This Day in History: June 10

Two days ago, We saw a very wonderfull Phoenomenon in this City -- a field Day, on which three Battallions of Soldiers were reviewed, making full two thousand Men. Battallion Men, Light Infantry, Grenadiers, Rifle Men, Light Horse, Artillery Men, with a fine train, all in Uniforms, going thro the manual Exercise and the Maneuvres, with remarkable Dexterity. All this has been accomplished in this City, since the 19th. of April. So sudden a formation of an Army never took Place any where.

Distrust and Verify

The nation’s most respected Sportsmen association has endorsed Senator Emmett Hanger on his re-election campaign and for the June 12th primary this coming Tuesday...

The NRA Political Victory Fund has publicly endorsed Hanger and is encouraging all its members to vote June 12 to return Hanger to the Virginia Senate.

Why? What does Hanger really believe about gun ownership and use rights?

From his website:

Gun Rights

As a rural legislator, I have long been a leading advocate for the protection of 2nd Amendment rights.

From consistently opposing legislation intended to chip away at gun owner rights, to patroning key legislation to afford statewide protection of this constitutional right, I am regarded as a leader in the Senate on this issue.

I am proud of my A+ rating from the National Rifle Association and have a clear record of consistency on this issue over the years. I also am pleased to be a Republican co-chair of the Sportsman Caucus in the General Assembly.

I don't see much in terms of specifics here. And the problem is, what with the Sheriff Bill Brown 'A' rating endorsement fiasco-- and NRA's refusal to address numerous, oftentimes multiple sustained efforts by members (for months) to find out how that happened and what's to prevent it from happening again-- the Association has created conditions where its credibility on political endorsements is-- and should be-- questioned.

Candidly, why should we trust people who have let us down? Do we accept their endorsement on blind faith, or do we maybe peel back a few layers and examine things a bit more closely?

We might ask why, for instance, the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition gave Hanger a "C minus".

We might ask why he ignored a 2003 Virginia Citizens Defense League survey altogether. We might also ask why Hanger's independent (libertarian) challenger in the November 2007 election Arin Sime, issued a press release stating "that he agrees with the VCDL’s position stating that SB827 would greatly burden gun sellers and is a step in the wrong direction for second amendment rights."

And what about Hanger's Republican challenger for the June 12 primary, Scott Sayre? Apparently, gun rights aren't important enough to list on his "Issues" page (interesting he posted a Virginia Tech memorial black ribbon logo--I wonder what his solution for preventing future massacres would be?). A Google search for the terms "Scott Sayre" + gun doesn't give us much insight, either, although there is a link to a VCDL post, indicating that as of a few weeks ago, he had not returned their questionnaire. It doesn't look like he's all that interested. But he is, according to a support blog, "an avid turkey hunter," for what it's worth.

And what about Democrat candidate David Cox? Perhaps it's not fair to make assumptions based on the fact that he's an Episcopal priest, but I just can't find anything about his position, or even how to ask him--searching for his name doesn't result in any readily-accessible campaign website or blog.

Look, I don't mean to malign Sen. Hanger--I really don't know that much about him, and what I do see is vague. He may be a fine politician and the best hope for Virginia gun owners. But what I know--from bitter experience--is not to automatically accept NRA ratings as the final word. And since Mr. Sime looks very good on RKBA, there ought to be a more credible way to determine who will best serve the interests of Virginia gun owners.

There is. I developed this political questionnaire some years back. It would be interesting to see if any of these candidates would respond, and if so, how:

1. Do you believe that the Constitution is the "supreme law of the land," that the Bill of Rights acknowledges the birthrights of all Americans, and that the Second Amendment was intended to protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms from being infringed?

2. If so, should these rights be proactively protected from infringement by all levels of government, including city, county and state? How?

3. Who are the Constitutional militia?

4. Please give some examples of gun control laws you consider do not infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Please share as many as you can think of.

5. Please give some examples of gun control laws you consider unconstitutional.

6. Does the right to bear arms include the right for any peaceable citizen to carry them concealed without a permit, as in Vermont?

7. Do you believe that Americans have a right to own, use and carry weapons of military pattern?

8. Do you support or oppose registration of weapons? Why?

9. Do you support or oppose licensing requirements to own or carry firearms? Why?

10. What specific gun laws will you work to get repealed?

11. If elected, will you back your words of support for firearms rights up with consistent actions? How?

13. If brief clarification is requested for any of your answers, will you provide it?

I'll send a link to this post to both campaigns, and report back on any responses or lack thereof...meanwhile, if anyone has knowledge to share about any of these candidates, feel free to educate us in the "Comments" section to this post.

UPDATE:

Let Us Reason Together

"Was it upsetting to have nobody call me from the archdiocese? Yeah," Pfleger said. "I mean, why not call me? Why not ask me?"

