Peru's Shining Path Guerrillas On The Rise Again
From Yahoo News:MATUCANA, Peru - Matucana's mayor is a worried man. The Shining Path rebels who terrorized Peru decades ago are back, moving across the jungle-draped slopes near his remote village and recruiting young fighters to their born-again insurgency.
And unlike before, the rebels have almost unlimited financial support. Earning cash by protecting coca fields and cocaine-smuggling routes, they are able to buy powerful weapons and pay salaries to men and women who take up arms against the government.
It is a nightmarish prospect for Peru, which saw nearly 70,000 people killed from 1980 to the mid-'90s in the Shining Path's brutal effort to impose a Maoist communist regime. Most of the victims were peasants, caught in the crossfire between guerrillas and security forces.
Read more ....
My Comment: Plus ca change ... Plus c'est le meme chose. Translated .... the more things change, the more they stay the same.
It's Official: May Saw Lowest Number Of US Fatalities In Iraq
From Gateway Pundit:May was the least deadly month for US troops since the start of the war.
Numbers via ICasualties
May was the least deadly month for US troops since the beginning of the War 5 years ago.
The Iraqi news organization Aswat Aliraq reported:
The CIA has declared that al-Qaeda is virtually defeated in Iraq and that the country is seeing its lowest level of violence for four years, according to the British newspaper The Times.
Nineteen US military personnel have died in Iraq this month, according to the Pentagon, making May the least deadly month for US troops since the beginning of the war, writes journalist Tim Reid in an article.
The deadliest month for US troops was May 2007, when 126 died as the insurgency in Baghdad raged.
Read more ....
Update: US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,086 -- Yahoo News
My Comment: 44 people were murdered in Los Angeles for the month of May. Is Iraq more safer for an American? Probably not, but if one puts these statistics into perspective, the war is fundamentally over for the U.S. For the Iraqis, the war is still ranging on, but casualties for them are also dropping. As this continues, many of those who fought against the U.S. and its coalition allies will now start to rationalize if it makes sense to be the last "Iraqi resistance" fighter to die for a losing cause.
Iraq Deaths Down, But For How Long?
From Yahoo News:BAGHDAD - U.S. military deaths plunged in May to the lowest monthly level in more than four years and civilian casualties were down sharply, too, as Iraqi forces assumed the lead in offensives in three cities and a truce with Shiite extremists took hold.
But many Iraqis as well as U.S. officials and private security analysts are uncertain whether the current lull signals a long-term trend or is simply a breathing spell like so many others before.
U.S. commanders also warn the relative peace is fragile because no lasting political agreements have been reached among the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish communities.
Read more ....
My Comment: When Shiite Holy sites were deliberately target by Al Qaeda groups in February/March 2006, everyone knew that this was going to precipitate a major civil war. It was only through the intervention of American forces and a change in U.S. command/direction that stopped this religious conflict from spiraling out of control.
Do the same conditions exist to restart another civil war in Iraq? ..... The answer is no. Many of the leaders who were obsessed with starting such a civil war are now either dead or in hiding. In addition, Iraqi security forces are in the first phase of reconstituting themselves, and this in the long run will be the force that will stabilize the country.
If civil war is to return, it will come back under different circumstances. This includes foreign involvement from countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and foreign extremists groups .... Al Qaeda still being one of them, as well as a lack of political will from Washington to stay for the long run in developing a "Just Society" in Iraq.
Expect the tally to go down further as temperatures rise during the summer months, but what will happen in the fall is anyone's guess at the moment.
Reality Check On The Mullahs
Another insightful opinion piece from Amil Imani at the American Thinker.There is so much smoke around the Iranian Mullahs' bomb that it makes Tehran's smog feel like a fresh ocean breeze by comparison. Here is a partial list of misconceptions about the Mullahs, their capabilities and intentions about the bomb affair.
Read more ....
My Comment: Our present political environment makes it next to impossible for politicians who are sensitive on the dangers of Iran's nuclear program to focus on this alarming threat. Our democratic institutions usually gives us our strength, but in this case it is giving us a perception of weakness.
Expect nothing to happen until after the next President is inaugurated. If it is President Obama, move the doomsday clock closer to midnight.
After A Massacre, Silence Shrouds Mexican Town
The picture below is $205 million US seized in a drug raid in Mexico.
From The International Herald Tribune:
VILLA AHUMADA, Mexico: A massacre here two weeks ago has turned this once sleepy town into a ghostly emblem of the drug violence that has swept Mexico over the past year and a half, gutting local police forces, terrifying citizens and making it almost impossible for the authorities to assert themselves.
On the night of May 17, dozens of men with assault rifles rolled into town in several trucks and shot up the place. They killed the police chief, two officers and three civilians. Then they carried off about 10 people, witnesses said. Only one has been located, found dead and wrapped in a carpet in Ciudad Juárez.
Read more ....
My Comment: This is a perfect text case example of how drugs, if not curtailed, will produce a culture of violence, poverty, and a breakdown of the civil/legal/and political process. In the long run, this will produce the environment that civil strife and war feed on. Colombia, Afghanistan, are the end results from this lack of focus in stopping this trade.
Expect Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, to soon follow Mexico's problems with a drug culture.
From The International Herald Tribune:VILLA AHUMADA, Mexico: A massacre here two weeks ago has turned this once sleepy town into a ghostly emblem of the drug violence that has swept Mexico over the past year and a half, gutting local police forces, terrifying citizens and making it almost impossible for the authorities to assert themselves.
On the night of May 17, dozens of men with assault rifles rolled into town in several trucks and shot up the place. They killed the police chief, two officers and three civilians. Then they carried off about 10 people, witnesses said. Only one has been located, found dead and wrapped in a carpet in Ciudad Juárez.
Read more ....
My Comment: This is a perfect text case example of how drugs, if not curtailed, will produce a culture of violence, poverty, and a breakdown of the civil/legal/and political process. In the long run, this will produce the environment that civil strife and war feed on. Colombia, Afghanistan, are the end results from this lack of focus in stopping this trade.
Expect Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, to soon follow Mexico's problems with a drug culture.
The Return of Emma Gee
I know I said I was done blogging for today, but this is important to me, to disassociate myself from a threatening email to a politician I was just copied on. If you're not familiar with Emma Gee, take a moment and read this.
Since this post, I've figured out who he is--this is a person who initiated correspondence with me some months back. It was pretty innocuous stuff, nothing to lead me to believe I was dealing with someone dangerous--either due to their own emotional issues or because they might be trying to entrap me into saying something stupid and criminal.
WoG regulars will also know that Toronto Mayor David Miller has been an occasional subject of interest.
Anyway, I just opened this email a short while ago, and it concerned me enough to make this post:
Note that in a prior email on April 2, he'd identified himself as "Marcus James." Here is my reply to the above:
This is international, which means it has surely attracted high law enforcement scrutiny--assuming he even sent it to his intended target, as opposed to just doctored something to send to me. I'll not be set up by either a crazy person or an operative. In accordance with my established "bang pots and pans and shine the light" policy, I'm posting this to keep that from happening.
