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Category Archives: War On Nouns

Our own worst enemies

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Seriously folks, we are our own worst enemies.

image

Pardon my straight face but I spent this morning searching for where the NRA is supporting the compromise.  Seriously  I went through all the NRA-ILA feed again trying to find it.  Tried to find it using Google.  Lastly I sent an email to Sebastian asking him to confirm this stance if possible.

I did find this which I am reposting in full just to illustrate the sheer “WTFO!?” moment I had when I saw the above image on Facebook.

Dear Senator,

I am writing regarding the National Rifle Association’s position on several firearms-related proposals under consideration in the Senate.

S. 649, the “Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013”, introduced on March 21, contains a number of provisions that would unfairly infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners.  This legislation would criminalize the private transfer of firearms by honest citizens, requiring friends, neighbors and many family members to get government permission to exercise a fundamental right or face prosecution. The NRA is unequivocally opposed to S. 649.

In addition, the NRA will oppose any amendments offered to S. 649 that restrict fundamental Second Amendment freedoms; including, but not limited to, proposals that would ban commonly and lawfully owned firearms and magazines or criminalize the private transfer of firearms through an expansion of background checks.  This includes the misguided “compromise” proposal drafted by Senators Joe Manchin, Pat Toomey and Chuck Schumer.  As we have noted previously, expanding background checks, at gun shows or elsewhere, will not reduce violent crime or keep our kids safe in their schools.  Given the importance of these issues, votes on all anti-gun amendments or proposals will be considered in NRA’s future candidate evaluations.

Rather than focus its efforts on restricting the rights of America’s 100 million law-abiding gun owners, there are things Congress can do to fix our broken mental health system; increase prosecutions of violent criminals; and make our schools safer.  During consideration of S. 649, should one or more amendments be offered that adequately address these important issues while protecting the fundamental rights of law-abiding gun owners, the NRA will offer our enthusiastic support and consider those votes in our future candidate evaluations as well.

We hope the Senate will replace the current provisions of S. 649 with language that is properly focused on addressing mental health inadequacies; prosecuting violent criminals; and keeping our kids safe in their schools.  Should it fail to do so, the NRA will make an exception to our standard policy of not “scoring” procedural votes and strongly oppose a cloture motion to move to final passage of S. 649.

Sincerely,
Chris W. Cox

Tell me, where in that letter does it say the NRA is accepting the “compromise”?  An hour ago the NRA-ILA feed was posting information about the possible filibuster from Paul and the other Republicans.

There was another comment from the NRA-ILA as well, found via Sabastian.

Expanding background checks at gun shows will not prevent the next shooting, will not solve violent crime and will not keep our kids safe in schools. While the overwhelming rejection of President Obama and Mayor Bloomberg’s “universal” background check agenda is a positive development, we have a broken mental health system that is not going to be fixed with more background checks at gun shows. The sad truth is that no background check would have prevented the tragedies in Newtown, Aurora or Tucson. We need a serious and meaningful solution that addresses crime in cities like Chicago, addresses mental health deficiencies, while at the same time protecting the rights of those of us who are not a danger to anyone. President Obama should be as committed to dealing with the gang problem that is tormenting honest people in his hometown as he is to blaming law-abiding gun owners for the acts of psychopathic murderers.

That isn’t a statement to accept it, it’s a statement of, if you’re serious about fixing “the problem” then actually do so!

Why do we need to drive a wedge between gun owners for particular groups?  More specifically why do some people feel the need to spread lies and falsehoods to vilify those who are on the same side?  What service does that do other than damage those who support you?

Seriously folks, don’t believe everything you see, especially on Facebook and even the blogs.  Not everyone spends time and effort trying to confirm or disprove the facts.  Just because it has a thousand likes, or has been shared hundreds of times doesn’t make it true.

Update from Sebastian: The Graham Bill clarified mental adjudication and is perceived,  at least by him, it was an attempt to get Dems to bite on something.  When it comes to vote vs. filibuster, since the NRA will be scoring cloture on S. 649, they would like to put some of these folks on record to hang them in 2014 and 2016.  NAGR is merely criticizing because they don’t have the risks or ability to decide strategically what happens in this fight.

*My comments on the email I got from Sebastian.  It makes sense but I have NOT found anything to confirm that the NRA is against the filibuster either.  Honestly I think this was just a big fat troll to drive a wedge.

SSCC #567-#568: Irving

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CBS-11 has learned two state troopers involved in a controversial roadside cavity search of two North Texas women have been indicted on criminal charges by a Dallas County Grand Jury.

CBS-11 has learned that one of the troopers, Kelley Helleson, who left the courthouse after testifying Friday, is charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of official oppression.

Oh but it gets better folks.

CBS-11 has learned the other trooper in the case, David Farrell, is charged with theft after one of the women said her prescription bottle of the painkiller hydrocodone was missing after the search.

They searched the women in public on the side of an exit ramp.  As an FYI, the officers didn’t find any drugs, further validating that they didn’t really have probable cause.  Nothing says I’m with law enforcement quite like violating someone’s rights under the incorrect misbelief that you just can.

State Sponsored Criminal #567: Kelly Helleson

#568: David Farrel

Because when you’re having a boring night, why not sexually assault two people on the side of the highway.  You’re just trying to fight the war on drugs right?

