Hint: It Was a Food Item

Let's play "Guess what Bruce's boneheaded dog ate off the counter a couple days ago".

UPDATE: We have a winner! Delta nailed it.

I say a full stick of butter?

$120 for a [expletive deleted] hammer???

...and there's no bottle opener built-in???

So, I'm back from my three-day "vacation" down in Rhode Island (aka: the JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show.

Before calling it a day and heading home this afternoon, I decided to stick around and wait for them to post the daily door prize winners. Good call. My ticket number showed up at the top of the list for the 12oz Titanium "Remodeler" hammer from Stiletto Tools.

Of course, not an hour earlier, I had bought a hammer at the show, as I was in need of a second hammer. So now, I've got a new $120 titanium hammer (come on, who doesn't need one of these?) and a Death Stick to keep my well-worn leather-handled Estwing company in the truck.



Those were only $15 out the door. Not bad.

I'll post a review of the Stiletto after I start banging the kids' tree house together later this spring (once all the global warming in my back yard melts).

Going Dark

I'll be heading out of town tomorrow morning at half past early for a couple days. I may or may not be able to get online. Try not to let the place go to hell while I'm gone.

Later.

UPDATE: OK, I'm back.

Now, which one of you is responsible for that mystery stain on my sofa, where the hell did you put my cable remote, and who shaved the dog?

God Bless New Hampshire

WMUR:

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire and four other states, including Maine, face a critical deadline this month regarding the federal REAL ID program that could determine whether state residents have a more difficult time flying.

March 31 is the last day for states to ask for extra time to comply with the new federal rules. The post-Sept. 11 security measure would create a tamperproof identification card in all 50 states.

[...]

The state may get an extension, but some residents said that's not good enough. REAL ID critics attended a hearing Tuesday wearing guns and colonial garb, which drew security to the hearing room door.

Sometimes, it's hard to believe that New Hampshire actually shares a border with Massachusetts.

What Bill of Rights?

Not content with having deprived their city's low-income residents of their Second Amendment rights, Boston Mayor Tom Menino and his loyal henchmen in the Boston Police Department are now looking at ways to get rid of that pesky Fourth Amendment, as well.

And, they're shocked - shocked, I tell you - that the peasantry has dared express discontent with their noble plan.

Boston police officials, surprised by intense opposition from residents, have significantly scaled back and delayed the start of a program that would allow officers to go into people's homes and search for guns without a warrant.

Gee, what's not to love?

Police would ask parents or legal guardians for permission to search homes where juveniles ages 17 and under are believed to be holding illegal guns. Police would only enter homes into which they have been invited and, once inside, would only search the rooms of the juveniles.

That's their out.

"But, we asked for permission to conduct the search!"

Bullshit.

Tell me the average resident of Dorchester isn't going to be intimidated into consenting to the search upon finding a group of armed, uniformed police officers on their front doorstep talking about "illegal guns".

How long until "Refused door-to-door search" becomes legitimate grounds for a search warrant request? Why would an innocent person, with nothing to hide, deny entry to these upstanding peace officers? Right?

"Invited", my ass.

Then, there's this little gem.

If police were to find a gun in a home, they would keep the discovery confidential under most circumstances, police have said.

Officers would not tell officials at the child's school or public housing authorities, unless they believed the discovery amounted to a "public safety emergency," which Driscoll said would happen if police found a plan to use the gun at school or a hit list.

Any guesses as to the percentage of cases they'd conveniently "believe" to be a "public safety emergency"? Remember, this is Massachusetts, where five-dollar plastic slingshots have been banned from toy store shelves, as a "public safety" measure.

And, this will stun you. Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty - whose brilliance as a Constitutional scholar is on par with that of his Beantown counterpart - is another one who thinks Gestapo-like tactics such as these are the cat's balls.

Washington Post - March 13, 2008:

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced yesterday the Safe Homes Initiative, aimed at parents and guardians who know or suspect that their children or other relatives have guns. Under the deal, police target areas hit by violence and seek adults who let them search their homes for guns, with no risk of arrest. The offer also applies to drugs that turn up during the searches, police said.

The program is scheduled to start March 24 in the Washington Highlands area of Southeast Washington. Officers will go door-to-door seeking permission to search homes for weapons. Police later plan to visit other areas, including sections of Columbia Heights in Northwest and Eckington in Northeast.

OK, now it's not every day I voluntarily lend my superior intellectual powers to my ideological foes, but I'm going to help out Mumbles and Fenty on this one.

So, don't say I never did you assholes any favors.

Gentlemen, you don't need to ask permission.

