Not Just Anti-Gun: Free Speech Control

The same man that worries about Guam flipping over now wants a constitutional amendment banning free speech.

“We need a constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to control the so-called free speech rights of corporations,” Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) was quoted as saying by CNS News.

As reported by the  CBS Corporation.   GASP!

But wait this brain-trust has more.

“They control the media. They control the messages that you get,” he added. “And these folks … are setting up a scenario where they’re privatizing every aspect of our lives as we know it. So, wake up! Wake up! Let’s look at what’s happening.”

Control the media?  I have grim news, other than PBS they OWN the media!  Double gasp.

And gotta love the idea of  "privatizing every aspect of our lives" being cast as a bad thing.  More public housing!  More Collective Farms!  All media should be owned by the State!

How dare people think that just because they freely associate that they can just say whatever they want!

It's a good thing there aren't many corporations in publishing, telecommunications, entertainment, or the media.  Oh wait, I'm sure that "responsible" corporations will get exemptions.

Mind you.  This is the kind of person that thinks he can run your life better than you.  This same island-flipping ignoramus that thinks that free speech is a privilege not a right.

At least he is honest enough to be going for a full on Amendment.     As opposed to something Statutory or Executively invoked.

And of course giving the State the power to control free speech would Never be abused.  It's not like those evil  Republicans wouldn't ever get into power.

For reference good old Mr. A had a similar idea to limit the First Amendment to those corporations deemed to be "truthful"

But that  was almost a year ago.  What does Mr. A think now?

People have rights.Corporations aren't people.We need to sort this out. Saying corporations deserve free speech is like saying fish have souls.

And what about publishing? Would that not have a disastrous effect? Well...

And yeah, the sort of policy I'm advocating WOULD create a situation where people can say things that corporations cannot. That's by design, because they're real living beings and corporations are not.

And, for the publishing thing, it would absolutely create a situation in which corporations could be held liable for things that the author cannot. In which corporations would, hopefully, have to restrict their involvement in politically sensitive matters to avoid liability. This is one of the intended outcomes

Emphasis added. And what's Mr. A's dream as to what corporations should not be allowed to do:

They should not be able to speak on political topics, finance speech on political topics, exercise any manner of influence over elected officials or the election of officials Their shareholders, of course, have the right to do so but they have to do it on their own personal time and dime

Personal dime.   So those with the most personal wealth can just buy the most free speech.

But there's more Miss W (the Canadian friend mentioned here) was also there.  And oh boy did things get rough. I got down a bunch of lines from that little exchange. 

Hold on for some grade-A progressive pap.   And mind that Miss W despite liking guns is quite good on Single-Payer healthcare AND is very open to campaign contribution caps and thinks that SuperPACs broke the american political system.

Mr. A: I do not need to be in, or part of, a corporation, to succeed at political commentary
Miss W: Forget political commentary. How are you going to publish a novel without such resources?
Miss W: Which restricts the production of TV, movies, and games to the mega-rich individuals only.
Miss W: Entertainment is political. Everything is political.
Mr. A: Yawn
 Miss W: Cut out social commentary in your movies
Mr. A: Bullshit
Mr. A: Most movies don't really have any
Miss W: You include a gay character in a movie? You made political commentary, and there are groups out there that would like to have you taken off the air for it.
  Mr. A: it's unfortunate that North America is somewhat barbaric in this respectMiss W: Look... what speech would you have suppressed?
Miss W: Who decides?
Mr. A: We the people decide
Miss W: In the end, the speech that gets suppressed is the speech that is unpopular.
Mr. A: through the process of government, electing congressmen and senators
Mr. A: just like how we decide what to do with our army
 Miss W: Neo-Nazis are unpopular. But fifty years ago? It was people who said 'blacks are human beings' who were unpopular.
 Mr. A: but when you have 22 hours of "OBAMA RAPES BABIES" on TV for months straight.. well.. turns out, it has an impact

Nevermind that he –um- won.

 Miss W: The solution is not shutting people up, the solution is basic education so that which is stupid can be seen as stupid.
 Miss W: Speech that can't be heard isn't speech, Mr. A
Mr. A: Canada doesn't have enough christards clamoring to make their mythology a fact to ruin that system, thankfully
 Miss W: And you don't think the christards won't make use of the 'shut down people saying shit I don't like' power?

And Mr A never had a good answer to that.

Again, they're not just anti-gun.

Over the hump: closer to Stretch goal 3 than not.

The final stretch goal is within sight.

Less than 45 dollars remain and the winner of the Handgonne Drawing will get it all.

You'll get a Jackalope Rifle Company 50 caliber handgonne  and a full kit including:
A supply of 50 call bullets, miscellaneous shot,  patches, lube and fuse, A ramrod, lighter, touch hole pick, and powder measure, ans finally: a powder horn and two pounds of 3F black powder (shipping restrictions apply).

