Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/20/07

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

Don't look now, but the 2-bit, sorry-assed, m-effin' Congress we elected last year has just banned the incandescent light bulb, and Bush signed the damn measure into the law. Assholes,the entire lot:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59298

And THE BASTARD Harry Reid explains why banning a fuggin' light bulb is a legitimate role of government...what a mother-effer!:
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200712/POL20071220f.html

Sebastian says that legislation has been introduced in Congress to deal with the ATF:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2210

And while I am on my rant, I might as well go for broke. The unconstitutional gun control bill known as H.R. 2640 has been approved by Congress and sits on Bush's desk, and he is expected to sign it. Assholes. Here is Nicki's take on it:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/its-done-deal.html

Nicki can rant a lot better than I can. So I will just let her do the talking on this one. Except for one thing. Perhaps it is getting close to the time when Patriots will need to invoke Jefferson's reset button, if you know what I mean:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/you-pathetic-little-twerp.html

The War on Guns provides us with a Chambliss update on the ATF:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/chambliss-update-signs-of-progress.html

No department of happy. Heh. Say Uncle has the quote of the day:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/20/quote_of_the_day-187/

Michelle Malkin reports that not only has Tom Tancredo dropped out of the GOP race, but he has endorsed Mitt Romney:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/20/tom-tancredos-exit/

Today's MUST-read is from Walter Williams, our favorite intellectual, who writes on 'academic slums:
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/07/academicslums.htm

DAMN! This just provides more fodder for me to blow my stack about today. A bill has been introduced that would prevent federal judges from attending any educational event except what is sponsored by the federal government. Can you say TYRANNY, DESPOTISM, TOTALITARIANISM??? Assholes. The Volokh Conspiracy has the whole rank stench of the bullshit here:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_16-2007_12_22.shtml#1198150138

Roberta X has an excellent read on why many spend so much time on the Internet:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2007/12/im-livin-in-your-monitor.html

Well, that's it for today. As you can probably tell, I am hopping mad about what our illustrious tyrants in Congress are doing to this nation. The M-Effers have just about gotten on my last good nerve. I'm going to cool off. Bye.

Ratings on ALL of the Candidates

With only two weeks to go until the Iowa Caucuses, which will officially open the U.S. Presidential primary season, the Liberty Sphere will issue our final ratings on ALL of the candidates, both Republican and Democrat.

Periodically as the candidates have participated in debates around the country, The Liberty Sphere has rated the candidates on the views expressed during the those debates using our exclusive 'Liberty Scale.'

The Scale is based upon eight key issues that we deem to be key to human liberty: low taxes, secure borders (and enforcement of immigration laws), gun rights, abortion, national defense, U.S. foreign policy, the war on terror, and healthcare (specifically keeping our healthcare system private and the best in the world).

We then rate the candidates on a scale of 1 to 10 based upon these 8 key issues that impact liberty, with 10 being the highest score.

As you will note below, GOP candidates came out very well comparatively speaking on human liberty issues. The Democrats did not fare so well.

No Democrat, for example, except for Billy Richardson has definitively voiced support for gun rights. But Billy has mammoth problems in just about every other area. His policy statements call for big government solutions for every problem, the price tag of which will run into the billions of dollars. Thus, his views in essence mirror those of European-styled Socialists such as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards.

In addition, we have stated repeatedly that we do not feel that Richardson has the intellect or the ability to be President. The job is simply way over his head.

On the flip side, every single GOP candidate supports a strong defense, low taxes, private healthcare (although some would mandate insurance through private companies), and American capitalism. The rub comes in on the issues of gun rights, foreign policy, the war on terror, and illegal immigration.

All of the GOP candidates give assent to believing in gun rights, securing our borders, and a strong defense. The issue becomes who is most believable given their past record.

In addition, U.S. foreign policy and the War on Terror are key issues in a dangerous world in which the U.S. is in the unavoidable position of being the world's only superpower. Is this the time to retreat into a cocoon and usher in an era of isolationism when there are upwards of 80 million Jihadists around the world who want to kill us and the rest of the world?

Some of the readers of the Liberty Sphere clearly will not like our final analysis of the candidates. But we will be as honest and candid in our assessment and ratings as possible. But remember, this is merely 'as we see it.' Clearly there are other points of view, and we acknowledge those.

Thus, based upon a careful observation of the Republican and Democratic candidates, here is our final list of ratings as we stand on the brink of the primary season.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

FRED THOMPSON is our choice as the best candidate for the office of President. He is an entirely consistent conservative and federalist, an advocate for gun rights, low taxes, private healthcare, a strong defense, a pragmatic U.S. foreign policy, the War on Terror, the sanctity of human life, and secure borders with policies that discourage illegal aliens from entering the country. He gets a perfect score of 10.

DUNCAN HUNTER is our second choice, but he has failed to get the traction and recognition it takes to win primaries, which is a shame. On the issues he is as reliably conservative as Fred Thompson, but we do not feel that he is a viable candidate, unfortunately. He also gets a perfect score of 10.

MIKE HUCKABEE has been a major disappointment as his views have come into focus only recently. While the candidate is strong on gun rights, abortion, foreign policy, the war on terror, national defense, and healthcare, he is highly suspect on taxes and illegal aliens. Because the issues of taxes and immigration are so important, his score on the Liberty Scale has suffered. He gets no higher than a 7.

RON PAUL is a mixed bag. While we fully embrace his views on gun rights, taxes, abortion, healthcare, national defense, and immigration, we find his views on U.S. foreign policy and the war on terror to be highly troublesome. For this reason we give Dr. Paul a final rating of 7.

JOHN MCCAIN has come on strong since he got his wrists slapped on the immigration debacle. He has also acknowledged that McCain-Feingold had some unintended consequences that were troublesome and needed to be corrected. On the issues of guns, abortion, taxes, healthcare, national defense, the war on terror, and foreign policy, the candidate is fairly strong. The fact that McCain is a genuine war hero takes him a long way in our book. Thus, his final rating is 7.

