Some Straight Talk for America's Critics

I don't know about you, but I am tired of the current President's world-apology-for-America tours. It's time for some straight talk to America's critics.

And this is precisely what I provide today at Columbia Conservative Examiner.

In this column I point to some difficult truths, but truths that must be recognized nonetheless, no matter how painful they may be.

Let's have some good, old fashioned 'American exceptionalism,' shall we?

What Barack Has Withheld From the Public

As I was watching an Obama love-fest the other evening on CNN with Anderson Cooper, the question was asked by Mr. Cooper, 'So what's wrong with Obama wanting to help improve education by working with and funding the work of William Ayers?'

It's all about education, isn't it, Mr. Cooper?

Uh, actually, no!

Ayers' work in education has but one goal--to lay the groundwork for revolution by brainwashing children during their formative years. Ayers never renounced being a radical and never expressed remorse for planting bombs at the Pentagon and the Capitol building.

Yet Obama and the mainstream reporters continue to try to legitimize Ayers by saying, 'He is now a university professor in Chicago.'

Ahem.

Guess where most of the extremist, anti-American rhetoric originates in America today? In major universities! And Ayers' work in education is designed to teach extremism to America's youth and indoctrinate them in the theory of social and political revolution.

National Review has thoroughly researched Bill Ayers and Barack Obama, and the verdict is that Barack hides much of his dealings with the terrorist. He ALSO hides his years as a student at Columbia where he sought out and was mentored by some of the most extremist, Communist radicals in the world.

The article in the Review makes it clear that there is a huge chunk of Barack's life that he has taken great pains to carefully hide from the public. WHY?

You be the judge. But one thing is certain. He would never get elected if mainstream Americans knew the real truth.

Petition to Impeach Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago

Yes, my friends, the Constitution contains a provision to remove Senators and Representatives from office without a vote from their constituents. Just as Presidents can be impeached, so can Senators and Congressmen.

A petition is being circulated to call for the impeachment of Senator Barack Obama on charges of high corruption in office.

Not only is the Illinois junior Senator from Chicago, but his style of governing has more than fit the profile for the typical corrupt Chicago politician, complete with shady dealings with shadowy gangster-type figures, leftwing ministers who preach 'God damn America,' and even those with known connections to terrorists.

The petition spells out in detail all of the problems associated with a Barack Obama candidacy for President, not to mention that he is unfit to even serve as a U.S. Senator.

Click HERE for full information about the petition.

Barack 'The Trainwreck Waiting to Happen' Obama

Let's cut to the chase and get right down to the facts, shall we? Obama is a trainwreck waiting to happen, and here are the reasons:

• On energy policy and the amount you spend on gasoline, Obama would raise the gasoline tax, create a windfall profits tax on oil companies, which they would pass along to you, and mandate the type autos you drive and what you set your thermostat on inside your home.
• He is against offshore oil drilling to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, against expanded refinery capacity, and against building new refineries.
• He is against nuclear power, coal, expanding the building of windmills, and halting the rush toward ethanol which has created a world-wide food crisis and astronomical grocery prices.

When it comes to Americans' right to self-defense,

• Obama voted at least 4 times to criminalize homeowners who used guns to defend their lives and the lives of their families against intruders.
• He repeatedly stated he was all for the D.C. handgun ban, but when the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down, he said he was 'against it all along.'

When it comes to abortion and infanticide,

• Obama voted in Illinois to deny medical care to infants that had survived botched abortion attempts.

On the Iraq War,

• Obama claimed the troop surge was wrong-headed and that we needed to withdraw immediately in 2005, but took down this information from his websites when it became clear the surge is working.
• He wants to withdraw troops from Iraq but send them to Afghanistan. If the 'war is wrong' in Iraq, then why is it not also 'wrong in Afghanistan?'

On the attack on 9/11 and meeting with terrorist leaders in the Middle East, including Hamas and Hizbollah,

• Obama claims terrorist groups have a good point to make about why they consider attacking the U.S. is a good idea.

On dividing Jerusalem between Jews and Palestinians,

• Obama lied to a major Jewish group, stating he was for an undivided Jerusalem under Israeli control,
• But this week stated that he 'misspoke' and that he continues to support a divided Jerusalem with Jews and Palestinians sharing control of the ancient Jewish city.

On taxes,

• Obama would need to raise taxes by 300 million dollars to pay for all of his proposals, not counting his desire to raise gasoline taxes and to start a windfall profits tax on oil companies.
• He has already committed himself to the largest tax increase in U.S. history by opposing the extension of the Bush tax cuts which are set to expire in 2010.