A bit more in the pot and the winner will literally have everything they need to use this beautiful handgonne.

And as  a tiny bonus here's something from 4chan

At least it's not a boot...

From the Internets:

 It's been over ten years since 9/11 and we're still living like this. I thought it might be temporary. Like Orwell said: 'picture a gloved government hand, feeling up your junk. Forever.'

Sad trombone...

Well thank goodness the US got rid of that Bush and  with the War on Terror over the TSA and Gitmo and the drones are all... oh right.

Here, this may cheer you up.  An AK from a shovel.   Seriously.  A guy took a shovel and used it to make an AK receiver.  Kinda puts that whole Russian Origami thing into perspective.

And the best part? Nothing of what Boris used to build that rifle is regulated, restricted, registered, or otherwise controlled in any way, shape, or form. For Heaven’s sake, the actual, legal "firearm" part of that rifle was constructed exclusively out of a shovel – how, exactly, are you going to control those? You could try to control barrel blanks, but, really, what are those except pipes of a certain internal and external diameter? Do you know how easy it is to make those? And the fiddly bits… do not make me laugh.

Which all brings us around to the coup de grace you all knew was coming – "gun control" is, has been, and will continue to be an abject and total waste of time, money, and effort. If a person really wants a firearm, given how many of them are in circulation, they will procure one by a variety of increasingly criminal methods. If that fails, however, they can simply make one, or find someone to make one for them. The concept of a magazine-fed, self-feeding, cartridge-based firearm has been so thoroughly explored, examined, and executed that any attempts to remove it from the collective knowledge base of humanity would meet with about the same success rate as trying to uninvent steam power. So how about we stop wasting everyone’s time? 

Same reason we have the War On Drugs.

This also ties into the whole "3D Printer Guns" fear.  Which I think Sebastian is right in putting in terms of the old Star Wars "strategy".   Sure in the short term  printing up a gun to order is scifi.  But you know what?   Now... missile defense works.  Just look at Iron Dome and Aegis.

And the fun part?  In the US it's already legal for a person to print up your own gun (at least in the free states).

Allllmost at Stretch Goal #2

All that stands between the Stretch Goal #2 in the Handgonne Raffle is twenty more dollars (that's less than two tickets).

The winner is already getting: a supply of 50 call bullets, miscellaneous shot,  patches, lube and fuse.

Just a bit more and the winner will get: A ramrod, lighter, touch hole pick, and powder measure.


Thanks to Jennifer for keeping the donation tally organized  and to all of you who have donated so far.

Update:  And we got it $230 so far.  You know what that means.  The final stretch goal is in sight!

Thanksgiving... ham? Sure. Ham. Ham!

As I mentioned a few days ago. I did not have any turkey on thanksgiving.

Instead I had ham.

 I started off with a concentrate that was lime juice, lime zest,  pressed garlic,  ground up fresh shallot,  black pepper, white pepper, cumin, soy sauce, cayenne pepper, and green onion.   Every twenty minutes I would cycle the broth in the pan over the ham. And that would ensure that the ham stayed moist.

He's Joe admiring the meal.  Thanksgiving was small this year, just the immediate family.

 And also a nice early Christmas gift of a walnut half-bent billiard pipe from Italy.  The wine is Uppercut which is amazingly complementary for steak.  An excellent red for red meat.

I love it when a plan comes together.

So Erin did the legwork and shook down all the "donors",  I organized the... loot and then gave the handoff to Brigid who delivered the package.  Photos of the loot to follow but go to the next link to see the good stuff.

Erin has posts of the client's satisfaction at a job well done.

I'll take some pride for my part in all this.  Especially in accessorizing the little ponies.

And I'll note that my raffle's (to which Spear has given one of his amazing handgonnes) still going on and getting mighty close to some very fun goals.

Update:  Here's a photo of the haul.  Before it got put into the super secret transport pod.

Ponies, Elvis, and Trashy Books. Oh My.

Yeah.... that feels about right.

Okay... I technically didn't have any pie today.  Or turkey.  I cooked a spiral ham for the family that was delicious. The key is to let the ham render its own broth that you can baste it in, even if it needs some help getting started.

Pictures will follow, a bit too dizzy just right now to pull off the camera.

But I'd like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

And speaking of the importance of Pie Dave in Texas has a mediation on our men and women in uniform and  Thanksgiving.

And on the broader subject of Ponies and Thanksgiving here's Erin's thoughts.  Erin you're good people, and your actions have a notable group on this creaky and cranky tribe that we find ourselves in.   In our own way we can all make a difference.  And even if we are going to that special kind of hell in a high speed wicker conveyance then what we do on the way still matters.

Character counts.  And on a related note the various Tam raffles and direct donations are still going on.  Some are ending today, but others are still going on.