You mean like you did with "John R-I-G-G-I-O," Snuffy?

"My message is, 'We're going to keep putting pressure on gun shop owners and legislators until we have common sense gun laws,'" Pfleger said.

And he's going to continue using his 501(c)(3) corporation to do it.

Taking Steps Across the Border

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Friday that Washington is taking steps to address Mexican concerns the U.S. is not doing enough to stop illegal weapons from being smuggled across the border and into the hands of brutal drug gangs.

Oh, look--the Bush Administration is finally getting serious about border security!

[Via Skip]

We're the Only Ones Administratively Competent Enough

A 51-year-old Kissimmee woman was thrown in jail for nine days all because of a case of mistaken identity. She went to the police station to get fingerprinted for a new job and that's when her troubles started...

Carrasquillo spent nine days in the county jail before someone at the Kissimmee Police Department checked the identity of the New York suspect and realized they didn't match.

This reminds me of something that happened to my family several years ago. Our car was stolen in the middle of the night. We filed the appropriate police and insurance reports. After a few weeks, it was all but certain we'd never see the car again, so we went and bought a new one. It was an economy model and we didn't want monthly payments, so we bought it outright from our savings and the insurance settlement check. That afternoon we got a call from the cops--they found our car. Three blocks away. Essentially undamaged. With three parking violation tickets on it's windshield from the same police department investigating the theft.

You wouldn't believe the time and convolutions we had to go through to get those tickets rescinded, because that involved yet a third department. Naturally, the insurance company wanted its money back. And now we had three cars while only needing two, and a much smaller savings account.

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

We're the Only Ones Not Provoked Enough

Security video from the Jefferson Tap and Grille appears to show an off-duty Chicago police officer holding a pistol in one hand and using his other to sweep a ball into the corner pocket of a pool table, interrupting four businessmen's game and starting an ugly, physical confrontation...

Over the next few minutes, five other officers join in the fray, grabbing and striking, and throwing the businessmen to the floor and against walls, the videotape shows. The businessmen do not appear to hit back or retaliate.

But "[t]he officers' attorneys said they believe the video indicates the alleged victims in the case -- the four businessmen -- were the actual instigators." And they're not below playing the sympathy card, one of them is distraught because his father died--NINE MONTHS AGO. Just what we need--an emo powderkeg with a gun and a badge.

These are the goons Snuffy Pfleger wants to give a monopoly of power to. Ditto Boss Daley: did you see the video I linked to the other day, and catch catch what that squinting wormtongue said? It starts 13 minutes and 11 seconds into the "report":

We have to get the conscience of every adult to say "it's wrong to have a gun."

Unless, of course, you're a Chicago "Only One."

[Via HZ]

We're the Only Ones Carjacking Enough

[L]aw enforcement intentionally caused an accident and stole a car, along with Defendant’s and Ms. Volerio-Perez’s personal effects – all to effectuate an administrative seizure that could have been done with flashing lights and sirens. In reading the facts of this case, one cannot help but be shocked and outraged by the manner in which the DEA agents chose to effectuate an administrative seizure.

But it just happened to some drug-running lowlifes, right? No need to worry "The Only Ones" would ever do this to gun owners.

Besides, the Ninth Circuit maintains you have no individual right to own them anyway.

[Via Jeffrey H]

This Day in History: June 9

In Congress, Friday, June 9, 1775. Resolved that no obedience being due to the Act of Parliament for altering the charter of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, nor to a governor or lieutenant governor...

Click on the image to enlarge it.

BREAKING NEWS: BATFU ATTEMPTS DEATH BLOW TO RED'S CASE

Per Ryan Horsley:

Just to let you know the ATF has filed for a Summary Judgment.

Stay tuned. We're about to see what this Judge Lodge is made of.

Hide or Seek?

As reporters we pay attention to context and we are limited in time and space. Jim had 70 lines to write his story. I have 24 hours in my day.

Manya Brachear, aka The Seeker ("on a quest for Truth--with a capital T"), comes up with some excuses on why The Chicago Tribune didn't think a priest inciting a mob to "snuff out" a gun store owner was newsworthy enough to even mention.

Other readers of the blog have raised an interesting issue about the church's involvement in political activism. It certainly doesn't take place only at St. Sabina. Certainly fodder for another discussion in weeks to come.

Thing about news, Manya, and being an "authorized journalist" one would think you'd know this, is that it's considered news because it's timely, hence the disinterest exemplified in the old saying "yesterday's news." The time to discuss this is not "in weeks to come"--it is now.

You've already laid the groundwork for the "Billy's mom let's him do it" excuse, but I think I've presented enough evidence to show those getting a pass on this are cut from the same cloth as Snuffy Pfleger. Funny, how when more traditional evangelicals open their yaps, the political left suddenly gets all indignant and watchdoggy and everything.

