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Saturday, June 30, 2007

Just in Time: The Foiled London Terror Plot

London (TLS). Due to some astute observation and quick thinking on the part of a rescue unit in London, a crowded area of the city's central district was spared a terrorist attack that would have killed hundreds of people.

The rescue team, which had responded to another call, noticed a strange and unusual cloud of smoke rising from one of the vehicles later identified as containing homemade bombs. The team quickly called police.

Apparently the bombs were within minutes of being detonated when the rescue team noticed the unusual steam rising from the Mercedes.

Two things immediately come to mind concerning this incident. One, government intelligence and surveillance are not enough to protect citizens and entire populations from terrorism. Two, ordinary citizens who value their own lives and those of others, and who value their hard-fought liberties, are of utmost importance in fighting the war on terror.

It was not law enforcement or government intelligence agencies that thwarted this particular attack.

Had those astute rescue workers not been hyper-vigilant, then an entire sector of London would have been completely destroyed, killing hundreds of persons in the process.

The presence of terrorism in the world requires hyper-vigilance on the part of ordinary citizens who are going about their daily lives. Terrorists are becoming more adept, post 9/11, at being inconspicuous, blending in with the rest of society.

For example, the would-be London terrorists were driving a Mercedes and not a truck. The sector of town they had targeted, the Piccadilly Circus and surrounding area, is an upscale section with plush and hip nightclubs that appeal to the upper crust.

Sources inside the FBI, the CIA, and other counterterrorism organizations believe that terrorists presently mingle among us as Americans--all with fairly effective anonymity. One of the reasons for this effectiveness is our sloth. We have lulled ourselves back to sleep concerning terrorism because we have not had a successful attack since 2001.

And this is in spite of the numerous foiled plots that have been made public.

It certainly doesn't help matters when members of the Democratic Party's extremist leftwing lunatic fringe incessantly refer to reports of such thwarted attacks as 'fear-mongering.'

Yet Americans don't seem to wish to be bothered with hyper-vigilance. This must change. To continue on the present course is a deadly game of Russian roulette.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/30/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

From the GOA: Gun owners played a huge role in the defeat of the immigration compromise bill:
http://www.gunowners.org/a062907.htm

The GOA also has an excellent and detailed analysis of the problems associated with the McCarthy-Dingel-NRA bill, HR 2640:
http://www.gunowners.org/netb.htm

Gun Law News reports that Fred Thompson gave an extended and thorough rationale for his unswerving support of the Second Amendment (also a link to the interview):
http://www.gunlawnews.org/Federal-Politics/fr062807-2.html

The McCarville Report has info on a new Rasmussen poll that shows voters perceive Fred Thompson as the most conservative of the Presidential candidates:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/thompson-perceived-as-most-conservative.html

The Bitch Girls say that Fred Thompson picked up some major support among gun owners because of a certain thing he did on his campaign swing into New Hampshire:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7033

Again, over at The Bitch Girls, Bitter says that her boyfriend Sabastian (Snow Flakes in Hell) went way too far in cutting slack to criminal profiler Pat Brown, who seemed to indicate that male gun ownership is a red flag for mental instability:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7030

John Lott blogs about the sharp increase in the number of applications for concealed carry permits in East Tennessee:
http://johnrlott.tripod.com/2007/06/eastern-tennessee-experiencing-sharp.html

Say Uncle has good news about the Tiahrt Amendment (and its counterpart in the Senate, the Shelby Amendment):
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/29/tiahrt_stays/

Traction Control has more info on the free firearms training offered by Front Sight Firearms Training, in exchange for web links:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=488

Alphecca blogs about the Fairness Doctrine's current demise...but his post reminded me that the current block on funds which was passed by the House is only a temporary measure. Pelosi, Feinstein, and many others intend to bring it back up:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=277

Friday, June 29, 2007

Nifong's Woes Continue to Mount

Durham, NC (TLS). Liestoppers is reporting that former Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong was a no-show in court today at a hearing concerning his dismissal as the Durham area D.A.

Nifong sent word to the court before the scheduled hearing that he intents to tender his resignation, effective on Monday.

North Carolina law is alarmingly lenient when it comes to judicial officials who are disbarred by the North Carolina Bar. As we have reported previously on The Liberty Sphere, several disbarred Judges and District Attorneys still had not vacated the offices to which they were chosen.

With Nifong's woes continuing to mount by the day, and with the intense public scrutiny of this case, the beleaguered D.A. could hardly attempt to stay in office following a highly embarrassing trial before the Bar, the result of which was his disbarrment.

Now that the North Carolina Attorney General has declared the three falsely accused Duke lacrosse students innocent of all the charges brought by Nifong, and now that the N.C. Bar has removed his license to practice law, the students and their famlies have pressed for criminal charges to be brought against Nifong.

Thus, Nifong now stands charged with contempt of court for the manner in which he conducted himself during the Duke lacrosse case...a charge for which he could face jail time.

The no-show at court today is certainly no feather in the cap of the Nifong.

Read about the criminal contempt of court charge against Nifong here:
http://liestoppers.blogspot.com/2007/06/smiths-order-to-show-cause-contempt.html

The House Blocks 'the Fairness Doctrine'

Washington, DC (TLS). In a striking victory for free speech and conservative talk radio, the U.S. House of Representatives today voted to block federal funding to revive the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine.'

Long derided by conservatives as a ruse by which Democrats seek to shut down conservative talk radio, and thus silence their voices entirely from most of the traditional media, the Fairness Doctrine was born in an era when there was no television, no cable or satellite TV, and no Internet.

