The Incredible Shrinking March

Fatigued but undeterred, community activist Bilal Qayyum and six members of Men United for a Better Philadelphia stopped in Reading yesterday en route to Harrisburg for a rally against gun violence.

Six?

Yesterday it was "less then 10."

So what the "authorized journalists" appear to be saying is, all we need to do is get six pro-gunners together and we can get equal time in:

The Reading Eagle (Whoa! They call it "a trio"!)
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Daily News
The Philadelphia Daily News again--just in case you missed it the first time...
WFMZ-TV --Somehow, showing all those news anchors smiling under the banner "69 News" struck me as kinda funny, but none of the pretty talking heads look bright enough to get the joke...
The Philadelphia Daily News--just in case you missed the first two...
The Philadelphia Daily News--LOOK! OVER HERE! BOY, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUR GROUNDBREAKING SERIES!
CBS 3, "Brandy Bell, Reporting." Hey, what's the deal with reporterettes named "Brandy" covering this scoop? Oh, wait, the first one spelled her name with an "ie" at the end, but still, small world.

Not as small as this "march" receiving blanket coverage from an hysterical lapdog media, though. The thought strikes: there appear to be more news outlets bellowing about this non-event than there are marchers.

Why do you suppose that is?

"Public Safety"--Brady Style

The ATF veterans, including former ATF Directors Stephen Higgins and Rex Davis, wrote that the bill would "protect lawbreakers, at the expense of public safety"...

"Public safety"?

You mean like the kind you provided at Waco, Director Higgins, including saying you were prepared to call off the raid if the element of surprise was lost, carefully not repeating that when called to testify under oath, and resigning 3 days before Lloyd Bentsen was going to axe you and the rest of ATF top management because you got the inside scoop that it was going to happen?

That kind of "public safety"?

By the way, Director Higgins--you wouldn't have happened to have seen a BIG METAL DOOR lying around anywhere...? You know, the kind that couldn't have melted in the fire and could have proven whether shots were fired through it from the outside, but somehow mysteriously disappeared and has never been found? The kind that could cause sworn testimony to be looked at again and raise the specter of perjury and conspiracy...?

Yep, listen to the Brady's and their BATFU allies, everybody. After all, they're promoting "public safety."

Disturbing the Peace of Gun-Free Parks

Our position: Only subservience to the gun lobby could explain the extension of gun rights to state parks.

Truly?

I'm subservient to the gun lobby?

Who'da thunk?

At least I'm not subservient to socialist thralldom--or the concept that unalienable rights can be extended, which presupposes legitimate authority for the thugs du jour to also retract them.

And hey, we all know how undisturbed the peace around Indianapolis is...

What better environment to paint non-criminals as the threat, and demand they be defenseless under force of state arms?

The Drudge 2

Told ya.

This Day in History: September 23

During the American Revolution, the U.S. ship Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, wins a hard-fought engagement against the British ships of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, off the eastern coast of England.

Memorial Tribute to Preston Covey

By Harry Schneider, Chairman
Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association
(Posted here with permission of author)

It is with the deepest regret that I announce the passing of a friend and patriot: Dr. Preston Covey Jr.

Pres Covey was a brilliant academic who taught applied ethics at Carnegie Mellon University. I recall one year it had fallen to Professor Covey to select the speaker for Carnegie Mellon University's Presidents Distinguished Lecture. It was customary to bring in the likes of Henry Kissinger, but Pres treated the students and faculty of CMU to Massad Ayoob. Dr. Covey told the audience that Ayoob, a practical firearms instructor, teaches the best short course in applied ethics that he had ever seen.

When the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League sued the City of Pittsburgh over their illegal assault weapons ban, Dr. Covey lent his name as plaintiff. A local hoplophobic weekly newspaper ran a cover article attacking Preston for his ethical views . The paper admitted that they really tried to get other academics at CMU to criticize him, but while most disagreed with Preston 's views on gun rights, none could fault the man, except that he swore lot. (no wonder).

Dr. Covey recently testified before the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee - and laid bare the prevarications and misstatements of Philadelphia officials who demand that the state demonize law abiding gun owners, in effect making scapegoats of them to conceal and avoid addressing the real reasons why Philadelphia has a serious crime problem.

