Timing: Biden Doesn't Have It

At a recent HS graduation speech, Biden made this statement:

“Imagine by the time you’re in the position to buy your first home, putting a roof of solar shingles that will cost no more than today’s ordinary shingles, will be able to power your home, heating, cooling, running appliances at a fraction of the cost your parents pay today,” he said.

This is 'just around the corner' according to the VP.

Also in the news yesterday:

the Commerce Department signals it will likely slap a 31 percent tariff on all solar panel imports from China.

Maybe he's going to invest more money into Solyndra.

 

Media Support

NY Assemblywoman Schimel is stumping for her 'microstamping' bill.

 The bill has widespread support from law enforcement, elected officials, and the media.

 Ah,  the 'media'.  Let's take a look at some of those experts on firearms:

From a published commentary by the New Yorkers Against Gun Ownership

the average price for a new semiautomatic handgun is nearly $750

Huh?  Where is the 'average price' that much?  Maybe where they're so restricted and so many fees and taxes are added it drives prices up?
From 'award winning' Tina Dupuy:

So weapons-grade plutonium should be limited. But the ever-handy semi-auto Glock pistol with a 30-round high-capacity magazine is an absolute right?

Yes because nuclear weapons are the same as a handgun.  Do they have any idea how stupid they sound when they make that comparison?  Probably not since she continues:

A recent gun buyback drive in Los Angeles resulted in someone turning in a rocket launcher. Comforting.

No, actually it was a dummy casing used for training.  A little actual research would have shown her that, but then she couldn't go on her diatribes about 'daisy cutters' and nukes.  So when you hear about 'widespread support' for gun control, look into how much (or little as the case may be) the 'supporters' actually know about the issue. 

Dissent and Endorsements: Cuban Edition

Mariela Castro Espin, daughter of Raul Castro, president of Cuba has formally endorsed President Obama for this election. 
What was really entertaining about the article though was her description of 'rights' in Cuba.

She defended her nation as one that allows dissent. "People who dissent don't go to jail," she said. "Everybody in Cuba expresses their view and there's a political participation so that we can express ourselves and question everything."

Holding an opinion contrary to that of the government "enriches the debate," she said. "No one goes to prison for an opinion,

 But then she continues...

 rather for serving foreign interests who pay them. That's called being a mercenary and that's penalized in laws everywhere in the world, including the laws of this country."

Human Rights Watch: "does not represent the opinion of the Cuban people. And their informants are mercenaries. They're people who have been paid by a foreign government for media shows that do not represent Cuban positions directly."

 And on a dissident blogger: "She gives service to foreign powers who are interested in eliminating the Cuban experience," Castro said. "She's an official voice of the global dominant powers."

So feel free to disagree but if you do be prepared to be accused and convicted of being a 'mercenary' in the pay of foreign power, whose fault it is that Cuba can't go to a multi-party system.

Is it ANY surprise she's endorsed Obama? 

 

Missing the Forest....

The anti' gun blog "Kid Shootings" run jointly by Joan Peterson and Jason Kilgore put up this post:

3-year old Chicago girl gets hold of father's gun during traffic stop

It's all copy/paste from this article, pretty much the entire thing, w/ this being the only added commentary:

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Yes, that 19yr old model citizen who was already in violation of multiple local and state laws would certainly have listened to one more. I'm sure not one other adult in the car (who didn't bother to buckle their kids in btw) had NO idea he had a loaded, illegal firearm in the car.

But remember, this is all YOUR fault for opposing 'common-sense, reasonable' gun laws.

Duh.

Super Sekrit 'Codes'

Remember back in grade school when the trick was to claim that common words and phrases had some sort of 'dirty' meaning and everyone would go into giggling fits over something like 'Riding your bike'?

And that crazy lady who claimed that Letterman was speaking to her in 'code' through the television?  

Well the CSGV have achieved those mental pinnacles.

