Updated: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, 8:37 am -- News coverage says Mo "hesitated" and that is why he was shot. No, I doubt very seriously that he hesitated. I know the man all too well. He was not about to give this pathetic excuse for a human being his livelihood. This morning he is holding his own. Still in rough condition. But stabilizing.
**************
A man I have come to know quite well, an immigrant to this nation many years ago and now a naturalized U.S. citizen, was shot in his neighborhood market tonight. He is in critical condition in a nearby hospital. The police have not yet caught the scumbag who robbed him.
He always has believed in self defense, has kept a gun for protection in his home, and perhaps in his market. One of the things he always asked me . . . something that he could never understand . . . was why so many Americans will not rush to the aid of another. "Why do people here not stop a thief if I am yelling 'stop that thief?' " In the country he left, he has said, people think nothing of stopping a thief. For a thief affects everyone in the community.
Simply saying that so many people here are afraid to help another human being always has bothered me. Is it fear of "getting involved?" I don't know. This man would walk to mile to help another less fortunate person. A merchant with a heart.
His family waits and watches tonight. As do I. Please send good thoughts to this man tonight. I have come to know him as a friend. For he is good people.
27 December 2008
A Friend Is Down
Posted by Brent Greer at 11:36 PM 3 comments
25 December 2008
A Joyous Christmas
Posted by Brent Greer at 11:59 AM 0 comments
23 December 2008
Has Anyone Else Noticed The Jargon Change?
Has anyone else noticed that the news media of late is misusing (as usual) the anti-gun reference to competition rifles?
Forever, they were called "assault weapons." Since the sunset of the ineffective Brady ban on competition rifles, the anti's have gotten little traction with the usual anti-gun politicians in their continuing quest to demonize SBRs.
But now, suddenly, on the rare occasion when a competition rifle is found or confiscated, it is being referred to as "an assault rifle." Which everyone knows is a full-out machine gun. And thinking people know that LEOs are not pulling machine guns off the streets every time they turn around. But someone is telling the media that "assault rifles" are being confiscated, when what they mean to say is semi-auto rifles (a phrase almost never used by police or the anti self defense crowd).
So what's up here? A deliberate change in tactic with reference to nomenclature? In order to scare a public that doesn't know the difference between your grandad's semi-automatic hunting rifle and a competition rifle?
Here's a lesson to those who do not know the difference -- there isn't any.
For example, here is a story out of Mexico from today. Another from Akron, Ohio earlier this week. Still another from Youngstown, Ohio. More on this in the days to come. I am going to start compiling references to "assault rifle" in media stories when they mean competition rifle. Trust me. I watch this stuff, and until now the herd/flocking mentality of most news media has been to follow that which they have been taught -- to use the phrase "assault weapon."
Either its coming from the anti's . . . or worse, LEOs who should know better. If you have an instance of this in your community, drop me a line with the details, the date the story appeared, and a link if you can get it.
Thanks in advance
Posted by Brent Greer at 10:19 PM 3 comments
22 December 2008
Quote Of The Day
Posted by Brent Greer at 4:56 PM 2 comments
All Is Not Peaceful In Sarah Brady Paradise
Posted by Brent Greer at 4:40 PM 0 comments
21 December 2008
Jury Nulificaton?
Posted by Brent Greer at 12:36 PM 0 comments
Reducing Deaths With A 'Gun Tax?'
His proposal? A gun tax.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to bear arms, I feel that there may be an economic method to persuade gun owners to part with their guns. Governments sometimes require citizens to collectively bear the costs incurred by a few. Society could say, "Fine, you can have your guns. However, we know that the private ownership of guns causes huge economic losses for our society. We want the owners of guns to collectively pay for those losses." I believe that if the owner of each gun had to pay the pro-rated share of the violence done by all guns, he would be inclined to dispose of the gun quickly."
Really? What about the overwhelming evidence that ownership of firearms helps reduce crime. Study after study after study by federal investigators has shown that the ONE thing criminals fear more than anything is the private citizen with a firearm.
