Maryland, where crime is rising, will be the first state to implement the federal law that lets off-duty and retired cops carry guns. And then the gun control nuts show up:

Leah Barrett, executive director of the gun-control group CeaseFire Maryland Inc., said allowing officers to carry a gun anywhere at any time is “essentially dangerous.”

“We have too many guns in this country and too many people carrying them,” she said. “Accidents happen.”

This guy chick actually violated the gun control mantra that cops should have guns. I find that odd. Meanwhile, we need some pool control. Those things are everywhere.

Cowboy Blob has updated his list of gun bloggers. I’m listed as:

RKBA/guns, politics, and property rights

I’ve also won some sort of award at Tennessee Bloggers. They write:

He’s all across the board, but spends a good deal of time writing about assault weapons.

I’m listed in the category of Best Pro/Anti-Something. Heh.

Via Volokh, Professor Bainbridge dismisses those who advocate armed self-defense as gun nuts. He later modifies it to the French (giggle) sounding fanciers, which will only enrage gun nuts further.

As a gun nut, I think the term gun nut is more appropriate. After all, AR15s can become quite habit forming. It’s a disease, I tell you.

Now normally in a movie I root for the good guys. It is the base nature of myself that I want good to win and evil to lose. Sometimes what is defined as evil is vague and hard to define.

An example is the movie “Wall Street” with Martin Sheen and Michael Douglas. Michael Douglas played the character of “Gordon Gekko”. Now I like the subtle usage of a cold blooded lizard as his last name. In it he gives a speech that I consider one of the best several lines in a movie ever spoken.

“The point is, ladies and gentlemen, greed–for the lack of a better word–is good. Greed is right; greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed in all its forms–greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge–has marked the upward surge of mankind, and greed–you mark my words– will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the U.S.A.”

Greed creates profit and direction, and yet today it is used as a four letter word by so many. Ones who are oblivious to the fact that they normally work for companies whose greed for profits keep them in a job with all of the benefits that come with it.

So after watching that movie I came to the conclusion that it was a simply sad attempt to attack something that works so well for this country, capitalism and the greed.

So when I was reading this post on The Free Liberal about the pirate like nature of Brazil and pharmaceutical drugs one thing jumped out at me and like so often today I ended up mad at our own government.

Brazil – endeavoring to become a socialist paradise under its current president, former union leader and avowed communist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – provides a HillaryCare-type of system in which the government provides free HIV treatments to all its citizens. And socialized health care of that kind is, naturally, expensive.

So on June 1st, Brazil’s lower house approved a bill suspending patents on AIDS-fighting drugs. The bill’s sponsor declared, “Constitutional protection for patents is not absolute, but subordinate to social interests.” And a deputy for the Workers’ (of the World, Unite!) Party added, “Patents have to be suspended if they’re harming public health.” Both lines could easily have been lifted right off the pages of “Atlas Shrugged.”

So they have decided that international laws are in the way so to heck with them. If a company knows that whatever it makes will be stolen by other governments then why will it invest in it? It wouldn’t waste it’s time, and because of that greed people are alive.

Now piracy aside it is what our government did that bothers me so much.

Of course, like every good crook, the Brazilians have found a way to justify and rationalize their piracy. See, there’s a clause in the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement, which both Brazil and the U.S. have signed, commonly known as TRIPS. As Drug Industry Daily explains, TRIPS “allows a developing country to temporarily ignore drug patents to bring affordable drugs to its population in times of health emergencies.”

So what does it say in the TRIPS section of the WTO charter that allows that? I went and found this about the rights that a patent holder has and international eminent domain.

Article 31
Other Use Without Authorization of the Right Holder

Where the law of a Member allows for other use (7) of the subject matter of a patent without the authorization of the right holder, including use by the government or third parties authorized by the government, the following provisions shall be respected:
……
(b) such use may only be permitted if, prior to such use, the proposed user has made efforts to obtain authorization from the right holder on reasonable commercial terms and conditions and that such efforts have not been successful within a reasonable period of time.

Sounds like eminent domain. They will make some proposals, and if you do not like it they take it anyways. Our government has just opened the door for foreign countries to have eminent domain over our patents, our ideas. Mental theft using the power of the state.

So why should a company invest years and millions into something earth shaking when the WTO laws would allow other countries to “borrow” it if the social need exists? Greed is movement even if you do not like the word, legal theft by a government is a death sentence for everyone not saved by items not invented because of TRIPS

This will probably be the only thing I say about the Michael Jackson case (until the verdict, maybe). Nothing has happened for a week yet the news reports always come in stating Jury still deliberating or Jury resumes deliberations. Seriously, guys, we know that because that’s what they were telling us last week. We know the jury is deliberating. The only thing to tell us is the verdict.