On corruption, scandal, and shady financial dealings,

• Obama's closest associates all seem to be fringe-element frauds, kooks, and criminals, such as Tony Rezko, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, politicians from the oldest and most corrupt political machine in America (Chicago), Father Michael 'Snuffy' Pfleger who said that gun store owners should be 'snuffed out,' George Soros who has bankrolled his campaign by the millions, and many others.

On Border Security,

• Obama told La Raza yesterday that our Border Patrol agents are like terrorists.
• Obama has long supported open borders with complete amnesty for illegal aliens.
• Obama wants illegal aliens to obtain valid U.S. drivers' licenses.
• Obama wants to grant special tuition credits for illegal aliens to attend college in the U.S.

Barack Obama is one of the most dangerous politicians ever to rise to prominence in the history of the United States of America. Who in their right mind would trust this man with the Oval Office?

Obama's Murky Connections with Muslim Extremists

Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama has a long history of associations with persons of dubious character, not the least of which are the likes of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, and Father Michael 'Snuffy' Pfleger.

This may be only the tip of the iceberg, however.

Obama's associations with extremists within the world of Islamofascism should be cause enough to stop any potential supporter dead in their tracks.

It has been common knowledge for quite some time that Obama supports a Palestinian state and a divided Jerusalem. True, Condi Rice supports the same thing, as do others within the Bush administration.

But Obama's attempt to hide his support for such things by claiming before a group of Jews two weeks ago that he 'supports a united Jerusalem under the control of Israel' should give rise to serious questions concerning the candidate's honesty, his blatant duplicity, and his frantic attempts to keep his more extremist views under the cover.

It is no coincidence, then, that the candidate has recently claimed that Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations while at the same time supporting policies that favor both.

And as for Israel, Obama potentially represents one of the most dangerous threats to their existence that has ever proceeded from a major American political figure.

Obama, for example, in answering questions from reporters, stated forthrightly that both Hamas and Hezbollah have 'legitimate goals.' Which goals, exactly, of these two terrorist organizations are legitimate?

The reporter in question never posed a follow-up to allow Obama to explain himself, nor did the reporter flinch when the candidate made that statement--a statement which represents one of the most outlandish and dangerous points of view a potential President could have.

Obama's contention that Hamas and Hezbollah's goals are legitimate is tantamount to claiming that Al Qaeda makes an excellent point about the West, or that the Nazis, after all, had worthy objectives when they came to power in Germany.

These explosive and wildly wrong-headed notions concerning Hamas and Hezbollah were not lost on the two organizations. Both strongly support Barack Obama for President of the United States. This is in spite of Obama's most recent disclaimers during which he claims support for Israel and claims to believe both Hamas and Hezbollah are terrorist organizations.

It seems that the leadership within the two groups know the real score. One leader in particular stated that he understood that Obama had to play the political game by denouncing them and cozying up to Israel, but that they all know that the candidate truly supports their objectives.

This, my friends, is an explosive revelation.

And the notion that Obama privately supports Hamas and Hezbollah is certainly confirmed by his associations through the years in the U.S.

The following is a list of links that will take you to numerous news stories and investigative reports concerning those dubious associations. Some of the research you will find in these links is thorough and exhaustive. Others are brief and more issue-specific.

Take a look if you dare. Those who are interested in the truth and who do not wish to be hypnotized by soaring rhetoric and soothing words of 'change and hope,' rock star charisma, and Messiah-like worship, should want above all to know the story behind the story of this 'new kind of politician' who would be President.

American Thinker:
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/05/post_87.html

No Quarter on Obama and Chavez, and terrorism in Venezuela:
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/05/12/obamas-chavez-communist-hezbollah-hamas-problem/

Rightwing News:
http://www.rightwingnews.com/mt331/2008/04/hamas_endorses_obama_can_hizbo.php

Zimbio:
http://www.zimbio.com/Barack+Obama/articles/940/Barack+Obama+Democrats+Tied+Terrorism+AGAIN

Front Page Magazine:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=36308A44-DF3D-46AD-829A-4F63BA0C52F1

Discover the Networks:
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=1511

Discover the Networks--Barack's World:
http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp?id=800

Obama and Odinga--'We are Taliban' at Atlas Shrugs:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/06/odinga-and-obam.html

Private Investigator Bill Warner's work on Obama and Project Islamic H.O.P.E., many of the leaders of which are linked to and indicted for support for terrorism:
http://wwwwbipicomlink.blogspot.com/2008/06/barak-obamas-photo-still-linked-to.html

The American Spectator on Barack and McPeak:
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12937

Gateway Pundit on Obama's support for Cuban Communist murderer Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and sending Elian Gonzalez back to the Communists:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/outraged-cuban-americans-protest-obama.html

Pin On, Pin Off, Pin On...