Perhaps that is why Mr. Dixon needs to look at Britan and Australia, and chew a bit on how private citizens have seen violent crime skyrocket after the prohibition of pretty much all private firearm ownership.
h/t to David Codrea
Posted by Brent Greer at 12:28 PM 1 comments
19 December 2008
Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out
Posted by Brent Greer at 8:59 AM 0 comments
Tennessee Denies Setting Up Gun Registry
The State of Tennessee is backpedaling furiously this week, telling firearms safety instructors there to pay noooooo attention to certain sections of a roster document mailed to Handgun Safety School Class directors.
At issue? Three sections that asked instructors to mark down the make and serial number of firearms brought to class by students.
Hmmm . . .
Someone had the idea though, and this document made it through the approval and printing process. And it was all a mistake? Really?
Me thinks some state officials thought no one would think anything of it. But it blew up in their collective faces.
Posted by Brent Greer at 8:46 AM 0 comments
Chicago Looking To Copy DC?
Posted by Brent Greer at 8:41 AM 0 comments
18 December 2008
DC WANTS To Be U.S. Crime Capital
Posted by Brent Greer at 5:42 PM 0 comments
16 December 2008
Have You Seen This Man?
Have you seen this man? He is missing and it is important that he be found!
Posted by Brent Greer at 2:37 PM 0 comments
15 December 2008
Happy Bill of Rights Day!
In honor of Bill of Rights Day here in the U.S., buy a book. Or order one -- TODAY!
Stephen Halbrook's renowned hands-down, end-of-the-debate work on the origins of the Second Amendment would be a good one. Actually, a number of people are working to push Halbrook's baby up the rankings at Amazon.com and elsewhere today.
To those old men who studied the classics, who understood (firsthand) tyranny, who worried about the dangers of big government . . . I thank you for the document you created. It has (mostly) withstood the sands of time. There are some who would change the meaning and intent of your words. But there are those who stand and fight to preserve that which you wrote.
So in 2008, we proclaim "Happy Bill of Rights Day!" And to celebrate, we buy books (one in particular)!
Posted by Brent Greer at 7:08 PM 0 comments
Homeowner Pranks Pranksters, Gets Charged With Assault
Posted by Brent Greer at 5:32 PM 0 comments
Your Car A 'Public' Place? Only In Oregon
Posted by Brent Greer at 5:24 PM 0 comments
09 December 2008
Anti-Gun Illinois Governor In Federal Custody
Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, 9:59 am -- Blagojevich was released from jail early today after posting $4,500 bond. His attorney says the Illinois governor doesn't think he did anything wrong. Here is an analysis looking at how Illinois is sadly becoming "The Land of the Plea."
*************************
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.
At the top of the list, officials say, is the anti-gun governor's attempt to auction the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Read a copy of the indictment by clicking here.
Incredible, but then this is the Windy City and things in and around Cook County get done "The Chicago Way."
BTW, in case you are keeping score -- Blagojevich is yet another anti-gun mayor in NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's coalition of anti self defense chief executives to be arrested or indicted. Earlier this year, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was jailed on charges of violating terms of his bond while awaiting trial on eight felony counts. He later resigned as part of a plea deal.
Lots more to come on this one on this one folks!
Posted by Brent Greer at 1:57 PM 0 comments
08 December 2008
Obama Says 'Don't Worry;' Hamm Calls Purchases 'Stupid'
President-elect Obama is telling Americans not to worry, he believes in the Second Amendment. There is no need, he says, to buy firearms ahead of his swearing in . . .
Peter Hamm of the Brady Campaign (formerly Handgun Control Inc.), thinks it is "stupid" that so many more Americans are buying firearms prior to the January 20 transition of presidential power in the United States. Further he states in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times:"Anyone who thinks they need to rush out and buy a firearm clearly has not
been paying attention to how quickly we make progress on this issue. We don't
think these are first-time buyers. We think they are people who already have
more than enough guns at their homes to protect themselves and are buying
more."
