Quote for the Day

"The Second Amendment's language and historical and philosophical background demonstrated that it was designed to guarantee individuals the possession of certain kinds of arms for three purposes: (1) crime prevention or what we would today describe as self-defense; (2) national defense; and (3) preservation of individual liberty..." -- Don Kates

Texas House Passes States Rights Bill

"The Texas House has approved a controversial states' rights resolution championed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry.

Supporters say the resolution is a reminder to Congress in response to federal expansion.

The 99-36 vote Saturday supports informing Congress that Texas claims states' rights under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Last-minute adjustments sought to clarify that it's not a call for secession or repeal of federal laws protecting constitutional rights." [link]

There are plenty of other states out there other than this. Check around on some of my links or do a search. I just wonder how much of this is actual posturing and if these bills become laws how much or how often they will actually be enforced. If they are thoroughly followed and enforced it would definitely be a very good thing.

Knock Me Over With a Feather

"On Tuesday, 05-26-09, Massachusetts State Representative Jeffrey Davis Perry (R-Sandwich) filed a Resolution before the House of Representatives to protect the Founding Fathers’ intent and the Constitutional protections of the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” [link]

Of course this being Massachusetts and all I really doubt that this will go very far. Being as how they seem to love as much government intervention into their lives as they can get. But still, I cannot fault anyone for wanting the federal government to stick solely to the role that it was intended.

Quote for the Day

"Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I Can Do What I Want, Who Cares About "We The People"

"Roll Call is reporting that during the typical Friday afternoon document dump — a practice used to hide actions that might prove somewhat embarrassing to the White House — the administration quietly announced that some of the former restrictions on lobbying ballyhooed about during the late campaign have been lifted." [link]

Once again the "so called Messiah" breaks a campaign promise. Who would have thought that this man was capable of lying to the American people?

Only If I Say So!

"First President in US History to Have Voted to Filibuster a Supreme Court Nominee Now Hopes for Clean Process!

In January 2006, then-Sen. Obama joined 24 colleagues in a futile effort led by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to filibuster the Supreme Court nomination of now-Justice Samuel Alito." [link]

So in other words this is only good if it fulfills my own personal agenda! I don't give a ___ what America needs. I am so glad this dried up piece of dog doo is now our president, aren't you?

Quote for the Day

"Arguing that the words of the Constitution have no fixed meaning is tantamount to arguing that we have no Constitution; a Constitution serves no purpose if the branches of government it is supposed to limit can define their own powers." --W. James Antle III

I Wonder Why?

"According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the number of threats against federal judges and prosecutors has mushroomed from 500 in 2003 to 1,278 in 2008. It is on track to go even higher this year." [link]

I wonder if it has anything to do with completely stupid, anti-freedom, anti-liberty, and anti-Constitution decisions that they seem to routinely make? Does anyone else out there have any ideas on why? I mean I have only been writing for a few months and I have found these dumb decisions or statements to be rather revealing about what our judges think. These threats wouldn't have to do with ideologies that go against the grain of America would it?

Goodbye Several Amendments in the Bill of Rights!

"A California federal judge ruled Thursday that mandatory DNA collection for all individuals facing federal felony charges is constitutional, dealing a setback to civil liberties advocates.

U.S. District Court Judge Gregory G. Hollows upheld the DNA Fingerprint Act, a 2006 law which allows federal law enforcement officials to collect DNA from individuals "arrested, facing charges, or convicted" of federal offenses. " [link]

Is it any surprise that this ruling came from a judge in the "land of the left"? I can deal with the part about convicted felons having their DNA on file. What I cannot stomach is just having DNA on file for those only arrested or facing charges.

Has anyone ever heard of due process, innocent until proven guilty, self incrimination? Judges that rule like this...well lets just say more oak trees need to be planted.

Tragedy in NЄw ЎoЯК

"A plainclothes policeman who drew his gun while chasing someone he had found rummaging through his car was shot and killed by a fellow officer who was driving by and saw the pursuit, the police commissioner said." [link]

This is truly a tragedy that an officer died in the line of duty. However it goes to show that even trained officers can make "blunders" with firearms. Did the officer that fired even attempt to identify himself, did he even have to. The article makes mention that the officer that was killed was black and the one that shot him was white. Did this play a role? If the police go around shooting each other then what chance does an unarmed citizen have?

Quote for the Day

The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities. -- Ayn Rand

"Smart" Gun Failure

From today's Gun Rights Examiner, Mr. C0drea looks at a possible failure of the so called "smart" gun.

