Louisiana residents are reportedly buying up lots of AR-15's and .223/5.56 in preparation for hurricane Gustav. I'm glad to hear it. They're learning that having a firearm can be essential for protecting life & property in the aftermath of a natural disaster. What good are the generator and other preparations you've bought if you can't defend them from theft?
Thankfully Louisiana doesn't have a waiting period for firearms purchases. Waiting a week to buy the gun wouldn't help them much in this situation now would it?
Speaking of disaster preparedness, we really should own a generator. Our neighbors have one and have been nice enough to share it with us a few times when we lost power. Still, they're an invaluable thing to have and not all that expensive.
I'm off to the beach for the rest of the weekend. Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Quote of The Day
"I can't claim a Bill Clinton and say that I never inhaled."
- Republican VP Sarah Palin on smoking marijuana
I like her the more I find out about her. It's a shame she's not pro-choice, though I understand that picking a pro-choicer is still a liability within the conservative base of the Republican Party. I really wish the Republicans would drop the anti-abortion & anti-gay stances they've held for so long. I think those two issues alone turn most of my generation off to the Republican party.
- Republican VP Sarah Palin on smoking marijuana
I like her the more I find out about her. It's a shame she's not pro-choice, though I understand that picking a pro-choicer is still a liability within the conservative base of the Republican Party. I really wish the Republicans would drop the anti-abortion & anti-gay stances they've held for so long. I think those two issues alone turn most of my generation off to the Republican party.
Palin!
McCain picks Sarah Palin as VP
Good to see he finally did something right. The man has run an abysmal campaign, he was bound to do something right eventually.
Update - Bruce has a pic of Palin shooting An AR-15 with an Aimpoint! Sweet!
Update #2 - Breda has some excellent insight, and a video of Palin with a poodle shooter. Be afraid PETA supporters, be very afraid.
Good to see he finally did something right. The man has run an abysmal campaign, he was bound to do something right eventually.
Update - Bruce has a pic of Palin shooting An AR-15 with an Aimpoint! Sweet!
Update #2 - Breda has some excellent insight, and a video of Palin with a poodle shooter. Be afraid PETA supporters, be very afraid.
95% of "Working Families" Get a Tax Break?
I actually watched some of Obama's speech the other night, as hard as that was to do. I'd like to discuss one part of it. When Obama made the statement that,
"I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class."
I immediately looked over at my father, who is retiring in a few months, and said "I guess you're that other 5%..." You see, when folks like Obama talk about lowering taxes for "middle-class working families" they lump someone like my dad into the "rich" category and ream them good and hard. Then, they raise capital-gains taxes so someone with low liquidity gets screwed once again. The truly rich folks can liquify assets, move them around, and pay someone to make sure they pay as little tax as possible. Oh, and in "rich" families only one parent works, and kids don't have to get student loans for college. Not in my family, yet somehow politicians like Obama don't get that.
Both of my parents work full-time, as they've done for the past 30+ years. We are a "working class family" So when Obama & Biden talk about making sure some people "Pay their fair share" forgive me for not enthusiastically screaming "Yeah! Get those evil rich folks!" Those people he wants to "punish," those who Michelle think need to "give up a piece of their pie so that others can have more, well that crap hits close to home. They're talking about folks like my parents, folks who worked their asses off for more than half of their lives in hopes of "thriving more than just a little bit."
Screw big government, and screw the "progressive" tax system.
"I will cut taxes - cut taxes - for 95% of all working families. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class."
I immediately looked over at my father, who is retiring in a few months, and said "I guess you're that other 5%..." You see, when folks like Obama talk about lowering taxes for "middle-class working families" they lump someone like my dad into the "rich" category and ream them good and hard. Then, they raise capital-gains taxes so someone with low liquidity gets screwed once again. The truly rich folks can liquify assets, move them around, and pay someone to make sure they pay as little tax as possible. Oh, and in "rich" families only one parent works, and kids don't have to get student loans for college. Not in my family, yet somehow politicians like Obama don't get that.
Both of my parents work full-time, as they've done for the past 30+ years. We are a "working class family" So when Obama & Biden talk about making sure some people "Pay their fair share" forgive me for not enthusiastically screaming "Yeah! Get those evil rich folks!" Those people he wants to "punish," those who Michelle think need to "give up a piece of their pie so that others can have more, well that crap hits close to home. They're talking about folks like my parents, folks who worked their asses off for more than half of their lives in hopes of "thriving more than just a little bit."
Screw big government, and screw the "progressive" tax system.
Go Read!
Brigid hits one out of the park with this Rand inspired post on one of my favorite subjects, pie. Of course you should already be reading her blog. If not, now is a good time to start.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I Wonder
Will Utah get my permit to me before my birthday? Somehow I doubt it. It's been more than 60 days since I sent it in. But hey, they say patience is a virtue.
Remember the Berlin Wall?
It was meant to keep people in, to prevent them from leaving and tasting the freedom that existed outside those walls. It's funny how communist/socialist hell holes talk about being "progressive" and doing things for the "common good." Of course once their ideas are put into practice there's very little "good" for anyone and people want to get the hell out. Then, once in the hell hole their freedom becomes eroded to the point where they're not even free to leave.
You wouldn't think that could happen in America, right? Sadly one must only look at the liberal bastion of freedom known as California for a modern-day example. There's a ballot initiative to impose a one-time tax on rich Californians who die or leave the state. It's called the "hasta la vista tax" yet sadly, it's no joke. They are actually proposing punishing people who decide to pack up and leave the state.
Head on over to Bruce's for the details. Again, I wish I were joking about this, but hey, when contemporary liberals get to run amok long enough this is the kind of result you get, and it's something that doesn't resemble the America I know.
Things like this are downright surreal, and it scares me that national figures like Obama want to model national firearms laws after California's. With proposals like this, and the steady stream of socialist crap that comes out of California how could anyone want to use California as a national model for anything (except what NOT to do to America?)
You wouldn't think that could happen in America, right? Sadly one must only look at the liberal bastion of freedom known as California for a modern-day example. There's a ballot initiative to impose a one-time tax on rich Californians who die or leave the state. It's called the "hasta la vista tax" yet sadly, it's no joke. They are actually proposing punishing people who decide to pack up and leave the state.
Head on over to Bruce's for the details. Again, I wish I were joking about this, but hey, when contemporary liberals get to run amok long enough this is the kind of result you get, and it's something that doesn't resemble the America I know.
Things like this are downright surreal, and it scares me that national figures like Obama want to model national firearms laws after California's. With proposals like this, and the steady stream of socialist crap that comes out of California how could anyone want to use California as a national model for anything (except what NOT to do to America?)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Other Bloggers @ Blackwater
Apparently the gun blog crew weren't the only ones at Blackwater recently.