MITT ROMNEY is problematic because of the inconsistencies. How do we know for sure where he stands? Yet the candidate is no Socialist and supports American free enterprise and our capitalistic system. He gets a rating of 6.

RUDY GIULIANI was clearly the right man at the right time for NYC when the Twin Towers were attacked. No doubt he is a strong leader who can stand strong for America's interests around the world. We also know he is not a Socialist and expressed privately his grave concern over Hillary Clinton's socialistic policies. We give him a final rating of 6.

TOM TANCREDO, we hear, will announce today that he is dropping out of the race. He has been a great voice for immigration reform and stopping the flow of illegal aliens into the country. We saw his debate performances improve dramatically over the months, and we hate to see him go.

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

Unfortunately no Democrat rates above a 4. Almost without fail, the stance of the Democratic candidates on the issues are the diametric opposite of all The Liberty Sphere finds to be imperative.

BILL RICHARDSON--4. His only redeeming quality is his stance on gun rights.

JOE BIDEN--4. A liberal, no doubt, but a pragmatic one. He knows plenty about foreign policy and would place America first in an international squabble. This is his only redeeming quality.

MIKE GRAVEL--3. I gave him a 10 for NOT showing up for one of the debates. Once again, he is a liberal, but a 1960s-styled liberal who has at least a little common sense.

CHRIS DODD--2. Socialist. He gets a 2 because he has more common sense and tons more experience than the four listed below.

HILLARY CLINTON--1. Socialist.

BARACK OBAMA--1. Socialist.

JOHN EDWARDS--1. Socialist.

DENNIS KUCINICH--0. Sorry, but we can find absolutely no rational reason to give him any points on any of our key issues.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/19/07

Many apologies for yesterday's absence of the Second Amendment News Roundup. I was out all day, and then last evening I had one of those family Christmas gatherings where I needed to show my face.

At any rate, focusing on guns and politics, here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The War on Guns reports that U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss has sidelined himself on the Sullivan confirmation as head of ATF:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/saxby-sidelines-self-on-sullivan.html

And in case you missed it, The War on Guns has an excellent piece entitled, 'More From the Ghost of Thomas Jefferson':
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-from-ghost-of-thomas-jefferson.html

Alphecca gives us the perfect example of 'the slippery slope' with regard to gun control--this one comes from Australia:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=581

Red's Trading Post has the story of Bill Akins and his personal nightmare at the hands of the ATF:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-victim-of-maximum-mike-and-atf.html

Born Again Redneck has Fred Thompson on video telling it like it is concerning Mike Huckabee's supposed conservatism:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/thompson-huckabee-is-not-conservative.html

Mike McCarville reports that President Bush has declared 7 counties in Oklahoma as major disaster areas in light of the recent devastating ice storm:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/bush-approves-major-disaster.html

Snow Flakes in Hell has the latest piece of pure, unadulterated, aromatic BULLSHIT from the federal government:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2194

Say Uncle has a funny Fred Thompson ad:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/19/you_had_me_at_punch_the_hippies/

A Keyboard and a .45 has an excellent post on those who dance in the blood of innocents:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-dancing-in-blood-of-innocents.html

It seems that Professor Bogus is making a bogus argument for gun bans. Armed and Safe has the story here:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/bogus-argument-for-citizen-disarmament.html

Breda reports that Jeri Thompson gives the reason she loves Fred--he is his own man. Real men also like Fred for that reason. It's hard to support most politicians because in the final analysis they are pussies, placating the media, special interests, etc., to the point to where they appear emasculated. But not Fred:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/alpha-male.html

Today's MUST-read is provided by Nicki at The Liberty Zone. You have gotta read this!:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/liberals-love-guns.html

Michelle Malkin reports that the fire near V.P. Cheney's office has set the blogosphere ablaze with reference to 'Reichstag!' For the past few years these sorts of things always expose the liberals for who they really are--a bunch of deranged, hate-filled, rabid nutcases who belong in a mental hospital:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/19/fire-near-vp-cheneys-office-sets-off-nutroots-alarm/

John Lott has this important post on the issue of gun-free zones:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/making-question-of-gun-free-zones-clear.html

The Buckeye Firearms Association points to an op-ed on the Bill of Rights, entitled, 'The Founders Were Straight Shooters':
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4099.html

The Volokh Conspiracy has a intriguing read on Presidential elections and 'Condorcet' winners:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_16-2007_12_22.shtml#1198039756

The U.S. Government is run by a group of lunatics. Traction Control has the proof:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=863

The Bitch Girls have 'the question of the day':
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7740

In case you missed it yesterday, Robb Allen provides us with an update on his Mom's chemotherapy:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/18/Day-124--Halfway-there.aspx

ROFL! Click over to Front Sight, Press to see Syd's two different ways of wishing Merry Christmas--one for Democrats and one for Republicans:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/news/merry-christmas/

Priscilla Esquivel at Clarity points to the most humorous quotes for 2007:
http://pmesquivel.blogspot.com/2007/12/dont-tase-me-bro.html

Matt Drudge: Edwards Love-Child Scandal Brewing

Note! Scroll down for late-breaking update, including the name and picture of the woman.

Matt Drudge is reporting a major breaking story, published by the National Enquirer, which contends that Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards is embroiled in a love-child scandal in which the mother is being kept in hiding.

The woman, who has not yet been named, is purportedly carrying Edwards' child and is being kept out of public view.

This still-developing story is short on details at this point. For this reason a link will be provided below that will take you directly to the Drudge Report website for further updated information.

If this story turns out to be true, it will sound the death-toll for the Edwards campaign. You can bet your last birth control pill that Americans, even within the Democratic Party, are not going to stand for a candidate who sires a love child while his wife is dying of cancer.

Here is the link to the Drudge Report:
http://www.drudgereport.com/

UPDATE! The link to the National Enquirer story is provided here, which not only names the woman in question, but has a picture of her and excerpts from her admission to the affair with Edwards to a friend:
http://www.nationalenquirer.com/john_edwards/celebrity/64424

C.L.I.T. Attempts to Create Sympathy for Hillary

The Clinton Ladies Intervention Team (C.L.I.T.), including husband Bill, has shifted tactics recently in order to create sympathy for the beleaguered Mrs. Clinton.

