tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67266092024-03-13T15:48:05.473-04:00MuD & PHuDHalf of what we are going to teach you is wrong.
Unfortunately, we don’t know which half.
--unknown
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comBlogger1205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1150207175628787662006-06-13T09:57:00.000-04:002006-06-13T09:59:35.696-04:00English OnlyDoes anyone else see the humor in this <a href="http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/14803774.htm">controversy</a>?<br /><br /><blockquote>One of South Philadelphia's biggest names in cheesesteaks is in a bit of a legal pickle for a lunch-line political statement against immigrants who don't speak English.<br /><br />The city's Commission on Human Relations yesterday filed a discrimination complaint against Geno's Steaks over signs that read: "This is AMERICA ... WHEN ORDERING SPEAK ENGLISH."</blockquote>As yet I cannot find a picture of this sign anywhere online. However, in each and every published account I have seen, the same quote is given...in English. Am I the only one who finds this funny?Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149593450883711942006-06-06T07:20:00.000-04:002006-06-06T07:30:50.920-04:00Bad NewsBut not unexpected:<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/06/05/new_london_preparing_for_evictions_in_eminent_domain_dispute/">NEW LONDON, Conn.</a> --City officials voted Monday night to begin eviction proceedings against residents who refuse to leave their riverfront homes, signaling the end may be near in an eminent domain dispute that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.<br /><br />The City Council approved the action 5-2, authorizing the city attorney to take the necessary steps, including possible court action, to evict the remaining two families and obtain the properties. A lawyer for the families said they are considering continuing their battle with the city.</blockquote>At this point there are only two people still fighting this thing, Susette Kelo and Michael Cristofaro as William Von Winkle agreed to settle just prior yesterday's meeting (of all people, I don't blame him as his <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/sr/hc-31013422.apds.m0971.bc-ct--seizmay31,0,3162939.story">son was recently killed</a>).<br /><br />I don't know what's going to happen now. It's entirely possible that civil disobedience (as Scott Bullock suggests in the article) might crystallize. If it does, there will certainly be arrests (there's the potential for violence) and maybe, just maybe the city will relent. <br /><br />But even if the city backs down, making it appear that Susette and Michael (and the rest of their countrymen) have won, I don't believe for a second that they'll get to live happily ever after. I think they've pissed off enough powerful people that someone with the means to do so will make their lives difficult. Just a guess, and I hope I'm wrong. Only time, and a few brave individuals, will tell.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149537472142346842006-06-05T15:19:00.000-04:002006-06-05T16:05:36.240-04:00More New London CrazinessI am currently restraining myself from breaking things. <a href="http://www.bizzyblog.com/?p=2325">Bizzyblog has the skinny</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Finally, Scott also brought up one incredibly important point from many years ago that I was not aware of: A building I previously did not know about, The Italian Dramatic Club, was exempted from eminent domain, and is staying. Accordingly I have added it to the map:</blockquote>Head over there to see the location of this apparently indispensable club. Now, you might be curious as to why, exactly, this one club was allowed to stay while the peons were kicked to the curb. <a href="http://www.ij.org/private_property/connecticut/con_property_backgrounder.html#_ftnref6">Wonder no longer</a> (via Bizzyblog):<br /><br /><blockquote>Among the Italian Dramatic Club’s patrons was former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, who helped direct much of the State funding for the NLDC’s work in New London and who resigned in June 2004 amid an ethics scandal.</blockquote>Un-freaking-believable. The blaringly obvious question here is why, after following this story for so long, have I yet to hear about this little social club? Hum? What the hell The Day doing that's so important that they missed getting this juicy bit of into one of their many stories? Makes a guy think that the conspiracy theorists are onto something. (Just to prove I'm not just missing the boat, searching for <a href="http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD%2CGGLD%3A2004-36%2CGGLD%3Aen&tab=wn&q=%22Italian+Dramatic+Club%22+new+london">"Italian Dramatic Club" new london</a> via Google News gives zero results.)