Democracy, Democrat-Style

An increasingly firm Howard Dean told CNN again Thursday that he needs superdelegates to say who they’re for – and “I need them to say who they’re for starting now...We’ve got to know who our nominee is.”

Because otherwise, we'd have to, you know, let the people decide...

Large Decals

Large decals have been placed on the doors of every building to warn students of six years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $3,000 if a firearm is brought onto school premises. The decal also states that those who have the appropriate concealed handgun license are not excluded from those penalties.

Large decals. And "these are viewed as helpful and useful changes"?

By who? The ignorant? The stupid? Or just college administrators?

Does anyone seriously believe a large decal will stop this?

"Feeling safer" indeed.

Good grief.

[Via SayUncle]

Lux et Veritas

Those particular plans raised the ire of David Codrea, a 2nd Amendment advocate who blogs at War on Guns.

"One could make the argument that the exhibit legally should be classified as hazardous medical waste, and without proper handling, storage and spill clean-up/disposal procedures, with training for affected staff and employees, it poses a danger to the public and to all involved," he wrote. "I wonder if Yale's risk management department was consulted?"

Huh. Virtual ink at WND. I could do worse.

As we saw yesterday, this story has been altered several times, to where the truth of matters has been totally obscured by lies, excuse-making and confusion. The crazy person is playing the media and the Yale administration like a yo yo.

Here's the latest spin:

“Her denial is part of her performance,” Klasky wrote in an e-mail message. “We are disappointed that she would deliberately lie to the press in the name of art.”

Coming from the school with the motto Lux et Veritas. Nice.

Here's what I wrote Ms. Klasky last night:

Disgusting. Regardless of what this young head case claims, how can you not think she "violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental...health concerns"? And it looks like she's betrayed you, too, because the Yale Daily News is now reporting :

Shvarts '08 disputes Yale's claim
But Shvarts stood by her project, calling the University’s statement “ultimately inaccurate.”

So she lied to the paper to advance her project and/or she lied to "three senior Yale officials today — including two deans" about the nature of her project?

I presume the reporter took notes or recorded the conversation, and the administrators are prepared to testify as to what she told them?

I thought Yale had a policy against academic fraud?

Oh, yeah: here it is.

So when do the expulsion hearings begin?

Or do you consider academic fraud "expressing herself in performance art" and a "right," too?

Lux et Veritas,

David Codrea

You might ask what all this has to do with a gun rights blog. Aside from the fact that this is my journal and it exists to express my opinions and serve my interests, there is, in fact, a tie-in.

We just observed the first anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre. We know the only thing that can possibly lessen the carnage is for people under attack to be able to defend themselves. And yet we see that idea is still resisted and ridiculed by the prominent voices of influence in academia, government and media.

Whether their self-delusion permits them to admit it or not, their obstinate refusal to consider the armed citizen option makes them anti-life, even though they have succeeded in presenting themselves as exactly the opposite.

Bottom line: administrators and educators promulgate an anti-life attitude under the guise of liberalism, but it is truly a reflection of moral relativism and repression, and their refusal to admit there is right and wrong. We see it still in the wretchedly amoral apologetics of Ms. Klasky, who presents herself as a defender of artistic expression, all the while enabling lies, enabling craziness, enabling evil.

Such environments aren't just targets for future attacks, they're incubators for them.

And, of course, when the weaker-minded among their charges finally snap from all the confusion, the neo-Marxist philosopher kings who guarantee moral bedlam will once again sound the mantra calling for less freedom and more helplessness.

Because they don't trust you.

Gray Lady Down

The New York Times Company, the parent of The New York Times, posted a $335,000 loss in the first quarter — one of the worst periods the company and the newspaper industry have seen — falling far short of both analysts’ expectations and its $23.9 million profit in the quarter a year earlier.

Yes, the old "Authorized Journalist" media must adapt to the online age and the competition from alternative outlets that give people information and opinion previously barred by the gatekeepers. And the economy-stifling socialist policies The Times endorses don't help stimulate revenues either.