It reminds me of the scene from the movie The Karate Kid--'wax on, wax off, wax on, wax off.' Barack Obama can't seem to make up his mind about whether or not he wants to wear a pin of the American Flag on his lapel.

The last time I saw him he was commenting on the death of NBC newsman Tim Russert. Obama was wearing the flag pin on his lapel that day, after having made such a big deal a few months back about taking if off.

One remembers Obama 'waxing' eloquent (no pun intended) as he defended his decision to remove the pin because 'wearing a lapel pin of the flag doesn't make one patriotic.'

But now, apparently, the decision has been made, for one reason or another, to put the pin back on.

If the candidate is attempting to squelch the perception that he is unpatriotic by putting the flag pin back on, it is too late. The damage has already been done.

Tom Hanks Can Take a Flying Leap...

This is precisely why I am vehemently opposed to entertainers publicly endorsing political candidates. As soon as one of our illustrious gold-brick 'stars' think they are important enough that their political opinions matter, I never view that person in the same light, particularly if they endorse someone who is entirely opposed to every single core value I espouse.

For this reason I will never go to see another Tom Hanks movie...ever.

Hanks has endorsed Barack Obama for President. This is too bad because I always thought of Hanks as a decent human being.

Not anymore.

Anyone who can endorse the likes of a gun-grabbing, rights-robbing, tax-raising Socialist like Obama must be a Socialist himself who agrees with the candidate's views. This makes Tom Hanks lower than pond scum in my book.

As far as I'm concerned the actor and others like him can take a flying leap off the highest bridge they can find...

Second Amendment News Roundup for 5/5/08

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

There is an excellent op-ed over at the Buckeye Firearms Association, which explores the fact that liberals should love the 2nd Amendment:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5626

There is so much good reading at the Volokh Conspiracy today that I won't attempt to link to all of them. Just click on the website link below and scroll down for a great discussion about Burkean Conservatism, a proposed statute in Massachusetts that would make it a felony to cheat on one's lover, exam questions and advanced topics in firearms (particularly about the Colt revolver), and the shenanigans of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and the state's Democratic Party:
http://volokh.com/

Did you know that the U.N. has a 'Representative for Disarmament Affairs'? There is a lot most Americans don't know about this subversive organization of anti-freedom, yet we still pay for it. Read this latest scoop on the U.N. from Sebastian:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/05/05/small-arms-threat-to-peace-and-security/

JR has this excellent rundown on several laws passed by the Texas legislature involving firearms:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/05/employer-parking-lots-and-firearms-in.html

Mike McCarville reports that Hillary shot herself in the foot in an Indiana campaign ad highlighting Obama's views on guns:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/clinton-campaign-shoots-self-in-foot.html

Roberta X says that Hillary and Obama suddenly woke up to the importance of the middle class:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/05/suddenly-were-uniquely-special-just.html

Alphecca reports some major discrepancies between the Brady Bunch and the Violence Policy Center on firearms stats:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=750

Say Uncle has the quote of the day:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/05/05/quote-of-the-day-8/

First, Obama took the American flag off of his lapel. Then he refused to place his hand over his heart along with the other Dem candidates when the National Anthem and Pledge were being played/stated. Then we discover his wife and closest friends (and Pastor) are America-haters. Now, Michelle Malkin reports that another radical Obama friend, Bill Ayes, has stomped on the American flag:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/05/flag-desecration-of-the-day-bill-ayers-stomps-on-old-glory/

Try out this one as one of the clearest examples of the nanny state at work: a pipe smoking convention in Illinois will not be allowed to light up their pipes because of the state's indoor smoking ban. John Lott has the story:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/indoor-smoking-ban-takes-steam-out-of.html

Dr. Lott also reports that a judge has removed a citizen from jury duty because of the citizen's views on concealed handguns:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-person-who-was-removed-from-jury.html

Robb Allen blogs on how a journalist got enlightened to firearms:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/05/05/What-do-you-get-when-you-cross-a-journalist-with.aspx

The Bitch Girls point to a New York Times op-ed that clearly shows they are not interested in enforcing the laws on the books against criminals:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8179

