But in Ourselves...

It is what it is. The spawn of the Chicago political machine has won, bringing with him all that implies.

"But in Ourselves..." is my post-election commentary for today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

Pfollowing Pfleger

I just wanted to insert a pointer here. Those of you who check WarOnGuns in the morning may not have seen this post from yesterday afternoon.

Snuffy is at it again.

This was my suggestion:


Some want to ramp it up further and start playing hard ball.

UPDATE:


Y'know, I really wouldn't mind some company...and while you're at it, why not go for two...?



UPDATE: Thirdpower also covered this.

UnALIENable Rights

The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the National Rifle Association, today filed a lawsuit in federal court against the State of Washington, seeking to overturn a state law that discriminates against legal resident aliens who own firearms by violating their Second Amendment rights under the equal protections affirmed by the 14th Amendment.

Good for them. If we believe rights depends on club membership, we lose the argument that they are unalienable, inherent to the condition of being human, and predate, and thus do not emanate from, government.

And, ah, look:

The Second Amendment Foundation of Bellevue, Washington, is joining with NRA in filing the suit.

I'm glad it looks like we finally got the matter of proper credit straightened out.

A Damaged Mood

There is one work of "art" on display, however, that I think has had its run and should seek other pastures—pastures far, far away. And that piece of work is the 30-foot-tall, man-killing Kalishnakov and M-16 rifle sculptures that sit so visibly alongside the highway between Ketchum and Hailey. That "work of art" represents one of the worst aspects of mankind (the tendency to slaughter each other) and to have it staring you in the face every time you drive up or down the valley is a real pain, and never fails to damage my mood.

Guess what, David Groverman? Whether or not you're in the mood isn't a factor.

Avg Joe is gonna love this story--a California "liberal" demanding that Idaho norms not offend his delicate sensibilities.

He Didn't Have a Chance?

Two gunmen entered Bullseye Indoor Pistol Range, 1012 10th Street E., with their faces covered in bandanas before overpowering the man at about 5:30 p.m...

“He didn’t have a chance to arm himself,” said Tom Santoro, owner of Bullseye...

He didn't have a chance?

You mean he wasn't already...?

If that's true, do you think maybe they noticed that when they showed up earlier to case the joint?

The Right to Infringe

A northwestern Iowa father and son have filed a federal lawsuit challenging an Iowa law that gives local authorities the power to decide who will be issued permits to carry a weapon.

Sheriff Douglas Weber, what the hell is wrong with you? Forget as an official, as a man...?

Here's the essence of this story, at least for me:

Kaardal said the lawsuit is not seeking to eliminate the state's right to regulate guns...

Perhaps, if the suit is successful, we can consider the ruling an incremental victory. Just understand that unless this country swings radically toward embracing unalienable rights, no lawsuit and no legislative act is ever going to change the reality of infringements.

Ever.

Let the Gloating Begin

Election Night Results So Far: Common Sense On Guns Confirmed

It's gonna get worse before it gets better. And it will get louder and more raucous, more in-your-face and bolder. We'll see the statists show even less grace in victory than they do in defeat. That's what spiritually ugly people do.

I do wonder though, how many of our "leaders" will hold to the conviction that our hope for change is exclusively the province of majority rule, or if rallying cries for resistance will emanate from more polite quarters than, say, here...?

Or are we going to continue down the path of caving on principle, disparaging those who won't, and surrendering to the perceived least offensive compromiser...?

Seems to me, now is the time to send the GOP a message, loud and clear: This is what happens when you abandon core principles. If you intend to regain center stage, you're going to need to actually become leaders in liberty.

That is, if you believe it's not too late, or if there's any chance such a message will get through and be taken to heart.

There is one unintended consequence to all this: Look for fear to become a potent tool for increasing "gun lobby" membership rolls. Thing is, we need to ask ourselves how much of that leadership deserves the windfall, and if it'll do anything besides solidify some cushy gigs.

It Would Seem Beggars Can be Choosers

A North Dakota program that distributes venison to the needy will accept only deer killed with arrows, fearing that firearm-shot meat may contain lead fragments.