For the record: My position on such matters has been clear for a long time. If anyone contacts me suggesting violent criminal activity, I will take all measures to protect my name and my freedom.
The more I think about Emma Gee, the more surprised I am that he hasn't been approached by the feds already. If he's still around acting like nothing happened after this post, I don't think the assumption that they are allowing (directing?) him to continue--would be completely off base.
If I were paranoid--and correspondence like this is certainly enough to set me off in that direction--I might wonder if this can be used as an excuse to seize my computer in a fishing expedition.
Since this post, I've figured out who he is--this is a person who initiated correspondence with me some months back. It was pretty innocuous stuff, nothing to lead me to believe I was dealing with someone dangerous--either due to their own emotional issues or because they might be trying to entrap me into saying something stupid and criminal.
WoG regulars will also know that Toronto Mayor David Miller has been an occasional subject of interest.
Anyway, I just opened this email a short while ago, and it concerned me enough to make this post:
Note that in a prior email on April 2, he'd identified himself as "Marcus James." Here is my reply to the above:
This is international, which means it has surely attracted high law enforcement scrutiny--assuming he even sent it to his intended target, as opposed to just doctored something to send to me. I'll not be set up by either a crazy person or an operative. In accordance with my established "bang pots and pans and shine the light" policy, I'm posting this to keep that from happening.
For the record: My position on such matters has been clear for a long time. If anyone contacts me suggesting violent criminal activity, I will take all measures to protect my name and my freedom.
The more I think about Emma Gee, the more surprised I am that he hasn't been approached by the feds already. If he's still around acting like nothing happened after this post, I don't think the assumption that they are allowing (directing?) him to continue--would be completely off base.
If I were paranoid--and correspondence like this is certainly enough to set me off in that direction--I might wonder if this can be used as an excuse to seize my computer in a fishing expedition.
That's All, Folks!
At least for today. I've still got dozens of emails from yesterday and this morning to process, many with links to consider for posting.
Please understand if I don't get to it--I will try, but confess I am a bit overwhelmed. Wow, I am grateful so many of you show an interest in sending tips to WarOnGuns--I hope this doesn't discourage that, just, like I said, please understand.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some life to get to...
I will try to get to many in the queue tomorrow, but I do have a magazine article and book review to write that are due early next week...
Please understand if I don't get to it--I will try, but confess I am a bit overwhelmed. Wow, I am grateful so many of you show an interest in sending tips to WarOnGuns--I hope this doesn't discourage that, just, like I said, please understand.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some life to get to...
I will try to get to many in the queue tomorrow, but I do have a magazine article and book review to write that are due early next week...
That's Some Crack Down, Tony
In an effort to crack down on gun violence that last year alone killed or wounded more than 2,000 Angelenos, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and top law enforcement officials unveiled a plan Thursday that would allow officers to evict gun-wielding gang members from apartments and seize their cars.
And we all know "gang" is such a precise legal term that it could never be aplied to "Homegrown Terrorists."
Per StreetGangs.com:
Black Gangs: LA Bloods: There are about 75 Blood gangs in LA CountyIn a rational world, these would be considered occupying armies. For this idiot Villaraigosa to actually think his stupid edicts will impact these hard cases one bit would be laughable if the consequences of mandating good people be defenseless to such predators were not so outrageous. He, of course, knows better, and that makes him an evil political opportunist, willing to crush anybody's liberty if it means more power for him.
Black Gangs:LA Crips: There are about 200 Crip gangs in 21 cities and places in LA County
LA Surenos: There are about 500 Hispanic gangs from the Valley, to East LA down to South LA
LA Asian: The fastest growing street gangs in LA County with about 20,000 members.
18th Street Gang: Considered by some to be the largest gang in Los Angeles.
Antonio's another one who can't (or won't) control himself, so naturally needs to control those who have no such character defects.
Oh, and I don't know if this is relevant or not, but Thulsa's leading by a landslide in StreetGangs' online poll...
[Via Cigar Rollers]
Mark Your Calendars...
...if you live in the Chicago area and want to counter-protest against Jesse on June 14.
I'll get more details as the date approaches.
Meanwhile, "Contact: Les ("mcsa56 AT gmail.com") if you’re interested!"
I'll get more details as the date approaches.
Meanwhile, "Contact: Les ("mcsa56 AT gmail.com") if you’re interested!"
We're the Only Ones on ICE Enough
Up to two-thirds of the people ICE arrests have never received deportation orders, frequently because their presence here is lawful. By ICE's own admission, the bureau has mistakenly detained, arrested, and even deported not only legal immigrants but also U.S. citizens. Those caught up in recent home raids include Adriana Aguilar, a citizen living in East Hampton, N.Y., who was sound asleep with her 4-year-old son when ICE officers stormed into her bedroom, pulled the covers off the bed, and shined flashlights into her face before interrogating her.
Yes, we must address the problem of illegal aliens, and there is no doubt Slate is not the most unbiased of sources. Still, who thinks "Only One" wide net stormtrooping is the best way, and if we tolerate it here, what else might it be used for?
What hasn't it been used for already?
[Via ryanmguard]
No Malice Aforethought
State Police Investigator Tom Miller says he does not think there "was any malice here."Then drop this nonsense at once and let the guy go.
[Via Declan]
We're the Only Ones Pumping Our Informants Enough
An FBI agent from Phoenix was indicted in Los Angeles on 18 charges that accuse him of having an affair with the wife of a man he was investigating.Some may say he made a mistake, but it's only a boner if it's unintentional. I know he wanted to penetrate the operation and do a bang up job, positioning himself to tail his suspect, but this screw up could really be a blow to all Phoenix federal "Only Ones."
And I do apologize.
[Via SameNoKami and Plug Nickel Times]
Red's Lawyer on Cam & Co
I understand he appears about half way through the program. I haven't heard it yet because I can't figure out where I should be looking.
If anybody knows how to navigate this site, please feel free to educate the rest of...OK--I guess you have to wait for the intro video to play out, then you get the option to click on the last show. Thing is, I'm not even sure that's the right show--it says "May 30," and I think the show in question was done on the 28th.
I'm surprised they don't have an easily accessible archive.
Maybe they do and I just don't know where to look, but it shouldn't be this nonintuitive.
Can anyone advise?
If anybody knows how to navigate this site, please feel free to educate the rest of...OK--I guess you have to wait for the intro video to play out, then you get the option to click on the last show. Thing is, I'm not even sure that's the right show--it says "May 30," and I think the show in question was done on the 28th.
I'm surprised they don't have an easily accessible archive.
Maybe they do and I just don't know where to look, but it shouldn't be this nonintuitive.
Can anyone advise?