Traction Control has an important update on the ongoing controversy about the use of Islamic symbols at the sight of the memorial of United Flight 93 in Pennsylvania:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1059

David Codrea has some examples of 'lies of omission' from Harvard:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/05/lies-by-omission-from-harvard-cji.html

I agree with this 100%. Go read it at Nicki's place:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-retard-doesnt-speak-for-me.html

The MUST-read of the day is at Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/05/second-amendment-americas-monopoly.html

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel have a neat video of their day at the range yesterday:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2008/05/04/getting-your-moneys-worth-2/

FreedomSight has the story of more asset seizure and forfeiture by 'big brother' gub'ment:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2479

Born Again Redneck comments on the fact that Oprah Winfrey left the Reverend Wright's church while Barack 'Pennsylvanians Use Outhouses Equipped with Sears Catalogues' Obama did not:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-oprah-left-wrights-church.html

All American Blogger reports that Barack 'Pennsylvanians Wash Their Clothes in the Crick' Obama is accepting a large donation from the anti-American, anti-military group, Code Pink:
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/2703/obama-accepting-50000-from-code-pink/

And You Can Quote Me On That

For Barack Obama's spiritual advisor and mentor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, to claim his association with purveyors of hate such as Louis Farrakhan was 'mischaracterized' in the media is like Louisiana's David Duke claiming his membership in the Klan was 'mischaracterized.'

Further, Wright's contention that his words of hatred against white people, America, business owners, and capitalism were 'twisted' by the news media is like David Duke saying that his words supporting white supremacy and the denigration of Blacks were 'twisted.'

Both were caught in the act of engaging in hate-speech. Both attempted to 'rationally explain' that they were 'misunderstood.'

The likes of David Duke and his closest associates are to be condemned and shunned. And thus, for Barack Obama to refer to Jeremiah Wright as his 'mentor and spiritual guide' is beneath contempt.

And you can quote me on that...

They Sure Know How To Pick 'Em, Don't They?

The members of the American Left and the mainstream media pick the oddest individuals upon whom to bestow their highest accolades, don't they?

No sooner had Barack Obama announced his candidacy than the mainstream media and the liberal elite had proclaimed him Presidential material because he is, supposedly, 'smart,' 'charismatic,' and possessing of that all-important quality when picking a President, 'star appeal.'

As it turns out, Obama is actually nothing more than a dumb elitist who lacks basic common sense and intelligence.

Here is the perfect case in point. Obama had been campaigning in Pennsylvania seeking to overcome Hillary's overwhelming lead. And he had made some inroads, not by using honorable means but by lying to the citizens about gun rights.

This is the man who has supported a handgun ban all his political career. Yet he told audiences all across Pennsylvania that he is 'the pro-Second Amendment candidate.'

He also appealed to the citizens' sense of decency, honor, and values by highlighting the rich religious heritage of the people, particularly in the rural areas of the state.

However, no sooner had the candidate left Pennsylvania than he was out in San Francisco (where Obama's true opinions resonate with most of the population) trashing the very values to which he had appealed while in Pennsylvania.

Referring to the people of rural Pennsylvania as individuals whose ignorance leads them to 'cling to their guns and their religion,' Obama proceeded to make it clear that the people with whom he is most comfortable are the gun-grabbing, rights-robbing, military-hating, pinko Commie extremists of San Francisco.

Now, you tell me what intelligent politician in his right mind would do such a thing, even if he truly detested the views of a group of people whose votes he is trying to win?

Given his history in the Illinois legislature, it is a safe bet to assume that Obama truly does detest the values of rural Pennsylvania--the bastion of blue dog Democrats and Reagan conservatives (in both Parties). After all, they believe that gun rights are inherent in this nation and that religious faith is one of the defining pillars of this Republic.

This means, of course, that handgun bans are viewed as flagrant violations of the U.S. Constitution and that Obama's ultra-liberal denomination, the United Church of Christ, has consistently fought against the traditional ideals upon which this nation was founded.

Obama has apologized, of course, not for the ideas he propounded but only for his 'poor choice of words.'

In other words, 'I still believe you people in Pennsylvania are a bunch of backward, ignorant, hayseed, gun-totin,' and Bible thumpin' religious fanatics...but I apologize for describing my views with those particular words.'

