Category Archives: Quote of the Day

Quote of the day–Jack Hunter

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According to both statistics and sheer logic, the very notion of gun control is so patently stupid, that only people with too much education could possibly believe it, and it is no accident that for self-described “progressives,” gun control is often at the top of their list. Call me old fashioned, but I much prefer English statesman Edmund Burke’s observation that “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” And when it comes to these random shootings, allowing as many good men possible the ability to shoot back is our only hope for less deadly results in the future.

Jack Hunter
Columnist
December 11, 2007
WTMA commentary broadcast
The Insane Logic of Gun Control
[And good women.–Joe]

Quote of the day–E. B. White

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Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one.

E. B. White
[While this may seem to be true I would have to see the actual numbers to believe it myself. I have known and worked with many people that qualify as genius in the I.Q. department. I suspect that the genius can see what others either cannot or do not want to see and ignores many societal conventions simply because they are superfluous. This gives the appearance of “cracked”. The non-genius wishes to either deny they are blind, and/or have their eyes closed, calls the genius “cracked” in an effort to bring the genius down to their level. Still, using the model as described above could be useful if for no other reason than you don’t reject the company or contribution of someone “a little strange”. Being in the company of genius can have it’s advantages and is perhaps worth putting up with a little strangeness.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Adam Smith

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It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.

Adam Smith
The Wealth of Nations
[I just finished listening to Free to Choose and just started Freedomnomics. Both, and rightly so, reference Smith’s book and the quote above.–Joe]

Quote of the day–“NW”

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Honestly, and as God as my witness, when I saw him shooting and as watched for a few seconds trying to figure out what he was going to do and what I should do, the thought that when through my mind was, “If I had a gun, I have a perfect shot.”

Yes, a perfect shot. I had a full side profile, I was close, and no one was visible behind him execept a wall. I had a clear shot during the second round of fire. I told this to every cop I came in contact with. The interviewer agreed.

When I realized that I had no gun, fear instantly struck me, along with anger, and severe panic.

[…]

I am very angry at the city of Omaha and the mall for their stupid laws that nearly cost me my life. The laws protected no one, and in my opinion, caused people to die.

“NW”
A witness to the Omaha Mall mass shooting
Via Joe’s Crabby Shack, thanks to an email from Rob.
[People died because some anti-gun bigots didn’t even try to answer Just One Question before they passed criminal rules prohibiting firearms in the mall.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Wayne LaPierre

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The days of political candidates being able to duck and run on the Second Amendment issue are over. It’s time to find out what their real positions are, and I challenge every reporter who has access to Hillary to pose these questions to her.

Wayne LaPierre
December 7, 2007
Some Questions for Clinton
A .MP3 version of the entire blog posting is here.
[The Internet and computers furthers the cause of freedom more than the cause of the oppressor.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Mark Twain

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It is by the fortune of God that, in this country, we have three benefits: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the wisdom never to use either.

Mark Twain
[Reading all the editorials about the Omaha mall shooting reminded me of this. They never bother to consider Just One Question.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Milton and Rose Friedman

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The government official is supposed to be our servant. When you are sitting across the desk from a representative of the Internal Revenue Service who is auditing your tax return, which one of you is the master and which the servant?

Milton and Rose Friedman
Copyright 1979
Page 298, Free to Choose–A Personal Statement
[This is an excellent book. However, you might want to have your blood pressure medication available.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Bruce Schneier

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This isn’t the way counterterrorism is supposed to work, but it’s happening everywhere. It’s a result of our relentless campaign to convince ordinary citizens that they’re the front line of terrorism defense. “If you see something, say something” is how the ads read in the New York City subways. “If you suspect something, report it” urges another ad campaign in Manchester, UK. The Michigan State Police have a seven-minute video. Administration officials from then-attorney general John Ashcroft to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to President Bush have asked us all to report any suspicious activity.

The problem is that ordinary citizens don’t know what a real terrorist threat looks like. They can’t tell the difference between a bomb and a tape dispenser, electronic name badge, CD player, bat detector, or trash sculpture; or the difference between terrorist plotters and imams, musicians, or architects. All they know is that something makes them uneasy, usually based on fear, media hype, or just something being different.

Bruce Schneier
November 1, 2007
The War on the Unexpected
[This is the way real witch hunts happen. This is the way we lose our freedom and our rights are permanently infringed. And when you dig deep into what actually happened, with 20-20 hindsight, no one was really to blame. Everyone makes pretty reasonable decisions at every little step along the way. The problem is that most people don’t have any hard and fast principles. They have no underlying philosophy they have confidence in. They take “one day at a time”. And “today is a good day to ignore the Bill of Rights” because these are “special circumstances”.