In fact, one has to travel all the way back to the year 1929 to understand the context out of which the Fairness Doctrine was born.

Radio was the only source of electronic media in those days. Print newspapers and radio were the only game in town. The Fairness Doctrine was implemented as a means to insure the fair reporting of all sides of political news, since radio was one of only two sources of such news.

Thus, the Fairness Doctrine prevented radio from being dominated by one point of view. Plus, there was no such thing in those days as 'conservative talk radio,' which is funded by market-driven forces based upon ratings.

With the advent of various and sundry different forms of news reporting, such as television, direct mail, and the Internet, no longer did radio have a monopoly on electronic media. Suddenly people could get their political news and commentary in a variety of media.

This meant the end of the Fairness Doctrine, since the circumstances which necessitated it no longer existed.

Liberal politicians within the Democratic Party have long envied the remarkable success of conservative talk radio. And, they most certainly have bemoaned its influence, in spite of the fact that ever since the beginning of television news, political news has been reported with a definite liberal bias.

As legendary ABC News icon Howard K. Smith stated in the 1970s, 'Let's face it. Most of us in this business are liberal Democrats. This is bound to reflect on the manner in which we report the news.'

Yet, in spite of this consistent leftward leaning medium of television, the Democrats simply could not resist turning green with envy when they looked at Rush Limbaugh's ratings. They even attempted several failed forays into talk radio themselves, featuring liberals such as Al Franken and others, all of whom met a quick demise due to low ratings.

When no one is listening to your show, it's hard to get advertisers to spend money getting you to promote their products.

The failure of 'liberal talk radio' in the open marketplace of ideas led many Democrats to conclude that if they cannot compete with the conservatives on the radio, then they should force radio stations through legislation to put liberals on the air.

That legislation came in the form of the revival of the Fairness Doctrine.

The House of Representatives, however, under the leadership of several conservative Republicans, successfully passed an amendment to an appropriations bill today that blocks using federal dollars to fund any revival of the Fairness Doctrine.

Not surprisingly, many conservative Democrats joined them in voting for the amendment.

Over in the Senate, don't expect the Fairness Doctrine to have any more success than it did in the House, despite Trent Lott's retort about talk radio 'ruining this country.' A very humbled and contrite Trent Lott appeared on Chris Wallace's Sunday morning program on Fox News to state that, 'Talk radio has helped me in many ways through the years. I believe that they should have the right to say whatever they please.'

Does this mean, then, that Democrats and liberals will be barred from lending their voices to the issues of the day, simply because they cannot shut down conservative talk radio? In spite of the fact that this is obviously what they want the voters to think, don't believe it for a second.

The Democrats still have the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, the Miami Herald, Time Magazine, Newsweek Magazine, ABC News, CBS News, CNN, NBC News, more than a dozen filmmakers in Hollywood, and countless other forms of news to roll out the liberal party line in the media.

And this is precisely why their whines concerning the 'unfairness' of conservative talk radio are simply not credible. In fact, the entire charade makes them look like a bunch of spoiled cry-babies.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/29/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is the Second Amendment News Roundup for today:

Gun Owners Against Violence is a new blog written by a therapist. She is a welcome addition to our community of gun-rights bloggers. This post delves into the history of gun control as told from the perspective of an African American (hat tip to Armed and Safe for alerting us to this new blog):
http://www.gunownersagainstviolence.org/2007/06/what_is_jesse_jackson_not_tell.html

Gun Owners Against Violence also has this gem:
http://www.gunownersagainstviolence.org/2007/06/dont_call_me_a_gun_lover.html

The Bitch Girls report on a community that was forced to patrol its own streets with pistols when law enforcement would not help:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7028

The Bitch Girls also provide some info on the losses of the Brady Campaign in light of the strengthening of gun-rights in states across America:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7027

Armed and Safe blogs on the investigation into death threats against the state Senator in Illinois who apparently used the State Police to harass gun rights activists:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/investigation-begins.html

The Ninth Stage needs your help regarding an odd-looking .22 magazine that he doesn't know what will fit. He has the pics of it too:
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/06/27/ask-the-internet/

The McCarville Report states that Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK)--a great advocate for gun rights--will have some opposition for his U.S. Senate seat next year:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/andrew-rice-claims-outpouring-of.html

The Volokh Conspiracy has an excellent piece on legal remedies, or the lack thereof, for violations of Constitutional rights:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1183007597

The Buckeye Firearms Association has a very interesting movie review of the latest documentary film produced by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3822.html

Snow Flakes in Hell found a good article opposing HR 2640:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=931

Snow Flakes in Hell posts a response from CNN criminal profiler Pat Brown, in reaction to a negative assessment of her views on gun rights:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=932

Snow Flakes in Hell adds that he is now changing his opinion about Pat Brown:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=934

Alphecca opines on the EPA's ridiculous claim that guns are polluting the Gulf of Mexico:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=276

Thursday, June 28, 2007

The Demise of the Immigration Compromise Bill

Washington, DC (TLS). As expected, the U.S. Senate failed to garner the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture Thursday morning, and proceed to a vote on the immigration reform bill. This means that the bill is dead.

Six top Republicans defected from the shaky coalition of Democrats and Republican leaders in order to insure the demise of the bill. This was in stark contrast to the vote on Tuesday when the bill's supporters received 64 votes.

However, in the intervening hours between the first vote and today's vote, a massive avalanche of angry citizens inundated Congress with phone calls, faxes, emails, and text messages.