<br /><br />I know I already said it, but this is absolutely un-freaking-believable. Our countrymen are going to have their property stolen from them under the (very credible) threat of physical violence while this pissant little group of 'politically connected' POSs get to keep their club. Does anyone out there <i>still</i> want to argue that this is anything other than an outright, egregious abuse of power?<br /><br /><strong>Update:</strong><br /><br />There is a meeting this evening. If you're in the area go and support the last three homeowners standing up for liberty.<br /><br />New London City Council Meeting <br />Monday, June 5, 2006 <br />7 p.m. <br />181 State Street<br />New London, CT 06320Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149277103261524472006-06-02T15:29:00.000-04:002006-06-02T15:38:23.306-04:00But We Only Want Your Guns!Well, at least until we have them. Then we'll get to work blaming <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5037322.stm">other inanimate objects</a> (<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4581871.stm">for example</a>) for the violence they so obviously cause:<br /><br /><blockquote>A legal challenge has been raised against plans to for a total ban on glasses in Glasgow's pubs and clubs. <br /><br />The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has lodged papers at the Court of Session opposing the enforced use of toughened or plastic glasses. <br /><br />The licensing board agreed on the ban, which will be rolled out in January, to reduce injuries from violence. <br /><br />Glass was banned in pubs and clubs with late night entertainment licences earlier this year.</blockquote>So, once they ban all objects that could cause harm (e.g., baseball bats, <a href="http://www.knoxstudio.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=MACHETES-03-02-06&cat=AN">machetes</a>, knives, chain saws, candle stick holders, etc.) what's left? Will those looking out for the serfs' safety require installation and 'safe storage' of all dentures so that no more tragic 'biting attacks' can ruin even one more innocent's life? Eh, why not.<br /><br />Amazing. Amazingly sad.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2006/06/from-land-of-braveheart.html">The War on Guns</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149275781378094142006-06-02T15:13:00.000-04:002006-06-02T15:16:21.410-04:00Update From The Gov re: New London CTHere's some info I received today from the <a href="http://www.ij.org/">Institute of Justice</a> via Michael Cristofaro. Not great news, but definitely better than Gov Rell's letter from the other day.<br /><br /><blockquote>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: John E. Kramer or Lisa Knepper<br />June 2, 2006 (703) 682-9320<br />Connecticut Gov. Rell Clarifies Her Statement:<br />She Supports Returning Deeds to Family-Occupied Homes<br />With Deadline Passed, New London Homeowners Fight On<br /> <br />Arlington, Va.-Heroes of the Fort Trumbull neighborhood of New London, Conn., continue to fight on for their homes and the rights of homeowners nationwide. Susette Kelo, Mike Cristofaro and Rich Beyer all turned down offers on the May 31, 2006, deadline given by the City of New London for them to accept offers to sell their property or the City will forcibly evict them and impose back fees and rent. <br /><br />The owners of family-occupied homes got a much-needed boost today from Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Today, in a follow-up letter to New London Mayor Beth Sabilia, Gov. Rell clarified her previous position, stating that she supports giving deeds back to family-occupied properties, with full inheritance rights and ability to sell the homes. The City would have a right of first refusal if the owner decides to sell, something the homeowners said they support.<br /><br />In a previous letter of May 31, Gov. Rell wrote that she wants everyone who is not an owner-occupant of Fort Trumbull to leave the neighborhood. (That includes both of Rich Beyer’s homes and two of the three Von Winkle homes.) In that letter, Gov. Rell also said she supported returning the deeds to the owner-occupied homeowners, but only if the deeds go back to the City upon sale or death of the title holder. That would have made them essentially meaningless pieces of paper and was no different than the "lifetime occupancy" proposed by the city. <br /><br />"It is great news that the governor has come through and made clear that she supports giving real deeds back to the family-occupied homes, something Susette Kelo and her neighbors have fought for since day one of this battle," said Scott Bullock, senior attorney for the Institute for Justice, which continues to represent the homeowners. "It is disappointing, though, that the governor does not support the small businesses who are keeping rental homes in Fort Trumbull, and we ask her and the City Council to reconsider that position."