Then the hell with the ingrates.

Let all those "sportsmen" for Obama do the provisioning (maybe AHSA can bring in all its ground troops), keeping in mind that when they speak of spreading the wealth, they generally mean yours, not their personally.

[Via Stephen Q]

A Silver Lining?

Because in truth the Republicans under John "I support the bailout" McCain would scarcely have done much better. The economic global meltdown is only just starting to roll: if you think the sub-prime mortgage crisis was the biggie, just wait until you see the fallout from the fun and frolics of the impending mess in other areas, such as debt swaps. This is all going to get worse, a lot worse, and Obama is going to do absolutely everything to dig the holes deeper.

True enough.

He's optimistic when he speaks of rebirth.

In the physical world, births are bloody and painful, with the time up and only one way out.

[Via Peter G]

Logan's Runs

Considering the Second Amendment was created when prominent politicians Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr found it appropriate to duel to the death, reassessing the rights to gun ownership seems plausible.

Ask 'em if they ran into Doug and Tony.

Yeah, that and guns scare him. Still,"We can still have respect for the Second Amendment, but we should treat guns more as a privilege to reputable citizens, instead of a right to all."

That's some respect.

Rapex testimonial candidate and "Authorized Journalist" Logan Short soils his shorts.

This Day in History: November 5

As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope -- He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at this Juncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Circumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offering the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada.

Snuffy Violates IRS Code--Again

Abuses Church's Non-Profit Tax Status by Injecting St. Sabina in Political Campaigns

We and others have pointed this out about Snuffy before. Many times. No one with the ability to do anything about it, especially Americans United Against Non-Marxist Church/State Partnerships, the Chicago Archdiocese or the IRS cared.

This time, his demonstrable activities go beyond dedicating a "substantial part of...activities...carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation." He's also involved his church in direct campaigning against specific candidates.

Per IRS IRS Publication 557, Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization:
With this in mind, here's what he's been getting away with. With in-your-face defiance. I took these screen shots in case the links "disappear."

From four years ago:

Note he was careful not to actually come out and endorse anyone or flat out say don't vote for anyone. Wink-wink.

And now for this election:


I had to shrink the page to fit it here, and it's difficult to read. Let's take a closer look:


Note the key language he inserted this time that he did not on prior occasions:

If you want to keep guns off our streets don't vote for them!

Red-handed, Snuffy. Red-snuffing-handed.

This is not about whether or not we agree with the IRS code. What it's about is making sure we are all equal under the law. If Snuffy can do this and suffer no consequences, then a conservative church ought to be able to do so as well, and campaign against anti-gunners.

Thanks to 45Superman at Armed and Safe for calling this latest law-breaking to my attention--I believe he'll have some comments of his own on this, and I'll provide a link when he does. [UPDATE: Here it is.]

Feel fee to share this information. Not that I have hopes anything will come of it.

UPDATE: Feel free to join me.

UPDATE: It's in the Cardinal's hands...

A 'Well Crafted Ordinance'

If the principles and law resulting in the Haynes decision are applicable (and why wouldn't they be?), there is one group of people who would be legally immune to the ordinance-- criminals.

"A Well Crafted Ordinance" is today's Gun Rights Examiner column.

We're the Only Ones Poking Enough

A Pasay City policeman is now being tracked down for allegedly poking his firearm at an employee of the United States embassy Monday evening.

"Only One" or not, I don't think the real Pokey-Poke is gonna be too happy with some "slant-eyed g--k" horning in on his act, pal.

We're the Only Ones Cutting Your Studies Short Enough

Police shoot student dead, then say gun went off...

The policemen, who fled immediately after the killing, claimed it was a case of mistaken identity...

Kuldeep’s distraught brother...said his brother was shot at point-blank range without provocation.

“They just stopped us and opened fire. We didn't even know who they were and why they fired at us,” he said.

Oh, look: They'd been drinking.

I say put 'em on a plane, now, without delay. I know a place that could use a few good "Only Ones."

Put the Blaster Down and Step Away from the Princess

Police search Hutt for man with gun

Sorry.

