Open Questions for BATFU DIO Richard Van Loan--and an Announcement

So, Dick: Is all this publicity over your heavy-handed persecution of Red's Trading Post the reaction you were hoping for, or is this simply another manifestation of your agency's legendary incompetence resulting in "unintended consequences"?

Is all the hatred and contempt good Americans have expressed for you and your little "gang" a surprise to you, or is it just another motivating factor that drives you in your ongoing personal crusade against "shall not be infringed"?

Are you starting to feel the heat yet from your "superiors" (pity you appear to be answering to the wrong ones) for making a very public mess of what could have been a simple audit? I can't imagine they're too happy with you and your underlings right now.

Allow me to add to their--and your--discomfort, Dick. Tomorrow, I'm going to post photos of Area Supervisor Linda Young on this blog. I'm announcing it now for two reasons: first, to generate as much traffic as possible to see and spread the pictures, and also, to see if you'll try to get a court order preventing me from doing this--that'll be a story in itself. Make that three reasons: I won't mind if you sweat a bit in anticipation.

Better show this to your bosses, Dick. There isn't much time.

"Stop Exposing Us!"

JPFO weighs in on Red's.

As the producer of a documentary about ATF, they're particularly concerned about the agency's claimed authority to restrict using images of its activities and personnel.

Radio Free Red's

Ryan Horsley joined Larry Pratt as a guest on "Top Story". His segment appears about 28 minutes into the broadcast--give it a listen. He repeats something he's told me before, and we need to press for more details as well as an official resolution: The local sheriff has called BATFU about their investigation and his calls have apparently not been returned.

THIS JUST IN: RYAN TO APPEAR ON "CAM & CO."
It's starting now--per Ryan, his segment will start at 12:40 EST.

UPDATE: After the interview, Cam responded to an instant message and says he's going to call Ryan every day to check up on things.

Forfeit This

I mentioned yesterday how someone from the Treasury Department's Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture was lurking at WarOnGuns.

I sent them the above email, transcribed in full below:

I want to know why someone from your office was visiting my blog, The War on Guns. If it was someone visiting for personal reasons, I object as a taxpayer having government facilities used during working hours. If it was due to acting in an "official" capacity, I can't imagine why, unless it was in regards to my reporting on BATFE activities. If it was to send a "ping" that my site is being monitored, I'm curious as to what purpose you think that would accomplish--I certainly hope it's not meant to intimidate. Or perhaps it's just an automated search related to "homeland security" based on keywords? If you're interested in that, have I got some citizen militia activation suggestions for you.

I'm going to post this email, as well as any reply (or lack of one) I get from your office.

It may be nothing, or it may, as some have speculated--be calculated to chill. I figure the best way to handle things is using the same standard I impose on myself: conducting my public affairs in the full light of day.

Why would any government agency fear that?

Wayne Fincher Contact and Support

From Wayne's daughter, Connie Fields:

TO ALL,

You can write to dad by using his new address.

Hollis Wayne Fincher
07863-010 (MUST HAVE THIS NUMBER WHEN SENDING HIM ANYTHING)
P.O. Box 9000
Forrest City, Arkansas
72336

If you want to send money(money order) the address is:

Federal Bureau of Prisons
Hollis Wayne Fincher
07863-010 (MUST
HAVE THIS NUMBER WHEN SENDING HIM ANYTHING)
P.O. Box 474701
Des Moines,
IA 50947-0001

All money must be sent to this address. The prison doesn't take any money.

Dad can have up to 25 pictures or less, 5 magazines, 5 paperback books.

NOTE: Inmates are allowed to receive magazines, soft cover books, greeting cards and photos( NO POLAROIDS). All hard cover books and newspapers must come directly from a publisher(BOOK STORE ETC.) Please note that any photos,magazines or books that show any form of nudity will be rejected by mail room staff.

When I know more I will let you know.

C.Fields

I note the "he got what he was asking for" folks are resurfacing in forums.

If every one of us did what Fincher did, there would be no more gun control laws in this country. Because we will not stand up en masse, any one of us who does will be cut down.

