Lola and the Moneygoround

They don't know the tune and they don't know the words

But they don't give a damn
--The Kinks, "The Moneygoround"
(Lola versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One)

I don't care that Hillary's tone deaf. But she could at least learn the words to the national anthem.

It's "does that star-spangled banner," not "does our star-spangled banner."

Nobody expects her to know all four verses, but the first one? Come on. If she sang it more than when she's forced to because eyes are on her and an act is expected, this would never have happened.

The again, maybe it's a Freudian slip--when you're a collectivist at heart, everything is "ours." Except for the part the "more equal" don't share with the masses.

Fincher Challenges Indictment, Jurisdiction

Hollis Wayne Fincher is challenging the validity of the grand jury indictment that led to his conviction for illegally possessing machine guns.

I posted docket update links earlier this morning.

[More about Wayne Fincher via WarOnGuns]

Richard Esposito Reports

Richard Esposito reports that Mayor Bloomberg "said it was 'ideological nonsense' to suggest the ability of police to trace criminals' weapons would infringe on the Second Amendment right to bear arms."

Richard Esposito does NOT report on the opinions of experts with genuine credentials for original scholarship, who warn that gun registration enables confiscation.

Richard Esposito reports that "The head of the American Hunters and Shooters Association, Ray Schoenke" is a "gun rights advocate" who calls the NRA and others who don't agree with him "gun rights 'extremists'."

Richard Esposito does NOT report that AHSA has been widely discredited as a sham organization established by gun control advocates with close ties to retired BATFU careerists.

Richard Esposito reports "Each year 30,000 people are killed by guns in the United States."

Richard Esposito does not report that the FBI Supplementary Homicide Reports, 1976-2004, posted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, shows homicides, the excuse the mayors are using to justify their demand for gun owner information, account for only about a third of the number he faithfully parrots. And that "killed by guns" bit--nice manipulation of your readers , Richard. I'll bet most of them missed what you were doing.

Richard Esposito reports that he is a reporter.

Richard Esposito does not report that he is just another in a long line of agenda-driven editorial advocates for the police state, masking his bias and incompetence under the guise of straight news.

In other words, Richard Esposito is what we here at WarOnGuns refer to as an "authorized journalist," a creature who betrays the hallowed role of watchdog so vital to a free Republic and opts for the contemptible collar of the lapdog.

Time for Another "Only Ones" Carnival

Y'know, I really didn't set out to have "Only Ones" stories dominate today's postings. I never do.

But the tips, as well as results from my own headline searches, just keep coming in, and I find I only have time, space and inclination to post a fraction of them--I routinely see newslinks over at KABA and other places that I just can't get around to addressing.

A while back, WarOnGuns hosted an "Only Ones" Carnival, and I think it's time to hold one again.

The rules are simple:

• If you have a blog, post an "Only Ones" story and send me the link. Please include the words "Only Ones" in your blog post title.
• If you don't have a blog, send me the link to an "Only Ones" story you found in the news. Also tell me how you wish to be credited (name/nickname)

The new Carnival will be posted next Friday, Feb. 2, just in time to kick off a festive weekend. If you'd like to participate, you have until the Thursday evening cutoff to get in your entries. Send them to me at:
And remember:

The purpose of this feature has never been to bash cops. The only reason I do this is to amass a credible body of evidence to present when those who would deny our right to keep and bear arms use the argument that only the police are professional and trained enough to do so safely and responsibly. And it's also used to illustrate when those of official status, rank or privilege, both in law enforcement and in some other government position, get special breaks not available to we commoners, particularly when they're involved in gun-related incidents.

If you're new to "The Only Ones Files," I credit the title to Lee Paige, the DEA agent who shot himself in the foot in front of a classroom full of children immediately after telling them "I'm the only one in this room professional enough that I know of to carry this Glock .40."

We're the Only Ones in Public/Private Partnership Enough

The feds are investigating gun purchases made by Village of Montgomery police officers while longtime Officer in Charge Jack Byrnes Jr. was running the department, according to people familiar with the investigation.

Those people say that at least one federal law-enforcement agency is assembling a paper trail to track the movement of the guns — including documents pertaining to the private security business that is Byrnes' bread-and-butter.

In one case, a source said that the FBI received copies of handgun sale slips documenting purchases by Byrnes. Those records are normally kept by the state police Pistol Permit Bureau, which documents all legal handgun transactions in New York.

I wonder if the Montgomery "Only Ones" will let us ordinary citizens keep our own gun purchase records, away from the prying eyes of the state Pistol Permit Bureau?

