Gene Patterson talks about how May Sweeps wrapped up for WATE:

In the months and years ahead, we’ll continue to investigate the stories we feel are important to East Tennesseans and we’ll deliver them in a clear and straight forward manner.

Good, I hope so. Because last year’s sweeps month contained some hard-hitting investigation of bootie juice.

Via bitter, this anti-gun cartoon is disgusting.

I said the recent shooting would result in calls for bans on weapons that look like assault weapons. And demonizing them. I was right. Countertop says it’s bullshit.

So, I let this lefty libertarian start blogging here and apparently some folks took offense to that. Not sure why. All he did was introduce himself and post a cool pic of an explosion. Then he was pounced on. Sort of uncalled for, if you ask me. If you disagree with someone, that’s cool. Let them know that by debating. But no need to stop reading (I’m still here) or accuse me of selling out. If I were to sell out, I’d do like all the other blogs and start playing technorati games by linking to the popular posts at the huge blogs. But that’s not my style. Never has been. I don’t buy ads. I don’t send mass emails (except on a rare occasion). I don’t do marketing. I made this site without any of that. My readers found me. And my readers range from conservative to liberal to libertarian to Libertarian to mild-mannered anarchists to moonbats. And I am cool with that.

A little lefty libertarian never hurt anyone. And if you think about it, they’re the ones that generally folks with my political bent actually have a chance of talking some sense in to.

One of the things about this site is that there are readers and authors here with varying political views. We discuss those things here and usually do so with no major issues. As Jon said in comments there:

One of the things I *really* enjoy about SU’s site is the good discussions and arguments I’ve participated (and lurked) in the comments.

That’s rather the point, don’t you think? Change some minds, get some perspective. In case you’ve not noticed, I am not one to toe a party line. I’ll tell those on the left and those on the right and those in the middle when I think they’re full of shit. I’ve been known to change my mind on occasion. And that has come from this site and discussions with you folks. So, when someone says they’re not going to read and may be back sometime, it disappoints me. And when someone accuses me of selling out, I’m not sure why. I sold out long ago by selling ads. Inviting someone with a different perspective to the discussion, I thought, would be a good thing. I still do.

Now, I’d like all the readers to agree with everything everyone says and for us to all hold hands, have a coke and a smile, and smoke some dope while singing Kumbaya. But that would be boring. No challenge. No entertainment. Posts would go like this: I’d post something witty and insightful. You’d all comment indeed. And we’d get bored.

It’d be cool if everyone liked me and all the other folks that post here, but it isn’t necessary.

Remember, I do this to entertain me. Not you.

Update: And so we’re clear, I have several positions that the typical reader here wouldn’t agree with. For example, I think:

Abortion should be legal (yeah it sucks, but the alternative is worse).

We should declare victory in the war on drugs and release the prisoners (as Chuck would say).

I’m against the death penalty.

Though I initially was one of the more ardent supporters of the war in Iraq, it is becoming increasingly clear that it is (at best) a clusterfuck.

All for gay marriage. In the eyes of the state, it’s just a contract between consenting folks. Who cares if it’s two dudes or not?

ID/Creationism don’t belong in school. And neither one is science.

But why stop there, let’s annoy the lefty readers to:

Free markets rock and hands down beat any other economic system.

I do believe in God and Jesus (though I’m not sure who this holy spirit person is, no one is).

Americans pay too much in taxes at all levels.

ANWR: If capping a few moose will lessen our dependance on foreign oil, then it’s time to cap some moose.

Kyoto: waste of money.

Spank kids.

Eliminate medicare and social security. And give me my money back

I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon than see Hillary Clinton as president.

I like guns and everyone should have them, even felons and poor people.

If you think capitalism is evil, you’re a loon

Many times, government is the problem

And, heck, while we’re at it let’s piss off Libertarians:

America’s foreign policy cannot consist of not having a foreign policy.

We needs roads, public education and welfare. The best means for that is the government, at least for now. Deal with it.

No, you can’t have nukes and I’m cool with that.

A political platform cannot consist of eliminating every thing the .gov does and be viable or smart.

