The Minuteman

Quote of the Day–Terry Sanford (02/04/2012)

Barron Barnett — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:35:24 +0000

As one of the thirteen original colonies, North Carolina maintains the moral and legal concept that the right to keep and bear sporting arms is one of the fundamental privileges granted by our American Democracy.

This privilege should be infringed upon only when deemed necessary, through the will of the people in a democratic nation, to insure public safety or to prescribe the manner of taking game. We do not anticipate any legislation abrogating these premises.

Terry Sanford, Governor of North Carolina – Guns Magazine, February Issue 1962, Page 4

[Oh that whole statement is full of so many different individual falsehoods it’s not even funny. First this is “history” as this article is out of 1962, however it’s recent history. Doubly so since this statement was given just prior to the GCA of 1968. This whole statement remains relevant because this is how many of our opponents view the Second Amendment.

Lets start off with the fact he considers the right to arms a privilege. It isn’t a privilege, it’s a fundamental right that is specifically enumerated by the bill of rights for protection from the state. Second we don’t live in a Democracy, we live in a Constitutional Republic where the law serves to protect everyone equally, not just the mob.

If you’re confused by the difference, watch this, I’ll even embed it below just to make it even easier. Seriously, it is worth the 10 minutes.

Our constitution exists to protect the rights from the people. With the fact he considers the right a privilege his disrespect dissolves further into the classic claim used to infringe upon a right. That claim is necessity. He uses necessity as the validation for infringing on a right. Necessity however does not allow or expunge the fact that inalienable rights are not for the government to take or a mob of people to take. Even when the people are tricked into thinking that it is better for them to surrender that right for the greater good, that right cannot be surrendered.

These two complaints are also independent of the fact that his being elected governor of one of the original thirteen colonies makes him think that some how his argument carries further weight in establishing it as a privilege not a right.

Remember, even now there are those who believe that the enumerated right to “Keep and Bear Arms” as affirmed by Heller and McDonald is still just a privilege. Not only is it just a privilege, but one that could be revoked if they could just get rid of that pesky Second Amendment. -B

h/t David Codrea]

SSCC #253–Milwaukee

Barron Barnett — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:24:55 +0000

By far this is the worst instance I have seen. The story is down right disturbing.

A young woman in Milwaukee called the cops when someone threw a brick through her window. One of the cops who came to help raped her.

As if that alone wasn’t bad enough.

She took her story to the Milwaukee District Attorney’s office. A prosecutor subsequently wrote, “While I did find the victim’s version of events credible, I did not believe that her testimony would be strong enough to successfully prosecute Officer Cates.”

Eventually the victim got the feds involved. The federal prosecutor immediately found enough to prosecute.

As the case headed for trial, Gina Barton of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Cates had been investigated for illegal behavior on five previous occasions, three of them involving sexual misconduct. Two of those were with prisoners. The third was with a 16 year-old and that case had been referred to the Milwaukee district attorney’s office, which declined to prosecute. The priors came as no surprise to the 19-year-old who was now accusing him of raping her while he somehow remained employed as a cop.

Especially since there was a history with this officer as well. Except that history couldn’t be used in the trial. This is by no means hearsay or dragging a good man’s name through the gutter because a jury of his peers convicted him.

A jury on Wednesday found fired Milwaukee police officer Ladmarald Cates guilty of violating a woman's civil rights by raping her after he responded to her 911 call in July 2010.

Anything less than life in prison is too dang short. This predator went into law enforcement to seek out victims. Local law enforcement protected him and did their best to stop victims from pursuing action against this monster. I’m not one to wish ill or harm to others, but that’s one individual I wouldn’t mind seeing get some serious special treatment in the shower.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 253: Lamarald Cates

Because when a woman calls for help what’s she’s really doing is asking you to rape her, at least according to Milwaukee PD.

h/t Uncle, and Jennifer says something about it here.

*I may take a few days off the criminal count. This one made me unbelievably angry, upset, and even physically ill. That such a monster like that could 1) serve, 2) be protected by his fellow officers, and 3) be protected by the local prosecutorial authorities is down right sickening. Every last one of them shares responsibility.

Warming the Cockles of My Heart

Barron Barnett — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:57:59 +0000

A decent number of you contacted me regarding A Little Taste of Home and I figured I’d give a quick update.

I’ve got new contacts now for soldiers overseas, many of whom are in a position to distribute the coffee amongst their brothers in arms. I’ve got more addresses coming in daily from other friends and contacts. I’m thinking at this point I’ll be able to send all the coffee straight out unless some how I get a massive influx.

I did have a question about monetary donations so I can just buy the coffee. I want to try and set something up this weekend but I can’t make promises. There’s some legal aspects I need to investigate too on the money front.

If you know someone overseas and want to send them coffee, do it. My suggestion for the type of coffee is Starbucks Via, especially if they’re in any type of combat position. Besides, it comes highly recommended by associates of the guy’s were sending it to.

If you want to participate hit up the contact form or send an email to: soldiers.angels at the-minuteman.org and I will add you to the distribution list. Same goes if you’re a soldier that stumbles across this and would like some coffee.

To those who’ve already signed up to help. Awesome and thanks.

SSCC #252 - TSA

Barron Barnett — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:27:14 +0000

Imagine that, the only people really shocked at this are the sheep who still think the TSA still has something to do with "safety".

