Public School Employees carrying concealed in AR

A change in Arkansas law allows certain school employees who are licensed concealed carriers to carry while in the school.  At least one AR school, Clarksville High School,  is using this change in the law. This is probably also happening in a few others states that have changed their laws likewise.  As long as they are licensed, the school has a "plan," and the employees are screened and trained, and local law enforcement is notified, it looks like a good idea. Joint training between the armed employees and local law enforcement would also be a great idea, and perhaps should  be required Anyone have any further info. on other states?

Student abandoned in DEA cell to get $4 Million

Some people wonder why others don't really trust Big Brother.  Our tax dollars paid the salaries and benefits of these government employees. Now we'll have to cough up another $4 million for this outrage committed against 25-year old college student Daniel Chong who was confined and then forgotten about.

NYC's ban on large sugary drinks voided.

Nanny York City Mayor Bloomberg's ban on sugary drinks over 16 oz. was voided by a NY state court.  It's nice to see the courts protecting us from big brother/big Nanny.

O.J. Simpson granted parole on some charges.

Simpson was granted parole on only some of the charges.  He will still have to serve at least 4 more years before being eligible for parole on the other charges.  Thus, he will not be released for at least 4 years.

Gun Facts, Gun Rhetoric.

Good discussion of data relevant to the gun control debate at the generally balanced and objective FactCheck.org.  Unfortunately, the authors do not generally evaluate the reliability of the data or research.  Many of the sources obviously have a motive to fudge.  For instance, the folks who do the Small Arms Survey are clearly anti-gun.
Bottom line:  the Second Amendment puts the burden of proof on the gun banners to demonstrate effectiveness, without significantly impairing the right to self-defense.  They aren't even close.  Thanks to Dale Christopherson for the link.

Further Comments on the Zimmerman case

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS ON THE GEO. ZIMMERMAN CASE 

Most of the media (ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, Huffington Post, etc.) adopted a left-wing politically correct propaganda approach to the case. Ethics seemed to go out the window:

Wikipedia noted:

“Deceptive audio editing by NBC

Between March 19 and 27, 2012, the NBC Nightly News, NBC's Today show, and NBC's network-owned Miami affiliate WTVJ NBC6^[348] ran segments which misleadingly merged parts of Zimmerman's call. On one version of the recording played by NBC, Zimmerman was heard saying, "This guy looks like he's up to no good or he's on drugs or something... He's got his hand in his waistband, and he's a black male."^[349] In another what was played was, "This guy looks like he's up to no good. He looks black." In the original 9-1-1 recording, Zimmerman said: "This guy looks like he's up to no good. Or he's on drugs or something. It's raining and he's just walking around, looking about." The 9-1-1 operator then asked: "OK, and this guy, is he black, white or Hispanic?", and Zimmerman answered, "He looks black."^[282] The phrase, "He's got his hand in his waistband, and he's a black male" came several exchanges after that point in the conversation.^[350][351]

Erik Wemple of the Washington Post wrote that NBC's alterations "would more readily paint Zimmerman as a racial profiler. In reality... Zimmerman simply answered a question... Nothing prejudicial at all in responding to such an inquiry... To portray that exchange in a way that wrongs Zimmerman is high editorial malpractice..."^[282]

NBC issued an apology for "an error made in the production process that we deeply regret,"^[352] but never apologized on the air.^[353] The network said that the Today show and Miami edits took place in two separate incidents involving different people. A Miami-based NBC News producer lost her job, WTVJ reporter Jeff Burnside was fired,^[354] and two other employees were disciplined.^[355][356] Lilia Luciano, who was the reporter on broadcasts containing both edited versions of the audio,^[349][357] was also fired, and her aired reports on the Trayvon Martin story, along with the misleading audio, were removed from the Today website.^[358][359]

On December 6, 2012, Zimmerman filed a defamation lawsuit against NBC alleging that they intentionally edited the phone call so that Zimmerman would sound racist. The lawsuit said, "NBC saw the death of Trayvon Martin not as a tragedy but as an opportunity to increase ratings, and so set about to create the myth that George Zimmerman was a racist and predatory villain."^[360][361] A NBC spokeswoman said the network strongly disagreed with the accusations that Zimmerman made in the complaint, stating; "There was no intent to portray Mr. Zimmerman unfairly and we intend to vigorously defend our position in court."^[362]

