Kevin asks:

Why don’t we have genetically engineered grass that grows to one and then stops? This is the 21stcentury, after all. It’s the future, but it looks suspiciously like yesterday. I am okay without the flying cars and personal jetpacks.

Or, in the case of my back yard where the sun beat down mercilessly for four weeks straight without rain, why not weeds engineered to look like grass? My front and side yards look great. My backyard is completely covered in weeds. Is it too much to ask.

Also, different colors would be cool. I’d like purple grass. Wouldn’t that be cool? Or patterns. I’d like plaid or paisley grass.

I guess I could get plastic grass.

Les has 10 Gun Questions for Sean Penn. Well, my questions would be:

1 – You live in California and have a concealed carry weapon permit. How’d you swing that? It’s notoriously hard to do. Oh, because you’re rich and famous. What about the average Joe who hasn’t bounced Madonna’s ass? SOL?

2 – So, you’re like a convicted, violent criminal, right? You know you’re not even supposed to, like, own a gun; but you do? And you carry one. Oh, you’re rich and above the law. I got ya.

3 – Why haven’t the New Orleans police confiscated your weapon? Oh, that rich thing again.

The Geek has a time-line of events regarding the gun confiscation in New Orleans.

Publicola writes:

For those folks who say the NRA is just hanging back & at the appropriate time will start flinging legal papers left & right, let me remind you that CNN filed a lawsuit within hours of being told their reporters would have limited access to the searches for dead bodies in New Orleans. The lawsuit resulted in a temporary injunction allowing them to send their reporters along with the searchers & ultimately a withdrawal of the order that attempted to bar them from accompanying the search teams.

The NRA needs to do something other than firing off harshly worded press releases. That’s what they’re paid for.

Via Brutal Hugs, comes this:

Doctors working in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans killed critically ill patients rather than leaving them to die in agony as they evacuated hospitals, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

With gangs of rapists and looters rampaging through wards in the flooded city, senior doctors took the harrowing decision to give massive overdoses of morphine to those they believed could not make it out alive.

In an extraordinary interview with The Mail on Sunday, one New Orleans doctor told how she ‘prayed for God to have mercy on her soul’ after she ignored every tenet of medical ethics and ended the lives of patients she had earlier fought to save.

That would be a tough call and I’d hate to be the one to make it. Damned if you do . . .

So, Bill Dunn is now the GOP House leader.

Rep. Stacey Campfield says of Hilleary:

I support Van 100%.

I still stand by my endorsement of Not Hilleary.

In an update to the NRA’s announcement that they were monitoring the gun confiscation situation in New Orleans: Give me liberty or I shall fire off a harshly worded press release.

I dig it:

One of St. Louis’ most colorful political careers could come to an end later this month.

St. Louis Alderman Thomas E. Bauer is facing a recall effort. Voters will decide whether to keep Bauer on September 20th.

Bauer’s critics have attacked him for his support of a plan to force several property owners in the Dogtown neighborhood to make way for a gas station and convenience store. Residents say they feel betrayed by Bauer and that the booming growth of the area is changing its inner-city charm.

Good. Where do I contribute?

CNS News is reporting that the owner of the gun show that was the target of illegal residency checks may file a civil suit:

The owner of a gun show targeted by federal law enforcement for a half dozen undercover enforcement operations may join with some of his customers in filing a federal class action civil rights lawsuit against the agencies that participated in the operations.

Virginia State Police (VSP) records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by Cybercast News Service confirm that the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted “Task Force” undercover surveillance and enforcement operations in connection with six gun shows in Richmond, Va., between July of 2004 and June of 2005. Richmond City and Henrico County, Va., police also assisted in at least some of the events. Steven Elliot, owner of C&E Gun Shows, noted that all of the shows listed on the VSP records were hosted by his company.

“More people have had their rights violated at my shows than at Annette’s show,” Elliot said, referring to colleague Annette Gelles, who owns the Showmasters Gun Show, which was the target of another ATF Task Force operation last month.

“They’ve been pulled over when they left the building and had their guns taken away from them,” Elliot continued. “In one case, we had a guy with a valid concealed-carry permit who had his gun confiscated. He had to go to ATF headquarters the next day to pick that gun back up.”

