Just heard this on Shep's show (approx 7:40PM): The Army has 'recalled' 16,000 sets of body armor. They were their usual obfuscatory selves about explaining exactly why this particular 16,000 units and what the criteria were. The reason I'm alerting you all is that in all likelihood these things will hit the surplus market late this Spring or early Summer and folks need to be aware of exactly what they're looking at.

OK, here's the story.

[B]ullet-shielding ceramic plates in the armor failed testing...

Seems like it would be a hell of a liability if they released these into the civilian market...

Questioning Rosanna Pulido for Congress?

I've been seeing a growing buzz on this candidate in the gun community. [More]

I also note that replacing Rahm Emanuel with even a nominally pro-gun candidate would be an improvement.

So I don't mean to take out my ongoing disillusionment on her--it's just that I've been wooed by "pro-gun Republicans" before. For decades. And here we are.

So when I see her 2nd Amendment page not only misspells Hale DeMar's name, but doesn't even touch on the core meaning of the right in terms of being a safeguard against tyranny, you'll excuse me if I don't wonder just how deep the well goes. Plus, I gotta tell you--stumping for Chi-Town "Only Ones" doesn't exactly put a Liberty lump in my throat.

Let her unequivocally answer a few questions and I'll be happy to consider her candidacy based on how she does:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land" and that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state?

3. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider constitutional.

4. Please give some examples of gun laws you consider unconstitutional.

5. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

6. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

7. Do you support or oppose calls to “enforce existing gun laws”?

8. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

9. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

10. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

[Via John Richardson]

The Whine Club

Vanderboegh has some fun. Content Warning. [More]

An Evening Visit

"Before you take the sword, before you walk the way of the sword, know this", she held back slightly and the heat I felt became somehow instantly cold, lonely, vacuous. "Once taken, you can never let go. If you accept, you can never relinquish. The price is great. Your Forebears paid. This way is fraught with peril. The reward, however, is greater than gold, brighter than diamonds." [More]

Mike H sets out on a quest.

A Certain Outcome for Holder?

The Borgs at the AP tell us resistance is futile, and Eric Holder will be confirmed by the full Senate Monday evening. They say there's nothing we can do, that "the outcome is not in doubt." [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column explains how and why that came about, thanks largely in part to "our side."

I still recommend you keep pestering your senators. If nothing else, we need to train ourselves never to quit.

We also have a new columnist in Austin, Howard Nemerov. Consider that three-and-a-half months ago there was nothing.

As always, I ask you to help us continue to grow by sharing GRE links with your friends, posting to forums... I hope the regulars who find value here here make that a regular practice. In any case, until someone steps forward and gives me a substantial advertising budget, I'm going to keep asking you to.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners

• Austin Gun Rights Examiner: Brady Campaign to prevent democracy? (Part 1)
• Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: Rev. Whitley's 'bullet' bill is not just for Durham
• Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: What is the Tiahrt Amendment?
• Los Angeles Gun Rights Examiner: Nationwide concealed carry, Part II: More guns on the street, or more of our own authority?
• St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: Upcoming events for shooters, gun rights activists

This Day in History: January 30

January 30, 1777

- In Jamaica, attorneys claim that American vessels and their crews captured by British warships prior to January 1, 1776, when the Trade Prohibitory Act became effective could not be detained. [More]

"As Ineffective as Most Prohibitions"

Hobbled by the Supreme Court decision in D.C. v. Heller, recognizing that individuals have a constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms, gun control advocates are roaming the land with virtual lightbulbs over their heads. "Ah ha," they say. You can have your guns, but we'll control your ammunition. [More]

J. D. Tuccille makes the rounds and presents some bullet points.

I really deserve to be smacked for that, at least twice, don't I?

Recreational shooting would be severely curtailed or destroyed entirely.

Cut back practice and training--there's a surefire happy ending solution! Why wouldn't we want people less trained, less able to hit what they aim at?

Government--is there anything it doesn't know?

