Gotta Jump In With Ohio News -- RESTAURANT CARRY!

The Ohio General Assembly, in the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives, have passed two different bills that -- essentially -- allow the carry of concealed firearms into restaurants and certain establishments that serve alcohol.

Of course, the usual suspects are waving their arms in their best Chicken Little fashion and predicting all sorts of rapturish, end-of-the-world mayhem if a combined bill is signed into law. Reportedly, officials at the Ohio Restaurant Association are pressuring Gov. John Kasich to veto the bill.

Once the versions are reconciled between the two houses, and it passes to his desk, he can either sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.

A story in today's Columbus Dispatch quotes dissenting bartenders, who wonder how they will tell which patrons are carrying guns. Which is interesting, in my opinion, considering it is common knowledge that bad guys currently carry guns into bars. I wonder how bartenders make that determination now? And how it will change?

Oh, but the difference here is that they have an irrational fear of law-abiding people, but no fear (or head in the sand?) about criminals who currently carry into their bars? That is sick and twisted and NOT in a good way!

READ THE BILL PEOPLE! Ohio CHL (that's concealed handgun license) holders cannot drink while carrying if they enter one of these establishments. Can bartenders guarantee they haven't served criminals previously (that would be people who currently carry a gun into a bar and imbibe)? Nooo...they can't.

Here is hoping that lawmakers reconcile differences, and pass a good bill to Gov. Kasich for his signature. Just as CCW made Ohio safer, such a bill will greatly help reduce the liklihood that a Luby's Cafeteria incident will happen in the Buckeye State.

And if it saves only one life (that is a common refrain of crusading lawmakers), then this is a good law whose time has come. Thank you Ohio lawmakers.

Gov. Kasich? The ball will soon be in your court, and it's time to put your money where your mouth is. That is, prove you are not a threat to Ohio firearms owners or their rights. Demonstrate through your actions, what your surrogates kept saying during last year's gubernatorial campaign.

Now . . . we wait and see.

TRL On Hiatus

TRL is going dark until further notice. When we are back and running again, there will be announcements in several places.

Thanks for stopping by. There will be more to come....

BG

Illinois Supremes Rule Emanual Qualifies For Windy City Mayoral Ballot

In a unanimous decision today, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Rahn Emanual, former White House chief of staff and Chicago mayoral candidate, can be on the ballot. His candidacy was challenged by Chicago residents who alleged he did not meet he state's residency requirements, which say an individual must have resided in the city for at least one year prior to the election.

This is an issue that probably needs to be reviewed by the Illinois state legislature. At the very least to clean up vague language that has Emanual supporters and opponents at war with each other (oops, that wasn't very civil language of me, was it?) over the definition of "resident."

The story is here. I don't look for opponents of the candidacy to appeal this to the Supreme Court, but they might. I doubt the U.S. supremes will hear the matter.

According to Newsweek . . .

Here we go:

"Obama intentionally did not mention gun control in his State of the Union, but aides say that in the next two weeks the administration will unveil a campaign to get Congress to toughen existing laws."

Read the full story here. Even though a competition rifle was not used in the Tucson, Ariz. shootings, that will be the target. Its called "lowest hanging fruit" and the one issue that is used to attempt to divide the shooting community . . .

Utah Ready To Name 1911 The Official State Gun

Bills are moving fast in Utah to name the venerable 1911 sidearm as the official "state gun."

Cool . . .

SOU Prediction

UPDATED: Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 12:48 AM -- NBC News is reporting that President Obama plans to discuss his proposals for new gun control measures at a future time and venue, according to sources inside the administration. The Obama White House has been harshly criticized by anti self defense advocates who are demanding new gun control measures, despite the idea being far out of the mainstream with ordinary Americans.

*********

UPDATED: Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 10:18 PM -- Not one word about firearms, so far as I could hear. Interesting. The discussion of jobs and the economy is a far more pressing issue facing this nation. Perhaps the internal polling showed Americans just don't want to hear about gun control -- they want jobs!