They’ve also established a means for victims to report incidents:

The email address, gunshowsfightback@yahoo.com, has been activated to receive messages from those who believe ATF or other law enforcement officials improperly violated their privacy or tried to discourage them from making lawful firearms purchases at the C&E shows.

If anyone has any information regarding how to donate to the legal fight, leave it in comments.

Others are blogging so I don’t have to:

Required Reading: Kopel on the New Orleans gun confiscation.

Michael notes that the Tennessee handgun laws aren’t being enforced:

For years, courts across the state have failed to seize handgun carry permits from accused felons and the Department of Safety, which oversees the permits, apparently didn’t notice the laws weren’t enforced.

Culture Shock by Publicola:

“Ron Hernandez, a New York officer who usually works in Manhattan, said he had been taken aback when he arrived in Harahan to see so many civilians with guns casually strapped to their hips.”

The Geek tells us that the Trenton chapter of the Million err Not Even Five Mom March has disbanded due to lack of interest.

Gunner tells you how you can win some guns and accessories.

I’ve said before that now that this is the best the country has looked in decades in terms to the right to arms, it’s time for pro-gunnies to go on the offensive. Ravenwood agrees. He even advocates repealing the NFA. I personally would like to start small by getting rid of the 1986 Hughes Amendment and repealing the $200 transfer tax. No point in squandering our gains.

This reminds me of a discussion I had at the local message board where someone called us pro-gun types wackjobs (I corrected some numbers because I forgot about Minnesota):

In the last 18 years, there have been tremendous gains in the right to arms. Sure they passed the ban on weapons that look like assault weapons but it sunset and good riddance. 46 states now allow concealed carry permits (which I support and I don’t support what some gun rights folks do the notion that there shouldn’t be a permit and that everyone should be allowed to pack). Only four states are no-issue. And Nebraska, Wisconsin and Kansas will pass it, mark my words. In fact, the Kansas governor will likely lose her office for vetoing it. Of those 46, 35 are shall issue meaning that, by law, if you’re not a criminal you must be given a permit. Two require no permit at all. Nine are may issue, which can be the most abused form as permits are doled out as political favors (word on the street is that is only an issue in a handful of states). Also, the justice department for the first time in 4 decades views the second amendment as an individual right, as does the Congress and both major party platforms.

My side isn’t wackjob. It’s fucking policy.

I say keep the pressure on.

Update: Corrected because SayUncle is geographically impaired.

Chris has the NRA’s statement about the forced disarmament in New Orleans:

Of course, the entire situation in New Orleans is constantly in flux. But rest assured NRA is monitoring this situation very closely and will address any activity by the government that unduly infringes upon the rights of lawful gun owners at the appropriate time. As we learn more, we will report to our members accordingly. In the interim, however, we join with all Americans in offering our thoughts, prayers, and assistance to the victims and survivors of this terrible natural disaster.

A new website has been launched to present East Tennessee on the web. DiscoverET.org, formerly KORRnet.org, is up and running with links to a community calendar, news, opinion, and the Rocky Top Brigade. Worth checking out for you East Tennesseans.

The latest is up, rounding up secular conservatives.

It was four years ago today. What’s changed? Well, we’re actually worse at dealing with a national tragedy, evidenced by Katrina. And quicker to trample liberties.

Looks like we learned very little.

Via Robert, Sportsman’s Guide has a 10 pack of steel AK 30 round magazines for $24.97.

The latest Carnival of Cordite is up. Go read.

Michael Brown was sent home.

It occurs to me, this could be the one. A lot of pro-gun types keep saying that the SCOTUS hasn’t taken a gun case since 1934 because there haven’t been good any ones. In other words, people convicted of gun crimes are typically not model citizens and the SCOTUS is loathe to take on such a case and rule in favor of the Second Amendment as it would be bad publicity. Or that there are other factors that affect the issue that aren’t related to the second amendment. And these folks believe that the court wants to rule favorably for it.

So, here we have a case where otherwise law-abiding folks are being disarmed. Someone will sue. It occurred in the only federal court jurisdiction that has not bought into that collective right interpretation of the second amendment crap. Will the court take it?

Personally, I think they’re probably wrong to think that the SCOTUS is going to rule favorably for the second since in the last two years it’s ruled against the first, fourth, and fifth amendments in ways that to me are unimaginable. I think it’s wishful thinking on their part.