The Last Roundup
If previous FEMA and FBI lists are any indication, the Main Core database includes dissidents and activists of various stripes, political and tax protesters, lawyers and professors, publishers and journalists, gun owners, illegal aliens, foreign nationals, and a great many other harmless, average people.You know--"Homegrown Terrorists."
To people who ask "Is it time yet?" the "roundup" (that wouldn't be 'Good O' Boy, would it?)speculated on in this article would make it so.
[Via Peter G]
Akins Accelerating Claim
I got so wrapped up yesterday I neglected to mention this. Of Arms and the Law links to the complaint.
It's a Guy Thing
“How do you know it wasn‘t a real gun?” asked Guy, a security agent with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, who also declined to provide his last name.
Well, Guy, you could always look at it.
If it's one of these it is. If it's one of these, it isn't.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Agency? Is that anything like the WGA?
And I'm not your Guy, Buddy.
[Via Jason A]
"The Reno Man" Must Die!
It was at this point that the second shooter, the Reno resident, produced a concealed handgun and proceeded to fire upon Villagomez who succumbed to his wounds. The Reno resident was in possession of a valid Concealed Carry Permit issued through the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.See, that's why we need to ban guns in establishments that serve alcohol. It does not serve our purpose to limit the slaughter we so count on to advance our ends, and successful armed defenses actually work against our goals.
After further investigation...the decision was made that the shooting of Villagomez by the Reno man was a justifiable homicide...
We also hope no one notices that many homes, the site of most domestic violence incidents, have both guns and alcohol present. We're not ready to go there yet.
[Via SameNoKami]
"Forget it Jake. It's Chi-Town."
An acting watch commander demanding "activity" in front of an entire roll call worth of witnesses? Could you define the "activity" desired lieutenant?I'm going to start paraphrasing the last line from "Chinatown" when dealing with Chicago.
It really does explain everything.
[Via Dan K]
This Day in History: May 31
That the several Militia Companies in this county do provide themselves with proper Arms and Accoutrements, and hold themselves in Readiness to execute the commands and Directions of the Provincial Congress, and of this committee.
War News, Blogs, Opinions, And Wire Service Roundup -- May 31, 2008
WAR/TERRORISM NEWS SUMMARIES AROUND THE WORLDUnited States Central Command
Global Security Briefs -- In Homeland Security
Complete Roundup Of World Trouble Spots -- Small Wars Journal
International, War, and Terrorism Headlines -- Rantburg
Morning Brief -- Foreign Policy
Global Incident Map
Global News -- Inform
Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs -- Canadian Perspective
Summary Of Wars & Conflicts: Right Hand Side Of Page -- Counter Terrorism Blog
Global Security News Roundup -- Global Security.org
Threatswatch
Latest News -- Strategy Page
Institute For War And Peace Reporting
Intelligence News Roundup -- Intelligence Online
Analysis And Commentaries -- International Relations And Security Network
Alertnet From Reuters -- Use Their Search Filter
Emerging Threats -- United Press International
International Forecasting And News -- Stratfor
IRAQ
Iraq News -- E I N News
Conflict In Iraq -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
War In Iraq -- MSNBC
Iraq News Online -- Times Online
Iraq News -- Inform
Iraq Weekly Status Report -- U.S. State Department
Iraq Updates
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Afghanistan Conflict Monitor
Afghanistan Update: April 1-30, 2008 -- Center For Defense Information
Operations In Afghanistan -- U.K. Ministry Of Defense
MIDDLE EAST
Mideast Conflicts -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Middle East Coverage -- Memri
SECURITY AND TERRORISM
Security -- MSNBC
Terrorism -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Terrorism -- MSNBC
National Terror Alert Response Center
U.S. MILITARY NEWS
U.S. Department Of Defense News
News in The Military -- Military News
Stars And Stripes
U.S. Armed Forces News -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Index Of Military Blogs: Stories Updated Daily -- Military.com
Milblogging: Stories Updated Daily -- Index Of Military Blogs
Directory Of Intelligence Sites -- Strategic IntelligenceComplete
The Internal Situation In Iran -- Will There Be A Counter Revolution?
From the Belmont Club:Spengler at the Asia Times asked a year ago: what do you give someone who has everthing -- "cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's, diabetes, kidney failure, and so forth. Iran's economy is so damaged that it is impossible to tell how bad things are. Except perhaps for the oilfields of southern Iraq, and perhaps also northern Saudi Arabia, there is nothing the West can give Iran to forestall an internal breakdown."
That degree of dysfunction was underscored by a recent Pajamas Media article describing the biggest case of corruption in Iran. Or possibly the Middle East. The chief auditor of the Iranian parliament has reported that $35 B of the country's oil revenues has just gone missing. Not that there's a heck of a lot to be stolen anyway. Despite record oil prices, the regime in Teheran has mismanaged its economy so badly that it is bankrupt. Losing the $35 billion is like a struggling retiree looking in the sugar jar and finding that the next six month's rent money is missing. Spengler writes:
Read more ....
Opinion Piece From David Brooks, New York Times: The Reality Situation
Mega-Scandal in Iran: $35 Billion in Oil Money Missing from State Coffers
My Comment: The rot is there. But for the frustration and anger to come to a boil a lot more must first happen. The religious authorities are entrenched in all aspects of Iran's economic,political, and social life. Will there be a revolution .... the answer is no. As long as oil is running at $130.00 a barrel, the Iranian regime will have the resources to be there for a long time.
Al-Qaeda's Terrifying Vision Of A Devastated America In The Wake Of A Nuclear Attack
From This Is London:
Washington is laid to waste. The Capitol is a blackened, smoking ruin. The White House has been razed. Countless thousands are dead.
This is the apocalyptic scene terrorists hope to create if they ever get their hands on a nuclear bomb.
The computer-generated image below was posted on an Islamic extremists' website yesterday.
It appeared as rumours swept the Internet that the FBI was warning that an Al Qaeda video was about to be released urging militants to use weapons of mass destruction to attack the West.
The information was said to be coming from 'groups that monitor Islamic militant websites'.
Read more ....
News From Other Sources:
SITE red-faced as Islamist 'Washington ruin' image turns out to be from Fallout 3 game -- Telegraph
Opinion: Why doesn't al Qaeda attack in the US? -- The Agonist
U.S. Cites Big Gains Against Al-Qaeda -- Washington Post
Murdoch Claims Video Game Came From al-Qaeda -- Infowars
My Comment: Nothing new here. Since 9-11 we have been bombarded with news and information that Al-Qaeda wants to completely destroy an American city. While I am sure that there are a lot of people who wish this, wishing for this and then having this happen are two completely separate things.
If there is a real threat against an American city, we will not know about it until it has happened.
Washington is laid to waste. The Capitol is a blackened, smoking ruin. The White House has been razed. Countless thousands are dead.
This is the apocalyptic scene terrorists hope to create if they ever get their hands on a nuclear bomb.
The computer-generated image below was posted on an Islamic extremists' website yesterday.
