Are you Anti-Gun?

I wrote this last year, but decided to bring it back up. With some renewed political interest in gun bans, or assault weapons bans, or high capacity magazine bands, etc., I felt it was worth repeating the following ~

The world is not always a friendly place. With our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the constant threat to our very existence by terror groups, the world scene is scary enough. Throw in the drug wars just across our southern border, as well as the day-to-day victimization from hoodlums, it can be down right deadly right here at home.

So, with all that potential, let's say all hell did brake loose. A nation on our highest alert. Emergency services pushed to their limits. An attack has caused major black-outs of electricity. People panic and start looting the stores. Police are swamped with calls for emergencies. Cell phones quit working. Gas pumps won't work (no electricity), so leaving the city is not an option. ATM's can't work, so you can't get your cash out. City services, including water and sewer, stop working. Food is gone off the store shelves. Human predators start walking the streets, looking to take what they want from others, be it their property, or their lives.
(If you prefer - Just consider a major earthquake or Katrina-like disaster, if that helps you get the idea.)

You are now in fear for your family's safety. Police are NOT available. EMT's aren't available. Gangs of hoodlums are a block away, and you hear breaking glass and people screaming for help. Hordes of hoodlums comb the streets, carrying baseball bats, pieces of steel rebar from a nearby construction site, and knives, and they are coming your way. Your spouse has fear in her/his face. The kids tremble with fear. They are all looking to you ... someone ... to protect them.

Next door to your left, is a very out-spoken anti-gun neighbor, who has always been very adamant about gun control. "It's the Police's job to protect us, people don't need to own guns," has been a common chant of his.

The other neighbor to your right, has NRA stickers on his car windows. In past days, you've smiled and shook your head, as you've often seen him, the "gun nut", leave for the range each week, carrying his cased AR-15 and assorted other firearms, and ammo. You recall one of your conversations with him, an old Vietnam Vet and sport shooter, whom you had just told that you didn't think anyone needed an "assault weapon", and you "weren't interested in joining the NRA".

You don't own a firearm. And now, you have no chance to go buy one, practice with one, or show your family the safe uses of one. So, now ... what are YOU going to do? Are you going to run to the anti-gun neighbor, and hope the "Gun Free Household" sign on his door will protect you?

Or will you be going to your "gun nut" NRA member neighbor to the right, and ask if he could help protect you and your family?

I don't advocate firearms ownership for everybody. Some people will not be responsible enough to learn proper use and care of one. Some too, are simply not able to pull the trigger on another person, even if their own life depended on it. For those people, get a good dog.
Otherwise, I am a firm believer that each of us are our own "first line of defense", and should be prepared to act in the face of threat to your family or yourself. And I highly recommend joining the NRA. The NRA is our single most important advocate for the 2nd amendment, and for personal protection.

By the way, it doesn't take such a dire set of circumstances for that need to protect your family. Victims are made every hour of every day. If nothing else, know this - For all their desires to do otherwise, the Police respond to a call AFTER there has already been someone victimized. For that victim, it is often too late. THAT is where murder trials start from.

If you choose to not own a firearm, that's okay by me. But don't try to impose YOUR choice on me.

Never Let The Facts Interfere With Political Agendas

Never Let The Facts Interfere With Political Agendas

(Special Attention, NYC Mayor Bloomberg!)

On the following pages, there are some of the past mass shootings I could easily find on the Internet. These shootings involve people using various weapons to kill family members, fellow employees, random people in public, school students/teachers, restaurant patrons, and those in other places where groups of people may be found.

With the most recent murders in Aurora Colorado, a renewed effort is being made to ban certain firearms, or firearm related accessories. There are many people who will buy into such bans, based far more on emotions than fact, or even the Bill of Rights.