Here, I'll spell it out for you.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

1. The 4th Amendment obviously protects the right of the people to be secure in their houses.

2. Clearly, the word "their" implies possession (i.e. ownership) of the houses in question.

3. So, as long as the cops only go kicking in the doors of renters and people living in subsidized public housing, what's the big deal? It's not like it "their" house.

You're welcome.

Wow, this constitutional law stuff is easy.

Good Question

Quote of the Day (Beating the Dead Horse Edition):

Gun control puts honest citizens in the position of having to choose between protecting their lives or respecting the law. What kind of government would do such a thing?

(link via Michael Bane)

Sox Take Opener, 6-5

Wasn't easy.

NESN gave "Play of the Day" to Manny for his double in the 10th that put the Sox up by two. But, I'm gonna the NLB Pabst Blue Ribbon Award to Jacoby Ellsbury for his leaping catch in the eighth.

Nothing Like a Big Helping of Capitalism...

...served with a side order of unintended consequences.

Students turn a profit from candy sales

VICTORVILLE — With candy sales banned on school campuses, sugar pushers are the latest trend at local schools. Backpacks are filled with Snickers and Twinkees for all sweet tooths willing to pay the price.

“It’s created a little underground economy, with businessmen selling everything from a pack of skittles to an energy drink,” said Jim Nason, principal at Hook Junior High School in Victorville.

This has become a lucrative business, Nason said, and those kids are walking around campus with upwards of $40 in their pockets and disrupting class to make a sale.

[...]

“I think it’s original purpose was pretty good, but it doesn’t seem to be making that big of a difference,” said teacher Rolayne Allen of the junk-food ban.

Gee...go figure.

"Reasonable Restrictions"

Just a little something that's been gnawing at my gut for while...well, since last Tuesday, anyway. I'm sure someone better versed in the law than I am has touched on this already, but here's my version.

From the DC v. Heller oral arguments:

JUSTICE SCALIA: The freedom of speech that was referred to in the Constitution was also "the" freedom of speech, which referred to the pre-existing freedom of speech. And there were indeed some restrictions on that such as libel that you were not allowed to do. And yet we've never held that simply because it was pre-existing and that there were some regulations upon it, that we would not use strict scrutiny. We certainly apply it to freedom of speech, don't we?

GENERAL CLEMENT: Justice Scalia, let me make two related points. One, even in the First Amendment context, this Court has recognized -- and I point you to the Court's opinion in Robertson against Baldwin, which makes this point as to both the First and the Second Amendment. This Court has recognized that
there are certain pre-existing exceptions that are so well established that you don't really even view them as Second Amendment or First Amendment infringement.

JUSTICE SCALIA: Like libel.

GENERAL CLEMENT: Like libel, and I would say like laws barring felons from possessing handguns.

I would think the reason most rational people don't view libel laws as an infringement on our First Amendment rights is because such laws do not restrict the freedom of people to speak freely, rather they address the irresponsible use of one's right to free speech. Libel laws punish the libeler. They do not, nor should they in a free country, prevent the libel from being spoken.

To the contrary, legislation that bars the carriage of arms by all persons focuses squarely on the possession of arms, and fails to acknowledge the difference between the lawful and unlawful use of arms. Such laws essentially punish the individual for the act of exercising the right, whether such exercise is carried out in a lawful fashion or with malicious, criminal intent.

Libel laws, in the context of this discussion, would be more analogous to laws addressing the unlawful use of firearms, such as existing laws that address the crimes of assault and battery, armed robbery, and gun trafficking.

Using the logic (for lack of a better term) of the DC gun ban supporters, a "reasonable" libel law would ban the use of the internet, by all persons, to communicate ideas, based on the existence of any number of websites on which slanderous or libelous statements had been published.

Contrary to popular belief, an individual does have the right to yell "FIRE!" in a crowded theater. Though, provided there is no fire, any individual who does so should expect to face legal and disciplinary repercussions (e.g. charges of inciting a riot or disorderly conduct). But, one's capacity to speak freely is not nullified or taken away by the owner of the theater upon the purchase of a ticket for admission. Would the supporters of the DC gun ban, based on their own reasoning, support a law requiring the physical muzzling of all movie-goers?

To strip the whole of the populace of the right to bear arms, under the suspicious pretense that such measures will prevent the aforementioned criminal offenses from taking place is to deny the rights and liberties of the law-abiding majority based on the illegal acts of the few.

This is not a "reasonable restriction" on the rights of free people, but the product of a tyrannical government.

This brings us to what is surely setting up to be the next big point of contention in the discussion of Americans' right to arms - the definition and scope of "reasonable restrictions".

What restrictions on the possession and carriage of arms are "reasonable", and should be allowed to exist at both the state and federal level?