Pres was well aware that his positions were unpopular in academic circles. A man of his extraordinary intellect could have gone much farther in academia if he acquiesced to the hoplophobic biases and prejudices that dominate most universities. Pres had struggled with numerous polio related disabilities his entire life . He understood prejudice and discrimination and would not tolerate either. He knew that accommodating discrimination is not only unethical, but that it leads to greater disability.

Dr. Preston Covey Jr. distinguished himself as a friend and warrior-academic of the finest caliber. His work survives and will give us guidance and intellectual ammunition far into the future.

Pres, rest in peace my brother.

Related:
"CMU Professor Didn't Let Polio Sideline Him"
"Preston Covey, Rest in Peace"
"Philosophy and Firearms"
"Can Gun Control Reduce Violence?"

C'mon, Drudge

No it does not either:
The operative word is "asks." Nothing is required.

I know Matt Drudge is characterized (and sometimes dismissed) by the left for being "right wing," but I've never been impressed with his practically nonexistent coverage of gun rights.

Branding Brandie

The group of less than 10 men making the trip represent two groups: Men United for a Better Philadelphia and Mantua Against Drugs. They have the common goal to replace guns and drugs with opportunity in the form of jobs...

"They say ‘Guns don’t kill people; People kill people.’ However, if people didn’t have access to the guns, it wouldn’t happen," Canada said.

"Less than 10 men" and that's news?

Congratulations, Brandie Kessler, you "authorized journalist," you. Not only did you find and give ink to a non-story that fits the leftist agenda, but you also managed neatly to avoid giving your readers any hint of opposing views.

Brandie, your worldview reflects that of a child. Grow up.

Here--read this if you want to understand the "gun" issues before the PA Senate Judiciary Committee that you so cavalierly and incompetently trivialize. Let's see if you're still capable of learning and redeeming yourself.

It All Depends on the Meaning of the Word "Compartment"

When his case went to court, a judge dismissed the charges, saying the center console fell under a provision in Kentucky law allowing guns to be carried in a glove compartment.

But the Kentucky Supreme Court reinstated both charges yesterday in a split decision issued in Frankfort, saying a center console is not a glove compartment.

"A glove compartment is a small storage cabinet in the dashboard of an automobile," Justice Donald C. Wintersheimer wrote in the opinion.

For their next trick, Judge Wintersheimer and the other three black-robed boobs in the majority will either split hairs or determine exactly how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

If I were a Kentuckian, I'd be finding out which politicians still in office nominated and confirmed this quartet of dunces and let them know I'd be taking my revenge at the polls.

"Even if it Saves Just One Life"

The most exploitive and ridiculous question of the day was asked by Liberal Lucienne Robillard -- "Why does the minority government not recognize that this registry is valuable, even if it saves just one life?"...

No law will ever prevent the type of tragedy that occurred in Montreal last week. The harping on about the gun registry immediately upon the resumption of Parliament and in less than a week after the Dawson College shootings was nothing more than a disgusting use of the death of Anastasia DeSousa and the serious injuries of several others to score cheap political points.

Right on, Arthur Weinreb!

CMU Professor Didn't Let Polio Sideline Him

Preston K. Covey Jr., of Squirrel Hill, an associate professor of philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, died of post-polio syndrome Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, at home. He was 64...

"Preston was concerned about the ethics and moral dilemma of using firearms," his wife said.

"He purchased a gun after his house was robbed twice. He taught that under certain circumstances, the use of firearms could be justified," she said. "But he added that they should only be used as a last resort, when you can no longer talk it out with someone aiming to harm you."

More:
"Preston Covey, Rest in Peace"
"Philosophy and Firearms"
"Can Gun Control Reduce Violence?"

We're the Only Ones Rested and Stopped Enough

For Garry F. McCarthy, the nominee for Newark police director, the trouble began last year with a parking infraction at a rest stop on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. It spiraled into a wrangle — part wrestling match and part shouting match — that led to his arrest and handcuffing.

The whole family sounds like they're suffering from an advanced case of "Only One-itis."

Now there's a man who deserves career advancement, which it sounds like he's still on track for.