College Demands Student Cease 1st Amendment Rights!

"A student who wants to form a gun-rights group at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has been threatened with disciplinary action for her efforts...administrators banned her informational pamphlets, ordered her to destroy all copies of them, and told her that further "academic misconduct" would not be tolerated."

So now exercising a perfectly legal right is considered misconduct. Handing out information on a college campus to those that voluntarily take said pamphlets is considered "academic misconduct". I always considered "academic misconduct" plagiarizing, cheating, breaking into professors offices to steal tests, etc...

"In April, CCAC student Christine Brashier created pamphlets to distribute to her classmates encouraging them to join her in forming a chapter of the national Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC) organization at CCAC.

Brashier reports that she was also interrogated about why she was distributing the pamphlets, whether she owned a licensed firearm and had ever brought it to campus (she has not), whether she carries a concealed firearm off campus, and whether she disagrees with the existing college policy banning concealed weapons on campus." [link]

Rather reminiscent of Joseph Goebbels censorship in Nazi Germany isn't it? To think that our institutions of higher learning would chastise a student for doing on their own and learning first hand about organizations and how to run one is unthinkable, on the other hand I wonder how they would handle someone handing out ACORN pamphlets?

A Real Blood Boiler

"With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax...But advocates say few other options can generate the kind of money the nation will need to avert fiscal calamity." [link]

The more I read the angrier I got. How about these same advocates of robbing from everybody to give to who knows what bureaucratic entity start screaming to the government to "STOP SPENDING MONEY!" It really is not that hard to do. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it can be done, and millions upon millions of Americans are doing it on a daily basis.

I fear that if this is the "fix" that the government comes up with then the people will only be left with one box to stand on seeing that the soapbox, the ballot box, and the jury box have failed. That lone box will be the cartridge box and has been used to great effect for hundreds of years in getting the attention of tyrants and despots alike.

Quote for the Day

"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty." -- Thomas Jefferson

A 1st Amendment Victory

The 1st Amendment had a victory in federal court. All such victories of these rights that have been slowly stripped away from us should be celebrated every chance we get.

Police and Safety or Lack Thereof

"This is devastating," he told reporters Tuesday. "None of us signed up for this kind of task."

Distelzweig said under the 2010 budget plan, the department will focus on priority calls and maintaining public safety. "Policing in this city will change as we know it today," he said. " ... [We're] going to do less with less." [link]

Directly from the mouth of a large city police chief. Doing less with less. That should really make one feel safe. Yet there are plenty of people that say average American citizens do not need to be armed because that is what the police are for, to protect "us". Well what happens then when things in the economy get so bad that the police don't get paid, but they still have their guns?

The same people that feel this way also usually don't realize that the police have no obligation to protect anyone and are not liable for injuries or death caused by crime or failing to respond in a timely manner. This is why the sole responsibility of individual safety should be left up to the individual.

Another Strike Against Freedom

"Scalia, who read the opinion from the bench, said their decision will have a "minimal" effects on criminal defendants. "Because of the protections created by this court in Miranda and related cases, there is little if any chance that a defendant will be badgered into waiving his right to have counsel present during interrogation," Scalia said." [link]

I am sure that anyone familiar with David Codrea and his "Only Ones" pieces are sure to find fault in this statement.

Quote for the Day

"Nothing is more destructive of respect for the government and the law of the land than passing laws which cannot be enforced." -- Albert Einstein

Scary Proposal

"The law would regulate the storage, possession and sale of ammunition and require dealers to record each ammo sale and the caliber, make and model of the firearm for which the ammo purchase was made. Initially, the law had required the serial number of the firearm, but Steck removed that requirement from the legislation...

“I don’t think it’s an issue of gun control advocates versus gun enthusiasts,” the lawmaker added. “I’ve campaigned for public office many times. I’ve met many people who are gun owners in New York, and I’ve never encountered a one who feels oppressed by the existing gun control laws of New York..." [link]

It's not just gun control, it is just control. The more they go after rights the more obvious it becomes. Also would anyone like to make odds that the bold statement is a complete lie?

Their Misplaced Ideals

"Democratic leaders in Congress tend to support more restrictive gun laws but have yielded on the issue since a majority of their rank-and-file members increasingly side with the National Rifle Association (NRA) when votes involve the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms." [link]

Do you think the MSM would understand a little better if someone actually read the Constitution to them? My thinking for as long as I can remember is why even have a bill go through Congress that even mentions limiting any sort of right. The only good gun legislation would be the lifting of all the un-Constitutional laws that are already in effect.