Victory Caucus has an excellent post detailing his trip. Who knew those Blackwater folks hated so vehemently by the far left were eco-friendly? Thanks to Victory Caucus for bringing that little tidbit to light.
Oh, and I'm willing to bet I'd look equally non-badass holding an AR. In fact, I don't think it's possible for me to actually look badass at all.
Victory Caucus has an excellent post detailing his trip. Who knew those Blackwater folks hated so vehemently by the far left were eco-friendly? Thanks to Victory Caucus for bringing that little tidbit to light.
Oh, and I'm willing to bet I'd look equally non-badass holding an AR. In fact, I don't think it's possible for me to actually look badass at all.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Quote Of The Day
Comes from Mrs. Ahab on John McCain
"Most of the time, the best course of action lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.... Perhaps the fact that he makes both sides just a little uncomfortable is just what this country needs to build true unity. It certainly will not come from the extremes as the Democratic party is trying to make us believe."
-Mrs. Ahab
While I'm no fan of John McCain he at least has an actual record of reaching across the aisle and being a moderate. That's something Obama only claims to do, but the scant record he does have shows him to be staunch far-left liberal who's been surrounded by fellow liberals his entire career. Chicago isn't exactly the place where a Democrat would even need to "reach across the aisle" often.
"Most of the time, the best course of action lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.... Perhaps the fact that he makes both sides just a little uncomfortable is just what this country needs to build true unity. It certainly will not come from the extremes as the Democratic party is trying to make us believe."
-Mrs. Ahab
While I'm no fan of John McCain he at least has an actual record of reaching across the aisle and being a moderate. That's something Obama only claims to do, but the scant record he does have shows him to be staunch far-left liberal who's been surrounded by fellow liberals his entire career. Chicago isn't exactly the place where a Democrat would even need to "reach across the aisle" often.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
So Biden Is The VP
My State Senator Joe Biden is now the Obamessiah's running mate. Boy, good job picking a moderate there Barack....
Where's Biden on guns? He's as bad if not worse than Obama, and has an F rating from the NRA.
He voted against a bill that would have protected firearms manufacturers from civil suits due to criminal misuse of their products, the Protection of Lawful Commerce Act in both 04' and 05'. He wants to close the "Gun Show Loophole (I.E. ban private sales) and supports renewal of the 94' Assault Weapons Ban.
Oh, and we all know how he views gun owners. He's snide, condescending, arrogant, and clearly fearful and paranoid. Remember this from the debates? That tells me all I need to know about his elitist attitude.
Here's what I wrote back in 2007 about Biden and his "Crime Bill"
What a load of horsecrap from my good old Delaware Senator Joe Biden. Remember, this is the guy who thinks a civilian who owns an AR-15 must have mental problems. My brother owns one. I wonder, is he "mentally qualified" to own it? or is it perfectly ok for him because he's a cop?
Here's his "crime bill"
First off, he wants to do this.
"Stop Senseless Gun Violence: Renewing the Assault Weapons Ban and Closing the Gun Show Loophole. The Biden Crime Bill provides for a straight-forward reauthorization of the assault weapons ban that became law in 1994 and it closes the so-called gun show loophole by requiring all gun show sales submit to federal background checks, just like any store-based firearm sale."
There is no "gun show loophole" If you buy a gun from a dealer at a gun show you've still got to go through the same background checks I have to when I go to my FFL.
The AWB was idiotic and useless. Even the Clinton administration concluded that it didn't work. Of course how could it fight crime when rifles of any type are only used in approximately 2% of all crimes involving firearms? So that means that so called "assault weapons" are used in at most a small fraction of a percent of all crimes involving guns. Great, so Biden wants to deny my right to buy one because they're used in maybe 0.1% of all crimes in this country! We had this exact same AWB in 1994 and it didn't do a damn thing to curb crime or "gun violence" but it did make plenty of perfectly good rifles illegal. And by "illegal" I mean Illegal for people like me, but certainly not for violent thugs. Lets assume for a second that it actually did keep such weapons out of criminals hands. Do you think they said "Damn this AWB! I wanted to kill that bitch with an AK47, but now I guess I've gotta use my hi-point?"
Oh yeah, and it was also a proven fact that sales of "assault weapons" spiked just before the ban. If anything it makes people want the "evil weapons" even more. If it looks like an AWB has even the slightest chance of passing people stock up on banned guns, lowers, high-cap mags etc.
Biden also wants to combat Prescription Drug and OTC Drug use. Yeah, that'll work about as well as the current "War on Drugs" is working and it'll make it harder for me to buy perfectly legal drugs that I need like Drixoral or Cough Syrup. Maybe part of the reason these "legal alternatives" are being abused is because things like Marijuana are illegal? And again, you have the attitude that we should punish the law-abiding for the actions of criminals.
He wants to reduce criminal recidivism by helping them "re-integrate into their communities." How about we punish violent criminals rather than re-integrating them? How about we allow the rest of the population to defend themselves from such people? No, that would make too much sense. I don't want them "re-integrated," I want them in jail.
He wants to increase the size of the DEA. Great! More agents to fight the "drug war" that we've been losing since the 1980's. More DEA Agents who'll perform unconstitutional "no-knock warrants" and just say "oh well" when they get the wrong house. These same agents seem surprised when this happens and the homeowner shoots at them, acting like the homeowner did something wrong or should have "known they were cops" despite the fact that they barged in home-invasion style like a bunch of thugs.
I'm continually embarrassed that the citizens of Delaware vote for this elitist idiot.
Sorry, but I totally forgot to mention that he doesn't just support the Assault Weapons Ban, he actually authored the damn thing back in 94'. I don't think you could find a ticket that's more hostile to gun owners and the 2nd Amendment than Obama / Biden.
Where's Biden on guns? He's as bad if not worse than Obama, and has an F rating from the NRA.
He voted against a bill that would have protected firearms manufacturers from civil suits due to criminal misuse of their products, the Protection of Lawful Commerce Act in both 04' and 05'. He wants to close the "Gun Show Loophole (I.E. ban private sales) and supports renewal of the 94' Assault Weapons Ban.
Oh, and we all know how he views gun owners. He's snide, condescending, arrogant, and clearly fearful and paranoid. Remember this from the debates? That tells me all I need to know about his elitist attitude.
Here's what I wrote back in 2007 about Biden and his "Crime Bill"
What a load of horsecrap from my good old Delaware Senator Joe Biden. Remember, this is the guy who thinks a civilian who owns an AR-15 must have mental problems. My brother owns one. I wonder, is he "mentally qualified" to own it? or is it perfectly ok for him because he's a cop?
