Category Archives: Freedom

Real ID runs into more resistance

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Maine realizes the Federal mandate on Real ID is unrealistic:

AUGUSTA – Two years from now, Mainers wanting to fly for business or pleasure may be barred from getting on the airplane. The federal Real ID act takes effect May 11, 2008, and state officials say there is no way Maine can be in compliance with the law that mandates various security measures dealing with driver’s licenses.

It would cost millions to implement, and new licenses likely would cost more than $100. “I don’t see how we could possibly meet all its requirements. I don’t see how any state could meet all the requirements by the deadline,” Secretary of State Matt Dunlap said. “This is something that could cost a couple of hundred billion dollars to do.”

Dunlap said the Real ID Act was passed a year ago as a result of the 9-11 Commission Report that was critical of the lack of security in obtaining identity documents such as driver’s licenses. But, he said, the Read ID Act has unrealistic schedules and provides little federal funding.

“It is a huge, unfunded federal mandate,” he said, “and it is totally unrealistic in its timelines.”

For example, Dunlap said, Maine has spent years and more than $14 million to set up the new computer system in his office to handle license and motor vehicle registrations. He said the federal law requires that all the states share, through databases, the personal information needed for a driver’s license.

“It simply can’t be done in a couple of years,” he said. Dunlap is joined in his criticism of the law by the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, which issued a report last month critical of the lack of funding and unrealistic implementation schedule.

…

Dunlap said other states are as concerned as Maine. The New Hampshire House has passed a bill to opt out of the law, and its Senate has voted to study it. Other states are considering resolutions calling on Congress to adopt a more realistic implementation schedule.

All the states need to stand up and assert their constitutionally guaranteed powers on this issue.  The Federal government is way out of line on this as well as nearly everything they currently do.

Cracking down

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I find this amusing.  The Puritans in society try to crack down on a victimless crime and the end result is they end up increasing the activity the very activity the were trying to stop.  From our neighbors to the north:

TORONTO — A 2005 Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for swingers clubs appears to be bringing out Canada’s more, well, adventurous side.

Those who prefer life closer to the edge of the conjugal bed say the high court’s re-interpretation last December of the definition of indecency has fuelled a growing interest in private clubs that feature group sex, partner swapping, voyeurism and exhibitionism.

…

Five months later, their operators say more aggressive advertising and marketing efforts in the wake of the ruling have attracted significantly more people to their events.

“I think there’s a great opportunity to provide a safe environment where couples can really enhance their sex life,” said Linda Fox, who operates Club Eden in Vancouver.

The same thing happens when there is talk of banning certain types of firearms.  The sales of those models and accessories dramatically increase.

Quote of the day–Charles de Gaulle

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In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.

Charles de Gaulle
[I’ll bet Hillary Clinton uses this, or the equivalent, as a daily manta.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Benjamin Franklin

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To get the bad customs of a country changed and new ones, though better, introduced, it is necessary first to remove the prejudices of the people, enlighten their ignorance, and convince them that their interests will be promoted by the proposed changes, and this is not the work of a day.

Benjamin Franklin
1781
[Gun rights advocates still have a lot of work to do.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Clayton Cramer

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This is a war of civilizations. There is no room for negotiation. Islamofascism needs to be completely and utterly destroyed, both in the death of its adherents, and in the humiliation of a political theory that asserts it has a moral superiority that justifies being in complete control of the entire world.

Clayton Cramer
May 11, 2006
United 93
[Yes.  What he said.–Joe]

Phone traffic analysis

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USA Today:

The National Security Agency has been secretly collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans, using data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, people with direct knowledge of the arrangement told USA TODAY.

The NSA program reaches into homes and businesses across the nation by amassing information about the calls of ordinary Americans — most of whom aren’t suspected of any crime. This program does not involve the NSA listening to or recording conversations. But the spy agency is using the data to analyze calling patterns in an effort to detect terrorist activity, sources said in separate interviews.

Here’s the story they don’t tell you.  Using the simple data of who called who and the times of the calls some very interesting conclusions can be made.  Out of billions of calls individual groups as small as ten people can be identified and their organizational structure mapped.  For example they can determine who the leader is and who will take his or her place if they were removed.  This was several years ago so I imagine the results are better now.  The same sort of information can be derived from email traffic as well.

I’m not sure how I stand on this.  My inclination is that if the companies who own the data are compelled to turn it over without probable cause then I’m against it.  But if it is optional and they get paid to share the information then I’m annoyed but don’t have a strong objection.

Other opinions include Michelle Malkin and Alphecca.

Quote of the day–Howard Nemerov

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History proves that when government holds both the sword and the purse, as Britain’s government does, it makes law serve its interests, not those of individual members of society. By following the links of cause and effect, we thereby see that Brady, whether its actions are intentional or not, favors the rights of the criminal over those of the law-abiding.