Hope you had a Happy day and a satiating meal, and if you did have to be far from home or alone, I hope you had a moment to call back to those that love and care for you.

When you think communism...

Don't you think imperialistic  nationalistic,  hereditary aristocracy?

November 20, 2012: Xi Jinping, the newly selected (by the Communist Party elders) leader of China for the next ten years is different from his predecessors. He is the first of the “heirs” to take power. That’s because he is the 59 year old son of one of the communist originals, a general who fought the Japanese and other Chinese factions to put the communists in power after World War II. Xi Jinping is thus a princeling, a member of the new hereditary aristocracy (children of the original communist leadership) that has replaced the ancient feudal aristocracy that was overthrown a century ago. Democracy was supposed to have replaced the Manchu dynasty, but instead there was decades of civil war followed by communist dictatorship and now a new hereditary, unelected, aristocracy.

Well, you probably should. It's not like China's special here.

GunDeath: Batman edition.

Craked has a.... mixed record when it comes to gun rights.  But even they seem to get the whole "Gun Death" thing.   In their article on The 6 Most Brutal Murders Committed by Batman, they say this in the opening paragraph:

However, for a guy who supposedly took a vow to never use a gun or kill any of his enemies (thus justifying the continued existence of the Joker), it turns out that Batman has not just murdered several dudes over the years, but done so in gruesome ways that probably made his victims wish that he'd just shot them.

Batman is a pretty good example of the whole "Gun Death" nonsense. For example:

Later, in Batman No. 15 (1943), a scientist shows Batman a simulation of what will happen if you don't buy enough war bonds and Japan invades Gotham City. At one point Batman acquires a rifle, but obviously his vow against firearms forbids him from shooting anyone with it, even enemy soldiers ... so he just throws it at the wheels of a vehicle instead and kills the Japanese occupants in a bloody crash.

Isn't it better that instead of using the rifle to kill people he...  used the rifle to... kill people.

The above list includes:  forced starvation, impalement, lynching, crushing with industrial machinery, and incineration. But Weerd is wont to say: Hey, but not a “Gun Death”, so it doesn’t count!

Made it to the First Stretch Goal.

Been under a week and we've made it to the first Stretch Goal.

Now the and the winner will get the Handgonne plus A supply of 50 call bullets, miscellaneous shot,  patches, lube and fuse.

You can keep it up to get the other awards in the kit.  But I'm confident that by the 10th we'll have enough donations for the whole thing.

Though there are over very awesome raffles.  

Also there's Erin's Operation: Tamalanche and the care packages for that are starting to come in.

As a bonus if you contribute something savory, something fun, or something silly to one of Erin's Care Packages you'll get a 50% bonus on your odds in this raffle.

Brain Science

Okay, I laughed at this comic.

It's not just Tam.

All the Tam raffles are great.  And I'm not just saying that to get more people to mine.

And in southern Indianapolis this happened.

Basically a house turned ballistic.  Thankfully the house itself was vacant, but there were still people killed and injured.   Via Bobby here's a link to some local charities being run.

Halfway to Stretch 1

It's been one day we've already halfway to the first Stretch Goal.

A few more donations and the winner will get the Handgonne plus A supply of 50 call bullets, miscellaneous shot,  patches, lube and fuse.

I'm not too worried as I know there are plenty of over very awesome raffles.  And we'll be running this one until Dec 10th.

Also there's Erin's Operation: Tamalanche   As a bonus if you contribute something savory, something fun, or something silly to one of Erin's Care Packages you'll get a 50% bonus on your odds in this raffle.

And as a last thing.  Remember why the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month is important.

Donate some money and some baked goods and you could win a Gun with NO moving parts.

To repeat  Tam's in a spot of trouble  and could use some help.   And there's plenty of really good raffles with some very awesome prizes.

And don't get me wrong, the raffles are great, raising money is very good,  but it's also missing a human factor.   If you want to do a personal touch, and sent something to Tam, there is an option too.

Erin Palette is putting together care packages for Tam. "Anything that can put a smile on her face — baked goods, silly toys, comic books/trashy novels — is welcome."  If you don't have a lot of money,  or have something that you want to give,  please go to that link and get into contact with her.

Donations are great, and I'm going to give my own spiel, but  don't overlook other things you can do.  Myself I've got more than a few silly toys I've got lined up and will be sending.  I strongly encourage you to get into contact with Erin and help with that too.

Now onto what seems to be getting everyone all up in arms...   Gamblin'!

Joe Speer over at Jackalope Rifle Company has had the good grace and generosity to offer one of his handgonnes. It's fifty caliber with a fluted barrel and is currently being blued.

These things are a literal blast and I can attest to the great workmanship in the pieces.