There are many in the gun control movement who hold up Massachusetts' firearms laws as a shining example of "common sense" gun laws and an example upon which the other 49 states should pattern their own laws.

I doubt the same people would feel the imposition of a $200 tax on abortion services would be a "reasonable" restriction on one's "right" to terminate a pregnancy.

Or, what of a law to eliminate state-subsidized legal counsel for the indigent? They'd still have a "right" to counsel. They'd just have to pay for it themselves.

We know that many Bay State politicians are on record as opposing legislation that would require a person to show a photo ID at his or her local polling location, prior to being allowed to vote in a presidential election. They put forth the argument that much a measure would be tantamount to the levying of a poll tax - a clear violation of the 24th Amendment.

Yet, these same politicians are on the record as being ardent supporters of the gun laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which stand as a de facto ban on the possession of firearms by the poor, while they allow the wealthier middle and upper class residents of the state to possess firearms (though with many restrictions) at relatively less expense.

Even among those who do acknowledge the right of a citizen to own a firearm for personal protection, there are many who would have the people believe that a person's right to do so extends only as far as the end of his or her driveway. Thus, the supposed right to arms becomes another government-approved privilege, the enjoyment of which is restricted by law to the confines of one's home.

When rights are so severely restricted, or doled out only to the privileged classes, by a government so distrusting of its citizens, liberty and freedom are lost.

And, under no circumstances, whatsoever, can such a system or rules and regulations be deemed "reasonable" in a free society.

John Adams on HBO

Just getting into Episode 1 right now.

Way into.

Feel-Good Story of the Day

From long-time reader, commenter, and punster extraordinaire, "One-Eyed Jack", posting over the Northeast Shooters Forum:

Under Mass law, the Fortune tellers license is $2 per year and is issued by your town. I applied in Acton just for giggles. The selectmen decided that they needed to vote on it. Then they gave me shit because they said that I cost the town $250 to research my application. I had a lot of fun with them thru local newspaper editorials. I rewew it each year just to keep the shaft up their ass.

Gold.

Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead!

(post updated - bumped to top)

That witch being NH House Bill 1354.

One more win for the free people of New Hampshire.

UPDATE: Here's the roll call vote from yesterday.

The first thing I noticed was that Rep. Kjellman, the sole sponsor of this unconstitutional piece of garbage actually voted in the affirmative on the motion to ITL, which I thought seemed more than a little odd.

Then, I clicked on the link above and saw this:

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 ... Reconsideration (Rep Kjellman): MF DIV 56-249

Jenn Coffey, NH State Coordinator for the Second Amendment Sisters, posting at the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance forum writes:

It is my understanding that she tried to move for a reconsideration, that she "mistakenly" voted wrong on her own bill.

No comment.

UPDATE II: OK, maybe a little bit of comment.

Bear in mind, Representative Kjellman was sitting in the room when the bill was voted ITL 9-1 in the Legislative Administration Committee executive session a few weeks back. She sat there as the nine "yea" votes were recorded, so she should have a clue as to how this voting thing works.

But, then again, when she tried to address the committee that day, she had to be told that it was not allowed at the closed session. She claimed ignorance of the rules at that time, as well.

A Little Something For the GFW Bedwetters

What's better than a full-auto AA-12 shotgun?

How about two of them, mounted on an RC helicopter?

(link via Ace)

Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before

Gun Control: Because the right of some 20-something-year-old scumbag attack an elderly couple after breaking into their home in the middle of the night is more sacrosanct than the right of the 81-year-old victim to defend himself and his wife from the same.

Eighty-one-year-old Robert Jenkins said he loaded his wife's handgun and tried to scare off a burglar in his Tucker home, but he fired when the intruder rushed him, according to a family friend.

DeKalb police said the shooting was justified, and Jenkins will not be charged in the death of the suspect, a man possibly in his 20s who had not been identified Wednesday.

The world just became a better, safer place to live and raise our families by the count of -1.

And, the gun control groups get to add one more name to their list of "children" brutally "gunned down" by all those "inherently dangerous" weapons.

Pop Quiz: Super Easy Edition

All you have to do is guess which one of the following stories out of Arizona has been deemed more newsworthy by the TV news media in Boston (some 2,300 miles away).

A) Owner shoots armed robbery suspect twice in Phoenix

B) Mesa woman arrested for stabbing man in sex-for-gas deal

I Must Be a Racist

I laughed.

Quote of the Day II

This one deserves its own post

Transcribed from C-SPAN this afternoon:

I think the reasonableness standard of the handgun laws in the District, which are not completely banned, because there is licensed handguns in the District of Columbia for law enforcement, retired law enforcement, federal law enforcement, security agencies. So, there is not a complete ban on handguns.