Here's his "crime bill"
First off, he wants to do this.
"Stop Senseless Gun Violence: Renewing the Assault Weapons Ban and Closing the Gun Show Loophole. The Biden Crime Bill provides for a straight-forward reauthorization of the assault weapons ban that became law in 1994 and it closes the so-called gun show loophole by requiring all gun show sales submit to federal background checks, just like any store-based firearm sale."
There is no "gun show loophole" If you buy a gun from a dealer at a gun show you've still got to go through the same background checks I have to when I go to my FFL.
The AWB was idiotic and useless. Even the Clinton administration concluded that it didn't work. Of course how could it fight crime when rifles of any type are only used in approximately 2% of all crimes involving firearms? So that means that so called "assault weapons" are used in at most a small fraction of a percent of all crimes involving guns. Great, so Biden wants to deny my right to buy one because they're used in maybe 0.1% of all crimes in this country! We had this exact same AWB in 1994 and it didn't do a damn thing to curb crime or "gun violence" but it did make plenty of perfectly good rifles illegal. And by "illegal" I mean Illegal for people like me, but certainly not for violent thugs. Lets assume for a second that it actually did keep such weapons out of criminals hands. Do you think they said "Damn this AWB! I wanted to kill that bitch with an AK47, but now I guess I've gotta use my hi-point?"
Oh yeah, and it was also a proven fact that sales of "assault weapons" spiked just before the ban. If anything it makes people want the "evil weapons" even more. If it looks like an AWB has even the slightest chance of passing people stock up on banned guns, lowers, high-cap mags etc.
Biden also wants to combat Prescription Drug and OTC Drug use. Yeah, that'll work about as well as the current "War on Drugs" is working and it'll make it harder for me to buy perfectly legal drugs that I need like Drixoral or Cough Syrup. Maybe part of the reason these "legal alternatives" are being abused is because things like Marijuana are illegal? And again, you have the attitude that we should punish the law-abiding for the actions of criminals.
He wants to reduce criminal recidivism by helping them "re-integrate into their communities." How about we punish violent criminals rather than re-integrating them? How about we allow the rest of the population to defend themselves from such people? No, that would make too much sense. I don't want them "re-integrated," I want them in jail.
He wants to increase the size of the DEA. Great! More agents to fight the "drug war" that we've been losing since the 1980's. More DEA Agents who'll perform unconstitutional "no-knock warrants" and just say "oh well" when they get the wrong house. These same agents seem surprised when this happens and the homeowner shoots at them, acting like the homeowner did something wrong or should have "known they were cops" despite the fact that they barged in home-invasion style like a bunch of thugs.
I'm continually embarrassed that the citizens of Delaware vote for this elitist idiot.
Sorry, but I totally forgot to mention that he doesn't just support the Assault Weapons Ban, he actually authored the damn thing back in 94'. I don't think you could find a ticket that's more hostile to gun owners and the 2nd Amendment than Obama / Biden.
Friday, August 22, 2008
No Gun / Politics Stuff Today
Instead I leave you all with this.
The Mind Eraser. I had several of these on my cruise last year and they certainly live up to their name. Although our bartender royally screwed them up. No highball glass, instead she made the 1st few in a double shot glass filled halfway with vodka, the other half with Kahlua and just a splash of tonic water. Honestly, she may have used something other than tonic water but I don't remember.
Anyway, they were good, and would probably be even better when made properly. I'm usually a straight beer guy, but these, Irish Carbombs, and Whiskey Sours are definitely my drinks of choice. Amaretto sours are good too, but that's a far too girlie drink to order at a bar.
Happy Friday everyone! Can you tell I don't want to be at work today?
The Mind Eraser. I had several of these on my cruise last year and they certainly live up to their name. Although our bartender royally screwed them up. No highball glass, instead she made the 1st few in a double shot glass filled halfway with vodka, the other half with Kahlua and just a splash of tonic water. Honestly, she may have used something other than tonic water but I don't remember.
Anyway, they were good, and would probably be even better when made properly. I'm usually a straight beer guy, but these, Irish Carbombs, and Whiskey Sours are definitely my drinks of choice. Amaretto sours are good too, but that's a far too girlie drink to order at a bar.
Happy Friday everyone! Can you tell I don't want to be at work today?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Quote Of The Day
"He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. "
- Thomas Jefferson
- Thomas Jefferson
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Jackpot Meme
Via Hammer
You just won the mega powerball jackpot to the tune of 150 million dollars (after taxes)
1. What would be the very first thing you would do? Pay back my parents for what they spent on college tuition and get a financial adviser (yeah 2 things, so shoot me)
2. Where would you choose to live? Somewhere with lots of land. Colorado maybe?
3. What kind of house would you live in? Large, spacious interior, arched, high ceilings with a HUGE garage.
4. What kind of car would you buy? something unusual like a Mazda 323 GTX or a 1972 Nissan Skyline GT-R. I'd have a whole stable of cars though. (see huge garage)
5. Where would you vacation? Everywhere - I'd travel the world.
6. Would you have anything on your body fixed? Yes - Lasik.
7. What kind of hobbies would you engage in? I'd build a shooting range, a big ass garage for my cars and my own road course. What good are the cars with nowhere to drive fast & hard?
8. What charities would you donate to? United Cerebral Palsy and Alfred I. DuPont Hospital For Children. That hospital did so much for me I almost have to give back.
9. Would you give money to your relatives? Yes. Money to my grandparents, my parents (hell, they had to deal with raising me) Brothers and sisters would all get a decent sum, as would cousin's, uncle's, trust funds for my nephews etc. Basically I'd make sure my entire extended family (and friends) were taken care of. Even acquaintances would get a check in the mail.
10.Would you run away from your current life? In some ways yes, but I wouldn't abandon everyone I know.
11. Would you continue to work? Yeah, at least for a little while.
12. Would the money change you in any way? It'd enable me to do a lot of things, but as a person I wouldn't be fundamentally different.
You just won the mega powerball jackpot to the tune of 150 million dollars (after taxes)
1. What would be the very first thing you would do? Pay back my parents for what they spent on college tuition and get a financial adviser (yeah 2 things, so shoot me)
2. Where would you choose to live? Somewhere with lots of land. Colorado maybe?
3. What kind of house would you live in? Large, spacious interior, arched, high ceilings with a HUGE garage.
4. What kind of car would you buy? something unusual like a Mazda 323 GTX or a 1972 Nissan Skyline GT-R. I'd have a whole stable of cars though. (see huge garage)
5. Where would you vacation? Everywhere - I'd travel the world.
6. Would you have anything on your body fixed? Yes - Lasik.
7. What kind of hobbies would you engage in? I'd build a shooting range, a big ass garage for my cars and my own road course. What good are the cars with nowhere to drive fast & hard?
