In England, gas averages about $5.79 per gallon. It’s the fault of the war right? Doom, gloom, end of the world, and all that.

No, actually, in England about 3/4 the price of a gallon of gas is taxes.

Apparently, the gun problem in Canada is (much like everything else in the world that isn’t quite working out the way people want it) America’s fault:

The roots of Canada’s gun problems are in the United States, and an NDP government would lobby the Americans for better gun control south of the border to improve things in this country, Jack Layton said Thursday.

“What we are focusing on is the increasing evidence that the biggest problem is illegal guns coming in from the U.S.,” Layton told reporters. “We’re proposing going across the border to the U.S. and actively engaging in lobbying to have gun-control laws in the U.S. strengthened.”

You read that right. Canadians plan on lobbying US politicians to increase gun control here in the states.

Been inundated with comment spam lately, which just pisses me off to no end. Thanks to this handy plug in by David Raynes, comments will be disabled for posts over 14 days old.

But are you fucking kidding me? The AP:

Nabil al-Marabh, once imprisoned as the No. 27 man on the FBI’s list of must-capture terror suspects, is free again. He’s free despite telling a Jordanian informant he planned to die a martyr by driving a gasoline truck into a New York City tunnel, turning it sideways, opening its fuel valves and having an al-Qaida operative shoot a flare to ignite a massive explosion.

Free despite telling the FBI he had trained on rifles and rocket propelled grenades at militant camps in Afghanistan and after admitting he sent money to a former roommate convicted of trying to blow up a hotel in Jordan.

Free despite efforts by prosecutors in Detroit and Chicago to indict him on charges that could have kept him in prison for years. Those indictments were rejected by the Justice Department in the name of protecting intelligence. Even two judges openly questioned al-Marabh’s terror ties.

The Bush administration in January deported al-Marabh to Syria — his home and a country the U.S. government long has regarded as a sponsor of terrorism.

Via Bubba.

I speculated a while back that a trend for blog ads would be to incorporate advertisements into RSS and XML feeds. Apparently, the solution is to just post an advertisement as an entry.

I don’t fault any bloggers for trying to make money off of their blogs. If they can, more power to them. But some blogs are becoming big billboards. My only problem with this trend is that it detracts from links, like blogrolls. But if you can make money doing it, go for it.

It’s times like this when the credibility of black leaders really suffers:

In remarks to hundreds of cheering liberal activists Wednesday, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond singled out Republicans as enemies of black Americans and compared conservatives to the terrorist Taliban who once ruled Afghanistan.

“Their idea of equal rights is the American flag and the Confederate swastika flying side by side,” Bond told a cheering audience. “They’ve written a new constitution for Iraq and ignore the Constitution here at home. They draw their most rabid supporters from the Taliban wing of American politics. Now they want to write bigotry back into the Constitution.”

By evoking Godwin’s Law, I declare Mr. Bond officially irrelevant to the state of race relations in this country. While Julian Bond engages in meaningless, rhetorical attacks on evil Republicans, SayUncle estimates that in America today: 21 black people will commit murder; 22 black people will be murdered; 506 black people will be arrested for drug trafficking crimes; 1,000,000 black people are in prison; and 26,500,000 black people live in poverty.

I have said for a long time, to make me happy with gun laws, that three things need to happen:

1 – Getting rid of the Assault Weapons Ban

2 – Getting rid of the Hughes Amendment to the gun control act of 1986 that prohibits the sale of automatic weapons made after that date. It just limits supply and increases prices (For example, a brand new HK MP5 costs about $1,300; a grandfathered, pre-1986 one costs about $15,000). This law is also responsible for an increase in untraceable machine guns on the streets. If hobbyists can’t buy them legally, they make them. Ask Mark Lancaster.

3 – Repealing the $200 tax on NFA transferable weapons (initiated in 1934) because taxing a right is illegal.

The Heartless Libertarian addresses the 1934 National Firearms Act.

XRLQ rebuts the claim that Philadelphia’s crime problem is because it doesn’t have enough gun laws.

Les has his weekly gun links up with lots of new toys.

The Hill:

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who became a movie star by blowing up and shooting anything that stood in his way, has reaffirmed his support of the federal assault-weapons ban.

In a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) last month, Schwarzenegger called on Congress to renew the ban, which is scheduled to expire in September.

“As you are well aware, Californians overwhelmingly support the ban on these dangerous weapons,” wrote Schwarzenegger, who spoke out in favor of the ban during last year’s campaign for the governorship but has not been very vocal on the issue this year.

“The renewal of the federal ban on assault weapons is a prudent, common sense effort to limit the prevalence and availability of dangerous weapons and protect public safety,” Schwarzenegger added.

This is rather pathetic:

At a press conference today John Rosenthal, Chair and Co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence, along with State Senator Jarrett Barrios, State Representative David Linsky, Boston Police Superintendent Paul Joyce and Director of Federal Legislation for the Brady Campaign, Tony Orza unveiled America’s largest billboard, depicting a 150′ X 30′ AK-47 assault rifle and stating that this gun will be “Coming to a Home Near You” unless action is taken to renew the State and Federal Assault Weapon Bans.

