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Saturday, October 27, 2007

Cigar and Scotch Night

Sir Winston Churchill, one of my all-time heroes, knew how to enjoy a good cigar and good Scotch. Churchill was always seen with a cigar in his mouth. And his biographer says that he drank a pint of Scotch whiskey each night.

After some of the concepts I have considered and written about this evening, I can think of no better way to end the day than with a fine Fuentes cigar and some Dewar's Scotch....a great combination to help one forget the existential angst of living in the modern world...

Maybe Ron Paul Needs a Second Look

A faithful reader of The Liberty Sphere, whose opinion I have come to value, has made up his mind to support Ron Paul for President. Normally I would simply chalk up such a thing to differences of opinion and move on.

But perhaps Ron Paul deserves a second look.

This is not to say I am on the brink of endorsing Mr. Paul, though I would not hesitate to vote for him if he is the GOP nominee. I simply believe that such a prospect is a long shot at best.

Mr. Paul, no doubt, has some credible ideas that have their basis in Jeffersonian thought. And there is no doubt that he is perhaps the lone voice of Constitutional reverence and adherence in American politics today.

No doubt Mr. Paul appeals to a broad cross-section of American voters in both Parties who want us out of Iraq. But most of those respondents state that they want our withdrawal contingent upon a plan to make the region stable and America the clear winner.

Mr. Paul does not hint that he is willing to give us such a plan. The only thing he has said, essentially, is that just as we entered Iraq we can simply leave Iraq.

It is much more complicated than that, however.

Further, Mr. Paul receives high marks for his contention that the Constitution mandates a declaration of war by Congress before U.S. troops can be sent into battle. Generally this is true, but the War Powers Act gives Presidents more leeway than that in a world in which split-second decisions can make the difference between life and death for millions of Americans.

Fred Thompson has also stated he would go to Congress before committing the U.S. military to war, but Thompson recognizes the prudence of the provisions of the War Powers Act in the modern era.

It is unclear if Mr. Paul grasps the extreme importance of a U.S. President being willing to act quickly under the provisions of the War Powers Act without being given the go-ahead from Congress first. In a world filled with terrorism it is unrealistic to expect the President as Commander in Chief to wait until Congress deliberates and gives its approval in the event of a major terrorist attack against Americans.

Those wasted hours could mean the horrifying loss of thousands, if not millions, of lives.

In addition, Mr. Paul gains much support due to his support of the Second Amendment. But he is not the only GOP candidate who has the credentials to speak with credibility on the subject of gun rights. Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, and Fred Thompson in particular are staunch supporters of the citizens' right to keep and bear firearms.

As I have often stated, I am by no means anti-Ron Paul. There is much about the candidate that can be praised and admired. Yet there are numerous pitfalls as well. Until I get answers to my questions about the issues raised here, I am still unconvinced that he is the best candidate to go head-to-head against Hillary Clinton.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/26/07


Images courtesy of A Human Right.

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs has the complete scoop on the arson-terrorist connection with regard to the California fires:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2007/10/firefighters-wa.html

A Keyboard and a .45 has the latest news about the Empty Holster Protest in Texas:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/10/unt-students-participate-in-national.html

Alphecca blogs on 'wheel guns':
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=491

Say Uncle gives us a Parker/Heller update:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/10/26/parkerheller_update-7/

Snow Flakes in Hell is worried about Republican fundraising efforts, and the prospects for the 2008 election:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=1788

Have you seen the sickening and enraging comment the Brady Bunch made about college students who want the right to carry guns? The War on Guns has it here:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/10/campus-diversity-brady-style.html

Red's Trading Post has the late-breaking news of the bumbling idiots at the ATF, who lost over 500 records of gun businesses:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/10/breaking-news-atf-loses-over-500.html

Nicki at The Liberty Zone blogs about a woman she would like to see leave America:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-would-like-to-see-her-leave-america.html

Nicki also posts these comments on the Bastard (my term for B. Hussein Obama):
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/obama-i-would-take-up-arms-myself-to.html

Tam reports that the Democrat-controlled U.S. House has passed H.R. 1955, which essentially makes all of us terrorists:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/were-all-terrorists-now.html