So you have no intention of reporting on the St Sabina/tax abuse angle, do you, "Truth" Seeker? You probably don't get enough lines, and besides, there are only 24 hours in your day.

Feel free to add comments to the article this post's title links to--but be careful and "keep the comments here civilized, reasoned and polite. If the discussion devolves into name calling, comments will be closed."

See, if the truth hurts, we'd rather hide than seek.

JPFO Creates Red's Resource Page

We want to make sure that we help Red's in every way possible against this thuggish organization. We've created a page at www.jpfo.org/redstradingpost.htm where you can find all the links, alerts, and documents relating to this case. Don't forget to visit Red's blog regularly too -- there's plenty of activity, so it's updated regularly.

Have you written a letter to the judge yet? If not, why not?

We're the Only Ones Elastic Enough

The boy was using a rubber band gun and his father said the kid did nothing wrong, but police said they take it as a serious threat and the 11-year-old is facing felony charges...

He also confirmed that the gun was black, but that it looked more like a stick than a gun.

Besides...he was just pretending to be an "Only One."

This lets me segue into a tangentially related post I was going to do independently until rubber bands and law enforcement became a news nexus. Perhaps dismissal of charges will not be so swift to come should the horrible act of civil disobedience I'm pondering be a catalyst for a response.

Y'see, my oldest boy's braces just came off. One of the things he had to do was put rubber bands on his teeth as well. I'd never really noticed the fine print on the package before:

Caution: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of an orthopedic [orthodontic--see Comments] professional.

The restricted contraband in question is that tiny latex circle in the top of the picture, which our all-knowing Federal Overlords have deemed us mere tax cows too untrustworthy to possess without their sanction. If we defy them, why I imagine the penalties could be quite severe. We might get our groins kicked--assuming they stormtroop in to the right address. It might even be worse--we could be killed and have our property seized--who knows? I mean, we're dealing with people who would close down a family business over forms being filed chronologically rather than alphabetically. We're dealing with people who would gun down an old lady and lie about it and plant false evidence. We're dealing with people who would shoot a mother in the head while she's holding her baby, or burn down citizens and their children in a private church.

So who's in for some civil disobedience? Who wants to buy a rubber band? All I'm asking is a penny.

[Rubber band gun link via Jeffrey H, who bears no culpability for the rest of my post]

We're the Only Ones Unable to Testify Enough

A prosecutor dropped charges against a woman who was arrested for staring at and making faces at a police dog. After all, the prosecutor reasoned, the four-legged witness can't testify.

Something about the proper relationship between government and governed comes to mind.. I'm sure the Founders intended for humans to be subservient to animals.

This report is from yesterday, June 7. I don't know if the charges were dropped then or the day before. Whichever it turns out to be, we ought to make that "National Stare at a Police Dog Day."

[Via Jeffrey H]

[More from "The Only Ones" files...]

Activists Boycott Santa Barbara FONRA Over Brown

From Larry Rankin:

This is a letter I sent out and we used while calling many sponsors that donated to the Santa Barbara Friends of NRA last year. We are boycotting the dinner...the NRA needs to understand that when they hurt us, we can hurt them back. I am a life member of the NRA, I fostered and built the foundation for the very first Friends of NRA dinner in Santa Barbara and I realize many will say that the Friends of NRA is different than ILA...they need to understand that the NRA, is the NRA, is the NRA and that they are accountable for their actions, or lack of!

We are requesting that you do not donate or be a sponsor or attend the Friends of the NRA banquet this year. The reason is that the NRA helped get Sheriff Bill Brown elected. They knew that he was anti gun because I personally contacted them well before election day, as did David Codrea, who is a writer for, "The War on Guns." The NRA did not bother to return either one of our calls. We know that the reason is that they deliberately got him elected knowing that he wasn't the most pro- gun candidate.

Many people have called the NRA in Sacramento and Fairfax, VA, from Santa Barbara area about this issue and they have not returned anyone's calls. Sheriff Bill Brown has not renewed the majority of CCW holders in Santa Barbara County since becoming Sheriff. We want to make a statement with the NRA that the Santa Barbara community of gun owners and 2nd Amendment patriots can make a difference, with our votes and our dollars. If people go to the Friends of the NRA dinner, the NRA will feel that they do not have to be accountable.

We have stopped a very high percentage of sponsors and members from going to the NRA dinner by making these calls and letting them know the truth. They will see the lowest count, in Santa Barbara's NRA dinner history. We will give you a count after the dinner June 2nd, 2007.