Authorities say a Transportation Security Administration agent has stolen $5,000 from a passenger as he was going through security at a New York City airport.

Now, it was in the passengers coat going through the X-Ray, not in his luggage. Well I hear a bunch of you crying to maintain possession of the money except the TSA requires people to remove even money belts. How serious are they about that fact, they forced an elderly woman to remove her back brace, against TSA policy, thinking it was a money belt.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 252: Alexandra Schmid

Because when you're the creme of the crop and still paid minimum wage, you should take forcible donations from those you rule over.

Gunnie Ground Hog Day

Barron Barnett — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:58:19 +0000

So Jay asks the question:

Well, here's your chance. If you could re-live one gunnie day over and over, which would it be, and why?

Honestly it's a very close race. I'll tell both the stories and see if you can figure out which wins.

First up is the first time I took the wife shooting. It was one of our first dates and she shot just about everything I had. From the .44 Mag revolver, to the M1 Garand, to my little old 10/22. It was a fun date and I've got pictures of it around here somewhere. It was that date I also decided that I was going to either Bic my head or go with a buzz cut from now on.

The second option is the last time my dad and I went to the range together. We spent a good chunk of the morning shooting pistol drills switching between the Hi-Standard and 1911. The uncle I am named after was visiting as well. We spent a decent chunk of time looking for what was to become my graduation present. While at the range/gun store I told the clerk I was looking for a Remington 700 VS. He asked what caliber and I responded, "308 Winchester". He promptly responded, "What the hell are you planning on shooting with that!?" Without missing a beat I replied, "Two legged varmints at 500 yards." My uncle and dad burst into laughter.

We found a gunsmith and ordered it about a month later. We finally picked it up 10 months later on my 19th birthday. Hell that was a fun day too, but he never got to actually see me behind his gift to me. I finally got to the range a week before we said our last good byes and handed him a quarter with a nice .30 caliber hole through the middle taped to a paper plate with the date and range of 200 yards. He just looked up and grinned.

If I had to pick a day, it's that last day I spent on the range with my dad. I really miss that.

Ear Worm Wednesday - 2/1/2012

Barron Barnett — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:47:29 +0000

This one's been making the round on the gun blogs.

Ends up Evyl Robot has a couple signed CDs from Madison Rising. So what are you waiting for!? Get over there and sign up!

SSCC #251 - TSA

Barron Barnett — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:10:52 +0000

Remember, they're only upset with their ~~hired goons~~ employees when they get caught.

A TSA agent at Dallas/Fort Worth International airport was arrested for stealing iPads from checked luggage.

How did this cream of the crop individual who was most highly qualified to work the TSA and protect us from the dangerous terrorists accomplish such a feat I hear you ask.

Police arrested Clayton Keith Dovel, who works in terminal E at the airport, but unlike the security checkpoints where passengers are screened, the 35-year-old TSA employee works in an out-of-sight position in what's called the "Resolution Room," where checked luggage is screened by hand.

X-ray the bag, see an I pad, grab it. Those bags need extra hand screening you know! How was it they caught this individual? It wasn't the police or the TSA who reacted to the reports of theft and found a correlation. Nope it was an owner of the iPad that tracked it down.

Another theft victim actually led police to Dovel when he tracked his stolen iPad to Dovel's home.

Not to mention they caught the man red handed with a stolen iPad while at work. So how does the TSA deal with these thieving individuals while claiming zero tolerance regarding theft? You know, other places that have a "zero tolerance policy" and you violate it, your ass is immediately canned.

In a statement, TSA said Dovel is on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation.

It's uncertain how many cases Dovel's arrest might solve or whether the TSA will let him return to a trusted position.

Still think we need the TSA? It's nothing but a security theater and a shopping center for a bunch of jack booted thugs to bully, harass, intimidate, and steal from hard working Americans.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 251: Clayton Keith Dovel

Because finding a man with stolen property and numerous separate reports indicating he stole other property is by no means a reason to fire someone, much less suspend them without pay. Zero tolerance my ass.

Thanks for the best month ever….

Barron Barnett — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:34:46 +0000

So evidently I really must have done something right this month. I dang near went double my previous best. For anyone who has decided to stick around, sweet, I’ll try and keep the cream flowing.

The big item that really shoved this month over the top was my Open Response to Joan Peterson. Evidently that was a verbal lashing that people seemed to appreciate. For the record, when I wrote it I didn’t even really expect it to even be a blip on the radar so that makes it doubly awesome. By the way, as expected, there has been zero response or acknowledgement of my response by Joan. Given how it spread like fire it is hard for me to believe that she didn’t see it.

I also got a bunch of feedback that proved how much of a wonderful job I’m doing. I will have more on that later though. Sebastian touched on it today but I noticed something this afternoon and I need to do some research and connect the chronological dots.

Thanks to everyone who linked me, and thank you to Uncle that pushed me over the 7000 mark linking my A Taste of Home post. Which I’m glad to say is starting to take off. I’ll blog more on that tomorrow night though.

SSCC #250–Nashville

Barron Barnett — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:12:21 +0000

Poole also awaits trial on 10 counts of sexual assault while on duty, including rape, sexual battery and sexual misconduct stemming from 2010 allegations. He was cleared on a separate charge that he inappropriately touched a woman he was bringing in on a warrant.

