Category Archives: Politics

Quote of the day—Douglass Dowty

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The judge struck down much of New York’s new gun law as unconstitutional. Suddaby painstakingly put to work Thomas’ historical test to decide the fitness of New York’s gun bans in dozens of locations.

For example, a state can ban guns from a school and a playground, but not a park. What about a zoo?

Guns may be banned on a local bus, but what about a Greyhound bus? Suddaby found the answer in the age before the invention of the car.

What about conference centers or movie theaters? The judge looked to 18th century meat markets and ballrooms.

Can New York require an applicant for a gun permit to provide his social media accounts? Suddaby invoked Alexander Hamilton’s death in a famed duel with Aaron Burr in 1804 to reason that you don’t have to provide your Facebook account.

…

What about airports? Or movie theaters? Again, he ruled, no historical tradition from the horse-and-buggy days provided constitutional grounds to ban guns there.

Douglass Dowty
December 1, 2022
Can you bring a gun to the zoo? On a bus? Syracuse judge eagerly rewrites NY firearms law
[I hope the issue of airports doesn’t drift into carrying on airplane too quickly. I think it runs the risk of backlash. Wait, maybe, five years then finish the job with right to carry on airplanes and in K-12 schools.

I think the anti-gun people are in some sort of shock and cannot believe what is happening. In support of this hypothesis, from the same article:

“The test that Bruen set up is unworkable in practice,” Charles said. “It doesn’t give clear guidelines to state officials or state legislatures. What do you need to do to pass constitutional laws? How do judges do this?”

He just doesn’t seem to get it. It is exceedingly clear. It is exactly as we have been saying for decades, “SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!” Why is this so hard? Or is he just pretending to not understand?—Joe]

Quote of the day—MN Gordon

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We know from the executive order released by the Biden administration on March 9, which required several federal agencies to study digital currencies and to identify ways to regulate them, that CBDCs and other policies governing digital assets must mitigate “climate change and pollution” and promote “financial inclusion and equity.”

What does this mean, exactly?

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) earlier this year, one zealous central planner clearly stated that the intent of traceable and programmable CBDCs is to monitor, “where you are traveling, how you are traveling, what you are eating, what you are consuming – individual carbon footprint tracker.”

MN Gordon
December 2, 2022
Will Your State Reject the Fed’s Digital Dollar?
[They make it so appealing. Why would anyone reject it?

See also here and here for additional benefits.—Joe]

Gibbs Calhoun @GibbsCalhoun

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Via Gibbs Calhoun @GibbsCalhoun:

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Quote of the day—Tracey Wilson (@TWilsonOttawa)

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[It is a very dark time for Canadian gun owners.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Richard Poe @RealRichardPoe

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Gun control is “collective punishment,” punishing everyone for the acts of a few. It’s considered a war crime under Article 33 of the Geneva Conventions. No civilian can be “punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed.” https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/WebART/380-600038

Richard Poe @RealRichardPoe
Tweeted on May 25, 2022
[Via Chuck Petras @Chuck_Petras.

Interesting…

But it appears this applies to the occupying force in regards to the treatment of the civilians. The Geneva Convention probably doesn’t apply to a country acting against their own citizens.

But still, just being able to say, “Under the Geneva Convention, this is considered a war crime” can be powerful in a sound bite environment. Or, if Civil War II were declared…—Joe]

Quote of the day—David Brooks

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I think it would be something. I think would be good not only to head off shootings, but good to live in a society where we cared more intimately about each other. And I would be willing to give up certain privacies for that to happen. But for many Americans that would just be a massive cultural shift to regard our community and regard our common good in more frankly a European style. I think it would benefit our society in a whole range of areas.

David Brooks
New York Times Columnist
November 27, 2022
It would be good for ‘a massive cultural shift’ toward European gun control: New York Times columnist
[And I think it would be good if people who prefer socialism and communism over individualism and individual liberty were to move to some other country and leave us alone.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Bob Barr

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The gun-control shibboleth urged by the Left as the solution to every mass shooting incident, coupled with the government’s “run, hide, and fight” strategy for dealing with an active shooter, make as much sense as advocating duct tape and plastic sheeting as a way to thwart acts of terrorism.

Bob Barr
November 29, 2022
BARR: ‘Run, Hide, and Fight’ Makes As Much Sense As Duct Tape To Stop Terrorism
[Nothing says, “Please don’t shoot me” like multiple jacketed hollow points.—Joe]

We live in interesting times

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In addition to being the nation’s fastest growing state, counties in Oregon and California have voted to secede and join Idaho:

Two more conservative-leaning counties in eastern Oregon, and one politically split county in California, have voted to begin the process that could lead to secession from their respective blue states.