One person who contacted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was so explosive in his derogatory comments that Reid indicated he would be turning over the communication to the government's investigative authorities.

Obviously, the vast majority of the contacts were not violent in nature, and thus, the Senators heard the deep concerns of the people loud and clear.

Even Senator Dianne Feinstein commented on the number of complaints from citizens, but stated that she would vote in favor of the bill anyway because 'those who oppose the bill do not understand it.'

Sure, Senator. Only elitists like you can truly understand the intricacies of government and legislation, and we, the misinformed and ignorant commoners, are too dumb to comprehend.

Senator Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, on the other hand, asked, 'What part of ‘no’ don’t we understand? This fight has 'reengaged the American people.'

However, Senator Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, one of the bill's staunchest proponents, stated, 'Remember this day if you vote no. The bill will not come back in its present form, and this is as good as it gets.'

Perhaps someone should remind Senator Graham that we don't need another bill. What we need is enforcement of the laws already on the books that deal directly with the problem of illegal aliens and what to do about them.

The problem is not inadequate laws. The problem is the inadequate enforcement of current law.

Some liberal groups are already warning that the opposition to this bill among Republicans will spell defeat for them in 2008. The common reasoning behind this view is that Hispanic voters are overwhelmingly turning to Democrats, and today's vote will only accelerate that process.

Critics point to the fact that George W. Bush received 40% of the Hispanic vote but that in 2008 that level of support is expected to drop.

A closer look, however, reveals that Hispanics have never been in the hip-pocket of Republicans to begin with. 40% of the Hispanic vote is not a majority. Democrats have always been the beneficiaries of the influx of Hispanic immigrants, which is the biggest reason they block enforcement of current law and come within a hair's breadth of supporting open borders.

It should not be very difficult, however, to show Hispanic voters that this bill is not about legal immigration. This has NEVER been about legal immigration. The vast millions of Hispanic immigrants who have gained citizenship through legal means are valued and productive citizens. They work hard. They are deeply religious. They support their families.

Republicans, conservatives, independents, and libertarians who opposed the immigration compromise bill have no quarrel at all with these exemplary members of the LEGAL Hispanic immigrant community. Our quarrel has been with illegal aliens, period...and the corrupt government of Mexico that apparently wishes to dump its criminals onto America by supporting their illegal entry into the country.

The bill as it stood did very little to adequately address the problem of illegal aliens. Granting a path to citizenship for illegals would be a slap in the face to every immigrant who followed the law and attained their citizenship the right way.

Americans of every stripe continue to welcome immigrants who are willing to obey the law, learn English, and follow the path to citizenship already laid out in the U.S. Code.

We still support those who obey the law. But we remain vehemently opposed to those who disregard the law.

Showdown Vote on Immigration TODAY

Washington, DC (TLS). The Senate is expected to vote on the immigration compromise bill in today's session. Although 64 Senators voted in favor of 'cloture' to proceed to the consideration of the bill, The Liberty Sphere has learned that there are already defections among the Republicans who originally voted for cloture.

The tentative coalition of Democrats and top Republicans is being severely strained by what some Republican Senators describe as 'being railroaded.'

Republicans complain that they are being railroaded by the Democratic majority which has cut off consideration of their amendments and chosen instead to consider only those amendments offered by Democrats.

This, according to one Republican, is tantamount to being 'silenced.'

The tactical maneuver by the Democratic leadership to ignore all Republican amendments to the bill is the force driving the defections from the coalition.

According to Fox News Wednesday afternoon, there are already 4 Republican Senators who originally voted for cloture yet who indicate that now they plan to vote AGAINST the bill. More defections are expected.

And this is not the only bad news for the bill's supporters. Sources in the House indicate that if the bill is approved by the Senate, it will be dead-on-arrival as soon as it comes to the House.

Within the House there is a much stronger coalition among conservative Democrats and Republicans who oppose the bill than is the case in the Senate. Thus, the House, which by its very nature is closer to the people, is in no mood to antagonize their constituents any further by approving a measure that 70% of the voters deplore.

As for now, the only thing we can do is wait and see. We can only hope that the Senators considering this bill have been listening to the ire of the electorate.

Yet Another Female Teacher Goes Sex-Wild

Leroy, Alabama (TLS). Washington County, Alabama law enforcement officials report the arrest of a 54-year-old female teacher, Charlene Schmitz, for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student.

Schmitz, who teaches at Leroy High School in the small town of Leroy, Alabama, has been charged with rape and sodomy. Law enforcement officials state that the arrest was made after the mother of the 14-year-old boy presented to police dozens of sexually explicit emails that the teacher allegedly sent to her son.

Washington County Sheriff's officials state that Schmitz has been released from jail on a $40,000 bond, and is awaiting her first court hearing on July 24.

