Getting a Reputation

The con case is, well, everything from the aforementioned eye to encouraging more of a gun obsession than the Nerf guns have already inspired. Plus we don't want to get a reputation as the "gun family" in the neighborhood when all his buddies start asking their own parents for one.

Yeah--we'd rather have the reputation of being a bunch of leftard GFWs.

When my youngest was around 7, one of the kids on his ball team was just about the wimpiest boy I'd ever encountered. My son invited him to a movie, but the kid started crying because he was afraid of--not what was on the screen--but the entire experience, including being in the dark. So I had to take him home and miss the show myself while my wife stayed with the other kids--there went two tickets plus the exorbitantly priced drink and candy I'd treated him to. When I got him home, his dad was laying around and when I told him why I was returning the kid early, he said he was aware the boy was scared of movies.

I figured I could either burn his ears off demanding to know why the hell he let me go through the expense and the effort, including paying for missing the experience when he knew this. I was so steamed I knew if I got started it would not be pretty, so I stifled my impulses in the interest of harmony at future games--after all, it was for the kids' benefit, not the parents.

A week later this guy shows up (late) at practice wearing an HCI T-shirt. Suddenly all the pieces fell into place.

That poor kid never had a chance.

We're the Only Ones Ready for Action Enough

Top cop gives gun to prostitute Pamela

When Leading Senior Constable Steven Owen arrived at the Harem brothel in South Melbourne, he was on duty, in uniform, armed - and ready for action.

Blew that one, didn't you, buddy? I mean, Pamela. Oh, that's mean, you were mostly just talking, right?

I just wonder how, on a cop's salary, he could afford to go through "$16,000 in three months on dozens of five- and six-hour sessions" when he was the "single parent of three children."

What I don't get is the big deal about his "still trying to function normally" as an "Only One."

Isn't that what he was doing?

The "Who'll Be the Bigger Oath-Breaker?" Test

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun control coalition is asking Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain to answer a questionnaire about their positions on gun issues.

I don't get it--they dropped this bomb last Pearl Harbor Day. Anybody know if there's a new survey, or if Newsday is just a bit behind on the news of the day...?

I'd think by now we'd be able to see their answers.

Bob Barr's (Incomplete) Gun Record

Yes, George Dance addresses Lautenberg, but totally avoids Bob Barr's refusal to repudiate it and apologize.

Without that repudiation and apology, GOA isn't doing their reputation for "no compromise" any favors. It's evident they're jumping through hoops to redirect the argument to what he's done that they like. But Barr's and the LP's nonresponsiveness can only mean he's unrepentant (more like unwilling to take political heat). That GOA doesn't demand a retraction before jumping in to help the guy makes their "F-" rating for John McCain look more than a bit disingenuous.

And I think I've made my views on McCain pretty clear.

I Thought That's What Everybody Was Doing

The question now becomes "What the...?"

Oh. I should have figured it was Straightarrow's fault.

Why So Silent, Brady Campaign?

Conservatives don't have friends and I don't consider them to qualify for personhood.

Seriously...

And consider me more highly motivated than ever to put the last gun in the crusher where they all belong.

Advocating total disarmament and spreading the public message that individuals belonging to a group you hate are subhuman with the intent of effecting social change against them. And if they're not persons, they have no say. Where have we seen that before?

So why are the Brady's not decrying this genocide-enabling end product of that slippery slope they say doesn't exist? Why do they "cater" to it instead? They should come down from their guard tower and explain themselves.

Hey, if they can pin responsibility for Mike Vanderboegh on the NRA...

Why Mike Vanderboegh is Right

I'm surprised I didn't notice this before--it's a very well-written defense.

Yesterday's offering reinforced a growing sense of how profound and true so much of what Mike writes is, and how shallow, poorly thought out and just plain childish so much of the criticism is.

A McFate Worse than...Well, Not Really

Ceasefire PA finally booted Mary from their roster.

Still no word on Alex.

This Day in History: August 7

On August 7, the sloop Commerce, commanded by Capt. Clement Lempriere, headed to St. Augustine to capture the gunpowder and military stores on the island. He learned that the HMS Betsy, commanded by Capt. Alvara Lofthouse, was sailing to St. Augustine and contained a huge supply of gunpowder. The Commerce spotted the Betsy and pulled alongside it. The armed crew jumped on board the Betsy and quickly captured the sleeping crew. They were able to unload about 17,000 lbs. of gunpowder when the Commerce was spotted by the HMS St. John, coming out of the harbor. The Commerce departed the area and escaped with their stolen powder. Conclusion: American Victory

So Much for the Disadvantage of Being Honest

The NRA should come out of their bunker and explain themselves.