Cameron Bailey points to an important article on American companies helping totalitarian regimes around the world censure their citizens:
http://www.cameron-bailey.com/2007/10/censoring-internet.html

The Bitch Girls show us an example of the anti-gun ads running in Virginia:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7535

Dustin's Gun Blog has an excellent read on Americans finding out the truth about gun control:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/good-news-americans-are-finding-out.html

Breda says that apparently someone in Iran has a fetish:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/visit-2916.html

Mike McCarville reports that the Democrats are lamenting about this:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/democrats-losing-battle-for-voters.html

In case you missed it, Xavier Thoughts has the story on the MSM-bitch who was suspended for her treatment of the man who shot some vermin in self-defense:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/10/aguilar-speaks.html

In case you're interested in these sorts of things, a potentially deadly strain of drug-resistant staph has shown up in a South Carolina school district:
http://carolinacountryside.blogspot.com/2007/10/greenwood-school-district-has-deadly.html

Send In the Clowns

It's time, ladies and gentlemen, to send in the clowns. Wait. Don't bother. They're here.

Congressional Democrats this week have displayed yet another clown show for your entertainment. First, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid suggested that the fires in California are the result of global warming.

What a scream. The head clown knows that arson has been identified as the culprit, and the arsonist(s) is a suspected terrorist.

That's right. The massive, devastating fires in California may be the work of terrorists with ties to overseas organizations that are forever devising means to kill us. Yet funny man Harry Reid thinks it's global warming. What a sense of humor.

But that's not all. Those wascally wabbit Democrats in Congress think the fires in California are the perfect vehicle by which to resurrect SCHIP--the massive government program that gives health insurance to 'impoverished' kids from families that make up to $80,000 per year.

I am laughing so hard I can't breath. Send the paramedics! I need oxygen!

And to top it off, the very fact that they are using the fires that are occurring in some of the most affluent portions of California to justify an expansion of government nanny-care to poor children had me rolling in the floor, writhing in pain, attempting to control my incessant giggling.

Are we to expect the fires in California's elite communities to result in proposals from the Democrats to expand SCHIP to cover children from families with incomes up to one million bucks per year?

One of them even said a vote against SCHIP for the children of elites is a vote against Jesus!

Holy Moly! The guffaws are now uncontrollable.

This is not to mention that Hillary Clinton stated she supports the Second Amendment. Joe Biden and Barack Obama said the same thing. And Billy Richardson wants us to forget what he said during the first Democratic debate about taking guns out of the hands of certain citizens based upon some medical diagnosis, all at the whim of some psychiatrist, of course.

Snicker. These little stinkers are such sly ones! Why were they not around during Vaudeville?

And to think that just last week Nancy Pelosi insulted millions of Eagle Scouts and their families by supporting a move to delete God from the documentation of the flying of a flag at the Capitol, a Democratic leader leaked an email that alienated millions of NASCAR fans by implying government workers need shots to protect them from oozing sores and warts before going to a race, and Hillary Clinton stated she wants to give every boy, girl, man, and woman in America a thousand bucks.

Not only am I rolling in the aisles, laughing uncontrollably, and losing my breath, but I am on the brink of passing out.

My friends, with a clown show like this, who needs the circus? Send me some popcorn, coca-cola, and milk duds. I'm having a ball.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/25/07

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The McCarville Report has the latest news on the now-nation-wide story of the Quran being given to Oklahoma lawmakers. It seems that Council that is behind the thing has a Muslim agenda:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/blogger-bates-examines-councils-muslim.html

The Jet Pilot has an update on the officer who inappropriately touched a female high school student:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/10/guilty.html

Alphecca tells us about the idiot of the day:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=488

Armed and Safe reports the latest drivel from a writer in the New York Daily News:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/10/due-process-we-dont-need-no-steenking.html

Of Arms and the Law says that the 'Empty Holster Protest' is getting good national coverage from Fox News:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/10/empty_holsters_1.php

Oscar Poppa has a critically important and sobering question to consider:
http://oscarpoppa.us/?p=739

Red's Trading Post says that the ATF has been rebuked for shutting down dealers due to record keeping errors:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/10/atf-is-rebuked-for-shutting-down.html

