He wants to make the CPD hard.
Armed and Safe has the details.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
2A Blogger Bash/NRA 2008 Day 2A: Update
Meeting important people and some Schadenfruede. Ms. Sandy Froman , former NRA president, stopped by and I got some shots w/ her:
Notice the News Report in the background of the photo of her w/ Kevin Baker:
Notice the News Report in the background of the photo of her w/ Kevin Baker:
2A Blogger Bash/NRA 2008 Day 2A: Gun Porn
The FN demonstration fell through due a miscommunication. Got to stand outside the Media Room for an hour, got some breakfast, then hit the show floor. They talk acres. They weren't kidding:
First thing I noticed was a Repop "Coffee Mill" Gatling Gun care of Dixie Gun Works, Inc.:
Next was the ISRA Booth.
Pictured are Ron Corzine, John Webb, and Al Tiscareno (if I've mispelled your names, send me a message, my handwriting is horrible).
A Ma Deuce from Sabre stopped me and SailorCurt in our tracks.
After that piece of terror, we decided to take a trip to New York, where there are no firearms. What I found were some really nice toy guns by Lauer Weaponry:
I tried to get them to Duracoat my Prius in Multicam but they thought that would be to big of a project. Hey guys, just think of all the free advertising.
Just to prove that there is no truth to firearm owners compensating, we visited the Imperial Miniature Armory:
Kathy Hummel of the German Gun Collectors Assoc. provided a nice photo:
We closed out the circuit of the floor by meeting and talking w/ Dave Hardy, Dave Young, and Cam Edwards:
This afternoon will be the Seminar and then the Banquet tonight.
First thing I noticed was a Repop "Coffee Mill" Gatling Gun care of Dixie Gun Works, Inc.:
Next was the ISRA Booth.
Pictured are Ron Corzine, John Webb, and Al Tiscareno (if I've mispelled your names, send me a message, my handwriting is horrible).A Ma Deuce from Sabre stopped me and SailorCurt in our tracks.
After that piece of terror, we decided to take a trip to New York, where there are no firearms. What I found were some really nice toy guns by Lauer Weaponry:
I tried to get them to Duracoat my Prius in Multicam but they thought that would be to big of a project. Hey guys, just think of all the free advertising.
Just to prove that there is no truth to firearm owners compensating, we visited the Imperial Miniature Armory:
Kathy Hummel of the German Gun Collectors Assoc. provided a nice photo:
We closed out the circuit of the floor by meeting and talking w/ Dave Hardy, Dave Young, and Cam Edwards:
This afternoon will be the Seminar and then the Banquet tonight.Friday, May 16, 2008
2A Blogger Bash/NRA 2008 Day 1
Quite a day. Woke up at 3AM and left by 3:30am. Arrived at the Convention Center at (what I thought was) 8AM.
Went to the Press Office to get my credentials and Ms. Ashley Varner, after hearing my name and introducing herself, reminded me about the time zone change. Oops. After contacting SailorCurt, I scooted over to the Marriott for the GrassRoots Workshop. There I met up w/ SailorCurt, Sebastian SIH, SaysUncle, Robb Allen, and Joe Huffman. The workshop was informative and was a good way to start off the weekend. Even if I was late.
SailorCurt and I then hot-footed it back to the hotel and then the Convention Center again just in time for the LeaderShip Forum.
Speakers included NRA leaders John Sigler, Wayne Lapierre, and Chris Cox. Other notables included Karl Rove (probably the most dangerous man in America, thank goddess he's on our side), and Lt. Col Ollie North. He stated "A hero is one who puts himself at risk for the benefit of another". I note this because two following speakers, US Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell and Green Beret Sgt. Greg Stube (both of whom fall under Col. North's definition) both insisted that they were NOT heroes, just patriots.
There were also a bunch of politicians. A few notables w/ quotes include Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) w/ the self-depreciating joke "We support the right of every American to be shot in the face by Vice-President Cheney" and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) "Charlton Heston will be remembered as a hero to future generations. Michael Moore will not." Mitt Romney had his say but the most infamous speaker was of course Senator (and Presidential hopeful) John McCain.