In the one month since I installed Spam Karma 2, it has stopped just under 10,500 spam comments. Egad!

of us gun types: at what point do you start shooting the bastards? The line typically drawn by us gun types is when they come to take our guns. Hence, from my cold dead hands. So, via everyone in the blogosphere it seems, comes this:

Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms [They register firearms in New Orleans? – Ed.], from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here.

No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. “Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons,” he said.

I would not disarm. As a reader said in an email:

I can imagine a very dangerous game of chicken being played out here. “I am a loyal American citizen. I have committed no crime. If you intend to kill me so that you may disarm me, go right ahead”.

The authorities would have to take them from my cold dead hands. Period. I have a line in the sand and this is it. Actually, I have several. If there was ever a time when some folks needed their arms, this was it. This is easily illustrated by the countless stories in the press of those using their arms to defend themselves.

It’s troubling to me that in a disaster/crisis, this is the response by the powers that be. Disarming good and otherwise law-abiding people in a time of need is unacceptable. So, is every future disaster going to result in disarming citizens?

Now, comes the best part. Like you and me, only better:

But that order apparently does not apply to hundreds of security guards hired by businesses and some wealthy individuals to protect property. The guards, employees of private security companies like Blackwater, openly carry M-16’s [I’m not sure they’re M-16s as those are heavily regulated. Anyone know if security firms are exempted from the NFA and FOPA? – Ed] and other assault rifles. Mr. Compass said that he was aware of the private guards, but that the police had no plans to make them give up their weapons.

So, the rich, famous, and probably NBC are exempted merely because they are the elite.

As Cam Edwards says:

Talk about class warfare. If you’re rich enough to hire someone to defend your property, you’re okay. If you’re not… you’re SOL.

Also, the feds have joined in on the gun grabbing:

But on Wednesday night, Guidos said, armed federal agents identifying themselves as U.S. marshals confiscated her weapons and ordered her and six friends to leave by noon Thursday.

“When you get 15 M-16s pointed at you and they line you up against the wall, it’s kind of scary,” said Guidos, 55.

That is scary. What’s scarier is I figure I’d have only been able to take three down with me.

The Geek links to a video.

Update: Meanwhile, armed Mexican troops are coming. I appreciate the help they are offering, of course, but there’s something eerily creepy about armed foreign troops on our soil while the powers that be disarm regular Joes.

Heh!

Let’s get one thing straight, no one is to blame for Katrina. However, there is plenty of criticism to the response to Katrina.

Ok, let’s get two things straight: The failure to get the residents of the Gulf Coast States adequate aid was systemic and existed at all levels. The local governments failed to adequately provide for residents with no transportation. The state government failed to act quickly. The federal government failed to act quickly as well.

But, Uncle, you say, What about the levees? Chimpy McHitlerburton is surely responsible for not funding it. And if he’s not, these moonbatty, pork-barrel loving Democrats who wanted to fund other stuff and not the levee are.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Our .gov is set up for one primary purpose, really. To take money from all of us and dole it out to some of us. Yeah, that some of us may be the needy, the sick, the roads, the military, and other noble causes. Or it may be to give it to business and industry. And that’s what it was doing while not preparing for disasters.

Here’s the deal, folks, that sort of inadequacy exists in all forms of our government from the top down or the bottom up. If we, as a country, learn something from this it should be that the .gov needs to be more efficient. Eliminate the unnecessary layers, bureaucracy, and red tape. It’s a problem that exists at all levels and blaming the feds, or Bush, or the local government, or the state government, or some congressmonkey won’t fix the problem. Period. If there’s a case for reform, this is it.

I’ve heard they can’t rebuild New Orleans, since it’s wetlands now. I also heard that they were dumping that toxic sludge into the Gulf, which the EPA plans to fine them for. See, that’s two smarmy comments but they do illustrate how much bureaucracy comes to mind when dealing with the .gov.

I predicted an uptick in gun sales six days ago. Guess what:

Gun sales across the South boomed after the first reports surfaced of armed looters roaming the streets of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. And images of shots being fired at relief workers only elevated fears in some communities.

Now, as hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes are being resettled, gun store owners say they’re being flooded by a demand for guns–particularly in Southern states and others where many of the hurricane victims are being relocated.