Say Uncle posts more ATF woes here:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/10/25/more_atf_woes-6/

You just gotta see this! Sharp as a Marble posts, 'Who Needs Rights, Anyway?':
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/25/Who-needs-rights-anyway.aspx

Snow Flakes in Hell posts a video of Mike Huckabee coming on strong on the Second Amendment:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=1780

Breda has an interesting read entitled, 'Grocery Store Submission':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/grocery-store-submission.html

Nicki at The Liberty Zone takes to task a clueless bitch:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/this-bitch-needs-clue.html

The Ninth Stage makes an excellent point about PSH at college campuses--'we only allow guns on campus for murder and mayhem':
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/10/25/i-keep-reading-these-statements/

Take a look at a post entitled, 'Compromise,' by David Codrea at War on Guns:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/10/compromise.html

Tam at a View from the Porch has a confession of a 'heartless weasel.' I agree, so I guess that makes me a heartless weasel too:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/confession-of-heartless-weasel.html

Michelle Malkin reports that the Democratic sons of bitches are using the California fires to resurrect SCHIP....and the certified lunatic stated that 'a vote against SCHIP is a vote against Jesus.' I need so quit right now before I go on a tirade that will convince all my friends that I have truly lost all my religion:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/24/playing-fire-with-s-chip/

Law Enforcement Gets Snarky About SC Gun Laws

No sooner had a South Carolina homeowner exercised his Constitutional rights to self-defense by shooting two burglars during a home invasion than local law enforcement decides to get snarky--and misleading--concerning the law.

Early Tuesday morning Lamont Dawkins shot and wounded two burglars who broke into his home at 4 AM. The two men were arrested and charged with burglary after showing up with gunshot wounds at a local hospital.

Local law enforcement officials were quick to state that Dawkins would not be charged with any crime in the incident.

Yet when interviewed by local mainstream media reporters a law enforcement official stated that 'homeowners should avoid using deadly force and dial 911 in most circumstances.'

Perhaps the local police need a refresher course on the specifics of South Carolina law when it comes to self-defense. The law states that residents of SC have the right to use deadly force if they feel their lives are endangered at home, at work, or in their vehicles. Further, citizen-victims are protected against lawsuits brought by perpetrators or their families.

Never once did the law enforcement officer mention South Carolina's clear laws on self-defense and deadly force.

This seems to be the modus operandi of 'the only ones' in this area of the country. Not long ago the Sheriff of Spartanburg County spoke to a group of citizens in Boiling Springs concerning the very same issue. He stated, 'If the burglar is in the process of fleeing the scene in your home, you should not shoot.'

Excuse me, Mr. Almighty One, but the law does NOT say that. Further, what is to prevent the fleeing burglar from changing his mind, turning around, and blowing the homeowner to smithereens?

Perhaps South Carolina is in the same boat as Texas which, despite laws passed by the legislature, is subject to the whims of local law enforcement and district attorneys who decide they are above the law and proceed to prosecute homeowners who use deadly force to defend their lives and property.

If this is the case, The Liberty Sphere will be watching. And each time law enforcement shows its ignorance, flying in the face of state law, we will expose it right here.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/24/07


Images courtesy of A Human Right.

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Mike McCarville has been reporting this week that copies of the Quran have been sent to all Oklahoma politicians. Most have refused, except for one. Andrew Rice, who is running against Jim Inhofe, R-OK, has accepted his copy, thus embracing values that most Americans deplore:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/andrew-rice-embraces-quran-17-now.html

Mike also reports that U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-OK, has blasted the U.N. on its 62nd anniversary (let's give a standing ovation to Coburn!):
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/coburn-rips-u-n-on-its-62nd-anniversary.html

Snow Flakes in Hell provides commentary today on the Philadelphia Inquirer, which remains, as always, clueless:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=1773

Cap'n Bob has a pic of some flying brass, courtesy of his lovely wife, Damsel:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/10/24/flyin-brass/

The lovely Nicki over at The Liberty Zone is preparing to leave Kosovo for the states, after completing her mission with the U.S. military:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/ok-enough-sarcasm-for-one-day.html