As speeches go, um . . . it was all over the place. I've done a lot of public speaking and it was kind of boring actually. He didn't lay out a wish list of "want-to-have's," but in fact talked about possibilities. Of course his idea of "fixing" ObamaCare is just nonsense. It is not helping, it is destroying insurance companies. And his plan jobs plan is just pure stimulus -- lets not mince words. It smacked of far MORE government giveaways, which, folks, means yours and my money. He did talk of more government monies for different things, which plays to his base. And a freeze in spending, which after the drunken orgy of spending we saw in the last four years of the Bush administration, and the first two of Obama's administration, is meaningless. We need a rollback in spending. Surprisingly, he talked of being in favor of tort reform, which made my eyes pop open quite a bit wider. His base will NOT like that.

But most fascinating that guns were never mentioned . . . The things that make you go hmmmm . . .

BTW, here is a new study by the Pew Research Center, breaking down opinions on gun control by various age groups, constituencies, etc. Quite a sea change from a decade or two ago. The public is far more enlightened than it used to be.

*********

The president has just been introduced by the Speaker of the House.

My prediction: President Obama in tonight's State Of The Union address will call for restrictions, if not outright bans, on high-capacity magazines -- in light of the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., and because of recent shootings involving police officers in the past week.

BUT, he will be playing to his base with such statements. He knows it will not go anywhere with this Congress, and because the American people do not support it. Most in his party on the Left know that talk of gun control is risky for their political careers. But they may think that proposing bans on high-capacity magazines is somehow less risky.

Maybe. Still, such proposals won't go anywhere.

Obama's proposal, should he make it, will be similar to President George W. Bush, who (for whatever reason) called for an extention of the ban on competition rifles, but knew it wouldn't go anywhere with the Congress in place at that time. That appeasement of some middle ground made no sense then, because it only confused matters.

The speech begins . . .

The Obsession With 'Control'

There is a brilliant essay I want to bring to your attention.

Entitled "Puritanism, Paternalism and Power: Whiskey and Gunpowder," this piece talks eloquantly about the kindred spirits who gave us the Temperance Movement, the Social Purity Movement, the Social Hygeine Movement, the Comstock Act, the Mann Act, the War On Drugs, and the never-ending obvious (and subtle) attacks against the Second Amendment.

"Not withstanding forms and temperal fluctuations, the penchant for acting as self-righteous busybodies has animated the bourgeoisie of this country ever since Pilgrims set foot on Plymouth rock in 1620. Because this proclivity provides an irresistable opportunity for politicians to promote their own interests at public expense, one must expect that we as Americans are doomed to an endless procession of costly, futile and destructive crusades."

Kudos to Robert Higgs, senior fellow at the Independent Institute, for his insightful prose. He hit the nail on the head with this one.

Read it and pass it along . . .

Gun Control Advocates Pushing For New Restrictions Proposal In Tonight's State of the Union

Gun control advocates are pushing for new limitations in the wake of the Tucson, Ariz. shootings, and shootings where several police officers have been injured or killed.

Coverage here, here and here.

BTW, all the anti self-defense talk by the institutional Left has dramatically boosted the sale of "happy sticks" from coast to coast. Now, with that said, does anyone need such a device? That is up to each and every individual. But wanting one? If you are a law-abiding individual, and you want one, why not? Besides, its nobody's business to tell other people what they "need" or don't need.

Does Jay Leno need 100+ motorcycles? It's not up to me to decide. But he wants them ...

State of the Union, tonight.

. . . And He's Back

With Cook County dominating Illinois, it is no surprised that "The Chicago Way" dominates . . .

Please note: The Illinois Supreme Court did NOT reverse the order. They merely issued a "stay" to the "no print" order, meaning the name can be printed as the ballots are going to press this week. The court is going to hear his appeal. If, in the event (which I doubt) that the state's high court rules against Mr. Emanual, and any further appeals fail, voters would simply be advised that he is not a legitimate candidate, and any votes cast for him would not count toward anything.