<br /><br />"Governor Rell has now made her position clear with regard to my home: I should have my deed back," said Susette Kelo, the lead plaintiff in Kelo v. New London. "I really hope that the New London City Council now votes in favor of this on Monday." On Monday, June 5, 2006, the New London City Council will meet for the first time since the May 31 deadline to decide the fate of the remaining homeowners. <br />-More-<br /> <br /> <br />Institute for Justice-Deadline Passes<br />June 2, 2006<br />Page Two of Two<br />"I thank Gov. Rell for her support in my fight to keep our home," said Mike Cristofaro, whose family has owned a home in New London for over 30 years. "Let’s hope the City Council now stands up and does the right thing or else this battle will continue." <br /><br />"Small businesses are threatened by eminent domain across Connecticut and across the nation as witnessed by the threat to my properties," said Bill Von Winkle. "These rental properties represent my family’s livelihood. The government shouldn’t take what’s rightfully mine just to make way for other private owners. I’m glad to see the other homeowners may be protected, and I hope the Governor and the City Council will respect the rights of the small businessman, too."<br /><br />The City gave Bill Von Winkle a two-week extension to decide in the wake of his son’s murder last week.<br /><br />Due to the ongoing threat of losing his rental homes, small businessman Richard Beyer has been forced to continue negotiating with the State-appointed mediator and is close to reaching a settlement.<br /><br />On the May 31 deadline, two of the other property owners settled with the City. Homeowner Byron Athenian settled with the City as he was not interested in relocating his house to where Susette Kelo and the rest of the homeowners are located, the only viable option aside from financial compensation being offered to the property owners. The Dery family also settled.<br /><br />Matt Dery, speaking on behalf of his family, said: "My family circumstances have changed drastically since I started this battle to keep our family homes several years ago. My father is elderly and can no longer maintain his home on his own. My mother, Wilhelmina Dery, on whose behalf I was primarily fighting, passed away earlier this year. But she was able to spend the rest of her life at her home in which she had lived in her entire life. For that fact I am eternally grateful to the Institute for Justice and the many other people and organizations that have supported our fight. Even though I have reached a settlement with the City, I completely support the other homeowners in their fight to keep their homes. Moreover, I still firmly believe that what happened to me and the other property owners in Fort Trumbull was terribly wrong. No American should face the loss of their home so that other private interests may benefit."</blockquote>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149174376505295512006-06-01T10:44:00.000-04:002006-06-01T11:06:16.693-04:00Calling All Jackbooted ThugsIf you're a jackbooted thug and want some hands on training, New London CT might just be the place for you come 15 June 2006. That's the <a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/connecticut/ny-bc-ct--seizingproperty0530may30,0,702705.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut">deadline</a> by which either a deal must be reached with the remaining <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/04-108.ZS.html">Fort Trumble homeowners</a>, or they will face eviction (oh, and thanks for backing out, <a href="http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=7cc9e8c3-15de-4566-b4fc-b320c9e5acc0">Gov</a>). Amazingly there have not been a heck of a lot of coverage around here and so I'm having a hard time figuring out exactly what the city is planning. Are they going to bust down the door if someone refuses to leave? I'm guessing that once all the legal avenues are exhausted that's exactly what they'll do.<br /><br />This whole thing is a freaking travesty against liberty and everything this country is supposed to stand for. What we are witnessing in New London CT is the forcible seizure of private property by the government who is then going to turn around and give that private property to a private company who will then use it for their own ends. This is absolutely tyrannical. I know, I know...the 'officials' will point out that everything went through all the legal channels. And you know what? I don't give a crap. This is BS, and everybody knows it.