8. What charities would you donate to? United Cerebral Palsy and Alfred I. DuPont Hospital For Children. That hospital did so much for me I almost have to give back.
9. Would you give money to your relatives? Yes. Money to my grandparents, my parents (hell, they had to deal with raising me) Brothers and sisters would all get a decent sum, as would cousin's, uncle's, trust funds for my nephews etc. Basically I'd make sure my entire extended family (and friends) were taken care of. Even acquaintances would get a check in the mail.
10.Would you run away from your current life? In some ways yes, but I wouldn't abandon everyone I know.
11. Would you continue to work? Yeah, at least for a little while.
12. Would the money change you in any way? It'd enable me to do a lot of things, but as a person I wouldn't be fundamentally different.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Certified NRA Instructor In The 1st State
Rob of Delaware Stuff is now a NRA Certified Instructor. Congratulations Rob! I've only met him a few times, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Rob to anyone interested learning to shoot, taking a pistol course, or getting the required Delaware CCW training.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Your Piece of Stupid For The Weekend
Via Hube of Colossus of Rhodey, and Instapundit we have a video of Barack Obama being asked which current sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justice he would not have nominated. His answer was Clarence Thomas. Obama's reasoning?..... Thomas's lack of experience! Yes, you heard me right, lack of experience. That's got to be one of the most profoundly hypocritical and moronic things I've heard the Obamessiah say. Obama's in no position to be questioning anyone's lack of experience, much less that of a sitting Supreme Court Justice. I know he caught himself midway through the word "experience," but then he only made it worse by going on to insult Thomas's intelligence. This was like a "half-gaffe" but everyone knows the word that started coming out of his mouth was "experience."
Thomas is one of my favorite Justices. If you've ever seen him speak you'd know why. He's blunt, eloquent, unforgiving, and he doesn't back down. What he did to Ted Kennedy and others at his confirmation hearings was a thing of beauty. In one-on-one interviews, he is eloquent, respectful, and on point. He never waffles. If you put Thomas and Obama in a head-to-head debate Thomas would destroy Obama. It would be downright laughable.
Thomas is one of my favorite Justices. If you've ever seen him speak you'd know why. He's blunt, eloquent, unforgiving, and he doesn't back down. What he did to Ted Kennedy and others at his confirmation hearings was a thing of beauty. In one-on-one interviews, he is eloquent, respectful, and on point. He never waffles. If you put Thomas and Obama in a head-to-head debate Thomas would destroy Obama. It would be downright laughable.
School Carry in Texas
Via JR.
I'm glad to see someone had the sense to allow this. I'm not the least bit surprised that such common-sense comes from the great state of Texas. If there's one thing worth protecting it's our children, right? We find it acceptable to carry firearms to protect banks & large amounts of money. If someone elses money's worth protecting with a firearm the children in our nations schools certainly are.
Update - Hammer has some good commentary on this issue.
I'm glad to see someone had the sense to allow this. I'm not the least bit surprised that such common-sense comes from the great state of Texas. If there's one thing worth protecting it's our children, right? We find it acceptable to carry firearms to protect banks & large amounts of money. If someone elses money's worth protecting with a firearm the children in our nations schools certainly are.
Update - Hammer has some good commentary on this issue.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Quick Legal Question
Since Maryland has a "ballistics registry" how does that work for used handguns? Any new gun bought in the State has to have a fired casing with it. Does that simply not apply to used guns or can you not buy a used handgun in Maryland?
It would seem that if used handguns are exempt then the ballistics registry is even more of a waste than I originally thought.
A bit of background on Ballistics fingerprinting, since a commenter requested it. It was enacted in 2000 in MD, has cost $2.5 million, and has not resulted in a single conviction since then. Even the MSP oppose the registry.
It would seem that if used handguns are exempt then the ballistics registry is even more of a waste than I originally thought.
A bit of background on Ballistics fingerprinting, since a commenter requested it. It was enacted in 2000 in MD, has cost $2.5 million, and has not resulted in a single conviction since then. Even the MSP oppose the registry.
I Just Got Warned.
Apparently asking JadeGold to "Backup what you say or leave" is against DE Liberal rules. That said I have to hand it to them for not banning me. As we know many such sites (on both left & right) will do when folks engage in disagreements. If there's one thing I've been pleasantly surprised by on Delaware Liberal it's that they have not banned commenters who disagree with them.
I suppose I should have phrased that comment in a somewhat less blunt & direct manner. I may be blunt and direct, but I do treat them with respect. That said, I will say that I occasionally make generalizations which then need to be retracted or addressed to a specific commenter(s) instead. No one is perfect throughout the course of debate and I certainly do not claim to be.
As far as "anger." I'm blunt and direct, as anyone who reads this blog would know. If that is construed as "anger" by them then they are sorely mistaken. However, they are free to misconstrue the nature and tone of any comments I make. God, if they construe what I write as "anger" I can't imagine what they'd think of Nikki or Mischa's rantings.
Here is my warning in full.
I suppose I should have phrased that comment in a somewhat less blunt & direct manner. I may be blunt and direct, but I do treat them with respect. That said, I will say that I occasionally make generalizations which then need to be retracted or addressed to a specific commenter(s) instead. No one is perfect throughout the course of debate and I certainly do not claim to be.
As far as "anger." I'm blunt and direct, as anyone who reads this blog would know. If that is construed as "anger" by them then they are sorely mistaken. However, they are free to misconstrue the nature and tone of any comments I make. God, if they construe what I write as "anger" I can't imagine what they'd think of Nikki or Mischa's rantings.
Here is my warning in full.
"Mike:This is an official warning from the editors and contributors ofUpdate - There's some decent debate going on about this subject (banning folks / giving "timeouts") I'm glad to see some good comments.
Delaware Liberal. You recently told someone to leave Delaware Liberal, in this comment: http://www.delawareliberal.net/2008/08/14/deep-thought-of-the day/#comment-49632
This is not allowed, and indeed it goes against the very nature of the site. We do allow all who disagree with us to comment here so long as their behavior remains respectful and civil. In fact, we allow you to comment on Delaware Liberal, even though your views are the exact opposite of ours. Delaware Liberal is not your site, even though you are welcome on it, and therefore you have no right or authority to tell anyone whether they should stay or go.