For more details of this breaking story, click here:
http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0607/434666.html

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/28/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Gun Law News has a crucial analysis of 'the Tiahrt Amendment,' which prevents the BATFE from releasing to the public gun trace data:
http://www.gunlawnews.org/Analysis/tiahrt062607-2.html


The Buckeye Firearms Association blasts Sandusky Register Editor Matt Westerhold:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3821.html

A Keyboard and a .45 has some good news concerning a gun shop that received some positive words from the media:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/06/good-job-guys.html

The Jawa Report takes to the woodshed the Sandusky Register and Matt Westerhold:
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/188477.php

The Jawa Report has an excellent opinion piece about the so-called 'Fairness Doctrine,' namely, that if this is brought back and applied to conservative talk radio, it should also apply to the mainstream news media:
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/188478.php

The Captain's Quarters has some vitally important information on the Fairness Doctrine...apparently the move has been made this week to bring it back in order to shut down conservative talk radio (A MUST-READ!):
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010363.php

The Captain's Quarters also identifies the main players in the House and Senate who are intent on bringing back the Fairness Doctrine:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010361.php

Traction Control posts the infamous 'gang of 64'--the 64 Senators who are pro-amnesty (we do understand, however, that there are already some Republican defectors from this, probably due to pressure from their constituents):
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=484

Snow Flakes In Hell blogs on 'the poisoned well' concerning the bill HR 2640 (We realize some in the community, including the NRA, support the measure. Many others, however, including GOA, do not):
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=926

Armed and Safe provides an update on counties in Illinois that are passing pro-2nd Amendment resolutions:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/latest-county-pro-2a-resolution-update.html

Alphecca reports that the Bloomberg coalition of anti-gun mayors is continuing to fall apart:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=273

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

LIBERTY ALERT! Feds Target Gun Shops

Washington, DC (TLS). This is an urgent 'Liberty Alert' concerning your freedoms as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

The Feds are going after the gun shops.

Having failed to disarm the citizens through the legislative process, by suing gun and ammo manufacturers, and by attempting to convince the public that the 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights guarantees no individual right, the jackbooted thugs of the vast, shadowy government bureaucracy--which operates with little accountability to the voters--has decided to target the stores that sell guns and ammo.

Their tactic? Revoke their licenses to sell guns.

Often gun shop owners are shut down for nothing more than a spelling mistake on their paperwork to the federal government.

It seems the Feds are using magnifying glasses and microscopes in going over the paperwork turned in by gun shop owners, looking for any reason whatsoever to justify their desire to revoke their licenses...even to the extent of shutting them down because of a spelling error on the license application!

My friends, the vast expanse of the Federal Government is so gargantuan that even our elected officials have little control over it. Employees with their civil service designations are basically there for life, and their supervisors have little recourse.

What this means is that through the years individuals with a vested interested in expanding the federal bureaucracy, it's power over the citizens, and it's lack of accountability, have infiltrated numerous agencies within the government. And they intend to advance their subversive agenda no matter what the law, the Congress, or the citizens have to say.

One gun shop owner in particular who was shut down by the Feds had this to say:

'No government agency should have the right to take away our right to do business. Without a gun license, we had no reason to continue our business… I believe government has been unable to take guns from the hands of citizens or sue gun manufacturers out of business, so they will use government agencies to revoke licenses one at a time until there are no stores to buy guns.

'I encourage every gun owner to step forward and let their senators and congressmen know how we feel about the ATF's power to revoke licenses and close up businesses. The ATF should be stopped before there are no guns left to buy. Let your voice be heard.'

Read the entirety of this sickening story here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56389

LIBERTY ALERT! Supreme Court Slams Private Property Rights

Washington, DC (TLS). In a stunning 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck a blow to private property rights. The ominous ruling could be a foreshadowing of things to come if this is any indication of the views of the majority of the justices on the subject of the private property of citizens.

Surprisingly, two of the Court's most liberal members dissented, Justices Stevens and Ginsberg.

The Volokh Conspiracy has a complete analysis of the case, including the participants, the merits, the arguments, the context, and the ramifications of the decision. Here is the series of links that will take you to Volokh's posts on the subject:

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1182919320

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1182955495

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1182905222

http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1182956233

Westerhold Fights Back

Sandusky, Ohio (TLS). Sandusky Register's Managing Editor Matt Westerhold is fighting back in the face of a deluge of criticism concerning his decision to publish the names of registered concealed handgun owners in the area covered by the newspaper.

In an editorial in today's edition of the Register, Westerhold takes on the NRA and Ohioans for Concealed Carry in their concerted effort to target advertisers in the newspaper. An unrepentant Westerhold maintains that his decision is 'not about the gun owners, but about government secrecy.'

This makes perfect sense. Suppose he were to publish the Social Security Numbers of all of the citizens in Ohio...information that the government has on record. Would this be a prudent step, given that 'we don't want the government to keep secrets?'

The fact of the matter is that Westerhold as very little logical or legal ground to stand on. He should be fired, and the state of Ohio should pass a measure that makes it clear that such personal, private information should not be disclosed to the public, just as we don't publish everyone's Social Security Numbers.

Click here to read Westerhold's drivel:
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/06/27/viewpoints/register_viewpoints/doc46822c5de594e512678645.txt

And then, click here to read a detailed and delightful rebuttal to Westerhold, provided by Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/westerhold-of-the-sandusky-register-responds-to-outrage-at-the-papers-decision-to-publish-list-of-ccw-permit-holders/

It's Back--Immigration 'Compromise'

Washington, DC (TLS). As expected, the U.S. Congress has resurrected the immigration compromise bill proposed by Ted Kennedy, John McCain, and backed by President Bush.

None of the three have what we could call 'exemplary' records when it comes to immigration law and illegal aliens.

In his long tenure as a career politician from the state of Massachusetts, Kennedy has spearheaded at least three major immigration 'reform' bills, two of which have been passed into law. With each successive reform measure, the problem of illegal aliens only gets worse.

John McCain never saw an amnesty bill he didn't like, and he has been shockingly soft on the issue of illegal aliens, given that his state is on the front lines of the issue.