Nicki also provides good commentary on the PSH surrounding a man who owns 600 guns:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/lots-of-guns-waaaah.html

Sharp as a Marble says that a journalist has been jailed for having a gun on school property:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/24/Authorized-Journalist--Meet-an-Only-One.aspx

The War on Guns blogs about a Philadelphia woman who has more money than brains when it comes to guns:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/10/as-easy-to-get-as-water-ice.html

The Bitch Girls note that the issue of guns has been carefully kept out of the Presidential campaigns:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7527

Congratulations are in order to Jeff Soyer of Alphecca:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=485

Ever wanna shoot a pink rifle? Breda has a pic of a man who discovers his feminine side:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/strong-enough-for-man.html

Tam has interesting reading today entitled, 'As the World Burns':
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/as-world-burns.html

Ryan at Red's Trading Post has a letter he received from Mitt Romney, which needs some bigtime clarification:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/10/mitt-please-clarify-what-extreme.html

Armed and Safe has more PSH from a 'gun supervision activist':
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-hysteria-from-our-gun-supervision.html

Michelle Malkin gives us a late-breaking update on the Dream Act, as Dems try to ram amnesty for illegals down our throats:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/24/dream-act-update/

The Buckeye Firearms Association reports that Ohio has made national news in the nationwide 'Empty Holster Protest' led by college students who support the right to carry on campus:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4013.html

Today's MUST-read is from our favorite intellectual, Walter Williams, professor of economics at George Mason University, who writes on Congressional Constitutional Contempt:
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/07/congressionalconstitutionalcontempt.htm

South Carolina Man Shoots Two Burglars

Lamont Dawkins of Spartanburg, South Carolina was sleeping peacefully in his home early Tuesday morning when he heard noise coming from the backdoor. It did not take long for Dawkins to realize that his home was being invaded.

Arising from bed, Dawkins instinctively went to his closet and reached for his gun.

As Dawkins made his way through his dark home he found himself face-to-face with two men dressed in black. Dawkins fired his gun at the burglars, wounding both.

The two men fled.

As police investigators were searching the Dawkins home for evidence, a local hospital was treating two men with gunshot wounds in its emergency department. The medical staff at Mary Black Memorial Hospital in Spartanburg became suspicious concerning the nature of the wounds and the story the two men told concerning how they sustained those wounds.

The hospital called police. The officers who were dispatched to the hospital ER discovered that the nature of the gunshot wounds on the two men fit the description that Dawkins gave police concerning the shots he fired.

The two men were placed under arrest and charged with burglary.

As for Dawkins, the homeowner states that he did not intend to hurt anyone but that he was placed in a position where it was the only course of action he could take.

Police state that no charges will be filed against Dawkins. In fact, South Carolina law is very clear about these kinds of incidents. According to SC law, citizens have the right to use deadly force if they feel their lives are threatened at home, at work, or in their vehicles. The law further states that citizens who use deadly force in these circumstances are protected against lawsuits filed by perpetrators or their families.

Thus, South Carolina has one of the strongest Castle Doctrine-self defense laws in the nation, similar to measures recently approved in Texas.

Every state in the nation should have such laws.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/23/07


Images courtesy of A Human Right.

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

We start with the Breda Fallacy today, who shows us that there are legs, and then there are legs...artwork included:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/alternative-beauty.html

A View from the Porch has an entry today entitled, 'Today in History--The Long War':
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/today-in-history-long-war.html

Michelle Malkin alerts us to the latest move of the Democrats in passing an amnesty plan for illegal aliens...they are going to ram the 'Dream Act' down our throats:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/23/shamnesty-alert-dems-prepare-to-ram-dream-act-through-with-cloture-vote/

John Lott reports that a concealed carry holder in Norcross, Georgia stopped what would have been a multiple shooting:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/10/georgia-concealed-carry-holder-stops.html

This is great publicity. Buckeye Firearms Association says that the Cincinnati CBS affiliate is doing a special report on the nationwide 'Empty Holster Protest' this week, initiated by college students who support the right to carry on campus:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4011.html

The Volokh Conspiracy confirms what I have been saying all along about ethanol--it is a risky, precarious, and even immoral way to go:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_10_21-2007_10_27.shtml#1193148081