~ Washington DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier

Wow.

UPDATE: Crappy quality video added.



Yes, she thinks we're all morons.

Deep Thought of the Day

Following up on this post over at Jay's place...

Shot Placement: It's not just for tequila and girls with bare midriffs anymore.

Yeah Right

Don't hold your breath.

If Anyone's Looking For Me...

...I'll be glued to SCOTUSblog pretty much all day long.

Ya think their traffic's gonna spike slightly today?

UPDATE: Quote of the Day

"There are enough handguns on our streets"

~ Washington DC Mayor Adrian Fenty

Good thing they're banned.

What a tool.

Also, submit your Heller predictions here. Points to cover:

1. Individual right or collective "right"
2. DC Gun Ban, constitutional or not
3. Fine print
4. Margin of victory, or defeat, depending on your perspective

Here's mine:

I'm thinking 6-3 (or better) in favor of an individual right. If the left-leaning justices want to keep Roe around, they'll have to concede that the Bill of Rights is just that, an itemized list of protected individual rights.

That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it.

Given the pro-individual right ruling, I also believe the court will find the DC gun ban unconstitutional. Of course, that decision will be accompanied by all kinds of gobbledygook about "reasonable restrictions" and "common sense regulations".

Such feckless phrasing will be just what Fenty and his fanboys will be looking for, so that they can put in place their own set of "reasonable restrictions" that will pretty much mirror those gun laws and policies currently on the books in places like Brookline, Massachusetts, or worse yet, Chicago.

Translated: You cough up hundreds of dollars in licensing fees (along with photographs, fingerprints, training certificate, proof of paid gun club membership, and a signed affidavit from doctor of psychiatric medicine attesting to your mental stability), wait three to six months, then you obtain a license to own one break-action shotgun - single shot only. Double-barrel shotguns will require a "High Capacity Assault Shotgun License" for a $100 more. Handgun permits will be issued only to the rich and politically influential "special people".

So, I'm not seeing it as a BIG win, but a win on principle, nonetheless.

And, yes, I can't wait to fisk the dissent.

UPDATE II: Fenty spoke briefly to the press outside the Supreme Court, following today's oral arguments - while surrounded by people with guns.

He's special.

DC police chief Cathy Lanier, after speaking of the dangers of "high-capacity rounds", added:

I think the reasonableness standard of the handgun laws in the district, which are not completely banned, because there is licensed handguns in the District of Columbia for law enforcement, retired law enforcement, federal law enforcement, security agencies. So, there is not a complete ban on handguns.

Thanks for clearing that up, sweetheart.

OK...Now I'm Getting Thirsty

One more St. Patrick's Day post before I don the colors and crack open the first of, um, slightly more than one Guinness.



Yes, I know it was written by an Englishman who never even visited Ireland. So, to make up for that, I give you the inimitable duo of Christy Moore and Shane MacGowan.

Spancil Hill

Enjoy.

Sláinte!

The Passing of a Friend

It is with a heavy heart that I mark this St. Patrick's Day by polishing off this bottle of Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey. I bought this bottle (serial number 00136) at the Duty Free shop at the Shannon Airport in 1999, on the way home from our honeymoon.



We cracked the seal in the summer of 2002, after our daughters were born, for the purpose of "wetting the babies' heads", and have enjoyed every last sip since then. I'm honestly surprised it's lasted as long as it has.

If you see some the next time you're visiting your local purveyor of fine spirits, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Neither can this guy:

Midleton Very Rare is better than sex. Not good sex perhaps, but certainly better than what most of us experience.

Yes, it is that good.

How Can This Be?

From AOL Money & Finance: Safest States to Live In

No 1: New Hampshire

New Hampshire is ranked No. 1 for the first time thanks to impressively low crime across the board. It boasts the nation's lowest murder rate and second-lowest aggravated assault and burglary rates.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 49
Burglary: 49
Murder: 50
Motor Vehicle Theft: 47
Rape: 39
Robbery: 43

But, I thought guns caused crime!

Our good friends Steve Bailey, John Rosenthal, and Tom Menino are always telling us that New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont (#2 and #4 on the list), with their "lax" gun laws, are awash with deadly weapons, which anyone with a few dollars in his pocket can purchase on a whim.

Why the profound absence of violent crime?

As if I have to ask.

Why, it's almost as if they're all full of shit, and that their motives lie not in reducing crime or punishing violent criminals, but in securing more governmental control over the populace.

Who knew?

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal for VP?

James Lucier at the Wall Street Journal makes the case.