He did dance around the "Gun Show Loophole" bit and the Incumbent Protection Act wasn't even mentioned, but it was noted that he voted in favor of firearm rights on 'Assault Weapons', Confiscation, the DC Handgun Ban, and several others. He'll get my support. Grudgingly. He's better than the other electable options and I don't feel that "teaching the party a lesson" is worth the damage that Obama or Hillary will do. If I'm proven wrong at a later date, I'll admit it humbly.
As an aside, I want to note that the NRA staff who worked with us were fabulous. Ms. Varner not only expedited out passes but made sure we were in the right places at the right times and got our upgraded Banquet tickets were in order. Other staff members, including Justin McDaniel, Daniel Feldbusch, and Danielle Sturgis (sorry to the folks that I didn't get names) got us up to the front for close-up shots of the speakers.
I also discovered that a certain myth is false. Secret Service Agents DO in fact, have a sense of humor. I had just taken a shot of the gaggle of "Authorized Journalists" on the podium:
when a very dour faced agent (who looked as if he could break any of us in two w/o a second thought) came up to me and told me we weren't allowed to photograph the media:
My reply: "Really? Damn, you guys are strict."
He laughed ( Apparently they actually can do that) and said "Nah, go ahead". I shook his hand and took his photo.
Then it was off to the 2nd biggest Bass Pro shop in the US for Happy Hour on Michael Bane where along w/ numerous other bloggers like Ahab, Squeeky, Kevin Baker and many others to numerous to list, we also had Todd Jarrett and the publisher of SOF magazine.
They have really good food there. Sailorcurt and I then went shopping. Found a perfect set of beginner rifles for FourthPower Alpha & Beta:
Now to convince the CIC.
Tomorrow's schedule. FN demonstration, much walking around the vendor area, the "In Your Own Words" Seminar, cleanup, then the Banquet.
Went to the Press Office to get my credentials and Ms. Ashley Varner, after hearing my name and introducing herself, reminded me about the time zone change. Oops. After contacting SailorCurt, I scooted over to the Marriott for the GrassRoots Workshop. There I met up w/ SailorCurt, Sebastian SIH, SaysUncle, Robb Allen, and Joe Huffman. The workshop was informative and was a good way to start off the weekend. Even if I was late.
SailorCurt and I then hot-footed it back to the hotel and then the Convention Center again just in time for the LeaderShip Forum.
Speakers included NRA leaders John Sigler, Wayne Lapierre, and Chris Cox. Other notables included Karl Rove (probably the most dangerous man in America, thank goddess he's on our side), and Lt. Col Ollie North. He stated "A hero is one who puts himself at risk for the benefit of another". I note this because two following speakers, US Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell and Green Beret Sgt. Greg Stube (both of whom fall under Col. North's definition) both insisted that they were NOT heroes, just patriots.
There were also a bunch of politicians. A few notables w/ quotes include Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) w/ the self-depreciating joke "We support the right of every American to be shot in the face by Vice-President Cheney" and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) "Charlton Heston will be remembered as a hero to future generations. Michael Moore will not." Mitt Romney had his say but the most infamous speaker was of course Senator (and Presidential hopeful) John McCain.
He did dance around the "Gun Show Loophole" bit and the Incumbent Protection Act wasn't even mentioned, but it was noted that he voted in favor of firearm rights on 'Assault Weapons', Confiscation, the DC Handgun Ban, and several others. He'll get my support. Grudgingly. He's better than the other electable options and I don't feel that "teaching the party a lesson" is worth the damage that Obama or Hillary will do. If I'm proven wrong at a later date, I'll admit it humbly.
As an aside, I want to note that the NRA staff who worked with us were fabulous. Ms. Varner not only expedited out passes but made sure we were in the right places at the right times and got our upgraded Banquet tickets were in order. Other staff members, including Justin McDaniel, Daniel Feldbusch, and Danielle Sturgis (sorry to the folks that I didn't get names) got us up to the front for close-up shots of the speakers.