This is pretty stupid:

If Nashville’s police union has its way, anyone who makes a formal complaint against a Metro police officer could face felony criminal charges if the department’s internal investigators clear the officer of wrongdoing.

Update: Turnabout being what it is, how about if an officer files charges later unfounded against a regular Joe, they get charged with a felony?

The Rep states that Bredesen’s campaign manager was busted for statutory rape of a 13 year-old boy.

Sharon Cobb (go there and scroll away) indicates that all the state’s TennCare troubles were a ruse designed to get the Governor re-elected:

A six month investigation into TennCare reform has unearthed some startling documents and disturbing revelations about Governor Bredesen and his administration’s plans to blame the Tennessee Justice Center for the TennCare cuts, then as part of their political strategy, reenroll some of those cut from TennCare in 2006—before the election.

And what he said. Bill Hobbs has a round up of reaction.

Phil, now would be a good time to fire up that blog of yours and maybe explain yourself.

Update: Ironic headline of the day:

Officials warn of scams related to TennCare cuts

Blogging may be light but here are some links that are related to make an overall point. TriggerFinger notes that in the 20th century, over 170,000,000 people were killed at the hands of their own government. In Zimbabwe and Darfur, genocide is happening right now. The problem in Zimbabwe has even prompted a Canadian to accept that there is a universal global human right to arms.

David Hardy notes an interesting read entitled Negroes with Guns:

When the Klan came shooting, it soon found that its targets shot back. A Klan cavalcade (sort of a mass drive-by shooting) came to shoot up the home of the vice-president of the chapter, and found a number of members in sandbagged positions with rifles. After a gunfight, the Klan abandoned that approach . . .

Also, in Oklahoma, a law has been passed stating that employees cannot be prohibited from keeping arms in their personal vehicles by their employers. I personally don’t understand why that would need to be a law. After all, my car is my property, rather like my home. TriggerFinger rounds up the issue. I concur that self-defense rights trump property rights. And Matt notes that at least one court agrees.

Err, there’s a point in there somewhere.

Head has what I would consider to be the final word on Wolf Ammo.

A good article on Pit Bull behavior:

Pit bull’s demeanor depends on who’s holding the leash
Training determines breed’s disposition, animal experts say

The bottom line, she said, is that dogs do what they are genetically designed to do.

“Pit bulls are great with people,” she said. “They’re bred to be aggressive with dogs and other animals.”

Where the situation breaks down is over-breeding and poor handling. Pit bulls tend to be the dog of choice for gang members and methamphetamine addicts, and they proliferate in poor areas, both urban and rural. It can be a lethal mix because, as such, they don’t get the proper care and attention from their owners and they suffer from too much inbreeding, Seraphin said.

Also, I caught a few episodes of that show The Dog Whisperer. People who have problem pets call this guy and he shows them how to deal with those issues. The guy is good. Most episodes I’ve seen show that the number one problem with doggie misbehavin’ is the result of lack of exercise. I highly recommend the show.

A lawmaker in Utah is setting up free concealed carry classes for legislators there. Ordinarily, this may qualify as a like you and me, only better situation except that:

Clearfield Republican Rep. Curtis Oda says the sessions are aimed at educating lawmakers and debunking gun-control advocates’ criticism of Utah’s gun laws.

SayUncle’s sis: We got a new dog.

SayUncle: Cool, what kind?

SayUncle’s sis: A Chow, Shitzu mix

SayUncle: They use a ladder or a lubricant?

I am remiss in mentioning that Brutal Hugs is back. It’s at a new URL and apparently only one person is posting, not that I could tell them apart in the first place (they all look the same, you know).

The Carnival of Cordite is up. Check it, yo.

Apparently, the detainees at Gitmo don’t know anything about real Koran abuse.

Update: And no, SayUncle does not endorse desecrating various cultures’ holy books. I do, however, appreciate some good gun porn.

Update 2: In light of some comments received and this post at BH, I feel obligated to point out that I think it is insensitive (hence the title of the post). However, I’m no more offended by it than I am, say, an episode of South Park.

Remember, I’m having a contest. So, enter if you can.

Since people commented that they expected me to talk about guns and eminent domain and guns (as though I’m a one maybe two-trick pony) here’s something different. Tennessee has a windfall of extra cash. Specifically, they have some “unexpected revenues” compared to budget. Of course, given how the budget of the state plays out, I have no assurances that expenses stayed in line. If revenue is up marginally but expenses are up significantly, there is no surplus.

The issue, as Stacey Campfield notes, is that the pigs are lining up at the trough to spend it. Campfield advocates returning the money to the people, a noble idea, but the state should set the cash aside for future shortfalls that it will no doubt have.

Bill Hobbs reports that spending these unexpected revenues is unconstitutional. The Tennessee Constitution says:

No public money shall be expended except pursuant to appropriations made by law.