Huh? I thought Bryan Miller said the truth was on his side.

Why are you associating Mike Vanderboegh's opinions with NRA? The folks who champion their legislative approach have been Mike's most vehement critics in the gun blogosphere.

So what's with lying to the world that this somehow has NRA sanction?

[Via 45superman]

About Last Night...

You can listen to the show here.

I was pleased with the outcome. Caleb and Bonnie indeed moderated with personal feelings in check, although I note the characterization of "extreme" isn't exactly neutral. Mike Vanderboegh stated his case reasonably and authoritatively. And Kurt and Sebastian presented and defended their arguments clearly and without acrimony.

I do take exception with some of the conclusions, but now is not the time or place to start swinging again. I see a lot of value in the call-in venue for debating differences with more civility than we typically see in the "comments" fusillades.

We're the Only Ones Doing Our Duty Enough

What kind of world would it be if we didn't have police officers," Kluge said. "Joe was doing his duty."

No non sequitur there. Besides, haven't we already established that "Only Ones" get a pass on shooting mothers holding babies?

[Via Mark G]

Stalking Menace Terrorizes NY Only Ones!!!

"We can have him arrested for menacing or stalking," Huntley said of Jimmy, signaling a possible new confrontation in the streets. "For too long, we've been abused by the public and the media. We're not going to be a punching bag anymore in New York City."

Yeah, and if he resists, you can kill him! Imagine, having the nerve to document "Only Ones" breaking the law! And the gall of his doing it assertively! Who does this...this uppity civilian think he is?

So you're admitting to being part of a criminal conspiracy to deprive a citizen of his human rights under color of authority? And you're counting on Liberty Lynchin' Patrick of "lift a finger and die" notoriety to be provide the strong-arm enforcement?

[Via Brian F]

Two Questions

Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to allow a vote next month on a bill that would end local handgun control in the District, making it easier for D.C. residents to acquire pistols, including semiautomatics, while eliminating the strict handgun-storage requirements imposed by the city.

Sounds good. Why would they do that?

Norton said in a statement that those Democrats "hope to relieve election year pressure by getting a Democratic-backed bill to the floor, out of fear that the [National Rifle Association] will run hometown ads against their reelection."

Ah, OK--two questions: Any chance this will derail Heller II? Should we maybe be having this discussion in a very open way so that we're all on board with the costs and benefits of doing things legislatively vs. judicially?

[Via Jeffersonian]

We're the Only Ones With the Power of Life and Death Enough

You see professor, police are special, very much so; they have conferred upon them an awesome, and totally unique responsibility, by the public that they serve, and that is the power to take a life!

And we're the "Only Ones" who can!

I wonder what this letter sounds like in the original German...?

[Via DJK]

Meanwhile, Over at Larry Hincker Paradise

Virginia Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said he is not aware of any discussions university officials have had involving changes to campus security after an employee shot himself in Tech's Cassell Coliseum last weekend...

"I'm not sure what you can do," Hincker said.

Of course you are, Larry. You're just not honest enough to admit it.

Why do you still have a job, anyway?

[Via Tom James]

Quote of the Year

"In the battle of ideas with the gun lobby, we're at a constant disadvantage because we're honest."

Thanks, Bryan Miller. I needed a good laugh.

But seriously, folks, if it turns out to be true that NRA paid her to spy--and I'm not convinced it is, and I'm further not convinced it wouldn't be justified under my any chair in a bar fight rules of engagement--it becomes legitimate to ask and debate what hurts our public image more: "Extreme activism" letters to the editor, or "pragmatic" tactics like this?

[Via HZ]

Blackhawk Up

Hundreds of law enforcement officers using a Blackhawk helicopter fanned across South Florida today to hunt for the gunman accused of killing a customs agent in broad daylight during an argument in a post office parking lot.

Not to minimize the very real agony and loss surviving family is feeling, but do you think such resources would be employed for one of us?

[Via Avg Joe]

Vanderboegh: Birmingham

Race and Armed Defense of Individual Liberty and the Republic

What are you still doing hanging around here? Go. Read.

We're the Only Ones Banging Around Enough

Gun fired...it went off...it fired...

I sure hope that "Only One" standard incident review gets these dangerous self-activating guns off the streets!

[Via John K]