The Bitch Girls say that these kinds of people have no business being in education, and I agree:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7525

Traction Control points to an expose showing that Mitt Romney is no friend of gun owners:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=730

Gosh-a-Moses! The Ninth Stage has this on hot women shooting guns:
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/10/22/hot-women-shooting-guns/

Alphecca has the latest on the Hillary Bitch, and I agree 100%:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=484

Of Arms and the Law says that the University of Kentucky gave the Empty Holster Protest a fair shake, which is greatly appreciated:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/10/empty_holsters.php

Blogstitution has good reading on Nancy Pelosi's attempt to reprimand the Turkish government:
http://www.blogstitution.com/2007/10/23/good-times-better-times-worst-possible-time/

Did you hear that the Hillary Bitch wanted to earmark ONE MILLION DOLLARS for a Woodstock Museum? The most beautiful blond on earth, Blonde Sagacity, has the story here:
http://mobyrebuttal.blogspot.com/2007/10/2-pts-for-mccain.html

Robb Allen at Sharp as a Marble has the quote of the day:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/23/Quote-of-the-day--Stealing-my-own-edition.aspx

Nicki at the Liberty Zone has an excellent analysis of the problem of the liberal wing of Christianity. In the U.K. leftist church goers think guns and violence are top priorities for action:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/when-all-else-fails-pray.html

The Fred Watch--Tuesday, Oct. 23

Republican Presidential hopeful Fred Thompson defended his campaigning practices on Monday amid criticism from the mainstream media and political operatives that perhaps the candidate is 'lazy.'

Thompson countered that he is running a campaign that flies in the face of 'conventional wisdom,' which is more often than not set by media types who wish to shape candidacies into a mold that they can then control.

Nothing doing, says Thompson. 'I will run my campaign the way I want to do it,' he quipped.

Indeed. Thompson cut short his remarks to a GOP gathering in Florida on Saturday and cancelled a scheduled news conference. Yet he hit the ground running during Sunday's GOP debate, during which he castigated both Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani for their liberal records.

Thompson is a different kind of candidate for a different kind of era in politics. In today's climate it is unrealistic to expect candidates to do the New Hampshire-Iowa thing of back-slapping when other states hold primaries every bit as important, if not more so.

This is not to say that personal contact with the voters is not important. And Thompson emphasized that he has been to Florida four times in addition to multiple visits to other states.

Despite New Hampshire voters being miffed that Thompson has not been going door-to-door for weeks on end, he has visited New Hampshire, making personal contact in gun shops and local eateries.

Two points to keep in mind. One, perhaps Thompson is aware that too much useless talk to the media is a waste of time, thus making it possible for him to cancel news conferences when he thinks it is appropriate. Two, perhaps having a Presidential candidate who knows when to stop talking and leave the stage is a good thing. Heaven knows in politics we have had too much talk and not enough action.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Second Amendment News Roundup for 10/22/07

Focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The McCarville Report says that blogger Matt Drudge of the Drudge Report has made it to the front page of the New York Times:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/10/power-of-blogosphere-drudge-in-ny-times.html

Alphecca reports that CCW permits are up in Bolder, Colorado, but the local media still doesn't get it:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=482

Alphecca also has this update on the upcoming empty holster protest by college students:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=481

It seems that Big Brother has yet another term in the newspeak dictionary. Armed and Safe tells us about 'gun supervision activists':
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/10/now-heres-new-term-for-citizen.html

Cap'n Bob shares with us a close-up photo of his Smith & Wesson 442 .38 Special:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/10/21/an-excellent-shooting-day/

David Hardy at Of Arms and the Law comments on the new Governor of Louisiana--gun owners should be pleased:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/10/strange_happeni.php

Oscar Poppa issues an important counterfeit warning:
http://oscarpoppa.us/?p=733

Red's Trading Post has this gem entitled, 'The Hypocrisy of the ATF':
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/10/hypocrisy-of-atf.html

Sharp as a Marble reports that the antis have rolled out their objectives and their plan of action to meet those objectives:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/10/22/Fisking-fiscal-objectives.aspx

The Bitch Girls report the latest news on Ron Paul's poll numbers:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7520