Listen Mr. Hamm. I have worked several gun shows in Ohio these past few months, signing up people who want to join the National Rifle Association. And I can tell you this first hand -- we are seeing an exponential increase at these family events of people who have never before owned firearms. It is evident to anyone who attends these events.
--Suburban dads in polo shirts and khakis
-- Housewives
-- College coeds
I have talked to a lot of these folks. I have asked them why they came out this day, and how they are enjoying themselves. Most will volunteer that this is their first gun show. Most have their kids in tow and realize it is an incredibly family-friendly event. Nearly every one of these folks has said they came out because they believe there will be additional intrusive restrictions placed on the purchase of firearms, and they wanted to go through the process now while it is still legal.
Now were these people influenced by the "Hockey Mom In Chief?" I seriously doubt it. No, they looked at Sen. Obama's record, and being thinking individuals, realized you judge someone not by their words, but by their actions. And Sen. Obama's record on firearms ownership has been abysmal.
Couple that with his recent appointments to his cabinet, and his closest advisers:
- Eric Holder -- incoming attorney general, and Janet Reno's point man on gun control in U.S. Justice Department during the Clinton administration.
- John Podesta -- transition chief, and Bill Clinton's point man on gun control in the White House. He coordinated federal extortionist lawsuits against the firearm industry and Clinton`s failed last-ditch effort to garner universal firearm-owner licensing.
- Rahm Emmanuel -- incoming White House chief of staff, engineered the takeover of the U.S. House of Representatives by democrats in 2006 by convincing rural firearms supporters to run for Congress. So while a liberal leadership spouts the anti-gun line, many rank and file "D" members of Congress who say they are pro-gun are worried they will be pressured to vote for anti-gun legislation. It would go something like this. "I know you support gun rights, but you know . . . if you really want federal funds for that job creation program in your district, you need to get on board and vote our way." You say that's paranoia? It happens every day in Congress.
When it comes to his plea not to go out and purchase firearms . . . that Americans have nothing to fear from him on gun control, reaction by ordinary law-abiding moms, dads, grandmothers, grandfathers and college coeds to President-elect Obama's position comes down to this:
He has been weighed, he has been judged, and has been found wanting.
Posted by Brent Greer at 1:54 PM 1 comments
07 December 2008
Coyote Attacks Colorado Boy
Why did this happen at all?
1) Voters in 1995 banned trapping in Colorado, despite objections by wildlife biologists and state wildlife officials, who recognized then (as most other state wildlife officials recognize today) that trapping is an effective means of control of these wild animals.
2) People in Colorado have begun feeding coyotes, either through carelessness or on purpose.
3) Coyotes are beginning to see people as food.
Posted by Brent Greer at 1:08 PM 3 comments
How Will The Obama/Brady Administration Deal With This?
See the vid below.
Chainsaw Bayonet
Too funny.
Posted by Brent Greer at 9:16 AM 0 comments
05 December 2008
National Parks Reform: Antiquated Ban On Concealed Carry Reversed
The U.S. Parks Service has decided to permit concealed carry in America's national parks. The decision came down today, according to an announcement from Virginia Citizens Defense League, which led the charge on this matter.
"DOI announced the rule change today and will publish the new regulations in the Federal Register. The new regulations allow right-to-carry permit holders to exercise their Second Amendment rights on national park and wildlife refuges in
those states that recognize such permits. The move will provide consistency across our nation’s federal lands and put an end to the patchwork of regulations
that governed different lands managed by different federal agencies. In the past, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands allowed the carrying of firearms, while lands managed by DOI did not."
Posted by Brent Greer at 2:29 PM 0 comments
A Cartoonist's Take On The Mumbai Massacre
The political left and right have differing views on gun control, and events in Mumbai demonstrate the unintended consequences . . . . .
Posted by Brent Greer at 12:55 PM 0 comments
04 December 2008
Remember A Service Member For The Holidays
For all the world to see
So far away my lover is
Please bring him home to me
The holidays are a tough time for anyone to be away from home, let alone members of the U.S. armed forces who are scattered aound the globe this year. Not not only for family members worried about loved ones, but soldiers, marines and sailors themselves -- many of whom are in harm's way as I write these words.