President Bush has presided over the single largest infiltration of illegal aliens that the country has ever witnessed. His Texas crony, U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, has been busy at the southern border making sure that no matter what rhetoric comes out of the White House, Mexico is the one to be placated on the matter of immigration, even at the expense of our own Border Patrol agents.

The agents have essentially been browbeaten into cowering in the face of illegals overrunning the country due to the fact that Sutton has tossed into the slammer any law enforcement agent that takes seriously the nation's laws against illegal entry into the country.

Americans are not dumb. They can see clearly what has been occurring in their towns, cities, and counties, and they know that the politicians in Washington, both Democrat and Republican, are walking in tandem in creating the present scenario where millions from south of the border have invaded our country, shown disdain for our government and its Constitution, flown their Mexican flags, and refused to learn our language.

Legal immigrants who obeyed the law and followed the legal process of becoming U.S. citizens are outraged that law-breakers get a break.

Yet, in spite of the outcry from the citizens across America in opposition to any immigration compromise bill, the politicians are hell-bent on shoving an amnesty program down the throats of the voters, like it or not.

The fact that they would even TRY to resurrect this shameful bill shows that they have nothing but utter contempt for the average citizens and their views on this subject.

A few lone voices, most of them Republicans, have fought to prevent the President, Ted Kennedy, and John McCain from foisting this sham on the American public. Patriots such as Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, Ron Paul, Jeff Sessions, and Jim DeMint have put their reputations on the line in order to oppose the President and a few powerful elitists in the Republican Party.

This is not to mention the hoards of Democrats who are just standing in line to essentially give away the country to Mexico in order to secure votes.

The citizens, and their spokespersons in the Congress, defeated the attempt to pass this measure the first time. We can do it again. But we must contact our Senators and Congressmen yet again to tell them that an amnesty program under a different name is still an amnesty program.

Unfortunately, the problem with illegal aliens is not going away until Bush exits the White House, about 150 Democrats lose their next election, and roughly 6 Republicans are sent packing as well.

As for now, however, we can tell the elitist sleazebags in Washington that we STILL don't want this immigration compromise.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/27/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The Buckeye Firearms Association has yet another example of a gun in a gun-free zone:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3818.html

In case you missed it, The Liberty Sphere posted late yesterday evening the information on Sandusky Register Editor Matt Westerhold, as provided by the Buckeye Firearms Assoc.:
http://thelibertysphere.blogspot.com/2007/06/public-info-on-sandusky-register.html

Snow Flakes in Hell has an interesting take on the assertion by CNN criminal profiler Pat Brown that gun ownership is a 'red flag' to any woman that a guy she is dating is probably a violent psychopath:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=915

Armed and Safe blogs that the easiest and best way to pass gun control legislation is to ignore facts and logic:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-to-pass-gun-control-legislation.html

Armed and Safe also reports that a newspaper in Connecticut is pressuring municipalities and county governments to release the names, addresses, and phone numbers of anyone who APPLIES FOR a permit for concealed carry! Read it here:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/update-on-ohio-newspaper-publishing.html

Alphecca weighs in on the shamelessness of the Sandusky Register:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=269

Alphecca also shows that when the tables are turned, the mainstream media suddenly turns against the 'freedom of information act' they hide behind:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=271

The Bitch Girls report that when ordinary citizens begin taking an interest in pending legislation, and holding their representatives in Washington accountable, the politicians can turn nasty:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7010

Traction Control has the list of turncoat pro-amnesty Republicans, as well as a few Dems that claim they are against amnesty but whose votes show otherwise:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=483

Cap'n Bob and the Damsel has the demographics of citizens who oppose the immigration compromise bill, as well as info on a new website dedicated to the security our borders:
http://capnbob.us/blog/2007/06/25/secure-borders-blog/

Captain's Quarters has information on an underhanded scheme to slide in an amendment to the immigration bill that further benefits illegal aliens:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010348.php

The Volokh Conspiracy blogs on the latest ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the free speech rights of underage students:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_06_24-2007_06_30.shtml#1182830987

A Keyboard and a .45 has some great info on preparing to take a new shooter to the range:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-shooter-going-to-range-with-me-read.html

Say Uncle has a link to a neat looking 'stealth rifle case':
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/26/stealth_rifle_cases/

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Public Info on Sandusky Register Managing Editor

Sandusky, Ohio (TLS). The Buckeye Firearms Association has posted the following information on its website concerning the public records of Sandusky Register Managing Editor Matt Westerhold.

Westerhold is the one who approved the plans to publish the names of concealed handgun owners in the area of Ohio covered by the newspaper.

In order that all parties involved have a level playing field, journalists as well as gun owners, we will publish Westerhold's address and property information, which can be found in county courthouse records, all of which are open to public inspection.

'According to Public Records: Editor Westerhold owns 322 Deepwood Lane, Amherst, Ohio 44001. Matt purchased this house on April 28, 2005 for $124,900 and borrowed $123,920 from Union National Mortgage Company to finance the purchase.

'It is not clear if Matt actually lives in this house, because he claims a residence in Sandusky, Ohio.

'Interestingly, this picture appears to show Matt’s blue 2003 Chevy Tracker in the garage, license plate # DA*3816 (*redacted for privacy concerns). Matt was operating this vehicle on September 1, 2006 in Oberlin when the Ohio State Highway Patrol pulled him over for speeding. Matt was cited for failure to wear a seat belt and was warned about his speed.

'It is unclear from the public records if his status as a member of the MSM played a role in the warning versus a citation for speed, and unlike concealed carry license holders, no quarterly reports are forwarded to the Attorney General on the number of MSMs who violate Ohio’s laws and/or have their driver’s license suspended or revoked.'