Caption Contest

St. Patrick's Day Edition

How To Put Together a St. Patrick's Day Parade

Alternate Post Title: This is Not Your Father's Oldsmobile South Boston

Yes
Yes
Yes
No

(links via Adam G.)

An Incontrovertible Truth

Denny at the Grouchy Old Cripple states the obvious.^*

If McRINO went to a church that had a white separatist as a pastor, his campaign would be history.

^* Obvious to those of us with a functioning frontal lobe, anyway.

Deconstructing Brady - Northeast Edition

No big surprises here.

Much Ado About Nothing

Seems a lot of folks are getting their knickers in a twist over this AFP news photo and headline that seems to incorrectly label Eliot Spitzer as a Republican.



Well, here's another AFP photo that says he's a Libertarian.



And, this one has him labeled as a Communist.



Hey, wait a minute!

Why, it's almost as if those letters stand for something other than party affiliation - like right, left, and center, maybe?

That said, if he's the one in the center in that third picture, who's in the podium? Dude, there's a time and place for everything. This might not be one of those times or places.

UPDATE: Ummm...

Seems a reader over at NewsBusters wrote the AFP to bring this non-error to their attention, and got a reply acknowledging, and vowing to correct, said non-error.

Whatever.

Leftist Debating Skills

Here's how it works.

"If Barack Obama were a white man, would we be having this discussion?"

"Racist!"

"Um...can you answer the question?"

"I don't have to."

"Why not?"

"RACIST!!!"

"But I was jus..."

"RACIST!!!"

"That's your answer?"

"RACIST!!!"

"You're being ridiculous."

"RACIST!!!"

Now, you're just acting like a child."

"NAME CALLER!!!"

"Look, all I'm..."

"RACIST NAME-CALLER!!!"

"I'm outta here."

"Scaredy-cat."

Here's What Happens...

...if you leave your Scrabble game and your cribbage board alone in a closet without any chaperon to keep them separated.

Kings Cribbage.

The online version is pretty good. If you sign up, I'm BruceNH.

Madonna in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Whatever.

These annual lists of inductees used to tick me off. I remember getting pissed off and signing online petitions to get Rush inducted (lot of good those have done).

But, the way I see it now, this is an institution that will one day count Justin Timberlake among its members. Also, the fact that KISS has been snubbed speaks volumes.

Boston's Finest

I saw this BPDNews.com post linked by Adam at Universal Hub, but never felt like clicking over to read the rest of it.

Excerpt (emphasis mine):

During the search, officers recovered over 150 pills (white, yellow, blue, green, pink in color), over 200 grams of cocaine, an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine, an undisclosed amount of marijuana, 3 firearms (2 pistols and an AK-47 machine gun), ammunition and a stun gun. As a result of the items found, officers arrested Rick Joyce, 37, of South Boston and charged him with Trafficking Class B Drug, Possession with Intent to Distribute Class B, C and D Drugs, Possession of Machine Gun, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 counts), Possession of Ammunition and the Possession of a Stun Gun.

So, needless to say, I wasn't planning on posting anything about it. That is, until reader Greg L. sent me an e-mail with this Boston Police Department photograph attached.

(click to enlarge)

Uh-huh.

Their in-house firearms expert, Ray Mosher, must be on the case.

UPDATE: I stand corrected, maybe.

Looks like an Armscor AK 47/22. I've seen one before, but that magazine well threw me for a loop. That's what I get for blogging under the influence of Smuttynose IPA.

Color Me Unexcited

Just got back from John McCain's town hall meeting in Exeter.

I'm overwrought with blah.

I did pick up a six-pack of Smuttynose IPA on my way home, so it's not like the afternoon was a total wash.

Pardon My Latin

Tempus F***it: Time flies when you're just screwing around.

March 11, 2004: Feels Like the First Time

March 11, 2005: Guess Who's Turning One?

March 11, 2006: What's That In People Years?

March 11, 2007: Drinks Are On Me!

Summing Things Up Nicely

Tim Couch is an asshat.

Pass the Popcorn

Report: N.Y. Governor Linked To Prostitution Ring

TC: Please, Let it be Gay Hookers

Well, that would give the tabloids the opportunity to run the headline "Spitzer Swallows". You know someone's gotta be sitting on that one.

UPDATE: More commentary from the 'sphere.

jp, commenting at Hot Air:

No doubt he was merely doing an on site, undercover investigation of one of the last marketplaces in NY he has failed to destroy.

Darwinism Shall Not Be Denied

If this moron had lived, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would insist that my tax dollars and yours be used to provide for his extensive medical care.

Sorry, but I'd rather spend my money on something useful, like a life-size statue of Ernest Borgnine made out of dryer lint.

