Maybe petitioning to have him deported without due process is too much, but it’s overdoing it for us to demand that the Department of Agriculture see whether CNN got a got a 526 permit before bringing Morgan here. It’s required before importing foreign insect pests.
David Hardy – Piers Morgan gets owned, again
January 13, 2013
[I have nothing else to add that I haven’t said already. –B]
Here’s my question: In his entire entourage of uncritical nuthuggers, was there not one single person willing to play Smithers to Yeager’s Mr. Burns? Nobody to say "Uh, sir, maybe going on camera all bug-eyed and threatening to kill people isn’t such a good idea when bug-eyed people have been running around killing people."
And no matter how much you don’t want him on your team, he is on your team anyway. He is getting so much attention at HuffPo and DailyKos because to them, he confirms every stereotype they have of gun owners the way Limbaugh listeners think that all Democrat voters are dreadlocked hippies in #OCCUPY_DRUM_CIRCLE. James Yeager has sent the entire gun rights movement downrange with a camera.
Tam – The Honey boo boo of the firearms industry.
January 13th, 2013
[Honestly right now we are our own worst enemies. As Tam rightfully points out the media is hunting for the craziest of the bunch to bring forward and put front and center as being representative of all of us. The way they need to run this fight is to make us look inhuman and they’ve been working at it for years.
Please, for the love of god, think before you speak and if you see that you need to play Smithers to a Mr. Burns, freaking do so! –B]
How about now? Still think they should be given a monopoly on force?
What about the Massacre at Wounded Knee? The internment of the Japanese? The incident at Ruby Ridge? The Waco massacre? Still think the government should be invested with a monopoly on force?
h/t to OldNFO on the video.
So I’m sure our opponents will go into PSH over the following:
That’s right folks, a Sheriff’s department is offering free firearms training to kids. But it gets better, to cover the costs of the training some different sources have stepped up to the plate.
I’m sure our opponents are screaming how Walmart and other businesses should be buying back the guns from the kids. How that if we keep them hidden and out of sight children will never find them or be curious about them. At the same time though these individuals are more than happy to have them go through sex education, because you “know kids are curious and not talking about it won’t do anything to solve the problem.”
I’m sure someone else will scream how it’s insensitive given the recent school shootings, blah de blah blah blah. At which point their hood and veil come off. We see right through their lies into the bell of the beast. This isn’t about making kids safer, this isn’t about stopping criminals, it is about banning firearms and control. Period. They use the tragedy merely as an emotional crutch to support their agenda because they cannot support it with facts and logic.
Don’t believe me? Let’s look at a conversation that happened over at Sebastian’s place. I’m going to post it here because honestly, I don’t want it lost down in some thread in the comments, I want it front and center. Especially with how it ended. This is pretty long so I’m shoving it below the fold. Here is a link to skip to the conclusion below the fold.
So as mentioned previously my wife sent a pretty direct letter to our federal representatives. Patty Murray responded today.
Dear Mrs. TMW:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your thoughts on new gun control legislation. I appreciate having the benefit of your views on this matter.
The views of Washingtonians are very important to my work. I will keep your thoughts in mind, and I encourage you to stay in touch. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates. Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
TMW’s comment to me when forwarding it was a perfect descriptor:
She answered with a non answer. Way to talk around the issue.
Murray however gave a much different response to a friend of mine:
Dear Mr. Willington:
Thank you for writing me regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. It was good to hear from you.
As a mother, grandmother, and former preschool teacher I was shocked by the tragedy that unfolded in Newtown. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the victims whose loss is difficult to comprehend.
Unfortunately, this horrific tragedy was another in a long line of gun violence episodes that have ranged from places like Columbine, Virginia Tech, and Aurora to coffee shops in Lakewood to the corner of South Byron Street and McClintock Ave South in Seattle. These episodes have plagued our cities, our schools, and our shared sense of security. This cannot go on. As a society we need to come together to begin a real conversation on all the factors contributing to those horrific instances of gun violence, but we also need to take specific action to bolster our current gun safety laws.