In an interview after the trial verdict, Fox News legal analyst Lis Wiehl predicted NBC would lose millions settling a defamation lawsuit.^[363]

Surveillance video mistake

Image enhancement of a single frame of the police surveillance video (left) by The Daily Caller (middle) and by Forensic Protection, Inc. working with ABC News (right) shows two welts or abrasions. ABC originally said the video showed no blood or bruises.^[364]

ABC News obtained a surveillance video of Zimmerman walking unassisted into the Sanford police station after the shooting. An officer is seen pausing to look at the back of Zimmerman's head, but ABC originally said that no abrasions or blood can be seen in the video.^[364] The Daily Caller disputed this claim, and posted a still from the ABC video which showed an injury on the back of Zimmerman's head.^[365] ABC later reported that it had "re-digitized" the video, and said that this version showed "what appear to be a pair of gashes or welts on George Zimmerman's head," but the story's main focus was on a doctor who claimed it was unlikely that Zimmerman's nose had been broken.^[366][367]

Misleading reporting after the verdict

In his July 26, 2013 column, Slate journalist William Saletan accused several major news organizations of editing interviews with "Juror B29" to make it appear that she maintained Zimmerman had gotten away with murder when she had not actually done so.^[368\\”

(From Wikipedia artice linked below)

 

The President’s comments only added fuel to the fire.  I suspect he was still angry about new federal gun control going down the tubes and he wanted to keep the issue alive. This whole thing could have gotten very violent and ugly is a protest demonstration had gotten out of hand and a white cop killed a black demonstrator.  It could be Rodney King Riots II.  Hopefully, things have quieted down.  The angry pundits on the Right only made it worse.  Of course, we all know that this case was really about  race, gun control, self-defense and concealed carry.  If both Zimmerman and Martin had been of the same race, this case would have been ignored.  The problem of violence against blacks is primarily a black-on-black problem which is chronically ignored. 

Stand Your Ground

Further, the media and many politicians tried to use the case as an argument to repeal “stand our ground laws. This is pure hogwash.  As Wikipedia noted  “The "stand your ground law" was not used by the Zimmerman defense team during the trial, although it was considered at an earlier time. Some sources have pointed out that “Stand Your Ground” was mentioned in the Jury Instructions preceding the trial,^[301] however, this is part of the required Jury Instructions in all Florida murder trials in which the defendant claims “Justifiable Use of Deadly Force” as part of their defense”

 

Wintesses testified that Martin was on top of Zimmerman before Zimmerman fired. Stand your ground is irrelevant in this circumstance.

 

More Objective Views

For a more objective look at the Zimmerman case, including prosecutorial misconduct google/search “Dershowitz Zimmerman.”  Alan Dershowitz is a liberal defense attorney, author and law professor.  For a more balanced look at the case, media treatment, etc. see the article in Wikipedia (quoted above, "Shooting of Trayvon Martin") 

It Ain’t Over till it’s Over!

 Of course, this show is not over.  The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing the case to see if federal criminal charges should be filed against Zimmerman.  Given the President’s comments and the wail from the Left, there will be no objective, ethical decision-making in Holder’s DOJ.  Look for an indictment even though the facts do not seem to warrant it.  It will be interesting to see what statute DOJ uses.  Further, a civil suit against Zimmerman is anticipated.  The burden there against Zimmerman will only be “a preponderance of the evidence.”  The criminal case required a higher standard “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”  Jury selection will be crucial in both these cases.  RKR II could still happen.

Presumption of Guilt and Demonization.

Much of the discussion of the Zimmerman case is based on the assumption that he is guilty (e.g. “Justice for Trayvon Martin”).  I guess all these folks are in a better position to judge his guilt than the jury that found him not guilty.  Talk about demonization.  I think Geo. took over the #1 spot on the Left’s demon list, temporarily replacing the NRA.   

Conclusion:

This whole incident is a sad example of the American media at its left-wing politically correct worst.  In this kind of environment, a fair trial is difficult to get.  This is a sad example of American media and politicians at their worst. Civil liberties are in danger in this kind of hysteria. (I don’t follow Fox, but I suspect their coverage was biased in the other direction).   

Keep your fingers crossed that we don’t get mass violence before this is all over.

 

 

State legalized pot in federal jeopardy?

