Breach

The FBI acknowledged Wednesday it improperly accessed Americans' telephone records, credit reports and Internet traffic in 2006, the fourth straight year of privacy abuses resulting from investigations aimed at tracking terrorists and spies.

So what's the problem here? It's not like they need warrants or anything...

We're the Only Ones Who Don't Need No Stinking Warrants Enough

In a 3-0 ruling, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the police were justified in conducting the warrantless search and seizure in an era of unprecedented domestic carnage at schools, workplaces and shopping malls.

“Police, then, simply must be entitled to take effective preventive action when evidence surfaces of an individual who intends slaughter,” Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III wrote for the panel. “Respecting the rights of individuals has never required running a risk of mass death.”

Define "risk," Jim, I mean, J. Harvie. Because I gotta tell ya, the risk of an activist judiciary subverting the Constitution in general and the Bill of Rights in particular--all in the name of expedience--scares the hell out of me a lot more than some guy who voluntarily calls a hotline and lets everybody know where he is.

If someone is an immediate threat, there's nothing in the law prohibiting an intervention, and nothing to make crime scene evidence inadmissible. But simultaneously with the threat being neutralized, perhaps you could explain why requiring "The Only Ones" to swear out an affidavit and obtain a warrant in accordance with the clear probable cause mandate you are required to abide by (or would be in the Constitutional Republic envisioned by the Framers) is such a burden on the state...? Aside from maybe having to drag some judge's hind end out of bed at 3:00 AM on occasion...?

Originally nominated by Reagan, eh? Considered for SCOTUS by the "Vote Freedom First President" (until you opened your self-important yap to The New York Times)?

And you consider yourself a "Hands-Off Constitution[alist]"? And getting judges like you appointed is the reason we're supposed to be cowed into voting republican?

[Via Mack]

We're the Only Ones Academic Enough

Police departments at Arizona's three universities plan to arm their officers with military-style assault rifles within the next year, officials said Tuesday.

What, "weapon of war bullet hoses designed only to kill as many people as possible"?

That's the solution, have an arms race for "The Only Ones" while the intellectual cud-chewers low to have their horns and hooves trimmed down to stubs?

ASU officers will store the new guns in their patrol cars while on duty, taking them out only when a situation warrants their use, Hardina said.

So will they rush right in where angels fear to tread, or can we expect them to deploy behind trees, cars and buldings until the carnage is over? And let's just hope they're in better running condition than this guy...

Jan Kelly, an ASU faculty member, said she understands why officers have a need for weapons with increased capabilities. She said she feels comfortable with campus officers' access to the rifles.

"I don't think the police are going to target students," Kelly said. "If they (the guns) aren't visible, most won't really know about them.

"Hopefully we'll never know about them."

It's all about Jan's feelings you see. Besides, as we know from experience, college students are never targeted by enforcers with rifles.

And if you can't see it, it can't hurt you, Jan? That's your fall-back position? Is that anything like pulling the covers over your head so the monster in your closet can't get you?

Good grief. This "daft as a hairbrush" intellect reminds me of nothing so much as the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal.

Who would let an "insanely idiotically dense creature" like this have any say at all in their personal defensive choices?

[Via ChareltonHest]

A Pass/Fail College Lecture

So, how can you, the college student, as an individual and as a group, change the circumstances of the violence you face on campus and in a bigger sense, citizens face everyday in their daily lives whether it be at the shopping mall or at lunch at Wendy's? You can accept that your protection is your responsibility and then you can choose to be prepared to face potential violence and prepared to stop the violence when it presents itself. In most cases you can do this through constant possession and training with a handgun.

Nate tries to fill some young skulls with something other than mush.

There has been no shortage of anti-RKBA opinions lately in the college press by proto-"Authorized Journalists," speaking with the vast and deep experience and wisdom of freshmen and sophomores, whose minds are made up, who know best, and who are as rigidly and fanatically intolerant as any politburo. I'm afraid for them, this post is "wasted electrons."

But any college student with an open mind and no fear of actually being an independent thinker (as opposed to pretending to be one with their new-found Marxist rhetoric), ought to read this and take it to heart as if their life might depend on it.