It appeared as rumours swept the Internet that the FBI was warning that an Al Qaeda video was about to be released urging militants to use weapons of mass destruction to attack the West.The information was said to be coming from 'groups that monitor Islamic militant websites'.
Read more ....
News From Other Sources:
SITE red-faced as Islamist 'Washington ruin' image turns out to be from Fallout 3 game -- Telegraph
Opinion: Why doesn't al Qaeda attack in the US? -- The Agonist
U.S. Cites Big Gains Against Al-Qaeda -- Washington Post
Murdoch Claims Video Game Came From al-Qaeda -- Infowars
My Comment: Nothing new here. Since 9-11 we have been bombarded with news and information that Al-Qaeda wants to completely destroy an American city. While I am sure that there are a lot of people who wish this, wishing for this and then having this happen are two completely separate things.
If there is a real threat against an American city, we will not know about it until it has happened.
Welcome to the BATFU Building!
ATF Dedicates Its New National HeadquartersWe talked yesterday about the grand unveiling.
Award-Winning Design Incorporates Latest Federal Security Standards
Funny. The BATFU press release doesn't say anything about the $19 Million in cost overruns. Oh, here's why--they replaced a $65,000 conference table with one that only cost half that. Besides, look at what they're considering scaling back on.
Still, with all the hoopla, I thought it would be nice to see what our tax dollars are paying for. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the new BATFU Building:
Wait...that isn't right. OK, let's try this...
What th...??? I wonder if this morning's computer glitch is still messing things up...OK, let's try it one more time and...VOILA!
Sa-ay...nice digs! I'd want to wear my good man slacks and bubble wrap hat if I worked there. And they sublease to retail tenants? How are they going to maintain "latest federal security standards" with all that going on?
Maybe after Heller is decided, someone'll open up a gun shop.
Oh, and there's one more photo--this one from the press conference. Why that looks like "Maximum Mike," and I do believe he's addressing the reporters from behind that $32,500 conference table...
Is it just me, or does that design on the back wall look like a giant Leatherman tool?
UPDATE: This photograph that I found on a couple other websites looks quite a bit different than the architectural illustration.
When Thulsa Snuffed Snuffy
Obama campaign dumps 'Hillary supremacist' priest
Minister who served as Dem candidate's faith adviser said Clinton thought being white entitled her to victory
Snuffy Pleger seems out of control when even Thulsa doesn't want anything to do with him. He starts out doing a bad impersonation of Frank Gorshin impersonating James Cagney. Then he devolves into a cross between Adolf Hitler and Elmer Gantry.
I don't know how much more blatant Snuffy and Trinity United need to get in shilling for a candidate though, in order to get Americans United Against Non-Marxist Religion's attention--or the IRS's.
Any way you look at it, this guy acts like an unhinged, self-loathing white who would fit in great with these lunatics. And notice how hard he tries to talk in a way he thinks this audience will respond to--then notice how his accent and demeanor change when he's got a "mainstream" audience. What a Pfoney Pfraud. And tell me, with his adopting that street persona, he had no idea what "snuff out" meant.
He's crossed the line. I know Cardinal George was afraid to rein him in and demand obedience because Snuffy threatened to take his congregation and go home, but he has become such a national embarrassment that the church can no longer look the other way. Since American Catholics have not done their job to repudiate one of their clerics using his position in the church to spread racist hatermongering and covetousness, it's time for the Vatican to lay down the law--up to and including excommunicating their rogue if he does not submit.
[Via HZ]
We're the Only Ones Lapping it Up Enough
U.S. authorities are investigating whether Chinese officials secretly copied the contents of a government laptop computer during a visit to China by Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and used the information to try to hack into Commerce computers...See, because government officials are "The Only Ones" who can be trusted with laptop data, to the point of assigning themselves authority to inspect yours...
Gee, I hope nobody would think less of me if I ponder out loud on how badly the story I'm hearing here stinks. Because I have absolutely no evidence to speculate about bribes for setting something down and turning a blind eye--I'd much prefer to believe this is just monumental stupidity bordering on a criminally negligent security breach instead of a deliberate act of treason.
[Via Plug Nickel Times]
Calling California Gun Owners
From Tom McClintock for Congress:
You know why it's important, right? And you're not about to let some guy in Ohio do more to help elect your representative than you're willing to do yourself?
Please Help Tom McClintock Get Out The Vote!
Saturday, May 31st – 10am
Sunday, June 1st – 12pm
Monday, June 2nd – 10am
Tuesday, June 3rd – 9am
Campaign Headquarters
1700 Eureka Rd, Suite 170
Roseville, CA 95661
Please call for information regarding alternate meeting locations and volunteer opportunities.
(916) 783-4411
(530) 613-1188
You know why it's important, right? And you're not about to let some guy in Ohio do more to help elect your representative than you're willing to do yourself?
Don't Wink at Gun Owners
An Open Challenge to Libertarian Presidential Candidate Bob Barr
Mr. Barr,
As WarOnGuns visitors were recently reminded, based on reporting by Gun Owners of America:
On September 28, 1996, you issued a memo on Congressional letterhead advocating:
But I think you need to go one step further. With the exception of your USA Today piece, which can be purchased individually (but not disseminated in total without violating copyright), the other referenced documents aren't accessible to scrutiny.
This issue will not go away, Mr. Barr--you will either address it directly, and explain yourself--or ignore it.
I challenge you to release and post the full text of your memo, your AJC letter, and your USA Today opinion piece, and let gun owners read your words for themselves. And I challenge the Libertarian Party to demand it of you as well.
Mr. Barr,
As WarOnGuns visitors were recently reminded, based on reporting by Gun Owners of America:
On September 28, 1996, you issued a memo on Congressional letterhead advocating:
The Lautenberg amendment with the Barr language is strong protection for women and children.On October 12, 1996, you sent a letter to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, claiming you "improved" the Lautenberg language so it could not be struck down by the courts, stating:
Under the Lautenberg language -- which was cleared up through my amendatory language that was adopted -- there was no consistent definition of "crime of domestic violence," and therefore the entire provision would have been declared unconstitutional. My language corrected this deficiency by setting forth the common elements of the crime that would apply to everyone.On Mar. 6, 1997, your editorial, "Don't Wink at Violence," was published in USA Today. In it, you wrote:
[Lautenberg] is important and worthwhile legislation, and we cannot allow its effectiveness to be reduced.Despite the fact you then voted for Lautenberg as part of an omnibus spending bill, there are those who would like to hear your reasoning. I'm among those.
But I think you need to go one step further. With the exception of your USA Today piece, which can be purchased individually (but not disseminated in total without violating copyright), the other referenced documents aren't accessible to scrutiny.
This issue will not go away, Mr. Barr--you will either address it directly, and explain yourself--or ignore it.
I challenge you to release and post the full text of your memo, your AJC letter, and your USA Today opinion piece, and let gun owners read your words for themselves. And I challenge the Libertarian Party to demand it of you as well.