Note the keyword also. See he finally was brought down after he beat his son with a trophy and his son ran to a neighbor and called the police. The investigation into these issues started all the way back in 2010.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 250: Jeffrey Pool

Because in the world of arrests and investigation the only thing slower than molasses is investigating the crimes of a police officer.

SSCC #249–Cincinnati

Barron Barnett — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:15:43 +0000

A grand jury indicted a Cincinnati police officer accused of breaking into a home and choking a woman inside.

Ok, he broke into a house and assaulted a woman. It can’t get any worse right? Now why do you think I’d bother posing that question!

Court documents indicate that Kiner was accused of stalking the same woman and damaging her car in November and a temporary restraining order was issued against him.

But the case was marked "ignored" on the last court document in late November, indicating the grand jury did not indict Kiner.

Good thing we have that Lautenberg amendment to protect women from abusive stalkers from using firearms. Thankfully in this case the Officer didn’t use a firearm, however the Brady Campaign will not be lighting a candle for her as she is not a victim of gun violence. Not to mention that the officer would still be allowed to carry a firearm while on duty anyway.

Besides the woman was most certainly allowed to survive by the mercy of her attacker:

The 42-year-old Kiner was initially charged Monday with aggravated burglary after he was accused of breaking into a Paul Street home, choking the woman and dropping a gun on her chest before leaving.

Recently I posted on the futility of background checks, and someone in the comments talked about his own experience. In this case the system totally failed this woman. However I would like to point out that this woman could have armed herself and put forth a much stronger resistance against a larger opponent. While the opponent was already armed at the start, it’s better than being left at his mercy. By god if you’re going to die, at least take the son of a bitch with you to keep him from doing it to someone else.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 249: Ronald Kiner

Because if you see a woman you like, stalk her, break into her house, and choke her. You’re a cop after all, what’s the worst that could happen.

A Little Taste Of Home

Barron Barnett — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:09:29 +0000

So as many of you are aware there are a bunch of anti-rights cultists staging a boycott on February 14th. As a response our side of the fence is holding a buycott.

As I've been reading through the blogs and Facebook events there are a lot of people who don't drink coffee. One particular comment stood out to me today.

Hey, can someone buy one extra for me? I wish I could be there to support but I am doing my part to defend this country.

Let's hit two birds with one stone. Lets send our troops overseas a little taste of home. I'm currently working on contacting Soldiers' Angels to get the details on where to send donations with no firm destination.

If you are stationed overseas and would like a delivery, please contact me with your APO or FPO address. I will mail any requests personally directly to you or your unit. I have no idea how much traction this little idea is going to get, my hope is it gets a lot.

If you would like to participate or donate please contact me and I will keep you filled in with the details. I want to ensure we fill requests from troops overseas first before sending it to Soldiers' Angels. So, just because you don't drink coffee yourself is no excuse, you can buy a bag of roasted beans and send them to some one overseas who will greatly appreciate it.

Note: If you buy coffee to send overseas, get the pre-ground individual packets. Keeps it fresher and not everyone is going to have access to a grinder. Thanks Fred for the reminder.

Quote of the Day–John Doe ( 01/29/2012)

Barron Barnett — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:47:19 +0000

I see a kiosk at the mall. Right next to the blood pressure machine.

John Doe – Conversation at work last week

[This was said by one of our mechanical engineers at work after I described the work being done by Sebastian and company with CNC machines and home built firearms.

I have to agree, it would be nice to walk into the mall, push a button, and have it build me a nice stripped lower for an AR-15. All the while members of the Brady Campaign promptly start checking their blood pressure in the machines right next door.

The work done by Sebastian and crew proves that gun control is impossible, no matter how hard the anti rights cultists try the cat is out of the bag. When it is possible that someone with out any serious mechanical ability and push a button and create a weapon, prohibition is a hopelessly lost cause. –B]

Background Checks and Firearms

Barron Barnett — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:07:20 +0000

So Joe pointed out today that the new battleground for firearms rights is going to be background checks. Our opponents are realizing they lost the fight to ban the right to firearms. His quote points out where much of the future fight is going to be.

Joe points out that background checks are teetering on the edge of registration. If the FBI runs a NICS check on someone you can be sure they are in the process of buying a firearm. If they maintain that record they know every individual who purchased a firearm and had a background check. Currently all this would take is to stop the record deletion after 24 hours. That’s it, just stop the delete call in their system.

My personal experience has transformed me from someone who would possibly ignore the inconvenience to someone who understands it’s pointlessness, how it allows for the violation of rights, and why it does nothing for the benefit for the security of society.

For those who are unaware I was charged with 2 felonies, both non-violent, in 2005. The charges were brought about because of a very bad auto accident. Both of these charges were dropped and I have never been convicted of a felony. There is no legal reason, or even social reason why my right to a firearm should be restricted. I have never done anything provocatively violent, I have never presented a reason that I am a threat or danger to society. All that happened was I had a bad accident in poor weather and road conditions.