As we understand it, the latest P.R. move is to use all the bad news about Mrs. Clinton to attempt to create a silver lining that will help her at the polls.

Over the weekend the candidate was portrayed as the battered woman on the campaign trail--a tragic figure of a middle aged professional woman who has borne the marks of the gruelling game of politics.

Husband Bill was out on the campaign trail talking up how Hillary was going to lose in Iowa. The mainstream media followed suit, sympathetically reporting that poor Hill was going to simply 'carry on' in the midst of an avalanche of swiftly falling poll numbers.

And then there was 'the picture' that was released to the media over the weekend, which shows Mrs. Clinton clearly as a woman who is showing her age, obviously troubled about her recent misfortunes, but courageously carrying on in the fight despite her appearance of being tired.

My friends, do not let these portrayals fool you. They are carefully crafted and implemented by the Clinton Ladies Intervention Team.

The move is risky, however. Sympathy votes often work when a politician or candidate has experienced the death of a spouse or a child, or in other limited situations. But creating support at the polls using the sympathy card artificially is an entirely different matter.

In order for the tactic to work, significant numbers of voters would genuinely have to believe that Mrs. Clinton is a sympathetic figure. It is clear that they do not.

In fact, voters tend to see her as the exact opposite, as a cold, calculating, manipulative shrew who has done absolutely nothing in her 20 years of public life to cause citizens to view her sympathetically.

The electorate simply doesn't like her, and they sure don't trust her.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/17/07

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

Glad to see that Mike McCarville has survived the terrible ice storm in Oklahoma. He has the story and pic here:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/frozen-gadfly-seven-days-ten-hours.html

Mike also says that the clout of U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, R-OK, is growing in the Senate:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/coburns-clout-grows-politico-reports.html

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel have sage advice on the Second Amendment from the greatest of all time, Ronald Wilson Reagan:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/12/14/sage-advice/

The Adventures of Roberta X has some neat pics of the snow out in her area of the country:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2007/12/yetiless-wonderland.html

Born Again Redneck says that Fred Thompson has picked up a key endorsement in Iowa:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/steve-king-endorses-fred-thompsosn.html

Say Uncle shows us another example of how the New York Times is the mouthpiece for the anti-gun lobby:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/17/nyt_mouthpiece_for_the_anti-gun_lobby/

Say Uncle also says that 47 Senators have asked the Department of the Interior to allow citizens to transport and carry firearms on certain public lands:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/17/public_land_carry/

Robb Allen comments on the waste of taxpayers' money it is for municipalities to have 'gun buy back' programs:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/17/.00000007-success.aspx

Snow Flakes in Hell points to Mitt Romney's numbskulled proposals for gun bans in spite of the fact he claims he fully supports the Second Amendment:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2172

Breda has some choice words concerning her 'gun free zone' place of employment:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-did-i-bother.html

Squeaky blogs on guns that fire around corners:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2007/12/17/gun-that-fires-around-corners/

Nicki has the figures behind the figures on guns in the U.S.:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/american-way.html

The War on Guns posts the latest poll numbers on how many Americans believe the Second Amendment guarantees individual citizens the right to bear arms:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/so-do-we-have-quorum.html

The MUST-read of the day is over at John Lott's where he presents a long list of scientists who question the theory of global warming:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/long-list-of-scientists-question-ipcc.html

The most beautiful blond on earth, Blonde Sagacity has this interesting read on the top GOP candidates as we head into the final stretch toward the primaries:
http://mobyrebuttal.blogspot.com/2007/12/gop-primary-news-sweep.html

Stupid, Idiotic, Clueless Yankee Woman

Other than being a very attractive woman, there is practically no redeeming value to the patent drivel of neo-Commie New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd.

She is an airhead. Her columns are sophomoric, detached from reality, lacking in insight, and basically nothing but anti-conservative diatribes.

I find her to be beneath contempt.

The fact that the New York Times publishes this totally irrational balderdash is only more proof that the newspaper is no longer a newspaper but a tabloid. Someone should go ahead and put it out of its misery before it becomes just another rag one finds in the racks along the checkout lines at grocery stores.

Dowd has made a career out of inadvertently drawing into clear focus what most Americans have known all along anyway--liberals are dangerous to America, lacking in any true adherence to the principles of the Founding Fathers and their legacy--the Constitution and the Bill of Rights--and so extremist that the mainstream citizens in the heartland fear for what would become of our nation if people of Dowd's ilk ever become the ruling majority in Washington.

A very impressive blog I have been reading of late, The Stiletto, has singled out Dowd for the latest of her less-than-stellar articles, in which she claims she was 'just a child' when she first encountered the Mormon Temple outside Washington on the Beltway.

As expected, the article is a set-up for a Romney-bash, using his religion to engage in a bit of liberal-approved religious bigotry. But of course, if the liberals do it, then it's not bigotry.

However, as the Stiletto points out, someone noticed a major discrepancy in Dowd's chronology of events in her life. The Mormon Temple to which she refers was completed in 1974. The problem is that Dowd was born in 1952, making her at least 21 years of age when she claims she used to pass by that edifice 'as a kid.'

In short, Dowd effectively shaved off 15 years from her age in this article.

So, the question becomes, how does a political columnist maintain any credibility when going after certain discrepancies on the part of Presidential candidates when the columnist herself is so willing to misrepresent her own life?

Read the full story here, at The Stiletto: http://thestilettoblog.com/2007/12/14/not-the-sharpest-knife-in-the-drawer-maureen-dowds-extended-childhood.aspx#Comment

Huckabee Misrepresents Background

GOP Presidential contender Mike Huckabee has been caught misrepresenting his background. The candidate claims that he 'has a theological degree,' and that therefore he is well-qualified to deal with religious conflicts on the world stage.

As it turns out, Huckabee never graduated from theological school, which is considered graduate degree status requiring a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for admission.

