R.I.P. Otis McDonald

Dave Workman delivered sad news over the weekend. [More]

I have my own memories from the 2011 Gun Rights Policy Conference, when Mr. McDonald obliged my request for an autograph, and as no writing surface was conveniently present, Alan Korwin cheerfully put his back into it.

This Day in History: April 7

Being informed by Major Burnet that the arrangement of the several Lines of the Southern States had not been made agreable to my order on that head, I have enclosed a Copy of all that have come to my hand, or that I have been able to procure. The distraction that has prevailed in these States, the great number of Officers belonging to the several Lines in captivity, and the great extent of Country over which the rest were spread, together with the little prospect of filling up the Lines, have been some of the difficulties which have retarded and perplexed the business. I have been unwearied in my endeavors to get it done, but without full effect in any, and very defective in several. [More]

Thunderclap

Anti-rights groups have decided to try and protest the April 5^th pro-rights rally in Hartford, Connecticut. In doing so, they have taken to calling pro-rights groups ‘the KKK’, ‘bullies’, ‘intimidating’, ‘threatening police’ and other vulgar lies. In response, Connecticut Carry has launched a counter-protest using the same medium, Thunderclap. The goal is to beat the anti-rights groups at their own social media game while taking the high road.

I'm getting ready to head off to CT for tomorrow's event.  Before I go, here is today's Five Minute Activism task:

1. Go here and read.
2. Go here and do (what have I been saying about "social media"?)
3. Share this with others and urge them to do the same.

Prepping for CT

I'm closing down in order to finish my speech and do all of the preparations needed to fulfill my Saturday obligation, something I am keenly mindful of.

Please hold off on the tips, emails, questions, comments, etc., or at least understand if they result in neither responses nor actions.

I may briefly check in on Sunday. Then again, I may not after a long drive.

YOU

Yes, YOU!

Prediction: You will come to personally regret this.

What the hell is wrong with you?

Reese family challenges appeals panel overturning of new trial order

Challenging that panel’s findings, the defense is arguing, among other things, that it lacked appropriate authority, that the decision “wrongfully refused to examine the District Court’s findings of fact for clear error," and that it “whitewashed the government’s deliberate wrongful violation[s].” [More]

Today’s Gun Rights Examiner report notes another appeal in a persecution that never seems to end.

Early Warning System

"They're coming." [More]

Scary stuff, and not just for us.

Since similarities are being discussed, one of the lessons of Waco I remember is the Davidians begging the media to cover things in real time, something that went largely unanswered as the cameras and crews were kept at bay "for their safety."

That let a lot of bad things happen without scrutiny, didn't it?

The thought strikes that the entire information distribution paradigm has changed since then. If you had to let the world know you needed them as real time witnesses, what would/could you do?

Can you live stream audio, video and text that can also be archived on multiple sites, including sending out an alert to get wider attention?  Can it be cut off, blocked, jammed? Is there anything you can do to override that? What would it take, what would it cost, and how long would it take for a non-tech person to get comfortable enough to instantly switch on and use to document an emergency?

What would it take to establish an unofficial "emergency broadcast system" that would be within the average gun owner's reach and capabilities to participate in?  Would there be a better place to test it than one where the only way to enforce existing law is through widespread initiation of force against the multitudes defying it?

One thing we know: Creatures of darkness hate the light.

The Costas Challenge

Care to try the same tactic with "NRA members"? [More]

Thanks for Nothing

If you're going to represent yourself as qualified to teach the rules, then how about demonstrating you understand them? [More]

So what was the problem, fellas?

Anybody know these guys?

A Scanner Darkly

ATF Agent Attempts to Illegally Scan Gun Owner Forms of Pac N Arms Multiple Times – Threatens to Revoke Dealer's License [More]

I was candidly surprised to see this.  I've been communicating with the guy since February on this, and his last correspondence to me on March 11 said:

Hello David, Still gathering information; my attorney in compiling info you will want. We will be in touch asap!!! Phil

I can't help but note:

In speaking to Mr. Chabot to confirm the situation, he referred us to his attorney, Penny Dean, who asked us to postpone an interview for a couple of weeks until they have obtained certain witnesses in the matter, which we agreed to do. Our desire is not to make it more difficult for justice to be brought to bear in the matter. However, Ms. Dean did encourage us to report on Mr. Chabot's letter to his Senator, Susan Collins, which is where the bulk of this article comes from.

That's one of the realities of sitting on a story for the purposes of corroboration, I guess. It will be interesting to see what the attorney finally says.

At the Core of the Matter

GOA explains. [More]

This looks like a perfect Five Minute Activism project for today.

Look, it didn't even take that long:

And that includes the time it took to write and promote this post.
 

We're the Only Ones Clarifying Enough

Don't worry, lady.  We read you loud and clear.  [More]

It sounds like you're the one who needs things explained.

Not the "Only One"?

Fine words. [Watch]

I can't help but wonder if he'd arrest me if I let him know I was exercising my RKBA without anyone's permission.  And, not that I trust most Republicans, but I have a tough time excusing "pro-gun Democrats" for all the enabling of outright enemies that they do in spite of everything else.

[Via bondmen]

Stranger than Fiction

“Do I think we can make some money?” Yee reportedly asked, revealing the cynical motivator at the heart of it all. “I think we can make some money. Do I think we can get the goods? I think we can get the goods.” [More]

My latest GUNS Magazine "Rights Watch" column is now online.

In Polite Company

Evidently, some feel we should extend our pinkies while being manacled... [More]

A Student Service

This is what Bolsheviks do. [More]

It figures Katie Kelley is "Dean of Student Services."

Remember, with "progressives," every day is Opposite Day.

Mobilizing the Foot Soldiers

The keynote speaker, David Codrea, who is widely published in national gun magazines, claims that gun violence prevention organizations “lack grassroots support.”  But that’s simply not true. [More]

Hey, wait a minute,  this is the exact same letter that got published the other day over here...

I'd like to say this changes nothing, but maybe multiple media boosts are having an effect.

I mean, they're now up to four Facebook "likes" on this post, and five on this one...

Why Was No One Fired?

Same reason they haven't been prosecuted. [More]

Because then they'd have incentive to spill their guts.

Outsized Influence

In Colorado, the extremist label is potent. Democrats have won every top-of-the-ticket race in the state since 2004 partly by attacking Republicans as out of the mainstream, especially on issues central to moderate suburban women who carry outsized influence in elections. [More]

Yep. Bloomberg & Co. know what they're doing on that.

Once More, with Feeling

"I was worried. I was like, 'Is this for real, am I going through it once more?" King said. "I got really scared then." [More]

We just saw it happen again at Fort Hood, too.

There always seems to be some kind of common denominator...but what?