I have reviewed and provided summaries of the entries I found on the Internet. The cases listed below, WILL show the uses of so-called “assault weapons” and some uses of high capacity magazines/clips. But it also will show the uses of explosive devices, shotguns, revolvers, lever action rifles, hunting type bolt action rifles, sawed off 12 gauge shotgun, home-made bombs, hatchets, knives, and even a rope. More people have been killed by the use of NON-Assault type weapons. (On the other hand, ANY weapon used to kill another, IS an "assault" weapon!)

My point in this exercise, is to demonstrate that EVIL people, bent on murder, WILL use most anything to kill others, and other than an ILLEGAL alteration, or owned by a restricted person, ALL weapons used have been otherwise legal to own.

I would also add, that there an estimated 40 million so-called assault rifles owned by law abiding citizens (estimated from national sales). Of those lawfully owned, how many ever get used in a crime? That number is so small, it hardly measures up to the overall number. But to suggest banning something, that 99.9% of the owners/users do NOT un-lawfully use, is nothing more than “control” of people, not crime. (The failure to sufficently control evil people, is leading some to try to control ALL people.)

US Mass Shooting events since 1900

James Egan Holmes, on July 20, 2012, killed 12 theater patrons, and wounded 58 others, before being captured by the Police. Holmes used an AR-15 .223 cal. Semi-auto rifle., with a 100 round magazine (that jammed); a 12 gauge shotgun; 2 - .40 cal Glock pistols. Holmes also rigged explosive booby-traps in his apartment, in an apparent attempt to kill or maim additional people.

*No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
Holmes was captured by Police outside the theater, and is pending trial.

March 10, 2009 - Michael Kenneth McLendon  murdered 11 people, and wounded 6, in at

least two counties, in Alabama. McLendon used a SKS semi-auto rifle; a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle; a 12 gauge shotgun; and a .38 cal. Revolver.
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
(McLendon killed himself, during the shootout with the Police.)

April 16, 2007 - Seung-Hui Cho  murdered 31 people, and wounded 17 other students and employees at Virginia Tech. Cho used two handguns, a .22 cal and a 9 mm. Cho used extra 10 round clips, and the shootings occurred over a 2-1/2 hr span!
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

November 5, 2009 - Nidal Malik Hasan, an active duty U.S. Army Major at Fort Hood, serving as a psychiatrist, opened fire and murdered 13 people and wounded 29 others, using 2-Glock .40 cal. pistols, with extra and extended clips.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
Hasan was confronted at the scene by Law Enforcement Officers, and after being wounded in an exchange of gunfire, was taken into custody, and is pending trial.

March 21, 2005 - Jeffrey James "Jeff" Weise murdered 9 people and wounded 5 others in a shooting spree in the Red Lake Indian Reservation located in northwest Minnesota. Weise first murdered his grandfather and grandfather's girlfriend at his trailer home in Red Lake, an unarmed security guard, a teacher and five students at Red Lake Senior High School. The shooting ended when Weise committed suicide. He used a Glock .40 cal; a Ruger .22 pistol; and a Remington 12 gauge pump shotgun.
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

April 20, 1999 - Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold committed the Columbine High School massacre, killing 13 people and injured 24 others. The two then committed suicide in the library, where they had killed 10 of their victims. They were armed with 2 propane bombs (no chance to use them); a sawed off double barrel shotgun; and 2 - 9mm semi-auto firearms.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

July 29, 1999 - Mark Orrin Barton shot and killed 9 people and injured 13 more, in a workplace shooting spree. He had also killed at least 3 others, his second wife, Leigh Ann Vandiver Barton, and two children, Matthew David Barton (12) and Mychelle Elizabeth Barton (10), had been murdered by hammer blows before the shooting spree. Prior to the massacre, Barton had been a suspect in the 1993 beating deaths of his first wife, Debra Spivey, and her mother, Eloise Spivey, in Cherokee County, Alabama. Although he was never charged in either of the crimes - and though the note he left with the bodies of his children and his second wife denied any involvement in the 1993 murders - he is still considered a suspect in those murders by authorities. Weapons used: Hammer; Colt .45 Auto; Glock 9mm pistol; H&R .22 revolver; and a Raven .25 Auto pistol.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
Barton committed suicide before he could be arrested.