What I think people don’t really get is that the Bill of Rights wasn’t written for “a sunny day in the springtime”. It was written, and expected to be honored, when emotions are running high and as a firm reminder of what the true limits to government must be. It was written with extraordinary deliberation by very smart people who knew the risks of a tyrant, a committee, a mob, a government under stress and running on high emotions. After due deliberation it can be changed but it should never be violated because tyranny often masquerades as doing good.–Joe]

Quote of the day–The Everlasting Phelps

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If you — my servant — are going to pass a law — and enforce that law using guns — and that law makes me and my fellow permit-holding constituents (who as I mentioned are more law abiding than the average person) so pissed off that we decide to shoot you dead over it — don’t you think that maybe, just maybe, you should rethink your position on that law?

That is the whole point of the Second Amendment, Duhrlene. When you are given the privilege of exercising the state’s privilege of force, you should do so with an armed populace at your back. It’s the American Way, and the more literal it is, the better.

The Everlasting Phelps
June 24, 2004
Shooting Up the Capital
[Regarding banning firearms from government meetings such as legislative sessions and city council meetings. See also the comment here. At numerous times I had thought about posting something along these lines but hadn’t put it in words. Phelps articulated my thoughts quite well.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Richard Pearson

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By focusing on the non-issue of gun shops, Suffredin is conveniently ignoring the factor that has the greatest impact on violent crime rates. According to the Chicago Police Department, 88% of murderers and 76% of murder victims have previous criminal records. A reasonable person would likely ask why criminals are so likely to be either a perpetrator or a victim in a murder case. The answer is quite simple – the justice system is either unwilling or unable to rehabilitate these dangerous people. Federally-licensed gun shops are not the problem, the revolving door justice system is clearly at fault.

Suffredin’s long standing hatred of guns and the people who own them has clouded his ability to address the issues important to the citizens of Cook County. Thus, he is unqualified to serve as the State’s Attorney for Cook County.

Richard Pearson
December 3, 2007
Proposed Cook County Gun Control Ordinance a Case Study in Politically Motivated Deceit
[Clouded his ability? Yeah, so what else is new? Suffredin should be brought up on felony charges but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. We need to just keep working toward that goal. The bigots will get their just reward eventually. We are making great progress.–Joe]

Quote of the day–KW Hipps

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I just got the new (blue) rule book. It says anyone shooting a classifier at below freezing temperatures in falling snow deserves the crummy score they get.

KW Hipps
Lewiston Pistol Club Discussion Group email list
December 1, 2007
[We have an IPSC match today. The current weather forecast is:

HOUR   Sun
6AM		 Sun
7AM		 Sun
8AM		 Sun
9AM		 Sun
10AM		 Sun
11AM		 Sun
12PM		 Sun
1PM		 Sun
2PM
SKY   Chc Snow Chc Snow Chc Snow Chc Snow Chc Snow Snow Snow Snow Snow
CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION		   Slight Slight Slight Slight Slight Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
TEMP (F)   31° 31° 31° 32° 32° 33° 34° 35° 35°
WIND CHILL(F)   18° 18° 18° 19° 19° 21° 23° 25° 25°
DEWPOINT (F)   25° 25° 25° 26° 26° 26° 27° 27° 27°
HUMIDITY   78% 78% 78% 79% 79% 75% 76% 73% 73%
WIND (MPH)   SE 21 SE 21 SE 22 SE 23 SE 24 SE 22 E 20 E 18 E 18

We start shooting at 10:00 and probably won’t be done until 12:00 (the wimps won’t be there so it shouldn’t take too long). 20 to 25 MPH winds and snowing. This is practical shooting. Caleb and I plan be there. Pictures later if I manage to make it over Snoqualime Pass this afternoon on my way back to the Seattle area. The current pass report:

Conditions & Weather:
Snow, slush and ice on the roadway. Interstate 90 eastbound is reduced to one lane as the WSP performs chain enforcement near milepost 34. // Snowing hard, poor visibility
 

Updated: 5:23 AM, Dec 2, 2007
This is the most current info available
and is promptly updated when conditions change.

Today is going to be an interesting day. Perhaps Serenity Washburn ‘interesting’.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Dan Cunningham

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Those who believe that individual rights are more important than public safety often side with reduced gun control laws. On the other hand, those that think other individuals are unable to control their own behaviors, and therefore the law needs to influence the gun supply, would certainly side with increased government control of firearms.

Dan Cunningham
Strive For Balance In Gun Control
[This is just the beginning of his half-truths, incorrect assumptions, and outright falsehoods. He apparently does not realize it’s possible, or even more likely, to have both freedom and safety then goes on to create the case for his bigoted beliefs.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Alan Gottlieb and Mark Taff

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This is not a summit; it’s a kangaroo court, and the outcome is as predictable as the verdicts in the Salem witch trials. Nickels and his gun control cronies merely want a showpiece to alarm the public into supporting their extremist agenda, which is not now, and never has been, in the public’s best interest.

Alan Gottlieb and Mark Taff
Guest columnists at the Seattle PI
Alan Gottlieb is founder of the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation.
Mark Taff is executive director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Nickels’ gun summit is all for show
[Via an email from Uncle. See also the background material.