Mostly, they say, the demand is being fueled by “good people” wanting to protect their families and property. That includes some who might not otherwise purchase such weapons, they add.

Wow. More:

Frank Pirie says his Baton Rouge store, Bowie Outfitters, is being inundated by people seeking handguns and shotguns in the storm’s aftermath. “It’s probably as many as we’d sell in almost a year,” he said.

On Wednesday morning he sold handguns to three nurses who were working in downtown New Orleans. Pirie also gave them shooting lessons, he said.

The nurses told Pirie they were “going back into a war zone,” he said. “They weren’t going back without protection.”

And quote of the day:

The FBI, which conducts criminal background checks on those wanting to buy guns, says it’s too early to tell whether a surge in gun sales is taking place in Louisiana or anyplace else. In any case, there is no shortage of homeowners putting up signs that read “Looters will be shot on sight.”

On shop in Alabama says sales are up 30%.

A while back, I set up a blogads mini-network for gun bloggers. Here’s a link to it.

What this does is allows advertisers to view all blogads who sign up under the Gun Blog banner. They can go there and buy ads on individual gun blogs or buy ads on all gun blogs listed. Or pick and choose.

If you are interested, here’s what you do:

If you have blogads on your site, just send me an email (or leave a comment) saying that you’d like to be enrolled. And I will enroll you. That’s it. When advertisers click the gun blog tab at blogads, your rates and info will show up with other gun bloggers.

If you do not have blogads, you need to sign up. Recently, blogads went to the Amway business model so you would need a sponsor to sign up. I have 18 sponsorships that I can give away. Full disclosure: if I sponsor you, I will get 5% of your ad revenue. I’m not too happy about that but that’s the way it works now. They’ve abandoned open enrollment. As I said, they’ve gotten a little Amway on us. Anyone else who sponsors you would get the same 5%. To be sponsored, shoot me an email and I will tell you how to proceed. Once you sign up, you can join the network by shooting me an email.

This should have the effect of increasing ad revenue for all gun bloggers, if just a little bit. And hopefully give advertisers who wish to target gun blogs an easy means of doing so.

Another gun blog service brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood SayUncle.

I’ve yammered in the past about how some insurance companies won’t insure politically correct dogs or at least jack the rates up. Reader Corey emails these links:

Bank rate has a list of 11 dogs that could raise your insurance.

Paw-rescue discusses the issue and lists insurance companies that are dog friendly:

Here are some companies that pet owners report are dog-friendly and tend not to discriminate by breed: State Farm, Farmers Insurance Group, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, United Services Automobile Association, Erie, Fireman-s Fund, Kemper, Chubb Group, Allstate and Safeco Corp.

And the American Veterinary Medical Association has a tale of an insurance company dropping a customer over their dog.

NBC, who has advocated gun control in the past to the point of misleading its viewers, hired armed guards to protect their reporters:

NBC News has sent private security personnel to the increasingly dicey Gulf Coast region to help keep its employees safe while covering the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The private security officers, usually former soldiers or police, are licensed to carry firearms and are trained to keep the situation under control so that journalists can do their jobs safely. That’s becoming increasingly difficult in New Orleans and in Gulfport, Miss., where there aren’t enough police or National Guardsmen to keep the streets safe.

Lame. I wonder if those dudes are carrying assault weapons?

Be back later. Meanwhile, read these articles on guns and disaster preparedness:

Les on emergency supplies

Les on post-Katrina gun sales

Zendo Deb on a disaster gun

The Geek on just in case guns

Insty on lessons learned

And the local liberal message board has folks mulling their gun choices. I respond on page 2.

Arnold Schwarzenegger may veto the gay marriage bill. Guess he has to do something to appear all conservative and stuff.

Gratuitous horn tooting: One day short of a year ago, I wrote:

The NRA is confident the ban will expire. And, since no gun control has passed in this country without their approval since 1934, I’d say the fix is in.

I was Googling some stuff up when I found the The NRA Fact Sheet on The Top 10 Reasons The Clinton Gun Ban Was Allowed To Expire.

If you look at the bottom of the page, it says:

Posted: 9/10/2004

That was three days before the ban expired. They did know the fix was in.

Update: Stupid Uncle, they went in to recess on 9/6.