Latest report on BATF's Operation Fast and Furious

The latest House committee report on BATF's infamous Operation Fast and Furious is out. It slams DOJ for its handling of the problem.  More disinfecting sunlight.

New Okla Open-Carry law

A new law will take effect in Okla. shortly that allows licensed concealed carriers to carry openly.  It's not hard to tell which jurisidictions trust their own law-abiding citizens (e.g. Okla.) and those than don't (Ill.).  A victory for those who love liberty and don't buy into the fantasy that more guns, and more licensed carriers mean more crime.

P.S. If you're like me, you're burned out on politics.  I'm trimming the blog.  We need to get back to CL&J more directly.

TIH: 2005

2005:   Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks became the first woman to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. 

Liberal media on BATF's Fast and Furious results in lawsuit

The liberal-dominated media has ignored or attempted to spin BATF's outrageous operation Fast and Furious to favor Obama.  This lawsuit was brought by a whistle-blower.  Hopefully a little disinfecting sunlight will be the result of this case. Yes, I know the Bush administration had a similar outrageous plan, but unfortunately, they were never exposed.  I don't care which party's Prez gets exposed.  This kind out outrageous stupidity should never be tolerated.

2nd Amend Litigation Update

The 5th Circuit ruled in favor of the federal law that bans people under 21 from purchasing handguns. In the abstract I can live with that.  As the article suggests, what bothers me is that 18-20 year olds are good enought to become potential military cannon fodder and carry all sorts of weapons more dangerous than handguns, but we don't trust them to buy a handgun.  If Heller and McDonald are overruled we will see how many jurisdictions don't trust ordinary, law-abiding, competent adults to buy one.  Two other important cases working their way up are also discussed. I hope one of these two eventually gets to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Embarrassing Congressman

How do these people get elected?  The quality (intelligence, knowledge, concern for civil liberties, etc.) of representatives of both parties in the House is pathetic.  Here's an example.

S.Ct. Grants Prisoner's Handwritten Petition

I don't imagine this happens very often, but the Supreme Court granted this prisoner's handwritten petition for certiorari.  I applaud the Court for giving opportunities to those who can't afford attorneys.

" Violence Tax" on Guns and Ammo

The latest craziness from the gun-controllers. If re-elected, I wonder if Obama will pick up on this idea from his home base (Chicago).

TIH: 1956, 1973, 1987, 2006

OCT. 23


1956


An anti-Stalinist revolt began in Hungary.

1973

President Richard M. Nixon agreed to turn White House tape recordings requested by the Watergate special prosecutor over to Judge John J. Sirica.

1987

The U.S. Senate rejected the Supreme Court nomination of Robert H. Bork, 58-42.

2006

Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison for his role in the company's collapse.

Great Quote on Media Bias

Daily Email - October 19, 2012





Romney Jokes about Media Bias as Reporters Protect Obama

By Cliff Kincaid
October 19, 2012

"Speaking at the Al Smith dinner, which benefits Catholic humanitarian causes, Mitt Romney took on the press in a joking manner that struck many as truthful. “Now I never suggest that the press is biased,” he said. “I recognize that they have their job to do, and I have my job to do. My job is to lay out a positive vision for the future of the country, and their job is to make sure no one else finds out about it.”

The quip is funny, but the lack of ethics in the media, on  most of both the left and right is not. Romney not only has to beat Obama, but most of the mainstream media. This is a very formidable task.

Mayor Bloomberg Unhappy

NannyYork City Mayor  Bloomberg is unhappy about the Presidential debaters not repudiating the Second Amendment.  Welcome to the "City of the free, and the home of the brave." 

TIH: 1765, 2011

Today in history

1765


The Stamp Act Congress, meeting in New York, drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.

2011

In Greece, hundreds of youths smashed and looted stores in central Athens and clashed with riot police during a massive anti-government rally against painful new austerity measures.

Interesting Study on Libertarians

This interesting study misses the point that there are at least 2 types of libertarians:
(1) natural law and rights libertarians (this blogger), and
(2) Ayn Rand libertarians (objectivism).
Type 1 theoretically deals only with the relationship between persons and their governments. Type 2 also covers interpersonal relationships.   Personal altruism has nothing to do with 1.  Being puretype 1. does not influence personal characterisitics such as altruism. I consider myself a pure type 1 who is also altruistic. Other type 1's I know seem altruistic to me.  Altruism comes into play only in interpersonal relationships.  The findings on altruism apply only to Rand libertarians.  I suspect that there are more "libertarians" of type 2 than 1. Of course there may be libertarians who are both 1's and 2's and perhaps other  categories.  An interesting, but flawed study that mixes 2 distinct groups together and misses important points.  Any libertarians out there who care to comment?

Geo. Zimmerman Trial Set: Media Circus Likely

The new trial judge in the Geo. Zimmerman case has set a tentative trial date of June 10. As the linked article states: "A judge Wednesday set June 10 as the date for the biggest murder trial in Seminole County history – Florida v. George Zimmerman. The case, which became a cause célèbre and launched civil rights rallies across the nation, promises to be a major media event." Will it turn out to be a Casey Anthony-type debacle? Will it turn out to be another Rodney King-type situation?  Going back even further,  will it be another Sacco and Vanzetti? I personally don't care whether he is found innocent or guilty, but he is entitled to his rights.  At this point, given the media bias against the defendant, prosecutorial misconduct, and the pressure of potential riots, I really doubt it.

Supreme Court same-sex marriage cases

In  this new term, the Supreme Court will also deal with controversial same-sex marriage issues.

Retired S.Ct. Justice Stevens continues to attack Second Amendment rights.

Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens continues his "Feed My Ego" tour and continues to attack the individual right to keep and bear arms established in Heller and reaffirmed in McDonald.  I can't think of any case where a retired Justice campaigned against and individual right from the Bill of Rights.  These are dangerous times for those who love liberty. This is not surprising as Stevens voted against First Amendment rights in the flag-burning cases (Texas v. Johnson and U.S. v. Eichman) and Citizen's United. More left-wing authoritarianism on display.

More on Affirmative Action case (Fisher)

Scotusblog presents are relatively readable summary of the UT-Austin affirmative action case (Fisher).  One of the issues is whether the university's race-conscious admission policies have succeeded in reaching a "critical mass" of minorities in the student body.  Under the Supreme Court's Grutter precedent, the program must be discontinued once the university reaches a "critical mass" of minorities.  As usual, the liberals and conservaitves have largely already indicated how they will vote by their questions and statements at oral argument.  Justice Kagan recused herself. 

Supreme Court to hear 2 drug dog sniffing cases

Drug-detection dogs are important part of law enforcement efforts.  The U.S. Supreme Court will decide 2 cases on this issue. 

Supreme Court preview

The U.S. Supreme Court started its new term a few days ago.  Here's a preview of some of  the big cases they have decided to hear.  The affirmative action and gay rights case are sure to cause controversy no matter how they are decided. I certainly hope they will add a Second Amendment case.  A more complete list of cases accepted for review so far is here.

More campus censorship

Consistent with the left-wing political correctness that dominates most universities, this Prof. went over the line in censoring an anti-Obama comment.http://thefire.org/torch/#14940.  However, on the minority of campuses where the right dominates, there are also restrictions on free speech.  Anyone who thinks most liberals or most conservatives really support the First Amendment, will probably be mistaken.