The Breda Fallacy has an interesting link concerning B. Hussein Obama--the leftwing, America-hating idiot (and if Dems get their way he will either be your next President or Vice President):
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/10/b-hussein-obama.html

And since I am already riled up worse than a wet hen, here is yet another story that should get your blood pumping...from The Liberty Zone:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/10/oh-yeah-baby.html

And to top it off, the Ninth Stage has this enraging piece about Oklahoma and petitions:
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/10/21/you-cannot-petition-the-lord-with-prayer/

The War on Guns gives us a complete Wayne Fincher update:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/10/wayne-fincher-update-transcripts.html

Tam at A View From the Porch has a post that says it all--'Wild Monkeys Attack Government Official'--or maybe that should be 'wild monkeys attack wild monkeys':
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-good-start.html

Xavier Thoughts has the complete scoop on the Empty Holster Protest this week, sponsored by Students for Concealed Carry on Campus:
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/10/conceal-carry-on-college-campus.html

John Lott presents the perfect reason we should arm teachers:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/10/this-is-why-we-need-to-arm-teachers.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association says that the California Microstamping Law could have dramatic nationwide repercussions:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4008.html

The Fred Watch: The Oct. 21 GOP Debate

The Liberty Sphere has been keeping its ever-keen eye on Fred Thompson of late, checking to see if there is anything to the rumors that his campaign is faltering.

Based upon the Oct. 21 Fox News-GOP Presidential debate, we would assess that Thompson exhibited great strength and resolve, often going on the attack against the two who have made the most noise, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.

The only thing we have to say about Thompson's offensive is that it's about time. Both Rudy and Mitt are long overdue an accounting for their positions on various issues through the years.

And no amount of verbal calisthenics can change or hide their record.

Thompson even suggested that Romney's positions have sometimes been to the left of Ted Kennedy, of all people. And regarding Giuliani, Thompson castigated the former Mayor for his support for federal funding of abortion, his support for ultra-liberal Democrat Mario Cuomo for Governor of New York, and his support for gun control.

These are all issues with which GOP voters need to begin to hold Giuliani accountable. The same can be said for Romney.

The bottom line? The Thompson campaign is nowhere near faltering. The Senator has his own unique style that may at times be fodder for critics with a vested interest in seeing him falter--such as Ron Paul supporters and even the Giuliani and Romney campaigns.

If anything, Thompson demonstrated that he is Presidential material, a serious contender for the White House, and quite possibly the most electable candidate among the GOP contenders.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

GOP Picture Grows Murky

With U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, out of the race for the White House, the question becomes where will social conservatives go.

It is not as if they had no other options than Brownback. But the social conservatives have been split between several candidates, and with one of them gone the others stand to gain.

Several of the current GOP Presidential hopefuls could potentially benefit from Brownback's departure, given their pro-life stance. These include Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney.

Even John McCain could benefit, given his lifelong support of right-to-life.

Giuliani's front-runner status in national polls cannot be trusted at this point, given that the numbers have tended to swing wildly.

Currently some polls show Giuliani with a 10-point lead over 2nd place contender Fred Thompson. Yet Giuliani's problems are mounting with some of his views on social issues.

Further, some GOP activists are beginning to openly question the Fred Thompson candidacy. It seems that more than a few of the GOP faithful were miffed that Thompson gave a very short speech to a forum in Florida on Saturday, in contrast to the other candidates.

Thompson spoke for only a few minutes and then abruptly left the stage, leaving many scratching their heads.

In one of the early primary states, South Carolina, the field of front-runners is getting crowded. Thompson, Huckabee, and Romney are within the margin of error to be considered a statistical tie.

Both Romney and Giuliani are counting on the early primaries to gain traction, such as Iowa and Florida. Romney leads in Iowa while Giuliani leads in Florida. Yet Giuliani polled a dismal eighth at a GOP forum in D.C. early in the day on Saturday.

Does this mean that a truly dark horse could come galloping to the front to save the day? Ron Paul waits in the wings despite the nervousness many GOP operatives feel about his candidacy.

The mere fact that the GOP field is this murkey with a little over 2 months to go to the primary season is reason to believe that the field is wide-open.