And Fincher did not just do this carelessly or casually, as implied. "The Silver Bullet" and other documents, as well as years of history corresponding with various public officials and the governor to notify them of their activities shows a thought-out strategy. The reason that strategy did not work is not because it was wrong in terms of founding intent and natural law, but because corrupted legal precedent is given more weight in our courts than unalienable rights--and We the People allow it through apathy, ignorance and fear.

Fincher's testimony was suppressed from the jury, as was mention of the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment...and they were instructed to obey the judge and accept his interpretation of his authority and the law.

It's true, I would not have put myself in harm's way the way he did--but that has more to do with my not trusting our "justice system" to deliver what its name promises than it does with any flaws in Fincher's legal reasoning.

Rather than belittle the fallen, we ought to be helping in his time of need. Because if we don't restore Wayne Fincher's vision of the Republic, it will be just a matter of time before we follow him to the dungeon or worse--unless we surrender not just ourselves, but our children.

[More about Wayne Fincher from WarOnGuns]

Red's Making the Rounds

The ongoing BATFU persecution of Red's Trading Post got picked up by Instapundit.

Personally, I can't see any legitimate reason for ATF personnel conducting a routine inspection not to be photographed.

This opinion from a notable legal scholar carries significant weight, so I urged Ryan Horsley to make his attorney aware of it.

I'm also delighted to see the term "authorized journalist" gain wider recognition and acceptance.

Of Arms and the Law has a useful comment by Rivrdog I also called to Ryan's attention.

And SayUncle gives us a laundry list of agency abuses over the past few years.

Not meaning to leave anyone out, here's a link to other blogs covering this story.

This Day in History: July 26

On July 26, 1775, members of the Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, agreed:

That a postmaster general be appointed for the United Colonies...

More on the Fincher Defense

I will be assisting lead attorney Quentin Rhoades of Montana in the appeal of Washington County Arkansas Militia Commander Hollis Wayne Fincher in the case U. S. vs. Fincher.

These are the folks who will be handling the appeal mentioned earlier today.

Uh...Can I Help You Guys?

Now why in the world do you suppose these people are interested in this blog...?

BATFU Claims Red's a "Credible Threat"

A federal agency has accused a local gun shop manager, who is also the Twin Falls City Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, of posing a credible threat to its agents' safety by harassing and intimidating them.

Here's the local take on the latest at Red's.

BATFU/DoJ Reneged on Deal to Stifle Red's

Yesterday I mentioned:

I've been sitting on some facts for a few days at the request of Ryan Horsley. BATFU had threatened him that he needed to cease all blogging and keep their agents and inspectors free from being photographed or observed, or they would go to the judge and file a complaint of harassment. Ryan was in a dilemma--he has been single-handedly bearing the burden of his defense against a fe(de)ral government with practically unlimited resources--yet if he continued to allow his
persecutors to operate in the dark, that is where they would kill Red's.

Here, as Paul Harvey says, is the rest of the story:

Ryan had been agonizing over this--on the one hand, he wanted to fight for what was right, and keep people informed of what was happening. On the other, the threat of a complaint like the one that was filed would mean a new round of legal expenditures that could break the bank. His legal counsel worked behind the scenes and received assurances from the US Attorney that the complaint would not be filed if Ryan simply did what all clients are advised to do: keep quiet and rely on non-involved observers to do the reporting.

Here's what the government demanded in order to not go to the judge:

No more video recordings of the ATF
No more audio recordings of the ATF
No more pictures of the ATF
No more information being posted about the inspectors
No more publicity
No more blogging
No more letting supporters know when the audits/investigations are being conducted
No allowing supporters to come in contact with the ATF (ie, speak with, video tape, photograph, etc.)

This is the agreement Ryan thought had been negotiated. This is what our government, instituted among men to secure the blessings of liberty, now demands of its citizens. Except US Attorney Deborah Ferguson and her BATFU "clients" reneged on their promise, and filed anyway after Ryan had reluctantly begun holding up his end of the deal and stopped posting.

WorldNetDaily Covers Red's Blog Controversy

...and mentions WarOnGuns. I had to laugh when they quoted me on the acronym "BATFU."

That aside, this is exactly the kind of response we need--focus attention and light on the persecution agenda--it's the only chance Red's has to keep from being murdered in the dark.