<br /><br />So, what happens now? People will be removed from their homes. The only question that remains is whether they leave on their feet, or feet first. I know it's horrible to contemplate, but I fear this situation will end with bloodshed. The homeowners have held out for so long, faced down such powerful people and institutions that there is likely at least one among them who will not go quietly into the night. Let me state that I have no inside knowledge of anything in particular, and to some extent I hope I'm wrong...but I really fear for the life of anyone who refuses to leave. <br /><br />A big part of me wants to tell them all to leave quietly. That they've been beaten in an unfair fight. At the end of the day, however, I don't have any idea what I would do in their place. Although now that we've established that a CT city can take your house to 'increase the tax base', we are all in danger of finding out just <i>exactly</i> what we'd do. <br /><br />God help us.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1149009224794852882006-05-30T13:02:00.000-04:002006-05-30T13:13:44.856-04:00No Such Things As A "Former Marine"Methinks this is was not the first time Mr. Autry had been faced with violence:<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.wsbtv.com/news/9290011/detail.html">ATLANTA</a> -- Five robbers picked the wrong victim in Midtown Atlanta last night and one of them paid with her life.<br />[...]<br />The five suspects pulled up in a car and confronted the victim in the 500 block of Penn Street just before midnight.<br /><br />Autry began running down the street yelling for help. Residents who heard him called 911. While he was running, Autry pulled a pocket knife from his backpack.<br /><br />Two of the robbers jumped from the car. When one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at him, the Autry kicked it out of his hands.<br /><br />At that point two of the robbers jumped on the victim. During the struggle he stabbed both of them. One, a teenaged female who has been identified as Amy Martin, died of her wounds. Officials say Martin was pregnant. A second is in critical condition.<br />[...]<br />Thomas Autry, who is a former U.S. Marine, will not be charged since police say he was acting in self defense. Officials say Autry is extremely remorseful.</blockquote>Guess some dirtbags picked the wrong Marine.<br /><br />BTW, I agree with <a href="http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2006/05/30/wow-6/">Uncle</a> re: the Rambo reference.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1148582693638175162006-05-25T14:41:00.000-04:002006-05-25T14:44:53.890-04:00Football or Patty Cake?<a href="http://www.courant.com/sports/highschool/hc-hsrule0525.artmay25,0,5153514.story?coll=hc-headlines-home">Pansies</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>In what some are referring to as the "Cochran rule," the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference football committee passed a score management policy to be instituted next season. The rule says if a team wins by 50 or more points, the coach is suspended for the next game.</blockquote>I'm nearly speechless. At least the rule's namesake isn't a girly-man:<br /><br /><blockquote>"It won't change anything with how I prepare for a game," Cochran said. "Where it's going to run into problems is when you've got your second team in or you've got your freshmen in; what do you tell them? One coach is saying he's just going to have his guys take a knee. I would never do that. I would never tell a kid to run out of bounds instead of scoring.</blockquote>Getting beaten badly on any sports field sucks...but then that's a risk you take when you suit up. If you can't win, or even hold your own on the football field, give tiddlywinks a try. <br /><br />This is just absolute crap. What does this teach kids? If you're really good, try to hold back to you don't hurt anyone's feelings. That's what. <br /><br />I played baseball in high school and our team sucked. We tried real hard, but we just weren't that good. We used to get beat <i>very</i> badly. And remember, there's no clock in baseball. I distinctly remember being pissed when we lost...but I was absolutely <i>insulted</i> when the other team decided to be 'nice' and not take extra bases, force themselves to swing at every other pitch, etc. That got under my skin more than anything else. There's nothing more condescending than being offered pity like that. I didn't want it then and I don't want it now. The difference now being that the pandering is being codified by a high school athletic organization. <br /><br />I'm sure this will help us breed real men to lead this country into the future. Lessons learned on the playing field will certainly serve them well. They'll be tough, just so long as nobody tries to run up the score.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1148338522192379602006-05-22T18:51:00.000-04:002006-05-22T18:55:22.223-04:00Canadian WarriorsI've lost an awful lot of respect for our neighbors to the north for many reasons, mainly their total abandonment of freedom. No time for that now because <a href="http://michaelyon-online.com/media/pdf/war_canadian_style_toronto_star.pdf">there may still be hope</a> (pdf):<br /><br /><blockquote>"It is one thing for someone to come back from seeing reality in a place like this and to say, `I'm a pacifist. I don't want Canada to have an army.' I can respect that, even if I don't agree," says Schamuhn.