Taxpayer Money "Well Spent"!

“It’s a pretty good-looking group of citizens,” he said. “We didn’t expect any gangsters.”

Detective Bill Flannery, busy identifying the guns collected in Canoga Park, said he was surprised by “the number of guns that little old ladies are bringing in.” [link]

Did they really expect anything different? "Gangsters" realize they must use the gun as a means of intimidation.

Even one of their own replied they did not expect any "gangsters" to turn in guns. Aren't you glad that in the midst of this recession your tax dollars can be spent on things that help the community you live in? I sure am!

A Personal Apology

I would like to apologize to my regular and non-regular readers for last week's lapse of material. I had to be off on a job related training on short notice, and alas, I have no laptop as of yet. On a positive note, the training for my job was Aikido Control Techniques, which only expanded on my knowledge of personal defense.

Misplaced Lies of the MSM Regarding Guns in Mexico

Geez...what a title for a post, anyway, had to get the point across, and on to today's Gun Rights Examiner Column!.

Quote for the Day

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government...lest it come to dominate our lives and interests. --Patrick Henry

More Things That Should Be Banned

Many of my regular readers know that I am always on the lookout for things that are potentially dangerous and deadly. I think I may have found something that should be on this list, but has been overlooked most likely due to its outward appearance.

"Memphis police are on the hunt for a woman they say used a baby as a weapon to fight off security guards during a shoplifting attempt Wednesday." [link]

Anyone else up for urging politicians to start some sort of exploratory committee to look into the banning of this potentially dangerous weapon?

Top 40 Reasons to Support Gun Control

Ran across this and thought it was funny. I will give you a short preview of what is on the list.

"2. Washington DC's low murder rate of 80.6 per 100,000 is due to strict gun control, and Arlington, VA's high murder rate of 1.6 per 100,000 is due to the lack of gun control.
9. When confronted by violent criminals, you should "put up no defense — give them what they want, or run" (Handgun Control Inc. Chairman Pete Shields, Guns Don't Die - People Do, 1981, p. 125).
12. The 2nd Amendment, ratified in 1791, refers to the National Guard, which was created by an act of Congress in 1903.
13. The National Guard, funded by the federal government, occupying property leased to the federal government, using weapons owned by the federal government, punishing trespassers under federal law, is a state militia."

You can see the rest of the list here.

I Plan on Some Flack From This

By now many of you that keep up with my blog probably know about the passage of the concealed carry in national parks having been re instituted. What will probably surprise nearly all of you is that I was against this legislation!

Now before the flame wars start let me explain. First off this legislation was added as an amendment to another bill before congress. I have always thought that this was unethical and underhanded (even when it comes to the 2nd Amendment). Secondly the original bill was a bill that imposes restrictions on credit card companies. I believe this to be un-Constitutional. Article 1 Section 10 of the Constitution forbids states from impairing obligations to contracts. However a pretty good argument could be made against the Federal government via the 14th Amendment and the due process clause.

Also notice that republicans (not true conservatives) in order to stand up for gun rights had to go against their own free market rhetoric (restricting credit card companies, a for profit business and industry). Granted nearly all of the credit card companies use aggressive tactics all of these changes in an individuals credit card fees are listed in the contract when they sign up for one, it is ones own responsibility to read the fine print.

Isn't it funny to watch republicans line up to vote for firearms at the expense of fiscal responsibility? Weren't they always the party that wanted the government to keep their hands off of what someone did financially?

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that concealed carry of firearms is "legal" but it should never have been illegal due to the 2nd Amendment.

Quote for the Day

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it, and then misapplying the wrong remedies." -- Groucho Marx

Quote for the Day

"Wherever is found what is called a paternal government, there is found state education. It has been discovered that the best way to insure implicit obedience is to commence tyranny in nursery." -- Benjamin Disraeli

Force Them to Become Domesticated

"The principal of a Utah middle school has been asked to apologize for forcing a kilt-wearing student to change his clothes.

Weber School District spokesman Nate Taggart says Craig Jessop has been asked to extend an apology to 14-year-old student Gavin McFarland of Hooper after the school official's comments Wednesday.