Read the complete story here:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3819.html

LIBERTY ALERT! Security Debacle at O'Hare

Chicago, Ill. (TLS). CBS Channel 2 in Chicago is reporting the results of an undercover operation that exposed a serious security breach at O'Hare International Airport. The investigation reveals that 3,807 employee security I.D. badges have been stolen.

However, this is not the most serious of the information uncovered by the undercover investigation. CBS Channel 2 also reports that O'Hare did nothing to discover the source of the security breach.

In short, O'Hare never investigated the case of the stolen I.D. badges.

This has led CBS Channel 2 to designate O'Hare as a 'fly at your own risk' air facility. There is no way to validate the I.D.s of the thousands of airport workers who have access to highly sensitive areas on a daily basis, short of a massive verification operation that would identify every single I.D. badge holder.

To say the least, such an operation would be a massive--and costly--undertaking.

Read the complete story here at CBS Channel 2, Chicago:
http://cbs2chicago.com/homepage/local_story_176224625.html

LIBERTY ALERT! Update on Sandusky Register

Washington, DC (TLS). As reported on The Liberty Sphere yesterday, the Sandusky Register in Sandusky, Ohio has published the names of registered concealed carry gun owners. Not unexpectedly, the move has created a firestorm of controversy raging across not only Ohio but the entire country as citizens express their outrage at such a cavalier and unprofessional display of news reporting.

Word comes today that Ohioans for Concealed Carry, one of The Liberty Sphere's preferred sites, is organizing a massive campaign to contact the advertisers that utilize the Sandusky Register to urge them to withdraw their ads.

The Liberty Sphere has also received word that a group of legislators in the Ohio Legislature is considering amending the laws that allow these types of breaches of privacy to happen.

One legislator is openly calling for the Register to dismiss its managing editor, Matt Westerhold, for making the decision to publish the names. Westerhold has a history of doing this sort of thing, thus exhibiting an outright disdain for gun owners, at other newspapers where he has worked in the past.

Two important links are found below which will take you to Ohioans for Concealed Carry. These links will update you on what the organization is doing in light of the Sandusky Register debacle, as well as provide you with information on how to contact each business that advertises in that newspaper.

Here are the links:

http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/3897/83/

http://www.ohioccw.org/content/view/3896/83/

SUPREME COURT GUTS MCCAIN-FEINGOLD

Washington, DC (TLS). In a striking victory for free speech, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key component of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform that banned issues-oriented ads prior to election day.

The Court stated that disallowing these ads was an unnecessary infringement on the First Amendment right of freedom of speech.

McCain referred to the ruling as 'unfortunate,' another reason why he should never be elected President.

The Liberty Sphere has repeatedly called attention to the unconstitutional provisions of McCain-Feingold in limiting free speech in this country. Groups such as National Right to Life, the National Rifle Association, and many other groups were prohibited by McCain-Feingold from running issues ads prior to elections.

In ruling against this core provision of McCain-Feingold, the Court correctly restored free speech to the political process.

Something a Bit Different

This is something a bit different for this blog, but this is for baseball fans everywhere, myself being one of them:

http://pribek.net/2007/06/24/simply-the-best/

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/26/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

The gun-rights blogs have been all over the story from Sandusky, Ohio about the Sandusky Register's publication of the names of registered concealed carry gun-owners. Front Sight, Press actually broke the story this morning. On that tip, The Liberty Sphere dug into the particulars and published the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the publisher, the managing editor, and the newspaper itself.

Here is a sampling of what some fellow gun-rights bloggers had to say about this blatant attack on those who exercise the right to concealed carry:

From Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/news/sandusky-register-publishes-lists-of-ccw-holders/

From Say Uncle:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/25/another_paper_publishes_a_list_of_handgun_carry_permit_holders/

From the Jet Pilot:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/erie-county-concealed-carry-list-l.html

From Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/ohio-newspaper-publishing-names-of.html

The Buckey Firearms Association has a complete analysis of the Register's publication of the story, and info on the fallout which has already started (this is a MUST-READ!):
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article3816.html

In other news of interest to the firearms community:

Alphecca blogs on another useless gun control law in Connecticut:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=266

Alphecca also reports that Jessie Jackson was arrested at the gun shop protest on Saturday:
http://www.alphecca.com/?p=265

The Bitch Girls report on a proposal to allow professors to carry guns on campus in Nevada:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=7003

Snowflakesinhell publishes the text of the new gun control law in Connecticut, and says it's worse than what we thought:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=909

The Jet Pilot has an important FIRST amendment alert:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/first-amendment-alert.html

Armed and Safe reports that Great Britain may not be the safe haven from crime that people think, considering it is supposedly gun-free:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/yeah-thats-example-i-want-to-follow.html

Captain's Quarters has the results of a Rasmussen Poll on the immigration compromise bill:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010346.php

Captain's Quarters also has ample evidence that the Democrats are worried sick about a potential Fred Thompson candidacy:
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/010347.php

Traction Control has this VERY timely reminder from one of the Founding Fathers:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=482

The Ninth Stage has a report and pictorial on a 'steel safari':
http://ninthstage.com/index.php/2007/06/25/steel-safari-with-photos/

Monday, June 25, 2007

LIBERTY ALERT! Paper Publishes Names of Gun Owners

Sandusky, Ohio (TLS). The Sandusky Register in this Ohio town has become the latest in a string of newspapers to publish the names of registered concealed carry gun owners (hat tip to Syd at Front Sight, Press for the news tip).