Cashing Out
Rosanne Cash was all in black yesterday, but not because it was the fave color of her dad, Johnny. The country songstress and 32 others dressed in mourning for a noon demonstration at Times Square, where they remembered the Virginia Tech tragedy by lying down for three minutes — the time it took Seung-Hui Cho to kill 32 students and himself. The demo, attended by Mayor Bloomberg, was organized by protest site easyguns.com, a grass-roots group started by Washington Philharmonic cellist Abby Spangler.
Roseanne Cash is not on the list.
But she ought to be.
Model Behavior
British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been charged with a string of offences after allegedly assaulting a police officer at London's Heathrow airport, her lawyer said Thursday.
And lookee here--a whole big section on this head case's "acts of violence."
Assault...assault...assault...assault...
Good grief.
No wonder she doesn't want people having guns --particularly those in her employ. She's afraid they might be just as violent and out of control as she is. Or at least inclined to defend themselves.
Projection seems to be a recurring theme with people who don't trust others to be responsible with freedom, doesn't it?
We're the Only Ones Provocative Enough
"Les Seules" serving and protecting in Quebec.
How do you tell them apart from violent criminals?
You can't?
No wonder they don't want people to have guns.
[I can't find the email to credit who sent me this tip--sorry.]
Grading the Graders
The term paper author responds.
I'm not enabling comments on this post because I'd like to keep them all over there in one place.
I'm not enabling comments on this post because I'd like to keep them all over there in one place.
Always Think "Hopefully"?
We’re glad the agency is now setting the record straight and, hopefully, will provide accurate, honest and straightforward information in the future.This is more on the "Always Think Forfeiture" fiasco, and it is unintentionally revealing.
Honesty is not something you should have to hope for. It's something honorable men and women demand of themselves. It's one of those "gimmes" I just referred to.
Still, I wonder at the sudden conciliatory tone, and from "Maximum Mike" himself. Perhaps everyone wants to be on good behavior during an "audit". Lord knows the powers who prefer to work in darkness have had some high profile illuminations lately.
Based on observation, I think it more likely this is just the BATFU CYA MO. I can't help but speculate on what might be revealed if Rep. Sali demands all documents related to this, including producing the names of the other representatives he was told had inquired into the matter before him. If any really did.
That's the problem with broken trust. People never know what to believe, and even when you're telling the truth, your motives are suspect. It's that boy crying wolf thang.
Anyway, head on over to the title link and read the whole thing. You might want to leave a comment there, too, because some of the leftist flamers are in need of a good dousing.
[Via AvgJoe]
What a Morning!
And I had so much I wanted to accomplish--and hoped to be finished with by now so that I could get on with my real life.
Right after I'd completed my history post, and was working on the next feature, my Internet went out. The "online" light was out on the modem. I did the standard unplugging, waiting, reconnecting--even rebooted--nothing.
Better call my ISP. Wait--the phone is dead. Oh yeah, that's right, phone is a package deal, along with cable. If the computer's out, so is the phone.
No worries. Cell phone. "Go Phone" actually--I have no need for a monthly plan, so have a pay-as-you-go phone for needed family use only--a kid goes out he can have it to reach us--not to chat or text other kids.
Fine--where's the damn phone? Who had it last? Aw come on.
Here it is--on the bookcase. I've asked to always have it returned to the desk in the kitchen. Oh, well--my government doesn't listen to me, why should my children?
And it's dead as a damned doornail. Naturally. Uh, I don't suppose the charger is anywhere around here?
Found it. That only took 20 minutes. Chargechargechargecharge...chargecharge...DONE!
"Emergency calls only."
Who ran it out of minutes...? And didn't tell me?
OK, time to go to the store, get a refill card.
Great--all they have is $50 cards. I'm not gonna use $50 before the minutes expire. If I wanted to use that much in a month, I'd have a damn cell plan. OK, where's the next store--oh, wait--here's some $20 cards by the register for impulse buyers.
Alright. Scratch off the back strip to reveal the PIN. Check.
Dial 1-800... Check.
Welcome to...blahblah...press "One" for English.
I do. I get Spanish. I press "One" again. It hangs up.
Dial it again. Repeat process. "One." Hola, amigo!
Third time. Nope, they are not gonna let me recharge. Wait, what's this? There's a punch-out card to take into the store so they can refill minutes. To the service desk goes I.
Naturally, the man behind the counter knows nothing about how to do it. Leave it to corporate to implement a marketing program and not, you know, train anybody. But he pages another woman, and she also reveals she has no clue. Still, she's smart enough to use her phone to call the number and hook me up to where I can enter MY number, and the deed is done. I got phone.
Back home we go. And of course, whatever the glitch was, the modem is sitting there innocuously, like nothing ever happened, the "online" light glowing green and steady. And here I am.
In the course of my life I have literally thought I was going to die several times, where my decisions and reactions were all that stood in the way of me getting seriously, perhaps terminally, messed up. I've been blessed with the genetic predisposition to act rather than freeze. Things go slow motion. My senses are heightened. I always seem to know what to do. I claim no credit. It's nothing I've earned. It just is.
So I can pretty much handle the big picture and not go into adrenalin seizure until after the moment has passed. But the little stuff is my Achilles Heel. See, I expect certain things--I stole the golf term and call them "gimmes." These are the nits you should never need to worry about--they ought to be automatic. You know, simple take-for-granted stuff, like "shall not be infringed..."
And when they don't happen, when for want of a nail all my plans are thwarted, well, Vol becomes very angry indeed.
I do need to work on that, because we all know life is generally a series of little things. Still, temper tantrums can be like naps--every once in a while they can be therapeutic--plus I generally get very creative in my cussing, and having the wife laugh at what I come up with usually breaks the spell and gets me laughing right back.
Now I've got some work to do. If you sent me anything to consider for posting, I might not get to it. But first I need to get something wet that I can spill all over the keyboard.
Right after I'd completed my history post, and was working on the next feature, my Internet went out. The "online" light was out on the modem. I did the standard unplugging, waiting, reconnecting--even rebooted--nothing.
Better call my ISP. Wait--the phone is dead. Oh yeah, that's right, phone is a package deal, along with cable. If the computer's out, so is the phone.
No worries. Cell phone. "Go Phone" actually--I have no need for a monthly plan, so have a pay-as-you-go phone for needed family use only--a kid goes out he can have it to reach us--not to chat or text other kids.
Fine--where's the damn phone? Who had it last? Aw come on.
Here it is--on the bookcase. I've asked to always have it returned to the desk in the kitchen. Oh, well--my government doesn't listen to me, why should my children?
And it's dead as a damned doornail. Naturally. Uh, I don't suppose the charger is anywhere around here?
Found it. That only took 20 minutes. Chargechargechargecharge...chargecharge...DONE!
"Emergency calls only."
Who ran it out of minutes...? And didn't tell me?
OK, time to go to the store, get a refill card.
