We're the Only Ones Just, Peaceful and Paid Enough

Araujo will continue to be paid as Justice of the Peace until the outcome of her trial for Felony Assault Charges with a Deadly Weapon.

And there are new developments for her attorney (and former DA) Terry McEachern as well:

“The Court finds and concludes that the material allegations contained in the (complaint) are true and that (McEachern committed) professional misconduct” in not turning over information that could have been used to impeach the only witness against some 45 Tulia residents: discredited undercover narcotics officer Tom Coleman, whose unsavory law enforcement background and alleged racism ultimately led to the pardon of most of the defendants, the majority of whom were black.

Don't you hate it when bad things happen to good people?

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

There Oughtta Be a Law

US veterans are twice as likely as civilians to commit suicide, according to a study released Monday, which researchers said underscores the need for mental health care for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan...

More often than not, firearms were used in the suicides, the study found.

Maybe we could get our pro-gun leaders to negotiate some sort of mental health background check deal with the Democrats...

WarOnGuns Hiatus

Friday will be my last post to WarOnGuns for an indefinite time--possibly as short as a few weeks, perhaps up to a month. I'll have more details then--I just wanted to give an advance heads up.

And no, nothing bad is happening. Quite the opposite, actually.

We're the Only Ones Getting Off Lighter Enough

William Kloss III, 37, of Neversink, pleaded guilty to felonies for arson and insurance fraud before County Court Judge Frank LaBuda. He's expected to get 2½ to 7½ years in prison when he's sentenced...

Kloss, who works in auto body, made it known to friends that he would destroy their cars. These included former sheriff's deputy Amanda Cox and former New York City Department of Environmental Protection officer Edward Kowalik Jr.

Cox, 25, was sentenced to probation and will be terminated from the sheriff's department. Kowalik, 32, pleaded guilty last week to felonies. In exchange for his plea, he's expected to get six months in jail and five years probation.

Via Declan, who adds: "Mr. Kloss gets his picture in the paper and a sentence of up to 71/2 years. While his 'only one' accomplices get light sentences, with little or no jail time and no mug shots plastered across the local rag. How nice!"

There's nothing I can add to that.

Working Together

Together, we have crafted a bill that will prevent gun violence, but maintain the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.

What rights were those again?

And did you ever figure out what a barrel shroud is?

This Day in History: June 12

WHEREAS the infatuated multitudes, who have long suffered themselves to be conducted by certain well known Incendiaries and Traitors, in a fatal progression of crimes, against the constitutional authority of the state, have at length proceeded to avowed rebellion; and the good effects which were expected arise from the patience and lenity of the King's government, have been often frustated, and are now rendered hopeless, by the influence of the same evil counsels; it only remains for those who are entrusted with supreme rule, as well for the punishment of the guilty, as the protection of the well-affected, to prove they do not bear the sword in vain.

Another believer in the supremacy of big government who was in for a big surprise.

Foreign Mayor to Join Bloomberg Coalition?

A coalition of mayors working to crack down on illegal guns in the United States may soon include Toronto Mayor David Miller.

I think admitting foreign mayors is a great idea. Maybe they could also invite the mayors of Havana and Beijing and...

Shilling for Snuffy

Puh-leeze. The only threat Father Pfleger represents is a threat to the rigid top-down hierarchy of the church and, at times, to certain store owners and billboard salesmen...You can question Pfleger's methods -- I often do. But he also represents the best the priesthood has to offer, and a glimpse at its possible salvation.

This coming from a paper that never reported the "snuff" comment until those who objected to it made it impossible to ignore--and this from a paper that refuses to look into 501(c)(3) abuses.

The "authorized journalists" co-conspirators not only give this punk cover, they laud him as the model for the future. And they wonder why their circulation keeps dropping. But then, they lied about that in the past, too. "...[F]or several years."

Still, maybe that explains a bit: billboards compete with The Sun-Times for advertising dollars. And this punk columnist has no problem with someone being a "threat...to certain store owners"? What if threats are reciprocated?

Interesting choice of headlines this vignette is posted under: "Ready for 3rd War?"

More than you enuretics at The Sun-Times, I'll wager. You have no idea what you're starting, Neil Steinberg, you morally bankrupted tool, do you?

The BATFU Trouser Inferno

Ryan Horsely gives us the latest developments. Basically, an agent has changed his story, and "miraculous" new evidence has been conveniently "discovered" in an audit for which a clean bill of health was previously given--and documents previously could not be found...

Just another day at BATFU, as they represent a government "instituted among men to secure the blessings of liberty."