As we have stated repeatedly in the past, there is no doubt that such lists are, for the most part but not entirely, a matter of public record. Therefore, news outlets can legally publish the names, depending on how the laws are written in that particular state.

The problem is with the wisdom and prudence of doing so.

Lots of things are matters of public record, but prudence forbids their being published. This is a no-brainer when it comes to concealed weapons.

Most of the people who carry registered concealed weapons have good reason for doing so, such as those in dangerous occupations, and women who are hiding from abusive ex-spouses. Publishing these names can place such persons in mortal danger.

In the past, we have called for lawsuits against these newspapers for that reason alone.

In addition, we have urged readers to contact the advertisers in these newspapers to complain, and if necessary, to urge them to withdraw their ads from those publications.

We have also been known to publish the names, addresses and phone numbers of the publisher, editors, and reporters who have a hand in publishing the names of concealed carry gun owners.

Here are the address and phone numbers for the Sandusky Register:
314 West Market Street
Sandusky, OH 44870
419-625-5500
800-466-1243 (Toll Free)

Here is another interesting tidbit:

'EDITOR'S NOTE: The decision to make the lists available to readers was made by the Register's managing editor. All inquiries should be directed to 419-609-5866 or mailto:mattwesterhold@sanduskyregister.com

And this:

Doug Phares, Publisher
419-609-5860
dougphares@sanduskyregister.com

We also understand that an attorney has already begun contacting the names published on that list to begin initiating a class-action lawsuit against the Sandusky Register.

As always, The Liberty Sphere will keep you posted for further information.

Here is the story (which may become evidence in a court of law) of the published list of names:
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/06/25/front/319418.txt

Today's Pic: Gun Control Is Racist

The KKK started gun control:



Barack Obama Takes Swipe at Religious Right

At the annual national meeting of the United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal denominations in the world, Democratic Senator and Presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama took a swipe at the religious right in a speech before the assembly.

Speaking before an enthusiastically supportive crowd, Obama stated that the religious right had used faith to divide Americans rather than bring us together.

He then used some of the religious right's key issues such as prayer in schools, abortion, and homosexual marriage to lash out at evangelicals, all of which supposedly further proves their 'divisiveness.'

Perhaps we should take a closer look at the beliefs of the United Church of Christ, which supposedly represents the Senator's belief system and faith.

The United Church of Christ (not to be confused with the conservative Churches of Christ) is a mainline Christian denomination that has strayed far from its core doctrines, as have most of the so-called 'mainline' Protestant denominations.

For example, the United Church of Christ (designated as the 'UCC') participates in 'the Jesus Project' and its predecessor 'The Jesus Seminar'--a consortium of ultra-liberal scholars who state not only that Jesus did not speak upwards of 85% of what is attributed to Him in the New Testament, but that Jesus in all likelihood did not even exist as a historical figure.

Thus, I would like to ask the good Senator, which has been more divisive--the fact that millions of evangelicals denounce the slaughter of unborn children, or the fact that his own denomination overtly attacks the faith of millions of Catholics, conservative Protestants, and independent Christians?

In addition, the United Church of Christ is long-known for its support of liberal political initiatives, including denouncing the U.S. military and its use in war, the support for women who choose to have abortions, the opposition to school prayer, in spite of the fact that across the globe and right here in America drastic accommodations are being made to MUSLIMS who wish to pray.

The UCC also openly supports gay marriage and allows openly gay clergy to serve as Pastors of its churches.

Do they have a right to these views? Of course they do. This is a free country, and any group, religious, private, or otherwise, has the right to make its own rules and endorse whatever lifestyle or set of beliefs it wishes.

But this is not the point. B. Hussein Obama said that evangelical Christianity is divisive because it supports a traditional view of marriage, denounces the removal of corporate prayer from schools as an anti-Christian motivated tactic, and supports those policies in society and in government that uphold and honor the sacredness of human life.

Perhaps the good Senator also thinks that evangelicals are divisive because they insist that Jesus Christ was a real person and that the Bible is to be taken seriously as the definitive authority on faith for Christians.

Thus, when you hear B. Hussein Obama, Presidential candidate for the Democrats, speak about those awful members of the religious right, remember that this is the man that voted AGAINST allowing medical care and life-support to be given to babies who survive botched abortion attempts.

The man has ZERO credibility when it comes to matters of faith.

And it is highly doubtful that the UCC can call itself 'Christian' with integrity.

Second Amendment News Roundup for 6/25/07

Washington, DC (TLS). Here is today's Second Amendment News Roundup:

Traction Control has the definitive word on the meaning of 'militia' in the Constitution, as specified by the U.S. Code:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=478

Traction Control also has some neat pics of Kimber Pro Carry in .45 ACP:
http://tractioncontrol.well-regulatedmilitia.org/?p=479

Snowflakesinhell blogs on the definition of a machine gun in light of the ATF's shenanigans of late:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=901

The Jet Pilot reports that Fred Thompson is set to make an announcement this week concerning his national headquarters for his upcoming yet unannounced bid for the White House:
http://ajetpilot.blogspot.com/2007/06/wsmv-tv-thompson-announcement-set-for.html

The McCarville Report blogs that gun-grabber Hillary Clinton came to Oklahoma City and raised over $300,000 for her campaign:
http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/turpen-hillary-raised-305000.html

The Bitch Girls provide a crucial update on the man in Jacksonville, Florida who was fired for using a gun to fight off thugs who robbed his neighbor:
http://www.thebitchgirls.us/?p=6997