I also discovered that a certain myth is false. Secret Service Agents DO in fact, have a sense of humor. I had just taken a shot of the gaggle of "Authorized Journalists" on the podium:
when a very dour faced agent (who looked as if he could break any of us in two w/o a second thought) came up to me and told me we weren't allowed to photograph the media:
My reply: "Really? Damn, you guys are strict."
He laughed ( Apparently they actually can do that) and said "Nah, go ahead". I shook his hand and took his photo.
Then it was off to the 2nd biggest Bass Pro shop in the US for Happy Hour on Michael Bane where along w/ numerous other bloggers like Ahab, Squeeky, Kevin Baker and many others to numerous to list, we also had Todd Jarrett and the publisher of SOF magazine.
They have really good food there. Sailorcurt and I then went shopping. Found a perfect set of beginner rifles for FourthPower Alpha & Beta:
Now to convince the CIC.
Tomorrow's schedule. FN demonstration, much walking around the vendor area, the "In Your Own Words" Seminar, cleanup, then the Banquet.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Off to the races
Getting on the road to the 2ABloggerBash/NRA convention. Posting will depend on time, access, and whether I survive the crossfire in this giant Wild West Scenario the PuSH'ers says always occurs when people protect themselves.
Numbers updates.
Armed and Safe notes that the BATFE Reform Bill has gained another 11 co-sponsors (including my Rep. finally ) for a new total of 191.
IL Pro-2A resolutions have increased to 81 counties.
Things could be worse.
IL Pro-2A resolutions have increased to 81 counties.
Things could be worse.
CA Supreme Court strikes down Gay Marriage Ban
Good. Gays should be allowed to be just as miserable as the rest of us. :)
Now here's an interesting juxtaposition. The 'progressive' Brady Campaign et al have stated that it is wrong of firearm rights supporters to go to the courts when anti-gun measures are approved by the public.
Does that mean that they oppose this ruling by the CA SC because the measure was approved by the public?
Now here's an interesting juxtaposition. The 'progressive' Brady Campaign et al have stated that it is wrong of firearm rights supporters to go to the courts when anti-gun measures are approved by the public.
Does that mean that they oppose this ruling by the CA SC because the measure was approved by the public?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Think it was registered?
Police: Conn. Teen Charged With Attempted Murder After Firing on Basketball Players With AK-47
Connecticut has had an AWB since '94 and is tied for 3rd place on the Brady Scorecard.
Yep. Those laws work so well.
Connecticut has had an AWB since '94 and is tied for 3rd place on the Brady Scorecard.
Yep. Those laws work so well.
Paul is Jealous.
He has to try and convince himself that since the strongest firearm advocates ran crappy campaigns that "that the politics of gun control is now leaving them (the NRA)."
To do this he has to omit that fact that over 300 congress-critters signed the Amicus opposing the DC Ban, that Obama has gone from stating the DC ban is constitutional and calling for full semi-auto bans to stating he doesn't take stands on current cases (a lie) and that he never saw the surveys. All the while Clinton is professing herself a hunter and attacking Obama for his gun stance.
Paul thinks getting an answer to why the NRA isn't exactly thrilled w/ him yet is supporting him (grudgingly) now will destroy their credibility (as if he has room to talk).
The answer to that is simple. He recognized where the support is.
I asked many moons ago how many candidates where begging the BC/VPC for support? This was during the time when you could kick over a random garbage can and a candidate would crawl out. Now there are three.
How many have contacted the Brady Bunch asking for their endorsement?
To do this he has to omit that fact that over 300 congress-critters signed the Amicus opposing the DC Ban, that Obama has gone from stating the DC ban is constitutional and calling for full semi-auto bans to stating he doesn't take stands on current cases (a lie) and that he never saw the surveys. All the while Clinton is professing herself a hunter and attacking Obama for his gun stance.
Paul thinks getting an answer to why the NRA isn't exactly thrilled w/ him yet is supporting him (grudgingly) now will destroy their credibility (as if he has room to talk).
The answer to that is simple. He recognized where the support is.
