An Overdue Repeal

Republican candidates in more than a half-dozen states have called for the repeal of the 17th Amendment, which was ratified in 1913 and which provides for the direct election of U.S. senators. Prior to the amendment, senators were designated by state legislatures. [More]

Yep. This thing was a fraudulent power grab from the start.

Otherwise, urban dominance/majoritarian tyranny dictates.  Besides, it's a lot easier to take revenge out on my rep for a bad choice and to strong-arm him into a good one to begin with.

Sipsey Street's "Homintern" Post

By now, many of you will have seen this post over at Sipsey Street, and this follow-up.

I understand many will feel this is a mistake.  I think it's a discussion that needs to be had, and here's why: The info was allowed onto RedState, one of the most prominent Republican blogs. 

I tried to post this comment, just to see how controlled that process is:

Red State has a reputation for being a prominent Republican blog, not a site where spurious stuff is allowed to propagate. Why has this comment been allowed to be posted and then remain on this site for over 2 weeks? Certainly RedState mods could remove it if they wanted to.  Why you have not would seem to be a relevant thing to wonder, as well as why a quiet effort on the part of named parties via legal counsel has not sought to compel removal.  How are people supposed to see this bombshell and not discuss it further?  Mr. Erickson-comment please?

I could not post it in private browsing mode.  When I turned off private browsing and tried again, I got this message:

Sorry, you must be logged in to post a comment.

That means RedState requires registration, meaning they have the ability to ID the poster, at least a profile with an email address, meaning they could follow up if they wanted to. I advance moderate on this blog, and do so after-the fact at Gun Rights Examiner. And RedState has far more resources and access than I do.


I think the responsibility is on RedState to explain. They obviously chose to allow the comment to be posted and then to remain on their site.  While it's been pointed out the comment poster relied on a lefty blog, Red State has consented to host his charges.

I think it is unrealistic to then expect others not to discuss something with such potential implications that a major website, owned by a prominent conservative publishing house, has seen fit to propagate. And agree with it or not, many leaders "conservatives" listen to are raising loud warnings on this very subject--as today's top-of-the page headline from WorldNetDaily illustrates.

Like it or not, the discussion is upon us. I call on RedState to explain themselves in this, and either remove the comment in question or explain why they continue allowing it to stand.

We're the Quasi "Only Ones" Employed Enough

Armed security guards will be on hand at 36 unemployment offices around Indiana in what state officials said is a step to improve safety and make branch security more consistent. [More]

Armed individuals equate to more safety in state offices?

I guess as long as they're highly-trained, better than you and me Rent-a-Only Ones, yeah.

What one must have to believe...

Still, it's nice to know the bureaucrats are protected in these tough times, isn't it?

It Couldn't Happen Here

Could it? [Read]

But of Course

In Wake Of Cargo Plane Scare, Privacy May Be Shelved A Bit [More]

Of course.

A majority of the travelers...said they’re willing to subject themselves to the TSA’s new pat-down procedure...

Naturellement...

We're the Only Ones Special Enough

"These are guns that will not fall into the hands of gang members or other criminals and can never become the instrument of a tragic event," said Rick Blanton, crime prevention specialist, in a statement. [More]

A "crime prevention specialist"...

I find it hard to believe that any specialist who actually thinks such nonsense will prevent crime is competent.  And if they don't believe it but parrot it anyway, I find it hard to believe they're honest.

Either way, isn't that special?

Will gun owners vote based on personal research or group endorsements?

When you go to the polls tomorrow, I hope your decisions are made based not on "lesser of two evils" fear, not in lockstep with what any gun group or individual recommends, not on anything other than your informed choice.  Certainly consider group ratings and advocacy arguments in making your decision, but ultimately, we who participate in the process have a duty to know exactly what we are doing, as opposed to knee-jerking because someone else tells us to. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner warns against citizenship malpractice.

Also access the archives and listen to my appearances yesterday on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk Radio and Armed American Radio with Mark Walters.

Will you site regulars help me out and share the link?

This Day in History: November 1

It was not until November 1, 1778, that General William Philips marched the prisoners southward. Many of the British officers had their wives and children with them, and wagons were provided for their transportation, but the men had to march on foot. [More]

NYC gun proposal gets mixed response from store owners

Bloomberg's gotta love this guy.

The good thing about freedom, Mr. Elfaki, is you have the right to do as you please here. No one is intent on forcing a gun on you—except, of course, those people who want what is yours. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column points Big Apple predators to a story that tells them where they can go to get not only a great deli meal, but also a willing bared throat.