Armed and Safe posts an update on the continuing story of gun-shop protests in Illinois, involving a priest and 'the Reverend' Jessie Jackson:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/never-dull-moment-with-deacons-for.html

A Keyboard and a .45 reports a disturbing trend in Texas that is cause for great alarm. Big-city State's Attorneys in Texas are refusing to honor laws passed by the Texas legislature, such as the 'Stand Your Ground' bill, the Castle Doctrine, and others, which protect citizens' right to carry:
http://akeyboardanda45.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-is-wrong-with-this-picture.html

Gun Owners of America has an alert about a pro-gun amendment in the anti-gun immigration bill:
http://www.gunowners.org/a062207.htm

Several bloggers share their thoughts on this disturbing bit of news--Hollis Wayne Fincher, the American patriot and firearms activists, was given 6 and a half years in prison at his sentencing hearing. My friends, this is a travesty of justice, particularly when the prosecuting attorneys and the Judge stated that they did not want to hear about rights in that pesky document called 'the U.S. Constitution!'

Here are a few comments from the gun-rights community:

From Say Uncle:
http://www.saysuncle.com/archives/2007/06/23/fincher/

From Front Sight, Press:
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/rkba/hollis-wayne-fincher-gets-prison-for-machine-gun/

From Snowflakesinhell:
http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/?p=902

From Armed and Safe:
http://armedandsafe.blogspot.com/2007/06/wayne-fincher-gets-6-12-years-for.html

Sunday, June 24, 2007

The Rank Stench Emanating From Washington

Here is a small assignment for you. Go outside and stand facing in the direction of Washington, DC. Then, take in a deep breath.

Get a whiff?

The obnoxious fumes you picked up is the rank stench of corruption emanating from Washington.

The 2006 election cycle was supposed to be about 'restoring integrity to the political process in Washington' after over a decade of Republican leadership that supposedly gave us ethics violations, one of which was 'misleading us into war.'

As it turns out, the Republicans are all standing in line for Sainthood compared to the mob of ethically-challenged mongrels who run Congress now.

Let's look at a brief run-down of just how corrupt the new Democratic leadership has been in the few months they've been in control, shall we?

**Nancy Pelosi had a four-day party-bash to celebrate her coronation as Queen of the House, costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars. Her spending spree had continued with her globe-trotting as no other Speaker in the history of the House has done, including traveling to the Middle East to talk to our enemies and the parties involved in the Iraq War, which is expressly forbidden by the U.S. Constitution!

**Harry Reid, new Senate majority leader, was fresh from an ethics flap over some illegal campaign contributions when he took his new job. He escaped punishment by promising not to do it again and giving the money back. Wonder if that's enough to keep you out of jail if you are hauled to Court to face the judge for illegal activity? Reid also declared that America has lost the War in Iraq while our troops are still in harm's way.

**John Conyers broke federal campaign laws by using his Congressional staff to do campaign work. Once again, he promised not to do it again and all was well.

**William Jefferson was caught with $90,000 in cold cash (pardon the pun) found in his freezer. He has been charged with several felonies and yet not a word has been said of it by the House leadership. He still sits in his seat in Congress.

**Senator Dianne Feinstein sat on the committee that oversaw the granting of military construction contracts (she was the ranking member). As it turns out Feinstein's husband's companies were the recipients of millions of dollars of government contracts that directly benefited Feinstein and her husband. But do you think a word has been said by the Senate leadership about 'conflict of interest?' Feinstein still sits there in her seat in the Senate.

**Muslim Keith Ellison insisted that a Koran be used in his photo-op swearing-in ceremony...a book which forbids anyone from swearing allegiance to anything other than Allah. One wonders how he can swear allegiance to his country and the Constitution when the very book he had his hand on forbids swearing such allegiances. In addition, it was disclosed that Ellison had once defended and raised funds for the terrorist who once attempted to bomb Dianne Feinstein's home in San Francisco back when she worked for the city. And this is not to mention that Ellison's bid for Congress was supported by CAIR--the Muslim entity that has been named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a funds-to-foreign-terrorists scheme prosecuted by the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Yet, there he is, big as Ike, sitting in his seat in the House.

I could go further, but I will stop there with just the tip of the iceberg. It is said that what is seen and known of corruption is never the biggest part. That stench you smell emanating from Washington is but one small whiff of a much larger, hidden cauldron of corruption boiling beneath the surface.

As the saying goes, 'We ain't seen nothing yet,' particularly if Hillary is elected to the White House.

Gun Owners of America Update on Immigration Bill

Washington, DC (TLS). Gun Owners of America has issued an alert concerning the new immigration bill that has been re-introduced in Congress. GOA has updated information on the bill, including an amendment offered by a Montana Senator that benefits gun owners.

Read the latest here:
http://www.gunowners.org/a062207.htm

Video Shows Hillary Clinton Committing Felonies

Saluda, NC (TLS). Some time ago The Liberty Sphere reported that our sources following the various Presidential campaigns informed us that the Hillary Clinton campaign was fighting with all its might to keep the candidate out of court concerning a scandal that may implicate both Hillary and Bill in felonies.

Late this week World Net Daily News obtained a copy of a videotape that shows Hillary Clinton engaging in committing at least 2 felonies!

You can watch that 5-minute video by clicking on the link here:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56305

It seems that the Clinton campaign is going to have a very hard time keeping the lid on this one. We may have a criminal trial before the 2008 election!