We're the Only Ones Making a Mountain Out of an Ant Hill Enough

Video from a dashboard camera showed Ramon Hernandez as he was handcuffed, with his face in an ant bed, and shocked with a Taser 11 times. He was also kicked and punched more than a dozen times.

Because, you know, we're "The Only Ones," and it's our job as soldier ants to guard the colony.

We're the Only Ones Stonkered* Enough

A POLICE officer who admitted to drinking at least 18 beers before going on duty to carry out a breath test has not been disciplined.

Instead, Senior-Constable Adam Reedy has been promoted – despite telling a court last month about a wild night in Cunnamulla that ended with him knocked unconscious after trying to arrest a woman.

...After the test he drank two rums at the Club Hotel and about 12.45am declared himself on duty to arrest local woman Corrinne Mitchell, who he says spat on him, sparking a fight that ended in Reedy being flown to Toowoomba Hospital for treatment.

Sounds like a perfect Down Under Only One, eh, mate?

*

A Mitigating Circumstance?

The insane procedures required by the TSA demands that our pilots to lock and then un-lock their .40 side arms was and is a solid recipe for disaster. Did the TSA deliberately create this bizarre and unconventional Rube Goldberg firearm retention system hoping for this result? The sordid history of the FAA and TSA’s total resistance to the concept of arming pilots to protect Americans is in itself a scandal.

Putting a gun into a holster and then threading a padlock through the trigger and trigger-guard is required every time the pilots enter or leave the cockpit.

Looks like there's more to this story. It's time to find out who was responsible for initially proposing and then ramming this requirement through--as well as his qualifications and credentials that made others think it was a good idea.

A Virginia Settlement

Families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shootings have until March 31 to say whether they'll accept a settlement that would include $100,000 each and the chance to question the governor and university officials about the shooting...

That'll sure solve everything.

Plus we'll have closure.

[Via Chris Horton]

Tit for Tat in St. Paul

The RNC Welcoming Committee (RNC-WC), an anarchist and anti-authoritarian organizing body based in the Twin Cities, announced today that it has ordered tasers for each of its members and friends. The announcement comes on the heels of last month’s St. Paul City Council approval of a St. Paul Police Department (SPPD) request for 234 tasers.

I doubt there's a word of truth in it, but that's actually a pretty funny and creative response--for a bunch of commies.

[Via MacEntyre]

We're Number 22!

The United Kingdom has been ranked as one of the most stable and prosperous countries in the world, beating the United States, France and even Switzerland in a global assessment of every nation’s achievements and standards.

Right.

And what makes America Number 22?

Mr Le Mière said that the US had fallen down the scale, although it still scored an average of 93 out of 100, partly because of the proliferation of small arms owned by Americans...

Right.

Mr Le Mière? Excuse moi? Time for your fitting...

[Via Paul W. Davis]

We Have a Winner

I just won a sweet Remington sps 30-06!

Chris Horton walks away with a prize from that calendar contest we talked about a while back.

The Right Kind of Gun Rights?

Reasonable self-defense leaves room for firearms regulation. Exotic and highly destructive weapons could be restricted or banned, because no one needs a machine gun or grenade launcher for protection against ordinary crime.

...Most of the government's gun laws, in fact, would have no trouble passing the self-defense test (as the Heartland Institute calls it in an amicus brief), because most gun laws are reasonable and don't leave people defenseless. As for the insurrectionary purpose of the Second Amendment, the Court could either repudiate it explicitly or pass over it in silence, consigning it to irrelevance.

The self-defense test is good policy, because it aligns the Second Amendment with modern needs and sensibilities. It is good law, because it rescues the amendment from being a dead letter or an embarrassment.

Jonathan Rauch, the only thing irrelevant and embarrassing in this debate is you.

This is what happens when you let the "moderates" drive the bus--they can't find enough of "those people" to run over. It's happened with the "Big Tent" Republicans, and it's happening in the gun rights movement--with the complicity of many who claim political expansion through compromise is more important than fidelity to principles and core constituency.

You would think as someone who champions rights (or at least exploits that perception) for a disaffected minority, Rauch would be more sensitive to first alienating and then abandoning any "subculture." But strict constructionists are an embarrassment. And those militia yahoos? Forget it! Besides, he says, borrowing a line from the Brady Playbook, "No one needs a machine gun."

There were once urbane dandies like Jonathan in 1920's-era Berlin. Many were literate, fashionable, sophisticated...and we know what happened 10 years later under an administration that deemed them "socially aberrant."

But Jonathan is no student of history. Jonathan thinks it can't happen here. Why, the very idea would be laughable if it wasn't such an embarrassment.

Because, you see, the "insurrectionary purpose" according to Jonathan, is "a dead letter." If we bring it up, we relegate the Second Amendment to "irrelevance."

But what Jonathan and those like him can't (or won't) answer are some questions I've addressed before:

[W]hat about human nature has changed?