This will be an interesting argument on both sides. I predict, though, that he ultimately will prevail in his bid to be on the ballot -- my opinion about the meaning of the word "resident" notwithstanding.

Appeals Court Rules Anti-Gun Emanual Should Be Taken Off Chicago Mayoral Ballot

Breaking News --

Former White House chief of Staff Rahm Emanual, who now wants to run for mayor of Chicago, has been told by a state appellate court that his name should be removed from the ballot because he does not meet residency requirements.

More to come.....

What The Hell Is Going On With News Reporting?

It is getting far worse.

Its always been bad from the left-leaning media (it was frustrating for me during my days to some degree, though one of the better points in my situation is that I worked for a business publication the last five years of my "working journalist" career).

Recently we had a mentally deranged man, from all accounts clearly trying to murder a congresswoman, and take out anyone around him who even remotely got in the way. The legacy media (there is a reason it is dying on the vine) blamed Sarah Palin -- who was several states away and, from latest accounts, can clearly NOT be seen pulling the trigger (though the man in custody IS seen on surveillance cams with his finger repeatedly PULLING the trigger).

Today, there is a shooting in California, and reports say people wearing black ninja costumes or something like that stormed the school and started shooting. Tonight, reports say a teenager brought a gun to school in a backpack, and somehow "it went off."

They don't typically just "go off," but I'll leave that discussion for another day.

Still, why the disparity, difference, polar opposite reporting? AGAIN?

Like I said, mainstream media is dying. And clearly (and I never thought I would be saying this), for good reason, and maybe it should be allowed to die. No bailouts, no "last chances," no government protection.

Let the market decide, as it should have done instead of bailing out car companies and certain banks.

"Crossroads Of The West' Gun Show Goes On Despite Irrational White From Antis

Apparently the anti-self defense establishment in Arizona (there aren't a lot of them) and around the U.S. suggested that the Crossroads Of The West gun show scheduled for this weekend in Tucson be cancelled.

Apparently, enlightened, open-minded individuals saw the mass murder for what it was -- an act virtually impossible to predict or stop by a clearly emotionally disturbed young man.

Apparently, the show organizers told anyone and everyone who wanted the show shut down to . . . ahem, POUND SAND.

Good for them. This event was not about guns. It was about mental illness.

If you are going to ban high capacity magazines, then you will start with pretty much every police officer in the United States. If you are going to ban so-called "assault wespons," then you . . . er, oh, wait, its notNOT about competition rifles. The alleged murderer used a handgun. If you are going to try to set up special treatment for federal lawmakers to keep them safe, then you need to set up special treatment for teachers who face far more violence in our schools than a federal lawmakers will face in a career.

The show in Tucson is about freedom, safety, defense, and personal choice. If you don't want to see a gun show, don't attend it. Its like porn on your TV or on the internet. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

To the organizers of the Crossroads show, bully for you for standing up to the bullies!

One Turkey Of A Bill

And lawmakers of ALL stripes wonder why the Tea Party movement -- which is about government intrusion into our lives -- picked up such momentum?

Here's one reason: A republican member of Congress is floating a bill proposal to create "floating" gun-free zones around, you guessed it, members of Congress.

I guess pro-gun representatives and senators will no longer attend gun shows, or Friends of NRA events, or . . . .

USA Today National Poll Says Vast Majority Of Americans Don't Believe Conservatives, New Gun Restrictions Would Stop Arizona Shooting

A new poll from USA Today says an overwhelming majority of Americans say conservatives are not to blame for the Tucson, Ariz. shooting, nor are they in support of new gun control measures.

That last item? Approximately 71 percent of respondents said NO new gun laws . . .

Chew on that one for a while. It is no longer 1989.

The Tale of Two Americas

One America believes in government control of most every aspect of life, the economy, etc., while a second America believes in personal freedom, personal responsibility and accountability.

A very well written essay worth reading and passing on may be found here.