BREAKING NEWS: WAYNE FINCHER IMPRISONED

"We Cried all the Way to Prison"

From his daughter, Connie Fields:

Just to let you know that we got dad to prison on time. I never knew how hard something like this could be. We left at 3:00 a.m. this morning and we told stories, took pictures, ate breakfast and had a good time. We went for lunch and it started getting harder because you knew what was coming next. We cried all the way to the prison. It is not right to take a man like my dad to prison. You cannot imagine how we felt at that moment when we had to turn him over and know that he couldn't come back home with us. We all hugged him several times then watched as they took him away. He kept waving at us till they shut they door. He his in the Minimum Security at Forrest City, Arkansas which is very good. It may be a week or so before we hear from him. Will let you know as soon as we do.

Please remember him and us in your prayers. Thanks for all the prayers and all the help everyone has giving. Thank you from the family of HollisWayne Fincher.

I'll have more on this later. For right now, there is a defense fund set up for his appeal. As WarOnGuns regulars know, I never ask for any contributions for myself, and never ask anyone to contribute to any cause I don't also pony up for. Here's Connie's follow-up email:

As you know or may not know we have new lawyers that are doing the appeal. They have offered they services for PRO BONO. The only thing is that we have to pay for traveling fees and filing fees transcript fees etc.

We have set up an account at Arvest Banks that you can deposit money into the account. If you electronic deposit or wire money the account the information is routing number 082900872 account number is 0037421461. If you deposit at the Arvest bank the account is under Connie Fields H.W. Fincher Fund Account. Account Number 0037421461.

If you want to send money by mail send to Connie Fields H.W.FINCHER FUND ACCOUNT P.O. BOX 215 ELKINS ARKANSAS 72727.

This Money is for the attorneys. The main attorney is from Montana, his name is Quentin Rhoades and the other attorney's name is Stewart Rhodes and he is from Las Vegas, Nevada. These lawyers we feel are very qualified to handle this case. I know that people have given to this cause before and we thank you but, now we need your help again. This appeal is going to cost approximately $5000.00 just to go to St. Louis, if this goes to the Supreme court approximately another $10,000.00. Please help any way you can to keep your Second Amendment Rights and FREE WAYNE. Thank You very much from the family of Hollis Wayne Fincher.

I can't speak for anyone but myself. My check is going out in this afternoon's mail.

This Day in History: July 15

July 25, 1775...Maryland issues currency depicting George III trampling Magna Carta

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are...

So--Area Supervisor Linda Young--now that we see your pals lurking, why not step out of the shadows and answer a few questions from your real Masters? As much as that concept may make you laugh--for now.

Ryan says the person taking pictures "was a 70 year old man in a Hawaiian shirt who is balding (Sorry, Al) and has a broken foot. Yet 3 inspectors felt that they were in danger. I did not tell him to come in or take pictures. Although that is not illegal."

You couldn't just go up to him and talk to him if you were concerned, and find out for yourself that he was no threat? Or is it that you just won't tolerate the rabble getting uppity? You had to go and make a federal case out of it? Of course you did.

What is it about We the People that fills you with such fear? Possibly the gnawing, inescapable knowledge that you deserve to feel guilt for what you do to sovereign American citizens, and that a decent person could not so persecute another human being?

Is that what makes you lash out in rage at someone who will not bend his knee and present his neck--just because you, Area Supervisor Linda Young, and you, DIO Richard Van Loan, demand it?

Perhaps some day "following orders" will be as useless a legal defense here as it was at Nuremberg. Here's hoping the good people of this Republic will hasten the day when your fury will be impotent, and those who reject and scorn and laugh at you can do so without fear of "official" retribution. Here's hoping for the day when it will be your heart that races, your palms that get clammy, your stomach that churns, when official auditors show up to reconstruct your activities.

In the mean time, enjoy the lurking. Stick around and check out some other posts.

We're on to you here, and more are catching on every day.

BREAKING NEWS: BATFU ACCUSES RED'S OF "HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION"

I've been sitting on some facts for a few days at the request of Ryan Horsley. BATFU had threatened him that he needed to cease all blogging and keep their agents and inspectors free from being photographed or observed, or they would go to the judge and file a complaint of harassment. Ryan was in a dilemma--he has been single-handedly bearing the burden of his defense against a fe(de)ral government with practically unlimited resources--yet if he continued to allow his persecutors to operate in the dark, that is where they would kill Red's.