I understand your statement may have been said in anger or in the heat of the moment during an argument with another commenter, which leads us to another issue. We also have noticed that the frequency and heated nature of your comments have increased recently. We are not telling you not to post, for you are welcome to comment on anything so long as your comments remain respectful and civil, but you may want to consider if you are spending too much time on Delaware Liberal getting angry."
Quote of the Day
Is over at Joe's. Quite frankly I've never heard such an assinine statement. Then again, this is JadeGold we're talking about.
He makes his comment in true Bill Clinton style. I guess it depends on what your definition of "is" is, or in this case what your definition of "restricted" is. Somehow I don't think Jadegold will consider weapons "restricted" until no American citizen has legal access to them. Period.
He makes his comment in true Bill Clinton style. I guess it depends on what your definition of "is" is, or in this case what your definition of "restricted" is. Somehow I don't think Jadegold will consider weapons "restricted" until no American citizen has legal access to them. Period.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Holsters
On Breda's recommendation I bought a pair of these holsters. One small holster for the Bersa and a large one for the P6. My experience thus far mirrors Breda's. The holster for the P6 is extremely tight. I can draw from it just fine but it's a bitch to re-holster. It's leather though, so I've no doubt it'll loosen up with use. So far they look to be pretty good IWB concealed carry holsters, especially given they were ~$25 each. What's really nice is they can be worn IWB or OWB at any position on your waist and attached with a clip or belt-loops.
Here's the holster. It conceals fairly well, especially the bersa, which is so light I barely feel like I'm wearing it.
Here's the holster. It conceals fairly well, especially the bersa, which is so light I barely feel like I'm wearing it.
Quote of The Day
"73 years ago today, FDR signed the law that created the Social Security program. This pay-as-you-go program has been not only one of the most popular, but also one of the most effective programs in the history of the US."
-Cassandra of Delaware Liberal
I know, another quote from the Delaware Liberal folks, but this was too good to pass up. "one of the most effective......." jesus.
-Cassandra of Delaware Liberal
I know, another quote from the Delaware Liberal folks, but this was too good to pass up. "one of the most effective......." jesus.
Looks Like "JadeGold" Is Still Around
I'm sure we all know Jadegold. Well he found his way over to Delaware Liberal. I thought that guy had disappeared?
Thug Tactics in MD
Kevin has the scoop, from the Maryland Shooters forum. It's amazing people still wonder why we react the way we do to calls for licensing and registration. The MSP came to his door in the middle of the night armed in full tactical gear all because their registry flagged his purchase of "large amounts" of ammunition. The gun owner had done nothing even remotely illegal and yet there's a SWAT team in his house in the middle of the night. That should scare the hell out of people, and not just gun owners.
I have a thousand rounds coming tomorrow. Good thing I don't live in Maryland.
I have a thousand rounds coming tomorrow. Good thing I don't live in Maryland.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Quote of The Day
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."
-Mark Twain
Somehow I find that to be a very fitting quote this week.
-Mark Twain
Somehow I find that to be a very fitting quote this week.
First Castro, Now Even More Communists for Obama
via Little Green Footballs who brings us something absolutely shocking - The U.S. communist party supports Obama!
That should be a damning endorsement for a Presidential candidate. Think the MSM will even bother mentioning it?
I love this quote from the article
"30 years of ultra-right rule and move our nation forward with a broadly progressive agenda."
Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were "ultra-right?" That's news to me. I notice that they also use that interesting term "progressive" that liberal Democrats have enthusiastically latched onto to avoid the negative connotations of the term "liberal." Mao and Lenin were "progressive" too. How'd that work out?
That should be a damning endorsement for a Presidential candidate. Think the MSM will even bother mentioning it?
I love this quote from the article
"30 years of ultra-right rule and move our nation forward with a broadly progressive agenda."
Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were "ultra-right?" That's news to me. I notice that they also use that interesting term "progressive" that liberal Democrats have enthusiastically latched onto to avoid the negative connotations of the term "liberal." Mao and Lenin were "progressive" too. How'd that work out?
I Want to Barf
Everytime I read this...
Brady Bill II
It serves as a constant reminder of exactly what we're up against. Thank god we're in a far better position now than we were in 1994.
Brady Bill II
It serves as a constant reminder of exactly what we're up against. Thank god we're in a far better position now than we were in 1994.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sweet!
I finally went out and got a wireless router, and I'm sitting here typing this from my laptop. Exciting for me, but probably old news for most of my fellow bloggers.
Still, this is sweet. The computer I'd been using was a 7~8 year old bottom of the line Dell Dimension 2400 series with usually no more than 1-2 gigs of free hard drive space. Now I'm on my HP ZE5470 laptop from college which is pretty decent except for constant overheating issues. Despite being 5 years old It's blazing fast compared to the Dell.
Still, this is sweet. The computer I'd been using was a 7~8 year old bottom of the line Dell Dimension 2400 series with usually no more than 1-2 gigs of free hard drive space. Now I'm on my HP ZE5470 laptop from college which is pretty decent except for constant overheating issues. Despite being 5 years old It's blazing fast compared to the Dell.
Quote of the Day x2
since all I have right now are a few unfinished posts.... I give you these.
"Mikie do i understand from you blog that you have guns???This doesn’t seem to fit with the fact that you stated that you had CP.explaine how you can keep your aim on the target with this shaking illness."
-Truth Teller on Delaware Liberal (that from people who accuse others of ignorance)
"Hey Mike i just found out that you are 22 years old.... i am about to see if you truly believe all the bullshit you have been supporting here.... so here is the Question and your answer and actions will reveal your true belief’s and if you are serious about them. WHY HAVEN”T YOU JOINED OUR HERO TROOPS IN IRAQ AND AFGAN ? Or are you just another Repuk troll CHICKENHAWK??? There is a recuting station in down town Wilmington I expect to see your ass down there tommorow if not go away Mommy’s boy."
Truth Teller on Delaware Liberal
"Mikie do i understand from you blog that you have guns???This doesn’t seem to fit with the fact that you stated that you had CP.explaine how you can keep your aim on the target with this shaking illness."
-Truth Teller on Delaware Liberal (that from people who accuse others of ignorance)
"Hey Mike i just found out that you are 22 years old.... i am about to see if you truly believe all the bullshit you have been supporting here.... so here is the Question and your answer and actions will reveal your true belief’s and if you are serious about them. WHY HAVEN”T YOU JOINED OUR HERO TROOPS IN IRAQ AND AFGAN ? Or are you just another Repuk troll CHICKENHAWK??? There is a recuting station in down town Wilmington I expect to see your ass down there tommorow if not go away Mommy’s boy."