The Drumbeat Continues

UPDATED: January 12, 2011, 3:13 PM -- And there it is . . . an interview with the alleged Tucson, Ariz. shooter stating that he wasn't political. The friend told Good Morning America today the following: "He did not watch TV. He disliked the news. He didn't listen to political radio. He didn't take sides. He wasn't on the left. He wasn't on the right."

So with that out there, will the PSH-filled Left stifle its push to muzzle speech in the United States? With rhetoric gone as a catalyst, the only thing left for them to attack is private firearms ownership. Let's see how that flies . . .

************
The drumbeat to demonize firearms is picking up, now that a lot of Americans are ticked at the Arizona sheriff and others who are blaming "rhetoric" as the reason a troubled young man charged into a streetcorner town hall meeting in Tucson, Ariz. and gunned down several people, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

The latest ridiculous interview was by MSNBC this morning, and featured questions to the Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. Senate. There is talk that a handful of members of Congress and or Senators and their aides are going to start carrying concealed firearms in the Capitol building for their personal protection.

Not a bad idea. Every law abiding person should be afforded the opportunity to make this very personal choice for themselves. I would.

But no, the S.A.A. says it would be wrong to introduce more "firepower" at a time like this. Or at all. That's not the way to solve these problems, he says.

Now think about his answer, and remember who he is. His answer was one that guns are unnecessary firepower, and that this is the wrong time, and its not the way to solve problems. So he has demonized the gun.

But why would he say that? Could it be that he is responsible for security and order in the U.S. Senate Chamber? That allowing senators and aides to carry personal defense sidearms is a clear indication that they don't trust his efforts to keep order? Such a new rule would make him irrelevant.

Sort of like asking a gun shop owner located a few blocks from a gun show why he doesn't exhibit at the show. The shop owner will almost always say he or she doesn't like gun shows. But what they really don't like is the competition.

And for the U.S. Senate S.A.A., a personal sidearm -- the great "equalizer" -- represents competition. But the legacy media will not tell the American people that fact.

The drumbeat continues . . .

Why Europeans Need Their Myths

Europeans must love myths, or the BBC thinks that Brits love myths. Nevertheless, this is worth your time. Just read it and pass it on. In essence the BBC left out 14 words that could have summed up what they don't understand about ordinary Americans -- those found in the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

VERY well written . . .

Perceptions From Away

How fitting that while we are all processing -- and witnessing the spectacle -- of the aftermath of the Tuscon shootings, I am reading an autobiography of a famous Australian children's writer, Mem Fox. Interesting in that I just came across her perception of America this afternoon, written years ago.

And I quote:

". . . . I've traveled the subway in New York alone and often and without incident. I guess in a population of 250 million the proportion of violence per person nationwide is tiny. It's just that outside America we hear a lot about the crazies who murder on a whim or gun down half an elementary school class in a fit of depression. These are the news items that jaundice our views and horrify our sensibilities, distorting the American reality and making us
afraid."

Yep. Distorted, to be sure. Guess when she wrote those words? 1990.

These incidents ARE rare. Few and far between. And now, horrible as it is, the incident is not being blamed on the very troubled young man taken into custody. It is being blamed on a former governor and a burgeoning movement of regular taxpayers who are tired of being ignored by the elite in Washington DC.

Sort of like the violent actions of some yob in distant Surrey being blamed on a speech given in Parliament. One has nothing to do with the other.

But here, our legacy media more and more each day live by a simple credo: Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story.

It's no wonder average Americans are upset. You would think the Left and the useful idiots in the legacy media don't have a clue what happened at the ballot box in November.

Or are they afraid, and now is the time to ratchet up the demonization? Nooooo . . . its not like they have been waiting for a tragedy to exploit.

Would they . . . ? Hmmm . . . .

Tucson Shooting Hypocrisy

More hypocrisy out there regarding the horrific shootings at Tucson, Ariz.