Jury Duty

I have been summoned for jury duty in King County Superior Court. Initially, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to do my duty. Moments later it occurred to me that the court would most likely want me to convict someone of violating unconstitutional laws, like laws criminalizing drugs, sex, guns, etc. [More]

Mark A. Taff thinks through a process most of us will face.

We're the Only Ones Elite Enough

We only use off-duty police officers [More]

Why does the slogan "We use only 100% pure 'Only Ones'" come to mind?

I can't help but wonder if--all other things being equal--public status gives private advantage in terms of privileges or access if some reworking of applicable laws might not be in order.

For example: Can a LEO acting in a private capacity carry in places forbidden to a non-LEO bodyguard? If so, does that not equate to the law giving him a competitive advantage in private ventures and, in effect, ensure unequal protection in terms of earning a living?

I'm not saying this is so--I'm just askin'. If anybody knows, please educate me.

[Via Mike H]

We're the Only Ones in Suspense Enough

A Chattanooga detective accused of assaulting an elderly Wal-Mart greeter who asked to see his sales receipt has been suspended from duty. [More]

He's not really the "Only One" in suspense. I have been too, wondering how all that equal treatment under the law was going to work out...

[Via Ed M]

Potential Rape Victims Ordered to Wear Burkas or Face Fines

It's the same principle, you know.

Government. No wonder we love it so. [More]

[Via Ed M]

Justice Delayed

Five people imprisoned for the 1985 rape and murder of a 68-year-old woman were pardoned Monday, two months after investigators said DNA evidence proved they were innocent. [More]

One can only wonder how many enter pleas because they've been bullied into it over threatened consequences. And somehow, those who defrauded them into it remain free to do it again and again...

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

[Via Ed M]

We're the Only Ones Manning Our Post Enough

The U.S. government is investigating a former CIA officer in Algeria who has been accused of drugging and raping two women while he held the post, according to an affidavit released by the Justice Department. [More]

So much for the "intelligence" of "Only Ones"...

We're the Only Ones Solicitous Enough

VCU Police Chief Willie B. Fuller was arrested yesterday. The Chesterfield County Police Department media advisory states that Chief Fuller is charged "with use of a communications device to solicit sex from a minor and attempted indecent liberties with a minor." [More]

At least we can now guess why VCU "Only Ones" are so intent on maintaining a monopoly of force.

The Age Old Question, however, remains a mystery.

[Via AntiCitizenOne]

What the Brady Campaign Means by 'Home Rule'

Ah, the old "home rule" argument.

You know, their position that places like Washington DC should be able to enact gun bans. Just like President Obama's Chicago/Cheyenne sleight of mind...

It's a great trick to use on those who aren't paying attention. You distract everyone with talk about assaults on local control, and then you enact sweeping legislation that encompasses everybody everywhere. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column focuses on a common deception propagated by the anti-gunners-- when "home rule" favors citizen disarmament, they're for it. When it doesn't, it's time to being in the feds.

I'd like to see more gun rights activists pick up on this argument and use it. You can start by sharing the link to today's column.

Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:

• Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: Rev. Whitley's 'bullet' bill is not just for Durham
• Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: Anti-gun movement gathering steam
• Los Angeles Gun Rights Examiner: Nationwide concealed carry, Part I: It's what you don't see that counts.
• St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: A deeper look at the 'government monopoly on force'

This Day in History: January 29

Your wish, to be the instrument of restoring peace, to a much oppressed and more injured People, is certainly most laudable, but you must very well know, that this is not to be effected by the interposition of any person in a private Character, and Lord and General Howe have refused to negotiate with the only great representative Body of this Continent. [More]

Holder Approved by Subcommittee

Go to Gun Rights Examiner for details. [More]

We're the Only Ones Offering You a Deal Enough

A former North Texas sheriff has admitted to forcing a woman to perform a sex act after telling her it was the only way she wouldn’t go to jail for drugs found in her house, a federal prosecutor said Monday. [More]

What, he didn't check her "Only One"-filed false disease report first?