Truth Teller on Delaware Liberal
I Know Someone Who Needs to Read This
Robb has a piece entitled "And Spoons Make You Fat." Our wonderful "Progressive" Don Viti / Delaware's Toughest Blogger / Delaware's Brilliantest Blogger was unable to wrap his head around my spoon/gun analogy, nor was he ever able to offer a counterargument more substantive than "You're wrong."
He really needs to read Robb's post. A snippet of his continued ignorance can be seen here.
He really needs to read Robb's post. A snippet of his continued ignorance can be seen here.
Friday, August 8, 2008
My Thoughts on The Mike Vanderboegh Hooplah
As we all know by now, Mr. Vanderboegh wrote a piece that went to the very heart of the 2nd Amendment. His editorial touched off somewhat of a firestorm of debate about the proper tactics gun rights advocates should be taking. Some wholeheartedly support what Mr. Vanderboegh said, ome are saying that his editorial is a bit extreme and that it's counterproductive to our cause because it "scares the white people."
While I may not agree with Vanderboegh's delivery, considering his likely audience in Madison, Wisconsin, I can't help but find myself defending his message, or at least the general principles behind it. I can't however say that I agree with this general approach as a strategy for defending our rights. Mike's general message, that the 2nd Amendment is ultimately about defense of tyranny is without question something the general population needs to be reminded of. I simply believe that sometimes it's preferable to temper our delivery of that message.
I think we at times forget that most people don't share our fervor for guns & 2nd Amendment rights. They can be won over, but throwing the entire gamut of 2nd amendment rhetoric at them at once is likely to be a bit of a "culture shock." The last thing we need are those indifferent on the issue dismissing us as wing nuts. I know I've said things that I didn't consider "out there" or "crazy" as a gunnie that were interpreted in a very different light by the indifferent folks. I then had to re explain myself. My message would have been more effective had I toned it down and considered my audience.
Vanderboegh's message, although blunt, is an important one. I'm by no means going to say we're near an armed revolution currently, but imagine what the Declaration of Independence must have sounded like to some colonists, or Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech. To some extent, any discussion of revolution is going to "scare the white people." That's inevitable, since revolution carries with it the implication of violence. For those who can't distinguish between protective violence and predatory violence, the mere mention of violent revolution is going to be scary as hell.
I won't sugarcoat. I own guns for a variety of different reasons. The main reason is for self-defense, and that includes defending myself, my family, and friends from Jack-Booted Thugs should they ever start kicking in doors en masse.
If we think about the concept of revolution, what are we really talking about? We're talking about "We The People" coming together to arm ourselves and overthrow a tyrannical, despotic government. The concept is more about the deterrent effect of the implicit threat of revolution than anything else. It's a "NO" emphasized, both collectively and individually and it's supposed to be scary, it's supposed to be a threat against the government that says "fuck with me enough and I'll kill you."
We're saying that if government pushes hard enough, if the abuses and usurpations are sufficiently egregious we'll push back. The language of the 2nd Amendment preserves our ability to push back. It asserts against the government that we have the authority to push back. The 3rd element is willingness, and that, in part is dependent upon one's "line in the sand" is. I may tolerate far greater abuses than another fellow American before my line is crossed. Honestly, knowing what I'm like I'm sure I'd see many people reacting to their line being crossed before it got to the point where mine was breached.
That "willingness" is about far more than just one's "line in the sand." Any successful revolution must have popular support. The American Revolution prevailed not because of the men who fought and died. It succeeded because American colonists as a whole wanted freedom. Freedom, individual liberty, self-reliance, personal sovereignty and responsibility were both fervently and widely held values.
For now, those values are what we must fight for. That's the principle reason why I disagree with Vanderboegh's approach. My other point of disagreement with him is simple. If all we accomplish is to scare people then what we'll have done is alienated people and marginalized ourselves. It's hard to have a broad, positive impact once you've done that. It's hard to keep those founding principles and values alive if you've been marginalized. As Judge Learned Hand wrote,
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it."
If we lose the fight to keep the flame of liberty alive in the hearts of Americans (and future generations) then the 2nd Amendment and it's purpose become a moot point. An armed revolution, even if initially successful, can never free from bondage a citizenry that has lost the will to be free.
A tyranny may one day come to be but if we lose the initial, more important fight then our once free nation will fade into obscurity. If that spirit, courage, that flame of liberty no longer exists among a majority of our countrymen, then those who do "hoist the black flag and start splitting throats"will fight alone. They won't have an enthusiastic, liberty-minded citizenry leading the charge with them and their efforts will be futile. Our goal needs to be keeping that flame lit.
While I may not agree with Vanderboegh's delivery, considering his likely audience in Madison, Wisconsin, I can't help but find myself defending his message, or at least the general principles behind it. I can't however say that I agree with this general approach as a strategy for defending our rights. Mike's general message, that the 2nd Amendment is ultimately about defense of tyranny is without question something the general population needs to be reminded of. I simply believe that sometimes it's preferable to temper our delivery of that message.
I think we at times forget that most people don't share our fervor for guns & 2nd Amendment rights. They can be won over, but throwing the entire gamut of 2nd amendment rhetoric at them at once is likely to be a bit of a "culture shock." The last thing we need are those indifferent on the issue dismissing us as wing nuts. I know I've said things that I didn't consider "out there" or "crazy" as a gunnie that were interpreted in a very different light by the indifferent folks. I then had to re explain myself. My message would have been more effective had I toned it down and considered my audience.
Vanderboegh's message, although blunt, is an important one. I'm by no means going to say we're near an armed revolution currently, but imagine what the Declaration of Independence must have sounded like to some colonists, or Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" speech. To some extent, any discussion of revolution is going to "scare the white people." That's inevitable, since revolution carries with it the implication of violence. For those who can't distinguish between protective violence and predatory violence, the mere mention of violent revolution is going to be scary as hell.
I won't sugarcoat. I own guns for a variety of different reasons. The main reason is for self-defense, and that includes defending myself, my family, and friends from Jack-Booted Thugs should they ever start kicking in doors en masse.
If we think about the concept of revolution, what are we really talking about? We're talking about "We The People" coming together to arm ourselves and overthrow a tyrannical, despotic government. The concept is more about the deterrent effect of the implicit threat of revolution than anything else. It's a "NO" emphasized, both collectively and individually and it's supposed to be scary, it's supposed to be a threat against the government that says "fuck with me enough and I'll kill you."