Yep, we hates all thems brown people, use super sekrit 'codes' to say how much we hates them and only the CSGV and a few other gun control advocates have broken it.

Or

Ladd et al are a bunch of paranoid schizophrenics w/ the mentality of 3rd graders.

I think I know which is more likely.

Public View of NRA vs CSGV Poll

Sebastian TBFKASIH has a post up on the increasingly positive view towards the NRA .

A part of the poll he didn't mention:

 "When responders were asked whether they viewed the CSGV 'favorably' or 'unfavorably', 95%+ answered 'Who?' .

It's Always Something

I've been in a pretty foul mood this week. Even aside from Speaker Madigan keeping Illinois from getting CCW by refusing to let the bill be heard, my fridge broke. No biggie really. We didn't lose all that much food and the repair guys were able to come the next day.  They had the part, it was a quick replacement and relatively inexpensive. 

Then they found this:

 And THAT little piece of mouse chewed plastic is going to cost hundreds, if not well over a thousand dollars, to replace. 

Why?

Because it was part of the waterline connecting to the icemaker and the mouse put a tiny pinhole in there which has apparently been leaking water for some time. The floor underneath the fridge and cabinets is rotten and now needing to be replaced, likely out into the kitchen as well. The wall is heavily mildewed and water damaged. Linoleum likely will need to be replaced, cabinets moved, insulation under the house replaced, I don't know all yet.

All because of a 2oz mouse and a .50 piece of friggin' plastic.

It's always something.

Man-Kzin Wars XIII Review

The thirteenth volume of a series I've been reading since it's first published compilation in 1988. The Man-Kzin Wars are set in Larry Niven's 'Known Space' universe (which includes the Ringworld ) and encompasses the conflict between humanity and a hyper-aggressive feline species known as the Kzinti which are bent on enslaving (and devouring) mankind.

 One thing I like about this series is that many of the stories interact w/ eachother even over decades and multiple volumes and this book is no exception, expanding on story arcs and locations mentioned elsewhere. Not all the stories fit canon (such as Kzin characters not using base 8 in their math) and some, such as 'Misunderstanding', are outright silly but the majority is true to form, combining interesting characters, intricate plots and detailed environments w/ hard science. 

A worthwhile addition to the series and my library.

On the Bloomberg Soda Jerk Debacle

My thought:

Is this just outright, straight stupidity/Nanny-ism by King Bloomie or is he trying to 'Wag the Dog' and slip something through while everyone's distracted?

No Magpul for Military

The US military has banned the common use of Magpul magazines in M4's and M16's because they're not 'Gov't Issue' even though they've been regular issue for several units.:

 Military.com asked TACOM officials if the Army had discovered any problems with PMAGs that would warrant the ban on their use. TACOM officials would not answer the question and instead passed it off to Program Executive Office Soldier on Thursday evening before the four-day Memorial Day weekend.

 They won't answer because there is no real reason. From my experience, the decision was likely made by some General who doesn't like the idea of polymer mags.

More of that 'Accountability'

A tweet from the CSGV:

Not criminals (while crying racism). Not politicians (while denying Fast & Furious). But 'gun owners' are the ones that need to be 'held accountable' in the world of anti-gunners. Just like Chicago Mayor Emanual wants IL firearm owners to pay the hospital bills for gang bangers shot during 'business'.

The last time Ladd talked about 'accountability' was when he started 'outing' pro-rights bloggers in an attempt to intimidate them into silence. That worked well. 

And we all know their idea of 'compromise' is "Why won't you knuckle dragging rednecks just do what we say already?"  which is laughable since our IGOLD conference calls are larger than their paid staff + 'membership'.

Losin' It

It's refreshing to see a lawmaker say what he actually thinks instead of the usual platitudes and politically correct BS:

 

 And that individual sitting to his right?  Rep Durkin. One of three RINO's to vote against CCW.

H/T to Illinois Carry.