The Big Ten Conference

10 States Debating Guns on Campus [More] 

Interesting summary with graphics...

I'm Not a Real "Authorized Journalist," But I Play One On TV.

And that mean old Charlie Rose treated her like...like an actress! [Read]

Thank You...

...to those of you who sent me kind condolences following the passing of my father.

This Day in History: June 25

On friday last the enemy moved from Elizabeth Town point to Springfield in considerable force, supposed about five thousand. The bridge at Springfield was pretty obstinately defended by Colonel Angel's regiment nor was it gained by the enemy till near a contest of forty minutes. This Regt. had about 40 killed and wounded. Our whole loss during the day does not rise much higher but from all the accounts which we have been yet able to collect, the enemy's has been very superior. [More]

Quick Status Update

Thank you for the many offers of condolences. I probably won't get around to doing any more writing today than this post--there is much to do and I just need to take a bit of time off. The toughest part was being the one to tell my mother--Dad passed away early in the morning, and I had things set up with the nursing home so that I would be the one to get the call.  Sometimes, all you can do is hold someone.

It figures Gunwalker would go stratospheric right now, and I've had to beg off several radio interview requests--I still plan on being on Armed American Radio Sunday night as it's on late enough that it shouldn't interfere with family obligations.

Also, James Towle tells me our voting efforts paid off and they won two Telly Awards. Thank you to those of you who supported this--it's very important to help programs like this grow

I was pleased to see NRA will score the contempt vote, and updated my piece calling for it. I do my share of letting them know when I disagree with them, so it's only fair to acknowledge them for doing the right thing.

One other thing, and then I need to go:  Watch this from Rachel Maddow, blaming Mike Vanderboegh's "conspiracy" for Congress investigating Eric Holder. That's their total argument, total juvenile smirking and ad hominem, which is about what we'd expect, but it does show how desperate they are, and it really doesn't matter because the only ones who will swallow it are impervious to the truth anyway. Here's the way to deal with those who would dismiss this with ridicule: Make it about them saying the whistleblowers are liars.  Because that's what you'd have to believe.

Please continue to hold off on email tips, etc.  I'm going to post the comments I've received since yesterday and then I must be off. Part of me is straining to immediately get back into the fray, but I've been so occupied with family duties I have not yet had the quiet, solitary time I need to reflect on what the loss of the most important man in my life means to just me, and I quite frankly fear that even as I feel it coming on.

Out of Commission for a While

I know, I've seen the Gunwalker headlines, but am unable to do anything about them right now--my father passed away this morning and I just wanted to give readers a heads up on why the silence.  Mike should be back from the hospital later today and may be able to post something.

Until then, I'll ask the same thing I ask when he's out of commission--please hold off on emails and comments?

This Day in History: June 20

The Battle of Ramsour's Mill took place on June 20, 1780 near present-day Lincolnton, North Carolina, during the British campaign to gain control of the southern colonies in the American Revolutionary War. About 400 American militia defeated 1,300 Loyalist militiamen. The battle did not involve any regular army forces from either side, and was literally fought between neighbors. Despite being outnumbered, the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalists. The battle was significant in that it lowered the morale of Loyalists in the south, weakening their support of the British. [More]

NRA holds a key to contempt vote as Holder dares Issa to proceed

The NRA must be involved. Now is not the time to avoid confirmation, now is the time to show the leadership it claims, and that its membership expects of it. [More]

This evening's Gun Rights Examiner report notes now is the time to back up all those fine words that have received such thunderous applause at the last two conventions.

High profile wedding provides key to keeping Chicago free of ‘gun violence’

The results were predictable. The wedding went off without a hitch, with no pink-dressed girl or little boy blue even remotely menacing the protected private entourage of “public servants.” Results were predictable in other parts of the Windy City as well, the parts where police personnel had been pulled from, not that their presence has ever made a bit of difference anyway. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report notes that a royal wedding party need not trouble itself about the fate of loyal subjects--there are plenty more where they came from.

Help Wanted

Oath Keepers explains. [Read]

Vanderboegh Medical Update

Just got off the phone with Mike. He's recovering but it's rough, and the pain medication makes it tough--he needs to "time" his moments of lucidity to be able to communicate. He says the pain is better than yesterday, but he doesn't know if they're going to keep him overnight again yet or not.

