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Saturday, December 17, 2011

Democrats introduce bill attacking free speech


On Thursday of this week, two Democratic Senators, Chuck Schumer of New York and Ben Cardin of Maryland, introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that directly attacks free speech. Called 'the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2011,' the bill would criminalize 'misleading' or 'intentional false information' published or broadcast concerning voting eligibility and the time and place for voting, within 90 days of an election.
In introducing the bill, Cardin stated that the First Amendment protection of free speech does not include 'fraudulent' speech, according to a report issued by CNS News Service.
While the bill is aimed at preventing the disenfranchisement of voters inherent in feeding them disinformation, critics say that the law would open a Pandora's box of abuses by government that would directly infringe on the right to free speech.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Empire Strikes Back: DOJ to Audit Reporter's Emails


Is it a case of retaliation? Why would the Department of Justice audit the emails of an investigative reporter? The answer has all the trappings associated with the meme, 'The empire strikes back,' suggesting punitive action against a citizen who would dare cultivate sources in very high places in government and then publish news from those sources concerning that government--information which places it in a negative light.
Citizen investigative reporter Mike Vanderboegh was the very first, along with National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea, to break the story of the Gunwalker, or Fast and Furious, scandal back in December of 2010. Now Vanderboegh is the subject of a DOJ audit of all of his emails, as he reported today.
In the months that have followed Vanderboegh has been meticulous in establishing and cultivating sources--good sources--which is a must for any reporter. These sources are in the highest levels of government, including those who are continuing to investigate the Gunwalker scandal for Congress.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bill of Rights Day

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.

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Thursday, December 15, 2011

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

Mike Vanderboegh presents a scathing report on Eric Holder and the attempt to prevent Brian Terry's parents from appearing with him on camera!

WRSA points to a classic from the great Mark Steyn. Read it all.

David Codrea has info on a shooting in Mesa, Arizona and a 'walked gun.'

Armed and Safe links to all of the gun rights articles by Gun Rights Examiners.

Tam says she has a case of writer's block, of a sorts, but she muses about handguns and Russians and Americans, oh my.

Standing By highlights an article that shows that Democrats WANT voter fraud. Yep. It is now the only way they can win...which is why they routinely oppose voter I.D.

GunRights4US has the joke of the day. Pretty funny!

Days of our Trailers notes that somehow it is always the paid shills who complain about paid shills. Take a look.

Pamela Geller lists 'the 40 Best Conservative Blogs,' and she ranks number 11.

The Wandering Minstrel comments on the cost of ammo.

New law negates Constitutional protections of citizens


A new law approved by Congress and signed by Barack Obama yesterday essentially negates the 4th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, regarding unreasonable searches and seizures, the requirement for a warrant prior to arrest, and the prohibition of arrest and detainment without due process of law.
Called 'the National Defense Authorization Act' (NDAA), the new law allows the military to detain U.S. citizens suspected of terrorism indefinitely, without a trial. For the first time since the Civil War the U.S. military will have the authority to engage in the pursuit and detention of suspected criminals on American soil.
Although the specific language of the original bill does not expand the powers of the President to detain citizens indefinitely without a trial, proponents of the new law say that in its final form it is designed to codify recent court decisions that would do exactly that, giving the President the authority to designate citizens as 'enemy combatants' who could then be detained without a warrant or trial, and sent to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba along with some of the most dangerous terrorists in the world. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

U.S. Economy: "It's Twice as Bad as We Thought"


Two significant reports issued late today indicate that the U.S. economy is in much worse shape than what the American people have been told. When one local economist was asked to comment on the news, he stated, "It's twice as bad as we thought."
A closer look at the figures led to a revision of that assessment, however, but the fact remains that in many cases Realtors somehow double-counted home sales.
Two significant pieces of information were released that show not only is the economy significantly worse than anyone realized but it is poised to get even worse, in spite of so-called 'hopeful signs' rolled out by the Obama Administration in recent weeks.
First, the National Association of Realtors reported today that sales of existing homes have been 'double-counted' since 2007. From CNBC:

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Tuesday, December 13, 2011

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

The Hargoosh Herald is a new aggregator site for all the news of interest to conservatives. I like it better than Drudge because most of it comes from sources that are liberty-and-rights friendly.