Howard Nemerov
May 11, 2006
Gun Control: Do Brady Policies Support Criminal Behavior?
[Based partly on the policies of Britain that now lets many crimes such as burglary, arson, vandalism, and sex with underage girls be “punished” with a “caution” which does not result in a court appearance, a fine, community service or jail time.–Joe]

Nuclear for peace

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He just can’t make it much more clear:

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has previously said Israel should be wiped off the map, also told a cheering crowd of students in Indonesia’s capital that the Jewish state “cannot continue and one day will vanish.”

Students in the crowd held up posters saying “Iran in our Hearts,” and “Nuclear for Peace.”

Israel will vanish?  As in a ball of fire?  Ahhhh yes…that would be a peaceful use of nuclear power.

If I were in charge of the world my inclination would be to jam all the communication coming out of Iran and all the satellites looking in (except ours which would feed directly to Israel without us getting a glimpse), and not let anything larger than a cockroach exit.  Then tell Israel they had a year and to please be careful of the wind direction if they happened to be creating any excess dust while they were cleaning house in preparation for the next inhabitants.

Quote of the day–Jeff Cooper

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Michael Howard is “Home Secretary” of the U.K., sort of a national chief of police. In his words, “Gun ownership is a privilege, not a right, and the use of firearms in self-defense is not acceptable for civilians in this country” (presumably it is okay for a soldier). So much for The Land of Hope and Glory! Die if you must but do not shoot back. 
   
Jeff Cooper
From Jeff Cooper’s Commentaries
Vol. 4, No. 13
November 1996
[Brought to mind by reading this.  A woman in England gets five years in jail for a non-functional, blank-firing gun stored in her home by her boyfriend.  Guns and their owners are treated like Jews in Nazi Germany.  This woman was guilty of hiding a Jew.–Joe]

It’s for the children!

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They don’t even try to hide it.  They just come right out and say it, Children need to be protected:

Constitutional issues aside, consider youths: In Seattle, firearms are the leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. In King County, an estimated 32,000 children live in homes with unlocked firearms; about 7,000 of them live in homes with loaded firearms and about 2,000 in homes where guns are stored loaded and unlocked. Does this make sense? Don’t children deserve to live in a community where guns are safely stored, their purchase closely regulated and weapons clearly intended for maximum damage banned?

As one commenter said, “The phrase in this article that I find the most chilling ‘Constitutional issues aside…'”.  Constitutional issues are just dismissed by invoking “youths”.  And ignoring the fact that more children have been killed because of gun control (start by counting the number of kids killed by the Nazis) rather than in spite of it.  In the comments I asked them my usual, Just One Question.  No response yet.  I don’t expect one either.  It’s not about logic or safety.  It’s “for the children.”

Quote of the day–Michael Burrows

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Ain’t freedom beautiful?

Michael Burrows
April 30, 2006
At Boomershoot after launching an anvil 100 feet into the air.

How do you deliver a 700 ton bomb?

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From Scripps Howard News Service:

The test scheduled for June 2 will be of a 700-ton conventional bomb. The research could aid in development of so-called bunker-buster weapons, including small-scale nuclear devices, according to the federal official overseeing the test, Doug Bruder, director of counter-weapons of mass destruction technology for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

As near as I can tell the maximum takeoff weight any 747 is about 910,000 pounds which is only 455 tons and that includes the weight of the plane and fuel.  A semi truck is much smaller.  The only remaining thing I can think of is a train and that is rather problematic for a number of reasons.

So this “demonstration”, as some are calling it, of a 700-ton bomb ammonium nitrate (Boomershoot uses AN as the main ingredient) and fuel oil bomb will be more “interesting” than just a big pile of AN detonating.  And although there may be some fuel oil in it my guess is there will be aluminum powder as well as other stuff much more interesting that just fuel oil.  This guy is openly calling it a tactical nuke instead of a conventional bomb.  Tactical nuke?  Sure, that makes sense.  You can deliver those with artillery shells as well as cruise missiles and conventional air dropped bombs.

Iran is virtually begging for someone to attack.  The Israelis claim Iran is only about a year away from having their own nuclear bomb.  Others claim more time is needed, but regardless the Mideast is a very interesting place these days.  Regardless, for us to claim there is too much sand and not enough glass in Iran before we take another hit will be a tough situation politically.  But for us to wait might mean the near total destruction of Israel.  And if we take a nuclear hit on north American soil my bet is that our retaliation will not be so “surgical” as dropping a few tactical nukes as we would prior to taking a hit.  My guess is we would turn not only massive portions of Iran into glass but Medina and few other areas as well.  Mecca would probably have a few bombers in permanent “orbit” around it for several years–just daring any Muslim extremist to set off a pipe bomb in some pizza joint on our turf.

Interesting times ahead…

Update: If you follow the links in Ry’s comments (and here) you will find the people I based my post on were totally clueless.  Which means I was totally clueless when I made the post.  Idiots.  And they made me look like an idiot.

Quote of the day–Álvaro García Linera

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The first nationalization of the 21st century…. After today the hydrocarbons will belong to all Bolivians. Never again will they be in the hands of transnational corporations. Today the country – la patria – stands up…. This is a patriotic and heroic decision that takes back our soul and dignity. But it will be a measure attacked by dinosaurs, conservatives, and traitors of the country.