On Nov. 8, Oregon’s Morrow County passed the Greater Idaho proposal with 60 percent of the vote and Wheeler County with 59 percent.

A similar measure in San Bernardino County, California, passed by a narrow margin, 51.3 percent to 48.7.

I would have to investigate further to be sure, but my first impression is that it would be a good thing. It would reduce some of the political tension and give the political left more rope to hang themselves with.

Expect Eastern Washington wanting to get in on the fun too.

We live in interesting times.

Why can’t they understand?

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I get frustrated with people when they don’t understand simple principles. Here is my latest example:

After their vote, Biden said, “Love is love, and Americans should have the right to marry the person they love,” adding their vote made “the United States one step closer to protecting that right in law.”

Schumer also said he had “zero doubt” the bill “will soon be law of the land.”

But multiple groups disagree, arguing it’s unconstitutional for the same reasons the Supreme Court struck down DOMA. Because the court already ruled Congress doesn’t have the constitutional authority to define marriage under Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, and because ROMA is nearly identical to DOMA, they argue it will also likely be struck down.

The principle is the Federal government has not been granted the power to do anything in this domain. This is a power held by the states. Read the founding documents! It is really simple.

And while I have my blood boiling…

If you think any government has the power to outlaw guns, then you must also believe that same government has the power to mandate gun ownership for anyone.

If you think any government has the power to change the terms of a student loan and not require repayment, then you must also believe that same government has the power to change the terms of the loan and require immediate payment of ten times to remaining principle.

If you think any government has the power to give “free” healthcare to everyone, then you must also believe that same government has the power to deny healthcare (or at least make it extremely expensive) for anyone.

If you think any government has the power to take from the rich and give to the poor, then you must also believe that same government has the power to take from the poor and give to the rich.

If you believe any government has the power to deny marriage to people because they are homosexuals and biologically incapable of conceiving a child then you must also believe that same government has the power to deny marriage to people where one party is infertile.

If you think any government has the power to outlaw marriage between certain classes of people, then you must also believe that same government has the power to mandate marriage between certain classes of people. As in, “John Q. Public, you will marry Jack O. Public next Sunday regardless of what you think of homosexuality and your lack of affection for each other.”

If you think any government has the power to outlaw abortion, then you must also believe that same government has the power to mandate abortions.

I could go on for quite some time, but you get the idea.

Quote of the day—ReneeFiredUp (@livingjoyful)

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Remove all semi automatic weapons.  If we start getting them off the street, in time the criminals will find the illegal ones too expensive and too much liability.  It’s not criminals who are the mass shooters!  #GunReformNow

ReneeFiredUp (@livingjoyful)
Tweeted on November 25, 2022
[If you don’t take anything else away from this, just remember, “no one wants to take your guns.”

There is a grain of truth in this quote. Most did not have a criminal record prior to going on their shooting rampage.

But something almost all have in common is they identified as Democrats or were the children of Democrats. See the updates to this post for the evidence. This should come as no surprise as criminal prisoners who identify as Democrats outnumber all other political affiliations combined by a factor of more than two to one. The mass shooters are just fulfilling their destiny early in their criminal career.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Joe Biden

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The idea we still allow semiautomatic weapons to be purchased is sick.  It’s just sick.  It has no, no social redeeming value.  Zero.  None.  Not a single, solitary rationale for it except profit for the gun manufacturers.

Joe Biden
President of the United States
November 24, 2022
Remarks by President Biden After Visiting With Local Firefighters
[Enjoy your trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—The Redheaded libertarian @TRHLofficial

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Happy Friday you kings and queens, it’s always a good day to remind everyone that under that under The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Communists are not people.

The Redheaded libertarian @TRHLofficial
Tweeted on April 29, 2022
[Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind.—Joe]

Mugme street update

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I used to work in the tall building you see in the background.

Never waste a crisis

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You’ve head that politicians never let a crisis go to waste. Now we apparently can add never waste a crisis:

President Joe Biden would veto a proposed U.S. Senate resolution that would terminate a national emergency declared in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said on Tuesday.

Quote of the day—Jason Pollock

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Oregon faces a crisis in its criminal justice system because the leftists elements in Salem have refused to hold criminal[s] accountable for their behavior. Banning large capacity magazines will only turn law-abiding citizens into criminals. Assuming that restricting magazines to 10 rounds will make you safe is one of the most ignorant statements ever made.

Jason Pollock
Jefferson County Sheriff
November 15, 2022
Oregon sheriffs won’t enforce new gun law: ‘Infringes on Second Amendment’
[Politicians need to be prosecuted over this crap. They implement “catch and release” policies for criminal. They defund the police. Then they pass blatantly unconstitutional laws to make it difficult or impossible to purchase effective self-defense tools. It cannot get much clearer. These people are evil and/or insane.

