S.C. Tax-Free Gun Purchases Upheld by Senate

Overriding Governor Mark Sanford's veto, the South Carolina Senate voted late Wednesday to keep the sales tax holidays for guns and appliances.

The S.C. Legislature had presented a bill that would give consumers a break from sales taxes during the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend--the busiest shopping period of the year.

But the Governor vetoed the measure, stating that sales tax holidays are ineffective and that such a thing could invite lawsuits.

The state Senate, however, disagreed with the Governor's assessment and voted 34-8 to override the veto. The House is expected to concur with the Senate.

Thus, those who purchase guns and energy-efficient appliances in South Carolina during the Thanksgiving weekend can do so tax free. Read the full story here.

Tax Rebates and Firearm Purchases

Recently I had opportunity to gather with a group of acquaintances for a dinner party. In a room adjacent to the dining area about ten of us were gathered to smoke our pipes and cigars, and to engage in a bit of chat.

Someone in the group broached the subject of the Bush tax rebates, the first wave of which has already been sent out in the mail. The question was what we intended to do with our rebates.

Would we pay some bills? Put it in savings? Or would we do as we have been encouraged to do and use it to purchase goods that will stimulate the economy?

Several offered their intentions about what to do with the money, and then it was my turn. I told them I planned to buy a new firearm.

A part of me made that comment for the express purpose of creating a row--knowing that most within the room were squeamish about the citizenry being entrusted with the ability to own and keep firearms.

The other part of me made the statement simply because that is exactly what I intend to do. I need a new firearm, and what better way is there to stimulate the economy, bolster my own self-defense, and exhibit the patriotic, independent spirit of the Framers of the Constitution than to purchase a gun?

My acquaintances, however, seemed to take a dim view of my plan. In fact, I must have shocked them speechless. The room grew totally quiet...so quiet in fact that you could have heard the footprints of a feline on carpet.

No one said a word. The only reaction was a collective stare in my direction as if I had insulted John Kerry.

And then, as if awakening from a brief, 10-second trance, they all began to pick up right where they had left off in the conversation before my show-stopper.

So this is the point to which we have descended in 'polite' society in this nation, and it has been a long, long descent from the lofty ideals of the men who put their lives on the line to give us this free country.

In spite of the fact that I went to this shindig against my better judgment, rationality finally kicked in as I realized that I no longer wanted to be in the presence of these sophomoric, self-righteous, and sanctimonious snobs that inhabit the social circles of the Left.

Oh, and, by the way, since most liberals do not believe that we, the taxpayers, should get a rebate in the first place, I certainly will be expecting all my acquaintances at the dinner party, along with all of the rest of the esteemed Left, to turn their rebate checks back in to Uncle Sam.

After all, I'm sure they wouldn't dare be so overtly disingenuous as to accept their tax rebates while at the same time condemning the whole idea. Of course not. Liberals are entirely too honorable to commit such a dastardly act of hypocrisy.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 4/24/08

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

Michelle Malkin is wondering if Howard Dean runs the Republican National Committee these days and gives us commentary on Rev. Jeremiah Wright's lame excuses for hate-mongering, as told to Bill Moyers:
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/04/24/does-howard-dean-run-the-rnc/

Mike McCarville reports on how an Obama ticket would bury the Democrats in the state of Oklahoma:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/04/sooner-survey-obama-disaster-for-state.html

McCarville also crunches the numbers on where Obama and Clinton stand so far...an excellent and informative post!:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2008/04/crunching-clinton-obama-numbers.html

Alphecca has a MUST-read today on business owners' rights (a private property issue), particularly with regard to smoking bans:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=730

Of Arms and the Law reports that a college professor attempted to ban empty holsters on campus--the method used by gun-rights supporting students to call attention to their vulnerability in gun-free zones:
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2008/04/prof_tries_to_b.php

Bitter tells us how we can save money on gun purchases right now:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=8150

Armed and Safe says that the New Orleans Mayor is at it again with his gun-grabbing ways:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-dont-you-just-steal-them-again.html

Say Uncle has a link to 14 hot ladies who love their guns (and you DON'T want to miss this one!):
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2008/04/24/chicks-and-guns-3/

Robb Allen shows us how taking those who are gun-ignorant shooting never fails to blow to bits their many negative myths concerning firearms:
http://blog.robballen.com/archive/2008/04/24/It-never-fails.-NEVERAgain.aspx

The War on Guns provides vital background information on the wolves in sheep's clothing--the American Hunters and Shooters Association:
http://waronguns.blogspot.com/2008/04/im-ara.html

Nicki blogs about the gun shop owner who is offering discounts to students at Virginia Tech so that they can protect themselves:
http://libertyzone.blogspot.com/2008/04/good-for-you-mr-thompson.html