Now with that history in mind, whenever I go to purchase a firearm the NICS check issues a hold on the transaction. I am not allowed to pick up the firearm for 5 days until they finish their “background” check. I had my concealed weapon returned to me by Washington State Patrol after the trial, with a notarized letter from the prosecutor stating there is no reason to restrict my rights to a firearm, and yet I was given a full Deny while trying to purchase a weapon. It took a full year before that issue was fixed. I tested it once a month with a friend who has an FFL in Moscow.

It has been said, “A right delayed is a right denied.”

In the case of the year of 2006 however I had every right to a firearm yet I was denied. Even today I am delayed in exercising my right to purchase a firearm. I can file with the ATF and FBI to retain my NICS record so the hold will no longer occur. For those that miss that translation, I waive my right to have them delete the record and enter the realm of having registered myself with them.

There are many who would claim that background checks are a wonderful thing. Helping to stop domestic abusers from getting firearms and elevating their crimes. Except it will also prevent a battered woman for seeking a tool that will level the playing field. The blade cuts both ways and I care more about the cuts towards the innocent and law abiding. If someone is considered to be such a threat to a person or society that they can not be trusted with a weapon they should be placed in prison. The Lautenberg Amendment, while well intentioned, violates due process and allows for the confiscation and deprivation of rights of an individual without their facing their accuser.

There are numerous other tools that can be obtained, without background checks, that are just as dangerous and deadly in the hands of an abusive spouse. You can’t perform a background check on someone before they’re born. Doing a background check does nothing to stop someone without a history. Not only that, there are ways to avoid having a background check when buying a firearm. Even if you make private firearm transactions illegal, it will still not stop the black market and back alley firearms sales.

I’m all for stopping abusive people from getting their hands on weapons. My problem is anything can be a weapon and when the “solution” to the problem delays the innocent that the law is trying to protect. Background checks are nothing but another tool to be used to infringe on a constitutionally guaranteed right, as stated by the SCOTUS in Heller and McDonald. Not that the constitution really matters in this fact anyway.

ice cream machine has froze up

Barron Barnett — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:25:30 +0000

Not really feeling it today. I'm taking today off check back tomorrow.

The good news is I figured out how to blog from my phone. Very awesome considering text to speech.

SSCC #248 - Barling PD

Barron Barnett — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:14:19 +0000

"Plaintiff by backing away or beginning to leave was not evading or resisting an arrest at that point, because there was no evidence of a crime or other basis for any arrest of plaintiff to be made," Chief US Magistrate Judge James R. Marschewski ruled. "At most the evidence established that the severity of plaintiff's conduct was the failure to comply with a command of an officer. While this may be a crime, defendants offered no proof of any such crime or its severity, and plaintiff was never charged with any such crime."

The judge condoned this action though by not holding the officers or department liable for their actions. Instead of providing a punishment that would instill fear in those who would abuse the public while wearing a shield he issued the following judgement.

The judge found payment in full of Kirby's $167 in medical bills covered his actual damages. The judge also ordered the city of Barling to revise its unconstitutional taser policy that allowed use of tasers against individuals passively resisting officer commands. On the question of pain and suffering, the judge found Kirby was only entitled to $1 in compensation.

Someone hit that judge with a taser please because he obviously has no concept of how badly that hurts. Screw him and the horse he rode in on. He's nothing but a petty tyrant that wants to enable other tyrants to work without fear of serious fiscal penalties. This statement from the judge proves it:

"Although I concluded excessive force was used on plaintiff, I do not believe the evidence elicited shows the conduct was motivated by evil motive or intent or involved reckless or callous indifference to plaintiff's federally protected rights," Marschewski wrote. "At most, the evidence established that the defendants, in reacting to plaintiff's desire to leave the scene and failure to submit to their commands, failed to meet the situation at hand with an appropriate degree of force."

Uhh, dumbass he was a passenger in a car, he wasn't being detained or under arrest, and he was walking to his mother who was going to give him a ride home. Under those circumstances he had no reason to submit to a pat down, which he verbally refused to. You're tyrant ass thinks that him being assaulted over that isn't a violation of his rights.

There is no question the judge in this instance helped enable the environment where the police department would be so willing to exercise less lethal force when no force is required.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 248: James R. Marschewski

Because when you don't act like a good sheep the cops can do whatever the hell they want. They just want you to comply, there's no malice in that intent right?! Just surrender your rights like a good little bitch.

via Uncle, with whom I agree, Tar + Feathers and apply liberally.

Been Busy

Barron Barnett — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:33:59 +0000

I got tied up at work and in a meeting yesterday. I meant to do some blogging when I got home but just couldn't find the strength to push out some free ice cream. I'm pretty exhausted still from the long meetings I had the past couple days so I may not get around to writing any posts tonight.

In the meantime here's some videos that are well worth your time. The first of which is explains in detail why I felt "Fake It" was fitting for Wednesday's ear worm.

CATO nails it as they oh so often do. (via RNS)

The second I found initially via Joe.

I have nothing to add to that video. It was short, quick, concise, and nails the truth on the head.

I'll try and throw up an SSCC tonight when I get home, I do have a stack in my notes currently, but I'm not sure I'm going to want to sit in front of my computer.

SSCC #247–Dona Ana County

Barron Barnett — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:45:43 +0000

Stephen Slevin was arrested in August of 2005 for driving while intoxicated, then thrown in jail for two years. He was in solitary at Dona Ana County Jail for his entire sentence and basically forgotten about and never given a trial, he told NBC station KOB.com Tuesday night.