In a century that has seen two world wars, continual violent political upheaval, genocide and systemic, brutal tyranny and repression, has humanity truly demonstrated a benevolence and maturity that distinguishes our era from those that preceded us? In a culture that breeds gang warfare, rampant violence, city-crippling riots and a national murder rate measured in the tens of thousands, how can anyone credibly claim that the need for individual defense is a relic of the past?

And ultimately, what is this "outdated" Second Amendment really about, if not the preservation of a free people when all other options to defend life and liberty have been exhausted? Against all enemies, individual and aggregated, foreign and domestic. Here is where we must face the core meaning of the awesome power and responsibility that this "obsolete" right places squarely in the hands of the people. Because, ultimately, what this right guarantees you is not a gun, but a choice. A choice, in the final analysis, to submit to evil or to fight it, literally.

You'd never know that if your only exposure to "gun rights" was from great thinkers like Jonathan. And isn't it curious how the reach of such people is always so much longer and their voices so much louder than those of we the embarrassing?

What we haven't established with Jonathan is if he's a willful subversive or just a blind fool. But in the end, it doesn't matter. All we really need to know is if we continue allowing ourselves to be led by him and his kind, he'll be proven right. The Second Amendment will be a dead letter, consigned to irrelevance.

Me, I plan on continuing to be an embarrassment as long as I draw breath.

[Via Carl S]

We're the Only Ones Invading the Suburbs Enough

Manslaughter, rape, assault. A recent spate of allegations against police officers on the outskirts of New York City has raised fears that a big-city problem has invaded the suburbs.

I thought a "spate" was three--but then they go on to call it a "cluster," although, thank goodness, at least it's not a "trend."

My favorite line:

Lieberman wondered if training was at fault.

I don't know how I've managed to get by all these years--I'm certain I've never had specific formal classes to teach me that rape, manslaughter and brutality are wrong, but I've somehow never felt inclined to go that route...

Guess I just don't have what it takes to be an "Only One."

Oh, and get ready, "suburbs." You asked for it and now you're going to get it.

And how.

[Via Declan]

This Day in History: March 25

Upon requisition of the Marine Committee of Congress for thirty stand of Arms, or two Wall-Pieces and twenty-six Muskets, for the fitting out the Brigantine Lexington for the protection of the trade of this coast, by order of the Board Robert Towers, Commissary; was directed to deliver said number of Arms to Captain Barry, or his order.

Welcome Back

You guys see anything you like?

Why is it when I write you directly I never get a reply? Just because I say I intend to post it? If I can repeat an often-used question, if you're not doing anything wrong, what have you got to hide?

Hey, one other thing I'm wondering: what do you think those custom-engraved Leatherman tools will bring on eBay?

UPDATE:


Looks like they're building their "case"! Here's what they're pinning their hopes on. Do you realize what this means is that someone actually looked up related posts with the intent of seeing if they could come up with a charge worth pursuing?

This is just plain creepy that vindictive little reptiles like these have any place in American government.

A "Pro-Gun" Democrat

“I talked to Senator Clinton last night,” Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico said on Friday, describing the tense telephone call in which he informed Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton that, despite two months of personal entreaties by her and her husband, he would be endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president. [More]

Yeah, see, when you're endorsed by Fairfax, it makes perfect sense to support a rabid gungrabber. Party over principle and all that...

A Republican Constitutional Lawyer

Today I endorse Barack Obama for president of the United States.

There seems to be enough room for everybody in the Big Tent except people with core principles.

Don't Mention It

What Mr. McCain almost never mentions are two extraordinary moments in his political past that are at odds with the candidate of the present: His discussions in 2001 with Democrats about leaving the Republican Party, and his conversations in 2004 with Senator John Kerry about becoming Mr. Kerry’s running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.

I guess some things are best left unsaid. We don't want to spoil anyone's illusions or excuses.

When Candy is Outlawed...

With candy sales banned on school campuses, sugar pushers are the latest trend at local schools. Backpacks are filled with Snickers and Twinkees for all sweet tooths willing to pay the price.

...This has become a lucrative business, Nason said, and those kids are walking around campus with upwards of $40 in their pockets and disrupting class to make a sale.

Who could have possibly predicted such a thing?

We're the Only Ones Piling Up Enough

I had a lot of emails waiting in my inbox upon my return, and it's tough keeping up with them all. If I haven't replied personally, my apologies--I'll try later today.

I need to be out of the house in half an hour so here's my best shot at responding to many of the "Only Ones" entries forwarded to me during my absence:

We're the Only Ones Emulating Lee Paige Enough

We're the Only Ones Puzzling Enough

We're the Only Ones Who Know How to Treat the Ladies Enough

We're the Only Ones Kittenish Enough

We're the Only Ones Allowed to Defend Ourselves Enough

We're the Only Ones in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time Enough

We're the Only Ones Blasting Ourselves Enough

[Via Gunthing; Michael S; JG; TonyG; Carl S; Jeffersonian; Mark G--sorry if I missed anybody else and hope you understand]

A Pilot Program

A US Airways pilot’s gun accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte Saturday, according to a statement released by the airline...