To get entered into this contest, go to Tam's place and donate. When you fill out your donation and forward the e-mail receipt you get to Jennifer at jennifer@injennifershead.com with the code  JACK  want in the subject line.


Entries will be taken until December 10th and then a drawing will be held.

$15 dollars will get you a ticket.    $25 will get you two tickets.  $50 will get you five tickets.


And oh yes,  if you work with  Erin and contribute to the Care Package your total ticket count will go up by 50% (rounded up).  It's that easy.

But wait there's more!   There's stretch goals.

If we get more than $100 in donations for this, the winner will also receive: A supply of 50 call bullets, miscellaneous shot,  patches, lube and fuse.

Update: First Goal met!  

More than $200 and the winner will get all of the above and the following: A ramrod, lighter, touch hole pick, and powder measure.

Update: Second Goal met!  

For the final stretch goal,  if we break $300 you'll get all of the above, the ammo, the tools, the handgonne,   plus:  a powder horn and two pounds of 3F black powder (shipping restrictions apply).

Update: Third Goal met!

With enough donations you'll could win a complete range kit.   And if you contribute to the Care Package you'll increase your chances of winning.

Petraeus resigns, gets out of testifying about Benghazi

The timing sure is convenient.  Head of the CIA former General and major coutner insurgency officer  resigns over an affair...  right after the election and right before he was going to testify about Benghazi?    Course it's not just him.   And it's not just mass resignations  that are "suddenly" coming up.  Other stories are now newsworthy.  And things like 100%+ voter turnout and 99%, 100% voting for Dear Leader are seen as gee-whiz and strange-news instead of frightening harbingers.

Really the best way to defuse this is to still have Petraeus testify.  He can still do that.  Sure it could just be an affair,  and if it is, then it shouldn't get in the way with him testifying about something of national import.  

And I had to laugh at this bit from Moe Lane: “Seriously, Is there a single member of this administration that has a better public reputation now than when he or she started?”

It can always be worse...

But that doesn't mean that help isn't appreciated.

I don't think I need to introduce Tam.   We all know the Mistress of Snark.

And she's in a spot of trouble.  She's got a bit of  basal cell carcinoma, it could be worse.  As the big C goes it could be a lot worse. 

But, again, that doesn't mean that there isn't something we can do.  Yes, things are getting tough, and things will get tougher, but we've gotta help each other. There's no one else to do it for us.

As Matt G points out: "We need her more than she needs us."

So here's what you can do.   Skip going out,  skip getting some ammo, and hit her tip jar.  It's on the upper right, you can't miss it.

Or if you want to add a spice of gambling to it you can  go for this offer of a set of custom grips or one of these holsters.

I know which one I'll be putting my money towards.

Update: 

Denis is raffling another holster and a real beaut.

And McThag has a a lower in the offerings.

Oh and Erin is looking for contributions for a care package as well with the help yours truly and Brigid.

This is what Whittle was talking about.

Want to make a movie?

If you have an idea and a budget and people that want to voluntarily support you...   you can.

Also if you want to see the Goon be made into a movie you can.

Via  Stingray who notes:  "The world may be turning into handbasket full of used fuck, but this is a chance to at least get really fucking good circuses to watch along the ride to hell."

This is in line with what I've been thinking.

On the need of keeping in fresh blood and attracting more people to Gun Rights.

My generation is fascinated with guns, but completely ignorant of them. The tight-jeaned hipsters and smelly hippies think guns are cool and mysterious but don’t understand that “assault weapon” is a truly meaningless term. Many of us (myself included) were so young when the original “assault weapons ban” expired that it didn’t affect us, not even a little.

Yeah,  the first AWB "missed" me as well.  I was in university at the time and living in New York, so the expiration of it didn't really impact me.  Not until I moved.

It's also smart long term to avoid being pigeonholed with a specific party.  This is why I point to focusing on getting new shooters and teaching people about guns.  And keeping the other politics out.

And as Linoge writes:

Finally, if the Republicans could ever bother to get off their "ZOMGABORTION", "ZOMGDRUGS", and "ZOMGGAYS" kicks, they would probably sweep the polls wherever they competed… Just like the Democrats would probably sweep the polls if they ever got off their "ZOMGGUNSAREEVIL" kick. Bear that in mind. 

A'yup.  For example in Indiana, the Senate Race came down to a "ZOMGABORTION", "ZOMGDRUGS", and "ZOMGGAYS"  Republican versus a...  "ZOMGABORTION", "ZOMGDRUGS", and "ZOMGGAYS" Democrat.   For the latter that he was in good standing with the NRA was surely a boon.  

Hell the previous occupant was primaried in large part because he was a "ZOMGGUNSAREEVIL"  Republican (for reference Lugar voted for the Assault Weapons Ban in 94, and supported its reinstatement).