I was seriously considering showing up with my camera and a bunch of handouts of Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution with 18 USC 241 and 242 for attendees as they arrived. Unfortunately I have a appointment with my dentist to get some surgery done on an infected tooth at 8:00 AM that has been waiting a month because there weren’t any earlier openings. Then I have a design review at work that I am going to be late for because of the dentist appointment. I just won’t be able to attend at an appropriate time. And just after the oral surgery I’m likely to be a bit cranky and of course armed. That wouldn’t be the best condition to face the press should they show up.

Does anyone else want to show up with the handouts if I do the printing?–Joe]

Quote of the day–Bryan Miller

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But, first, a little background – for those of you who have more to do with your time than memorize old, obsolete and unused Constitutional dicta – the 2nd Amendment reads: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

As I said, Ho Hum. How seriously must I (or anyone, for that matter) take a sentence so overwhelmingly categorical, yet which has never been used to overturn any gun regulation, ordinance or law in the 200-plus years since it was adopted?

Bryan Miller
November 29, 2007
Supremes take on 2nd Amendment – Yawn
[It’s overwhelmingly categorical and never been used to overturn a law since it was adopted, therefore we shouldn’t take it seriously and can enact laws that violate it without concern to the constitutionality of the law. Interesting logic. So, Mr. Miller, do you advocate treating the 13th amendment in the same way?

Section. 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

If so then I claim you, Bryan Miller, as my slave. Maybe then you will suddenly recognize the utility of the 2nd Amendment. Or maybe since the 13th amendment is only 142 years old it’s too recent to discard. If it needs to be 200-plus years old before we can start ignoring it then I’ll let my great-grandchildren know that your descendants gave up their 13th Amendment rights on your say so. As my descendants, with guns, take possession I’m sure your descendants will “thank” you for giving up your 2nd Amendment rights earlier. The point is that just because a law hasn’t been overturned recently the constitutional provision against such laws is obsolete.

And, Mr. Miller, it’s obvious you haven’t read this book which demonstrates the Supreme Court has upheld the legal tradition and historical record of private gun ownership, self defense, and armed self defense, since the country began.

My take on Miller’s “yawn” response is that is the best spin he can put on what he thinks is impending doom.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Lyle Keeney

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Where there are grazers there will be predators. They said that on Discovery last night in a documentary on undersea micro environments. I think it applies to human society as well.

Lyle Keeney
November 26, 2007
In the comments.
[Yup. There probably are some thresholds due to family and tribal type bonds but as soon as you get a large enough population of “not us” available as prey the predators materialize. I don’t think the anti-gun bigots grasp that concept. It appears that they believe it’s the availability of weapons not the availability of prey that “creates” the predators.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Marko

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I believe that forced charity is no charity at all, and forced virtue cannot claim credit for itself anymore than a eunuch can claim credit for chastity.

Marko
this i believe.
November 21, 2007
[Via Tam. It’s a great post and covers numerous important topics. I think son James will appreciate it greatly.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Hillary Rodham Clinton

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There are big differences between me and Sen. Obama on healthcare. I have a healthcare plan that covers every single American. He does not. I have a healthcare plan that will leave no American out. He, by his own admission, leaves at least 15 million people out.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
November 25, 2007
Clinton, Obama dial up the healthcare heat
[And there is a big difference between both of their plans and what the U.S. Constitution says. The Constitution does not give the Federal Government the authority to engage in this kind of activity. That both senators are advocating unconstitutional action is proof neither of them are fit to be on the public payroll in any capacity. That includes dog catcher and “sanitation worker”. But the reality is that Henry Kissinger wasn’t just speaking about the administration he was working for. It applies to nearly all politicians.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Phil Goldsmith

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We have our great role model out there in the NRA. They know how to do their job and mobilize people.

Phil Goldsmith
November 25, 2007
Why gun control has no shot–Governor’s effort to pass new restrictions runs into organized and effective opposition, as usual
President of CeaseFire PA
[In that spirit they should take us up on offers to go to the range together, learn how and why we socialize over guns, and why we oppose victim disarmament laws. They could join the NRA, read the magazines, participate in competitions, attend the annual meeting, Friends of the NRA dinners, and become firearms instructors. They could learn a lot from us.

Some of the most basic things they lack are a way to even join their organization let alone any benefits if someone were to join. And what existing events can they connect with people that might want to join? They have a lot of disadvantages compared to our side. We should fully exploit our advantages. These bigots need to be politically exterminated.–Joe]

Quote of the day–Oleg Volk

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If it keeps your daughter safe who cares about the color?

Oleg Volk
November 23, 2007
[And, of course, you know there is an Oleg Volk picture associated with this so click on the link above. Via Roberta.–Joe]

Quote of the day–James Huffman-Scott

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So, it’s not just impressive you pulled it off. It was a f****ing miracle.

James Huffman-Scott
November 22, 2007
[Our son James after learning that not only did I try out a new recipe for cookies on Thanksgiving for our extended family I improvised with numerous ingredients and they still turned out quite good. Everyone, when I told them what I was making said, “Interesting” which of course actually means “I can’t imagine anyone eating something like that unless stomach cancer has already eliminated any concern about their stomach rotting.” I’ll share both the original and modified recipe soon.–Joe]