That Damn Foreigner has the latest Volunteer Tailgate Party.

Local blogger and all around nice guy Rich Hailey had a letter published in the KNS.

Thanks to Jay, someone has said arguably the dumbest thing about the epic battle of liberals v. conservatives:

we liberals may be feeling pretty beat up lately, but if you listen closely it’s pretty clear that we’ve decisively won virtually the entire public debate with conservatives. The right wing likes to talk a lot of smack about how the country is going their way, but it’s really not true even after 20 years of the Reagan/Gingrich/Bush revolution.

Let’s review:

Iraq – Nope, still happened.

Gun control – Nope, I still have some guns and as of today 34 states have concealed carry laws.

Taxes – Nope, Americans like tax cuts.

Balanced budgets – well, that one is up in the air. Republicans talk about it but as soon as the snag all three branches, they forget about it. Never been a Liberal ideal but Clinton did do it. Oh, and Nope.

Restricting free trade – Nope.

Gay marriage – Nope, not yet.

Capital punishment – Nope.

Big government – well, they got this one but their guy didn’t do it.

Abortion – Ok, they get one on this list.

Welfare: I seem to recall some reform. Nope.

That’s just off the top of my head. There are probably more.

Of course, Republicans haven’t gained ground on privatizing stuff, the tax cuts they really want, vouchers, etc. That and they’ve abandoned some ideals recently (small government, balanced budget, immigration). It seems neither side is winning and that is good.

Like it or not, it’s hard for either side to change the status quo.

Note: The above are entirely meant to represent stereotypical liberal and conservative ideals; e.g., not every liberal is for gun control nor is every conservative pro-life. But the positions above are usually associated as mentioned.

SierraTimes writes:

According to conversations on the tape, [Knoxville] Deputy Fire Chief Bob Presley and others allegedly altered training records to receive money from the state for training that was never taken. Firefighters claim both Knoxville Fire Chief Ed Cureton and city lawyer Alice Eberting were aware of the allegations and did nothing about it.

Quick skim of local media shows no coverage of this.

The KNS gives the skinny on Free Speech Zones. I’ll give the skinny: They violate Constitutional protections.

Barry may want to stay home.

Ohio:

Lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday to allow Ohioans to carry concealed guns, and Gov. Bob Taft said he will sign it.

Those who apply for the permits would have to pay a fee, undergo background checks and be trained in the use of a weapon.

The bill also makes the names of permit holders available to reporters. Taft’s insistence on this provision had derailed the bill late last year.

I don’t understand the reason for publishing a list of permit holders.

Kansas:

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ opposition to a bill allowing Kansans to carry concealed handguns may not matter, according to a northeast Kansas legislator who is pushing for the law.

Rep. Candy Ruff, a Democrat from Leavenworth, said she hoped the legislation would win by such large margins in the Legislature that it would survive a veto by Sebelius. Overturning a veto would require two-thirds votes in the House and Senate.

“My whole take on this is to work to make it veto-proof in order not to involve the governor,” Ruff said

Via Geek With A 45, comes this BBC article (yes, the BB fucking C) which states Britain needs more guns:

Old stereotypes die hard and the vision of Britain as a peaceable kingdom, America as “the wild west culture on the other side of the Atlantic” is out of date. It is true that in contrast to Britain’s tight gun restrictions, half of American households have firearms, and 33 states now permit law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons.

But despite, or because, of this, violent crime in America has been plummeting for 10 consecutive years, even as British violence has been rising. By 1995 English rates of violent crime were already far higher than America’s for every major violent crime except murder and rape.

As the Geek says: Holy shit!

Mays has the worst album covers ever. No really.

Per this:

It may give you the creeps, but it’s ”Vermilion Open Carry Shopping Day,” as proclaimed by supporters of a law allowing Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.

Dan White of Lorain, organizer of this sad and ill-advised stunt, tells potential participants on his Web site, ”Handguns only please. Longarms risk knocking over merchandise and crowding customers. It will be your choice whether to carry your firearm loaded.”

It’s generally legal under current Ohio law to carry a licensed weapon in public as long as it’s in plain view. White organized a peaceful ”gun walk” in Lorain in October.

A ”publicity stunt” is how Vermilion Mayor Jimmy Davis characterized tomorrow’s event. ”They just want press.” Police plan to monitor the event, and don’t expect trouble.

At least eight businesses gave their consent to serve pistol-packing patrons, according to White. He said they include Bittersweet Annie, Brummer’s Homemade Chocolates and Candies, Jan’s Added Touch, Lee’s Landing, RJ Antiques and Collectibles, Main Street Soda and Grill, Tactical Edge Paintball Shop and Vermilion Hardware. Three shops told White to keep out, Encore Shop, Papa Joe’s and Victorian Country Cottage.

White belongs to a group called Ohioans for Concealed Carry and defends the Vermilion event saying it will ”present a visual choice to citizens,” open carrying of weapons as opposed to concealed carry.

It’s irritating and tiresome to see White and his fellow ”shoppers” exploiting the traditional Christmas shopping season to shove their pro-gun philosophy in everyone’s face.

Meanwhile, this unsigned opinion piece is shoving its anti-gun philosophy in everyone’s face. Losers and hypocrites.

Via Kevin.

Wince and Nod offers some advice to Rich.

She compares daycare centers to Nazi Germany. And don’t forget to read this, excerpt:

Dear Dr. Laura:

[snip]

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

Attacks on coalition troops in Iraq are down 60% and no one’s talking about it. Well, almost no one.

Bush has yet to veto anything, probably because he hasn’t seen a spending bill he doesn’t like.