Huckabee has a B.A. in Religion from a Baptist institution in Arkansas--a degree that is NOT considered a 'theological degree' due to its undergraduate status.

The candidate then was admitted to a graduate level program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, but he only completed one year. A theological degree is a three-year program requiring at least 120 hours of graduate level work.

Since Huckabee attended only one year and never graduated from the institution, he by no means has a 'theological degree' as he claims.

This kind of thing may fly with most of 'the brethren' in Arkansas who may not know any better, but in the rest of the country it is considered 'resume padding' and playing fast and loose with the truth.

Among certain ranks of evangelicals these things simply do not matter. All they need to know is if the minister in question can affirm a 'call of God' to the ministry. If they get some education along the way, that's all well and good. But this isn't the main thing they are looking for.

And thus, some of the brethren are woefully ignorant concerning educational designations, prerequisites, and requirements.

Others within the evangelical community, however, place a very high premium on an educated clergy. The bare minimum is four years of college and three more years (at least) of theological education at the graduate level.

And even then, the most prestigious churches prefer a theological doctorate, which is one of the most stringent and taxing doctorates among the various disciplines.

Most accredited theological doctorates require extensive knowledge of at least five languages--Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, German, and Latin.

Individuals who bite the bullet and subject themselves to such a rigorous program of study resent someone who has a bachelor's degree and one year of theological training referring to their educational level as a 'theological degree.'

And rightly so.

Not only has Huckabee done a disservice to those who have acquired such a stringent degree but he has 'outed' himself as one who will flagrantly misrepresent his background for political expediency.

Today, December 15, Bill of Rights Day

Today is perhaps the most important date in American history outside the day of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Today, December 15, is Bill of Rights Day--the date in American history that the Bill of Rights, the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, was ratified and added to the U.S. Constitution to protect the individual rights of citizens.

Below is a reprint of the article I wrote last year to commemorate this date.


On December 15 we mark one of the most important dates in American history, yet it is one with which I am sure many of you may not be familiar. The 'Bill of Rights Day' is celebrated on December 15, and the fact that this date in history is one of the most unnoticed and ignored speaks volumes about the U.S. educational system.

Since 1941 the ratification of the Bill of Rights has been commemorated in this country on December 15. Yet today, I am sure that the average guy on the street has no clue that one of the most significant events in human history happened on that day...thanks to the dumbing down of the educational system and the failure of modern politicians to give proper recognition to the basic rights we all are guaranteed in the United States of America.

The original Constitution, ratified in 1788, had no Bill of Rights. The fledgling young Republic had just managed to fight off the British for their independence and declare themselves a new nation united by a commonly accepted rule of law--the U.S. Constitution. Yet long before the Constitution was ratified many of the Founders insisted that the document would be woefully incomplete without protecting certain individual rights. One of these was James Madison, who was elected by Virginia to the first Congress upon the promise that he would work for a Bill of Rights.

George Mason, also of Virginia, refused to sign the original Constitution precisely because it contained no Bill of Rights. Mason had written a Bill of Rights for the state of Virginia which many other states used to adopt their own Bill of Rights.

Patrick Henry had originally opposed the inclusion of the Bill. Revisionist historians often use Henry as some sort of proof that the Founders were not in agreement about the rights that should be guaranteed to the citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth. Henry also opposed the Constitution. But this was not due to anything other than his opposition to a centralized government of any kind, believing instead that such power should be reserved for the states.

It is also to be noted that in spite of Patrick Henry's initial opposition, he would later change his mind and work for both the U.S. Constitution and for the ratification of the Bill of Rights.

Having succeeded in getting a Constitution approved by the states, the Founders went to work on a document that would protect the rights with which each citizen had been endowed by their Creator. The Bill does not 'grant' or 'give' rights. The rights are automatically inherent in our very existence. The Constitution PROTECTS these basic, inherent rights.

In 1789 the Bill of Rights was written in Federal Hall in New York City, which at the time was the capital of the U.S. The first Congress was made up of 26 Senators and 65 Representatives from the 13 states. On September 25, 1789, Congress passed 12 amendments to the Constitution which would be called the Bill of Rights. In October of that year President George Washington sent a copy of the 12 amendments to the states for their approval.

From October of 1789 until December of 1791 the thirteen states debated the amendments. By the time the amendments had made their rounds the original 12 amendments were whittled down to 10. On December 15, 1791, Virginia became the eleventh state to ratify the 10 amendments, and thus, according to the provisions of amending the Constitution, the Bill of Rights became part of the supreme law of the land.

During these days when collectivist revisionists see no inherent individual rights in the Bill of RIGHTS, it is vitally important to note that the sole motivation of the Founders in insisting on the Bill was the protection of INDIVIDUAL rights. It is impossible, for example, for someone to make a valid philosophical argument claiming that the 2nd Amendment does nothing but establish a militia, when the whole idea of the Bill to begin with was to protect the INDIVIDUAL rights of citizens.

Thus, on this December 15 let each of us as Americans give thought to the basic philosophical premise that motivated the Founders--that each individual American is free, and as such, we are guaranteed the protection of certain specified individual rights. If no such guarantee exists, then the whole notion of establishing a free Republic was in vain.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/14/07

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

John Lott says that a lot is at stake in the next election regarding global warming, particularly in light of the fact that most of the reliable science has totally debunked the theory. But the environmentalist wackos will still try to use the issue to take tax dollars, change our way of life, and restrict our freedoms:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/lot-is-at-stake-in-this-next-election.html

Eugene Volokh posts an interesting entry today on government punishing businesses for posting signs that say, 'When ordering speak English':
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197658033

From the NRA: 'The Outrage of the Week'...a MUST-read!:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3318

Also from the NRA: 'The Hypocrisy of the Week':
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3317

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership reminds us that tomorrow is Bill of Rights Day. The JPFO contends that the Bill of Rights should be celebrated every day:
http://www.jpfo.org/smith/smith-bor-07.htm

You gotta see this one today at Traction Control, entitled, 'Fred's Apology':
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=849

The War on Guns comments on the double-murder at LSU:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/caution-at-lsu.html