The race to spend the money is asinine. Back when Tennessee received cash as part of tobacco settlements, the legislature blew it. They didn’t factor that this money would eventually run out. And it did. And we were in a fiscal crisis with calls for tax increases and income taxes. Some fiscal responsibility is in order here, folks. After all, you have TennCare to save and other existing operations to manage. Yet, they want to line this money up for new things?

And . . . ooh look, guns.

Note: This is the final repost of stuff I did while guest blogging at No Silence Here.

The question:

What is the newspaper loophole?

The answer:

Made up. It’s funny how a law that was never intended to do certain things has a loophole for not doing those certain things.

President Bush is pushing for the renewal of the PATRIOT Act. Whatever happened to the party of smaller government?

Seems most folks didn’t like it.

Is this better?

Update: anyone know why suddenly there’s a ton more space between a paragraph and blockquote? Update within the update: Nevermind.

Update: Still playing with it.

Les is getting spam comments in draft posts. Yesterday, I enabled trackbacks. About an hour after that, I was getting deluged in trackback spam.

Trackbacks are dead, again.

Blake looks at the Fords’ past troubles.

In Tennessee, a 60 year-old man recovering from cancer smoked marijuana to alleviate the pain and depression. He has since been arrested and had his money and cars seized and a lien placed on his house. All this without due process of law, which is blatantly unconstitutional. The fifth amendment states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. Why was the man’s property illegally seized? He failed to pay the drug tax, a topic I’ve covered at length.

The illegal drug tax is serving its purpose, which is confiscation of property without due process of law. When you’re arrested for dealing drugs, you’re delinquent in tax payments. And 75% of the tax goes to the law enforcement agency that made the bust. So, your property is taken to settle that delinquency.

What if, being a good citizen drug dealer, you decide to avoid possible property seizure by actually paying the taxes? Good luck, as it has been reported that the Department of Revenue won’t accept payments.

So much for due process of law and property rights.

Note: Another reprint from guest posting at No Silence Here.

Farnam:

I advise many students who indicate they want to buy a $5,000.00 pistol to, instead, buy a $500.00 pistol and $4,500.00 worth of ammunition and professional training. In the end, they’ll have a superior pistol, and they may even know how to use it for some practical purpose!

Ok, maybe not cruel. But it’s interesting:

Tennessee lawmakers recently passed a bill that would give judges the option of forcing offenders to do manual labor.

They would have to spend at least three days picking up trash from the highway while wearing a vest with the words “I’m a drunk driver” on it.

Humanoid robots look strange.

New look for the blockquotes:

So, what do you think?

Yay or nay?

More specifically, the color.

Despite the fact such regulation is illegal, SF authorities, who have a history of acting outside the law, will be discussing the regulation of dangerous dogs.

Caught a TiVoed The Daily Show yesterday. They were doing this section on Iraq when they cut to some video coverage of the troops. They showed a US infantryman who was carrying an AK-47 and not the military issued M16. They then cut to another guy descending some stairs and he had an AK-47 as well. Neither guy appeared to be special forces, so I was wondering if that was allowed under military policy. Anyone know?

As regular readers know, I like to build stuff (particularly guns). They also should know (if they were paying attention) that I’m going to be machining my own AR15 lower receivers. See, when you buy a gun, the receiver is usually marked with some sort of logo or brand name and a serial number (all my machined lowers will be numbered SU000X). I need some line art to put on them. So, dear reader, I need a good logo. Any reader is allowed submit one or more suggestions for line art in an image format.

The rules (such as they are):

Submit as many as you like via email to saysuncle at yahoo dot com (or post them on your blog, if you have one). They must be in JPG or GIF format.

All images must be line art (i.e., can be reproduced using only lines).

Images should be monochromatic (i.e., black and white).

Judging will be entirely based on my preference (though I’m not opposed to the idea of a reader poll to determine winners). I’m probably going to do three lowers at first so I may have first through third place prizes unless I really like one in particular.

No porn.

And the prize(s) will be something gun related. Either something from the existing SayUncle stockpile of mags, scopes and other goodies. Or a $30 gift card to a fine gun oriented website like Midway, Tapco, Ammoman, MWG, or even Amazon for you non-gun types. Also, a gratuitous plug on the blog. And, of course, the satisfaction that your creation will be immortalized on an assault weapon.

Update: At Countertop’s suggestion, if a receiver is available, that could also be a substitute prize. But a bit of a warning:

Me and my build partner each want three lowers. We got eight on the assumption we’d screw two of them up. Should all lowers make it, the winner may get one. The difficulty would be getting a FFL dealer to transfer and whether or not it’s legal in the winner’s state of residence. Here at SayUncle, we do not violate gun laws. As such, a lower could be a potential prize but don’t be disappointed if, legally, that can’t happen.

Update 2: Oh yeah, submissions should be received by June 30, 2005