Oct. 16, 1991 - George Hennard killed 23 people, and wounded another 20 on, at a Killeen Texas Luby’s restaurant. Hennard committed suicide afterward.  He used 2 - semi-auto pistols.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

June 18, 1990 - James Edward "Pop" Pough killed 9 people and wounded 4 others in a General Motors Acceptance Corporation car loan office in Jacksonville, Florida, before committing suicide. The day before he had already killed a prostitute and her pimp, wounded two teenagers and robbed a convenience store. He was armed with a M1 Carbine and a .38 revolver.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

December 22, 1987 - Ronald Gene Simmons, Sr. killed 16 people over a week long period during that week, with 14 of the victims being members of his family, including a daughter he had sexually abused and the child he had fathered with her. He also wounded 4 others. He used a hammer; a crowbar; a rope; a H&R .22 revolver; and a Ruger .22 revolver.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

August 20, 1986 - Patrick "Crazy Pat" Henry Sherrill was a United States Postal Service employee who, in Edmond, Oklahoma, killed 14 employees , and wounded 6 others, with two .45 caliber pistols, at his workplace before turning one of the guns on himself and committing suicide.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

Feb. 1985 - Daniel Remeta, along with James Hunter, Mark Walter, and Lisa Dunn, went on a multi-state killing spree, murdering 5 and wounding 6, before being caught after a shootout with Law Enforcement in Atwood Kansas. Remeta was later tried and executed in  Florida. Remeta used a .22 revolver., and a .357 magnum revolver. (one of the Kansas victims, had been at my wedding with his parents, in 1971.)
Other than during the final shootout with Law Enforcement, No other victims had been armed and able to defend themselves.

July 18, 1984 - James Oliver Huberty committed the San Ysidro McDonald's massacre, which resulted in 21 people killed and 19 others injured. Huberty used a 9 mm Uzi semi-automatic (the primary weapon fired in the massacre), a Winchester pump-action 12-gauge shotgun, and a 9 mm Browning HP.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
He was killed by Police in a shoot-out.

March 30, 1975 - James Urban Ruppert is responsible for the deadliest shooting inside a private residence in American history. On that Easter Sunday, Ruppert murdered 11 family members in his mother's house at 635 Minor Avenue in Hamilton, Ohio in what is referred to as the Easter Sunday Massacre. He used 1 .357 magnum revolver; 2 - .22 revolvers; and a hunting rifle. The shootings only took 5 minutes!
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

December 31, 1972 and January 7, 1973 - Mark James Robert Essex killed 9 people, including 5 police officers who were targeted, and wounded 13 others in New Orleans. He used a Ruger .44 cal. Carbine; and a .38 cal. Colt revolver.

* Other than the ambushed Police Officers, No other Victims were armed and able to return fire!

August 1, 1966 - Charles Joseph Whitman killed 16 people and wounded 32 others during a shooting rampage on and around the University of Texas campus. Whitman killed 3 of his victims by stabbing and beating; 3 with a shotgun; and the rest from his sniper perch, using a M1 .30 cal. Carbine, a Remington bolt action hunting rifle, and a Remington Pump action hunting rifle.
* Other than the Law Enforcement Officers, None of his victims leading up to the sniping of other victims, were armed and able to return fire!

December 1957 to January 1958 - Charles Raymond Starkweather, along with girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate, had murdered 11 people in Nebraska and Wyoming during a two-month road trip. They were captured, and Starkweather was executed seventeen months later, while Fugate served 17 years in prison.
They used a .22 rifle; a .410 shotgun; a revolver; and a knife.
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

September 6, 1949 - Howard Barton Unruh  killed 13 people in Camden, New Jersey. Unruh is considered the first single-episode mass murderer in U.S. history. Unruh used a Luger 9mm pistol.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!
(He was captured by the Police after a standoff. Later to be found mentally incompetent to stand trial.)