Squeaky discusses CCW in light of a scare she recently had:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2007/12/13/ccw-question-from-last-post/

Snow Flakes in Hell reports that some bad stuff in the form of anti-gun legislation is coming up in New Jersey:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2157

Sharp as a Marble has some hot, fresh, steaming PSH here:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/14/Get-your-hot-fresh-steaming-PSH-here.aspx

Red's has more info on serious record-keeping problems at the ATF:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do-serious.html

Of Arms and the Law posts an excellent op-ed from the Portland, Maine Press-Herald:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/12/good_oped.php

Syd at Front Sight, Press has an excellent read on the Christian and the gun:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/concealed-carry/the-christian-gun/

Born Again Redneck posts an interesting comparison between Abe and Fred:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/abe-and-fred.html

Alphecca has another example of liberal hypocrisy, and it is a biggie:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=574

Armed and Safe asks a very good question, 'Who do you trust?':
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/who-do-you-trust.html

A Keyboard and a .45 has the latest political and gun news from Texas:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/texas-house-district-97-special.html

South Carolina Suddenly Up for Grabs?

A brand new poll indicates that the race for the GOP nomination in South Carolina--a key early pivotal state--is up for grabs.

Bear in mind, however, that the poll was conducted by the Clinton News Network (CNN) which has a vested interest in playing up Huckabee due to the fact that he is the ONLY GOP contender that Hillary can beat.

The CNN poll shows that Huckabee has suddenly skyrocketed into first place by 7 points over second-place contender Fred Thompson

Here are the results of the poll:

Huckabee 24%
Thompson 17%
Giuliani 16%
Romney 16%
McCain 13%
Paul 11%

This polling data, however, is very different from an in-state poll that shows Thompson up by 2 percentage points, but with Huckabee moving up fast.

Our most trusted and experienced poll watchers inform us that these particular poll numbers can be safely disregarded at this point in the campaign, especially the nationwide polls.

In addition, the state-by-state poll numbers are highly misleading and volatile, pointing to the vast uncertainty that still exists among a large portion of the electorate.

Suppose, for example, that we take at face value that the CNN poll listed above is accurate. Our sources tell us that with 5 candidates polling between 10 and 20 percentage points, any of them could win. In addition, the fact that Huckabee is showing a 7 point lead when just a few days ago he polled sixth in the field of candidates is highly suspect.

With three weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses and four weeks to go until the South Carolina primary, widely variant and volatile polls such as these can change in a hurry.

The bottom line is that Thompson is still very much in this ball game and Huckabee is not necessarily the front runner.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/13/07

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

A Keyboard and a .45 posts 'A Negligent Discharge Dissected':
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/negligent-discharge-dissected.html

The Adventures of Roberta X has some excellent thoughts on concealed carry that are worth your consideration:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2007/12/concealed-carry-me-and-my-sidearm.html

Armed and Safe has the must-read of the day:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/not-much-blogging-but-see-this.html

Born Again Redneck reports that Fred Thompson has picked up the endorsement of a major evangelical, an associate of the late Dr. D. James Kennedy of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I never liked TV preachers for the most part, but Dr. Kennedy was always eloquent, dignified, thoroughly well-researched, and totally committed to the vision of the Founders of this nation. Read about this endorsement of Fred:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/evangelical-endorses-fred-thompson.html

Dustin's Gun Blog says that the Second Amendment Foundation has issued the following on gun-free zones:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/saf-press-release-on-gun-free-zones.html

Front Sight, Press notes that it is the Bill of Rights that saves lives, and not gun-free zones:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/bill-of-rights-saves-lives-again/

Of Arms and the Law has excerpts from an editorial in a Colorado Springs newspaper:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/12/editorial_in_co.php

Oscar Poppa has the cartoon editorial of the day:
http://oscarpoppa.us/?p=824

Michelle Malkin reports that the Democratic Party is in a major meltdown in the House and Senate:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/13/the-democrat-party-meltdown/

Our favorite intellectual, Dr. Walter Williams, who himself is Black, tells it like it is concerning the race baiters:
http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/07/Racial%20Hoaxes%20and%20the%20NAACP.htm

Gun Owners of America has issued its end-of-the-year report:
http://www.gunowners.org/a121307.htm

From the NRA: Pennsylvania has postponed its Castle Doctrine bill:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3311

Eugene Volokh has the goods on Barack Obama's true feelings on handguns:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197498741

Traction Control points out that among those pardoned by President Bush for Christmas, conspicuously absent are Border Patrol agents Ramos and Compean, who were falsely accused, persecuted, convicted by a kangaroo court, and sent to jail for 12 years for shooting an illegal alien drug smuggler in the buttocks (I am soooo ready for George W. Bush to vacate the White House!):
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=846

The War on Guns reports the ominous news that the PENTAGON is going to collect tons of information on every U.S. citizen:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/someone-to-watch-over-me.html

Nicki has a message for home invaders in the neighborhood:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/message-to-house-invaders-in-my.html

Snow Flakes in Hell has Fred Thompson's zinger to Mitt Romney in the GOP debate:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2140

What if 'reasonable restrictions' were applied to ALL of the amendments and not just the 2nd Amendment? Sharp as a Marble says perhaps it's time to give the antis a taste of their own medicine:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/13/Its-time-to-apply-quotreasonable-restrictionsquot-to-the-other-amendments.aspx

Say Uncle reports on some anti-gun stuff in Tennessee:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/13/anti-gun_stuff_in_tennessee/

Red's Trading Post says that we should brace ourselves for the next round of ATF oppression. The Nazi-like storm troopers of the jackbooted thug agency of the Federal Government are not going to stop their assault on guns, gun owners, gun shops, gun manufacturers, etc.:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/curio-relics-holders-next-target-of-atf.html

Breaking News--ATF Nomination Placed on Hold

Word was received late Wednesday afternoon that the confirmation of Michael Sullivan as the Director of the BATFE (or the ATF) has been placed on hold by Idaho's two Republican Senators.