Gavin says he wore the kilt twice in the past two weeks to Rocky Mountain Junior High as a prop for an art project. Jessop told the boy that the outfit could be misconstrued as cross-dressing." [link]

If they force you at an early age to learn to be controlled, you wind up being easy to handle. Like domesticated animals. Those that can think for themselves and show personal responsibility are the "real dangers" to the system.

For the longest time I used to misconstrue public schools as actual education centers!

Why Don't We Kick 'Em in the Head

Overall, this piece of trash probably deserved a kick in the head, but at this time and under these circumstances? Read the rest from today's GRE column.

Quote for the Day

"I have never wished anyone dead, but I have read many an obituary with great joy"--Winston Churchill

Wonder How Much Taxpayer's Will Have to Pay for This Mistake?

Vice President Joe Biden, well-known for his verbal gaffes, may have finally outdone himself, divulging potentially classified information meant to save the life of a sitting vice president.

"...Biden "said a young naval officer giving him a tour of the residence showed him the hideaway, which is behind a massive steel door secured by an elaborate lock with a narrow connecting hallway lined with shelves filled with communications equipment." [link]

Well, now that the cat is out of the bag, guess we have to find a new hidey whole for the idiot in waiting. Wonder how much this will cost taxpayers. If it weren't for Pelosi being two heartbeats away from the president I would suggest a public lynching for this moron!

An Example of How to Handle Them

"Republicans kept the pressure up on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday, with Republican House leader John Boehner saying she should prove her allegation that the CIA lied about waterboarding, or apologize to the nation's intelligence officials.

"I think that she ought to either present the evidence or apologize, one or the other," Boehner (R-Ohio) said..." [link]

They're sort of like puppies. You have to catch them in the act, put their nose in it, then swat their tells.

What Happens When You Meet Violence Head On!

"I just leaned forward and punched him in the forehead with my gun," she said. The man "screamed like a girl and almost dropped his gun" as he ran away, she added." [link]

I don't know her, but she is a wonderful person, and someone I would love to meet. I can just picture him running away. I bet he either left a wet or smelly trail or a combination!

Quote for the Day

"Injustice is rife when people have no conscience. In our time, only politically correct official 'victim groups' are deserving of concern, and the compassion they receive is orchestrated for the purpose of advancing political agendas." – Paul Craig Roberts

Isn't It Fun To Watch Them Squirm

Isn't it fun to watch them sqirm! Now as far as I know there is no full proof way to tell if someone is lying or not, however there are several key signs that more often than not are indicators of being told a lie. You can search for them yourself, I will link you to one.

Contradictions and Lies Abound in This Administration

"The long-term deficit and debt that we have accumulated is unsustainable. We can't keep on just borrowing from China or borrowing from other countries," Obama told a town hall meeting event in New Mexico..."What's also true is at some point they're just going to get tired of buying our debt," he said. "And when that happens, we will really have to raise interest rates to be able to borrow and that will raise interest rates for everybody." [link]

We already know about the broken campaign promises, the lies about government transparency, lies about fixing spending etc... But take a close look at the quotes from our Liar-in-Chief, "We can't just keep on borrowing..." and a bit later "...raise interest rates to be able to borrow..." I mean what the hell! One moment he says we have to stop borrowing, and a moment later he says eventually interest rates will have to go up to continue borrowing.

Can this man speak without a lie spilling forth from his mouth, or some other form of deceptive doublespeak?

Quote for the Day

"I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents...." – James Madison

Interview With Ex-ATF Agent

Today's Gun Rights Examiner link for an interview.

Myth of GOP Only Tax Protest

"...the no vote is fueled by voter anger at the enormous surge in spending in the Golden State over the past decade, and by the refusal to make serious reforms in the way the state runs. The public pension problem is also beginning to come into view, and ordinary voters are shocked at the amount of spending the public employee unions have carved out of the legislature." [link]

In the land of the left there seems to be general disgust at the way the state government is ran and the cost to the taxpayers. Start digging too deeply in any one's pockets and they start turning ugly. The MSM should get their stories straight and realize that corruption and over-taxation hurts everyone and it is not just about the GOP being bitter.

Obama Drug Czar to End "War on Drugs"!

Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske..."rejects the formulation of the “War on Drugs” and voices an inclination to treat American drug abuse as a national health challenge: In his first interview since being confirmed to head the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday the bellicose analogy was a barrier to dealing with the nation’s drug issues.

“Regardless of how you try to explain to people it’s a ‘war on drugs’ or a ‘war on a product,’ people see a war as a war on them. We’re not at war with people in this country.” [link]

Oh, I see now! We are just going to change what we call it, but continue on with the same strategy that has cost billions of dollars, loss of life, and has led to the drug abuse epidemic growing at an exponential rate.