August 22, 1928 - Leung Ying, aka Loy Yeung, murdered  11 people and wounded another 4 on a farm near Fairfield, California on, before escaping the scene. He was arrested by police the next day and sentenced to death on August 31, 2928 (Talk about a Speedy trial!!!).  Ying committed suicide in his prison cell on October 22, about two weeks before his set execution date. Ying used a .25-30 Lever action rifle, and a hatchet.

* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

May 18, 1927 - Andrew Kehoe, in Bath Township, Michigan, killed 45 people (including Kehoe) and injured at least 58 others. Most of the victims were children in the second to sixth grades (7–12 years of age) attending the Bath Consolidated School. Their deaths constitute the deadliest act of mass murder in a school in U.S. history. He used 3 homemade bombs to kill his victims.
* No victims or by-standers were armed and able to return fire!

Important Note about the cases shown, and about the murder suspects ~
In MOST ALL such cases, the Murderer EXPECTS his potential victims to be UNARMED. Most people DO NOT carry concealed firearms, and bad-guys know it. Most of them are basically cowards, because they do not expect a gun-fight, but rather innocent and unarmed victims. They EXPECT to be able to shoot “fish in a barrel”.

POINT ~ MOST murderers, mass and otherwise, commit their crimes against UN-ARMED and DEFENSELESS people. Laws, signs, company/school rules, that command GUN FREE zones, provide bad guys with defenseless victims. Bad guys don't care about laws to begin with! (There's your DUH moment!)

My Summary ~
About 60-70 MILLION Americans lawfully own firearms of all sizes and styles. Combined, there are an estimated 200 MILLION plus firearms owned by those LAW ABIDING citizens. Firearm sales have increased every year, yet violent crime has been going down (per FBI data).
(In today’s news (7/24/2012), just after the Aurora Colorado murders, gun sales went up 40%!)

From the day of the Minuteman and the muzzle-loading rifles, to the taming of the West with Six Guns and Repeating Rifles, on to the modern semi-auto rifles of today, America has been and IS a gun society.

I would also add, that there an estimated 40 million so-called assault rifles owned by law abiding citizens. Of those lawfully owned, how many ever get used in a crime? That fraction is extremely low. To suggest banning something, that 99.99% of the owners/users do NOT un-lawfully use, is nothing more than attempting to “control” people, not crime.

As for Mayor Bloomberg - The REAL facts about firearms, DO NOT support your gun ban agenda. And as for suggesting that Police Officers go on strike until more gun laws are passed - BULL SHIT. How completely ludicrous for you to even suggest such a thing. Besides, as a former Law Enforcement Officer, I don't know any Cops, outside a very few in Admin positions, who support ADDITIONAL laws. What they want, is ENFORCEMENT of all those we already have.

 

FBI Homicide data summary from 2010:

Total murders – 12,996

Total Murders by Firearm – 8,775
Used Handguns – 6,009 (68%)
Used Rifles (All) – 358 (4%)
  (Even if you took the total number of “Other Firearms”, and added that 2,035, you would still only
   get 2,393 – 27%)
Used Shotguns – 373
Used Knives of other cutting object – 1,704
Used Hands, Fists, etc – 745
Other objects – 1,772
Other Firearms – 2,035
  The above totals include ~
    Justifiable Homicide by Law Enforcement – 385
    Justifiable Homicide by Citizens – 278
 

We're Soooo Civilized

NOTICE ****** NOTICE

The following is NOT for the weak of stomach.

Another tragic mass murder of innocent people, unsuspecting men, women, and children, has taken place. Committed by another deranged person, hell bent on committing unspeakable acts of evil. Planned out over time, and committed in just a moment of time. In this case, the suspect was at least captured and arrested, to be held accountable for those acts.