But ultimately, it's about delivering information, and the perception and reality of bias eroding trust and driving people away can't be ignored. Not if they want to survive.

We just saw an attempt at fair play, as lopsided as it may have been, but at least "our" message--mine and the overwhelmingly supportive comment posters'--was given a forum to reach a much broader audience.

That was a start. But it was just their blog. The paper itself, what the guy on the street will see, or a casual visitor to their main website, remains out of our reach.

Many of you had some pretty positive and enthusiastic things to say about Wednesday's Virgina Tech panel posts. Telling me is appreciated, but how many of you have since contacted The Times and let them know you liked it, and that you'd read them more often if they presented more opportunities for RKBA advocates to tell our side of the story?

It's basic supply-and-demand. Let them know there's a demand.

We're the Only Ones "Best Little Whorehouse in Custer" Enough

An Oklahoma sheriff resigned after an investigation reveals he was running a sex-slave operation from his jail, police said.

Michael Burgess surrendered to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents and posted bond Wednesday night, hours after he resigned as Custer County sheriff amid 35 felony charges, including accusations of forcible oral sodomy, kidnapping, rape and perjury. Investigators said at one point Burgess oversaw wet T-shirt contests at the Custer County Jail.

"Only Ones" and bondage. Now there's a set-up that's sure to produce some interesting dynamics.

[Via Anonymous and Shermlock Shomes, Investigator]

McClintock Kicks A...uh...Ose

In his opening statement, McClintock set the tone for the evening by making it clear that this primary race is a battle between two factions in the Republican Party—the traditional conservatives and the moderates. He explained that he believes our country has seriously moved off course...

McClintock then went right to Ose’s voting record...and asked Ose why he had signed a fundraising letter for the Republican Main Street Partnership, an organization that is committed to electing moderate Republicans. Columnist Michelle Malkin has uncovered that liberal millionaire George Soros actually donated money to this cause...

The questions included...whether the support the 2nd Amendment (McClintock has an A+ rating from the CA Gun Owners, Ose has an F)...

California gun owners, you made one of the gravest political mistakes possible by not wholeheartedly supporting Tom McClintock in the governor's race.

You have a chance to make partial amends for that, but you need to personally get involved. You need to tell your friends and put the squeeze on them to join you. And you need to do it now.

Or will you do nothing, and let a bunch of moderate oseholes win again?

This Day in History: April 18

Paul Revere of Boston, in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England; of Lawfull Age, doth testify and say, that I was sent for by Docr Joseph Warren, of said Boston, on the evening of the 18th of April, about 10 oClock; when he desired me "to go to Lexington, and inform Mr Samual Adams, and the Honle John Hancock Esqr that there was a number of Soldiers, composed of Light troops, & Grenadiers, marching to the bottom of the Common, where was a number of Boats to receive them...

"Evil Is"

[The thought occurs that the project could just be an elaborate lie to elicit social outrage--if that's the case, I hardly feel bad for giving someone the benefit of the doubt that they're not a liar until proven otherwise. Although with the "person" described herein, anything is possible.]

LATEST UPDATE: It may NOT be a lie after all!!!

But Shvarts stood by her project, calling the University’s statement “ultimately inaccurate.”

My head hurts. That happens when you deal with serial liars and a web of lies. This is bizarre, and this creature is a head case, so don't expect anything that, ultimately, isn't crazy.

I thought universities could expel students for academic fraud ...?
-------------------------

UPDATE: It is a lie. But it's still the act of an evil and demented person, so the fact that she is a liar should not surprise us. And it looks like she managed to make The Yale Daily News pay a credibility price for her irresponsible manipulation of their reporter and editor. Thanks to "Cranky" in "Comments," below.