- MoveOn launches campaign against vitriolic language, despite its history of using vitriolic language

- Media pivots to blame gun laws; as a result sloppy reporting ensues

- By far, the ugliest rhetoric is coming from the institutional Left

- What will become of Salon's "War Room" blog?

- Media orgy misses what is important

- So there are people out there who really believe the Tea Party folks talk to this guy through an implant in his head or something?

- Blood libel from the Left that is being ignored (and was back then too) this week

- Sheriff who blames talk radio, conservatives for Tucson shooting, was asked by the Left to apologize for remarks about illegal aliens

- The reading of the Constitution made him do it? Nah....

- Oh my, remember my words about "red herring?" Apparently the high sheriff knew a lot about the alleged shooter's problems and threats to officials -- ahead of time. His attempt to mimic that scene from the Wizard of Oz? You know, "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" The intentional "deflection" that he is perpetrating . . . er, eh, ahem, I mean, the things that make you go hmmmm . . . .

- Oops, the media's bad! It wasn't Sarah Palin who pulled the trigger. Nope, it was Wayne LaPierre!

- On a related note, the Brady Campaign LOVES to use "target" symbolism in their advertising and fundraising too. Who is holding Sarah, Paul and company accountable for endorsing such disgusting tactics?

- A former dem congressman pleading for civility once called for a sitting governor to be put against a wall . . . and shot!

A sea of hypocrisy, my friends . . .

Now, another note. A friend with close family connections to Arizona ponders why more people at this event weren't armed, for pretty much everyone in Arizona carries a gun. Or . . . at least they used to. Maybe that sea change in the Tuscon area is why this event went on so long, and so many people were brutally murdered before the alleged shooter was subdued by hand . . .

For it is precisely the events where no one thinks anything will happen that crazy folks, and those bent on accomplishing an agenda, know they can do the most harm -- and get the most notoriety. Ready-made free-fire zones.

Hypocrisy.

Arizona

UPDATED: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 7:37 AM -- The Daily Mail newspaper in England correctly sums up what is happening with its "cousins" across the pond with the following headline: "How America's Elite Hijacked A Massacre To Take Revenge On Sarah Palin."

Hijacked . . . substitute the word "exploited."
Revenge . . . nope, no substitute. It accurately describes the real roots of hatred in this nation.


**************

Tragic events on Saturday, that have only found myself able to write about this morning.

An update: The Congresswoman remains in an induced coma, and doctors are "cautiously optimistic." A nine-year-old girl is dead, as is a federal judge, and a man who shielded his wife. Several people died on Saturday.

And the organized Left say Sarah Palin did it....

Sigh . . . I don't even know where to start. First, Ms. Palin was in another state, and did not pull the trigger. But already there are calls for restrictions OOPS, not on the shooter, not on Ms. Palin, and not on trans fats or salt, but . . . the United States Constitution.

Once again, the person that did this -- who by the way is in custody -- is only peripheral to the argument. No, the attacks are coming in the way of new bills being prepared by members of the Left in Congress who want to restrict the Second Amendment, and restrict the First Amendment. Translated -- restrict every Americans' access to certain firearms and restrict every Americans' right to speech.

The speech issue is amazing to me. I didn't see much, if any, TV all weekend. Heard some radio and read a little bit online as I was consumed with other matters. But I was alerted by a phone call from a friend last night that the sheriff in Tucson, Ariz. was going on and on about how free speech has gone too far. His comments went so far, that I was informed by others more knowledgable on this stuff than me that he may put some of the case in jeopardy. Defense attorneys may be asking for changes in venue, etc. because instead of giving just the facts as responsible law enforcement officials do, the Pima County sheriff was making political speeches. People were still dying and he is railing against people and movements.

One person pulled the trigger. A very troubled young man.

And in this country, the nation I grew up in and have been proud of, there is supposed to be accountability for criminal behavior. And that accountability is assigned to the person or persons who did "the act," whatever it might be.