According to Senate rules, any one Senator can block legislation or confirmation indefinitely, sometimes even for years.

Sullivan has been a controversial choice due to his actions as acting director of the ATF for the past year. Under Sullivan, the ATF has continued its harassment of our citizens, put a damper on law-abiding business owners, and engaged in gestapo tactics against those who believe in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership delineates these abuses under Sullivan in the following open letter to America, issued on Wednesday:
http://www.jpfo.org/filegen-n-z/zel-open-20071212.htm

In addition, Red's Trading Post, which has been closely following the events leading up to the nomination and confirmation of Sullivan, has the following late-breaking update on the situation as it develops in Idaho:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/breaking-news-idaho-senators-put-holds.html

And thus, my friends, it seems the citizens' voices have made and are making a difference. This is the time to contact your U.S. Senators to voice your opposition to Sullivan as head of the ATF.

Here is the original news story as posted by the Associated Press:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jNl6jyIzPcvmXCr9yM2WHsCixdFQD8TG6VI81

There is no doubt that the ATF, the jackbooted thug agency of the U.S. government, is a menace to liberty and American society. This is our chance to send a strong message to Sullivan, the ATF, and President George W. Bush who nominated this sorry excuse for a public servant.

And let's not forget that Sullivan is the darling of Senate Democrats from Little Chucky Schumer to Ted 'Senator Blowhard' Kennedy.

Now is the perfect time to let our illustrious Democrat-controlled Senate know that we don't want our government harassing law-abiding citizens and businesses. It's time to take a butcher knife to the ATF, gut it like a catfish, and then boot most of its sorry-assed components straight to hell. The money saved from this financial gutting will be welcomed relief to the taxpayers.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/12/07

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

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel have excellent reading today, via Human Events, entitled, Shopping Mall Signs We'd Like To See:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/12/12/shopping-mall-signs-wed-like-to-see/

Front Sight, Press has a most interesting read today entitled, Contrast:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/contrast/

The McCarville Report has been down lately due to the massive ice storm in Oklahoma. Mike McCarville gives us an update on digging out:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/ice-storm-wreaks-havoc.html

Alphecca comments on the latest example of Hillary Hypocrisy:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=571

Armed and Safe has three parts of his theme entitled, 'Cook County Illinois Wants To Outdo D.C.' Click on this first part of the series, and then read the other two on his blog:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/cook-county-illinois-wants-to-outdo.html

Born Again Redneck has a very informative rundown on the Iowa GOP debate:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/iowa-gop-debate.html

Tam has the 'Word' of the day:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/12/word.html

The War on Guns has a good read entitled, 'Original Understanding':
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/original-understanding.html

The Liberty Zone reports on the GOA's Larry Pratt and his debate with Paul Helmke of the Brady Gang:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-proof-that-paul-helmke-is-moron.html

Breda informs us of her day at the shooting range:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/range-report_11.html

Squeaky provides us with the perfect description of PETA:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2007/12/11/generalization-time-peta-is-a-piece-of-shit/

Snow Flakes in Hell has an excellent response to Ahab's support for certain restrictions on gun rights:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2127

Sharp as a Marble reports that Carolyn McCarthy, D-NY, has been mouthing off again on the House floor about gun violence and gun control:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/12/ABC-PSH.aspx

Say Uncle has the quote of the day:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/12/quote_of_the_day-185/

Michelle Malkin informs us of the disturbing news that the Fort Dix Six are spreading the Jihad in jail:
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/12/fort-dix-six-plotters-spreading-jihad-in-jail/

The Buckeye Firearms Association posts a report by Kylie Conway of NBC24 that says women are shooting firearms in higher and higher numbers:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4088.html

The Volokh Conspiracy has the good news that free speech has been upheld in Georgia:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197492455

Major Conservative Mag Issues Major Endorsement

The venerable National Review has done its part to stop the Huckabee surge. One of the oldest and most trusted conservative magazines, founded by William F. Buckley over 30 years ago, the National Review may not have made the choice we would have made, but they make a strong case for their endorsement.

National Review has endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for President.

Surprised? I was too. But the magazine lays out a very logical, reasoned argument to back up their choice.

Social conservatives will reject Rudy Giuliani and thus split the GOP vote. Fiscal and traditional conservatives in the Goldwater tradition will reject Mike Huckabee, resulting in a split as well.

Thus, according the editors of the Review, Mitt Romney is the logical choice due to his embrace of both social and fiscal conservatism.

The editors acknowledge that the candidate has changed his mind on some issues. Yet they point to a little-publicized fact about Romney that is very telling. When Romney ran against Ted Kennedy for the U.S. Senate back in the early 1990s, he rang all of the bells that are important to Buckley-Reagan conservatives both in terms of social and economic policy.

Thus, it is the contention of the editors that Romney was forced to move to the center when he became Governor of the State in order to work with an overwhelmingly liberal and Democratic legislature. But they believe that in his heart of hearts he is a sincere social and fiscal conservative.

Romney's record supports a great deal of that notion. He has consistently stood for tax cuts, balanced budgets, fiscal restraint, small government, a healthy private sector, and family values.

The magazine believes that there are two other GOP candidates who could potentially unite fiscal and social conservatives in the GOP--Thompson and McCain. McCain has his own baggage, however, on his consistent support for limiting the First Amendment right of free speech. And Thompson seems to be in a free-fall due to a poorly run campaign, according to the editors.

National Review does state, however, that Thompson is the one who has delineated clear positions and detailed proposals on a variety of issues that other candidates will not touch.

While I do not agree with the magazine's endorsement, I understand why they would do it. My hope is that Fred Thompson can surprise everyone and pull it back together as we head ever so close to the first round of primaries.