By telling them, “I hope you enjoy your trial.” I am advocating on their behalf. This is because if they aren’t prosecuted, they risk angry mobs with tar, feathers, pitchforks, and short ropes on tall trees.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Robert Epstein

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What happened to the gigantic red wave that was supposed to crush the Democrats in the midterm elections? Every Republican in the country is blaming everyone else for this disaster, but almost no one is looking in the right place—and that’s exactly how the Big Tech companies like it.

Based on my team’s research, Google, and to a lesser extent, Facebook and other tech monopolies, not only took steps to shift millions of votes to Democrats in the midterms, but they are using their influence to spread rumors and conspiracy theories to make sure people look everywhere for explanations—except at them.

Robert Epstein
November 15, 2022
How Google Stopped the Red Wave
[What he says happened is technically fairly easy and plausible. Assuming they actually did this, I find it very irritating. It is little different than suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop story. But, I can’t see they did anything illegal or that a law to punish such activity would pass constitutional muster.

It is a different case than restaurants, motels, and other public accommodations being required to serve people of all races, religions, etc. They aren’t, in this case, denying anyone service. Should the Republican party be required to send “Vote today!” email to everyone instead of just people they believe are likely to vote for their candidates?

If Google should register as a lobbyist to engage in this sort of activity, then should bloggers also be required to register? How about people with Facebook pages or a Twitter account?

Beyond boycotting them and their advertisers what might be the solution?—Joe]

Quote of the day—Ned Lamont

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I think those assault-style weapons that are grandfathered should not be grandfathered. They should not be allowed in the state of Connecticut. I think they’re killers.

Ned Lamont
Governor of Connecticut
Lamont suggests making over ‘grandfathered’ assault weapons illegal. Over 80,000 exist in CT
[From the same article:

… weapons that were legally kept in Connecticut between 1994 and 2013 — when the ban was expanded to include at least 100 additional models — and allowed owners to register those guns with the state, but not to sell or transfer them to anyone except for a licensed gun dealer or family member.

Registration is only good for one thing and that is confiscation.

I hope he enjoys his trial.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Scott Adams @ScottAdamsSays

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Apparently there is no limit to what kind of ridiculousness the public will believe.

Once the Fake News industry convinced the country a president asking about using light therapy as a lung disinfectant was “recommending drinking bleach,” it was clear there was no limit.

Scott Adams @ScottAdamsSays
Tweeted on November 8, 2022
[It is truly amazing.

I’m reminded of something from an Heinlein book:

Democracy is based on the assumption that a million men are wiser
than one man.  How’s that again?  I missed something.

Autocracy is based on the assumption that one man is wiser than a
million men.  Let’s play that over again, too.  Who decides?

I don’t have any solutions to the problem. I’m inclined to just sit back with a large bowl of popcorn and make snarky comments. But the issues can be, literally, genocidally serious.

Prepare and response appropriately.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Mona Charen

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Other than murder, violent crime is not up. Did you know that? Violent crime is a key midterm voting issue, but what does the data say?

Mona Charen
Tweeted on November 5, 2022
[Visit this link for more context and appropriate attribution for these comments:

  • ‘Other than murder’ is the most hilarious caveat ever.
  • Other than that, Mrs Lincoln, how was the play?
  • Imagine being so f—ked up with TDS that not only do you sell out every policy you ever claimed to care about, but you actually write the sentence, ‘Other than murder, violent crime is not up.’ Other than murder? ‘Other than the iceberg & all the death, how was the Titanic trip?
  • Murder is by far the most easily visible and free from reporting biases crime. If murder is up, other crimes are too…they’re probably just being reported at lower rates. Also…murder is KINDA A BIG DEAL!
  • I can’t believe this still needs to be said but ‘crime is down except for murder’ is not a winning or persuasive argument.
  • If you’re not dead or don’t know a family member who has been murdered, things are great!

My contribution:

No wonder she doesn’t see a problem with restricting access to guns. She doesn’t see a need for self-defense. After all, it is only murder.

And her double down response to the criticism was almost as good as the original:

All crime is bad. I’m against it. But it is also a fact that perceptions of crime and actual crime are often out of sync. That may be true now. I found the Pew data surprising. That’s why I posted.

My response to this is to go slack jawed and walk away. Someone that dense is in danger of becoming a neutron star.

If this had been a fictional movie or book the editors would have insisted it be rewritten. She would not be a believable character in a work of fiction.—Joe]

Americans Ron Paul wants disarmed

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Via JPFO | Jews for Preservation of Firearms Ownership @JPFO_2A:

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After Ruby Ridge, Waco, and many other lesser known incidents, I cannot immediately think of any reason to oppose this proposal.