But now, as it is with our system, this person is receiving all the advantages of our criminal justice system, which also includes three meals a day, prepared for any "special needs" he may have (Diabetic, or other), and will be assuring a safe environment in which to eat, sleep, read, watch TV, observe what ever religious practice he can be safely provided, and get in a little jail-yard sun each day of his life. He is PROTECTED from harm, be it from other inmates, himself, or from Officers who would rather choke him to death than hand him a tray of food.

The coming months, or even years, will provide him with free medical, free access to books and magazines, free food, free legal representation, and every opportunity for all the facts to be weighed. IF convicted, and IF sentenced to death, he will get free appellate representation, and that process could drag on for many years. All the while, this POS (Piece Of Shit) will be PROTECTED from harm, as much as a jail or prison can provide.

Our civilized criminal justice system will provide every possible legal review and consideration possible, until his sentence is confirmed, and/or his death penalty is carried out.

Even then, our civilized society will offer its last civilized act with an execution of the death penalty, by injecting drugs into the inmate's body, putting him/her to sleep, not to feeling anything after that. The other chemicals to be injected after the POS is unconscious, bringing him/her to a quiet, peaceful death. Very civilized. Very "just", specially when you consider the following:

In the case of the Aurora Colorado mass murders by a POS, those victims were taken WITHOUT any trial and judgment of their lives, without months or years of warning, without any consideration of their needs, without warning that their life would be taken. In some cases, we can only assume, some of those who were murdered may have had a few moments of knowing the horror of their situation. Others may have perished immediately. The "survivors", will FOREVER know those horrible moments, and there will really never be an end to the sentence handed out by the POS. For them, the victims, it was NEVER civilized.

While I don't like this system, I understand it and mostly accept it. At least up to the point of CONVICTION. From that point on, in such cases at this, I am for dropping ALL civility, and present him forthwith for a quick execution. Furthermore, I would devise a system, by which the convicted POS would be strapped in an electric chair, wired for maximum voltage, and devise a tripping device by which the POS would trip the mechanism him/herself (doing nothing would trip a timer). The voltage would start off slowly, about like a 9v battery tingle, and slowly rise to maximum, all the while, facing a screen with the photos of his/her victims shown. In the end, should the POS's head explode, then a trained clean-up crew could take care of it. In any case, the remains would be cremated, and all ashes buried in a dirt hole at a pauper's grave site (wouldn't want them in the air or water).

Extreme? Maybe, but I don't think so. The horror of THEIR crime, needs to be born in such a POS before their own passing. And the whole world should know of that end. It might not stop others, but it would stop that one! But if the above were to be streamlined, and not the YEARS of worthless appeals for THIS type of case, we could then ... Git'r done.

Disclaimer: THIS case, I expect, should end by leaving NO DOUBT of this POS's guilt. It won't be a matter of ,"beyond a reasonable doubt". With cases in which ALL doubt is gone, then a swift execution should follow. Why the wait! But there are MANY cases (see Dallas County's record!) where conviction was by such shallow evidence, that years later DNA testing has over-turned more than 2 dozen cases! Except in cases where ALL doubt is absent, a thorough review of all cases are warranted before any execution should be carried out, if at all.

I believe in JUSTICE. But JUSTICE for the victims, and society too. As far as I'm concerned, we are FAR too civilized toward those who commit such horrible acts. Ruthless Capital Punishment? Yep ... And Fast Track such POSs!

The 2nd Amendment and YOU - Revisited

From many in today's world, and in particular our country, OUR 2nd amendment is under constant attack. So, I blog about my concerns and beliefs.

Internationally, the U.N. has designs on restricting America's gun ownership, as part of an overall desire to eliminate armed societies. There are those in our country, in THIS administration, who are in favor of such a movement, but know the fight will be hard to get around the 2nd amendment.

In OUR country, there have been a number of anti-gun activists through the years, and in this administration, it is rife with such people, namely the US Attorney General, the Secretary of State, and the President himself. In turn, they are supported by various left-wing organizations, and strangely enough, even the ACLU (who usually defends individual rights!). They argue the 2nd amendment is NOT about an "individual" right, but only about a "militia", which would be organized and called out by the government. (The Supreme Court has said it IS about an individual right.)