[Thanks to K-Romulus]

This Day in History: September 22

In New York City on this day in 1776, Nathan Hale, a Connecticut schoolteacher and captain in the Continental Army, is executed by the British for spying.

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

Thank you, Captain Hale. Thanks to the sacrifices of courageous patriot martyrs like yourself, we are free to read dissenting sentiment without overt reprisals by government.

Not that we deserve it through our own efforts and willingness to risk all for liberty...

Preston Covey, Rest in Peace

Preston K. Covey Jr.
COVEY
PRESTON K., JR.
On Monday, September 18, 2006. Beloved husband of Denise K. Troll; father of Adam Covey; stepfather of Ryan Troll, Bronwyn Korchnak and Isaac Troll; grandfather of Alexander Troll; brother of Susan Covey, Judith Carson, Barbara Covey and David Covey; also survived by nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC., 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire St. Thursday, 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. A Memorial Service to be held at Carnegie Mellon University will be announced at a later date.

Farewell, Professor. Thank you for your contributions to liberty.

He let me know he was tickled that his testimony was getting covered on numerous blogs. He'd intended to set up a web page, but lamented a "perpetual bizziness problem...Maybe next summer, after the academic year's marathons."

We are richer for having had the benefit of his keen mind, and his devotion to logic and ethics. We are poorer from his passing.

My deepest sympathies and condolences go to his family.

Also see: "Philosophy and Firearms"

Off By Just a Bit, But Still...

"Let me give you a concrete example of what I mean: the anti-gun Joyce Foundation has donated $650-million to the Freedom States Alliance (parent organization of the GunGuys' Web site), who, in turn, funded the .50 Caliber Terrorism and License To Murder web sites, as well as others.

That number can't possibly be right. It's either misspeaking or a misquote.

Here we go: It's $650 THOUSAND, and that was in 2005. You can also see a yearly breakdown of other subversive cells being funded with Joyce grants.

Where the hell is the pro-Second Amendment counterpart, spreading seed money among many different ventures--so that the most promising ones can be cultivated, nurtured and grown?

At the time of the Revolution, men of power, wealth and influence supported liberty with their lives, fortunes and sacred honor. Today, we are on our own. The interests of the elites do not coincide with a Bill of Rights culture.

We're the Only Ones Cocked Up Enough

ARMED police were left red-faced after they stormed a house to net a rogue gunman - only to find they had the wrong address.

Oh my. How...awkward.

Thank Heavens this sort of "cock-up" by "The Only Ones" isn't common.

Oh, wait.

Never mind.

Co...I mean, hands up, everyone!

The Latest Lockyer Power Grab

The state attorney general's office has ordered Jimenez Arms, the maker of inexpensive semiautomatic handguns, to stop making guns after several models repeatedly failed safety tests...

After the first cease-and-desist order, Jimenez said he would move his operation to Henderson, Nev., in part, because of California's safety regulations.

This is the same tyrant who says we have no right to keep and bear arms--all the while surrounded by a phalanx of taxcow-funded armed escorts wherever he goes.

In other news, he's suing automakers over "greenhouse gases". You can bet the California DoJ only drives a fleet of hybrids--that is, when they're not taking public transportation.

The hell with lost jobs--his side has the guns and the power to tax. They'll always have theirs--regardless of what it does to everyone else.

And Californians--for the most part--have done this to themselves.

Li'l Squirt Escapes Justice

The Kansas City, Mo., School District overturned a 10-day suspension for a boy who brought a plastic squirt gun to school.

If there's any silver lining behind this, it's that the brouhahah cost his mother her job.

Racist Pricks!

[T]he only reason there's so much going on nowadays is b/c we have people like Floyd and straightarrow complaining about the tiniest things!

Anybody have experience with this troll Kim Spencer before?

If so, please tell the moron he (or she?) will have a better chance of getting read and responded to if he (or she) comments on current, as opposed to year-old posts.

I call attention to this stuff because it's just so damned funny listening to indignant airheads get all indignant and airheady.

This Day in History: September 21

On this day in 1779, the Louisiana governor and Spanish military officer Bernardo de Galvez, with the aide of American troops and militia volunteers, captures the British post and garrison at Baton Rouge, located in what was then British-controlled West Florida.