A 1989 executive order bans the importation of AK47s. The ban has nothing to do with them. It’s a giant monument that represents misinformation, rhetoric and deception.

GOA is reporting that Diane Feinstein is going to attach the latest version of the assault weapons ban to a yet to be determined bill. The time to contact your senators is now. The bill was attached to Gun Immunity Bill by a vote of 52 – 47, before the immunity bill was killed. It only takes a few votes to kill it. Make yourself heard.

Bubba welcomes some new members into the Rocky Top Brigade:

Big Orange Michael, a friend of Barry.

Zoot, who claims she’s the zoot. I dunno what zoot is but hope it’s not contagious.

Contrary to popular belief, Tennessee does have some liberals. In fact, here’s Tennessee Liberal.

Pizza soup, who is Doug‘s mom.

Finally, the Baculum King, who I also hope is not contagious.

Welcome aboard, all.

William Safire is calling for us to abolish the outdated, almost worthless, bothersome and wasteful penny. As to why it hasn’t been abolished, he also adds:

The answer, I think, has to do with zinc, which is what pennies are mostly made of; light copper plating turns them into red cents. The powerful, outsourcing zinc lobby — financed by Canadian mines as well as Alaskan — entices front groups to whip up a frenzy of save-the-penny mail to Congress when coin reform is proposed.

I think he’s right about zinc. In my public accounting experience, I met a guy who was the former controller for a large zinc producer. They made the circular stamps that would become pennies. He confided in me that pennies cost about 1.1¢ to make. Not good economics when it costs more to make the money than the money is worth.

Van Morrison on a bad day:

G – L – something – something – oh – GLORIA

If you’re at the store and you see jalapeño stuffed green olives, do not hesitate to buy them. Tasty stuff.

As promised, some gratuitous linky loving. Here’s a stroll around the old blogroll:

Bjorn is sporting a new ride.

Mark addresses the left thinking that the right is crazy. However, it really indicates to me that the left must be suffering from some sort of paranoia. Or at least delusions of adequacy.

Doug didn’t get the memo. Doesn’t he know that Osama is at Abu Grahib and his capture will be staged in October. Geez, everyone knows that.

Guy picked up a Saiga 12 gauge. What is a Saiga 12? A shotgun based on an AK47 receiver.

If you’re not reading Mike, you should be. Too much good stuff to link just read away.

Barry hits a blog milestone. Congrats!

Marc has a hot wife. And she’s packin’!

Will pet insurance raise the prices of veterinary care? Tom relays his discussion with his vet.

Buddy Don has some observations from a whisky tasting. As great as that sounds, it still involves living in a big city. I’ll have to live vicariously through BD.

Enron is still scaring us.

Clinton or Reagan? Rich addresses the political divide.

As always, it’s for the children™!

The Comedian shows us some marketing genius.

Well, if they’re going to make an I’m sorry sign for cars, I want a You’re still an asshole sign.

Brutal Hugs discussed America’s role in the middle east with an Egyptian business man.

Drug War Rant discusses Crack Babies.

Jay pokes some fun. Just curious, when is it socially acceptable to joke about terror? Are we there yet?

Memorial Day came and went, and there were a lot of great posts around the blogosphere. I didn’t post anything, mainly because I didn’t think I could do more than, “me, too!” Also, I’ve been pretty fortunate, really. I can’t think of anyone in my immediate family who died in service.

In fact, I’m hard pressed to think of any of my relatives who served in combat. One of my grandfathers served in the Navy, stateside, during WWII, but the other did not, as far as I know, serve. My dad was too young for Korea, but too old for Viet Nam.

Today I got the family newsletter my sister put together. In it is a reprint of the obituary for my grandmother’s brother. He died on 13 January, 1945, “from wounds received in action on Luzon, Philippine islands.” He had been in the Army since 1942, and seen action on “the Russells, Tarawa, New Georgia, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal and other [islands].”

It’s hard enough to lose someone you know and love; I can’t imagine what it must be like when he’s on the other side of the world, and you haven’t seen him for 3 years. There’s just no way for me to understand that without experiencing it, and, God-willing, I’ll never have to. I don’t even know what to say to somebody who’s had that experience.

But to all of you who have…for what it’s worth, I wish that you may find some comfort and joy still in this world, and hope for a new one to come.

Local troublemaker Cas Walker, whose efforts at poking the powers-that-be with a sharp stick I appreciate, has been getting comments at his blog that claim to be from Jamie Hagood.

Jamie, who is currently a State Representative, is running for State Senate. I’ve met Jamie a few times (we share some common acquaintances) and she seems nice. I don’t really know where she stands on any issues and, since she doesn’t represent me as I have moved to Blount County, I’ve not kept up with her. If she is reading local political blogs, good for her.

I have my doubts about whether or not she is reading local blogs (after all, I can enter any name into a comment form) but I hope she is. I think politicians need to read what others are saying about them. After all, unless the sky is falling, our local media ignores political scandals and criticism like the plague.