Have been on vacation but am now back at it!
DEA raids  Washington state-legal pot dispensary.  Colorado recently legalized recreational pot and joined a trend.  19 states have legal medical marijuana.  Obama hinted he would back off on federal enforcement, but it doesn't appear to be happening.  A showdown is inevitable.  Under Supreme Court precedent (Gonzalez v. Raich), federal drug laws trump state legalization.  Stay tuned!

Reflections on the Zimmerman Acquitttal

Most everyone knows about Geo. Zimmerman’s complete acquittal by now.  Let’s thank the jurors who were able to rise above left-wing political correctness (anti-gun, anti-self defense, etc.) and the threat of riots if they can back with something other than guilty.  The black female juror showed great courage.  You know she’s going to hear it and it won’t be pretty.  Obviously, only Zimmerman knows if he is guilty or not, but I feared for his chances of getting a fair trial.  The left leaning media pronounced him guilty and NBC even admitted to “editing” a tape of the 911 call that made Zimmerman look bad. (See prior post).Judicial and prosecutorial shenanigans and media bias worried a lot of people.  Pres. Obama’s unethical remark about Trayvon Martin during an ongoing criminal case was despicable.  This former “constitutional law Professor” certainly knew that his remarks would threaten Zimmerman’s right to a fair trial.  The case wasn’t even a federal prosecution.  Why is the Pres. of the U.S. sticking his nose into a state trial?  What little respect I had for Obama disappeared with that remark.  [It is so sad that politicians and much of the public put ideology and partisan advantage. before constitutional values (e.g. when is the Left going to stop whining about Citizens United?)  Although I roundly criticized NFIB v. Sebelius (the Obamacare Supreme Court decision) I don’t even bring it up anymore.  Get over it! Get a life!  Stop playing the victim role.]

 

So what happened?  Here’s my take

1.      The testimony was so conflicting that it was difficult to figure out what really happened.  As usual, even the “experts” disagreed.  In this situation, it appears that the jurors followed their instruction to acquit unless the prosecution proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

2.      The closest person to being an actual witness testified to the effect that the saw Martin on top of Zimmerman.

3.      Perhaps the jury was put off by the Prosecutor’s anger and arrogance.  Did the prosecutor give the impression that he was on a personal vendetta against Zimmerman?  You may remember a recent child abuse case where the jury came back with an acquittal in spite of the fact that the woman had already been convicted by the media.  One of the factors in the acquittal may have been prosecutorial excesses. (Anyone remember that case?  Send us the defendant’s name or a link if you recall this case)

4.      The bruises and blood on Zimmerman’s head gave credibility to his story.

5.      I don’t know if the defense argued this or the judge gave instructions on it, but once Zimmerman, who was carrying a firearm, was attacked, there was a possibility that Martin might have used it on Zimmerman.  Thus, arguably, Zimmerman faced an imminent threat of deadly force.

 

Personally, although I didn’t watch all the trial, I thought there was a reasonable doubt (e.g. 1. 2. And 4 above).  This case help restore my faith in the system and in jurors.

 

Some of you may also have seen ABC’s 20/20 program on Friday night.  I was fairly obvious that they had no interest in balanced coverage of Zimmerman’s trial (e.g. showed part of prosecutor’s closing argument but none of defense’s closing.  They also then showed a piece about a Texas man who argued self-defense and was convicted.  There was no discussion of how many legitimate self-defense cases there are in this country.  One case of someone trying to work the law to their advantage and killing another proves nothing.  Does ABC, the 20/20 staff and Diane Sawyer think we are all idiots and ideologues like they appear to be?  When is the public going to wake up and start thinking for themselves instead of relying of obviously biased media types?  Whatever happened to media ethics?  There is very little news, but lots of propaganda out there (and I’m including Fox in this critique).

 

As one source suggested, could this high-profile acquittal be part of a new civil rights revolution recognizing the right of law abiding people to keep and bear arms and engage in lawful self-defense? If it is, count this cautious libertarian in.

Guns & bombs, shooters and bombers: Thought for the day.

Thought for the day -- "Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber ... but after a shooting, the problem is the Gun !

Source: JPFO e-mail.  Check out their website and their new statistics.

TIH: 1981 Pres. Reagan nominates Sandra Day O'Connor for U.S. Supreme Court.