Guns are at least easy to have someone grok.   And it helps that most examples of gun control are either boneheaded (things that ban certain cosmetic features or guns made after a certain date), are out and out unequal and corrupt (letting the police/mayor pick and choose who can and cannot have a gun),  or easily shown to be false by data (Shall Issue will result in blood in the streets!).

I was wondering what Bill Whittle's response today would be...

It did not disappoint.  Look at the Common Sense Resistance



It's definitely worth the length.  Though if you're impatient the good stuff comes in 38 minutes in.

The trick is to not fight City Hall, it's to ignore City Hall.

And if you want to see the real meat go to 45 minutes in.

First wave(agricultural), Second wave (industrial),  Third wave (information) technology.

And the State is Second Wave.

And here's some notes I took while watching:

The Status quo which has never been less popular has been ratified.

Via Weerd a vid from Reason:





Something to keep an eye on.   But don't bet on lessons being learnt.

As Robb Allen points out  this is what people want. And people get attached to their purchases.

And Roberta points out the real tragedy in the Indiana election.

Keep Calm and Take Someone to the Range.

Not just for the recoil therapy aspect, but to get more people into the 2nd Amendment.

That also goes for helping someone thinking about buying a gun or getting their toter's card.

Given the Stupid Party (and the lessons they'll learn,  More Senator Jebus, more "careful centrsit) and the Progs (more "equality"  and we can do whatever we want), I fear that Tam's prediction that we'll end up as "Europe with better gun laws." may be a bit optimistic.  Just look at where the Overton Window has moved.

(On the upside said window has moved pretty well for guns at least).

Because, well, the money doesn't exist for the US to play at being Europe. The money doesn't exist for Europe to be Europe. And if you look at other nations and the war clouds brewing....

Either way we're screwed. That was baked into the cake. Hell,  one election theme was that a go-getter, maybe competent, socialism-corporatism gun banner would be a firewall against another, but lazier and incompetent, socialism-corporatism gun banner.

Another was the perennial twins of "Vote for free ice-cream." and "Vote for the Status quo."

That's the problem.  As a country we're flying into a mountain.  One side says "Oh crap we're gonna crash.  Quick, open the windows and flap our arms!"  

The other side says "What are you crazy! There's no such thing as mountains. We're running late! Up the throttle and pass out more peanuts."

And the passengers not wanting to go through the hassle of all that flapping figure: Hey, free peanuts.

So go to the range,  have some fun. 

And get ready because something that can't go on forever... won't.

For example.

And here's Weerd with some thoughts.  I'm not as optimistic that the Stupid Party will learn, or that the GOP heads will face consequences for two losses like this.  But there is this upside:

For those of you concerned about your guns, take a quick look at the Pro-Choice people. They’ve been saying for YEARS if we elect a Republican they’ll ban abortion. Hell George W. Bush was about as Bible-Thumpy as they come, he was pro-life, and for his first term he had support of the House and Senate. You see him attempting to ban Abortion? Now guns are in a LITTLE more jeopardy, but that’s just a semantic statement. The gun shops will be loaded, the hunting season will be filled with black rifles, and the person standing next to you on the sidewalk, or sitting at the next table over in the Restaurant, they’re carrying a gun.

And that's why you help people you know get that gun, get that toter's permit.

First, Second, and Franchise

Welp just voted.

And, fortunately, since my polling location is not a school or such I was able to have both the First and Second Amendments in my pocket, so to speak.

We'll all been over Torb versus Lizard versus Wookie.

And Tam and Bobbie have done a good swag at Indiana State stuff.

I'll just add this,  vote no to retain Steven H. David.  He's the judge that things that just because a burglar wears a badge means that you can't defend yourself.

On the other hand  Justice Robert Rucker wrote the dissident to that asinine ruling.  They're both up for retention votes.

And when in doubt take this final bit of advice from Roberta:  "Rule of thumb: if no better basis exists, vote for the fatter candidate.  Sure, you'll need more tar and feathers, but they can't hide as easily or run as fast.  I'm sure other advantages will occur to the imaginative reader."


As a final note, I voted wearing my Russian Origami shirt.  No one got the joke.

Ultimate "Only One"ism

How much of a gun control freak and power-mad tinpot despot is Baron Bloomberg?

He doesn't even want the National Guard to be armed.

“We don’t need it,” Mayor Bloomberg said on Wednesday during a press update on the city’s ongoing Hurricane Sandy cleanup. “The NYPD is the only people we want on the street with guns.”

From Sebastian who notes:

So for Bloomberg, even the guns wielded by our National Guard are undesirable. And how many of your towns have signed onto this radical and un-American agenda?

Well, this is a man that has bragged, erroneously, that the he has his"own army in the NYPD, whis is the seventh biggest army in the world."

And Says Uncle also notes.

Also, this one is a head-scratcher. Bloomberg won’t let the national guard in because only the NYPD should have guns. And it could lead to a police state. Uhm, have you been to NYC?