Thinking people are not going to buy that. Let's see how much more intelligent the people of Pennsylvania turn out to be than the imbecile who insulted them.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/3/08

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

First it was Miller Lite. Now it's Absolut Vodka. These seem to be the beverages promoting open borders, with the approval of Hillary and McCain. Michelle Malkin has the story:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/02/absolut-reconquista/

Tam has a link to a site that shows that the powerful pro-gun images of Oleg Volk has the antis in a panic:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/04/their-own-weapon-turned-against-them.html

FreedomSight says that there have been scattered reports of violations of citizens' Second Amendment rights in Greensburg, Kansas in the aftermath of the tornadoes. It seems the Jack Booted Thugs are at it again:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2400

Eugene Volokh has an interesting read on firing an employee for lawfully carrying a gun while on company business:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_03_30-2008_04_05.shtml#1207206303

Nicki posts 'Paranoid and Cowardly in Kansas':
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/04/paranoid-and-cowardly-in-kansas.html

Dr. John Lott has the story of a senior adult who held a burglar at gun-point in Maryland:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/04/senior-citizen-holds-burglar-at.html

Cats. Being a dog man I don't normally write about cats, not that I have anything against them...they were just never kept around our house as pets when I was growing up. But Breda has some pics you might enjoy if you are a cat person:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/04/zzzzzzzz.html

To those of you who may still think that Barack Obama is 'such a nice guy' although a bit misguided, wait till you read what he said about those who have concealed carry licenses! The Buckeye Firearms Association has the story:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5571

Roberta X says that we gunnies seem to have certain things in common, and some of it will surprise you:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/04/social-whirl.html

Always controversial, often infuriating, Ann Coulter is anything but boring. But in her latest article she hits the nail on the head about Barack Obama as she discusses his autobiography, which Ann says is seething with anger:
http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/printer_friendly.cgi?article=243

David Codrea blogs on 'the middle ground' when it comes to D.C. vs. Heller:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/04/middle-ground.html

Despite their big talk prior to the 2006 midterm elections, Nancy Pelosi's House and Harry Reid's Senate have totally forsaken earmark reform. All American Blogger has the story:
http://www.allamericanblogger.com/2511/earmark-reforms-schmearmark-reforms/

I remember the day when the American Medical Association was one of the most conservative professional groups in the nation. That day is long gone. An example is an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on guns. Alphecca has the story:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=702

Sebastian reports that, despite their resounding defeat this week in the Pennsylvania legislature, the antis in the state insist they are undeterred in their attempt to enact more gun control:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/04/03/undeterred/

Take a look at 'There Ought to be a Law' over at Robb Allen's place:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/04/03/There-ought-to-be-a-law.aspx

Uncle has the latest on gun laws in Tennessee and the shenanigans of a few state lawmakers:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/04/03/gun_laws_in_tennessee/

ROFL!! Ted Turner says global warming will make cannibals out of those of us who survive. Jack Pribek has an appropriate challenge for Ted:
http://pribek.net/2008/04/03/cannibal-aid/

My favorite Jewish lady, the stunningly beautiful Pamela Geller, reports the ominous news today that Syria is amassing troops along the Israeli border. Pamela believes war is imminent:
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2008/04/syria-amassing.html

Media Continue Their 'Obamessiah' Awe

ABC News called him 'Cinderella.' A commentator on another network said, 'O what a lucky break this guy is getting.'

For real.

Barack Obama continues to enjoy the favor of the majority of the mainstream media as reporters suddenly transform themselves from adults to infants who go 'goo-goo-gaa-gaa' whenever the candidate merely smiles.

The reaction to Obama is, frankly, frightening. When citizens and news reporters descend into the abyss of hero worship to the nth degree, practically proclaiming the man to be the Messiah who has come to save us from all our problems, something is terribly amiss.

Such a society is on the tipping point as it staggers along the edge of a precipice, dangerously close to falling into the vast unknown. In this case, that unknown involves life and death issues such as, do we want to continue along the path the Founders gave us, who believed freedom was the highest achievement a society could reach?

Or do we essentially want to trash the Constitution, our rights, our form of government, in favor of model based upon Marxism?

The extent and intensity of the 'Obama-worship' is a frightening reminder of how nations such as Germany morphed from a free society to a restrictive dictatorship within a matter of a few years.

All it takes is for the 'Pied Piper of Hamlin' to come along playing a tune that mesmerizes whites, blacks, rich, poor, middle class, and off they go marching in his wake to sure destruction.

Dictators rarely come to power by military force. They are elected by the people.

This year, are we going to elect a Messiah with vague ideas, or are we going to elect a President who knows what America is all about?

It is not that Obama would accomplish these things alone. But with a Congress solidly in the control of like-minded proponents of 'change,' such a joint effort would produce the equivalent of a dictatorship--albeit a shared one with the ruling Party firmly in control.