Great--all they have is $50 cards. I'm not gonna use $50 before the minutes expire. If I wanted to use that much in a month, I'd have a damn cell plan. OK, where's the next store--oh, wait--here's some $20 cards by the register for impulse buyers.
Alright. Scratch off the back strip to reveal the PIN. Check.
Dial 1-800... Check.
Welcome to...blahblah...press "One" for English.
I do. I get Spanish. I press "One" again. It hangs up.
Dial it again. Repeat process. "One." Hola, amigo!
Third time. Nope, they are not gonna let me recharge. Wait, what's this? There's a punch-out card to take into the store so they can refill minutes. To the service desk goes I.
Naturally, the man behind the counter knows nothing about how to do it. Leave it to corporate to implement a marketing program and not, you know, train anybody. But he pages another woman, and she also reveals she has no clue. Still, she's smart enough to use her phone to call the number and hook me up to where I can enter MY number, and the deed is done. I got phone.
Back home we go. And of course, whatever the glitch was, the modem is sitting there innocuously, like nothing ever happened, the "online" light glowing green and steady. And here I am.
In the course of my life I have literally thought I was going to die several times, where my decisions and reactions were all that stood in the way of me getting seriously, perhaps terminally, messed up. I've been blessed with the genetic predisposition to act rather than freeze. Things go slow motion. My senses are heightened. I always seem to know what to do. I claim no credit. It's nothing I've earned. It just is.
So I can pretty much handle the big picture and not go into adrenalin seizure until after the moment has passed. But the little stuff is my Achilles Heel. See, I expect certain things--I stole the golf term and call them "gimmes." These are the nits you should never need to worry about--they ought to be automatic. You know, simple take-for-granted stuff, like "shall not be infringed..."
And when they don't happen, when for want of a nail all my plans are thwarted, well, Vol becomes very angry indeed.
I do need to work on that, because we all know life is generally a series of little things. Still, temper tantrums can be like naps--every once in a while they can be therapeutic--plus I generally get very creative in my cussing, and having the wife laugh at what I come up with usually breaks the spell and gets me laughing right back.
Now I've got some work to do. If you sent me anything to consider for posting, I might not get to it. But first I need to get something wet that I can spill all over the keyboard.
This Day in History: May 30
That they are perfectly united in opinion and determined to pursue the most effectual measures, and to use the whole force of the Kingdom, if it be found necessary, to reduce the rebellious and refractory provinces and colonies.
And we know how their inflexible arrogance worked out. Isn't it revealing how the willingness of tyrants to desist and negotiate increases based on the amount of force a rival is capable of fielding?
That's why, when the Second Amendment is working properly, the incentive for abusers to behave themselves likewise increases, with the seemingly paradoxical (but only on the surface)result of a more peaceable society. The deterrent effect reduces the likelihood of physical conflict just as surely as it gives an individual predator pause to reconsider.
Those working to weaken such protections should also give pause, and consider the results they get may not be the ones they set out to achieve.
War News, Blogs, Opinions, And Wire Service Roundup -- May 29, 2008
WAR/TERRORISM NEWS SUMMARIES AROUND THE WORLDUnited States Central Command
Global Security Briefs -- In Homeland Security
Complete Roundup Of World Trouble Spots -- Small Wars Journal
International, War, and Terrorism Headlines -- Rantburg
Morning Brief -- Foreign Policy
Global Incident Map
Global News -- Inform
Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs -- Canadian Perspective
Summary Of Wars & Conflicts: Right Hand Side Of Page -- Counter Terrorism Blog
Global Security News Roundup -- Global Security.org
Threatswatch
Latest News -- Strategy Page
Institute For War And Peace Reporting
Intelligence News Roundup -- Intelligence Online
Analysis And Commentaries -- International Relations And Security Network
Alertnet From Reuters -- Use Their Search Filter
Emerging Threats -- United Press International
International Forecasting And News -- Stratfor
IRAQ
Iraq News -- E I N News
Conflict In Iraq -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
War In Iraq -- MSNBC
Iraq News Online -- Times Online
Iraq News -- Inform
Iraq Weekly Status Report -- U.S. State Department
Iraq Updates
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Afghanistan Conflict Monitor
Afghanistan Update: April 1-30, 2008 -- Center For Defense Information
Operations In Afghanistan -- U.K. Ministry Of Defense
MIDDLE EAST
Mideast Conflicts -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Middle East Coverage -- Memri
SECURITY AND TERRORISM
Security -- MSNBC
Terrorism -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Terrorism -- MSNBC
National Terror Alert Response Center
U.S. MILITARY NEWS
U.S. Department Of Defense News
News in The Military -- Military News
Stars And Stripes
U.S. Armed Forces News -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Index Of Military Blogs: Stories Updated Daily -- Military.com
Milblogging: Stories Updated Daily -- Index Of Military Blogs
Directory Of Intelligence Sites -- Strategic IntelligenceComplete
Hezbollah Makes Al Qaeda Look 'Minor League'
From FOX News:JERUSALEM — Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff warned Thursday that the radical Islamic group Hezbollah "makes Al Qaeda look like a minor league team," and poses the greatest threat to national security.
"Someone described Hezbollah like the A-team of terrorists in terms of capabilities, in terms of range of weapons they have, in terms of internal discipline," Chertoff told FOX News. "To be honest, they make Al Qaeda look like a minor league team.
Read more ....
News From Other Sources:
Deal Imminent between Israel and Hezbollah -- South Lebanon
Hezbollah Triumphs in Lebanon -- Shalom New York
Nasrallah’s speech to Hezbollah supporters -- Chrisy's58 Weblog
My Comment: This is news!?!?!?!?! Hezbollah was responsible for the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut in 1983, and that was when they were a small group.
Today, they are an army of thousands armed and trained to fight. Worse, their supporters are worldwide, even in the United States. Backed by Iran. Firmly in support of the goal of destroying Israel. This is a horrible organization that has made no secret of their long term goals.
The Sunni Arabs of the Middle East know how they dangerous they are .... Chertoff's comments and realization of this now makes me wonder if he is knowledgeable of what is happening.
Iran in Secret Talks With al Qaeda, U.S. Officials Say
From ABC News:Sources Say Iranian Govt., Terror Group in Contact About Militants Under House Arrest
Senior U.S. officials tell ABC News that in recent months there have been secret contacts between the Iranian government and the leadership of al Qaeda. It's a development that has caught the attention of top officials in the White House, the Pentagon and the intelligence community.
According to U.S. officials familiar with highly sensitive intelligence on this issue, the contacts are on the status of high-level al Qaeda operatives, including two of Osama Bin Laden's sons, who have been under house arrest in Iran since 2003. The officials don't believe Iran will allow these operatives to go free, but said they don't know Iran's motivation for initiating the talks.
Read more ....
My Comment: This is another clear indication that close ties are maintained between Al Qaeda and Iranian Government officials. Because this involves two of Osama bin Ladin's sons, it is not hard to figure out who in Al Qaeda is directing these talks. The question is why Iran is doing this now. What is their strategy? This is an answer that I do not know.