Some lawmakers in Tennessee want to pass a law that allows CCW holders to carry where alcohol is served so long as the don’t drink. I’m all for it. The con to it of course is that maybe someone will carry and drink then go on a shooting spree. Of course, the odds of this happening are slight.

The pro side to the argument is that the guns are safer with the patron rather than locked in vehicle in the parking lot.

The UK passes tough gun laws and crime goes up. This year, crime was at a record. The UK decides the problem is that they didn’t ban enough guns so now someone is advocating banning toy replica guns.

So, on the radio this morning, I heard that Kucinich brought some nice pie charts and graphs to the recent Democrat debate. I guess he didn’t realize that the debate was going to be on the radio, where such charts are rather meaningless.

I had to blacklist the URL www.whitehouse.gov from comments due to some spam bot hitting my comments with the google bomb.

Michael applied for and was denied a permit to carry a concealed weapon in California. He then fills out a public records act request to figure out how many permits are issued and denied. He talked to the city attorney who said they were working on it. Now read the latest. Ignorance or lying? You be the judge.

Xrlq addresses the pit bull name change I talked about here. He also gives some history of the AKC and pit bulls vs. Am Staffs.

It should be noted that to us purists (who don’t care about the AKC or registries) that Am Staffs and Pit Bulls are actually different breeds. Am Staffs tend to be larger than Pit Bulls. Of course, we purists will argue with other purists until we’re blue in the face and no one will be convinced.

I think this spring, Politically Incorrect Dog may go on his first hog catch.

David Bernstein addresses the tendency to attribute successes to Jesus. I don’t know why but this reminds me of Evander Holyfield, who apparently kicks people’s asses for Jesus.

An article about U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold:

A lot of gun owners are upset about some of the powers that have been given to the federal government,” he said. “We’re going to try to change that.” When asked about the right to bear arms, Feingold acknowledged he originally voted in favor of banning so-called semi-automatic “assault weapons.” But he said he hasn’t sponsored legislation to continue the ban and is now “leaning against” renewing it.

“At these town meetings over the years, I’ve heard a lot of people say there might have been some misinformation about what these weapons – guns – really are,” Feingold said. “There are some semi-automatics that really aren’t assault (weapons).”

A politician (a Democrat even) finally admits that the Assault Weapons Ban is entirely about misinformation. Good for him. Of course, no semi-automatic is inherently an assault weapon. If you’re engaged in an assault with a revolver, it is an assault weapon.

Clinton finally got it too:

And we smile about that, but there are some people who would be on this platform today who lost their seats in 1994 because they voted for the Brady Bill and they voted for the assault weapons ban, and they did it in areas where people could be frightened.

Frank Cagle writes about Cable News Legislating:

It is hard to argue against allowing federal law enforcement to catch bad guys. That’s why any three sensational crimes committed during a short period of time, resulting in national publicity, results in a new federal law. Call it Cable News Legislating.

What is the federal issue involved in car jacking? Why is this not a matter for local law enforcement? Withholding court-ordered child support is a bad thing. But how does it fit into the federal constitution’s allowance that Congress can regulate interstate commerce?

The issue here is not that crime shouldn’t be pursued and criminals punished. Or child support collected. The issue is why we are continuing to federalize crimes that are matters for local and state police forces. Did you know that wife beating is a federal crime?

Do you prefer that the FBI pursue pimps, or would you prefer they be investigating treason, espionage and potential terrorist plots? There is no way, even with the growth in federal justice budgets, federal police can match local government efforts to combat crime. So we are clogging the federal courts and burdening federal agencies prosecuting crimes because it is the politically popular thing to do.

I really would prefer that federal authorities keep track of illegal aliens rather than checking used car lots for odometer tampering.

And 30 Federal Agencies are authorized to arrest people.

William Burton asks:

I’ve never understood the blindspot that big parts of the American and European left have for brutal authoritarian societies that treat their women, gays, and ethnic and religious minorities like absolute shit. What’s the appeal? Why do they identify with people who hate them and their lifestyles?

Sunday, it was 74 degrees at my house. Tonight, it’s supposed to drop to 14 degrees. A 60 degree drop in two days. Zoiks!

Miniluv offers some advice about guns to those considering purchasing a gun or three. Other commentors suggested rifles and shotguns first, I tend to agree with Miniluv that a handgun is the way to go.

Thanks to Republican control, the budget has gone up 23.7%, the fastest pace in a decade.

That and support for the assault weapons ban, the largest expansion of government ever, biggest deficits ever, campaign finance reform, free speech zones, Patriot 1 & 2, and a host of other reasons are why I can’t support the Republicans.

They did, however, get Iraq and tax cuts right.

Update: Oh yeah, and Ashcroft.

Update2: Heh!

Welcome to the RTB Orfinanny and Austin.

Heh! Buddy Don realized he gets a lot of visitors because they can’t spell. I get the occasional search for Assult Weapons.

The lottery is set to kick off on January 20, which is three weeks earlier than planned. Make sure you don’t lose your $162M ticket.

The AP:

The principal of a high school where police drew their guns on students and ordered them to the floor during a drug raid announced his resignation Monday.

“I realized it is in the best interest of Stratford High School and of my students for me to make a change,” George McCrackin said in a statement.

McCrackin had asked Goose Creek police to come to the school after receiving reports of marijuana sales. Police said dogs sniffed drug residue on 12 book bags during the Nov. 5 sweep but found no drugs. No one was arrested, but some students were handcuffed for a time.

That is good news. Now, let’s get after the local police department.