Remember a few posts back about how the left loves to use wording, verbage, and political correctness to try and win support without actually changing anything of substance?

Quote for the Day

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." -- Thomas Jefferson

They Will Never Get It

"...The City of Chicago had suffered nearly twice as many fatalities as all American soldiers in Iraq over the same period...the City tallied over 500 homicides, 80 percent of which were caused by gunshot wounds. In total, the social costs of gun violence in Chicago are estimated at $2.5 billion. Despite the devastating impact on local communities, federal gun control has essentially been taken off the table as a valid issue due to concerns of its unpopularity in elections. To reinstate such an important and consequential dialogue, Democrats must re-frame gun control as a pro-security measure." [link]

I don't happen to see any mention anywhere in the article that gun ownership in Chicago is for all intents and purposes illegal. So wouldn't logic dictate that making something that is already illegal in an area illegal again have no effect, or would the double emphasis on being illegal make all the difference?

Also notice the strategy that has been put forth, that of "re-framing" the issue. I posted yesterday about the mastery of the left in using language as a means of winning support. They change the focus but everything else remains the same. This is a tactic that has worked for them in many areas and one that liberty and freedom minded people need to be more aware of if we wish to stop the encroachment of our liberties.

Putting the Cart Before the Horse

Cart: "...Obama will announce Wednesday morning that House Democrats have pledged to pass a health care reform bill by July 31 -- a vow the White House believes will advance its goal of seeing health care legislation signed into law by year's end."

Horse: "The announcement will not describe the contents of the health care bill -- leaving key questions about funding, coverage and access for another day." [link]

Usually when people set out to solve a problem they will start looking at options available rather than to say here is our end result we will get you the details of how we solved it as soon as we figure that out.

Before they attempt to hash out the details let's look at some things that might work. How about doctors competing for patients via pricing? How many of you with insurance go to see a doctor and leave the office without having a clue what your bill is or what you are billed for? Some billing specialist usually bills your insurance (and boy do they bill them), and it might be months before you get a finalized bill for the remainder yourself.

What we don't need to do is set back and let congress and the administration do as they please. As we can see that approach has worked so well for Medicare and Social Security. Do you want your health care handled by the same people that have made those two programs "shining examples" of government achievement?

Is It That Far Off?

Just ran across this and it made me wonder, how far are we from scenarios like this taking place?

And Then They Came For Me

For years there has been a rift in the shooting sports. There are those that said "black rifles" have no sporting purpose, there have also been instances of hunters saying it does not matter, I hunt with a bolt action, single shot, etc... They can't equate that with "assault weapons" could they? Maybe they can't, but now they have decided to go after hunting anyway.

"Both petitions came from homeowners groups, one on Sugar Loaf Mountain west of Boulder and the other from Castle Pines Village south of Denver. Representatives from both groups expressed similar distress: Hunting activity is threatening their safety

If the DOW were to ban hunting in the area, said attorney Susan Horner, “It would go a long way in saving us a whole lot of legal fees.” Simple as that: Ban hunting, we won’t sue." [link]

It is time for all gun owners and everyone who enjoys personal responsibility and freedom to start banding together under the same banner and quit squabbling about semantics.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." -- Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Just as true now as it was then.

Background info on the title of this post.

Quote for the Day

"We've gone astray from first principles. We've lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we've accomplished. Government's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives." -- Ronald Reagan

The "Other" Side

I have been very critical of the left in Washington since I started this blog and I am sure that quite a few people think that I am a hard line Conservative/Republican. However had I started this blog during the Bush years more than likely I would have been labeled as a hard line Liberal/Democrat. The reason for this is I would have just as loudly spoken out about the corruption and demolition of rights that took place under Bush. So in dubious honor to B43 I offer you a small sampling of the liberties stripped from the American people via the un-"Patriot Act":

Let's start with that pesky 4th Amendment, you know, the one about unreasonable search and seizure. Well the un-"Patriot Act" pretty much states that, the government may search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.

That 6th Amendment really causes a lot of problems how can that be fixed via the un-"Patriot Act"? Answer: How about by monitoring conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes, and also, Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled "unlawful combatants") have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys.

And lastly how can the government subvert the ever deadly and dangerous 1st Amendment? Answer: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation they may also monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.