Have you written to the judge yet?

Why not?

Hon. Edward J. Lodge
Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, MSC 039
550 W. Fort St., Room 400
Boise, ID 83724-0039
or
Fax: (208) 334-9229

Everybody realizes that throughout this, Ryan has never asked any of us for a dime.

Oh, and take this week's poll in the left margin.

We're the Only Ones Confessing With Immunity Enough

Two former Sheriff's Department employees confessed to stealing and selling department weapons and accessories, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision prevents prosecutors from using those statements against them, sheriff's officials say.

Hey, if I ever get busted, can I make my confession to Internal Affairs, too? And then retain all those special "Only Ones" powers and privileges?

Meanwhile, BATFU is busy throwing all the king's horses and all the king's men at Red's Trading Post to keep us all safe from Ryan Horsley.

[Via 45superman]

This Day in History: June 11

On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress formed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence calling for freedom from Britain.

New WarOnGuns Poll: Red's Trading Post

The new poll is up--see the left margin and select the answer that best describes how you think the Red's Trading Post dispute should be resolved.

Here are the results of last week's poll (click on image to enlarge).

Radio Red's

Follow the title link to listen to Ryan Horsley of Red's Trading Post talk about "Red's vs Feds" on KLIX AM 1310 News Radio.

Click on the link for "Top Story 6/4/07 GLBT Float and Red's vs Feds."

Ryan's segment begins about 31 minutes into the podcast.

Negotiate Rights Away

Senior Democrats have reached agreement with the National Rifle Association on what could be the first federal gun-control legislation since 1994, a measure to strengthen significantly the national system that checks the backgrounds of gun buyers.

I certainly don't recall authorizing NRA to negotiate on my behalf in this matter. Anybody else?

The sensitive talks began in April, days after a mentally ill gunman killed 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech University.

"Sensitive talks"? Does that mean public policy determination meetings--with agreements that will bind those of us neither aware of them nor in attendance--were held and not open for scrutiny or input?

The political left wants to convince everyone via their "authorized journalist" co-conspirators that NRA was instrumental in exploiting the Virginia Tech tragedy.

They apparently have been--but not in the way they've been accused. Kind of a cynical game having the Bradys bitch and moan about having their water carried for them by their supposed opponents.

In fact, "days after" the VT incident, Wayne LaPierre was blogging on everybody to cool it and "Stop Exploiting Tragedy":

We've been debating gun control in this country for decades now. What does it hurt to pause for a few days in the midst of a tragedy to let the families of the victims grieve in peace, without being turned into a poster child either for gun rights or gun control? The answer, frankly, is it doesn't hurt anyone.

What it hurts, Wayne, is people who are being prosecuted right now, every day, for perceived infractions of citizen disarmament laws. Businesses are being closed down. Patriots with health problems are all but forgotten in jail. And people's lives are being endangered every day, right now, and will continue to be, until these unconstitutional infringements are repealed, not strengthened.

Someone's right to grieve may not exact a requirement that puts the rest of us at risk. And if we're going to stop the train every time there's a new outrage--one only made possible by these stupid and evil "existing gun laws" you seem so keen on enforcing--we will never get anywhere. Why does that suggest an agenda?

Have you had enough time, Wayne? Or does NRA under your reign still advocate that places like Virginia Tech should be Second Amendment-Free/Seung-Hui Cho Empowerment Zones?

Another Cryptic Only Ones Twofer

We're the Only Ones Meeting Our Match Enough

At that point the other man got out of his car and pulled a gun on Treptow, whose wife and two children were also in the car with him. With no opportunity to move quickly away from the gunman who was now only feet away, Treptow fired his own weapon three times, scoring hits in both legs and grazing his arm.

Turns out that Mr. Road Rage, who was apparently not injured badly as he has been released from hospital, is an undercover police officer.

It speaks volumes that Treptow was not immediately charged.

We're the Only Ones Going Off All By Ourselves Enough

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says Deputy Jonathan Lopes was asleep at home when he was startled awake by a sudden noise.

The fourty-nine-year-old deputy grabbed for his firearm and it discharged. The bullet struck Lopes in the leg.

I guess that's a bit more extreme than racking the slide to scare off an intruder, but it worked...

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

When Guns are Outlawed We'll Find a Way

In a society where individuals don't trust the authorities to protect their interests, people are taking the law into their own hands with homemade firearms.

Oh, goodness. Why wouldn't people in the Phillipines trust the authorities?

[Via Joe W]

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]