WINTER PARK - Florida Highway Patrol says a Winter Park teenager died while riding in a shopping cart being pulled by a sport utility vehicle.

Authorities say 18-year-old Cameron Bieberle was sitting in the cart and holding onto the Cadillac Escalade. The shopping cart overturned when it and the SUV went over a speed bump.

Bieberle was pronounced dead at the scene late Saturday. The highway patrol says charges are pending against the driver of the SUV.

Permanent cure for stupid.

Being a Mainstream Media Outlet...

...means never having to say you're sorry for your blatant political bias.

October 2007: Fred Thompson simply doesn't have enough fire in his belly to be president.

March 2008: John McCain is too hot-tempered to be president.

Facing Reality

OK, I finally got around to updating my sidebar over there.

I've come to terms with the fact that Fred Thompson is not going to be the next President of the United States. I am, hereby, officially endorsing the candidacy of John McCain for President.

Granted, he is far from being the "perfect candidate".

Then again, no such man or woman exists. And, if they do, they likely possess the common sense that would compel them to avoid running for president.

I'd say I'm about 70% in agreement with McCain on the issues. But that number drops to approximately zero when looking at what the Democrats will have to offer us this fall. I see it as a choice between a D-student and someone who never bothered to show up for class.

Your mileage may vary. So, feel free to vote your conscience when November rolls around. Write in Captain Kangaroo, for all I care. But, like Kim said:

There’s only one thing to do: elect McCain, and at the same time, elect conservative Republicans to Congress, in 2008, in 2010, and in 2012.

I know; McCain’s a total shit, and I loathe him. But in the end, I love my country more than I hate John McCain — and handing over the reins of power to the Left will, with absolute certainty, bring this country down — just as the Left has brought down Britain, France and the rest of Europe.

Not gonna happen. Not while I draw breath.

Bias? What Bias?

Compare and contrast.

Anti-gun rights bias from CNN? Shocking.

As If One Has To Ask...

Via Zendo Deb:

So a guy breaks into your home while you and your family are sleeping and after ignoring your instructions to leave, he heads toward the part of the house where your children are sleeping. What do you do?

In this particular example, the homeowner perforated the backside of the goblin, sending him to the hospital, and subsequently, prison.

So, naturally, the goblin sued the guy.

Prochaska sued for damages, simultaneously claiming:

-- Negligence: With badly shaking hands, Rainiero “negligently fired a shot and accidentally hit the plaintiff.”

-- Assault and battery: Prochaska agreed that the defendant, confronted by a burglar, had the right to use force to protect himself, his family and his property. But Prochaska contended that the defendant’s use of a gun was excessive force.

"Accidentally" hitting the plaintiff? Well, that's one way of looking at it, I suppose. And, it's possible that's what the homeowner told the police, so as to avoid being labeled as the aggressor by an over-zealous D.A.'s office.

I give the guy bonus points for scoring a hit on the target in less than optimal shooting conditions and under considerable duress.

But, here's the best part of the story. From the judge who told this scumbag to go screw himself dismissed the goblin's lawsuit:

“There is no doubt that the jury would find for the defendant,” Judge James Welker wrote in his memorandum decision. “In fact, it is likely that the jury would prefer the option of throwing the plaintiff down the steps of the courthouse.”

But, wait, it gets better.

On the negligence claim, a jury would have to weigh Prochaska’s negligence against Rainiero’s, Welker wrote.

Prochaska’s negligence consisted of crawling into a house in the middle of the night with intent to commit a felony and “with the knowledge that startled and confused homeowners may take some action to protect themselves, their families and their property,” Welker wrote, adding:

“Certainly he could not expect that the startled homeowner confronted at night by an intruder will calmly ask the burglar to sit down at the kitchen table, drink a cup of herbal tea and join in a chorus of ‘Kum Bay Yah.’”

Judge Welker should start a blog. The guy's got chops.

Hey, Vermont, Go Screw

N.H. Syrups Named Best In Their Class

JAFFREY, N.H. -- New Hampshire syrups were recently named the best of their kind in New England.

Yankee Magazine tested Class B syrup, the darkest and strongest-flavored syrup New Hampshire producers sell to the public. Coming out on top was Monadnock Sugarhouse in Jaffrey.

The magazine said New Hampshire producers took the top five places in the contest. In second place was Wychwood Farm in Andover, followed by Olkkola Farm in Ossipee, Fuller's Sugarhouse in Lancaster and The Maple Guys of Lyndeborough.

Nineteen containers of syrup from six different states were sent to the magazine, where judges sampled and evaluated them blind.