You may find a full text of the Act here. It might also be interesting to note specifically Section 802 (B) i and ii which specifically states the definition of a domestic terrorist. I believe that by this definition both Bush and Obama would classify, along with a vast number of the members of Congress. Because when the economy started to head south, they both started with the doom and gloom projections and what would happen if the people did not "allow" the administration to act quickly.

Money Well Spent, Don't You Think?

I really had to roll my eyes at this one. I honestly cannot think of one single reason, even with my imagination in overdrive for spending U.S. Taxpayer dollars on this.

"The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will pay $2.6 million in U.S. tax dollars to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly on the job...The grant, made last November, refers to prostitutes as "female sex workers"--or FSW--and their handlers as "gatekeepers." [link]

One thing to keep in mind, notice how there is a change in language and noun usage to keep people from summoning mental images. "FSW" and "gatekeeper" what images would come to mind with whore and pimp. Doubt they would have been given $2.6 million if they would have used those terms.

The left excels at this practice. Using "assault weapon" instead of battle rifle or AR-15. "Automatic weapons" instead of the true label of semi-auto. "Extremists" rather than family oriented, deeply religious, or defenders of the Constitution.

They make it a word game and how they can shine whatever type of light on it they want to as long as they light they use benefits them or their agenda. Keep this in mind when you hear them speak and write. Look at how they use words and phrases. Be ever vigilant.

Guess The BATFE Doesn't Want "Transparency

From today's Gun Rights Examiner column. Exploring the strange way the BATFE posted their seized property notices. Go to the Examiner Column to read it yourself.

Quote for the Day

"It is my belief that there are `absolutes' in our Bill of Rights, and that they were put there on purpose by men who knew what words meant, and meant their prohibitions to be `absolutes'." -- Justice Hugo Black, The Bill of Rights, 35 NYU L.R. 865, 1970

Dangerous Legislation: Goodbye Due Process

"A new gun law being considered in Congress, if aligned with Department of Homeland Security memos labeling everyday Americans as potential “threats,” could potentially deny firearms to pro-lifers, gun-rights advocates, tax protesters, animal rights activists, and a host of others – any already on the expansive DHS watch list for potential “extremism.”

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., has sponsored H.R. 2159...permits the attorney general to deny transfer of a firearm to any “known or suspected dangerous terrorist.” The bill requires only that the potential firearm transferee is “appropriately suspected”...

Gun rights advocates, however, object to the bill’s language, arguing that it enables the federal government to suspend a person’s Second Amendment rights without any trial or legal proof and only upon suspicion of being “dangerous.” [link]

This should scare the pants off anyone. Just imagine the government being allowed to curtail rights based on legislation that is based on loose interpretations. I am all for not letting known terrorist own weapons, the question needs to be asked though, if they are a known terrorist what are they doing running around free?

When you try to pass legislation based on fear you get..."The Patriot Act" (anything but), the massive "porkulus" bill, the bailout (can you say bankruptcy for 2 of the Big 3). These actions make no sense to start with, but start talking doom and gloom and straight to the presidents desk for the signature.

Did You Really Think This Wouldn't Happen?

"Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama's plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found.

Altogether, the government is set to spend 50 percent more per person in areas with the lowest unemployment than it will in communities with the highest." [link]

Really doesn't make much since, when jobs are promised via the stimulus to give money to the areas where the jobs are needed least. Of course, no one thought that the government would actually get it right did they?

You Can Buy These Without a Permit?!

"The wildfire that has scorched 13 square miles and destroyed dozens of homes in the hills above this scenic coastal city was apparently sparked by a power tool being used to clear brush, investigators said Sunday." [link]

So even though this tool can cause this much destruction (and at times death) we are going to allow anyone to buy one without a permit? What about special training? How about a waiting period, or a limit of only one purchase a month? I mean nobody would need to buy more than one of these a month would they?

Quote for the Day

"Because you were unprepared when evil visited you, you want to make sure the rest of us are unprepared. The most vile instrument of death isn't a gun, it is government wielded by "do-gooders" that know what's best for the masses." -- Unknown

More Spin From the Violence Policy Center

"The Violence Policy Center says each of the states with a high death rate has lax gun laws and higher gun ownership rates. The report defined states with "weak" gun laws as those that add little or nothing to federal restrictions and have permissive laws allowing civilians to carry concealed handguns." [link]

So I am assuming by this logic, that Washington DC should have virtually no gun related deaths? Right... [go here]. I wouldn't trust the VPC as far as I could throw them.