I asked many moons ago how many candidates where begging the BC/VPC for support? This was during the time when you could kick over a random garbage can and a candidate would crawl out. Now there are three.
How many have contacted the Brady Bunch asking for their endorsement?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Estonian farmers face flatulence tax on cattle
ALLINN, May 8 (RIA Novosti) - Estonian farmers have received tax notices for methane emissions from their cattle, the country's opposition party, the People's Union of Estonia, said on Thursday.
Ruminants produce large quantities of methane gas through belching and flatulence when they digest grass, which accounts for about 15-25% of overall gas emissions, according to different estimates.
A single cow produces on average 350 liters of methane and 1,500 liters of carbon dioxide per day.
"For Copa-Cogeca, an organization that unites farmers of the European Union, the information received from Estonian farmers came as a huge surprise, and they could not recall a similar precedent in any EU country," said the party's spokesman, Jaanus Marrandi.
No other EU country imposes a flatulence tax on farmers.
A year after joining the Kyoto protocol, authorities in New Zealand proposed introducing a flatulence tax saying that New Zealand cattle are responsible for 90% of the country's methane emissions and 43% of greenhouse gas emissions.
No CCW at McCain Forum
NOTICE: By mandate of the U. S. Secret Service, no firearms will be allowed in Hall A of the Kentucky Exposition Center, the location of the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum, on Friday, May 16. Please be prepared to go through security screening to enter the venue. We look forward to seeing you at this outstanding event!
Understandable if not ideal. All we need would be an "In the Line of Fire" scenario to end the momentum that's been built up.
Of course on the other hand, the Secret Service should recognize that he would be even safer if they allowed it. Think of what a roomful of carrying NRA members would do to the person that attempted to give Obama or Billary an easy sweep into office by shooting the Senator. It would be like dropping Bin Laden into Central Park.
Understandable if not ideal. All we need would be an "In the Line of Fire" scenario to end the momentum that's been built up.
Of course on the other hand, the Secret Service should recognize that he would be even safer if they allowed it. Think of what a roomful of carrying NRA members would do to the person that attempted to give Obama or Billary an easy sweep into office by shooting the Senator. It would be like dropping Bin Laden into Central Park.
AHSA claims 25,000 members...
That's probably just how many people have clicked on their website.
Of course the PSH is traditional.
Going through my old posts, I noticed this one from Nov. '07 on Obama:
All the while trying to get the Fudd vote. I expect him to receive an AHSA endorsement soon.
Damn, did I call it or what?
Of course the PSH is traditional.
Going through my old posts, I noticed this one from Nov. '07 on Obama:
All the while trying to get the Fudd vote. I expect him to receive an AHSA endorsement soon.
Damn, did I call it or what?
Shooting themselves in the foot (again)..
Remember that nice little postcard the Brady's sent out to IL Rep. Sandy Cole's constituents along w/ their robocalls? Well, according to the ISRA and other IL firearm advocates, not only are calls supporting her vote on the bill outpacing the anti's calls (shock, I know) but apparently she is running unopposed in her district.
While I won't to claim she's going to run out and join the NRA, I know that if I got lots of support for an issue while the opposing side pursued disingenuous attacks, I would look more favorably on the polite supporters.
Good job Brady Bunch. Keep up the good work.
While I won't to claim she's going to run out and join the NRA, I know that if I got lots of support for an issue while the opposing side pursued disingenuous attacks, I would look more favorably on the polite supporters.
Good job Brady Bunch. Keep up the good work.
Shifting the blame.
Chicago blames the state for pothole problem
First Deputy Transportation Commissioner Tom Powers blamed a shortage of state funding, apparently tied to the Illinois General Assembly's failure to approve a capital plan.
What does this have to do w/ guns? Not much directly but it does show the mentality of the authorities in Chicago (although they're not alone in it). When something goes wrong, it's never their fault. Can't maintain your infrastructure? Blame state funding. Can't run the CTA efficiently? Beg for more money then raise prices anyway. Got crime problems? Blame the policies of the rest of the state.