[Via Lane]

Lager? Isn't that a Kind of Beer?

H. R. 645

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations. [More]

Huh.

You don't think they'll make them "gun free zones," do you?

I wonder if going there will be compulsory if where we live is declared "off limits"?

I wonder if you try to leave if you'll be stopped? Even if disease breaks out, or there's not enough food, or...

Oh well, I'll bet they've learned a lot since Katrina. I'm sure they're doing this for our own good.

Right?

[Via Tom Z]

We're the Only Ones Malpracticing Enough

Terry Neal, a Tampa activist and former City Council candidate, sued the city of Tampa, two police officers and the Police Department, alleging his reputation was ruined when police falsely wrote he had HIV, hepatitis C and a violent mental illness in a police report four years ago. [More]

So if I report that both the named "Only Ones" have oozing genital lesions, and can't "pinpoint where [I] got the information...even when such information is unverified," will my "warning [be] justified to protect [citizens] from even a possibility of a potentially fatal exposure" if these rights rapists ever get them in their clutches?

Hey, at least the chart accuracy gives us a glimpse into what we can expect from government-run health care...

[Via Mack H]

Hose Down

You win the game by how well you aim... [More]

We Didn't Love Freedom Enough

Whatever alibis the Soviet-era Russians and other captive peoples might have had as the Gulag's apparatus churned and grumbled, we kulaks of the Obamanation have no such excuses. [More]

Sure we do. They're just not very good excuses.

Perhaps "I Love Freedom Enough" is a slogan that could be helpful?

It would invite questioning...

Living in Fear

The threats were, in the opinion of security experts we consulted, serious. The individual has a felony record and owns a gun. Police in three states became involved and we hired a personal security team to protect me, my family and TechCrunch employees. [More]

Find the Boots asks some obvious questions.

Maybe Mr. Arrington wouldn't be so fearful if he stopped assuming his safety is something that can be outsourced. There can be something very liberating in knowing what you're capable of in a crunch.

[Via Boondoggi]

And the Meek Shall Inherit What, Exactly...?

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek said today that last week’s shooting in Miami that left seven injured and two dead shows the need for reinstating the federal ban on assault weapons. [More]

You can contact this f*****g idiot here, if you like.

He's got his filter set to only hear from constituents, so enter 33026 - 6037 as the Zip +4 to get to his online form.

I see he's going after Mel Martinez's senate seat--you know--the RINO who came out in favor or Eric Holder...

[Via Ron Bokelman]

I Have a Better Idea

A new bill introduced in the Congress by New York Republican Rep. Peter King requires mobile phones with digital cameras "to make a sound" when a photograph is taken.

The move is part of the 'Camera Phone Predator Alert Act' and the idea is to ensure privacy and safety of the public, especially children, claims the bill. [More]

I have a better idea. Why not just tie cans to Peter King, so we'll all know a rights molester is approaching?

Where do the Republicans find these nitwits?

And naturally, he's also an idiot when it comes to guns (GOA gives him an "F").

[Via Avg Joe, who wonders if this might have something to do with it]

We're the Only Ones Playing Footsie Enough

Authorities said the St. Lucie County firefighter who took a man's severed foot from an Interstate 95 crash scene last year has been charged with misdemeanor theft.

The firefighter told the Florida Highway Patrol after the Sept. 19 crash that she took the remains to help train her cadaver dog. [More]

So if you give "Only Ones" an inch and they take a mile, what happens when you give them a foot...?

[Via Ron W]

A Hearty Breakfast Starts with Cheerios...

I like 'em. Simple, quick, throw some banana slices on top, add a little milk...

But knocking the bowl over an my workspace, documents and keyboard is not part of a good way to start your morning.

Much cussing, sopping, rinsing and drying later, all technical issues have been resolved.

We now return to our regularly scheduled ranting.

Y'know, I could have just said "the bowl spilled" and "it got things soaked"...