I should point out that her opponent, Billy Stokes, has a blog. Jamie should start one too.

Kevin linked to a really fascinating look at Haiku. Kevin doesn’t realize there is no such thing. I’m not a real artsy sort of guy but most poetry in general sucks. I wrote my own Haiku on the fact Haiku sucks:

Why do people care
Haikus are really stupid
And easy to write

I was not alone, Tom wrote:

I must say I’m shocked
Here I agree with Uncle
Haiku is stupid

So, write your own Haiku sucks Haiku.

Rich Hailey, a blogger who recently lost his job, has started his own company. Congrats to Rich and the best of luck on his new venture.

Here’s an image of an American Bull Dog pulling a Jeep that is loaded with six people.

Bill has a good summary of the problems with the Libertarian party:

I would also issue a valid executive order to the BATF and other pseudo police agencies informing them that any agent who confiscates a weapon of any kind, from someone who is not currently engaged in a murder or robbery, will not only be terminated from their position, but they will also be prosecuted for violating the unalienable rights of the citizens they have sworn to protect. …

So says Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian candidate for President. The Libertarians need to limit this notion that they’re going to get into government and disband everything. They need to take a moderate libertarian approach and recognize that people do, in fact, need government to do some things. One commenter quipped:

60 to 80% of Americans support medical marijuana.

Less than .5% support the Lib(ertarian)s.

In other words their support is 1/100th of their potential market.

And why do the Libertarians devote so much of their resources to the presidency? They really need to focus on local and state elections to garner a base.

I think this is the finest Memorial Day tribute I’ve read yet.

Jeff has his weekly report up.

May was a record month here at SayUncle.

22,192 unique visitors. 36,506 visits. 89,869 page views. There are four reasons for this:

1) Firearm news linked to us;

2) Keep and Bear Arms linked to us;

3) Instapundit linked to us;

4) And, more interestingly to me, because of this post, I got a ton of hits from people searching for big butts and I like big butts and I cannot lie.

The ACLU draws attention to the increase in wiretaps in Tennessee as a result of the PATRIOT Act:

Federal authorities spent more than $1 million on 13 wiretaps in Tennessee during 2003. All were used for mobile phone surveillance in narcotics investigations, and they resulted in 56 narcotics-related arrests.

Hedy Weinberg, who represents the ACLU in Tennessee, said that none of the wiretaps requested in the state were turned down.

The state’s increase follows a national trend; across the country, wiretap requests increased 19% in 2003 from the previous year.

I’m shocked to learn that a wiretap costs $76,923.08. But these taps are for narcotics operations and not the war on terra, which is what I thought the PATRIOT Act was to be used to combat.

Countertop returned to Knoxville for a visit. His observations are interesting about our fair city. More interesting was his response to my comment:

I just don’t understand it – well, I do, but I don’t. Knoxville is a
prime example of what I call the Wal Mart Flight.

Businesses and people keep moving out to the further suburbs and the
farther the population base gets from city center, the more difficult it
is to revitalize the center. Heck, even Knoxville Mercedes is 45
minutes out of town now.

When they spent untold millions on the lighting of memorial bridge – a
bridge to no where int he early 90s it made no sense to me – The old
City project did, but it wasn’t followed up by the smart downtown
investments that were needed – instead the city leaders put their future in
Whittle Communications and a Womens Basketball Hall of Fame. We all know
what happened to Whittle and when was the last time you ever heard of
someone wanting to go to the Basketball Hall of Fame – let alone the
Womens Baketball Hall.

Its really strange, since we spent yesterday in downtown Chattanooga –
a city whose downtown had as bad a reputation as any in America.
Chattanooga though, is back. Downtown is now desireable, with vibrant
business centers reopening on both sides of the river, the Lookouts, the
Aquarium (a much better tourist destination than a Womens Basketball Hall of
F-ame), the new Salt Water Aquarium in the works, and something
Knoxville desperatly needs – good restaurants.

Would good parking have solved their problems??? Maybe, 15 years ago.
But perhaps what they need more is better city planning – locating more
tourist attractions within walking distance of Gay Street.

It looked like they were converting most of the old warehouses to
condo’s . . . will that do the trick?

Doubtful, not without better city wide planning.

Downtown Knoxville is dying, it just doesn’t know it yet. Would someone please tell the Metropulse staffers that?

Despite the ban having no effect on, well, anything, Mass. lawmakers are trying to maintain the status quo by passing a copycat of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban (which expires in September):

Citing inaction on the part of the Bush administration and the country’s “Republican Congress,” state Sen. Jarrett Barrios, D-Cambridge, said last month that the amendment would protect the state’s gun laws from changes in the federal weapons ban, which is scheduled to expire in September. Barrios, who made the comments during a meeting with News staff, co-authored the new amendment with state Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick.

When the federal law expires, “You’ll be able to go out and buy your Uzi at Kmart again,” said Barrios, Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety.

Jarrett Barrios is a liar. Email him to let him know.