EBooks On Terrorism -- Part 1
Terrorism has always been a part of history. To examine this more further we have browsed and collected from a number of websites the following books that focus on the history, culture, and reasons for terrorism.Beyond al-Qaeda: Part 1: The Global Jihadist Movement -- Book Bank
Beyond al-Qaeda: Part 2: The Outer Rings of the Terrorist Universe -- Book Bank
Encyclopedia of Terrorism by Harvey W. Kushner -- Avaxhome
The New Terrorism by Walter Laqueur -- Avaxhome
The Culture Of Terrorism by Noam Chomsky -- Avaxhome
Psychology Of Terrorism by Various Authors -- Avaxhome
In The Name Of Terrorism by Carol K. Winkler -- Englishtips (free registration required)
Terrorism Reference Library, 1st Edition (3 volumes) by Various Authors -- Avaxhome
Deadly Connections: States that Sponsor Terrorism by Daniel Byman -- Avaxhome
Battling Terrorism in the Horn of Africa by Robert I. Rotberg -- Gigapedia (free registration required)
The Four Faces of Nuclear Terrorism by Various Authors -- Avaxhome
The Media and the War on Terrorism by Stephen Hess -- Gigapedia (free registration required)
Bookyards has a number of documents, speeches, and books that pertain to terrorism here.
Bookyards has also made a list of free online libraries that have a focus on terrorism and security issues. That link is here.
A Hero in the People's Struggle Against Freedom
These people even sound like commies, don't they?
I'm just surprised the press release didn't use words like "proletariat" and "hegemony."
Just one question: Are you sleeping, bourgeoisie?
I'm just surprised the press release didn't use words like "proletariat" and "hegemony."
Just one question: Are you sleeping, bourgeoisie?
Where Is Al Qaeda Going?
These two articles have recently caught my eyes:The revolt against al-Qaeda From The Belmont Club
Lawrence Wright, author of the Looming Tower, a best-selling account of the beginnings of al-Qaeda, may now be chronicling its end. In a 14-page article in the New Yorker, Wright describes the revolt of al-Qaeda's theological pillars against its version of the Jihad.
Read more ....
Al Qaeda Opens a New Front From All About Realestate
Al Qaedas military commander in Afghanistan claims that the terror group coordinated the effort that led to the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi, Pakistan yesterday. In a telephone interview with Asia Times Online (NSA boys, did you get this one on tape?), Mustafa Abu al-Yazid said that the killing was part of an al Qaeda plan to destabilize Pakistan by hitting at precious American assets there.
Read more ....
My Comment: Al Qaeda has been fragmented. Military operations against it, as well as its own actions against civilians, has resulted with the organization losing it's moral authority within the Muslim community. The fact that the original intellectuals who gave the organization it's moral voice throughout the Islamic community are now abandoning it will only speed up this process.
What is left of Al Qaeda will stay make it a lethal force. But if they think that they will be successful in overthrowing the Government of Pakistan .... they are dreaming.
News Links -- June 4, 2008
Iran's supreme ayatollah vows that his country will continue with its nuclear program, but others are optimistic for cooperation and peace. Others are more realistic.
Somali groups seek U.N. sanctions on warmongers .... I guess everyone is now going to be sanctioned. But on the ground .... Aid Group: Somalia in Worst Crisis in 10 Years
An eye-witness account of South Africa's pogrom against foreigners. The argument in South Africa is where will these refugees will be put. More from Time Magazine.
Venezuela is revamping its internal security agencies, will now force its citizens to spy on each other. Skirmishes on the Colombia and Venezuela border are now starting.
U.S. Congress puts limits and conditions on U.S. support for Mexico in it's war with its drug lords .... Mexico naturally disagrees. From The Independent .... Mexico’s war on drugs: Journey into a lawless land.
What went wrong in Iraq - from Al Qaida's point of view. Related: Whatever happened to news from Iraq? Related: Remember the surge? (Hat Tip Maggie's Farm). Iraqi communities are no longer mixed, and violence is still happening.
The jihadist revolt against Bin Laden.
Change failing tactics on terror, Pakistan's leader urges the West. Also .... Father of Pakistan bomb denies passing on secrets.
Some believe that a deal between Israel and Hezbollah will occur, but in regards to Hamas it is business as usual. Meanwhile, Ahmadinejad says Israel to vanish with or without Iran
Over 100 countries have agreed to ban cluster bombs, why stop there? Guess what countries have not signed on.
The Pope's principle secretary is asking Muslim religious leaders to embrace peace, some countries have a problem with that.
Why oil prices are high: Nigeria, U.S. Congress, silly policies from other governments, China, India, and oil supplies. New hope will come from other countries .... Angola overtakes Nigeria as top African oil nation.
Iraq / Pentagon Briefings -- Courtesy Small Wars Journal
The two briefings are on the following:Lieutenant General James Dubik, Commanding General, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq; and Major General Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman provide an operational update, 28 May 2008.
Admiral Timothy Keating, Commander of US Pacific Command, speaks with reporters at the Pentagon, providing an update on recent relief operations to Burma and China, 28 May 2008.
The link to see these videos are at the following:
Syria's Nuclear Program
From The Washington Post:The Bush administration is pressing U.N. inspectors to broaden their search for possible secret nuclear facilities in Syria, hinting that Damascus's nuclear program might be bigger than the single alleged reactor destroyed by Israeli warplanes last year.
At least three sites have been identified by U.S. officials and passed along to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is negotiating with Syria for permission to conduct inspections in the country, according to U.S. government officials and Western diplomats. U.S. officials want to know if the suspect sites may have been support facilities for the alleged Al Kibar reactor destroyed in an Israeli air raid Sept. 6, the sources said.
Read more ....
This follows the following news article from The Telegraph:
Syria-bound missile components intercepted, claims US
Equipment bound for Syria which could be used to test ballistic missile components was intercepted during a previously undisclosed mission, the United States has announced.
Four member states of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a group of 90 countries who seek to prevent the shipment of weapons of mass destruction, were involved in the operation in February, 2007.
Read more ....
My Comment: After the attack on this Syrian nuclear reactor, the following article from the Danger Room was published. I see it as a good summary on the entire issue of nuclear proliferation by Syria.
It is clear that monies and resources are being diverted by Syria to develop a program that examines the production of nuclear material. The reactor is a small one, but its presence indicates a definite commitment to some nuclear program. The question that must then be asked is what programs and projects are in the works and/or are being developed. The interception of components necessary for ballistic missiles is a big red flag. Will stones start to be overturned to look for more of this program .... we shall see.
We're the Only Ones "Do You Deliver?" Enough
"I wanted to do the right thing and turn it in because I didn't want kids finding it and getting hurt," Gibbons said. "But the police wouldn't come get it from me. They wanted me to deliver it. I was enraged."No concern if she knew proper handling procedures to be able to do that safely?