Silly Chance, it's be a Police State he doesn't control.

Also Bloomberg lies. Right out.  The NYPD are not the only people on the street with guns. And they're not the only people they want on the streets with guns.

NYC is May Issue, a very a very special May Issue regime. So you don't have to be in the NYPD to legally carry a gun there. You just have to have some friends in real high places.

The only people he wants to have guns are the NYPD and his well-connected cronies and chums.

In short the Baron's Men-at-arms, and Friends of the Baronial Court.

Weerd on the Wookie

So earlier I was talking about pulling the lever for Wookie versus the Lizard.

And then JagG gave his example for the Lizard.

Well here's Weer'd on why he's going for the Wookie.

As I've said before, I have the luxury (as does Weerd) of being in  a non-swing state.

That does make things easier. And yes, it is selfish.

But here's Bill Whittle who has a very good point that there is a difference between the Torb and the Lizard.

It's up to you.

JayG another point for the Lizard.

So earlier I was talking about pulling the lever for Wookie versus the Lizard.

And here's some thoughts by JayG 

 The *ONLY* reason I am voting for Romney is to put an end to Benghazi-style events. Oh, I know they'll still happen. But if President Romney had a US Ambassador killed, went on TV blaming some obscure filmmaker for inciting a riot, and then stonewalled for weeks knowing exactly what happened? He'd be undergoing impeachment proceedings RFN. And rightly so. Nixon was threatened with impeachment for trying to cover up a break in and DNC headquarters. Obama went on TV and told us it was our insensitivity that caused the attack, even going so far as to have the filmmaker arrested under cover of darkness. And when we find out that, no, it was a terrorist attack to commemorate the 9/11 attacks and that Obama knew it all along? Oh, hey, what's on Honey Boo Boo right now?

And this is coming from someone who lives in Massachusetts.  Which is a twofer as 1)  Mass is so blue JayG's vote doesn't "matter" and 2)  JayG knows firsthand what it's like to be governed by the Lizard.

Of course we all know what it's like to be governed by the Torb.

They told me if I voted for McCain we'd have defacto blasphemy laws that would be used to coverup the incompetent failings of the ruling class. And they were right!

Amazing how quickly "F da Police" becomes "Police are the Only Ones."

You may or may not recall the recent story where a cop tasered a 10 year old at career day after the boy refused to wash the cop's car.

It's an example, one of many, of the sense of privilege and entitlement that can happen among the police, especially when law and punishment does not fall nearly as heavily on them.

It's a rank injustice that is very corrosive.

Recently, a liberal (not Mr. A for once) brought this exact story up.  And his refrain was: "Don't trust the police, no justice, no peace"

Catchy and a bit trite, but the first part has a fundamental truth.  See this two part video by Mr. James Duane, a professor at Regent Law School and in part two Officer George Bruch  of the Virginia Beach Police Department. Both agree  Don't Talk to Cops.

The videos have a great amount of info in them, and show what the police can and cannot do and what they can and cannot say in an investigation.

Now back to the conversation.  The liberal was incensed, and rightly so: "Hey , what do you think would happen to you if you tazed a ten year old for no reason?"

Yes, the police do get special powers and when they screw up they can face a lot less punishment than if you or I broke the law.

This made me ask him what his views were on May Issue versus Shall Issue?

His response: "Well, I'm of the opinion that the 'an armed society is a polite society' view is bullshit so I don't really care either way about concealed carry."

You get it?  He doesn't care if the police, the very people he was raging against for their special privilege, are empowered to decide, with no justification, who can and cannot be armed

Consider that.

When pressed on the unfairness of giving the cops, and other agents of the state, a blank check on who gets Second Amendment rights the fellow fell back to this: "Isn't May Issue just for concealed carry?"

Well, it depends on the state, in New York State for example, to even own a handgun you need one of their May Issue Permits.

But that obscures the greater point.  Is it wrong to let the police pick who can and cannot own guns, but it's suddenly okay to let them pick who can and cannot carry them?

Remember this is a guy who said "Don't trust the police, no justice, no peace"

And now he's defending special police powers.  And why? In his own words:  "I'm not really a fan of concealed carry period."

Oh well, that's much, much better.  He likes Illinois style; where the police are the Only Ones that can carry. Alderman and other politicians can carry too!

But note that he's "indifferent" towards May Issue, as doesn't mind it.  It still keeps down that whole "armed society" he's against.

This person who complains about the cops having too much power is indifferent to cops being empowered to say who can and cannot keep or bear arms.  And it would seem would prefer the Cops to be the Only Ones who could bear arms.

Update: This is the same guy who yuks it up and forwards links such as this.  Haha, evil billionaires that like keeping "affordable care" out of the hands of the poor.  Meanwhile he approves of a siting president that sees "cheap handguns" as a problem.