Álvaro García Linera
Vice-President of Bolivia
May 1, 2006
Nationalization of Gas!
From ZNet–A community of people committed to social change
[Yet another attempt of an experiment that has repeatedly failed.  It’s a sad day for the people of Bolivia as this resource and source of income heads toward it’s ruin.–Joe]

Quote of the day–James Hagengruber

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For some shooters, the event is all about marksmanship. Others say they’re driven by politics – how the combination of guns and explosives is the ultimate expression of their constitutional rights as well as a gentle show of force for anybody watching in the federal government.

James Hagengruber
May 1, 2006
Spokesman Review: Boom with a view

Quote of the day–Neal Kurk

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We care more for our liberties than to meekly hand over to the federal government the potential to ennumerate, track, identify and eventually control.

It’s not going to promote national security. It’s not going to help us prevent illegal immigration. It’s just going to help the government keep tabs on ordinary citizens.

Neal Kurk
State Representative, New Hampshire
April 25, 2006
N.H. leads a rebellion against driver’s license regulations

Repressive laws

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It may be there is more to it than what appears in the paper.  And of course the kid is living and going to school in the repressive Peoples Republic of Massachusetts.  What from what I see in the paper, except for the recreational drugs (which should be legal but I would ban them in my house) if it were my kid I would be asking the police, “And your point is?”  Instead they are charging him with possession of bomb-making materials.

STOUGHTON — Alexander J. Wilson, 17, who was charged with having bomb-making materials after an incident in March was ordered held on $100,000 surety or $10,000 cash bail Monday in Stoughton District Court.

…

When police stopped Wilson’s car March 29 in the O’Donnell Middle School parking lot next to the high school grounds, authorities reported finding gunpowder and a pellet gun.

Also found were model “rocket engines, igniters for those, wires and miscellaneous other stuff that could be used to make bombs,” said acting Police Chief Christopher Ciampa.

Most of the materials were in the trunk of the suspect’s car, and some were under the front seat, the chief said.

Police also recovered a small amount of marijuana and marijuana residue in a pipe, Ciampa said.

The problem is that it’s a rare house that doesn’t contain materials appropriate for making a bomb.  People shouldn’t be charged with possession of things that might be used in a illegal fashion.  Only if there is clear intent to do harm to someone else or someone else’s property should they be harassed by the police–which is the way it is in Idaho with explosives.

Quote of the day–Jeff Cooper

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Further nasty news from the nasty United Nations Organization:

One Eric Kibuka, who delights in the title of “Director of the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders,” has gone on record to the effect that “The international community (sic) has decided that firearms regulation is at the core of democracy and good government.” The connection between firearms regulation and democracy is about as obvious as the connection between traffic regulation and quail hunting, but that is not likely to trouble a U.N. official. As we have all noticed, the cry of the modern left seems to be “To hell with the facts. It’s the gut reaction that matters.”

Jeff Cooper
From Jeff Cooper’s Commentaries
Vol. 6, No. 1
January 1998

Quote of the day–Emilio Halepopoulos

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It seems to me that the anti-gun crowd are all mentally ill hostages, who are under siege from criminals and who suffer from a variation of Stockholm Syndrome in their pathetic desire to protect the honour of this violent standing army known as the police, simply because they are their only means of survival from something worse.

On the other hand the pro-gun crowd are a healthy bunch who see reality as it is: killer cops deserve jail time, not sympathy. Gun owners have control over their guns and do not need to live in fear of an inanimate firearm. This results in firearm owners adopting a more balanced perspective.

 

Emilio Halepopoulos
Sandton, Gauteng
April 19, 2006
Letter to the editor titled Gun owners show way to true freedom in SA

Required reading

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Ry merely calls it Reading list.  I was busy when I first read his post and didn’t follow the links.  Yesterday he talked to me about some of the content.  Mostly about “category errors”.  Interesting stuff and there are some valuable lessons in studying that concept.  But that is a topic for a different time.

More importantly Dan Simmons uses a science fiction short story as a vehicle to get some points across about WW III.  I had long thought the politicians had been calling it “The War on Terror” simply as a euphemism for the war against the Muslim extremists.  But perhaps that’s not true.  If, in fact, they and the vast majority don’t understand the true nature of who are enemies are and why they are at war against us then lots of people have some reading to do.  Simmons gives us a starting point.  It’s required reading.  Just like Osama bin Laden’s letter to America.

Quote of the day–Dan Simmons

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I come from a place and time where your grandchildren and hundreds of millions of other dhimmi are compelled to write ‘pbuh’ after the Prophet’s name. They wear gold crosses and gold Stars of David sewn onto their clothing. The Nazis didn’t invent the wearing of the Star of David . . . the marking and setting apart of the Jews in society. Muslims did that centuries ago in they lands they conquered, European and otherwise. They will refine it and update it, not toward the more merciful, in the lands they occupy through the decades ahead of you.

Dan Simmons
Speaking through a character he calls “The Time Traveler”
April 2006
[The link above may break soon.  I expect you will find it’s replacement here.–Joe]