On July 7, 1981,  Conservative President Ronald Reagan announced he was nominating an Arizona state judge, Sandra Day O'Connor, to become the first female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. She would later be confirmed and was the first.  This was a shrewd move by Reagan.  As a state official and conservative, she would get the votes of conservative Senators.  The liberals, however, could not vote against a female, no matter how conservative.  Many liberals had been calling for a female on the Court for years.  Along with C.J. Rehnquist and some others on the Court, O’Connor revitalized a meaningful approach to federalism, an approach that was lost beginning in the late 1930’s.

Celebrating Freedom EVERY day

One of the main themes of our Fourth of July celebrations (if not THE main theme) is freedom--freedom from oppressive British rule without any representation, freedom from foreign invaders and terrorists, and a general celebration of a free society. However, for too many, the celebration of freedom is a one-day event. The next day ideologues, authoritarians and the self-righteous (of all political persuasions) are busy trying to take away constitutional freedoms. Many of the Left want to repeal or gut the Second Amendment, slash freedom of religion and withdraw First Amendment protection from left-wing politically incorrect speech (“hate speech,” campus speech codes, etc.). On the Right, privacy, reproductive, voting, and Fourth Amendment rights are attacked by many. Let’s ALL take our support for constitutional rights and freedom and broaden it. Let’s get serious about ALL our rights. Let’s not forget that the red-necks, gun-nuts, commie-pinkos, religious right, gun rights supporters, socialists, etc. and EVERYBODY deserves their constitutional rights and equal rights overall. Let’s end the hypocrisy!

More 2nd Amend., Concealed Carry and Court Compliance Chaos in Ilinois

The chaos in Illinois regarding compliance with the U.S. Ct. of Appeals for the 7th Circuit  pro-Second Amendment ruling continued when the governor vetoed the concealed carry bill sent to him by the Legislature.  Anti-gun, anti-Second Amendment.   Governor Pat Quinn is a long-time Cook Cty. politico.  The prior two Illinois governors ended up in federal prison.  See prior post and stay tuned.

A Militiary Coup is a Military Coup except when we like the military.

We want democracy overseas except when we don't like that particular version.  Sure there were irregularities, but what country doesn't have these.  It was the first democratic Presidential election in Egyptian history. The elected President was deposed by the military.  As usual, foreign policy is played by the rules of  Realpolitik.  An Egyptian wrote:

"I understand why so many (namely President Obama) are careful not to call this a coup. Doing so would force America to observe the 2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which bars the US from spending money for any "assistance to the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree, or a coup d'etat that is supported by the military." Still, America's annual $1.3 billion in military aid was quietly funneled to Egypt in May, as it has been every year since 1979.


But whatever we call it, we must acknowledge the basic facts: A president elected in unprecedented free and fair elections was overthrown by an ever-powerful military that took its cues from an unprecedented mobilization of millions of Egyptians challenging his rule.

Egypt's Foreign Minister called U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday to insist that overthrowing Morsi was not a military coup. But in true Egyptian fashion, he got a little carried away.


"There is no role, no political role whatsoever, for the military...This is the total opposite of a military coup," Kamel Amr said."

TIH: 1863, Union victory at Battle of Gettysburg

July 3 1863 was the third and final day of the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg. The Union victory has been seen by many historians as the turning point of the war.  Arguably, slavery was now doomed.  The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued in 1862 and gradually the war became a contest over slavery along with the issue of secession/divison. "It made the eradication of slavery an explicit war goal, in addition to the goal of reuniting the Union."

NYC stop-and-frisk, Mayor Bloomberg, etc.

NYC mayor Bloomberg ordered NYPD to get aggressive with stop and frisk tactics to get guns of the street.  Minority leaders complained about profiling, etc.

"The mayor made headlines last week with his assertion that white New Yorkers were stopped too often by officers patrolling the five boroughs, and minority-group members weren’t stopped often enough."  Data does not support his claim.

Just goes to show that any idiot with big $ can get elected.  The cavalier attitude toward Fourth Amendment rights is disturbing.

A ruling by a federal judge on the program is exepcted shortly.







Source and Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/daily-news-data-analysis-reveals-startling-stop-and-frisk-stories-major-ruling-article-1.1388792#ixzz2Y08J5tW0

NEA VP: Gun Rights Supporters Going to Hell!

The NEA leans heavily to the far left.  However, one of their VP's says gun rights supporters are "going to hell."  (Where do they find these people?) Save yourself now!  Renounce all the Bill of Rights to make sure you are on the safe side.  If you didn't vote for Obama, ask for forgiveness NOW!