Click below for the full article in the National Review. It is well worth your full consideration even if you disagree with their endorsement:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YmMxYTUyYzA1YTk2YzE5NGVmNjc0OGFjYWJmNzMzNjI=

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/11/07

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

The Volokh Conspiracy has essential reading today on Mike Huckabee vs. dual citizens:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197356514

From the NRA: Sheriff Ken Furlong has misled Nevada gun owners:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3309

Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has an interview with Len Savage on the latest atrocities committed by the ATF:
http://www.jpfo.org/alerts/alert20071211.htm

The Buckeye Firearms Association comments on the ban by the state of Ohio on church members defending lives at services of worship:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4086.html

From Michelle Malkin: 'Hillary and the Truth--Like Oil and Water':
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/11/hillary-and-the-truth-like-oil-and-water/

John Lott posts Jeanne Assam, in her own words, on how she stopped the deranged church killer:
http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2007/12/jeanne-assam-on-how-she-stopped.html

Tam has the quote of the day:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/12/quote-of-day_11.html

Snow Flakes in Hell points to some vital information on the history of guns in church. (Hint--at one time in our history it was considered a matter of routine for men to carry their guns in church):
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=2115

Red's Trading Post has the written response of B. Hussein Obama to the possibility of Mikey Sullivan's confirmation as head of the ATF:
http://redstradingpost.blogspot.com/2007/12/barack-obama-response-on-atf.html

Sharp as a Marble takes us on a trip to Thug University, and it is well worth the time to explore it:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/11/Thug-University.aspx

Squeaky reports that the coroner has ruled that the church shooter died by his own gun. This is a clear attempt to keep an ordinary armed citizen from getting any recognition or gratitude:
http://www.squeakywheelseeksgrease.com/blog/2007/12/11/i-call-bullshit/

Breda has a link to a Viet Nam vet who saw the whole thing at the church and says that it was Jeanne Assam who stopped the killer, contrary to the revisionism of the coroner!:
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/chick-with-gun-and-prayer.html

Should this man be disarmed? Read the story at The Liberty Zone:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/hmmm-what-say-you-paul-helmke.html

The MUST-read of the day is at The War on Guns, and it is entitled, 'The Road to Hell':
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2007/12/road-to-hell.html

Traction Control has a link to the video of Colorado's hero in action:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=844

A Keyboard and a .45 provides an entry from the dumb crook files:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/12/from-dumb-crook-files.html

You absolutely HAVE to see this over at the Adventures of Roberta X:
http://twowheeledmadwoman.blogspot.com/2007/12/whirled-poly-ticks.html

Alphecca lowers the boom on Mike Huckabee:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=568

Born Again Redneck gives the best reason of all to nip the Huckabee surge in the bud before it goes any further:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/poll-huckabee-would-lose-to-top.html

Armed and Safe blasts a freakin' g-d idiot in Australia who belittles Americans for our rights:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/advice-from-land-of-kangaroos.html

Dustin's Gun Blog posts a Christmas greeting that has Santa contending for the right of teachers to carry guns in schools, for the protection of the children:
http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/santas-gift-safety-for-our-children-in.html

Of Arms and the Law informs us of a move to pass laws that would make gun-free zones liable for the mayhem that occurs on the premises due to their ban on self-defense:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/self_defense/index.php

Rapidly Shifting Poll Numbers Reveal Surprises

Rarely in the history of modern politics have poll numbers shifted so rapidly within one month of the first Presidential primary. With less than a month to go until the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, and only 53 days to go until 'Super Tuesday,' brand new polling data reveals just how fluid this race has become in both Parties.

First, the big news is on the Republican side as out of nowhere Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas, has taken a big lead in Iowa and is in a statistical tie nationally with Rudy Giuliani, according to the latest Rasmussen figures.

Rasmussen reports that Huckabee has skyrocketed in Iowa ahead of former front runner Mitt Romney and now leads the former Massachusetts Governor by 20 points.

The national numbers reveal even more surprises. Huckabee is in a statistical dead-heat with front-runner Rudy Giuliani. The figures are as follows: Giuliani--24%, Huckabee--23%, Romney--13%, and Fred Thompson and John McCain are tied at 10%.

The momentum with which Huckabee has emerged as a top tier candidate may well signal that he is poised to assume single front-runner status by the next round of polls.

Second, on the Democratic side we find that although Mrs. Clinton is still ahead, her polling numbers have been in a constant free-fall for the past two months...and the trend is continuing. Obama is ahead in Iowa and John Edwards is within striking distance of moving into second place, pushing Hillary back to third.

The same thing is happening in New Hampshire, and the fluidity of the polling figures has been so rapid that if the present trend continues she will lose New Hampshire as well.

South Carolina's new polling numbers indicate that support for Mrs. Clinton has slipped to a statistical tie with Barack Obama. And the reason is not the Oprah Winfrey factor.

Disturbing information has surfaced among Democratic voters that indicates Mrs. Clinton is in deep trouble regarding her character. What makes such information even more damning is that it is not coming from Republicans but from loyal voters in Democratic primaries.

Democratic voters indicate that Hillary cannot be trusted, that she is perceived as dishonest and corrupt, and that she is wearing a facade when she paints herself as a moderate although her views are actually very liberal.

These comments by Democratic voters indicate that very few of Mrs. Clinton's supporters feel passionate about the candidate, and the few who do exhibit such passion are just as likely to view her very negatively as positively.

A possible scenario is that Hillary loses Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. She then goes limping into Florida, except by then voters will have had enough time to actually THINK about Obama's lack of experience and decide to come back to Hillary. At that point Hillary wins most of the other primaries, gains the nomination, but comes out of the fight a very weakened candidate.

On the Republican side there are at least a half-dozen scenarios at play, one of which is a Huckabee sweep of Super Tuesday after winning Iowa and placing second in New Hampshire and South Carolina.

And what about Fred in the middle of all of this? Stay tuned. Thompson is going to spend nearly the entirety of the remainder of December in New Hampshire where he will criss-cross the state during the holidays making contact with voters.

The latest state-wide poll in South Carolina shows him ahead of the pack by 2 percentage points.