The free market is cool, but it probably won’t make sure the meat I feed my baby is properly inspected

The free market also doesn’t do a great job of taking care of workers

For the moonbats, George Bush was elected. Twice. Get over it.

For everyone else:

Less filling.

Boxer briefs.

Pepsi.

The AR is better than the AK.

There, are we all good and pissed now? Come back if you want, I’ll be here. Talking about guns, probably.

To Les and family on their new arrival.

Heh.

The carnival of cordite is up for your gun blogging fix.

First phones, now this:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants U.S. Internet providers to retain Web address records for up to two years to aid investigations into terrorism and pornography [one of these things is not like the other – ed.], a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The request came during a May 26 meeting between U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and

FBI Director Robert Mueller with top executives at companies like Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Time Warner Inc.’s AOL.

“I think there is less of a willingness to passively go along with this type of request than there might have been a year ago,” said the source, mentioning the recent uproar over a report that telephone companies had provided call records to the National Security Agency.

A Justice Department spokesman confirmed the meeting but was not immediately available to comment on how long law enforcement officials wanted the records retained.

Down the memory hole. That’ll teach me to sell subdomains. Of course, that paid more than one year of Google ads.

In Cali:

Police may enter Californians’ homes without warrants to arrest those suspected of driving under the influence, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a case testing the scope of the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

The 6-1 decision follows similar rulings in about a dozen other states. A dissenting justice said the majority handed authorities a “free pass” to unlawfully enter private homes and arrest people without warrants.

I’m not sure the details of the case (yet) but it seems a bit troubling to me. Oh, that bastardized fourth amendment.

Update: missed this earlier due to ads:

The case concerned the 2003 Santa Barbara arrest of Daniel Thompson, whom a neighbor suspected was driving drunk and notified authorities. They found a parked car matching the description the neighbor provided and went to the front door of the adjoining residence during a summer evening.

The door was open and a woman said the car’s driver was asleep. Moments later, Thompson walked by the officers and they entered the house and arrested him. The neighbor confirmed it was the person she suspected of driving intoxicated and throwing an empty vodka bottle out the car door.

Thompson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.21, almost three times the legal limit for driving. He was convicted and handed a three-year suspended sentence. He appealed.

Yeah, that’s troubling.

Jim, in comments at NIT, says:

It’s [WATE’s Blog] temporarily down because of a denial of service attack. Our ISP is working on it.

Looks like it’s back up.

I like Brittney and read her blog. But every once in a while her closet moonbat pokes it’s head out.

Aunt B. on The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned from the Libertarians:

The government does not grant us rights. Rights are inherent to us and we lend the government the power to constrain some of those rights so that we can function as a society–we delegate power to the government. But the government doesn’t inherently have power, especially not the power to grant us rights.

Well, sort of. Some rights we do not delegate to the .gov but they seem to take them willy-nilly. I think the only amendment in the bill of rights that hasn’t been completely bastardized for political convenience is number 3. I’d recommend that Aunt B. also read One Thing.

Over at Drug War Rant.

The NRA has a fact sheet on it. They seem down on the Gun Control Acts of 1968 and 1986, which is odd since they passed with the NRA’s support.

There is no gun database:

Provision and Maintenance of NICS Records-

(1) DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make available to the Attorney General–

(A) records, updated not less than quarterly, which are relevant to a determination of whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, for use in background checks performed by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and

(B) information regarding all the persons described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph who have changed their status to a category not identified under section 922(g)(5) of title 18, United States Code, for removal, when applicable, from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

In case Thomas is messed up, it’s bill H.R. 1415.

Just give your hard drives to Best Buy:

A year ago, Henry and Roma Gerbus took their computer to Best Buy in Springfield Township to have its hard drive replaced.

Henry Gerbus said Best Buy assured him the computer’s old hard drive — loaded with personal information — would be destroyed.

“They said rest assured. They drill holes in it so it’s useless,” said Gerbus.

A few months ago, Gerbus got a phone call from a man in Chicago.

“He said, ‘My name is Ed. I just bought your hard drive for $25 at a flea market in Chicago,'” said Gerbus. “I thought my world was coming down.”

Gerbus and his wife had good reason to worry.