We're saying that if government pushes hard enough, if the abuses and usurpations are sufficiently egregious we'll push back. The language of the 2nd Amendment preserves our ability to push back. It asserts against the government that we have the authority to push back. The 3rd element is willingness, and that, in part is dependent upon one's "line in the sand" is. I may tolerate far greater abuses than another fellow American before my line is crossed. Honestly, knowing what I'm like I'm sure I'd see many people reacting to their line being crossed before it got to the point where mine was breached.
That "willingness" is about far more than just one's "line in the sand." Any successful revolution must have popular support. The American Revolution prevailed not because of the men who fought and died. It succeeded because American colonists as a whole wanted freedom. Freedom, individual liberty, self-reliance, personal sovereignty and responsibility were both fervently and widely held values.
For now, those values are what we must fight for. That's the principle reason why I disagree with Vanderboegh's approach. My other point of disagreement with him is simple. If all we accomplish is to scare people then what we'll have done is alienated people and marginalized ourselves. It's hard to have a broad, positive impact once you've done that. It's hard to keep those founding principles and values alive if you've been marginalized. As Judge Learned Hand wrote,
"Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it."
If we lose the fight to keep the flame of liberty alive in the hearts of Americans (and future generations) then the 2nd Amendment and it's purpose become a moot point. An armed revolution, even if initially successful, can never free from bondage a citizenry that has lost the will to be free.
A tyranny may one day come to be but if we lose the initial, more important fight then our once free nation will fade into obscurity. If that spirit, courage, that flame of liberty no longer exists among a majority of our countrymen, then those who do "hoist the black flag and start splitting throats"will fight alone. They won't have an enthusiastic, liberty-minded citizenry leading the charge with them and their efforts will be futile. Our goal needs to be keeping that flame lit.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
An Observation
With my recent foray into the far-left blogosphere of Delaware Liberal I've truly come to appreciate the gun blogging community. Ive been spoiled by the civility and tolerance exhibited within this community of gun bloggers. It seems that “An armed society is a polite society” holds true even online and even in disagreement.
UPDATE - Post will be up tomorrow. I need to take pictures to add to it.
On another note, I'm currently enjoying one of these. Mmmm beer!
I don’t know. If I’m discussing an issue with someone through a non-personal medium I like to keep things high road, particularly if it's a back and forth type debate. I don’t change the quality, tone, or general demeanor of my discussion just because I’m not talking to the person face-to-face. That just seems like common decency to me, not to mention that lack of civility only detracts from debate. Maybe that’s just an old, antiquated concept?
I promise I'll have some more substantial posts upcoming for my handful of regular readers. I might even get one up tonight.UPDATE - Post will be up tomorrow. I need to take pictures to add to it.
On another note, I'm currently enjoying one of these. Mmmm beer!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Quote Of The Day
“I am new enough on the national political scene that I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views.”
-From Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope"
Hey, at least he's honest about being an empty suit. Personally I'm continually amazed that running on a "Hey guys, I'm new, I have no experience and no hard & fast principles" actually works for Obama. The man has risen this far with nothing but rhetoric masking extreme socialist ideals. (read his "Blueprint for Change") Honestly, I understand why McCain has little respect for Obama. Respect is earned, and quite frankly Obama has no serious accomplishments as a U.S. senator.
-From Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope"
Hey, at least he's honest about being an empty suit. Personally I'm continually amazed that running on a "Hey guys, I'm new, I have no experience and no hard & fast principles" actually works for Obama. The man has risen this far with nothing but rhetoric masking extreme socialist ideals. (read his "Blueprint for Change") Honestly, I understand why McCain has little respect for Obama. Respect is earned, and quite frankly Obama has no serious accomplishments as a U.S. senator.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Does The U.S. Military Still Do This?
I was reading this comment by Robb over at Tracy's and it reminded me of something my dad once told me.
Robb said,
"You know those pointy teeth you have? They're designed to rip into jugulars."
I can't remember for the life of me what we were discussing when the subject came up, but my dad told me about part of the training my granpda received upon entering the U.S. army as an infantry solider in WWII. Apparently they engaged in training exercizes where they practiced killing a man by biting him in the jugular.
Morbid topic I know, but does anyone know if this was, or still is, part of an actual training regimen?
Robb said,
"You know those pointy teeth you have? They're designed to rip into jugulars."
I can't remember for the life of me what we were discussing when the subject came up, but my dad told me about part of the training my granpda received upon entering the U.S. army as an infantry solider in WWII. Apparently they engaged in training exercizes where they practiced killing a man by biting him in the jugular.
Morbid topic I know, but does anyone know if this was, or still is, part of an actual training regimen?
Obama's "Blueprint for Change"
In comments to her post, Breda said I'd need a barf bag. Good lord she wasn't kidding. Obama's "Blueprint" lays out some specifics that are quite frankly insane and include the creation of a bunch of new government "trust funds" and other bureacratic nightmares.
I haven't done more than skim the thing, so I can't go into detail yet. But Jesus, if he didn't scare you before he will after reading that "Blueprint for Change."
Here's just a small snippet from his "blueprint." I love the last section on his "Plan for Universal Voluntary Public Service." It goes on to say,
"Require 100 Hours of Service in College: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that's worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year."
Yeah, because Obama thinks America needs more volunteering, so the obvious way to make that happen is to REQUIRE people to volunteer. We've got terms for paid work and for forced labor, and neither have anything to do with "volunteering." And honestly, volunteer organizations would rather not take people who don't want to be there.
I haven't done more than skim the thing, so I can't go into detail yet. But Jesus, if he didn't scare you before he will after reading that "Blueprint for Change."
Here's just a small snippet from his "blueprint." I love the last section on his "Plan for Universal Voluntary Public Service." It goes on to say,
"Require 100 Hours of Service in College: Obama will establish a new American Opportunity Tax Credit that's worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year."
Yeah, because Obama thinks America needs more volunteering, so the obvious way to make that happen is to REQUIRE people to volunteer. We've got terms for paid work and for forced labor, and neither have anything to do with "volunteering." And honestly, volunteer organizations would rather not take people who don't want to be there.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
What Are All These Blog Access Issues About?
I can access and post to my blog using both Firefox and Internet Explorer and I'm using sitemeter.
Is this just a glitch affecting certain blogs?
Is this just a glitch affecting certain blogs?
Friday, August 1, 2008
Barack's Plan to Win The Election
It looks like he's going to buy votes. He's unveiled his "Emergency Economic Plan" just in time for the election.
The plan would would give families a stimulus check of $1,000 each, funded in part by what his presidential campaign calls “windfall profits from Big Oil"
“Obama simply asks that big oil companies contribute a reasonable share of the windfall profits they receive from high oil prices over the next five years to pay for emergency assistance for families right now,” the campaign says."
