Monday, September 22, 2008

Shameless Plug: Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws

Not surprisingly, when you consider the Chicago political establishment, anti-gun Mayor Richard Daley, who never saw a private citizen’s gun he didn’t want to ban, supports Mell’s proposal. Apparently Mr. Daley’s theory is, the only ones who can be trusted with firearms in Chicago are members of law enforcement, his personal security detail, and fellow politicians — at least ones he’s allied with.
"Chi-Town’s Pell-Mell Gun Laws" is my Rights Watch column for the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, on sale now at helter-skelter newstands throughout the Republic.

Also in this issue is my review of David E. Young's "The Founders' View of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms."

The Race for the Presidency

Race is arguably the biggest issue in this election, and it’s one that nobody’s talking about.
Except maybe racist democrat activists who are talking race war if they don't get their way. Or racist democrat activists fixated on "white privilege."

Or racist democrat activists who wonder if Obama is black enough?

Or racist democrat activists who point out he's not?

Or The Lightworker himself, who makes sure the talking points are crystal clear?

Or maybe your own network?

What the hell are you talking about, Jack Cafferty? Everybody's been talking about it, except maybe the other side of the aisle. You racist democrat activist "Authorized Journalists" have had to reach so hard to find examples, you're reduced to inventing conspiracy theories and highlighting code words invented by racist democrat activist politicians.

We get the message: If you don't vote for Obama, you're a racist. Like it's impossible to oppose him for any other reason.

And let's not even talk about the 90% support he gets from...like I said, let's not talk about that, because it's obviously all issue oriented, and to do so would be "offensive" and "naive."

Here's the thing: If Obama loses, I believe race will be the deciding factor. But here's the other thing--it won't be for the reasons all the racist democrat activists will be pointing fingers and raging over. It will be because a substantial enough margin of voters from their own party--possibly a third of white democrats--won't vote for a black guy.

Beloved Hollywood Stars Safe from Evil Gun Threat

Three people hoping to attend The 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were detained on Sunday (21Sep08), after police found a rifle inside their car at a checkpoint near the show.

Three people were detained by authorities when an aerosol rifle, similar to a BB gun, was found in the trunk of the car.
I'm familiar with "air rifle" and "CO2 guns," but I really can't recall ever hearing the term "aerosol rifle." Is it a term hobbyists use and I'm just out of that loop? Or is it more "Authorized Journalism"?

All I know is, another Skip Coolzip opportunity for television history has come and gone.

Those elites sure are protected, aren't they?

Pandering on Guns?

Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home rule.
It's tough for me to argue against that pandering charge for some of the politicos, but in fairness to Warner, his lead is substantial enough that he doesn't need to. It would be nice if it turns out not to be just "politics," and the bill actually gets passed in the senate and signed into law by the president. What I fear is this will give some democrats in close races enough cover with gun-owning constituents to get them elected without any actual change happening--kind of a no-risk "pro-gun" show vote they can make with a nod and a wink from party leadership, then once victory is in the bag they can be counted on for further treachery.

As for "home rule," I still note none of the antis raise it when things go their way...

We're the Only Ones Cheating Enough

A dozen Ohio Highway Patrol officers, including 11 of 40 at the patrol's Canton post, were fired Monday, resulting in a significant loss of manpower that could benefit drunken drivers and speeding motorists.

Three sergeants and eight troopers at the post along with a Wooster-based trooper were dismissed, after investigations found that they cheated on a written alcohol detection device certification test or knew about the cheating and failed to stop it.
11 of 40? Thanks goodness there were only "a few bad apples." I can't imagine what a significant number of rotten "Only Ones" complicit in messing up citizen's lives with cheating and lies would be like.

Oh, that's right. It would be like the Canton post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Meanwhile, Over in Bloomberg Paradise...

Two thugs armed with a bat savagely beat a Boston radio show host in a Bronx vestibule early this morning - striking him on the head eight times before stealing his phone, wallet and gold chain, authorities said.
Why didn't he just give them what they wanted?

Oh...he did.