Quote of the Day – Michael Bane(4/9/2012)

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Yes, the words of victims have special poignancy, but what they don’t have is any special truth. Grief drives us to look toward the heavens and demand an answer from any nearby Deity. Grief drives us to demand a solution to the fundamental insoluble problem, which is that the world is as it is. Bad things happen, often to good people, and grief drives us to…do something.

To me there is no greater sin…and I use the word “sin” specifically…than harnessing grief to serve a crass political agenda.

Michael Bane – RIVERDANCE With Blood

April 9th, 2012

[QTFMFT!  The other side of this debate points at us as if we are heartless and have absolutely no empathy with the victims.  That is merely a tactic they use to dehumanize their “enemy”.

We know that being a victim doesn’t make you magically knowledgeable about a subject.  We know that the only thing it does is give you the perspective of being a victim.  It doesn’t mean that because you say “Doing X” will actually make it better.  Other than being a victim, what supporting facts and evidence do they have?

This comes right back to the rules for coping with tragedy.

There are those who hate those rules because emotion is the only argument they have. -B]

 

SSCC #564: TSA

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Today’s goes back to the roots of why I started this count.

An honest tourist found a bag sitting in Orlando International Airport and turned it over to a Transportation Security Administration officer. Police say instead of taking it to lost and found, the TSA officer took it home.

Nice, a kid does the right thing and the TSA agent, as they oh so often do, acts the criminal part.

State Sponsored Criminal #564: Keith McKnight

Because when someone hands you something someone else lost, take it home, finders keepers and all.  Plus you’re an agent of the state!

SSCC #561 – #563: Murray County

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Former Murray County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Michael Henderson pleaded guilty in federal court today for his role in setting up for arrest a woman who had complained about sexual advances by a local judge, authorities said.

Let me make sure I understand this correctly.  A cop stuck his neck out to protect the behavior of a judge.  Either that judge had covered for the cop before or the cop was known to the judge to be of questionable character.  Except the inquiry answered this question too.

Her complaint sparked a state Judicial Qualification Commission investigation and led to Cochran’s resignation. The investigation also revealed that Cochran was illegally presigning warrants for officers to use.

This is yet another example of how the War on Nouns is used to further abuse and mistreat the law-abiding so they live in fear of those in government.  Next time maybe the woman should just sleep with the judge, then she wont be facing prison right?

State Sponsored Criminal #561: Michael Henderson

#562: Josh Greeson

#563: Bryant Cochran

Because when a judge does something wrong and stupid, the right thing to do is to help him cover it up by framing someone for a crime they didn’t commit.  That’s the law of professional courtesy don’t ya know?

This seems to be a pattern…

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First here’s what was snapped out of a recent article that hit Drudge today.

The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Sen. Steve Hobbs of Lake Stevens, said Tuesday that he had not read the amendment, but he was aware of concerns from high-tech industries.

The bill in question would mean that I could be compelled to release my user credentials to a prospective employer for my online account.  Who here thinks this is either a good or acceptable idea?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Now I bring this up because just a short while ago we saw the same response regarding a bill that would have violated people’s 4th amendment rights.

One of the bill’s sponsors, State Sen. Adam Kline (D-Seattle), told the Seattle Times that he didn’t properly vet the bill prior to jumping on board. He claims he didn’t realize the bill authorized police searches.

Joe wants people to be held accountable for the laws they push.  This includes sponsoring a law.  If you cannot be bothered to spend the time reading a bill, you should not be sponsoring it.  Even more than that, you should be held accountable for what’s written in it.  Ignorance of what is hidden within isn’t an excuse and you should be held accountable no matter what.

SSCC #556: Canton Tx

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James Melvin Bradshaw, a narcotics officer for the Canton Police Department, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 27 and charged with six counts of acquiring a controlled substance by misrepresentation. Bradshaw was arrested this morning and went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie this afternoon for an initial appearance.

It’s such a wonderful thing we have this war on nouns right?  Look at all the good it does for society and how it allows officers to expand their horizons.  This one doubly makes the count because he took it from people who had legitimate prescriptions.  In other words he stole from law abiding citizens.

State Sponsored Criminal #556: James Melvin Bradshaw

Because when you’re a narcotics officer, harass whoever you want, even if they’re lying in a hospital bed.  They don’t need those pills now do they.

Breaking News, Brady Campaign Admits What We All Knew

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The Brady Campaign is now finally admitting that they would like to see a total confiscation of firearms.

In a surprising turn of events today the Brady Campaign issued the following press statement through email.

In light of the recent events at Sandy Hook along with the rampant gun violence seen through out America we think the time has finally come for American’s to lay down their arms.

There is no need for any type of bullet spewing machine in this day and age.  One has cell phones and can easily call the police if trouble should arise.  Guns only serve as a tool to harm innocents, including the young man just trying to get money to support his habit.

It is for this reason we support the acts proposed in Congress and would like to see the government take the arms of the American people if they are not willing to lay them down voluntarily.  Any person who would own a firearm is not an American, but a terrorist who wishes harm and violence upon them.

This is an extreme change in position of the past years where repeatedly the Brady Campaign would insist over and over than no one was out to take anyone’s firearms.  That the only changes they sought were “common sense” and would aid in keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.

This press statement however has not indicated how this action will improve or change their perspective relevance in the current fight on gun control.

I will post more information as it comes in.

Note this was posted on April 1st and is a joke. Though it does serve as an additional reminder of Poe’s law.