Statement by Helaine S. Klasky — Yale University, Spokesperson
New Haven, Conn. — April 17, 2008

Ms. Shvarts is engaged in performance art. Her art project includes visual representations, a press release and other narrative materials. She stated to three senior Yale University officials today, including two deans, that she did not impregnate herself and that she did not induce any miscarriages. The entire project is an art piece, a creative fiction designed to draw attention to the ambiguity surrounding form and function of a woman’s body.

She is an artist and has the right to express herself through performance art.
Had these acts been real, they would have violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental and physical health concerns.

Ms. Klasky, that is hardly the statement of condemnation one would expect from someone who is not a moral relativist. Women have had abortions and suffered tremendous emotional pain as a result. Others have suffered miscarriages or stillbirths. And others are heartbroken that they can never have a child.

How can you not think she "violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental...health concerns"? This was just plain wrong, and that you don't condemn it speaks volumes about the type of creatures "educating" society's elites.

My original post follows.

"Evil is."

That's a line spoken by Kirk Douglas' character in the classic murder mystery film "The List of Adrian Messenger."

Well he was right. Evil is. And it attends Yale.

Art major Aliza Shvarts '08 wants to make a statement.

Beginning next Tuesday, Shvarts will be displaying her senior art project, a documentation of a nine-month process during which she artificially inseminated herself "as often as possible" while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process.

What an abomination this twisted, self-absorbed creature Shvarts is. Ditto for "art major Juan Castillo," advisor Pia Lindman, who "could not be reached for comment," all "donors" involved, and the administration at Yale that will host this obscenity at Green Hall, ironically on Chapel Street.

One other thing:

[L]ined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Schvarts'self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.

One could make the argument that the exhibit legally should be classified as hazardous medical waste, and without proper handling, storage and spill clean-up/disposal procedures, with training for affected staff and employees, it poses a danger to the public and to all involved.

I wonder if Yale's risk management department was consulted?

I know, none of this is gun-related, but these are the "liberal elites," and I was feeling kind of artistic this afternoon. And that's a statement I want to make.

I also want to note that this statement has nothing to do with the "safe and legal" abortion argument. I am personally morally against abortions but that is not the issue I feel called to marshal my energies behind--RKBA is.

UPDATE: I just sent the following email to the Yale risk management office, the president, and the president's office student affairs contact.

Art Exhibit at Green Hall
From: David Codrea
To: marjorie.lemmon@yale.edu
Cc: presidents.office@yale.edu; nina.glickson@yale.edu

I see your "art" department is giving an exhibit:

[L]ined between layers of the sheeting will be the blood from Schvarts' self-induced miscarriages mixed with Vaseline in order to prevent the blood from drying and to extend the blood throughout the plastic sheeting.

As I note here:

One could make the argument that the exhibit legally should be classified as hazardous medical waste, and without proper handling, storage and spill clean-up/disposal procedures, with training for affected staff and employees, it poses a danger to the public and to all involved.

Your own web pages state:

Please keep us informed of the activities your group is considering so we can work together to minimize the risk.

and:

The Risk Management Department at Yale will provide integrated management of financial and traditional risk, including the identification, evaluation, and measurement of the impact to Yale, and the selection and maintenance of various solutions to mitigate risk. There are many departments at Yale involved with risk exposures and safety, but developing a coordinated response is the responsibility of Risk Management.

and:

Biological Safety is responsible for the control of health hazards related to biological agents within the University community. Programs implementing University policy have been established to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and meet regulatory requirements that are required by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Biological safety programs have been established to provide a central registry of potentially hazardous microbial agents, animals and other hazardous biologicals, oversight of recombinant DNA activities, surveillance and certification of biological safety cabinets and laminar flow benches and to control exposures to bloodborne pathogens.

So, Marjorie--for the record--has this event been approved by your office, and have all appropriate regulatory conditions been documented as compliant? Is your insurance carrier OK with it? How about the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection? EPA? OSHA?

Would you like to ask them, or do you want me to?*

I'll be posting this on my website, along with your response or lack of one.

