What Makes An 'Expert'?

Back in the early 80's, a woman named Patricia Pulling became an 'expert' in the occult after he son committed suicide and she blamed it on D&D.  She gave talks to police agencies, published books, the works.  She also was completely nuts and made up most of her 'facts'. 

That's the first thing I thought of when I read this article on AR-15's w/ an interview by 'Local Terrorism Expert' Edward Bridgeman, an Assoc. Prof. at the Univ. of Cincinnati.

Bridgeman says the AR-15 is the type of weapon that can do the most damage and be purchased legally in the U.S....
The AR-15 is known for its destruction, not accuracy, Bridgeman said.
"It's not a good sniper weapon but good for laying down a lot of fire down range," Bridgeman said.

If he's got this little knowledge (or bias) on one of the most common firearms in the US, in my mind it puts into question his other bonifides as well. Is he just this blind on AR's or is he incompetent in other areas as well?

So what makes an 'expert' beyond the ability to get themselves in front a camera or reporter?

American Sniper Loves .@CSGV

Went out to dinner and a movie w/ the CinC tonight. While we were originally planning on seeing Into the Woods, one of our favorite musicals, when we got to the theatre, they had cancelled the showing for an extra one of American Sniper.  The girl at the counter told me we had missed the rush, that the previous shows had lines out the door. I'm betting a decent part of that is due to the controversy started by Ladd Everitt and his merry band of misfits letting their supporters crap all over the military and Kyle on their FB page (which has seen much, but not complete scrubbing over the last few days). 

The movie was phenomenal.  It drew you into the story and the characters better than most movies I've seen in the last few years.  I don't know how much of the story about Chief Kyle is true and how much he exaggerated and I really don't care.  This is a movie to go see. Probably the best comment I heard while waiting to leave was some younger guys saying "I've never been to a movie before where it was dead silent as everyone left"  The reply: "How else would you leave a movie like that?"

I Still Don't Like Their Pizza

Many kudos to Papa Johns for not trying to punish their driver for defending herself from violent criminals even though their company policy prohibits firearms.  In too many cases, companies will fire an employee for NOT being a victim but in a rare bit of common sense, this did not happen. 

Liam, Just Shutup Already

Another actor getting wealthy from shoot-em-up action flicks calling for stupid Americans to give up their guns.  

.@CSGV vs Reality

Big, flashy headline just making you think "Oh those stupid gun owners".

Too bad it's nowhere near the whole story.  The seller of the gun was wanted for armed robbery,resisting arrest, carrying illegally, and in a school zone.   I would wager ammo that if you dug into his past, this isn't his first tangle w/ authorities. To think he would give a crap about 'Indiana's private sale loophole' is the thinking of an ignorant child and/or an unethical political hack trying to score points. 

Take a look at the comments and you can see that there really aren't any other options for the CSGV and their supporters. This is the reality of gun control. Dishonesty, redirection, and obfuscation.

Chicago Tribune Protecting Criminals?

They put out an article on a CPD police alert regarding robberies.  How is that protecting criminals?

Well they included this:

Two or more offenders carried out each robbery, according to the statement. No detailed description of the offenders was available.

Note that.  No detailed description of the offenders was available.

Except there was, as published by another news source:

"About the Offender:
In the incidents on Broadway and Buena, offenders are described as black males wearing black jackets. Additionally on Buena, one is described as being 5'08, 150 lbs, and the other is described as being 5'05, 130 lbs and wearing beige pants.
In the Waveland incident, offender #1 is described as a black male, 5'10-6'00, 150-170 lbs, with a black jacket, while the co-offender is described as being 5'07- 6'00, 150-170 lbs."

So did the Tribune not get the complete release?  Did the editor just not read it?  Or did they not want to be accused of racism for mentioning the that the alleged offenders were 'black males'? 

Hat time to SCC

No Such Thing As A Law-Abiding Gun Owner

We're all just psychotic breakdowns waiting to happen.

“You can be perfectly law-abiding one moment,” said Ms. Gunn-Barrett during the debate, “and then the next moment you can be a criminal and do something criminal and wrong, like shoot up a movie theater, or kill your spouse during an argument.” Regulation of people and behavior is needed, she said, “to protect us against our own stupidity and our own irrationality.”

So not only is this what this proffessional anti-gun advocate thinks of firearm owners but 'people' in general.  We NEED to be regulated by some all-powerful big brother government for our own good (nevermind the stupidity and irrationality of those same people making the regulations) or we're going to go running off raping, murdering, and pillaging.  Seriously.  Are ALL these people mental children?

I've Been At This Too Long.

Linked article via IL-GUNLOBBY on the Huffington Post.  It's so bad that there's barely any support for it even on the left wing HP.  The author uses all the same rehashed, tired, worn out tropes that have been bandied by them for the last 30 years.

'Common-sense' measures that aren't:

• End all open carry laws and outlaw all semi-automatic weapons.
• After a universal background check, allow adults over 21 to own 1 "manual" gun that is kept in their home.
• Have a hefty bullet tax. Surely those owning guns for self-defense don't need cases of ammo for the rare intruder. Use bullet tax revenues to treat victims of gun violence and educate the public about gun safety.

Quotes by statist judges while ignoring Heller, McDonald and the many other individual rights rulings.
Kellerman ('Nuff said)
'Developed Countries'w/o definition and ignoring places like Russia, Brazil, and SA.
Lots of Brady Campaign statistics.
Guns are useless because Nukes
Etc. 

The author describes himself as an 'Innovator', and 'Political Thinker'. There is nothing 'Innovative' about this piece and it is the 'Political Thinking' of an ignorant child.  One thing he did get right "I am not a constitutional law expert". 

That goes w/o saying. 

Fear Is The Mindkiller

What drives an anti-gun advocate?  Fear.  Woman walks into a store and sees someone w/ an imprint casually shopping. Her first reaction? He's probably a criminal:

I still don’t know him, and the movie trailers increase. He could be the stalker, searching for his mark. He could be contemplating a robbery, or seeking someone to abduct. He could be an off-duty police officer, or even one that is undercover. He could be paranoid, thinking the world is out to get him or knowing someone truly is. He could be a fugitive, a drug dealer, a rapist or the owner of a sporting goods store. He could be a million things. 

And more evidence of this is stated:

 Frankly, I’m not that interested in his reasons right now. My mind is too busy filtering through the various scenarios that could be taking place.

So she's not interested in reality.  She's not interested in the truth.   She's interested in fostering her own unsupported hysteria. 

There's no reason here.  No logic.  No supporting evidence as much as she tries to blame the law, firearm owners, and legislators for her mental issues.  Just fear and panic like a mindless animal.