Go read the whole story. It is down right despicable and is a prime example of a Title 18.242 violation. This story also strikes a personal chord with me as it is reminiscent of a story from my father.

"He was driving through New Mexico and arrested for a DWI, and he allegedly was in a stolen vehicle. Well, it was a car he had borrowed from a friend; a friend had given him a car to drive across the country," Coyte said.

So if all of those statements were true, why didn’t they place him on trial. There’s a reason my dad when traveling would avoid New Mexico. If he had to drive across the state he would stop at the border, piss on New Mexico, and drive non-stop to the other side.

You see when my dad was fresh out of the service after his first hitch he decided to travel to California. He stopped in a rest stop to catch a nap before continuing on. He awoke to a New Mexico sheriff tapping on his window. The sheriff runs my dads information. It comes back with a hold. Not positive for warrants, not indicating anything illegal, just hold this individual until further contact. The officer promptly slams my dad to the ground, hand cuffs him, and throws him in the back of his squad car. They toss him in a jail cell and then proceed to rip apart his car. When I say tear apart, we’re talking some reassembly required. After my dad was sitting in the jail cell for 2 hours and he hears the phone ring. The conversation he could hear went like this:

“Yes we have Mr. Barnett, he’s sitting in a jail cell right now.”

“Because someone said to hold him so we assumed he’s in trouble.”

“Oh he hasn’t done anything wrong, we just heard to hold him.”

“Well we’re holding him against his will now.”

“We will let Mr. Barnett go immediately.”

So it ends up that was the NCIS making sure my dad wasn’t being held against his will. The hold was to ensure that my father hadn’t been kidnapped or otherwise being pressured for secrets. They tossed my dad out of the jail cell, left his car ripped apart, and left him to put it back together. That’s a sign of some really honest hard working cops there.

Obviously the state of New Mexico likes this behavior otherwise they would publicly flog individuals responsible for the types of atrocities committed against Stephen Slevin.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 247: The entire Dona Ana County Jail force

Because deprivation of rights doesn’t exist when you are the law.

Ear Worm Wednesday (1/25/2012)

Barron Barnett — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

There’s no reason I picked this song, none, what, so, ever.

SSCC #246–TSA

Barron Barnett — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:58:50 +0000

Don’t believe me that the TSA is a criminal enterprise sponsored by the state? Or do you think my comment was off base that the higher ups are only upset when their employees are caught? Well think again.

The couple contacted TSA to see if security cameras are in place to prevent employees from taking people's belongings after they go behind closed doors. LaFlamme said she was told no.

A TSA spokesperson told us out of security concerns they couldn't disclose that information.

Now it wasn’t the smartest idea to put money in your checked baggage, but if you can’t transport valuables in your luggage what is it there for? Seriously, I remember when I could have a hard suitcase with my own lock that no one else had access to.

Now you have a bunch of thieves watching x-ray machines for cash and valuables. They have a stamp from the government that allows them to steal from your bag and the government does nothing to prevent the thefts. Anything they could do they discount in the name of “National Security.”

This coming from the same agency that labels me a domestic terrorist. Yeah, still think we need this crooked agency around?

State Sponsored Criminal Count 246: John Doe

Because when you provide people the opportunity to commit a crime, they wouldn’t do it because they’re honest hard working government employees right?

Starbucks Appreciation Day take 2

Janelle Barnett — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:54:43 +0000

Sebastian, today, called for another Starbucks Appreciation Day. I have created a public event on Facebook to help get the word out. Feel free to join and invite more people.

Thank Starbucks for following local laws and not discriminating against citizens exercising a constitutional right.

The National Gun Victim's Action Council, an anti-rights group, is planning a boycott of Starbucks because the company does not discriminate against gun owners and those who exercise their right to carry a firearm for self defense. Starbucks respects local laws and does not create their own rules to disarm law abiding citizens

The company should be thanked for their continued respect of local laws, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Let Starbucks know we appreciate their stance and they should not bow to the wants of any anti-rights organizations that are truthfully in the minority.

SSCC Honorable Mention–Volusia County Beach Patrol

Barron Barnett — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:58:27 +0000

A former Volusia County Beach Patrol captain was found guilty Thursday by a jury of solicitation to commit perjury for telling a young woman to lie to authorities during an investigation of sexual activity with teen girls within the agency.

Well the good news is, he was caught, fired and convicted. However he’s still not getting nearly the punishment he should. It’s another instance of hiding in plain sight.

State Sponsored Criminals: Jecoa Duane Simmons and Christie Rancourt

Because when you’re a cop, you can have whoever the hell you want. The law isn’t for you, it’s for everyone else.

SSCC #245–The TSA

Barron Barnett — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hey, we’ve come back around to the same agency that started it all!

A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) worker at Miami International Airport was charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing from passengers' bags and hiding the items in a special constructed pocket added to his uniform jacket.

Well how big of a pocket could he actually make?

A police spokesman said Pujol stowed the stolen goods in a secret jacket pocket that was big enough to conceal a laptop computer.

He got the job and manipulated the uniform just so he could steal from the public at large. He did it with the state seal of approval too. Yeah higher ups may get angry when he’s caught, but overall they could care less.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 245: Michael Pujol

Because what the American public is to a TSA employee is nothing but a shopping center for free stuff.

via Weer’d.