Thompson is popular in South Carolina. But so is Mike Huckabee. The question becomes, will the 'Huckabee surge' sweep up Thompson supporters in South Carolina? We shall see.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 12/10/07

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

Mike McCarville reports that Oklahoma's new immigration law could be a model for the entire nation as Congress is urged to pass similar legislation:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/12/oklahomas-immigration-law-urged-on.html

Alphecca rips NBC's Tim Russert a new one over his despicable treatment of Giuliani in an interview yesterday:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=566

Born Again Redneck points to the compassionate side of Fred Thompson when it comes to helping LEGAL immigrants stay legal:
http://bornagainredneck.blogspot.com/2007/12/thompson-helped-immigrants-in-legal.html

Of Arms and the Law reports that a carrier of a concealed weapon saved 100 lives at the church shooting over the weekend:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/12/shooting_at_new.php

The MUST-read of the day is at Oscar Poppa, entitled, 'Second Amendment Hypocrites.' Just wait 'till you see who's packing heat!:
http://oscarpoppa.us/?p=823

Sharp as a Marble alerts us to yet another lying anti-gun bigot:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2007/12/09/The-cowardly-liars.aspx

The Bitch Girls report that there is a move in Wisconsin to require all public schools to teach about the labor movement:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7732

Say Uncle has an excellent post on mass murderers and armed citizens:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/12/10/mass_murderers_v_armed_citizens-2/

Breda posts the idiotic comments of some co-workers who think they are 'safe' in their supposed 'gun-free zone':
http://thebredafallacy.blogspot.com/2007/12/in-zone.html

The Liberty Zone asks, 'What is it that the gun-banning liberals don't understand?':
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-is-it-that-gun-banning-liberals.html

Traction Control enters these comments on Border Security:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=838

Tam let's it rip on the lunacy of some individuals in the 'global warming hysteria' movement:
http://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2007/12/really-you-have-to-admire-sheer-gall-of.html

Armed and Safe has an excellent idea here (read it all):
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/12/gun-law-i-could-support-finally.html

Syd, at Front Sight, Press has the quote of the day:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/quote-of-the-day-nw/

The Buckeye Firearms Association is reporting that Cleveland area police are urging citizens to do everything but defend themselves:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4084.html

From the NRA: The Outrage of the Week:
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3306

For those that don't believe in the slippery slope, here's something that should knock your hat in the creek. Canada, which has implement firearms bans, has now restricted freedom of speech and the press:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_12_09-2007_12_15.shtml#1197260709

30,000 In An 80,000-Seat Stadium

Heralded by a mass of television and newspaper publicity the Oprah-Obama Show, starring Oprah Winfrey and B. Hussein Obama, came to South Carolina on Sunday with great expectations.

Buoyed by the news that tickets to the event, which was originally to be held in the 18,000 seat coliseum in Columbia, were being scooped up like white powder to a cocaine user, organizers decided to move the event to the massive Williams-Brice Stadium on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

The event was trumpeted by Obama supporters and Oprah groupies, with the help of the mainstream media which holds both Oprah and Obama in God-like reverence. Thus, the two personalities who are treated like rock stars decided to head to South Carolina where Democrats overwhelming support Mrs. Clinton.

Mrs. Clinton just received two weeks ago the endorsement of roughly two-dozen African-American clergymen in the state.

However, a brand new poll suggests that Mrs. Clinton may nonetheless have reason to begin to worry. Despite the endorsement of the clergymen, apparently there has been some movement in the polls, and it is not to Mrs. Clinton's favor.

The poll shows that support among African-Americans in the state is evenly split between Mrs. Clinton and Barack Obama, despite the popularity of Bill Clinton among African-Americans. If this poll turns out to be accurate, this could effect the results of the January 26th primary in a state where 52% of Democrats are Black.

Nonetheless, today's Oprah-Obama Road Show did not live up to expectations. Despite the contention of organizers that they never expected to fill up Williams-Brice Stadium, it surely must have been a disappointment of sorts to have such a wildly popular TV star on the platform with only 30,000 in attendance.

30,000 in a stadium that seats 80,000 can put a damper on the most rational of expectations. Those empty 50,000 seats can totally engulf and devour such a crowd.

I am not so sure that the Obama people can claim this as a success. After all, this was essentially an Oprah event, and without her Obama would have been speaking to a small crowd in a classroom at the University of South Carolina.

The Oprah-Obama Show Hits the Road

The Oprah-Obama Show, starring Oprah Winfrey and B. Hussein Obama, has hit the road. The pair started in Iowa on Saturday and will make their way to Columbia, South Carolina for a huge rally on Sunday at Williams-Brice Stadium, home of the South Carolina Gamecocks football team at the University of South Carolina.

Williams-Brice Stadium seats over 80,000. The rally originally had been scheduled for the coliseum which seats 18,000 but had to be moved due to the overwhelming response.

Oprah is the most popular woman in America, you know.

Oh, and she's bringing Obama with her too.

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we? Without Oprah, Barack Obama wouldn't have drawn enough of a crowd to fill a classroom at the University of South Carolina. This rally, therefore, is all about Oprah Winfrey.

Mrs. Clinton is the overwhelming favorite among Democrats in S.C., and there is no real reason to think this will be changing--except for one significant factor according a few Democratic pollsters and pundits.

Oprah is hugely popular among white women over the age of 55. Democratic political consultants think that her endorsement may sway some of these older white women to support Obama.

This is wishful thinking at best.

Many Republican women within this demographic like Oprah Winfrey as well, but there is no way in hell they are going to support or vote for Barack Obama, who basically stands for nothing except for his very public record as a state legislator in Illinois, which shows that he is against the right to keep and bear firearms and that he voted against requiring life-support measures for babies that survive failed abortion attempts.

White women in South Carolina who are age 55 and up may go to a rally to hear B. Hussein Obama if it means they get to see their TV heroine, Oprah Winfrey, but you can bet the farm on the fact that they are NOT going to support Barack Obama.

In addition, Obama has failed to capture the support of the state's Black voters, who overwhelmingly support Mrs. Clinton. Over 52% of Democrats in South Carolina are African-American.

In short, Obama is NOT going to win the state's Democratic primary.

After the Oprah-groupies leave Williams-Brice Stadium tomorrow they will be talking about how exciting it was to see Oprah in person...and wonder why Hillary had to miss the event.