There is no question that we can and should limit access to the assault style weapons of war that are on our streets and that are too often being used to kill innocent people indiscriminately. I have repeatedly voted for an assault weapons ban and will do so again as soon as we can get a bill to the Senate floor.
But preventing tragedies like the one in Newtown will take more than just common-sense gun policies and enforcement. It will also take a renewed commitment to understanding and dealing with the root causes that lead isolated individuals to carry out these atrocities. At this moment, everything needs to be on the table for scrutiny.
Our nation is at a crossroads moment, and we must take the path that protects future generations from re-living these gun violence tragedies over and over again. It will take the courage of people with opposing views but a common purpose sitting down with one another and agreeing that the status quo is unacceptable.
Please be assured I will keep your views in mind as I work with my colleagues and please feel free to share with me your ideas on how to address this crisis. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my updates at http://murrav.senate.gov/updates. Thank you for contacting me, and please do not hesitate to contact me again.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
We haven’t gotten a response from Cantwell regarding her specific letter though here is her response to my letter:
Dear Mr. TMW,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
All Washingtonians – and all Americans – offer our deepest condolences to the families of the 20 children and six school staff members who were killed in this senseless attack. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Newtown, as its residents heal from this incomprehensible tragedy.
This horrific attack highlights several issues that must be addressed promptly in order to better protect against such inexplicable violence. We need to get powerful assault weapons off our streets. And we need to strengthen services for the mentally ill and their families.
In the past, I supported the original Assault Weapons Ban and the Brady Bill, as well as the Youth Handgun Safety Act of 1993, which prohibits juveniles from possessing or receiving handguns. I look forward to work with my colleagues in the Senate to strengthen responsible legislation to rein in gun violence. We need to work to close the loopholes in existing laws that allow criminals and children to gain access to firearms contrary to the law’s intention. One example is the well-known “gun-show loophole” which allows people to purchase firearms at gun-shows without undergoing the background check required when guns are bought from licensed dealers. Lastly, I believe we must support increased gun-safety and gun-use education.
I support the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding Washingtonians who own guns. I also remain focused on addressing the deeply troubling violence in this country and making our state and our country as safe as possible for all people, including our most vulnerable citizens, our children. I believe both of these goals are important and can be simultaneously accomplished through common-sense gun laws and stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Along with addressing gun violence, making services for the mentally ill and their families more accessible will encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek needed care and support. Mental health care is a critical component of our healthcare system and an individual’s overall health status. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in 17 Americans suffers from a seriously debilitating mental illness. I care deeply about mental health care and understand the important role behavioral health services play in the lives of both those who suffer from mental illness and their family and loved ones.
Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator
If you live in the state of Washington. Light up their phones and crank up the heat. I am liking the idea Robb had, especially since the local gun shows draw from both Idaho and Washington so we’d get a decent set of calls into multiple districts. Combine that with methods for people to send letters to congress critters it could be quite effective. Especially if you had people there who could help them personalize them instead of form letters.
As you will notice on the right hand side, I’ve added a Join the NRA link. I know some aren’t too happy with the NRA, I’m one of them. As Sebastian said though, we have the NRA we’re going into this fight with, it’s not going to change and you’re not going to wish up an alternative. Do what you can, voice your opinion to the NRA, they have a better record of listening than congress, and get active. If all you do is bitch in the corner about how they don’t represent you, of course they won’t. You haven’t lifted a finger to guide them in representing you.
I’ve also added a quick box to aid people in contacting their legislators. Do it if you haven’t already. There is nothing to loose by doing so and you have everything to gain. As you can see folks, this is going to be an up hill battle and this is one we can not loose. A quote worth remembering of which I was reminded of it by a friend of mine:
“Never give in, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never Yield to a force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
― Winston S. Churchill
We must stand and fight. We must not waiver, we must not flinch. We must come out on top, our very culture depends on it.
This one is presented entirely without further comment.
…
Of note:
State Sponsored Criminal #498: Wendel Palmer
Because ….
Via OldNFO
The attorney who represents the officer says his client was “very upset” after he lost the weapon.