This person who also regularly rails against the privilege of the wealthy and politically connected  is indifferent to the cops giving out permits only to the wealthy and connected.

Call me cynical, but when you rail against the "social injustice" the poor face at the hands of the police and the rich I'd sort of expect you to be against a system where it's made legal for the police and the rich to have guns but illegal for the poor to have guns.

And not, at best, indifferent.

In short, this is why I don't believe liberals when they try to claim they're all about the plight of the poor and social justice.  If you don't think the average citizen can be trusted to own and carry a gun, then I'm pretty suspicious on your "good intentions" towards them.

Baron Bloomberg: Savior of the Environment and Pro-Life Crusader

Remember, it's considered vulgar, exploitative  ignorant, and a bit insane to blame a disaster on too much buggery or too much blasphemy making God angry, but it’s just fine to say all your pollutin’ is making Gaia cry.

It’s science.  Or at least something politicians can claim is science.  Remember wrapping yourself up in the Flag or Jesus to claim the moral high ground is repugnant, but putting on a lab-coat is a'okay.

Because a priest pushing to ban demon-rum is backwards and theocratic but when members of the NYC Department of Health and Moral Hygiene ban big gulps... well that's just prudent.


As for the latter...  yeah Thomas Friedman thinks Bloomberg is a great Pro-Life example.  Not counting that whole abortion thing. Seriously...  or at least that's what Friedman thinks as he decides to try to reclaim "pro life" for the liberals and decides that the best example is... Bloomberg.



Look at all the stuff Friedman defines as "pro life"

That’s why, for me, the most “pro-life” politician in America is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. While he supports a woman’s right to choose, he has also used his position to promote a whole set of policies that enhance everyone’s quality of life — from his ban on smoking in bars and city parks to reduce cancer, to his ban on the sale in New York City of giant sugary drinks to combat obesity and diabetes, to his requirement for posting calorie counts on menus in chain restaurants, to his push to reinstate the expired federal ban on assault weapons and other forms of common-sense gun control, to his support for early childhood education, to his support for mitigating disruptive climate change.

Now that is what I call “pro-life.” 

Don't agree with Baron Bloomberg's or Friedman? You want to be treated like an adult?  You want make your own decisions about what you do with your body?  Maybe you want to have the same right to carry as gun as a wealthy Manhattanite?

To bad, they know better than you.

And think about the incongruity.  These goobers are just fine with a woman choosing to terminate her pregnancy but will throw the same woman to the mat if she chooses to give the baby formula instead of breastmilk.

And heaven help that woman if she gives her kid a soda.

Or dares to carry a gun to protect herself from rapists.  Unless she's famous or politically connected,  then she can carry. Taking away the prole's rights is just "common sense".

I guess this makes Mr. A "pro life"/"anti-choice" too.

As he's still quite approving of the whole big gulp ban measure

 Initial reports suggest the ban is working as intended, and I'd rather see the results after a couple years

Yeah, and Prohibition reduced Alcohol consumption, and criminalizing pot work as intended to. Oh wait,  Mr. A likes to partake on that drug so government bans are bad.

Remember, paternalistic government is okay with him, if it means "no fat chicks".   And maybe next time you complain about oppressive governance remember that this wouldn't have happened if your neighbors weren't so displeasing in the eyes of the ruling class.

But hey, if the State can ban something just because it might have some future health benefit well.. then there's no limit to what they can ban can they?

Here's an example of "Pro Life" Bloomberg at work.

SO LET’S BE CLEAR: While Starving New Yorkers Dumpster-Dive For Food, while commuter delays rage, and while Staten Islanders beg for food, gas and clothing, Mayor Bloomberg has time to talk about “climate change.”

But it gets worse!

The New York City Marathon will not be canceled.

"If you’re wondering why New York City is still holding the annual marathon, it’s because Mayor Michael Bloomberg insists that the show must go on" 

“The marathon is not going to redirect any focus. Keep in mind by Sunday we’ll have electricity back downtown,” Bloomberg said.

If you don't live downtown, well screw you.

These kind of events take a significant amount of resources for security, public safety, transportation, and certainly for the electricity needed to run a media event like a modern marathon. Shouldn’t the focus of the city’s resources be on, oh, saving the lives of its people in the aftermath of a disaster like this?  Staten Island residents probably aren’t too keen on taking a back seat to a sporting event while they sit in the dark and the cold.

Sure, let's give these guys even more power to regulate every inch of our lives.

And some of the examples?  Three massive generators that are used for the media tent.  One of which is not even in use to be backup.

As one source says:      " “You know what this is about? This is all so Bloomberg can stand at the finish line Sunday and tell the world we bounced back"


It's all about him.  Though the Baron assures us that his response is kind: Don’t you peasants think a marathon would lift your spirits?