Human Rights and Gun Confiscation

Ordinary Kenyans are not even allowed to possess bows and arrows,and the bow laws, too, are applied discriminately. Government security agents can therefore safely assume that every ordinary person with a bow or gun lacks a license, and thus the police can shoot to kill with impunity.

David B. Kopel, Paul Gallant and Joanne D. Eisen have given us more required reading.

Truly. Some of the examples they cite will shock and enrage you.

I've only had time to scan through this, but plan on reserving an hour later when I can come back and give this the attention I can see it deserves. I suggest if you don't have that hour right now to do the same.

This is important stuff, and it's really not all that hard to envision it happening here if things sufficiently degrade.

This Day in History: March 6

Remember...

Tom McClintock for Congress

Tom McClintock, termed out of the California Senate, is running for Congress. California gun owners--and particularly the "gun lobby groups," failed him in the recall election, and "won" Arnold Schwarzenkennedy, along with the .50 ban, the lead ammo ban and microstamping.

Here's what McClintock sent out prior to his announcement:

The polling from the 4th Congressional district has been overwhelming. As you may know, a conservative advocacy group commissioned a poll at the beginning of this month and it reported that I would begin the campaign with a 33-point lead over the nearest rival. I subsequently commissioned a full benchmark poll by a different firm that reported a margin of 38 points.

...Despite this very sizeable lead, I must first defeat a liberal millionaire to represent this solidly conservative district. He has already vowed in the press that he will immediately unleash a $500,000 advertising blitz if I dare to challenge him.

You have stood with me through many challenges and I need your help to start this campaign on a strong note. Will you make an urgently needed contribution so that we will have the resources necessary to counter his promised media buy? Federal law limits contributions to $2,300 per individual and corporate contributions are prohibited. You may contribute securely on our website or mail checks to:
McClintock for Congress
c/o Igor Birman
1029 K Street, Suite 44
Sacramento CA 95814

McClintock's rival has gone into immediate attack mode:

The announcement also threatened to create a division among Republicans between McClintock and former Congressman Doug Ose, in the June 3 primary race. Ose wasted no time throwing down the gauntlet, announcing Tuesday that he won the endorsement of former Gov. Pete Wilson.

Here's all you need to know about this Ose character: Even NRA gave him a "D+."

It's time to take the GOP back from the middle-of-the-road (read "devoid of unbending liberty principles") moderates.

So, California gun owners--and particularly the "gun lobby" groups who failed McClintock in the governor's race: Will you sit it out again, or will you personally involve yourself with time, effort and money?

And if anybody doesn't know why they should support this man, here's why. Or better yet, read his eloquent words in "Freedom and Firearms."

I had the opportunity of speaking with him one-on-one after he gave a speech in Orange County--for about 5 minutes in the room, then we walked outside together afterward and continued the conversation in the parking lot for another several minutes. He is the real deal, and his words are backed up by his record.

I'm cynical about political solutions, but this is one guy worth trying for. If we could help this man get to the national scene, I can't think of a better person to rally behind in future years for even higher office. He would be similar to Ron Paul, but without many of the vulnerabilities that campaign had imposed on it.

We're the Only Ones in the Back of the Bus Enough

A Sharpsburg police officer who resigned over the weekend in the midst of controversy involving a school-bus traffic stop had no probable cause to pull over the bus, his former chief said Monday....

"When the bus driver asked him what's going on, he just pointed to his gun and didn't say nothing," Dessie Lewis said.

See, that's why we can't let us carry guns, because if someone flipped us off in traffic, we'd probably force them to the side of the road and point to it to put a good scare in them.

Because you 'n me, we're not trained "Only Ones" who know better...

[Via DONE! SEO]

Mukasey's Paradox

Under Mukasey's Paradox, lawyers cannot commit crimes when they act under the orders of a president -- and a president cannot commit a crime when he acts under advice of lawyers. [More]

Boy, we're just full of paradoxes today, like the one where you can't exercise your rights without surrendering your rights.