Now if your familiar with gun laws and how restrictive the state of New Jersey is regarding weapons permits, you know exactly why this one’s on the count. It’s a classic case of being “anointed”. And remember, right now some politicians are talking of confiscating civilian arms. Tell me, how would that help when you have Officer Fife here?
State Sponsored Criminal #497: Richard Takach
Because proper gun handling and gun safety is only required if you don’t work for the police.
If you know someone sitting this one out because they think the anti-gun groups don’t matter, slap them silly. We’re not facing the anti-gun groups, we’re facing the White House and the whole Obama coalition, and if you think that doesn’t matter, just ask Mitt Romney whether he agrees with you.
Sebastian – Why This is Serious
January 10th, 2013
[Like Sebastian I’m nervous. I keep hearing from more and more people who they’re “voting with their wallet” to indicate their opinion. Well that’s all well and good but it doesn’t really help where the real fight is. Currently I’m working on creating a kiosk for the local gun shop so people can contact their representatives right there.
Form letters should be avoided I know, and I will help anyone who asks write a letter. I have been meaning to post my letter but keep forgetting. I will however post a copy of TMW’s because honestly it was much better and probably considerably more effective, it’s also what I have a copy of handy.
Honorable xxxxxxxx,
The tragedy at Sandy Hook elementary school has sparked new proposed legislation regarding firearms. Currently many throughout the country are riding on emotion and crying for something, anything, to be done. Even if ultimately what is done would have no bearing on what happened.
The actions of that lone monster belong to him and him alone. His actions should not affect the law-abiding gun owners in this country. The calls for “gun control”, a new “assault weapons ban”, and “magazine ban” stem from an emotional reaction to the tragedy. The emotional response is placing blame on the law abiding instead of the deranged individual who is actually responsible.
If any new gun control is passed, it will not only affect the able-bodied law-abiding gun owners, but the disabled as well. As a disabled woman, it is very discriminating to me and others like me. A new assault weapons ban, as well as a magazine ban, will risk my life as I will have no other effective means to defend myself.
The AR-15 is by far the easiest and most comfortable rifle for me to shoot and operate with my disability which limits function of my dominate hand. Many of the features being attacked are what make that rifle functional for myself and others who are disabled like me. Having an adjustable stock merely allows the rifle to properly fit the user. A pistol grip allows my disabled hand to form a more natural angle and operate the rifle. The rail system allows me to attach things to aid in supporting the rifle with my functional arm.
Yet legislation being brought to the floor wants to strip me of a tool that allows me to level the playing field with men stronger and fully able-bodied; a tool that actually allows me to enjoy hunting with my husband since I can properly use and employ it. Currently due to a work related injury to my other hand the AR-15 is the only firearm I can operate safely.
Further my defensive pistol, which is much less comfortable to operate, would be rendered much less useful as well. Magazine restrictions stand to require me to have to reload and work considerably harder to keep the weapon in the fight. Instead of focusing on stopping the threat I will have to focus more on worrying about running out of ammo. This magazine restriction will not stop an able-bodied attacker, it will not even slow them down, it will however slow me down.
Why must I be disarmed and rendered less able because of the actions of a lone mad man? Why are technological advances that benefit women and the disabled being thrown under the bus? Why do you support the disenfranchisement of disabled women?
I implore you, respect and defend the rights of gun owners and in so doing respect and defend the rights of disabled women to have a choice in what their most effective means of self-defense is.
Thank you,
TMW
Now this was a targeted letter sent to the two Senators, both of whom support gun control. We sent this over a week ago, we still haven’t gotten a response from either Senator. There was a modified version that was sent to the more gun friendly representatives.
I will say I was quite pleased with one of my state representatives. He actually sent a reply the Saturday after we sent it. The good news on that one is he’s evidently been hearing from all over his district to head off new gun control.
On that same front, I will say I do have some good news for Sebastian if he’s reading this. There are many people I know of who also were just consistently on the bench who are now moving to become active in the political fight. Hopefully we can keep the momentum and keep growing.
If you haven’t contacted your representatives yet, do so now. -TMM]
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