Being a Global Warming Cultist...

...means never having to say you're consistent.

(link via NewsBusters)

Maine Cribbage Nazis - UPDATE

Lawmaker wants change in cribbage gaming law

AUGUSTA - A 34-year-old law affecting some of Maine's most passionate cribbage players is due for an update, according to Rep. John Patrick.

The Rumford Democrat, who teamed up with Gov. John Baldacci to craft the new legislation, testified on behalf of the bill before the Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on Monday.

"Agree with it or not, when you say, 'I'm going to bet you $5 or 50 cents a point,' that becomes gambling," said Patrick, House chairman of the committee.

And remember, kids, gambling is bad for you.

Unless the State is getting a cut of the action, at which point gambling magically transforms into a healthy activity to be promoted on behalf of the "common good".

Just like smoking.

Patrick's proposal would allow groups such as the American Legion or Knights of Columbus to pay a $30 annual licensing fee to host games with up to 20 players. Currently the fee is $7.50 per cribbage board.

The bill would also raise the daily entry fee that groups are allowed to charge participants from $1 to $5.

Here's a proposal for you. Go piss up a rope!

If ever there was a time for civil disobedience, this is it. I'd love to see the look on the prosecutor's face when he's handed the paperwork for six WWII vets who just got arrested, handcuffed, and fingerprinted for having played an unlicensed cribbage tournament.

Bring it on!

Please Tell Me This Is a Joke

Please.

Padded lampposts are being trialled in a London street to protect inattentive pedestrians.

A pilot scheme has been launched in Brick Lane after it was found to have the highest number of 'walking and texting' injuries in the country.

A study carried out by 118 118 found one in ten people has hurt themselves while focused on their mobile phone screen.

The charity Living Streets is so concerned that it has teamed up with the directory enquiries service to test a scheme to wrap up the nation's lampposts.

A poll will be carried out on Brick Lane to gauge the response of locals.

If successful, the concept will be rolled out in Birmingham, Manchester, and Liverpool.

Words fail me.

NH HB1354 - UPDATE

Denis Goddard at the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance forum is reporting that the vote on HB1354 has been pushed off until next week.

More information to follow.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Just received this via e-mail from State Rep. Karen Hutchinson.

The ITL recommendation was approved by the full House today as part of the consent calendar without a peep from anyone. So it is a dead issue thanks to you and all the other Free thinking Americans who took time to speak out at our hearing against the Bill. Thanks to you and all.

Eternal vigilance.

Your Presence is Requested

UPDATE: Turns out I won't be able to make it up to Concord on Wednesday morning, maybe later in the day to see how things are going. If someone could e-mail me the outcome of the HB1354 vote, I'd greatly appreciate it.

From the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (via e-mail):

Wednesday, March 5th: Lots of Important Bills Being Voted on in the House

When: 8:30 AM sharp, Wednesday, March 5th
Where: State House cafeteria, Concord
Why: Income tax. Gun rights. Parental rights. Local control of education. Marijuana decriminalization. Medical privacy. Redress of Grievances. Public access to legislative amendments. And much more....

See anything in the list above that you feel strongly about? Maybe... more than one?!

If so, come join us! We'll meet in the State House cafeteria at 8:30 AM sharp -- we need to catch the legislators before they enter the voting chamber. We'll hand out our voting recommendations, also known as "The Gold Standard". By showing up in large numbers, we send the clear message that these issues are important!

Below is a sample of some of the bills; there are many more likely to be on the docket (the official calendar is not released yet)

CACR23 - The State shall not abridge the right of parents to control the welfare and education of their children
CACR24 - No new tax on personal income shall be levied by the state of New Hampshire
CACR21 & CACR29 - Local control of education
HB1623 - Decriminalizing possession of small quantities of marijuana
HB1543 - Citizen's petition for redress of grievances by the legislature
HB1472 - Housing regulation
HB1354 - Banning firearms from the State House [related posts linked here]
HB1208 - Allowing dental hygienists to engage in independent practice
HB1291 - Requiring persons under 18 years of age to wear ski helmets

Please dress (and act) professionally. If you have an NHLA pin, wear it on your lapel. We'll distribute "Defend Liberty" stickers as well.

It is highly likely that this session will carry over into Thursday, March 6th. If you miss us at 8:30, come to Representatives' Hall. We will be outside the House chambers talking to Reps prior to the session, and in the gallery observing the proceedings once the session commences.

This could be a good opportunity to catch up with Nick Levasseur and politely ask him if he still takes an interest in stalking and shooting at conservative-minded folk such as myself.

Note to self: Charge camera battery.