How come these things never seem to work to the advantage of the governed? Perhaps another paradox...?

My head hurts. I think I'll go back in time and kill an ancestor to make it stop.

[Via RyanMG]

Branded

I just got this email:

Maybe you can give me some advice....back a few months ago I decided to buy a new shot gun from an out of state online source. The gun was purchased and was sent to an FFL dealer where I had specified for the transfer of the firearm. After going through the required paperwork , the dealer made a quick phone call to whomever he had to ...and he told me I was denied for the purchase. I have never been convicted of any felony. It sure made me feel like dirt though. Is there any advice you can give me to find out why this happened? I really feel that my constitutional rights have been violated, and it upsets me to this day. I am an avid hunter and sport shooter as well as a responsible law abiding citizen... Anything you could recommend would greatly be appreciated....

My reply:

I'm not a lawyer, so take everything I say with several grains of salt.

There have been mistakes in the system--I'm assuming it went through NICS--perhaps your name is similar to someone else's. I remember reading where Teddy Kennedy was accidentally put on the "No Fly" list.

And you don't need to be a felon to be a prohibited person. Misdemeanor domestic violence will kick you out, as will a dishonorable discharge, and some other reasons...If there's anything in your past or present--like a restraining order, commonly issued in divorce proceedings as a matter of course, even though you didn't do anything wrong, you don't even want to touch a gun--at least in front of witnesses.

I can ask around, and I will--I'll post this on WarOnGuns, keeping your name totally anonymous, of course. Perhaps we can get you in touch with a friendly dealer who can run a check for you and see if your name kicks out again. If it does, the only other thing I can suggest is to get a lawyer to help you get to the bottom of this.

Please feel free to educate us both in comments.

UPDATE: Here's the FBI's appeal denial procedure brochure.

Red's Before the Bench

"Have you ever made a mistake taking a note," he asked Rushing in an accusatory tone...

"Do you maintain that every dealer should not make a single mistake?" he asked. "Dealers make mistakes; Do they not? Have you ever made a mistake?

No...not BATFU....

Nice of them to spring this supposed "10-gun rule" in court as a surprise "Gotcha!" tactic, like a bunch of damn juveniles. You'd think that'd be in writing somewhere and emphasized to all dealers. But then, that would presuppose their purpose was to ensure compliance, as opposed to closing down gun dealers any way they can, even by holding secret standards against them. Let's hope the judge notices.

Read carefully, you'll note those 10 alleged transactions occurred eight years ago. And remember, just because a gun is identified as a "crime gun" doesn't mean it was actually used in an act of violence--or was obtained "lawfully" from the original dealer.

Ryan has more.

[More on Red's Trading Post from WarOnGuns]

A Day at the Polls

Well, I went out yesterday to do my civic duty.

And then I ran into this obscenity on the door of my polling place.



Hmmm...exercise my right to protect myself from political predators or from the more up close and honest kind.

Leave myself defenseless or don't vote.

Or don't leave myself defenseless, vote anyway, and commit a crime.

That's a hell of a choice to impose on a free man who isn't hurting anyone, don't you think?

What a dilemma that was.

Anyway, I only voted for president and against the transit tax hike. I emailed my congressman and told him a measly B- from GOA showed him unworthy of my support, so we'll see if he improves by November. The lesser offices required too much time to try and ascertain their liberty position, and I'd think anyone who deserves to lead would make that the first thing you'd find out when looking them up.

Maybe come November, I'll be in a better position to expand my choices.

I wonder if that sign will still be there?

This Day in History: March 5

An Encounter at Wal-Mart

It seemed an eternity looking into the menacing, sneering face of the hoodlum who had began his approach from my rear. He sized up the man with the gun, a little girl behind him.

Wait a minute--I thought Norm Dicks said “Everyone knows when you have guns, bad things happen.”

I've had this encounter. In my case, the significant differences were:

It was dark and no other customers were around in the lot (it was an unplanned emergency stop).

Wife and infant child were both present.

There were more like eight hoodlums. At the time, it seemed like more.

I couldn't stick around and call it in to the police afterward. Guess why.