Obama asks that Big Oil pay a reasonable share? Right.... and people keep telling me this guy's not a socialist. He won't be "asking" them for anything, he'll be taking those "windfall profits" via taxation and an implicit threat of force. The government never simply "asks" for money. Oh yeah, and guess who'll be determining what constitutes a "reasonable" share? This won't be good for anyone who owns oil stocks, myself included.
The plan would would give families a stimulus check of $1,000 each, funded in part by what his presidential campaign calls “windfall profits from Big Oil"
“Obama simply asks that big oil companies contribute a reasonable share of the windfall profits they receive from high oil prices over the next five years to pay for emergency assistance for families right now,” the campaign says."
Obama asks that Big Oil pay a reasonable share? Right.... and people keep telling me this guy's not a socialist. He won't be "asking" them for anything, he'll be taking those "windfall profits" via taxation and an implicit threat of force. The government never simply "asks" for money. Oh yeah, and guess who'll be determining what constitutes a "reasonable" share? This won't be good for anyone who owns oil stocks, myself included.
The House "Apologizing" for Slavery & Jim Crow.
Unbelievable!
What in the hell do they have to apologize for? What does America have to apologize for? Slavery was wrong, Jim Crow was wrong, and we as a society have rectified those wrongs over the past few decades. We've done that through civil rights legislation, affirmative action, the Judicial system, and a general shift in how society as a whole views blacks.
There was a time where slavery, and later blatant racism was pervasive and institutionalized within American society. Changes had to be made, bold changes, in order to break that system. We are now at a point where there is not pervasive, systemic racism within society. Does racism exist? Of course, it always will, and not just against blacks, but it's no longer institutionalized. The system that perpetually held down blacks and other minorities has been destroyed. If anything, it's been replaced with a system where minorities enjoy special privliges and treatment solely for their minority status. Oh, and if you really want to perpetuate race issues in this country have the government start paying reparations to blacks. Yeah, that's sure to unify people.
The article states,
"the vestiges of Jim Crow continue to this day...... African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow -- long after both systems were formally abolished -- through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity"
You want to know why we still have race issues in this country? That paragraph exemplifies it. We can't just let it go, and people like me should be made to feel guilty for the transgressions of racist bigots who came before me, for no reason other than the fact that I'm white too. Likewise, such statements give others a sense of "entitlement" because of the evils committed against their ancestors. Society will never get past the "race issue" if the immoral acts of our forefathers continue to be held over our heads.
The only way to get past it is if everyone, black, white, purple, green, can come together and say "We're going to treat American society as a meritocracy, where our institutions will not use skin color as a means to provide help or hindrance to individuals." That is the next big hurdle we must overcome in order to bring this country together.
How do the "vestiges of Jim Crow" continue today when the institutions perpetuating legal racism against minorities no longer exist? Do inequalities exist along racial lines? Sure they do, but it's not for lack of opportunity. Every child in this country has an equal opportunity to go to school, and if their performance merits it, to go to college. (and that needs to be based solely on merit and need. It needs to be color-blind) If inner-city blacks have only a 50% high school graduation rate that's not the fault of the government, or of anyone outside of the communities in which that's occurring. It's certainly not lack of funding our education system. We continue to throw money at failing districts and failing schools with nothing to show for it but more failure. Why? Well for one continued failure or mediocrity ensure that those funds will keep rolling it. It's a black hole and a self-perpetuating problem.
There certainly are some very real inequalities and problems, but they are not MY fault, nor is there much if anything I can do to help. Such issues must be addressed from within the afflicted communities in order to see any real progress. I have absolute confidence that such progress CAN be made if we can get beyond race. The age old question remains, can we actually get beyond race? Can we get to a point where we truly judge every man by the content of his character? I certainly hope we can, because it's an ideal we should all strive for.
What in the hell do they have to apologize for? What does America have to apologize for? Slavery was wrong, Jim Crow was wrong, and we as a society have rectified those wrongs over the past few decades. We've done that through civil rights legislation, affirmative action, the Judicial system, and a general shift in how society as a whole views blacks.
There was a time where slavery, and later blatant racism was pervasive and institutionalized within American society. Changes had to be made, bold changes, in order to break that system. We are now at a point where there is not pervasive, systemic racism within society. Does racism exist? Of course, it always will, and not just against blacks, but it's no longer institutionalized. The system that perpetually held down blacks and other minorities has been destroyed. If anything, it's been replaced with a system where minorities enjoy special privliges and treatment solely for their minority status. Oh, and if you really want to perpetuate race issues in this country have the government start paying reparations to blacks. Yeah, that's sure to unify people.
The article states,
"the vestiges of Jim Crow continue to this day...... African-Americans continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow -- long after both systems were formally abolished -- through enormous damage and loss, both tangible and intangible, including the loss of human dignity and liberty, the frustration of careers and professional lives, and the long-term loss of income and opportunity"
You want to know why we still have race issues in this country? That paragraph exemplifies it. We can't just let it go, and people like me should be made to feel guilty for the transgressions of racist bigots who came before me, for no reason other than the fact that I'm white too. Likewise, such statements give others a sense of "entitlement" because of the evils committed against their ancestors. Society will never get past the "race issue" if the immoral acts of our forefathers continue to be held over our heads.
The only way to get past it is if everyone, black, white, purple, green, can come together and say "We're going to treat American society as a meritocracy, where our institutions will not use skin color as a means to provide help or hindrance to individuals." That is the next big hurdle we must overcome in order to bring this country together.
How do the "vestiges of Jim Crow" continue today when the institutions perpetuating legal racism against minorities no longer exist? Do inequalities exist along racial lines? Sure they do, but it's not for lack of opportunity. Every child in this country has an equal opportunity to go to school, and if their performance merits it, to go to college. (and that needs to be based solely on merit and need. It needs to be color-blind) If inner-city blacks have only a 50% high school graduation rate that's not the fault of the government, or of anyone outside of the communities in which that's occurring. It's certainly not lack of funding our education system. We continue to throw money at failing districts and failing schools with nothing to show for it but more failure. Why? Well for one continued failure or mediocrity ensure that those funds will keep rolling it. It's a black hole and a self-perpetuating problem.
There certainly are some very real inequalities and problems, but they are not MY fault, nor is there much if anything I can do to help. Such issues must be addressed from within the afflicted communities in order to see any real progress. I have absolute confidence that such progress CAN be made if we can get beyond race. The age old question remains, can we actually get beyond race? Can we get to a point where we truly judge every man by the content of his character? I certainly hope we can, because it's an ideal we should all strive for.
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