<br /><br />"But if you're born in Canada and that's all you've ever known, your words mean nothing to me. Because you haven't seen the other side of the world. You haven't seen the necessity of conflict. There are people who are fighting against peace, against stable government.<br /><br />"And Canada, whether they want to know it or not, has a very strong warrior class. I guess that is what the front-line soldiers really want Canadians to understand. We want Canadians to get on board, to realize we are out here and to allow us to do what we are prepared to do."</blockquote>Read the whole thing. It's long but flies by. Well written and quite uplifting.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/war-canadian-style.htm">Michael Yon</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1148297220449578612006-05-22T07:24:00.000-04:002006-05-22T07:27:00.483-04:00LibertyA short while back I ran into a great new blog, <a href="http://www.indiancowboy.net/">OK so I’m not really a cowboy.</a> He's got a post up right now that really <a href="http://www.indiancowboy.net/blog/?p=186">hits the nail on the head</a>. Check it out.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1148224984646808592006-05-21T11:16:00.000-04:002006-05-21T11:23:04.690-04:00Ex-MarineIt's been said many times: <em>There's no such thing as an 'Ex-Marine'</em>. <br /><br />As an outsider I am in awe of our warriors, whether they be Soldier, Seaman, Airman or Marine. I know enough only to know that the bond of brotherhood they share is something I will likely never experience, and that makes it all the more tragic in my eyes when a warrior betrays his own. Certainly discharge from the Service does not make one an Ex-Marine...but there are lines in the sand that to cross is unforgivable. <br /><br />Don't take it from this life-long civilian, though. Ask <a href="http://bloodletting.blog-city.com/disavowed.htm#">Doc Russia</a>.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1148068602802193522006-05-19T15:50:00.000-04:002006-05-19T15:56:42.836-04:00How To FightOver the past few months I've been giving a lot of thought to being prepared. For what, you ask? Well, just about everything. 'Everything' can be more or less broken down into everyday situations and extreme circumstances. Within each of these categories there are both personal/physical and material preparations that are important. As I work my way back into blogging I plan to discuss these topics both in theory and practice. <br /><br />For now, however, I wanted to direct your attention to a truly great, and quite new, website that focuses on self-defense from the female prespective. Some of the pages are still under construction, but that really only serves to bring you back to see what's new. So, go pay Kathy at <a href="http://corneredcat.com/">The Cornered Cat</a> a visit. You won't be disappointed.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1147893785157557142006-05-17T15:19:00.000-04:002006-05-17T15:23:05.190-04:00New Eminent Domain AbuseIf you've read this blog over the past year you know how I feel about eminent domain abuse. Well, it's still going strong on the CT coast:<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CT_STEEL_POINT_CTOL-?SITE=CTNHR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT">BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP)</a> -- A Superior Court judge has rejected an attempt by United Illuminating Co. to block the city's plan to take 11-acres of power company property for the planned Steel Point development.<br />[...]<br />"In weighing the equities, this court concludes that the condemnation proceeding will indeed expedite UI receiving just compensation for the property being taken and agrees with the city that a delay in obtaining this portion of land may, in fact, jeopardize this project, which the mayor considers the most significant in the history of the city," the judge stated.<br />[...]<br />Last November, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor and the city's Redevelopment Agency to acquire UI's property on Steel Point to make way for apartments, shopping a hotel and a marina.</blockquote>Oh, well I stand corrected. I mean if the mayor thinks it's really <i>really</i> important, than it's certainly ok to steal private land and give it to another private entity.<br /><br />At the risk of repeating myself, this is government running roughshod over private individuals and companies and it cannot be allowed to stand. Period.