Artistically yours and Lux et Veritas,

David Codrea

* I actually won't report anyone to any government agency, but have no control over anyone else calling this to their attention.

The 11th Commandment?

Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill into law on Tuesday that will allow Florida residents to keep guns locked in their cars at work.

Clay tells us how he feels about that. We've had that discussion here before. Suffice it to say, I agree that more of a focus should be placed on schools.

If that's not a typo in his title, and if I were a lobbyist, I'd be thinking seriously about the approach I wanted to use there...

We're the Only Ones Thieving and Corrupt Enough

Former Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Sharpe James and co-defendant Tamika Riley were found guilty Wednesday of charges related to property fraud...

...James...hijacked a program designed to encourage urban renewal by offering developers land at low costs, and approved the sale of city-owned properties to Riley, 39, then his girlfriend, at a fraction of their actual value...

Riley alone was additionally found guilty of tax fraud and evasion...

In a separate case, James is accused of charging nearly $60,000 on city-issued credit cards between 2001 and 2006 for vacations for himself and several women other than his wife...

And this is the type of "Only One" thug citizens allow to infringe on their unalienable rights? These are the outright criminals who would use the force of the state to disarm you and me?

I'd like to see the gun manufacturers turn around and sue him.

And of course, the irony is, I'm sure there is no shortage of constituents who would vote for him again.

Say "Ahhh"

The government plans to begin collecting DNA samples from anyone arrested by a federal law enforcement agency — a move intended to prevent violent crime but which also is raising concerns about the privacy of innocent people.

Yet more Liberty enhancements from "The Vote Freedom First President."

Gee, if a republican will do this to us, just imagine what the democrats will do when they take over. Perhaps the frog will jump?

McCain'd never do this to us...would he?

And remember: "They hate us because we're free."

That's "Herd-ers," Not "Herd"

Aid has failed to end gun trade among herders

Why would anybody in Africa need a gun?

The Gun Owners' Pals

“Sen. Obama will be a strong voice an unabashed voice for America's hunters and shooters and it is with great pleasure that we endorse his candidacy,” President of the Association Ray Schoenke said, citing Obama’s commitment to the traditions of gun ownership.

Yeah, the moles at AHSA are a "gun group" alright. And ain't nobody our friend like Thulsa.

Check out this outstanding bit of nonsensical weasel-wording and misdirection:

“I’m not sure I think in talking with the campaign that Senator Obama has not taken a position on the DC gun ban case,” but said that they were conformable enough with his position that he supports individual rights under the 2nd amendments to endorse him.

Good grief, Ray, did you wake up one morning and say to yourself "I want to be a worm-tongued putz," or is this something you've been working on for a lifetime?

To WarOnGuns readers, I hope you don't just keep stuff like this to yourself. I hope you warn other gun owners about this Fifth Column in the gun rights movement. I hope if their representatives show up at ranges or gun shows to recruit (do they do that, or even have any "regular" members who aren't part of their subversive little cabal?) that you have the facts (you clicked on the "AHSA" link, right?) to expose them for what they are to any who will listen.

Wal-Mart Business Must Be Good Enough

I talked about doing this the other day. Here's what I mailed the head of Wal-Mart. I recommend you do the same, as real letters make much more of an impression than emails.
-------------

15 April 2008

Lee Scott
Wal-Mart President & CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

Subject: Wal-Mart Taping/Logging Gun sales

Dear Mr. Scott,

This is an incredibly short-sighted move on your part that will alienate many gun owners who have been regular customers. I guess you know your business better than I do. But I know my business better than you, and I guess that means my business won’t be with Wal-Mart.

I don’t get it---why go out of your way to alienate heartland America, your core customer base?

Don’t bother with a weasel-word response. The only thing I’m interested in hearing from you is that you’ve retracted this obnoxious policy and reprimanded the dolt who authorized it. Until then, I’m doing my part to alert other gun owners about this needless betrayal.

I guess business is good enough to where you won’t miss those of us this has pissed off?