How then would they rank Vermont where any law abiding citizen may carry concealed without a permit, training, etc...they actually rated Vermont in their 1996 study 38th with only 5 homicides which correlates to a rate of .89 per 100,000 for that state in 1996.

They also fail to mention that the national average has dropped even thought more states have adopted concealed carry laws and relaxed federal firearm laws. In fact according to the article national gun related deaths are 10.3 per 100,000, while in 1996 according to a VPC report they were 12.94 per 100,000. How do they account for this? [source]

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Quote for the Day

“We can’t be so fixated on the desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans.” --Bill Clinton March 11, 1993

State Defies Federal Gun Laws Via Legislation!

"The USA state of Montana has signed into power a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY. The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federal government and the State of Montana.

Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They have challenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes them on and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violate their state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce the federal firearms acts." [link]

This is big and this very important. We will have to wait and see. In the mean time, I tip my hat to you Montanans and wish my Governor and state legislature had the guts you all do.

This is Transparency in Government?

"The White House is refusing to release the controversial photos of Air Force One flying over the Manhattan skyline last week that triggered panic among New Yorkers and an internal review in the Obama administration.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that there was no need to release them.

"I've watched CNN," he said, noting the considerable coverage from amateur footage. "I didn't notice a lack of archival material from that flight." [link]

Now this I find strange. WE the taxpayers shell out $328K [source] for this unique photo-op and probably several heart attacks, strokes, stress related illnesses, etc... in the New York metro area. Don't you think that we should be allowed to see these wonderful pictures. Maybe the White House could even blow them up as posters and sell them to tourists, wouldn't that be a wonderful way to generate money for the government? Instead of taking it by force let the people pay to own such a wonderful piece of history.

For my part I think I will request the photos via a FOIA request. Here is how you can request them to.

Quote for the Day

"The real democratic American ideal is, not that every man shall be on a level with every other man, but that every man shall have liberty to be what God made him, without hindrance." -- Henry Ward Beecher

A Model of Political/Financial Systems: Using Cows

I wish that I could take credit for this witty (scarily true) post. I have to print it in its entirety it is so good. Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.

SOCIALISM

You have 2 cows. You give one to your neighbor.

COMMUNISM

You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM

You have 2 cows. The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM

You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.

BUREAUCRACY

You have 2 cows. The State takes both, shoots one, milks the other, and then throws the milk away…

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM

You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

SURREALISM

You have two giraffes. The government requires you to take harmonica lessons.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows. Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM

You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. You sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States , leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release.

The public then buys your bull.

A FRENCH CORPORATION

You have two cows. You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION

You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called ‘Cowkimon’ and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows, but you don’t know where they are. You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn you have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION

You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you. You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION

You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity. You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION

You have two cows. Both are mad.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION

Everyone thinks you have lots of cows. You tell them that you have none. No-one believes you, so they bomb you and invade your country. You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of a Democracy…

AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION

You have two cows. Business seems pretty good. You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.

OBAMANOMICS

You have 2 cows both are sick, you spend $787 billion on Pork, and wonder why the cows died. But you still own 2 failing auto manufacturers, a busted insurance firm, and a bunch of banks. You can do this only because you won the election!

[source]

If the Shoe Were on the Other Foot

It happened once already. That is how the Democrats gained control of Congress. However after all the corruption that was brought to light in the Republican party let us now take a look at issues going on in the Democratic party:

"Barack Obama, who vowed he'd provide a transparent administration staffed with disinterested public servants...appointed an admitted tax cheat to run the Treasury Department -- and he's hardly the only one in the administration." [link]

Charles Rangle, Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee: Under investigation for failing to report income from his Caribbean villa.

Chris Dodd, Chairman of Senate Banking Committee: Got special deals from sub prime lender Countrywide, has yet to explain million plus dollar "cottage" in Ireland which could possibly have come as a favor for helping to get a pardon granted for a felon under Clinton.

Jack Murtha, Rep. Pennsylvania: How much federal money has he diverted to cronies and lobbyists?

John Edwards, ex-presidential candidate: Being investigated for misuse of campaign funds that were funneled to his then mistress and her company.

This is just a sampling of what is going on within the Democratic party. Imagine all the corruption that has not made it into the public yet. Sort of like an iceberg I like to think we have only seen the 10% that is above the waterline.

Quote for the Day

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it." -- Dr. Adrian Rogers

We'll Take It Any Way We Can!