"Founders' View" Update

I asked David E. Young for an update on how his efforts are going to spread the word on his latest book. Here's his reply:

David,

Last Saturday, the National Rifle Association Board of Directors passed a resolution commending and expressing gratitude to the attorneys who prepared briefs and the scholars whose research was successfully used by the attorneys to protect every American's constitutional right to keep and bear arms in the Heller case. I was one of the sixty-six individuals named in the NRA resolution.

While I do not travel all that much, it seemed appropriate to attended the NRA President's Reception on Friday evening and the Board of Directors meeting last Saturday for this event in Arlington. There was a veritable sea of pro-rights people present including Heller attorney Alan Gura, David Hardy, David Kopel, Stephen Halbrook, NRA President Sigler, Board member Robert Viden, James Schaller, and many, many others. Approximately half of those being honored attended the events.

On Friday while going to the reception, I noticed Sebastian from Snowflakes in Hell lounging in a hallway overstuffed chair.

On Saturday prior to the Board meeting, I had an opportunity to show Sebastian my copies of "The Origin of the Second Amendment" and "The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms." These copies have all the Emerson, Parker, and Heller case citations (over 180 total) highlighted and tagged. He took a picture with his cellphone camera, and also one of the reception the previous evening.

It was pretty uncomfortable in the suit because I have only worn one about three times in my life and the temperature was quite warm. Decided it would be appropriate for this occasion to dress up a little, though.

My next venture out from Ontonagon, Michigan will be to Phoenix, Arizona next weekend September 26, 27, and 28 for the 2008 Gun Rights Policy Conference sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation. I will have a book signing table for The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms there. Hope to see lots of pro-rights people and answer lots of questions.

Take care,

Dave Young
My review of Founders' View is published in the November 2008 issue of GUNS Magazine, which ought to be at newsstands now. Here's the gist of it:
Both "Founders" and "Origin" are important books for anyone who wants to understand why the Founders wrote the Second Amendment and what they meant by it.

Canadian Gun Rights Up in Smoke?

Jack Layton was accused of softening his support for the decriminalization of marijuana after two well-known pot activists resigned from running for his party in British Columbia...

Before Layton began speaking a handful of protesters showed up at the rally carrying signs protesting his proposed ban on handguns.

The security detail asked them to leave the room and then asked a reporter who wanted to speak to them to take them outside for an interview.

The officers allowed the protesters to stay when many more reporters came over to speak with them.

David Hamel, a member of the National Firearms Association who said he was there to represent only himself, said he feared that a ban on handguns would only be the start of an all-out ban on firearms.
While I discourage getting stupid, I never thought pot should be illegal.

That said, I can see where a politician who wants to trick people into giving up their best means of defense (along with, what, another $175 million for [ahem] smoke and mirrors?) would want them to get as stupid as possible.

Kudos to Mr. Hamel for being a voice of unaltered consciousness. If only more Canadians would follow his lead...

Preserving "Our Culture"

One of the main reasons expressed to oppose independent migrants is that they will supposedly overrun the country and destroy "our culture".
Kent McManigal continues developing a thought.

I'm saying this as politely as I can: I remain unconvinced.

Nine Principles

7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
Not "Only One" members...?

[Via Jeffersonian]

This Day in History: September 22

The undernamed Prisoners, try'd by a General Court Martial for "Mutiny, Riot and Disobedience of orders," are severally guilty of the Crimes, wherewith they are accused, and the Court upon due Consideration of the Evidence, do adjudge that the prisoner Joseph Scales receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back and be drum'd out of the Army, and that the prisoners, John Gillard...do each of them receive Twenty Lashes upon his bare back and be drum'd out of the army -- The Prisoners Lawrence Blake, Samuel Bodin, John Besom...be fin'd Twenty Shillings lawful money each.

Joseph Foster, Joseph Laurence and Joseph Tessenden, being recommended by the Court Martial, as proper objects of mercy, The Commander in Chief is pleased to remit their fine, and to order the sentence upon all the others, to be put in Execution at Guard mounting, to morrow morning -- Those upon Prospect-hill to receive their punishment there; the rest at the main Guard.