Patriots Duty has an excellent read entitled, 'Kansas, Roosevelt, Brown, and Obama.' It has to do with John Brown and Obama's speech in Kansas that provides an important lesson.

The New York Liberty Report provides an interesting read on the Michael Savage offer to Newt Gingrich of  one million bucks to drop out of the race.

Pamela Geller has a special report from Belgium concerning an Islamist grenade attack that killed 4 and wounded 75.

Standing By reports on a new initiative by the State Department that promotes Sharia Law.

Tam poses an excellent question for the GOP. I would like to know the answer myself.

John Jacob H provides a 'Texas Tall Tale....with Dynamite.'

GunRights4US points to a good read on knife rights.

Mike McCarville has news on polling data that shows that although Gingrich is ahead, there is good reason for him to be concerned, as is true for ALL of the so-called 'front-runners.'

Squeaks comments on the bill in Congress about detaining citizens without a warrant, without placing them under arrest, or granting them due process. Good info here!

Breaking--Issa to Grill Burke About Gunwalker Today


Due to the fact that his previous interview before Congress was cut short back in the summer, former Arizona district U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke will be grilled by Congressman Darrell Issa today in a hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to a report in Roll Call.
It was Burke who perhaps became the most indignant when asked by Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, about the Gunwalker scandal earlier this year. Said Burke,
“What is so offensive about this whole project is that Grassley’s staff, acting as willing stooges for the gun lobby, have attempted to distract from the incredible success in dismantling [Southwest border] gun trafficking operations,” Burke told Justice Department lawyers who were preparing a response.
Pushing lawyers to “categorical[ly]” deny the allegations, Burke bristled when other officials raised the “risks” of an aggressive denial. “What risk?” Burke wrote to colleagues.
Continue reading at Anthony G. Martin's National Conservative Examiner.

Monday, December 12, 2011

The 2A News Roundup--Top Ten for Monday, December 12, 2011

All guns and politics from the best gun rights and liberty bloggers on the Internet.

David Codrea reports ominous news that the U.N. Global Arms Trade Treaty will be ready by summer. And if the U.S. goes along, as Hillary and Obama wish to do, it WILL restrict our own Constitutional right to bear arms within this nation.

Kurt Hofmann notes that newspapers are still getting the Gunwalker story all wrong and are instead picking up the Administration meme that the blame rests with gun shop owners and lax U.S. gun laws.

Mike Vanderboegh has a Sipsey Street Irregulars exclusive on the Gunwalker story.

WRSA provides some links that prove the notion, 'It can't happen here,' is entirely false.

CLO declares that Democrats will even commit murder to further their agenda. Well, yeah. Gunwalker proves it.

Alphecca says that down in Florida, all they want for Christmas is a gun. Works for me!

Way Up North posts some 'things you probably don't know.' Go take a look.

Brigid laments the 'politically correct' Christmas.

Every Blade of Grass has the 'Fiocchi Canned Heat 45ACP Range Test.' Interesting.

Days of our Trailers provides a curious post on 'Blago and Gun Control'--the convicted criminal and former Governor was a big gun control advocate.

Why Newt is Right on 'Invented' Palestinians


Republican Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich created a firestorm last week when he stated that there is no such thing as 'Palestine' and thus, the 'Palestinians' are an 'invented' people. The controversy spilled over into the Republican Presidential debate Saturday night on ABC News when Gingrich reiterated his contention and further stated that Palestinians are terrorists.
The charge is actually two separate allegations that are to be considered separately.
First, from an historical perspective Gingrich is absolutely right. There is no such thing as 'Palestine' and the 'Palestinians' were a creation of 20th century meddlers in the region.
How do we know this is true?
None other than the top Arab leaders of the region said so themselves.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

How Serious is the Threat of Impeachment for Eric Holder?


During a highly-publicized hearing on Thursday of this week, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin, dropped the dreaded 'I' word on Attorney-General Eric Holder. Sensenbrenner told Holder that unless satisfactory answers were provided to 'clean up the mess' left in the wake of the Operation Fast and Furious scandal, then impeachment would be considered as a possible consequence.