And that Party has vowed to dismantle American capitalism and tax the people nearly to the point of poverty.

Yes, be afraid. Be very very afraid.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 3/20/08

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

John Lott reports that Barack Obama is in even more trouble over the Reverend Wright because of what Obama said about Don Imus during the controversial statements he made on the air:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/03/possible-new-problem-for-obama.html

Dr. Lott also says that scientists are puzzled about the oceans getting COLDER for the past 5 years in light of the belief of many that we are in the midst of dangerous 'global warming':
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/03/scientists-puzzled-that-ocean-is.html

Lott also has a list of reactions from various sources on the day after the oral arguments were heard in Heller:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/03/some-more-reactions.html

Gun Law News has videos of Helmke and Henigan after the oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court:
http://www.gunlawnews.org/Federal-Politics/hm031908-2.html

The Volokh Conspiracy has an excellent piece entitled, 'A Layman's Guide to Heller':
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_03_16-2008_03_22.shtml#1205935463

FreedomSight has 'the day after' roundup of Heller commentary:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2337

Mike McCarville says that Hillary's 3 AM ad won few converts because neither she nor Obama do well on the issue. Her ad has only served to highlight the person Americans trust for that 3 AM phone call, and it AIN'T a Democrat!:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/03/clintons-3-am-ad-won-few-converts.html

Alphecca reports that Tennessee is expanding civil rights with a slew of handgun bills that are sailing through the legislature:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=682

Say Uncle says that the Feds are continuing to threaten gun rights bloggers:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/03/19/feds_threaten_blogger-2/

David Codrea at The War on Guns is one of the bloggers threatened by the Feds, in addition to Ryan Horsely at Red's Trading Post:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/03/jpfo-and-inspector.html

As David reported above, Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership is yet another blog threatened by the Feds. Here the organization responds to the threat with some sharp words for the Inspector. This is the MUST-read of the day!:
http://www.jpfo.org/alerts02/alert20080317.htm

Syd at Front Sight, Press has great commentary on 'the threshold question':
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/supreme-court-hears-the-threshold-question/

Bitter has invited us to an open debate on predicting the outcome of D.C. vs. Heller and its impact, if any, on the 2008 election:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8005

There was a lot of talk about machine guns at the D.C. vs. Heller showdown, although the issue is irrelevant in this case. Snow Flakes in Hell comments and points to David Hardy's assessment of the subject:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/03/19/more-on-machine-guns/

Tam tells it like it is to those who are obviously completely ignorant of the American form of government, although they have college degrees:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2008/03/civics-101.html

Obama's 'Sleight of Hand'

Like a skillful magician utilizing that staple of magic tricks referred to as the 'sleight of hand' technique, Barack Obama has attempted to turn the controversy surrounding his Pastor, mentor, advisor, and close friend into an opportunity to talk about race in America.

The issue was never about race, however...not that his zombie-like worshippers will care.

The issue is hate--hate for America. And there has been plenty of it abounding within or near the Obama campaign as Michele Obama has alluded to her disdain for America, and now we are treated to the stark examples of pure rage toward the U.S. and most of its citizens as uttered by that purveyor hate extraordinaire, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright of the ultra-liberal United Church of Christ.

It is not to be forgotten that Barack and Michele were married by the Reverend Wright, and he baptized their children. The family has sat under his tutelage for over 20 years, and not once has anyone complained about his hate-spewing diatribes until now.

But Barack is basically an untrustworthy magician. He can woo his followers with carefully chosen rhetoric, seducing and hypnotizing them into complete awe by simply talking about 'change,' 'racial unity,' and 'hope.'

Yet in doing so, he threw his Pastor under the bus and even went as far as doing the same thing to the person who raised him.

In short, he would do anything to get elected, even betray and belittle his own Pastor and family of origin.

Barack also showed us his true political colors. He stated that only when whites and blacks come together in unity can we 'overcome the industrial-machine complex of the rich' who are the source of all of America's ills.

In this one statement, my friends, he has denounced Capitalism and embraced a Bolshevik-styled notion of the proletariat coming together to topple the rich.

Can you say 'Commie?'