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1147890156265217972006-05-17T14:16:00.000-04:002006-05-17T14:22:36.293-04:00It's Been A WhileAs I'm sure literally millions have noted, I've dropped off the face of the blogging earth of late. The reason is that life is busy. While it's not slowing down any, I plan to get back into blogging in the near future, albeit with a slightly different focus.<br /><br />Railing against <em>The Man</em> in the abstract leads, for me anyway, down the road to apathy. So, the new focus (to go along with a new phase in my life, more on that later) will involve things a bit closer to home. There will still be a smattering of railing against <em>The Man</em>, but with hopefully a different flavor and more useful point of reference.<br /><br />So, until the near future...Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1143819511258081032006-03-31T10:37:00.000-05:002006-03-31T10:38:44.053-05:00DistilleryAn intellectual distillery, that is. <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson200603310745.asp">VDH</a> kicks Leftist Buttarsky:<br /><br /><blockquote>Sixth, we have not had another September 11. Two-thirds of the leadership of al Qaeda is dismantled. Fifty million people have voted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Syria is out of Lebanon. The Middle East is in democratic turmoil from the Gulf to Egypt and Libya, not mired in the old autocratic stasis. The Europeans are waking up to the dangers of Islamism as the Western world seeks to deal with a nuclear Iran.</blockquote>You know what to do...Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1143816700322108602006-03-31T09:49:00.000-05:002006-03-31T09:51:40.340-05:00Bird Flu 'Preperation'<a href="http://www.newbritainherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16409144&BRD=1641&PAG=461&dept_id=10109&rfi=6">Well, <i>I</i> certainly feel better now:</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Doris Kurtz, superintendent of schools, said that the school administration addressed the issue of influenza to parents in a newsletter months ago, and has distributed anti-bacterial soap to teachers for students.</blockquote>Yep, nothing quite like anti-bacterial soap to stop the flu. <br /><br />Wait a second...Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1143140177416155712006-03-23T13:54:00.000-05:002006-03-23T13:56:17.433-05:00Liberty Comes To KansasI've been pretty blogged out lately, but nothing makes me happier than the expansion of (even licensed) liberty:<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/mar/23/its_law_concealed_carry_upheld_house/?breaking">Topeka</a> — Qualified Kansans will be able to carry concealed guns as early as January under a bill put into law despite Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto.<br /><br />The House overrode the veto, 91-33, today and the Senate, 30-10, on Wednesday. Both votes exceeded the two-thirds majorities needed to beat back a veto.</blockquote>(Almomst) As it should be. Way to go Kansas. Welcome back to our (almost) free country.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2006/03/23/were_winning-6/">Say Uncle</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1142619358550560222006-03-17T13:07:00.000-05:002006-03-17T13:15:58.583-05:00Harold Hatley<a href="http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/03/17/ap2601843.html">Mr. Hatley</a> was definitely a <a href="http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2004/articles/0726sheep.html">sheepdog</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>According to police, a surveillance video showed Harold Hatley, 73, leaving his seat at the counter and getting in the line of fire, which enabled others to flee. <br /><br />"Like many brave soldiers and peace officers, Mr. Hatley was walking toward trouble rather than away from it," Police Chief Joe Cortez said.</blockquote>I hope Mr. Hatley's family can find comfort and solace after this aweful incident. As a fellow American, I am proud of this 'old man' who did not freeze, did not flee, but rather moved to the sound of guns and saved innocent lives.<br /><br />Godspeed Harold Hatley. May you rest in peace.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://www.gunlawnews.org/Other-News/dennyshh-3.html">Gun Law News</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1142606002915016192006-03-17T09:32:00.000-05:002006-03-17T09:33:46.703-05:00Top O The Mornin' To Ya, LaddyHappy St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy the day, and remember...<br /><br /><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3266819.stm">Guinness <i>is</i> good for you</a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1142452005083327082006-03-15T14:43:00.000-05:002006-03-15T14:46:45.106-05:00Racial Designation<a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-race0315.artmar15,0,6795033.story?coll=hc-headlines-home">Interesting</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>And an angry anonymous letter, purportedly sent by aggrieved parents to city and state officials, complained that Genao and his former assistant principal called students to the office and pressured them to change their designation to white without parental approval.