[Via Declan]

Wayne Fincher Update: January 27

From Paul W. Davis:

Wayne Fincher's docket has been updated with the Motion to Arrest Judgement (Document 37) and the Memorandum Brief in Support Motion to Arrest Judgement (Document 38). The following are the links:

http://www.arkansasmilitia.com/raid/main.html

http://www.arkansasmilitia.com/raid/docket/37_MtnArrestJudgment.pdf

http://www.arkansasmilitia.com/raid/docket/38_BrfMtnArrestJudgment.pdf

[More about Wayne Fincher via WarOnGuns]

We're the Only Ones With a Top-Down Approach Enough

The City of Pensacola, Florida, is considering paying $35,000 to settle a claim filed by a female teenager who was forced to perform jumping jacks topless in front of a police officer to avoid arrest.

So why should the taxpayers, that is, the "Only One" victim pool, have to cough up the money when Shawn "Pantie" Shields is the one who made this mess? I think if the city were to require him to pay it off via a pledge-style fundraiser, I'd kick in a nickel per jumping jack. I'd even let him keep his shirt on, if for no other reason than to hide the lash marks.

[Via Bounty Hunter]

We're the Only Ones Carjacking Enough

If Prichard police catch you ridin' dirty -- carrying illegal guns or drugs in a car -- they will take your wheels, and you might just see the officer who busted you patrolling the streets in your former ride.

We're the "Only Ones" who can engage in outright armed theft, and our "authorized journalist" co-conspirators will help us paint you as the "dirty" ones.

[Via Tavis Steen]

This Day in History: January 27

On this day in 1785, the Georgia General Assembly incorporates the University of Georgia, the first state-funded institution of higher learning in the new republic.

I wonder if they would have approved of UGA's weapons policy?

Obviously We Need Club Control

Wildlife officials credited a woman with saving her husband's life by clubbing a mountain lion that attacked him while the couple were hiking in a California state park.

The poor cougar never stood a chance.

Looks like the authorities will need to update their posted rules. And yeah, I know that post was about a county park--so here are the rules for state parks:


Happy hiking!

[Via HZ]

Flurries in Hell

There has been some discussion over at Snowflakes in Hell, first concerning the Wayne Fincher case, and then about a letter to the judge that was posted here.

It may come as a surprise to everyone, but I find it hard to disagree with Sebastian's observations. Let me qualify what I mean.

I agree that the Fincher case is not the ideal one. If I thought getting arrested to make a Second Amendment claim was a winning strategy, I'd arrange it myself. You'll notice I haven't.

Be that as it may, Wayne Fincher is correct in principle and his prosecution is nothing short of an assault on all our freedoms--as well as a thinly-disguised warning from the Masters that they will countenance no deviation from their mandates. So while I would not have picked this case, the feds picked Mr. Fincher. The man is fighting for his life, and I can do no less than to support him in every way I can.

But here's where I depart from the Fincher critics-- there is no "right case." As I've observed before about SCOTUS and 2A:

They couldn't rule that 2A is an unalienable right, applicable to the states as well as the national government, that shall not be infringed, because that would erode the monopoly of power--and no "authority" gives that up unless forced to. And they dared not rule that there is no individual right, because that would provoke widespread defiance and disobedience that could well get out of hand.

My prediction (albeit it's more uncertain now that the Republicans have managed to give away both houses, and it looks like they're doing their best to lose the executive branch, so forget any change to the high court that doesn't move it to the left)--is the court will rule it an individual right, but so narrowly, and with such deference to "compelling state interest" and "reasonable restrictions" as to make very little difference in terms of hampering new legislation to outlaw "assault weapons" again, "close the gun show loophole," retain and share NICS data, etc., and of course, in terms of enforcing "existing gun laws."

As for Mr. Sawders' letter, again, I agree it would not be advisable to send such a missive if the goal was to persuade Judge Hendren to "do the right thing." What I reject is that anyone is capable of writing such a letter.

The judge has proven he is a creature who considers stare decisis the supreme law of the land. He will be guided on the sentencing by what the prosecution wants and what the guidelines and precedent say.

Now if the argument is such letters will make him mad and prompt him to levy an even harsher punishment, why, such a man who would punish a prisoner for the semntiments of a supporter would be a monster, not prone to reason or sympathy, and deserving of much more than strongly-worded correspondence.

There is no "right letter."

But what will such a harsh, accusatory letter accomplish? In my view, as a standalone, not a whole hell of a lot, except to give "civil authority" an indicator that they're crossing a line, and that people demanding their rights are seeing no recourse in "the legal system." In a way, such a letter does the judge a service by letting him know this in no uncertain terms, but, again, I would not argue that it won't make him dig in his heels, especially since it is not accompanied by probably more than a dozen other pleas.

The fault is ours. Gun owners could have their rights back today if we truly wanted them, but most don't, and those who do are so hopelessly outnumbered that the likely outcome of defiance is purposefully exemplified by the treatment of Wayne Fincher.