No concern it might have been disposed evidence and improper handling could obliterate clues like fingerprints? On that note, have their been any recent unsolved shootings with a .25? Or reports of stolen guns? Did anybody check?
No cautioning on legal requirements for transporting firearms?
The ironically-named Lt. Skip Arms (Is this a joke? Is that an invented name to go with this story?) certainly does represent the "Only Ones" attitude and excuse-making we've come to expect over the years.
Yeah, we're too busy setting revenue traps to be bothered. Hey, you hungry?
I know some might be tempted to say she should have kept the gun, but keep in mind if you were caught with it and it did turn out to be a "crime gun," you'd have some 'splainin' to do. Still, you never know when you might need a throwaway, just like the trained professionals have.
If You Can't Trust a "Tipster," Who Can You Trust?
Waterford police have arrested a Waterford High School student for allegedly falsely reporting someone was at the school with a gun.What?
Sni...I mean, "tipsters" sometimes LIE...??
This could spoil EVERYTHING!!!
By the way--y'all have submitted a slogan, right?
Another Public/Private Partnership
While leaving my breakfast place this morning, I noticed the following sign in a window:
It offers a $125.00 dollar reward for every working firearm returned to the 14th District Police Station.
That wouldn't be my breakfast place any more, and I'd be sure to let the proprietor know why. I'd be tempted to go there with a large party of fellow gun owners, sit down, and just before ordering, conveniently "notice" the sign, take offense and leave--just so he realized how much money was walking out his door.
I not only personally let foolish business owners who post "No Guns" signs know why they're not getting my business, on substantial purchases I've actually sent them copies of receipts from their competitors--along with a note explaining how they blew the sale.
[Via Less]
The Unholy Grail
An ancient gold cup mysteriously acquired by an English scrap metal dealer is expected to fetch close to a million dollars at auction after languishing for years in a shoe box under its current owner's bed.And it's not only got the Cult of Set two-headed snake symbol, but like Thulsa himself, it's two-faced.
I love the anecdote about the guy not knowing what he had and using the cup as a BB gun target.
[Via JD]
We're the Only Ones Approaching the Bench Enough
From a legal correspondent:
And it was probably "Project Safe Neighborhoods," you know, that public/private partnership (say, isn't that the core of...fascism...?) that everybody who's anybody is on board with...
I was in court today (I'm a criminal defense attorney) and noticed two ATF agents. One was a "gun crimes task force" guy, and the other was some kind of "Project safe America" agent. Whatever that is.Yes I can. But not being an "Only One," and a BATFU "Only One" at that, I don't think it would have ended well.
Anyways, I wish I could've taken a pic, but the courtroom was off limits to cameras, and I didn't want to risk a picture with my blackberry.
Here's the problem: the ATF agent was standing in front of the Judge, with his Glock holstered on his thigh, but unstrapped, and he had his hand on the butt of his pistol the entire time he was talking to the Judge. Seriously. I didn't know whether to take that as a threat to the Judge, but I was tempted to ask him to remove his hand from his weapon and secure it.
Hope that that made sense to you. I was just dumbfounded that he had his hand on it like he was going to draw. Of course, I had to disarm to go to court, but.... oh well.
Can you imagine if that were you or me?
And it was probably "Project Safe Neighborhoods," you know, that public/private partnership (say, isn't that the core of...fascism...?) that everybody who's anybody is on board with...
We're the Only Ones Taking Tips Enough
Police said they made the arrest after receiving an anonymous phone tip that he was selling drugs.The caller contacted police at about 10 a.m. Tuesday to report that he had purchased drugs from a teacher at the high school named Abbott who kept a gun in his car, police said.This story just isn't adding up.
An unloaded shotgun? Was it in the trunk?
Prescription drugs? Were they his?
"Marijuana packaged for sale"? Does that mean he had some in a Baggie? How much?
Why would he consent to a car search?
Why does it sound like the "tipster" is doing dirt to this guy for personal reasons? I mean, it's not like they were holding a slogan contest or anything.
And why do I get the feeling the "Authorized Journalists" are doing a bit of sensationalizing?
The "Only One" happy about all this is probably Wayne.
I'll be surprised if there's not a lot more to this story than what we're seeing here.
A Public/Private Partnership
Representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Memphis-based community groups, public officials, local law enforcement and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) -- the non-profit trade association for the firearms industry -- today jointly announced a major campaign to reduce significantly the illegal straw purchases of firearms in Memphis.
Just one big happy alliance...
The Clown Suit Defense
“Oh! A clown suit!” all proclaim, prostrating themselves and genuflecting before the one true God. “Why, if he’s wearing a clown suit, it must be all right! We know that clowns want only the best things for our children, and of course clowns must go through rigorous training and certification in order to be granted, by the powers that be, that most sacred privilege of wearing the clown suit! Surely, if he’s wearing a clown suit, he is in the right, and they are the evil doers, they are the ones who have transgressed, and, indeed, they must be punished.”I'll accept that metaphor...
[Via Luke O]
War News, Blogs, Opinions, And Wire Service Roundup -- May 29, 2008
WAR/TERRORISM NEWS SUMMARIES AROUND THE WORLDUnited States Central Command
Global Security Briefs -- In Homeland Security
Complete Roundup Of World Trouble Spots -- Small Wars Journal
International, War, and Terrorism Headlines -- Rantburg
Morning Brief -- Foreign Policy
Global Incident Map
Global News -- Inform
Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs -- Canadian Perspective
Summary Of Wars & Conflicts: Right Hand Side Of Page -- Counter Terrorism Blog
Global Security News Roundup -- Global Security.org
Threatswatch
Latest News -- Strategy Page
Institute For War And Peace Reporting
Intelligence News Roundup -- Intelligence Online
Analysis And Commentaries -- International Relations And Security Network
Alertnet From Reuters -- Use Their Search Filter
Emerging Threats -- United Press International
International Forecasting And News -- Stratfor
IRAQ
Iraq News -- E I N News
Conflict In Iraq -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
War In Iraq -- MSNBC
Iraq News Online -- Times Online
Iraq News -- Inform
Iraq Weekly Status Report -- U.S. State Department
Iraq Updates
Iraq Coalition Casualty Count
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Afghanistan Conflict Monitor
Afghanistan Update: April 1-30, 2008 -- Center For Defense Information
Operations In Afghanistan -- U.K. Ministry Of Defense
MIDDLE EAST
Mideast Conflicts -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Middle East Coverage -- Memri
SECURITY AND TERRORISM
Security -- MSNBC
Terrorism -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Terrorism -- MSNBC
National Terror Alert Response Center
U.S. MILITARY NEWS
U.S. Department Of Defense News
News in The Military -- Military News
Stars And Stripes
U.S. Armed Forces News -- Full Coverage From Yahoo News
Index Of Military Blogs: Stories Updated Daily -- Military.com
Milblogging: Stories Updated Daily -- Index Of Military Blogs
Directory Of Intelligence Sites -- Strategic IntelligenceComplete