Seriously, Bloomberg is justifying diverting a State resources to control and organize a giant sporting event because he thinks it'll be what the commoners really need.

When disaster strikes, you can count on Michael Bloomberg to endorse the Democrat for president, hold a marathon, and take away your soda.

On another note.  Remember when Bloomberg jumped into action and came up with a way to reduce traffic during the aftermath of the storm.  Why he'd simply order mandatory carpooling.

Update:  The Baron cancels.

Gee...  that didn't work. "Forced carpooling causes gridlock into NYC..."

A check point set up at the George Washington Bridge was removed towards the end of the morning commute. It is not clear why the check point had been set up at the bridge, which was not included in Mayor Bloomberg's announcement on Wednesday.

The plan limited the number of vehicles entering Manhattan after a dreadfully slow morning commute on Wednesday following superstorm Sandy.

Police are stopping to check cars at the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, Queensboro Bridge, RFK/Triborough Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, and Lincoln Tunnel to determine how many people are inside before they are allowed into the bridges or tunnel.

The check points reduced traffic to one lane. The inspections appeared to be taking several seconds per vehicle.

Wow!  An edict obsentibly placed to Reduce X ends up Increasing X because of the onerous enforcement requirements.

Who'd have thunk it?

Also forcing all those cars to wait makes them burn more gas than if they could simply drive through.  If they waited long enough it would entirely offset any fuel savings. Not that there's a shortage or anything.

Also there's a reason I follow my grandfather's advice "Take care of the tip half your tank and the bottom half will take care of you."

And why one of the first bits of advice for an inclement weather is to fill up. Yes you will need to get more gas, but you can offset the time more than otherwise.  That's the whole point of disaster preparation, to buy more time.

Because even if the people in charge have the best of intentions, the might not be able to help you.

And that's assuming that a clod that wants to make you a serf has the "best of intentions".

Gary Johnson?

Well here's Linoge with the pro.  And here's Bill Whittle with the con.

Read all and watch to the end.

I can see the arguments for both sides.  And you can go with how "only the swing states matter" and SCOTUS nominations, and how far more competent, motivated, and deft Romney is (double edged that sword is),  and the idea of putting in a better Republican in 4 years and building a viable third party.

They're all good points.    And even if Obama doesn't do much himself, his cronies are still empowered and internationally we live in very interesting times.     Hell the debt and dependency issues aren't going away.

I don't have a decision for you.   You'll have to vote your conscious.  And that'll be if you go for the lizard or the wookie.  Edit, me I'm going for the wookie.  But I'm in a "red state". And I can't really begrudge someone for going for the lizard.

I will say that if you vote for Obama you're a fool or on the take.

For the former, that man played all you hopium addicts like the last Tulip seller in Haarlem and like a penny dreadful villain he explained his whole con in the very books you all bought and pretended to read.

For the latter,  well it don't matter what I say does it?  As long as the checks keep coming and you get to scream about how greedy everyone else is for not paying you more.

Quote of the Day Linoge: Malum prohibitum

Let's dive right in:

Is that (currently) a (malum prohibitum) crime?  Absolutely.  Would anyone find out?  Probably not.  Is there any way to stop me from committing said crime?  Probably not, and certainly not the way the current shipping industries are set up.  And who exactly would be harmed if I broke that law?  Not a soul.

And people wonder why my tolerance for government at a whole is at an all-time low and dropping…

That sure can apply to a lot of laws huh?  Kinda makes you wonder about the role and scope of governance.

And if you really must know what law he's talking about, go here.

Linoge also has  his Graphics Matter.  In case you were curious on how the whole guns versus crime correlation was going.

And on a related note JayG also talks about

The horror of having "dispensing devices, cups, hundreds of dollars in cash and even a tip jar"
Cups!  A stockpile!  What dastardly crime was being committed?

Unlicensed sale of liquor... to adults... under 21! Dun dun dun.

Why on earth do we have laws that seem so counter to human nature for victimless crimes? Why is the drinking age 21 when one is considered a legal adult three years prior? I know perhaps a handful of people - literally enough to count on one hand - that did not drink a drop of alcohol before their 21st birthday. Can't we stop pretending that the drinking age being 21 actually stops *anyone* from drinking before they turn 21?

Good thing we can keep all those illegal, and legal, drugs away from those "kids"... most of which are in their twenties.   Won't somebody please Think of the Children!

So... about that Whedon endorsement...

Well first of all, saying "OMG that guy may start a zombie Apocalypse" might not be the winning strategy.

Some folk wouldn't mind that at all.

And Glenn Reynolds notes something:

Love Whedon’s work, especially Firefly, but his recent political pronouncements in favor of Obama indicate that in real life, he’d be on the side of the Alliance.

Hell, I've been saying that for a while.