US Mulls Federal Troops for Bird Flu Quarantine

The Pentagon is looking at the possibility of using federal troops to enforce a quarantine in the event of an outbreak of pandemic bird flu in the United States, a senior official said on Wednesday.

President George W. Bush said last week he would consider using the military to "effect a quarantine" in response to any outbreak of avian influenza, but provided few details.

This won't require citizens being sent to quarantine facilities, though, will it? And he'll let us keep our guns, right?

"Independence" Day

In response to "A Victim of WHAT?", Aaron Krowne, Head of Digital Library Research,Emory University General Libraries, and Director of PlanetMath.org, shares his own experiences with overzealous law enforcement.

I guess it's easier and less dangerous than going after criminals.

This illustrates how everyone in our society is affected by the assault on liberty--and the more people caught in the net, the more they will become radicalized to resist. We could all stand a reminder that personal liberty comes in different forms, and it's only appropriately defined by the individual who wants to exercise it.

In the meantime, squeeze, baby, squeeze.

Arrested for Carrying a Fanny Pack?

This is one of the more absurd manifestations of the police state I have come across.

A Victim of WHAT?

"If you don't know about it, then you're a victim of your own ignorance."

So says Washington DC police officer Dennis Fair, who cuffed, searched, arrested and jailed a woman who had one glass of wine.

Why would he do that?

Fair, who said he does not comment on individual arrests, noted in his report that Bolton's attitude was "excited," "carefree" and "cocky."

I hope they throw the book at her. She wantonly broke the cardinal rule of subjects in the presence of law enforcement heroes of the state:

"You WILL respect my authoritah!"

Nicki Reviews EFAD

Bracken skillfully combines this set of circumstances and shows us a frightening, and all too realistic, glimpse into what could happen when ordinary, freedom-loving Americans are pushed too far by a band of would-be tyrants set on furthering their own power and agenda.

Go read.

Comments on Senator Hinojosa Caught with Gun

Isn't this the second time Juan has been caught carrying a gun in the airport. Kinda strange since is he such a leading proponent of strict gun control, voted with Ann Richards against the Right to Carry in Texas. Wanted to add a $1.00 tax on each bullet sold in the state. Guess he will lie out of this one like he did las time "I was in a hurry and forgot about the gun" - Floyd Kolander

So much for being a gun owner making a politician--or judicial nominee--pro-Second Amendment...

Gun Sales Up Since Hurricanes

Nothing like a little reality to show people what they can expect in an emergency--if the hurricanes had a silver lining, it was to wake people up to the fact that they'll need to be able to protect themselves when disaster strikes.

The Brady's have lost the "You should rely on the police to protect you" sound bite from their arsenal of lies.

Laura Bush Says Sexism Possible in Miers Criticism

Right.

SHE's the one who pushed for the nominee being a woman--as if that should have anything to do with anything.

Arnold Returns AB 996

In explaining why he didn't sign Mark Ridley-Thomas' gun store harassment bill that would have required all ammo to be kept behind the counter, Schwarzenegger explained "I have just signed SB 48 by
Senator Scott into law which will ensure those underage will no longer be purchasing ammunition."

No, it won't. That's like saying signing a bill binding on Rite-Aid and Sav-On will ensure those underage will no longer be purchasing drugs.

What SB 48 does is take away affirmative defense that a seller did not know a handgun ammunition purchaser was under 21. And isn't it curious that someone old enough to be trusted in Iraq is deemed too young to be trusted in California.

What did Mr. Coxe say?

THE POWERS OF THE SWORD ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE YEOMANRY OF AMERICA FROM SIXTEEN TO SIXTY.

It's good that Arnold didn't sign AB 996. But the "good news" seems to be all we're hearing about from the lobbyists. He should have returned SB 48 unsigned as well.

UPDATE: David Hardy reports one further bit of gun control The Hessian signed:

[It] authorizes arraignment judges to forbid domestic violence defendants to own arms (i.e., to forbid possession by a person charged with, but not found guilty of, the offense. So much for innocent until proven guilty).

Is groping considered violence?

Why the Silence, Mr. LaPierre?

"The Supreme Court is going to be crucial to the future of the Second Amendment, and President Bush will appoint justices that respect the Bill of Rights," NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre told The Associated Press...

Why did NRA not issue an announcement to gun owners during the confirmation process for new Chief Justice John Roberts concerning his stand on the Second Amendment? Why have they been silent on Harriet Miers?