Also note:

• I'll be on Tom Gresham's Gun Talk Radio today in the 2:00 pm EST segment. Click here to find a radio station in your area or to listen via live streaming.
• I'll be on Armed American Radio with Mark Walters this evening at 8:00 pm EST.  Click here to find a radio station in your area, or click here to listen live. [NOTE: I've advised Mark about the links not working so he can get tech support to fix it. UPDATE: If all else fails, go here to listen live.]

Can I count on you site regulars to share the link?

Interview with GOA's Larry Pratt

Because GOA takes a somewhat different approach that can yield different performance assessments, tensions sometimes arise between its supporters and NRA's, along with often acrimonious, even bitter debate.  And because this election has such potential to impact gun owners, I thought it important to learn not just about GOA and the man who is the driving force behind it, but to seek his assessment of some of the criticism being promoted in some quarters. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column provides some answers.

Also get reminders on today's rallies and tomorrow's radio.

Participate in the discussion?  And share the link?

Hotlinks

I hadn't intended to WoGblog today, but got sent some links I want to call your attention to:

• Western Rifle Shooters Association calls our attention to "Neither Predator Nor Prey."
• Sipsey Street Irregulars perseveres through "The Ruckus."  Mike also sent me a copy of the speech he prepared for today, but I see he hasn't posted it yet, so I'll leave that prerogative to him and link to it when he does.

Tomorrow...

Gun Rights Examiner...

My interview of Larry Pratt...

Hardballs thrown.

GRE Round Up for October 29

Here's the latest from my fellow GREs:

Steve D. Jones/Fort Smith:

• Arkansas politicians show their fear of the Second Amendment

Liston Matthews/Knoxville:

• Tennessee Firearms Association Knoxville Chapter

Dave Workman/Seattle:

• High stakes for gun owners in Tuesday’s Senate election

Kurt Hofmann/St. Louis:

• Framed: The campaign to portray gun dealers as criminals

Also check out these other Liberty-oriented Examiners:

• Albuquerque Libertarian
• Cochise County Libertarian
• Conservative
• Michigan Firearms

Contempt of Court

Elder feral son Uday and I laughed so hard reading this I couldn't breathe. [Read]

More:

• Lowering the Bar
• Volokh Conspiracy
• Ninth Circuit
• SCOTUS

[Via Mack H]

We're the Only Ones Making You Croak Enough

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office plans to fight an order that it rehire a deputy fired earlier this year after using a Taser on a frog. [More]

Evidently the Orwellian-named "Merit System Commission" thinks someone who enjoys torturing small, helpless creatures merits special "Only Ones" exceptionalism, and deserves another shot at having official power over lesser creatures...

They must think we'll "take it like a champ." 

Thing is, champs win.

[Via HB]

We're the Only Ones Unexceptional Enough

[S]everal officers were surprised when they found themselves stopped and checked for weapons with a handheld metal detector.

They had been an exception to a strict rule in place there. [More]

No "Only Ones" exceptions? Well that's pretty exceptional...

And it looks from comments like some take exception...

[Via Bill R]

We're the Only Ones Distracted Enough

Glover said in July that he was stepping away from the post because the troubles, which included profiling, drunken driving, animal abuse and sex on duty, had become a distraction for the patrol...[More]

But just among a few bad apples, mind you...


[Via cocked and loaded]

Elephant Fumes

National Republicans are furious with the National Rifle Association, their natural ally, for endorsing 58 incumbent Democrats who support gun rights. And with Republicans aiming to win control of the House, some are promising retribution for the NRA next year. [More]

I'm the first one to question NRA endorsements of Democrats as being incompatible with "voting freedom first." But when the GOP offers us merde like Mark Kirk, Dan Coats, et al, they can just go to hell.

Go ahead and fume, m...........s.  You really want to talk about promising retribution?

We may not be able to win every election, but we damn sure have the numbers to ensure they'll lose some if they don't toe the line.  But for those timid souls who so want to believe that "lesser of two evils" wishful thinking...

Getting A Head in Phoenix

The gruesome case of a man who was stabbed and beheaded in a suburban Phoenix apartment has police investigating whether the killing is potentially the most extreme example of Mexican drug cartel violence spilling over the border. [More]

Are they sure they have the resources?

Don't they have some signs they need to pull down first?

Get Out the Vote!

And you domestic enemies had better pray to whatever dark gods you worship that your vote snatchers don't force a reckoning. [Read]

As bad as taxation without representation was, think about what the opposite implies...