As it turns out, Obama is no skillful magician at all, except to the idiots who support him.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 3/19/08

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


Much was written on the blogs about the D.C. vs. Heller case, which was heard today before the U.S. Supreme Court. Here is a sampling of views and opinions, as well as commentary on other important issues:

Nicki says that Chief Justice Roberts reduced the D.C. argument to rubble:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/03/dc-got-spanked.html

Freedom Sight has a rather complete rundown of commentary and live blogging on Heller here:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2334

And here:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2331

Of Arms and the Law posts his notes from Heller today:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/03/heller_argument.php

Say Uncle has a bunch of Heller links:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/03/18/heller_links/

Uncle also has a good summary after the Heller arguments were complete:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/03/18/heller_arguments_done/

Sebastian blogged all day long on the case, and has the Heller quote of the day:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/2008/03/18/heller-quote-of-the-day-2/

Bitter was stationed outside the U.S. Supreme Court today and has these quick Heller thoughts:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7995

Bitter was in a good position to pick up some juicy gossip on the front lines of Heller:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7996

Traction Control has the complete transcripts of the oral arguments:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=1007

Dr. John Lott weighs in on Heller here:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-op-ed-up-at-national-review-online.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association comments on the case here and provides both audio and written transcripts of the proceeding:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5528

The Volokh Conspiracy warns that even if the high court rules that a Constitutional right exists, it may further state that it is a right that cannot be protected:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_03_16-2008_03_22.shtml#1205873795

Dustin's Gun Blog also takes a look at the case:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/todays-dc-vs-heller-case.html

And now onto some other issues of note today:

Mike McCarville notes that the safest states usually have a high level of gun ownership:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/03/aol-ranking-gun-ownership-may-keep-some.html

Squeaky has her a new wheel gun. Yep, it's a Smith & Wesson. And yep, she has pics:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2008/03/17/new-wheelgun/

Squeaks also has a timely reminder that there is NO so-called 'gun show loophole':
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2008/03/18/for-posteritys-sake-because-i-havent-yet-said-it/

JR rolls out some new stuff for 2008:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/03/some-new-stuff-for-08.html

The MUST-read of the day is by Roberta X on the 'groupthink mind':
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2008/03/groupthink-mind.html

Michelle Malkin has the complete rundown on Barack Obama's attempt to distance himself from his close friend, confidante, spiritual guide, and Pastor:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/03/18/newsflash-obama-says-god-bless-america-plus-the-philly-speech/

Obama's Growing Dishonesty

Barack Obama threw his Pastor, spiritual mentor and advisor, and close friend under the bus today in a speech that was designed to quell the controversy surrounding the candidate and the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, purveyor of hate extraordinaire.

Yet in the same breath Obama praised his Pastor of 20 years.

It would seem that the latter is the more honest of the statements since Wright performed the wedding ceremony for Barack and Michele Obama and baptized their children.

After all of this time, after all of the controversial statements Wright has made, after his hate-spewing diatribes against the United States, white people, and Jews, this is the very first time that Barack Obama has even thought about repudiating any of Wright's rhetoric.

But now he is running for President.

This means, of course, that he must throw his mentor under the bus for political expediency.

The speech did not work. Obama came off as even more disingenuous than ever, speaking out of both sides of his mouth about the Rev. Wright, and attempting to divert attention away from the hate-mongering of his church, Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, and onto 'conservative commentators.'

Excuse me, Senator, but it wasn't the conservative movement that honored Louis Farrakhan, blamed 9/11 on U.S. foreign policy, stated that 9/11 is the punishment we deserve for 'white people's sins,' and stated from the pulpit, 'God damn America.'

Obama's growing dishonesty belies his campaign's contention that among the various candidates he is the only one with integrity and 'clean hands.' And no amount of using the slight-of-hand to remove the spotlight from him and place it on 'conservative commentators' will solve the problem of the albatross on Obama's back.

That immovable albatross on Obama's back is the Rev. Wright, and he isn't going anywhere. Americans have a right to question whether or not they want a President who belongs to a church whose Pastor and congregation are engaged in some of the most anti-American hate that one can find anywhere in the country.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 3/17/08

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

The MUST-read of the day is by Robb Allen at Sharp as a Marble. Caution: this post will make you think and rethink your positions:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/03/15/Political-triangles.aspx

FreedomSight catches an NRA representative on an important point of distinction concerning our rights:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2324

FreedomSight also reports that the FBI has tried to cover up its own Patriot Act abuses:
http://freedomsight.net/?p=2325

Mike McCarville says that the federal 'real ID' act is causing the various states some big headaches...and money:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/03/federal-real-id-act-raises-state-costs.html

Dustin's Gun Blog reminds us that tomorrow (Tuesday) is the big day for the 2nd Amendment before the U.S. Supreme Court as oral arguments are heard in D.C. vs. Heller:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/next-tuesday-big-day-for-2nd-amendment.html