Mr. LaPierre is right--this is crucial to the future of the Second Amendment. Gun owners deserve better at this time than silence from an organization that takes such pride in its "enormous clout in Washington."

LA Citizen Disarmament Continues

According to a report that aired on the Lehrer News Hour on Thursday, displaced New Orleans residents are being allowed to move into a trailer and RV compound called "FEMA City," but the conditions for residency include a ban on firearms.

The head of FEMA, of course, is appointed by "pro-gun" George Bush.
[KABA Newslinks]

Lugar to Press: "We Only Recognize Establishment Lapdogs"

Bloggers would "probably not" be considered journalists under the proposed federal shield law, the bill's co-sponsor, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar (R.-Ind.), told the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) Monday afternoon.

I've written before about the dangers of government assuming it gets to decide who an authorized journalist is.

We've seen a politically disfavored newspaper publisher denied entry to a Homeland Secury press conference.

We've explored instances where bloggers have covered vital liberty-related stories ignored by the "official" press.

We've seen judges presume to weigh in.

At the federal and state level.

I personally have been subjected to police harassment for asking Sarah Brady a question at my neighborhood park. And I personally have shielded the identity of a source in order to protect him from reprisal for information about the inner-workings of a government agency. On more than one occasion. (In the interest of full disclosure, I now have a press pass issued by my magazine publisher--but the majority of my writing was done before this, and I don't believe a card should give me privileges and immunities over other bloggers--plus there's no guarantee the government would consider writing for a gun magazine to be "legitimate" journalism.)

And we've seen how "establishment" media, like Reuters, are little more than propaganda outlets.

Dick Lugar can go to hell.

"Preparedness Now" Newsletter

In my September 13th interview with CNBC, one of the issues the anchor raised was preparedness as a “fear” response. It is unfortunate that many Americans have the same thinking. They believe disaster preparedness is what is done in other far away places in the world, not in the USA. The Gulf Coast disaster wreaked by Hurricane Katrina once again brings home the fact that we are not immune to disaster.

While most cannot prepare to the level I have, each family can take preparedness steps to be ready to save their lives and the lives of loved ones.

Pam Stegner of Preparedness Now has a new and informative newsletter containing vital information and tips about preparing for emergencies and disasters. The first issue has instructions for preparing a 72 Hour Preparedness & Evacuation Kit. as seen on CNBC, September 13, 2005. To subscribe to this newsletter, please send an e-mail with Subscribe in the subject line to editor@preparednessnow.com

In addition to being a leading authority on preparedness and one of my favorite radio hosts, you'll not find a stronger Second Amendment advocate than Pam--plus, she's a genuinely nice lady.

Harriet Gave to Hillary

Harriet Miers' political contributions to Democrats didn't end in 1988 with her support of Al Gore.

I'm sure there will be no shortage of apologists who will point out it was her PAC and not her personally, and tell you why this doesn't matter.

More Kool-Aid, please...

"Inactive" Activity

Cryptic Subterranean points us to an indicator that the much-publicized IRA disarmament may not be the done deal we're being told it is.

Why don't I find that hard to believe?

Although I know individual shooters who would feel practically disarmed if all they had was 10,000 rounds. Since when do "10 boxes" equal "a huge cache" or "a sinister arsenal"?

UN to Take Control of Internet?

[F]aced with international consensus, there is little the US government can do but acquiesce.

Really?


UPDATE: Captain of a Crew of One has some thoughtful comments.

"She's Paranoid People Are Trying to Kill Her"

Yeah, no kidding.

Brazil About to Prove Old Adage

When guns are outlawed...

A Question for Howard

Howard Goodman cites several examples where people could sure have used a gun or two in the workplace to defend themselves. Of course, he's too wrapped up in his own hoplophobia to realize that.

Yo, Howard--if some maniac starts shooting up the Sun-Sentinal offices, just what are you prepared to do about it?

Dear Fear-Mongering Propagandists

Dear ParentLine: Our nine-year-old son has a best friend whose father has a gun collection...But we really feel uncomfortable letting our son play over at the boy's house.

Are there any suggestions on handling this diplomatically?

— Gun shy

Perhaps someone can think of an appropriate suggestion or two, not only for "Gun shy," but also for the moron dispensing the one-sided hysterics. All of mine seem to involve improbable physical acts.