One last observation--a personal note to Sebastian concerning this admission:

I don'’t enjoy criticizing members of our own community, especially when I think their hearts are in the right place.

That's because you're a decent human being. But those of us out there offering our opinions need to expect that as a likely outcome, and when we believe someone is in error, we owe them, as well as those they influence, the benefit of our opposing views.

So again, it may surprise some to hear that admission coming from me. But I don't enjoy confronting someone whose heart is in the right place, either. Now the ones whose hearts are in the wrong place are another matter altogether...

Polling for the Poll

I'll be replacing the poll in the left margin over the weekend. If you have a suggestion for a poll you'd like to see, leave a comment below.

We're the Only Ones Breaking and Entering Enough

A 44-year-old Goose Creek police officer was arrested and charged with burglary Wednesday, authorities said...

Ellis is accused in a warrant of entering a Subway restaurant in Goose Creek around 2:50 a.m. Dec. 29 and breaking into a safe and cash register. The intruder was captured on video surveillance.

I checked the Subway Restaurant site for mention of this "Only One," but I guess they don't consider the incident "Buzzworthy."

I got this story from Cowboy Blob, who shares an interesting bit of additional information...

This Day in History: January 26

On this day in 1779, after the British capture of Savannah, Georgia, a group of Patriots meets at the city’s Burke County Jail to determine how they will deal with any possible defections from the Patriot cause. They were worried by a recent British offer of immunity to those who would affirm their loyalty to the British king.

GUNS Magazine, January 1957

We have often heard of persons who could do things in "less than no time," but to date we have never been permitted to observe any such performances.

The legendary (and I don't use the term cavalierly) Ed McGivern penned "My Challenge to Hollywood Hot Shots" with authority and wit when he was in his 80's (he actually died in 1957), and proposed a definitive test for some of the more fantastic quick draw claims being issued. I need to see if I can find out if anything ever resulted from his challenge.

Also in this issue:

• Confessions of a Rifle Expert
• Powerhouse of Automatic Pistols
• Kings Who Were Gun Collectors
• And much more, including the classic period ads.

The January 1957 issue of GUNS Magazine is now (finally!) online. (Posting was delayed due to everybody being preoccupied with the SHOT Show).

Pratt Warns Against NICS Expansion

The first major anti-gun bill of the new Pelosi-led Congress has already been introduced, and it could prove to be the most serious threat yet to Second Amendment Rights.

On the first full day of the new Congress, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy introduced H.R. 297, the most massive expansion of the Brady law since it passed in 1993. This is a bill that was quashed last year but under the new Pelosi House leadership, the Bill has a higher likelihood of getting passed this time.

Conducting Talk Show interviews on this topic is Larry Pratt, Executive Director of Gun Owners of America, the nation’s second largest gun group.

Naw. We got nothin' to worry about.

Right?

Oh, and Larry? All that talk about the dangers of expanding NICS? I know you know about this.

"End Restrictions on Restrictions"

Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor joined mayors from around the country in Washington to urge an end to federal restrictions on information that could help local police track illegal guns.

Do you think Kathy & Pals might be interested in NICS purchase information? All the new democrat majority would have to do is change the law to allow the feds to retain the data and share it. Any bets our kinder, gentler "collective rights" proponent (or the likely democrat successor in '08) wouldn't sign on to that under the doctrine of "compelling state interest"?

Seems to me I read somewhere once about a way to do background checks (unconstitutional prior restraints though they be) that wouldn't have put gun owners at such risk, but the major gun groups rejected having anything to do with it...

JR's Blog of the Week: Armed and Safe

This week's Blog of The Week is Armed and Safe...What I found was another very good pro-rights blog that is well written and worth your time.

Hear, hear!

Set Phasers on "Stun" or "Kill"?

The U.S. Defense Department on Wednesday unveiled what it called a revolutionary heat-beaming weapon that could be used to control mobs or repel foes in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan.

The so-called Active Denial System causes an intense burning sensation causing people to run for cover, but no lasting harm, officials said.

Right.

I wrote in "Things to Come," (GUNS AND AMMO magazine, July 2002) about a weapon under development that, per Wired.com, "releases two ultraviolet laser beams... that paralyz[e] the skeletal muscles of people and animals up to 2 kilometers away":

The non-lethality claim is also interesting, it's just not particularly believable. It's supposedly limited to wavelengths that can't damage eyes and internal organs, but are there any doubts that a "black" R&D project devoted to wave transmissions and frequency modulations won't develop a workaround? Assuming they haven't already?

And as I also asked in that article about another weapon:

Any bets on whether one of these babies will ever make it to the civilian market?

[Via John Schaefer]

This Day in History: January 25

On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress authorizes the first national Revolutionary War memorial in honor of Brigadier General Richard Montgomery, who had been killed during an assault on Quebec on December 31, 1775.