A Transportation Safety Administration spokeswoman reached by WCNC Sunday said the pilot is part of TSA’s Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program, which trains pilots to carry guns on flights...

A statement from TSA said the airplane was never in danger...

Again with the gun went off. Maybe they should have let real professionals train these guys.

Still, I note that--dire predictions notwithstanding, Goldfinger didn't get sucked out of the plane.

[Via Plug Nickel Times]

Gutting the Second

If you ever had a Right to Keep and Bear Arms – you have it now – and Government can Never take it from you Lawfully. It is unalienable, and it is necessary to protect your own life and property, and the lives and property of your family and neighbors – even the Union – against all enemies foreign and domestic.

The notion that certain weapons are not suited to personal protection is also sophistry that preys upon gross ignorance.

The high court really has only one function in Heller--and that's to confirm that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Questions along the lines of which infringements are "reasonable" are indeed sophistry.

I note that GOA is taking no small amount of heat from the no line in the sand crowd for its recent criticism of Alan Gura's concession, and that he has reacted heatedly.

This may surprise some of you, but I do agree with Gura that had he presented an absolutist argument he would have lost the judges--which tells us more about the sorry state we have allowed our government to degrade into than anything else. Gura "didn't make the last 219 years of constitutional law and [he's] not responsible for the way that people out there -- and on the court-- feel about machine guns."

He didn't and he's not. We can't expect him to undo all that for us.

But I don't agree that anticipating the question--and he must have--with a rejoinder that machine guns were outside the intentionally narrow and limited scope of the case being argued would have been perceived as "fudging," and objections for his totally misinterpreting Miller as excluding arms "not appropriate for civilian applications" are legitimate and appropriate.

I don't know where some get off acting like there's no room for criticism, and the expected reactionary hostility I've seen is way out of proportion to what was really a rather mild statement on the part of Larry Pratt & Co. If the "pragmatists" flipped over that, wait 'til they see what Vin Suprynowicz has to say.

[Via Ron W]

"Always Think Forfeiture"

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms requires the following items, Purchase Description Determined by Line Item, to the following:
LI 001, EXACT MATCH ONLY - Leatherman Micra Color: Blue - Part number 64340101K Engraved with: ATF-Asset Forfeiture AND "always think forfeiture" PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHMENT. NOTE: ATF MAY REQUEST A SAMPLE TO DETERMINE IF IT MEETS OUR REQUIREMENT. A picture of the item may be substituted in place of the actual sample. ***Partial Shipments are allowed. Please use the space below to explain your delivery schedule. Preferred Delivery is between November 15th-23rd, NLT November 23rd***, 2000, EA;

Think about the mindset that conceived "Always Think Forfeiture," and believes it's an appropriate government mission statement. Know that BATFU management intends to ingrain it in the minds of its functionaries as indelibly as it is engraved on its self-promoting motivational swag.

Think about it in relation to the Quartering Act that we recalled today--and think of the mindset that views private property as government's to seize and use to further its control.

Now compare it to Founding Era intent:

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men...

Compare it to "the mission statement" described and agreed to in "the supreme law of the land":

...in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity...

These irredeemable thugs don't think they're above the law--they think they are the law.

And make no mistake: this reflects the culture established and encouraged by "Maximum Mike"--the darling of John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and our wonderful "Vote freedom First President."

Have you haven't written your senators yet demanding they oppose Sullivan's confirmation--with the "or else" that you'll oppose them if they don't? You have, right?

As long as I'm chiding, why not put the squeeze on John McCain and tell him it's time to stop ducking the issue?

And finally (you didn't think I was done, did you?), why not report this abuse of plunder to the Office of the Inspector General? If for no other reason than we know that light makes creatures of the dark scurry for cover and it's fun to watch?

[Via Jeffersonian]

This Day in History: March 24

WHEREAS . . . [by the Mutiny Act of 1765] . . . several regulations are made and enacted for the better government of the army, and their observing strict discipline, and for providing quarters for the army, and carriages on marches and other necessary occasions, and inflicting penalties on offenders against the same act, and for many other good purposes therein mentioned; but the same may not be sufficient for the forces that may be employed in his Majesty's dominions in America: and whereas, during the continuance of the said act, there may be occasion for marching and quartering of regiments and companies of his Majesty's forces in several parts of his Majesty's dominions in America: and whereas the publick houses and barracks, in his Majesty's dominions in America, may not be sufficient to supply quarters for such forces: and whereas it is expedient and necessary that carriages and other conveniences, upon the march of troops in his Majesty's dominions in America, should be supplied for that purpose: be it enacted . . .,