The organization is AnySoldier.com. This group matches the needs of service people with interested folks who want to donate general goods and goodies. In the old days, you used to be able to send a box of goodies or a letter, simply addressed to "Any Soldier" at a military hospital, or to the Pentagon. They would forward such items to military men and women who were in hospitals, rehab, or even in active duty, front-line posts. It was a way to send a little message of hope and love from home -- anonymously, sometimes -- to remind those protecting us that they matter . . . that they are remembered, particularly during the holidays.
In recent years, such good deeds have been spoiled by the likes of people who hate. They say they hate war (who doesn't), but they also hate the present administration, and often hate our military men and women. In recent years, they expressed this hate (if this doesn't prove that hate is a sickness, I don't know what does...) by sending letters or packages addressed to "Any Soldier." But the contents were not messages of hope or encouratement. They would send hate letters, call service people "baby killers," and fill boxes with things you just don't want to see. Imagine lying in a hospital, your body ravaged by injury inflicted while protecting your country, and you receive a box -- supposedly from a well wisher -- filled with excrement, with a note calling you a monster for wearing a uniform. Just imagine . . .
So policy was changed stating that all letters and packages must be directed to specific military personnel BY NAME. AnySoldier.com matches the needs of real soldiers with the interest of people who want to send things that are needed.
Please take the time to check out this important organization. Be a miracle worker yourself, and make a difference for someone who is giving their time selflessly to protect us all.
Near the top of this post, I have included the first few lyrics of a brand new song written and performed by Sheryl Crow. Just released on her first collection of Christmas music, she wrote it as a tribute to U.S. military personnel serving all around the globe. Her words and music are memorable. But it wasn't written for me. It was written for men and women who stand in harm's way every hour of every day of every year. Thanklessly.
Please think about what YOU can do to make a difference in the life of a soldier. It doesn't have to be only at the holidays -- it can be year 'round. But the holidays would be a great time to start. And more importnatly, itt doesn't have to be someone you know.
It can be Any Soldier . . .
Thank you.
Posted by Brent Greer at 4:20 PM 0 comments
03 December 2008
St. Louis Alderman Tells Residents To Arm Themselves
Posted by Brent Greer at 9:02 PM 0 comments
Disaster Preparedness Means More Than Clicking A Button On Your Blackberry
I know they mean well, and some bean counters and marketing gurus probably think they have come up with one hell of new revene stream. But . . I am not impressed with the Terrorism Survival Bundle for Windows Mobile.
If you haven't heard about this yet, Microsoft is selling a new package. Here are the details from the online catalog. It appears not to be a joke:"If and when there is another terrorist attack, you need to know immediately what to do, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Your chances of minimizing the danger and inconvenience are enhanced if you've made common-sense preparations in advance, as well as knowing what to do afterwards.
"The Bundle includes:
- Terrorism Survival Plan Database and Terrorism Survival Response
Database
- Planning & response for terrorist attack scenarios
- Full-color Cover Page, Storage Card Compatibility, Searchable Records"
I'm sorry. Disaster preparedness is too important to be left to "just-in-time training." The first thing we teach in safety and crime avoidance courses -- and would also be taught in any terrorist disaster drill program -- is simple . . . HAVE A PLAN. Depending on your Blackberry or i-Phone does NOT a plan make.
Click here to read what others have had to say about this product.
The bottom line -- as well meaning (or greedy) as the intentions might be, it is going to give users a false sense of security. Depending on this software to get you out of a jam in the middle of a terrorist incident, should one occur, is about as sensible as a parent believing government is here to protect their children from crime and we don't need to carry firearms for self protection. Thinking families know better.
Nice try, but no thanks. Well . . . actually . . . not even a nice try.
Posted by Brent Greer at 8:38 PM 0 comments
02 December 2008
Barack Obama -- Employee Of The Month
Posted by Brent Greer at 10:30 PM 0 comments