</blockquote>So...we need parental approval for a 15 year old to have his/her 'racial designation' changed, but parents <i>definitely</i> don't need to be informed (let alone have a say) for their child to have an abortion.<br /><br />Like I said. Interesting.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1141938545679500302006-03-09T16:04:00.000-05:002006-03-09T16:09:05.700-05:00Out. Of. Control.A popular refrain from pro-gun types (myself included) is something along the lines of: <i>After you ban guns, what's next? Sharp pointy objects?</i>.<br /><br />Well, maybe it's not so funny...if you're unfortunate enough to live in Massachusetts. <a href="http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/st01/st01384.htm">And I quote</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote>Any individual who requires a machete for the purposes of cutting vegetation shall register the machete with the local police department on an annual basis and, upon payment of an appropriate annual registration fee as determined by the local granting authority, shall be issued a permit authorizing him to possess the machete solely for the purposes of cutting vegetation.</blockquote><i>Finally</i>, a <u>real</u> crime fighting law!<br /><br />Idiots.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://massbackwards.blogspot.com/2006/03/i-spoke-too-soon.html">mAssBackwards</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1141247965551223852006-03-01T16:15:00.000-05:002006-03-01T16:19:25.570-05:00Enemy Or 'Just' Incompetent?You be the judge:<br /><br /><blockquote><a href="http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2006-03-01T202707Z_01_N01361744_RTRUKOC_0_US-SECURITY-BORDER.xml&rpc=22">WASHINGTON (Reuters)</a> - Armed gangs dressed in military uniforms often illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border, providing cover for the trafficking of drugs and illegal aliens into the United States, a Senate panel heard on Wednesday.<br /><br />U.S. government officials and sheriffs from border areas told lawmakers these intruders were becoming more sophisticated and ruthless, often clashed with U.S. Border Patrol agents and committed crimes in the United States.<br /><br />"We are indeed aware of criminal organizations that wear military-style uniforms, use military-style equipment and weapons and employ military-style vehicles and tactics while conducting illegal activity in border areas," Border Patrol chief David Aguilar told a joint hearing of the Senate subcommittees on immigration and terrorism.<br /><br />However, Aguilar said there was no proof that Mexican army personnel were involved or that the Mexican military had intentionally violated U.S. sovereignty.</blockquote>No. Of course not. After all, that would require an armed response by the US, and we certainly wouldn't want to piss off any <i>illegal immigrants</i>.<br /><br />So, given that there are Mexicans invading our country who look and act <i>exactly</i> like trained military, I'll ask again: Is our neighbor to the south an enemy, or 'just' incompetent?Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1141225263205613482006-03-01T09:56:00.000-05:002006-03-01T10:01:03.236-05:00Crunchy ConservatismRadley Balko has a great post on a new(?) movement apparently called <a href="http://www.theagitator.com/archives/026329.php">Crunchy Conservatism</a>. He really hits the nail on the head:<br /><br /><blockquote>Only after crude, unabashed capitalism has taken care of a lot of other problems can we begin to have places like Whole Foods, or targeted products like no-chemical, no-additive, no-hormone, free-range chicken. Only after industry has knocked down a lot of trees and sullied a lot of streams on its way to feeding us, medicating us, and giving us reason to think we'll live past the age of forty do we get the luxury of beginning to worry about the health of the environment, and the survival of beings outside our own families, much less outside our own species.</blockquote>This is the basis for the reply I have for any environmentalists or anti-animal research type I get into an argument with. All I have to say is: <em>Fine, but then to be consistent you'd be willing to give up your car, all processed foods and (in the case of the latter), <u>all</u> medicine since no drug are approved by the FDA without prior animal testing</em>. It generally shuts them up and I'd bet it would work with these Crunchy Conservatives.