To cast blame on the Tea Party movement, to cast blame on Sarah Palin for using an ad mentioning certain liberal politicians are targeted for defeat is ludicrous. How crazy? Well let's see now . . . both the Left and the Right have used the phrase "targeted" for decades. How easy will that be to find? Well in just five minutes this morning I found:

This from the Huffington Post
This about liberals targeting a conservative judge
A story about campaigning advice from Barney Frank (did he complain about news coverage linking him to the word "target?")
And then there's this from MSNBC's Keith what'shisname....
Of course, President Obama in his election campaign "targeted" first time voters....
And let's not forget Obama's statement about "...if they bring a knife, we bring a gun."
And some more stuff on the same topic can be found by clicking here.

Getting the picture?

The list goes on and on. This idiocy about the word "target" being what set this kid off, and blaming it all on Sarah Palin, The Second Amendment, The First Amendment, globalwarmingcoolingclimatechange, flouridated water, or what have you, is all a giant red herring.

The alleged shooter is in custody. There will be charges. The highest profile victim, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a democrat, is a vehement Second Amendment supporter. Know that.

Bills to present for consideration in Congress are being prepared. One would make it a crime to threaten a federal official. Do I think that should be a crime? No, but its damn stupid to make threats like that. What words constitute "the crime?" "I wish?" "I hope?" "I'll get you?" And if such a bill is passed, how will it be used to "target" (oops, there's that word again) political enemies. For it will. Such is the history of such "thought police" types of feel-good laws. A slippery slope, as well meaning progressive are obsessed with being seen as "doing something." So they will write up a lot of stuff that will get lots of press from a complicit, dying legacy media that is desperate to show it is somehow still relevant in a modern world.

Speaking of the media, it is interesting to note that after the Fort Hood massacre, where a serviceman shot several fellow soldiers, that the media rushed forth to say Americans should not rush to judgment about the religion of the shooter, a Muslim. Sort it out first, the media said. But this time, the media is ready to tar and feather Ms. Palin about the Tucson incident. Yeah, BTW, if you didn't know I am a recovering journalist. Am so glad to be out of this business that has become so tainted, and a victim of its own prejudices.

Back to looming feel-good action in Congress. Another bill would ban competition rifles and their accessories, such as high capacity magazines. Even though the high-capacity magazine was not used in a rifle.

Also, know something else. In a conversation with a close friend yesterday we kept coming back to the idea that so many people in Arizona are armed, either openly or have CCWs. Why did someone in the crowd not drop this guy? The word is the incident happened fast. And once the alleged shooter had trouble changing magazines, people jumped on him, knocked his gun away, and so on. One young man who has been interviewed a few places says he ran out when he heard the shots and headed toward the commotion, finger ready to release the safety on his concealed sidearm. He saw that the alleged murderer had been pinned, the gun kicked away, and he replaced his handgun into its holster. I seriously doubt, however, what he was ready to do will get much airplay.

If no one in the crowd happened to be armed, at least thoughtful people who are tired of being bullied by politicians and thugs stepped up, and grabbed this guy. There was a time in this country, prior to September 11, 2001, where a lot of people would just run away like sheep . . . let the bad guys run the place.

I believe, increasingly we have seen an end to those days. This tragedy, and it is horrific what happened, was not worse simply because people stepped up and said "no more."

But that will all be forgotten soon. The drumbeat is going to be for restrictions on Constitutional rights, as the Left likes to do.

Just remember . . . it is President Obama who has used the "bring a gun..." metaphor also. To suggest that Sarah Palin or the Tea Party movement is to blame is to show just how vacant the progressive movment idea factory is, just how bereft the organized left is of any meaningful solutions to real issues. Blame the right for hate speech? Look within your own house, my many friends on the left. You have a lot of hate speech in your own tent and you tolerate it to generate donations.

How could this event have been stopped? It has nothing to do with a political ad or images of targets or someone's speech. If this kid had gotten some mental health counseling when everyone thought he was a loose cannon (oh, wait I've used that language again)...THAT might -- I repeat might -- have made a difference.