SSCC #244–Harrodsburg

Barron Barnett — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:17:40 +0000

Jason Elder, 31, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree rape, 49 counts of third-degree sodomy and 97 counts of first-degree sexual abuse. All of the charges involved one girl, who was 14 at the time.

This is another cop who was hiding in plain sight amongst his prey. This seems like a pretty light sentence given the severity of the crime and the number of counts. I wonder if the judge was worried about the ex-officers safety.

State Sponsored Criminal Count 244: Jason Elder

Because when a predator is placed amongst children what do we expect to happen? Doubly so when he mascaraed as a good guy.

Do I Look Like a Maternal Copulating Opossum?

Barron Barnett — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:30:00 +0000

It seems that particular parts of humanity wish to surrender their place on the top of the food chain and force that decision upon others. Every week there is a new article showing how bad this situation is getting. Lets start off at the beginning and work our way up to the idiocy which indicates how how we are ensuring our own destruction.

Starting off there is the wolf issue that has been created by a bunch of tree huggers that don’t have to live with the problem. The wolf is endangered I hear you cry. Well when you introduce a predator into an area with 0 other predators you end up with a serious problem. Doubly so when that predator is a non-native species. They start decimating herds of animals that aren’t used to the new predator, and nothing kills the new predator. They multiply like rabbits, meaning they need more food to survive, further destroying the local herds of elk and deer.

How bad can it really be though?

In a highly unusual move for wolves, they killed about 120 adult male sheep in one incident on the Rebish/Konen Livestock Ranch south of Dillon last week.

That compares with a total of 111 sheep killed by wolves in Montana in 2008, according to Carolyn Sime, the statewide wolf coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Even with numerous incidents like this going on, you have people and groups who live well outside the area that don’t have to deal with the problem saying the wolves shouldn’t be hunted. It took multiple federal law suits to finally get the ban on hunting lifted. The scariest thing about all this though isn’t the effect on live stock, it’s the view that the predator begins to take towards humans. They no longer view us as a threat. Don’t believe me, here’s an incident out of Alaska.

Authorities were in an Alaska Peninsula village Tuesday investigating whether a 32-year-old schoolteacher, found dead off a road leading out of town, was killed in a wolf attack, according to state and local officials.

Wild animals are dangerous, yet we have groups screaming who consist of people like this woman.

The moose was reported to be in the Town Square Park area in Anchorage, and had been seen there all day feeding on the trees. The woman, reported to be in her 20s, was kicked in the chest and shoulder by the moose after attempting to pet it. After she was checked by medics, she amazingly didn't have to go to the hospital.

Mother nature is not a Disney movie, Bambi isn’t real, and four legged varmints still see you as a possible meal. Doubly so when you are no longer providing a reason for them to fear us.

How dangerous can wolves really be though. Yeah they killed the woman in Alaska and they’re problematic for ranchers. Does that really mean they can easily kill people though?

via Email at work

That predator is big enough that it can take down a person for a meal, doubly so when it’s running in a pack. This problem isn’t just restricted to wolves though.

Here is an incident out of St. Louis that is strangely familiar as there is a similar problem here in Washington.

Aldermanic President Lewis Reed is sounding the alarm. “I’ve witnessed packs of dogs, 10 and 15 dogs running together, and I’ve seen all these dogs I’m talking about they don’t have collars, they don’t have tags, these are truly wild dogs,” he said.

Reed says stray dogs are terrorizing the north side. ”It’s obscene that parents have to walk their kids to school, in some parts of the city, with a golf club to fend off wild dogs.”

Think about that for a second. The animals have been left alone to the point where they are acting predatory to humans. Instead of actually really doing something about the problem, their solution is to hire a bunch of dog catchers at the cost of a half million. Arming your current catchers to immediately remove them from the population can help solve the problem. If the dogs react in fear to humans even if they’re wild the threat is diminished. For those who say, arm them with what. You can use an air gun, if they can take a hog they can take a dog. No serious threat to the public by over penetration either.

The problem is when we let animals view us no longer as a predator, they naturally see us as prey. Our culture as well as our laws are forcing more people to surrender their status.

In other areas we have people being terrorized by, wait for it, wild turkeys!

Neighbors told Duffy the turkeys have been in the area for years and usually scurry away when folks walk by. They say only recently two turkeys broke off from the flock and are intent on standing guard in their own empty lot.

They don’t see us as a predator anymore. When you run away, that ingrains that belief that you are weaker further in their brain. If you’re not willing to fight for your position on the top, or cannot fight and maintain it, you are not the king predator anymore.

From Clayton Cramer and Sebastian we see how crazy this push to remove our status on the top of the food chain is.

The sign warns you that mountain lions are a problem, and if threatened, you are supposed to not run, do not panic, try to appear larger than you are (which only works for me when I am dieting), and attempt to pick up small children who are with you without bending over or turning away from the mountain lion.

And best of all: firearms are strictly prohibited in the nature preserve. So, remember, if all else fails, fight the mountain lion in hand-to-hand combat. Look, I have had house cats that made me regret trying to pick them up, and I'm supposed to fight a 150 pound mountain lion unarmed?