Of Arms and the Law notes the amicus briefs that can be found on the Scotusblog:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/03/scotusblog_on_a.php

How's THIS for a Sunday Sermon! Born Again Redneck has the goods, from Obama's own mouth, concerning the penultimate America-hater, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2008/03/sunday-sermon.html

The Volokh Conspiracy posts a piece concerning polls on handgun bans:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_03_16-2008_03_22.shtml#1205694368

John Lott has an important post on the negatives of each of the three remaining candidates--McCain, Obama, and Hillary (note--you will be very surprised!):
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-did-i-miss-this-in-polls-obamas.html

Nicki at the Liberty Zone has a quote worth repeating from a respected counter-terrorism expert:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/03/quote-worth-repeating.html

Bitter discusses the Bob Novak column concerning Bush's support of D.C. in the D.C. vs. Heller case before the Supreme Court:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7982

Breda says that model May Anderson is catching flak over the name of her company, 'Chicks With Guns':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2008/03/but-can-she-shoot.html

It seems the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine' has reared its ugly head once again, and this time President Bush weighs in on it:
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/washington/washington/entries/2008/03/11/bush_fairness_d.html

JR has an important reminder on the importance of teaching gun skills to the next generation:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2008/03/future-shooters-necessary-to-rkba.html

Too Much, Too Late

Like a man who suddenly realizes that he has stepped into quicksand, Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama was doing the fancy dance on Friday and Saturday, repeatedly denouncing and repudiating the man whom he has consistently described as his close friend, spiritual advisor and mentor, and Pastor.

But clearly this is a case of too much too late.

As indicated by the Shakespearean phrase, 'Methinks thou doest protest too much,' Obama's repeated attempts over the past 2 days to distance himself from his Pastor and spiritual guide of 20 years appears highly disingenuous and indicative of a man who has been caught in his own web of deceit.

If the Senator thought that the statements of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright were 'repugnant,' 'inflammatory,' and 'appalling,' then why did he not say so when the statements were first spoken?

The Reverend Wright has a long history of making anti-American and inflammatory statements. For Obama to suddenly claim, only now, that Wright's statements are to be repudiated and condemned smacks of political opportunism at its worst.

Obama has been caught with his pants down, and now he hopes no one noticed anything underneath as he quickly, with a magician's touch, claims nothing happened.

The fact is, however, that millions of Americans have seen the goods, and they ain't pretty.

For Obama to denounce and repudiate the views, beliefs, and statements of his spiritual advisor and Pastor after 20 years of attending his church and sitting under his tutelage is one of the most ridiculous displays of deception that we have ever witnessed in politics.

During the 20 years that Obama sat under the almighty wisdom of the Reverend Wright, he has been treated to a regular diet of anti-Americanism (Wright once stated from the pulpit 'God damn America'), fixing blame for AIDS and the 9/11 attack on the U.S. Government, anti-Semitism (he claims the U.S. is evil for supporting Israel over the Palestinians), and perhaps the most damning statement of all, insisting that those who attacked us on 9/11 acted appropriately and justifiably in retaliation against American foreign policy.

Never once did Barack Obama repudiate any of these statements...until the mess hit the fan last week with widespread news reports concerning Wright's 'controversial' views.

It was then and only then that the candidate decided it would be best to publicly denounce the man he has always described in glowing terms.

To put it in the modern vernacular, 'This AIN'T gonna cut it.' And Americans are already seeing right through it.

In one single 24-hour period, according to the Rasmussen poll which monitors these things on a daily basis, Barack Obama's support has fallen 5 percentage points. Hillary Clinton's support has risen by 4 percentage points. And John McCain has now surpassed both Obama and Hillary in head-to-head matchups, beating Obama by 5 points and Hillary by 4 points.

Although it is still way too early to tell, perhaps voters are seeing that the halo they have placed around Obama is crooked and has holes. The one thing the candidate had going for him was his supposed lack of any semblance of disingenuousness, dishonesty, or 'dirty politics.'

One thing is for sure whether the voters get it or not, Obama can no longer claim clean hands.

Barack Obama's Contempt for America

(Hat tip to Joel of Blogstitution). If ever there were an article that you MUST read on Barack Obama, it is this one. The article explores in depth two of the primary influences on his life and the result of those influences.

And as we have been saying all along, my friends, the real Barack Obama of record is NOTHING like his public persona. Read this article and THINK!
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/JB26Aa01.html