When Does a "Crime" Become a "Glitch"?

When "Only Ones" and "Authorized Journalists" present it that way.

Duh.

Aiming at the Wrong Target

A gun shop is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a survivor of the 2007 Trolley Square shootings.

If anybody shares a degree of responsibility with the perpetrator, I'd say it was these guys...

Fool Me Once...

An intended rape victim shot and killed her attacker this morning in Cape Girardeau when he broke into her home to rape her a second time, police said.

What an idiot!

Doesn't she realize he could have taken it away and used it against her? And that the advised thing to do is just give them what they want?

Besides, there are safer courses of action. And don't forget the proven deterrent value of STDs, vomit and rat tail combs...

When will people learn?

[Via Joe G, who notes "the irony of the perpetrator's last name"]

We're the Only Ones Party Planning Enough

Looks like Chicago Police are preparing for an interesting night. This is a good insight into what they're going through and the preparations they're taking--especially the tips from old timers who've been through similar drills in the past.

What stands out for me, though, are the comments, many of which reflect an "us vs them" sense of hostility and entitlement better than any "Only Ones" crack I could ever come up with. A recurring theme seems to be We don't have a contract, so screw 'em, just take care of yourself.

That certainly makes anyone expressing such sentiments a parasite and a thief in my book. Y'all are still accepting paychecks and benefits, right? And you applied for the job, and stayed there after you knew the score?

Of all the bitter screeds, one stood out from the rest, the anonymous comment from 10/31/2008 10:18:00 AM in response to another poster asking "What about us citizens? I'm guessing we're on our own, correct?":

WHAT, SUDDENLY YOU NEED US??? SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT EVERY TIME YOU GLARE AT A COP FOR PARKING ON A HYDRANT, OR FOR YOUR TERRIBLE ATTITUDE WHILE YOU GET A DESERVED TICKET, OR FOR YOU OVERALL 'YOU WORK FOR ME' ATTITUDE, OR YOUR 'IT SAYS NO PARKING BUT IT'S JUST FOR A MINUTE, I'M SO IMPORTANT!" SCHTICK. GUESS WHAT? MANY OF YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN THE HARD WAY THAT MAYBE IT PAYS TO TREAT US WITH RESPECT.... BECAUSE THE FREE COFFEE, THE FREE PARKING, AND THE PERKS BALANCE OUT THE FEW NIGHTS OF HELL THAT YOU FOLKS CANNOT DEAL WITH YOURSELVES. YES, WE WORK FOR YOU, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE BOSS. NOW IT'S RECKONING DAY. WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN OUT OF A SENSE OF DUTY, BUT YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN FOR THE MOST PART. WE HAVE BEEN SHORT FOR SEVERAL YEARS WITH NO PUBLIC OUTCRY. IF YOU THINK I'M STICKING MY NECK OUT FOR YOU FOLKS, YOU ARE SADLY MISTAKEN. HAVE A NICE DAY.

No, the only thing I need "suddenly" from you is to get the hell away from me. I'm equipped to handle the situation AND THE LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS from repelling any assailant save one--one of you self-entitled roid-raging ingrates who hate the people filling your trough and facilitate their being unable to protect themselves.

I saw hell open up in the LA riots, and guess what, genius? Y'all were nowhere to be found in the hot spots--for days. That's why some, like the Korean shop owners, stood guard on their rooftops. We saw it in New Orleans, where no small portion abandoned their posts to take care of their families, where others with that entitlement attitude joined in the looting, and where the ones who hadn't were busy disarming citizens so they couldn't protect their lives and property.

You can take your free coffee and choke on it, you worthless parasite thug.

Treat YOU with respect? What, like the same respect you just showed the citizens?

Respect is reserved for individuals who earn it. Tribal membership doesn't cut it, particularly when it sounds like we're dealing with an inadequate sociopath who actually thinks a costume brings him worth.

No, you don't "work for me." You work against me.

And more and more people are waking up to the fact that you work against them, thanks to crap attitudes like the one you just displayed.

[Via Matt Maynard]