The new complaint is calculated to be a death blow to Red's--both financially with additional legal expenses they cannot afford, and by giving the judge an excuse to side with thugs portraying themselves as victims.

Blogger doesn't give me the capability to present .pdf files, so I have converted the documents sent to the judge into jpegs:

"Exhibit A" is a print out of this entry from Red's Blog.

Note assumptions in the accusation--that BATFU now has authority to decide who is an "authorized journalist," that providing oversight of government activities and the identities of those responsible for abuse has "no legitimate purpose but to intimidate and harass," that the distinction between an inspector and an agent is not automatically understood by those outside the agency, and that the only opinion expressed that is cited for judicial cognizance comes from an anonymous comment poster--not from Ryan Horsley. In fact, there is no evidence that the comment in question was not made by a BATFU agent (oh, sorry, "inspector"?), employee, snitch or agent provocateur.

Note that the offending comment has been removed by Ryan. It said this:



This is clearly something Ryan had no control over, makes no specific threat, plus it expresses an opinion that, as much as they don't want to admit it, reflects a sentiment of the agency's creation. But presenting this is designed to prejudice the judge. That said, I too have deleted comments from this blog that I thought crossed a line that would erode the post's credibility or I simply thought was inappropriate.

I repeat my call for a rapid response team of "minuteman" volunteers to make themselves available via a phone tree to go to gun stores being audited, and audit/document/photograph the auditors. Don't let creatures of the shadows hide there--expose them to the light and make them live there--or cravenly slink back under the baseboards where they belong. You can also help by spreading the link to this post to fellow gun owners and letting them know what is going on. BATFU is relying on people remaining uninformed and apathetic.

A Missed Bulls-Eye, Indeed

In a YouTube video, a Michigan man brandished an automatic rifle, saying “This is my baby. Are you going to protect my baby?”

Here's the video in question:



"Authorized journalist" Steve Terrell did get one thing right--not about his panty-wringing hysterics, or his ignorance (or intentional deception) by referring to "an automatic rifle," but in his observation that Gov. Richardson missed a great opportunity.

He should have chastised the questioner for performing an agenda-driven stunt. He should have demanded the guy's background be looked into, to see if he was really a gun rights advocate or a mole from the other side trying to make gun owners look like lunatics. He should have also chastised CNN for allowing a question designed to push so many buttons through without also allowing for a rational question about the rights and responsibilities of gun ownership to be made--it's not like the network didn't sift through all submissions to pick and reject based on their own subjective criteria.

And what the hell does "purchased under the 1994 gun ban" mean? That was a restricting, not an authorizing edict.

Anybody from Michigan hunting, shooting or gun rights communities know this Jered Townsend character? If he is one of "ours," tell him he came off like a moron and did us immeasurable public relations harm. If, as I suspect, he's a plant with an agenda, we should know that, too.

Gee, I wonder if CNN will do the follow-up to find out? Holding your breath, anyone?

And isn't it pathetic that potential leaders of our Republic are little more than contestants in a combination of "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"?

Apportioning the Blame

Hip-hop stars Lil' Wayne and Ja Rule have been arrested on separate gun possession charges in New York.

And they seem like such nice young men. If this doesn't prove all the problems in "the community" are the the fault of NRA and suburban gun shops, nothing will.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Winnipeggers looking for an answer to the gun violence that has ripped through the city in the past two weeks will likely turn to the city, provincial and federal governments, all of whom say they are already well aware of the problem and are doing their best to solve it.

Sometimes, "their best" isn't good enough. The reason the "gun-crime fix [is] elusive" is because they're looking for it everywhere but where the solution lies--within a responsible and capable armed citizenry. Within themselves, once they peel away the layers of prejudice, cowardice and excuse-making.

BATFU Making Presence Known on Blogs

One supporter noted that he thought that they would be a little more discreet about spending so much time on websites. The point is not to be covert, it is to let you know that they are watching. This is an attempt to "mark their territory".

I knew some people who had a cat that kept spraying the furniture. I don't recall if they had it neutered or put down, but they finally did something that left them free of the mess and the stench.

[More about BATFU and Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]