A total stranger had access to the couple’s personal information, including
Social Security numbers, bank statements and investment records.

Fortunately, the stranger was nice enough to send it to the guy.

Seven family members were killed in a home invasion.

The AP says:

Foley said it appeared the (sic) at least one assault rifle was used in the killings.

Lots of gunnies often say that we’re one senseless killing away from a renewed push for a ban on weapons that look like assault weapons. This could be it.

I was building an AR-15 last night and had a problem I’ve never had before. It was a Rock River Arms lower and a DPMS lower parts kit. The pistol grip screw from the parts kit would not fit into the lower receiver. I’m not sure if the pistol grip screw was too big or if the hole for it in the lower was too small.

Any one else ever have that problem?

Simple solution is to get another screw but I just thought it was odd that something was out of spec.

Update: I’m thinking DPMS shipped a screw for an A2 stock instead of a pistol grip.

Nicki looks at the record. Via Jed.

Heh.

Blake is doing it.

When my last blog digs went belly up, Uncle was kind enough to invite me over to continue my assault on the English language. He suggested I begin by introducing myself.

I hate introductions, so I’ll keep it short: I’m a New Yorker by birth, blood and breeding. Politically, I’m some kind of lefty libertarian. I have never pulled a Republican lever. Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to pry your guns from your cold, clammy hands. I have enough of my own.

Uncle opined that his readers like pictures of things going boom, so here’s a shot from last year’s fourth of July:

Thanks to Uncle for the soapbox.

Don’t you hate when you get an instalanche for something you wrote somewhere else?

Bob has the skinny on Tennessee hunting land being taken for political favors. I’m all for the guy keeping trespassers off his land but closing the hunting area seems a bit too much.

Realted to this, R. Neal:

…Howard Dean campaign workers from New England, wearing Birkenstocks and blue jeans and hippie haircuts, are standing in an Iowa living room explaining what is important to rural voters in Iowa and why they should support Dean in the primary. They were talking instead of listening, and lecturing instead of learning. Their attitude seemed condescending and their audience seemed resentful of their presence.

Meanwhile, AC, who is wrong about Schumer, says:

Tennessee will not elect a big “B” in quotation marks “Black” politician. It simply won’t.

Could be.

And this doesn’t help Ford in Tennessee either.

And he’s walking a fine line:

If you are a true liberal, are you not hoppin’ mad that Congressman Ford feels the need to a) pander to the conservative base (what will he do once he’s in the Senate?) and b) pretend that what you feel is important can’t be said in this state? And all this in the quest to get elected.

David Hardy:

I wouldn’t hold my breath on this, but *if* those were straw man buys, then the investigators are caught cold on multiple felonies — and city officials would be on the line for aiding and abetting and for conspiracy. It’d be all the clearer since the modern 4473 requires the buyer to certify that he is buying for himself and not for anyone else, and making a false certification on the 4473 is a felony (under GCA 68 and also under the all-purpose making false statements, 18 USC 1001).

After the rather tame law that supposedly addresses ED abuse, we find that Nashville’s hands are bloody when it comes to property rights:

… today’s Nashville City Paper has a report on a Nashville man whose property was indeed seized by government and handed over to a private developer, short-circuiting the property owner’s own attempt to redevelop the property himself. And the property wasn’t taken for a “public use” – a new school or a road, for example – which is the nomal reason for eminent domain.

Because, while giving AC shit about man on man lovin, she waxes poetic about stuff like the money shot:

I have an unnatural fear of getting cum in my eye.

I mean, how could you not keep reading?

And, it’s a good fear to have. I’ve accidentally shot myself* in the face and it’s not nice. I wasn’t following the four rules of cum safety.

* that’s a joke for those of you who need to be told that sort of thing.

No, not cruel but:

State officials says it’s much easier to find out if deadbeat parents have hunting and fishing licenses since the wildlife agency began requiring social security numbers.

More than 1,000 parents behind in their child support have now been caught with the Human Services Department and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency sharing information.

Hunting and fishing licenses are revoked when a parent owes at least $500 in child support and is late on a payment by more than 90 days.

Mass data integration and you!