Update: The dinner took place as scheduled on June 2nd, 2007. They had 90 people that paid to show up at the Friends of NRA fundraiser. Many called in to say they could not come or were no-shows. Seventy (70) people did show and a few came in and purchased tickets at the door. They had around 25 free tickets which they gave out and figured they had a total of around 100. The Elk's Club had a minimum of 125 dinners. They had no real bidding in the auction. Sam Neeley, the auctioneer, made a speech about the sheriff and how many were unhappy with what is was doing (not about the NRA helping cause the problem) and the people should support the NRA and not stay away from these events by boycotting them because it only hurts you. This of course is self-serving for him because he did not make much money on the auction.

The NRA had a check written to them at the end of the event for $2,800. Anyone that knows about fundraisers know that is like breaking even.

It was said that many were really ticked off at me for starting the boycott and because they found out we had called many past patriots of the function. I will say, I am proud of what I did and I understand many of them can not see out of the box. I will stand behind my action with my head up high! I will boycott the event next year if the NRA does not call and do what they should have done many months ago. That will not be, "I am sorry", it will be a lot more involved. Keeping that under hat for how. As of today, June 7, 2007, we have not been contacted by the NRA and we know they are well aware of what they have done to us. They even checked out the posting on "The War on Guns" website.

I want to thank each and every one of you that supported us on this very important issue!

With warmest appreciation,

Larry R. Rankin

Y'know That "Loophole"...?

"More proof that American gun shows are the source...

Take a close look. This could be us in a few decades.

[Via Joe W]

UPDATE: Per Joe W, "You should note that the prices for bullets and guns at that Israeli market aren't very cheap. 8 shekels a bullet is like 1.70. Also, the 1000 Jordanian Dinars for an AK makes it cost 1400USD. The grenade prices are VERY reasonable, though.

"I hear in Israel that the M16 is used by terrorists a lot, my guess more than the AK. They can just go rob the IDF armory rather than running it across the border to Egypt. There's also various inside jobs that can occur, too. "

Mommy Dearest

I had my video camera with me and at this time, and notified one of the organizers “Laura” that I intended to film the meeting. This is when the nasty, rude, and spiteful nature of this woman became apparent. She hissed at me “You will not film this meeting. We won’t allow it so please keep your camera turned off”. She repeated the statement a few more times perhaps thinking that I have a difficulty grasping our native language. She then turned from me and walked away, then hesitated, turned around and addressed all of us as a group saying “And don’t touch any of the food either, this table (pointing to the food and drink table) is not for you”.

Lovely. If my Mom was ever like this, I'd have asked Dad to get her on meds. To think there are a million of these creatures...but thank goodness we know their numbers aren't anywhere near that.

Naked Shoplifter give us the prequel to The Million Mom Show. And that one guest stars Judas, too!

Cardinal Pflogs Pfleger

The cardinal said in his statement: “Publicly delivering a threat against anyone’s life betrays the civil order and is morally outrageous, especially if this threat came from a priest.”

Better watch out, Cardinal George--he might threaten to snuff you.

And rather than be contrite, the renegade Snuffy Pfleger is predictably stiff-necked and defiant:

I thought things were getting better.

Not if Americans United for Separation of (Evangelical Churches) and State ever get off their hypocritical leftist duffs and apply the same standard to St. Sabina as they do to fundamentalist churches, Snuffster old boy.

[Via Armed and Safe]

We're the Only Ones Crotchety Enough

Annapolis police raided the wrong apartment Wednesday night, using flash grenades and kicking a resident in the groin before they realized their mistake, police and the family said.

And the place they wanted to raid was empty.

Since when did they start teaching kicking someone in the nads at the Academy?

My favorite line: "We don't know how the mistake was made..."

Yeah, it would appear "Only One" intelligence certainly was lacking. And "confidential information," too.

I also love how the mouthpiece says "the incident was regrettable." Somehow, it's rare that the perpetrators are the ones with the real regrets, because even if the department is sued, the settlement will come from the population being terrorized.

[Via TH and Cryptic Subterranean]

What McAuliffe Said

Nuts!

Everybody welcome Mike H to the blogosphere.

Is Red's Being Set Up With Attempted Straw Purchase?

I then asked what kind of gun she was looking for. She quickly stated "Beretta" as she paced back and forth between the revolvers and semi-autos. She then said "...or what do you carry?" indicating the firearm on my hip. "It is a Smith & Wesson M&P 40 caliber." I stated. "I would probably take one of those." she quickly stated, as she then looked at the gentleman near the end of the store.

He then came up to speak with her, they began to audibly whisper, in which she stated "I don't think I would pass a background check." Then they both quickly looked up as if to see if I was paying attention. I then moved down the counter out of earshot, seeming disinterested in the sale because at this point I have a really bad feeling in my gut.
They then moved down the counter in my direction, where she said "I don't think I have my drivers license." He then stated "I will go out to the car and check to see if it is in there."

No, Ryan, I don't think you're being paranoid at all. Matter of fact, the timing is so convenient, I'd bet these conspirators were working under BATFU's direction.

[More on the persecution of Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]