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1141149339551679532006-02-28T12:45:00.000-05:002006-02-28T13:15:39.953-05:00Mark WilsonTake a moment from your busy Fat Tuesday to remember the brave men who put their lives on the line in trying to stop <a href="http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16167806&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=226369&rfi=6">David Arroyo</a> from killing his son and wife. While many law enforcement officers made a good account of themselves that day (in particular <a href="http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15071865&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=227937&rfi=6">Smith County Sheriff's Deputy Sherman Dollison</a>, although there were many others), one man stands out because he was a <a href="http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16172960&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=226369&rfi=6">civilian</a> who just happened to be a <a href="http://www.degrata.com/pdf/onsheep.pdf">sheepdog</a> who moved to the sound of the guns:<br /><br /><blockquote>From his loft above Rage Salon and Don Juan on the Square, Mark Wilson, 52, has a bird's-eye view of the shootout between gunman David Arroyo and law officers in the street below. <br /><br />Wilson, who has lived for about nine years in an apartment overlooking the Smith County Courthouse, is known to many who work or frequent the restaurants and nightspots in the heart of the city. A former firing-range owner and firearm instructor, he has taught people how to use a gun to protect themselves and others.<br /><br />Armed with a Colt .45-caliber revolver, Wilson makes his way down to Spring Avenue and the east side of the square. Arroyo is firing his semiautomatic rifle at sheriff's deputies and others at the courthouse and apparently does not see Wilson move closer.<br /><br /><br /> <br />On the sidewalk in front of Levines Department Store, Wilson shoots at the gunman.<br /><br />Arroyo slightly stumbles. A witness remembers seeing "white puffs of powder-like substance" come from Arroyo's clothing. <br /><br />After taking his shot, Wilson crouches behind a Chevy truck parked in front of the store. The truck belongs to Arroyo.<br /><br />When Arroyo walks to the driver side of the truck, Wilson, who is only a few feet away, pops up from the other side and fires.<br /><br />Wilson does not know that Arroyo is wearing a bulletproof vest and other protective gear. Wilson's shots do not take down the gunman.<br /><br />Instead, Arroyo "wheeled around to his left and fired at least one shot (at Wilson)," recalls witness John Allison, an acquaintance of Wilson. "Either Mark got hit at that moment or he stumbled back because he disappeared behind the truck out of my view (from Regions Bank building). <br /><br />"The shooter immediately walked around the truck and I saw him aim his weapon to the ground (where Wilson lies) and shoot three times," continues Allison. <br /><br />Wilson is shot in the head.</blockquote>Mark Wilson proved that fateful day in Texas that he would not stand by and watch his fellow citizens be gunned down in broad daylight outside a courthouse. By engaging Arroyo he traded his life for that of Arroyo Jr who would have been finished off at point blank range if not for Mr. Wilson's actions (sadly Maribel Estrada was killed by her ex-husband's opening shots).<br /><br />Read all <a href="http://www.tylerpaper.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16167806&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=226369&rfi=6">six parts</a> covering the day's events. Next time you think, "But something like that could never happen near <i>me</i>" remember, before 24 February 2005 no one had ever opened up with a rifle in front of the court house in Tyler, TX either.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6726609.post-1141062155103036182006-02-27T12:38:00.000-05:002006-02-27T12:42:35.116-05:00Sensible Gun Control Saves The Day!Sure enough, <a href="http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006602270397">sensible gun control</a> protects yet another citizen:<br /><br /><blockquote>Anthony Bennett of Detroit said he was just about to enter Zion Hope Baptist Church in Detroit when he heard an unholy sound from inside -- gunshots. Kevin L. Collins, 22, of Detroit had shot and killed a woman in the church, destroying the feeling of sanctuary as churchgoers panicked and crawled under pews.<br /><br />He also wounded a girl in church and shot a man in an attempted carjacking nearby, police said. He later killed himself.</blockquote>Oh wait, no it didn't. All <a href="http://www.packing.org/state/michigan/#stateoff_limits">Michigan's law against carrying weapons in Church</a> did was to ensure that there were zero law-abiding citizens ready to save innocent lives. Way to go Michigan Legislature.<br /><br />(via <a href="http://2valuable.blogspot.com/2006/02/gun-man-shoots-up-detroit-church.html">2 Valuable / America, The World, and Us</a>)Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05523850380852590973noreply@blogger.com