Hold your emails and SSI comments to him until he's back and ready to handle them?

We're the Only Ones Punchy Enough

Man on life support after Minneapolis cop punches him for ‘talking loud’ [More]

And then our sucker-punching Hero of the Fatherland fled the scene.

File this one under "proof that an assailant doesn't have to be 'armed' to justify using deadly force to repel him." Assuming you get the chance.  There is absolutely nothing morally wrong with using a gun on someone intent on beating you up with his fists, because we see what a good shot to the head can do.

Any doubt that had there been time to do so, and circumstances appropriate to ordering the attacker to freeze, that snout boy would have pulled a badge on him and then his own gun?  And had he then claimed his victim made a move and shot him, is there any doubt it would have been ruled justified?

[Via cycjec]

We're the Only Ones Thanking Heaven for Little Girls Enough

The agents entered the 14-year-old girl’s room first, shouting “Get down on the fucking ground.” The girl, who was lying on her bed, rolled onto the floor, where the agents handcuffed her. Next they went to the 11-year-old’s room. The girl was sleeping. Agents woke her up by shouting “Get down on the fucking ground.” The girl’s eyes shot open, but she was, according to her own testimony, “frozen in fear.” So the agents dragged her onto the floor. While one agent handcuffed her, another held a gun to her head. [More]

Oh, and it turns out:

At the time the warrant was issued, DEA Agents believed that a vehicle belonging to suspected drug trafficker Luis Alvarez was registered at the Avina residence. After executing the search warrant on January 20, 2007, the agents discovered they had inadvertently written down a license number of a vehicle belonging to Thomas Avina instead of a vehicle belonging to Luis Alvarez.

All these names being bandied about...except for those of "the agents," naturally.  We need them out there serving and protecting, and if you blow their cover, why, they might get a taste of their own medicine.

What I want to know is, what's the big deal?

[Via William T]

What Am I Missing?

Judicial Watch Sues ATF for Fast and Furious Records Detailing Communications Between ATF and Obama White House Official [More]

While it's nice to see others picking up on the NSC connection, I thought the NSC function of the White House was immune to such FOIAs...

Sleeping with the Enemy

She says the bird is expected to be released at an area park. [More]

Where it will assume all cats are just big, cuddly mattresses.

An Argument for Licensing and Registration

If you're looking for one that says they keep bad things from happening, his won't be much help. [Read]

[Via William T]

We Can't Wait To Say "We Told You So!"

Our own worry, although we acknowledge that statistics in other states have yet to bear out our concerns, is that legalized concealed carry — on the expressway, on the L, on the sidewalk — will result in more irresponsible gunplay in public places. [More]

Jeez, you'd think with every state in the union having some form of carry besides ours we'd have seen no shortage of blood-in-the-streets Dodge City fender bender massacres by now.  Especially considering all the years that have gone by.

Come on, those of you who took pains to be "legalized," make our dreams come true. Pleeease?

This Day in History: June 19

[More]

Issa tells Holder ‘full compliance’ needed to avert contempt vote

“There is nothing extraordinary about an offer from a Federal agency to fully or partially respond to a subpoena,” Issa cautioned the attorney general... [More]

This evening's Gun Rights Examiner report notes...I'm not sure what.  We should know more after tomorrow.

Vanderboegh Medical Update

Mike was readmitted to the hospital today to repair a stent connecting the esophagus to the stomach that was causing all kinds of complications. Because the reconnection is taking place amidst scar tissue, they will be keeping him for observation, at least overnight and possibly another day after that.  He tells me it "should solve several problems" and that the "pain is quite intense if not medicated."

He's received mixed reactions on his latest exclusive--either "very good to ecstatic" for those wishing the disclosures to go forward to "very bad/stunned" for those who won't be sending him any get well wishes.  He reports "consternation in every agency" that he wrote about, and will be planning to expand his thoughts on strategic communications and the role they played in "Gunwalker."

For the time being, as always when he goes in, ease up on the emails and comments you send his way?