I hate putting all that in here but it just makes the point of how dumb these people are. They recommend beating the mountain lion with a stick, which is ok if you’re unprepared (which you shouldn’t be). Clayton goes on to prove why beating a cougar with a stick shouldn’t be a your first line option.

That’s what bugs me. Just like the anti rights people, these other groups seem intent on making people be prey, whether it be for two legged or four legged predators. They want to make the decision regarding self defense for everyone else. Concern is given for the predator completely ignoring the prey.

Which brings us to the biggest piece of idiocy I have seen in a long time.

Via Uncle this morning I found this:

Cuccinelli said D.C.’s new rat law–the Wildlife Protection Act of 2010 (Wildlife Protection Act of 2010.pdf) –is “crazier than fiction” because it requires that rats and other vermin not be killed but captured, preferably in families; no glue or snap traps can be utilized; the rodents must be relocated from where they are captured; and some of these animals may need to be transferred to a “wildlife rehabilitator” as part of their relocation process.

Mice are like rabbits. No matter how hard you try you can’t kill them all. Not only that, you’re effort here to save the mice is for what? Do you want to help spread Bubonic Plague and all the other diseases that rats spread. Seriously, what in the hell is the problem with killing varmints and vermin that are a detriment to the public health? Not to mention the damage that they can do.

Seriously the only upside of this is if there was a plague outbreak that wiped out DC to destroy the idiots that passed this dumb ass legislation to begin with. I know that won’t happen though and it’s doubly annoying since you’ve also got legislation that is preventing the use of effective pesticides. Just like a 'yote, the only good mouse is a dead mouse.

So here we have our government joining with a bunch of tree huggers that are throwing rational logical thought out the window. We have a group of people forcing their morality on others despite the injury and detriment it can have on others. We have the government aiding in creating victims of 4 legged predators as well as diseases from varmints and vermin. The worry about extinction to me falls short of killing people.

If you think that people should die instead of the predators, my only request is you do it first. Leaders lead by example and if you think someone shouldn’t be allowed to carry a firearm to fend of a wild animal, you need to live in that area and suffer the effects of living there. If you want to tell someone they can’t kill the mice infesting their house, you need to live in the mouse infested house. No one has any business forcing their morality on another.

I am not going to play dead for any predator. Two or four legged and I'm not going to walk around unarmed to make some hippie feel like he's saving the environment.

Needing of a Caption

Barron Barnett — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:43:41 +0000

The cat climbed inside the couch tonight and her climbing back out was down right entertaining.

This is begging for a a caption but I’m just not sure of what. Suggestions?

SSCC #243–DeKalb County

Barron Barnett — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:20:37 +0000

A homeowner was held at gunpoint and his family pet was killed in a mix-up involving a DeKalb County police call.

Well maybe it wasn’t so bad. Accidents do happen.

“I said, ‘Why [did] you shoot my dog?’ And he said, ‘Well, I'll blow your brains out.’ I said, ‘Hold on a minute, you just killed my dog. Why you want to blow my brains out? My hands are up.’ I said, ‘I don't have no gun,’” Anthony Currie said.

That right there is the proper response from an officer who just killed someone’s pet, illegally. Threaten the home owner. I don’t care he was on the way to a call. It’s the wrong house and shouldn’t be covered by qualified immunity. He did not do his job and ensure he was at the correct house, then shot the pet after entering the premises, and then threatened the home owner.

In what world is this considered an acceptable line of screw ups? Oh that’s right, in the world of the police where we are subservient to them.

The first officer faces no disciplinary action, but he will have to go before the shooting review board and face an internal investigation.

Yup still on duty and he probably went home like Harless and slept like a baby.

State Sponsored Criminal Count #243: John Doe

Because making sure you’re at the right address is for everyone else and if you screw up who cares.

via Ry

Winter has arrived finally on the Palouse

Barron Barnett — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:05:19 +0000

I was beginning to wonder if it would ever actually show up. Well we’ve got a pretty nice storm right now. I had wind blowing me around on ice the whole way home. I’m glad the wife and I got out of work early to get home so we were traveling while it was still daylight.

Here’s what we were greeted with as we went to drop the wife off at work this morning.

The fuel tanker chained up before trying to get out it was too late though. He slid right in to the curb before he really was able to get going.

On the way home we were greeted with this:

Yes that’s a fire hydrant. Note the stop sign too as well as the street signs. I’m not exactly sure what happened because the position of the vehicle with where the road is just doesn’t make sense. I will say it happened right before we got there because we first saw it and no one was on scene yet. I parked the car and walked back to take pictures, I like my new phone, and they were arriving on scene.

SOPA Shutdown

Barron Barnett — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:53:26 +0000

Considering our fearless leaders want to trash our liberties and freedoms yet again I am joining 7000+ other sites in shutting down.

The SOPA is a very dangerous piece of legislation that has the potential to prevent me from writing my blog. Not only that but given the events involving Righthaven the damage done by those types of individuals will be greatly multiplied.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

All day you will be redirected tomorrow.

Quotes of the Day–Joe Huffman and Jennifer (01/17/2012)

Barron Barnett — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:34:04 +0000

There is very little to be gained by engaging them. Point out the absurdities of their claims on our own and public turf then let them fade away into the dustbin of history.