$0.41 Well Spent

STI Spartan Giveaway

(link via Michael Bane)

UPDATE: More on the Spartan here.

"Short Attention Spans Need Not Apply"

Kevin Baker has a must-read post chronicling the Second Amendment's journey on the long and winding road we call the American judicial system.

1. Find a comfy chair.
2. Get beverage.
3. Read.

Friendship Test

From Pilgrim at NES Forum:

Your dog really is your best friend.

If you don't believe it, just try this experiment.

Put your dog and your wife in the trunk of the car for an hour.

When you open the trunk, who is really happy to see you?

I'll post my results later on.

Being an Ideologically Blinded Leftist Hag...

...means never having to say you're consistent.

1. Open ass.
2. Push words out.
3. Repeat.

Armed Homeowner Protects 2-Year-Old Daughter

Don't tell Ted Kennedy. These stories do upset him so.

Police say three men busted into a home in a quiet new neighborhood. They then shot the homeowner in the arm; the homeowner returned fire and hit one of the burglars, who later died at a local hospital. According to Tucson police, when they arrived, the 29 year-old home owner and his two year-old daughter had taken refuge in a bathroom. The home owner suffered minor injuries and the little girl was not hurt.

Gun control: Because the right of a gang of criminals to break into a man's home, shoot him dead, and then do God-knows-what to his 2-year-old daughter is more sacred than the right of the homeowner to prevent him from doing so.

Enemy Territory - A Pictorial Aid

(link via Say Uncle)

Four Thumbs Up

I finally got around to watching Live Free or Die Hard and 300 this weekend, enjoyed both of them.

Duh.

Live Free or Die Hard:

As I've stated earlier, I can suspend my disbelief with the best of 'em. For my money, this was the best of the Die Hard sequels. Though, I have to put John McClane into the slow learner category for his failure to properly dispatch the hot hacker chick when he had the chance.

One second he's putting five rounds into the torso of her co-worker outside. And, the next, he's being all nice to her 'cuz she's a girl. Apparently, he'd completely forgotten these sage words of advice given to him by the terrorist formerly known as Marco some 20 years ago.

Next time you have a chance to kill someone, don't hesitate.

It was bad enough when Jack Bauer was thusly pussified, but McClane? Say it isn't so.

300:

I'll let the movie speak for itself.

Xerxes: But I am a generous god. I can make you rich beyond all measure. I can make you warlord of all Greece. You will carry my battle standard to the heart of Europa. Your Athenian rivals will kneel at your feet... if you will but kneel at mine.

King Leonidas: You are generous as you are divine, oh King of Kings. Such an offer only a madman would refuse. But the idea of kneeling... you see, slaughtering all those men of yours has left a nasty cramp in my leg. So kneeling is going to be hard for me.

Xerxes: There will be no glory in your sacrifice. I will erase even the memory of Sparta from the histories. Every piece of greek parchment shall be burned. And every greek historian, and every scribe shall have their eyes pulled out, and their tongues cut from their mouth. Why, uttering the very name of Sparta, or Leonidas will be punishable by death. The world will never know you existed at all.

King Leonidas: The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant, that few stood against many, and that before this battle is over, even a god-king can bleed.

Need I say more?

Actually, yes, I do.

Persian General Slaughtered: Spartans, lay down your weapons.

[a spear flies out and impales him through the chest, and he falls out of the saddle, dead]

King Leonidas: Persians! Come and get them!

To paraphrase John McClane: Μολὼν λαβέ, mother-f***er!

To Quote Jeff Spicoli

Awesome! Totally awesome!



UPDATE: Continuing the theme...

Where's the Outrage?

Recently, a gay rights organization in Massachusetts filed a complaint with the Office of the Inspector General of the state, alleging that several towns and cities, including Cambridge, were illegally overcharging same-sex couples for marriage licenses. This organization even sent the IG's office evidence in the form of the towns' own websites showing the inflated fees listed therein.

This group asked that the IG's office investigate the matter, recommend to state prosecutors that violators be held legally accountable, and assist in getting monetary refunds to those people who had been improperly, and illegally, overcharged.

The response from Barbara Hansberry, General Counsel for the Inspector General's office?

"We looked into it. You might have a point. We asked them to stop doing that. Case closed."

There was no corrective or disciplinary action taken.

And, no effort was made to get people's money refunded to them.

Now, you'd think this would have gotten at least some coverage in the local media, if only in the editorial pages of the Boston Phoenix. You'd think that someone in the state legislature or in the Governor's office would have issued a scathing press release to decry such a blatant case of injustice and discrimination against an oppressed minority population of the Commonwealth.

Well, you would think that, if that was indeed what had happened.

But, needless to say, that was not the case.