"...Obama announced Monday a plan to prevent U.S. companies using offshore banks to deferr tax payments, saying that the effort to "shelter" money creates an unfair advantage to U.S. companies and amounts to evasion." [link]

Take a moment and think about that for just a moment. First off there are provisions in place that allow companies and individuals to keep more of the money that they make due to their work and industry. Boy would be a shame to allow them to keep all of their hard earned money wouldn't it? In effect Obama is saying it does not matter where you keep it, we are coming after it, with force!

Also notice the quip about "unfair" advantages to U.S. companies. HELLO! As president of the United States shouldn't you want U.S. companies to get ahead? Or is this another sneak peak at your true intentions?

Explain how it is unfair when most other nations have provisions in place to allow income from outside the country to be sheltered from taxation? Wake up America, this man and his administration are going to run the country straight into the ground!

Is This What She Wants Judges to Consider

Remember my little post about "Justice" Ginsburg wanting to look at the rulings of foreign judges in making U.S. Court decisions? Well I wonder if these are the types of judgments and actions that she is looking for? Let's start hanging people that committed crimes when they were juveniles what do you think?

Paving the Road to Tyranny

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is working to buffer lawmakers from federal investigators...Democrats facing scrutiny include the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania, for his close ties to the defense lobby firm PMA Group, which is under federal investigation; House Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel of New York about a number of tax issues; Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. of Illinois..." [link]

And the list goes on, and on, and on... However if Pelosi has her way it will be a good 'ol Leftist romp through taxpayer money, rights, ethics, whatever. All they have to do is block any investigations to themselves (well minus their enemies). See what David Codrea has to say about this here: The War on Guns: Pelosi Makes It Official: "We're Above the Law"

Quote for the Day

"The only good bureaucrat is one with a pistol at his head. Put it in his hand and it's good-by to the Bill of Rights." -- H.L. Mencken

Quote for the Day

I did not get a chance to post one yesterday, so today you get a two for one deal:

"The Second Amendment is a doomsday provision, one designed for those exceptionally rare circumstances where all other rights have failed -- where the government refuses to stand for reelection and silences those who protest; where courts have lost the courage to oppose, or can find no one to enforce their decrees. However improbable these contingencies may seem today, facing them unprepared is a mistake free people get to make only once." -- Judge Alex Kozinski, 9th Circus Court of Appeals. one of the dissenters in Silveira v. Lockyer.

"The tyranny of the legislatures is the most formidable dread at present, and will be for long years. That of the executive will come in it's turn, but it will be at a remote period." James Madison, 15 March 1798 (Papers of J.M., vol 12, p.14; LC call no. JK.111.M24)

Cartoon Predicts the Future

Special thanks to Days of our Trailers for finding this gem!

They Continue Despite Being More Deadly Than Guns

"A Washington state pediatrician who thought she was battling allergies saw 22 patients and their parents before testing positive for what is believed to be swine flu." [link]

I have tried to warn people before about the dangers that the health care profession poses to any and all people. Why are there still no cries from the left to outlaw them?

Excellent News

"Guns purchased legally in the United States this year could outfit two armies – and not just any armies, the armies of China and India, according to new government reports cited by a website for sport-shooting enthusiasts.

You also bought 1,529,635,000 rounds of ammunition in just the month of December. Yeah, that is right, that is billion with a 'b.' This number takes no account of reloading or reloaded ammunition," the report said. " [link]

Very excellent news. In other words, to those of you that wish to limit the rights of law abiding gun owners I make this personal challenge to you and those like you: "ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ!"

This also means that Threepers are armed to the teeth or there are a lot more of us than people suspect!

Good News, to an Extent

"For the first time in a Pew Research survey, nearly as many people believe it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns (45%) than to control gun ownership (49%). As recently as a year ago, 58% said it was more important to control gun ownership while 37% said it was more important to protect the right to own guns." [link]

Well, things are moving in the right direction. But what people need to realize is that it would not matter if it were 3% for protecting gun rights (and we Threepers know who we are), we live in what is supposed to be a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy (despite what the media, the left, and public education "teaches"). Which means mob rule cannot take away the rights of others by force, legislation, fraud, etc... And this goes for all rights, all the time, regardless. I personally detest what some people say, write, promote, etc... but that is their right to do so, and if anyone tried to take that right from them I would stand up for it just as staunchly as I would for the 2nd Amendment.

I have posted before that Liberty is a bitter pill even for those of us that promote it to the utmost of our ability.