My condolences to the families who lost loved ones, or who have family or friends injured or fighting for their lives. To the family of Rep. Giffords, I send out my best wishes for her recovery.

And to the father of the little nine-year-old girl who was killed, I pass on my sorrow for your loss. I cannot know how you feel. I am a parent, too, and I would be numb right now if in your shoes. Finally, a thought I want to share with you Sir. My thanks for having the courage to publicly say you do not want more restrictions put on freedom as a result of this ugly, horrible, tragic, meaningless attack. She was beautiful, she is beautiful. And I shudder when I think that people will use her image as a banner cry for their own political agenda.

Incidents like this are extremely rare, but in a free society the second victim is always freedom. The Constitutional protections that so many Americans take for granted. But know this: one person, and one person has been charged with pulling that trigger. Witnesses say there was one person pulling the trigger. A very ill, troubled young man quite detached from reality. And despite the fears of the Left, and its penchant to demonize anything or anyone with which they disagree, they only further demonstrate the intellectual vaccuum upon which they base their bankrupt arguments.

I have to get back to work...

More Civil Rights Progress In DC

Magnus v. U.S., decided yesterday, concludes that a defendant who pleaded guilty in 1996 to violating Washington DC's handgun ban can now have that plea set aside given DC v. Heller.

Because the conviction for conduct that was not criminal, but was constitutionally protected, was the ultimate miscarriage of justice, according to the opinion.

A somewhat complicated and to many, troubling case. Because the individual at question also was found in the proximity of a large amount of marijuana, which he said was not his but belonged to another individual who resided there. Mr. Magnus was NEVER charged with any drug crimes. That says alot. Only the gun issues.

Bottom line . . . I am going to say this is another red-letter day for civil rights in America, and the District of Columbia. Because the opinion is about constitutional protections. S

Something America is getting a reminder about this week as the 112th Congress begins its session after a sea-change at the ballot box last November.

A Good Move To Start The New Congress

Incoming U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, a fellow Ohioan, has the Organized Left wallowing in PSH this week.

Why? Because Mr. Boehner is having the entire United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, and additional amendments, read into the record. FIRST...... BEFORE the members of Congress do anything else.

A reminder of why they are there, and a reminder to members new and old of who they serve. That "who" being, "The People." That reading is scheduled for tomorrow, January 6, one day after members of the 112 Congress are sworn in, and looking at the clock that is in about one hour.

It is too bad the Senate won't be doing the same. Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and others are trying desperately to do away with the "filibuster" rule. Which, in essence, is to defy the very intent of the Founders of the U.S. You see, in case you didn't know, those very wise men fully intended for the Senate to be the more deliberative of the two bodies of Congress. Where legislation could be carefully reviewed. A filibuster stalls progress so that very kind of review can occur. And Senate democrats are in denial about the role of the Senate which they controlled for more than two years.

Hopefully, Boehner will bring back some decorum to the U.S. House after the drunken spending free-for-all that has existed under outgoing Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And in another case of ballsey irony, Ms. Pelosi is suddenly a deficit hawk, along with some of her colleagues in the Senate, stating that voters elected republicans to deal with the economy and not mess with healthcare. I would respectfully disagree, but I find it incredibly hypocritical that the party of the Left spent, spent, spent, spent, spent for years, made wild promises about fixing the economy (they didn't), rammed an enormously expensive healthcare boondoggle down the throats of the American public against their will (overwhelming opposition in every poll), and all of this far more costly to taxpayers than any Congress in history...

And then she has the gall to suggest that republicans had better do something about spending?

WOW. California is the land of make believe, and Ms. Pelosi is firmly planted in the middle of it.

Mr. Boehner, I wish you good luck this year and beyond. Please don't disappoint. Your freshman colleagues and you were elected to preside for a reason. Now that you have said what you are going to do . . . do what you told us you would do.

Happy New Year!

May you enjoy a happy and prosperous 2011!!!