Never mind that entire police units have been disbanded for abuse, half the administration is on trial for corruption, or the fact that Chicago is a 'sanctuary city', There is nothing that is Chicago's fault.
First Deputy Transportation Commissioner Tom Powers blamed a shortage of state funding, apparently tied to the Illinois General Assembly's failure to approve a capital plan.
What does this have to do w/ guns? Not much directly but it does show the mentality of the authorities in Chicago (although they're not alone in it). When something goes wrong, it's never their fault. Can't maintain your infrastructure? Blame state funding. Can't run the CTA efficiently? Beg for more money then raise prices anyway. Got crime problems? Blame the policies of the rest of the state.
Never mind that entire police units have been disbanded for abuse, half the administration is on trial for corruption, or the fact that Chicago is a 'sanctuary city', There is nothing that is Chicago's fault.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Boy, those laws are doing good..
As juvenile delinquents in the UK just change their methods to even more violent acts.
This is obviously a result of the US exporting its bomb culture.
They'll probably just be issued ASBO's. I mean, it's not like they used a gun.
A gang of London teenage girls is suspected of destroying three houses and killing a man with a homemade liquid bomb during an argument over a boy.
According to the U.K.'s Daily Mail, witnesses say a purple, smelly liquid was poured into a mailbox of one of the homes, which set off a massive explosion.
The intended target of the attack, Charlotte Anderson, was injured in the blast and rushed to the hospital with severe burns. Her next-door neighbor, Emad Qureshi, 26, who was at home with his parents, was killed when he was crushed by falling debris, it was reported.
Earlier, Anderson had phoned the police with a complaint that a gang of girls was harassing her over a boy outside her home.
Investigators inititally thought the explosion was caused by a gas leak, but now suspect the purple liquid — believed to have been made from a recipe found on the Internet — could have vaporized and caused the explosion, it was reported.
British police have launched a murder investigation and is searching for the girl gang, according to the Mail.
This is obviously a result of the US exporting its bomb culture.
They'll probably just be issued ASBO's. I mean, it's not like they used a gun.
BATFE claims executive priviledge.
After agreeing to allow agents to be deposed in the Adventure Outdoors case, they've changed their minds and decided that they won't allow it.
Why is this not surprising?
Why is this not surprising?
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Best Mothers Day Gift of All.
While Paul Helmke is rehashing eight year old events that went nowhere and Marsha McCartney, of the Brady Bunch spin-off sitcom set in Texas, gets down on her knees to um.. er.. beg (yeah that's the ticket) for more gun control, a conversation I had this weekend with an acquaintance shows what people do when they REALLY care for others' welfare.
My acquaintance, who resides outside of the People's Soviet of Illinois, knowing that I am a firearm enthusiast, told me that he was working on purchasing his first handgun. Being that he doesn't have a history of the same enthusiasm about them as I have, I jokingly asked him if he was planning on getting his CCW license as well. To my surprise, he replied "Yes".
Why the change of heart?
Two words.
Jeanne Assam.
My acquaintance is an Elder in his faith. After the Colorado Springs shooting and the other tragic events at VT, NIU, etc, he and the other Elders decided to take a took at the security of their church. Already a "Gun Free Zone", they recognized that the ONLY situations where the shooters were stopped before the end of their rampage were the ones where the people actively took measures to defend themselves. Their conclusion was to quietly establish an armed security detail made up of fellow church members and to get them trained to respond in case of an emergency.
Why not just advise everyone to run away or "show no resistance" as the anti's state we should? Because as he put it "sometimes there's nowhere to run to".
He, the pastor, and several others are currently in the process of choosing and purchasing handguns, finding locations to practice (of which I have volunteered my range), getting their CCW's in their respective state, and establishing emergency procedures should the worst occur.
Paul and his ilk instead advocate disarming them in all situations, leaving them helpless, and relying exclusively on the authorities in the hopes that a sociopath doesn't manage to circumvent one of the countless laws that are already on the books or one of the constant "just one more" laws that the Brady's et al. say will stop crime in its tracks.
I am going to do everything I can to assist them in their endeavor.