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

David Codrea
[ADDRESS]

We're the Only Ones Fortunate Enough

"The officer was fortunate that he was able to defend himself," the chief said. "This officer had a secondary weapon that very likely could have saved his life."

And if he hadn't been an "Only One," he wouldn't have been so "fortunate," would he?

I'm just wondering when that's finally going to sink in with Wayne. Possibly because there are so few voices calling him on his inexcusable endorsement of "gun free school zones" he doesn't feel enough pressure. And that's probably because, with the way things are, calling to repeal localized bans will only scare "normal" people, so it's not pragmatic to even talk about it.

[Via Andre]

"Untouchable"

We are approaching the 15th anniversary of the Waco massacre in a few days. I guess that's why I started thinking about Kevin Costner's snappy hat.

How can you not get into writing like that?

Mindful Musings presents the latest offering from Mike Vanderboegh. It is as fine and important a summary on the pathogen that is BATFU as I have ever read.

An Important Message from Jay Wallace

I need all the help I can get. The $$$ have gone through the roof. I don't have other dealers to split the cost with any longer. I have run my business as honest as I know how. I follow all ATF laws to the T. I can and will win this case. I know this issue is bigger than my store. It's important to the industry and freedom as we know it to continue the fight. Please continue to pass the word.

We're quick to complain about dealers for "selling out," but when someone takes a stand, we leave them on their own. Does that seem right?

Jay says "The next 3 Months are projected to cost another $400,000.00 in legal fees and costs." No one can bear that alone.

Please go here and do what you can to spread the word and send a bit of financial assistance their way.

Lying Their Way to Tyranny

I guess "taking a stand lying down" beats "taking a **** standing up," but I'm wondering if what this harridan is doing to the little boy couldn't be considered a form of child abuse.

This Day in History: April 17

On April 17, 1778, a raiding party out of Philadelphia made a surprise attack on Bristol and captured a number of American officers and men, given in various sources as between 40 and 65. They also took five civilians who lived in town.

And So it Begins

I'm going to focus the rest of my blogging today on updates for The New York Times' Virginia Tech panel.

There is a new addition to the list: Dr. Richard Kadison, chief of mental health services for Harvard's health services.

It appears mine was the first panelist submission, so I've linked to it below, under John O'Neil's introduction. The basic ground rules are keep each post around or under 300 words. I will continue to add links to this post as they appear, so check back in if you want to keep informed on this.

Master Link to Panel Page (All Posts)

Virginia Tech: After the Shootings
by John O'Neil

Guns on Campus: Could They Prevent a Repeat?
By David Codrea

Better Prepared, but Safer?
By Richard Canas

Changes at Many Levels
By Ada Meloy

Remembrance and Protest
By Rev. Alexander W. Evans

The View From the ‘Lie-In’
By Josh Horwitz

No More ‘Easy’ Guns
By Rev. Alexander W. Evans

Changed Law, Unchanged Danger
By David Codrea

What Campus Police Think
By Ada Meloy

Sharing the Worries When a Student Is Troubled
By Richard Kadison

Rethinking the Role of Campus Police
By Richard Canas

Guns No Deterrent to the Suicidal
By Josh Horwitz

Arguing for Gun Choice
By David Codrea

Creating More Routes for Help
By Richard Kadison

UPDATE: We're done. I emailed Mr. O'Neil and asked if comments were closed for good and will advise when he replies--it may be tomorrow 'til he does.

Thank you all for your kind support here, and especially to those of you who provided the best, most intelligent backup I could hope for. I knew going in I'd be surrounded on the panel by people conditioned and incapable of grokking our views, and also that I would not be able to catch every chair and bottle thrown in the melee. You articulated our "side" with thoughtfulness and composure, and I'm sure gave their readers much to mull on. And based on the near absence of contrary comments, I'd say that despite my being outnumbered, you kept the hordes at bay.

If they do this again, it will no doubt be due in large part to the way you handled things.