Joe Huffman – Quote of the Day – Sebastian

January 17, 2012

[This is a twofer for a reason since it’s all closely related. I did exactly what Joe says above right here for the rest of the world to see. Some have implied I wasted my time* and that there is no point arguing with Joan. They’re right, and as I said here there is no point arguing with Joan. So was it a waste of time?]

No, Joan's comments didn't have any adverse effect on me, but they might have on someone that's had similar experiences to mine. I put my experiences out there for those who have not yet gotten to a place where they can. You didn't just cover my six; you showed them you've got theirs too.

Jennifer – Reply to Well That Was Unexpected

January 17, 2012

[As I said yesterday,

If I have one actual weakness it’s that I have a nasty habit of standing up to defend my friends. Even if that means I need to drop kick a pig that wants to roll in the mud. If that’s a weakness though, I find it a good one to have.

Yeah, I can live with that as a weakness.

I did not waste time arguing with Joan on her own site. I did not waste time trying to jump through her hoops for approval. I walked out in to the middle of the street and called her out for all to see, I did it here on my own site. I exposed her hypocrisy, attitudes, and her actions that prove how horrible her and her position is. I did it where the comments were open for anyone to participate. While doing so I was also stepping up and to help some friends. It helped one more than I realized it would at the time I wrote it.

I often say I do this for me. Well I do, if I don’t give out free ice cream well so what. I don’t get paid, I pay hosting fees out of pocket, so why would I waste my time arguing with the likes of Joan Peterson? I wouldn’t and never have. What I have done is step up to tell my friends I have their back and help expose to the world the evil that she is.

Honestly I don’t know if anyone like Jennifer talks about has been or will be helped by my post. I have to to yield to Jennifer’s experience which is far beyond my own in this realm. I would like to think it would and I can certainly see how. Ultimately though Jennifer’s point is irrelevant. It’s irrelevant because it did help a friend, and it helped her through the healing process of her own story.

Waste of time? I think not, it was absolutely worth every second spent. –B]

*He actually hated both the post and the video so much he closed the thread.

Well, That Was Unexpected

Barron Barnett — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:48:59 +0000

So I wrote a post and evidently it was well liked. I do have a few comments. First, thanks to all those who linked it. The quick list I’ve found thus far.

Light seeking a subject

3 Boxes of BS

North Carolina Gun Blog

Only Guns And Money

Daddy Bear

Newbie Shooter

I’m sure I probably missed someone but the reason I am saying thanks was because like when I get a link from Uncle or Joe, it’s noticeable. (Thanks to Uncle and Joe for when you have linked me too BTW). How noticeable?

Evidently I said something that a lot of you reverberated with. Awesome, and again thanks to those that linked it. Now for my comments.

I am fully aware that wrestling with a pig is pointless. Just the same I think that arguing with Joan is pointless. So why would I bother writing that response? I did it because no one had stitched her statements together for all to see the hypocrisy she spouts in a clear cut form. I doubt Joan has read the post, I doubt even less that she’ll respond. As my mom said, “I’m not sure she will be able to read the whole thing and comprehend what you’ve said.” My mom would be right, Joan wont understand, neither will anyone in those groups.

The fence sitters however can understand, they can read, and they can understand what I’m saying. It’s the fence sitters that come new to this debate that may not be exposed to a clear cut statement of what each side really represents. I finally stepped in and wrote that because I saw a simple and easy hit to lay damage. Joan made some statements that were down right appalling and that were not exactly the most kind.

Ultimately I did what I normally do. I sat in the corner ignoring what’s going on, unnoticed myself, until someone does something down right rude, mean, and inexcusable. They made the double mistake of saying it about two people who are unbelievably nice and kind. Then I became the 300 lbs. gorilla in the room, hitting them so hard that I knocked them out of the room with nothing left to say. I know neither of them really care about Joan’s negative comments on a personal level, I just found them down right rude and offensive, especially given the theme of the post.

I saw a way to throw down while remaining clean relatively clean. If the pig comes back I’ll deal with it at that time, but I doubt she’ll respond because to do so she would have to acknowledge the facts. She ~~hates~~ can’t do that, she doesn’t know how. In writing that post though I also provided a pile of new ammunition for those who like wrestling with the pig. I don’t support it, I find it for the most part pointless, but some find it necessary.

The only reason I’ve been tacking up the CSGV, Brady Campaign, and Joan is because they started it. I participated in a vigil and they said I was most offensive. I remembered victims of violence I know that they would not count and they called me offensive. I remained civil through the whole exchange, I haven’t issued one piece of profanity. I haven’t even resorted to name calling. Joe’s right, they brought this on themselves. Besides, now they’re calling me a Jerk. (Feel free to go post comments in there. CSGV has no control of them.)

While some may view this as me fighting a pig, I view it as me standing up and saying “NO”. I stood up to support friends that while they may not have needed my support, but they certainly could use it. There comes a time when even a fly has to be swatted. There’s a phrase, choose your battles wisely. They choose to start this battle and they did not choose wisely. I didn’t set out to, “Nuke it from orbit,” but I will not say I’m displeased with the results. If I have one actual weakness it’s that I have a nasty habit of standing up to defend my friends. Even if that means I need to drop kick a pig that wants to roll in the mud. If that’s a weakness though, I find it a good one to have.