Mothers (and Fathers) protecting their children against the evils of this world.
That is the best Mothers Day Gift of all.
My acquaintance, who resides outside of the People's Soviet of Illinois, knowing that I am a firearm enthusiast, told me that he was working on purchasing his first handgun. Being that he doesn't have a history of the same enthusiasm about them as I have, I jokingly asked him if he was planning on getting his CCW license as well. To my surprise, he replied "Yes".
Why the change of heart?
Two words.
Jeanne Assam.
My acquaintance is an Elder in his faith. After the Colorado Springs shooting and the other tragic events at VT, NIU, etc, he and the other Elders decided to take a took at the security of their church. Already a "Gun Free Zone", they recognized that the ONLY situations where the shooters were stopped before the end of their rampage were the ones where the people actively took measures to defend themselves. Their conclusion was to quietly establish an armed security detail made up of fellow church members and to get them trained to respond in case of an emergency.
Why not just advise everyone to run away or "show no resistance" as the anti's state we should? Because as he put it "sometimes there's nowhere to run to".
He, the pastor, and several others are currently in the process of choosing and purchasing handguns, finding locations to practice (of which I have volunteered my range), getting their CCW's in their respective state, and establishing emergency procedures should the worst occur.
Paul and his ilk instead advocate disarming them in all situations, leaving them helpless, and relying exclusively on the authorities in the hopes that a sociopath doesn't manage to circumvent one of the countless laws that are already on the books or one of the constant "just one more" laws that the Brady's et al. say will stop crime in its tracks.
I am going to do everything I can to assist them in their endeavor.
Mothers (and Fathers) protecting their children against the evils of this world.
That is the best Mothers Day Gift of all.
Brack Obama wants to be president of these 57 United States
Ah, Oregon. The beautiful Northwest. Rain. Trees. Clouds. Rain. Friendly territory for Sen. Barack Obama, the leading contender for the Democratic Party's long-disputed presidential nomination.
So there he was in Beaverton today at the start of a two-day swing through Oregon, virtually ignoring his remaining Democratic opponent, what's-her-name from New York, as part of his new strategy to act like the actual nominee while she flails around way behind in numbers.
Naturally, this being the Northwest where everything is not ruined quite yet, his staff had Obama visit an eco-friendly company, Vernier Software & Technology, that makes products for science teachers. He could get education in there too, see?
In his prepared remarks Obama was ready to start blasting Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, to show the Illinois Democrat is moving on to the general election campaign.
But first the freshman senator had to go through all the....
...obligatory delighted to see you, delighted to be here part of stump speeches that also require that you actually know where you are.
Obama pulled that off O.K. But then he drifted away from the text a tad, as rookies are wont to do sometimes, forgetting how exhausting this primary process is and should be. And trusting in their instincts, their very tired instincts.
"It is wonderful to be back in Oregon," Obama said. "Over the last 15 months, we’ve traveled to every corner of the United States. I’ve now been in 57 states? I think one left to go. Alaska and Hawaii, I was not allowed to go to even though I really wanted to visit, but my staff would not justify it."
The Times' conscientious Robin Abcarian thought she heard something different there. She checked her tape recorder. It had captured what he had actually said -- 57 states now. A new Louisiana Purchase that's gone unannounced so far? Was he channeling his inner John Kerry-Heinz 57 personality?
(UPDATE: At a later stop Obama was talking with reporters and expressed concern he'd also mis-stated the number of potential cyclone victims in Burma. He said, ""I hope I said 100,000 people the first time instead of 100 million. I understand I said there were 57 states today. It's a sign that my numeracy is getting a little, uh." At that point, an aide cut him off and ushered journalists out. Before he could mis-speak again?)
Oh, and as far as Hawaii voters are concerned, they're probably delighted to learn that Obama's campaign staff doesn't think that tiny state can justify an appearance by his eminence, even though he did a lot of growing up there. Or maybe because he was there.
Let's see what they do with that in the Honolulu media, which the Republicans have probably already notifed.
Maybe it's Obama's age. He's getting up there in his forties, you know.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/barack-obama-wa.html
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