Which raises the question: Will you allow yourself or your family to be caught defenseless in a "gun free zone," which may include entire states that do not "permit" concealed carry?

Here's the most compelling and powerful part of this narrative, at least for me, and it comes not from the main post, but from an afterthought comment:

Funny it wasn't, I said, I was scared. She said, "I wasn't, I was with you."

As a father, I can tell you that is the kind of trust I will not betray.

Regardless of who thinks otherwise.

[Via 1894C]

Since When Are Our Rights Trumped By Dicks?

With a showdown looming, U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks says he’s prepared to block any effort by the administration to lift the current ban on carrying loaded weapons in national parks.

Cocky representative of his namesake, isn't he?

Funny how none of the opponents of the reform can point to their dire predictions coming true in National Forests, which already operate under essentially the same rules being proposed for National Parks.

“Everyone knows when you have guns, bad things happens,” Dicks said in an interview.

Yeah, Norm, tell that to these people, you lying...

Honor Among Thieves

Edgar A. Domenech says he thought Justice Department officials would welcome information about mismanagement at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Instead, the 23-year ATF veteran says, Justice officials ignored his complaints and later retaliated against him by demoting him, denying him a bonus and attempting to give him a poor job review.

What, you thought Maximum Mike was interested in anything besides consolidating power?

I'm real curious as to what the "Vote Freedom First President" quote that they were going to put on an engraving outside BATFU's lair said.

Maybe "Mission Accomplished"?

Perhaps they wanted to wait until after the Democrats take office for that.

Ryan has more.

The Law Has to Be Obeyed

Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California, said he hopes the technology puts an end to a nettlesome problem. Too often, he said, people unaware that past convictions barred them from owning guns would buy one and not be stopped, then face state enforcement. Paredes said the group has "no real objection" to the system.

"The law has to be obeyed," he said. "If you don't like the law, you work to change it."

Right, Sam.

Aren't we all glad the men of Lexington and Concord obeyed the law? Have you people never read Thoreau?

So when they ban guns and order them surrendered, you'll obey and turn 'em in, right?

I'm trying to figure out just what the hell good the Second Amendment is if we're going to surrender it before testing it. And what the hell good a "gun rights group" that counsels preemptive surrender is--besides making sure its lobbyists get paid.

UPDATE: 45superman has more.

Ruled by Fear

Gun Fears Lock Down 2 Southeast Colleges

"Gun Fears."

In other words, hoplophobia.

Campus policy is dictated by mental illness. The inmates really are running the asylum.

I don't suppose it will occur to anyone that if more people were armed, bad guys wouldn't know that they can rule the campus with impunity--at least for long enough to accomplish what they've set out to do.

Living in fear is a hell of a pathetic state for supposedly free people. No one should have to.

But if forced to make a choice, what would you rather fear: Being caught with a gun or being caught without one?

It's past time we mastered our fears and lived like men.

Hillary's "Meeting of the Minds"

Hillary Rodham Clinton, locked in a fierce battle for Texas, said Monday that as president, she would not try to impose New York-like gun restrictions at the national level.

Mrs. Clinton said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News that she would like to see bans on assault weapons and the end of loopholes that allow weapons to be sold at gun shows without required background checks.

"There can be a meeting of the minds between lawful gun owners and those who believe we can protect Second Amendment rights without giving in to the bad guys," she said.

Why does this remind me of the opening to "The War of the Worlds"?

Yet across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.

She's as creepy as any Martian. And she sure must think she's a lot smarter than us to presume to tell us what we can and cannot be trusted to own.

So--have you made up your mind on what you're going to do when she or Thulsa wins?

Hiding Our Shame in Utah

Lawmakers in the Utah House of Representatives decided to keep guns hidden on college campuses, although concealed weapons permit holders may open carry firearms throughout the state.

Because, you know, not only might it cause a bovine stampede, but Heaven forbid we should normalize the practice of seeing anyone besides an "Only One" armed, making it unremarkable if not outright acceptable...

And I say this as no proponent of "open carry," at least for everyday tactical reasons, because I have no right to impose my preference on you.