Many non-gun and gun-owning Americans, fit into four basic positions: 1) Don't own one, and have no opinion on the subject either way; 2) Totally against firearm ownership, and believe only the police and/or military need to posses a firearm [these folks want each of us to depend on 9-1-1 to save us, and are NOT concerned that our government would ever turn on us]; 3) Believe in limited gun ownership [where one can own for protection, but don't think we should have so-called assault weapons]; and 4) those of us, who believe that the bottom line for a strong 2nd amendment, and firearms ownership, to protect ourselves AND our country, IS a right. (I'm in the 4th group by the way.)

I am not speaking as a constitutional scholar, or an expert on the 2nd amendment. I am just an average citizen who reads on the various issues that concern me, and make decisions based on what I read and believe, and not what I'm told to believe (Anyone who knows me personally, can attest to that!).

But to me, one average American citizen (for whom The Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for), firmly believes the 2nd amendment was not about hunting. The 2nd amendment is about the "individual's right to bear arms", because, as George Mason had said....that he believed that governmental tyranny was the primary evil against which the people had to defend ...". Having come from a country and government where the standing armies were used to control its populace, our founders wanted some measure of protection against having our own army turned against us, by some "governmental tyranny".

If a government, insistent of "protecting" it's citizens, decides to disarm them, then what other freedoms will "they" decide is in our so-called best interest? And, if a president decides to subvert the constitutional structure of our nation, and conduct him/herself outside congressional approval, then how far is that from a dictatorship, i.e. tyranny?

If one is to accept that concept, then being able to "bear arms", to own firearms, not only protects one self and their family, but could be called upon to join with one's neighbors for a common defense, and just like the "Minutemen", a citizen would be prepared at any given moment to help defend their community, or even their country. That principle didn't end with the Revolutionary War either.

As far as the so-called "assault weapon" issue, does one think for a moment that if our forefathers had access to a better firearm, they wouldn't buy what ever they could afford? Does anyone really think, that Patrick Henry would have said, "Yes, I know it's a better rifle to fight our well armed enemies with, but I don't think anyone needs to have more than the ol' Brown Bess"?

My point is, that if firearms ARE for self defense, as well as a ready arm for a tyrannical government, then is keeping the citizens held to just a shotgun, and maybe a revolver, really acceptable? In the face of our enemies, foreign and possible domestic, who would CERTAINLY be armed with the latest in firearms, would YOU want to be saddled with such limited arms? If your enemies come to your neighborhood with AK-47s, wouldn't you prefer to have the same, or it's equivalent? And have ready access to it? (Storing them at an armory, which is controlled by the government, IS NOT ready access.)

I want to own what ever I can afford to purchase, maintain, safely store, and learn to shoot well with. Anything less, is a handicap.

Our 2nd Amendment Rights are constantly under attack. Politicians and anti-gun activists every day, are working to limit (and even eliminate) the 2nd Amendment, or at least cause it to not apply to YOU, the Individual. I will not sit quietly by and let that encroach on my freedoms and safety. I blog and write letters to Representatives, to help in my small way to keep MY rights....ALL of my rights! While many don't like my out-spokeness about such issues, I shall not, EVER, remain silent.

By the way, the NRA is the oldest and most organized organization, with 4 million strong members, who constantly watch and fight for our 2nd amendment rights. That's why I belong to the NRA. I ask you to join too.

Lastly, I want to add the following. In light of the terror and death brought upon those in Aurora Colorado, by one deranged person, I will say this -
As a former Law Enforcement Officer of 13+ years "on the street", I will ALWAYS be armed with what ever I think will best suit my needs. The Police, for all their want and try, are RESPONDERS. The call for aid/help, is most always as a result of a criminal act ALREADY committed, and people ALREADY victimized. And friends, EVIL will always exist in the hearts and minds of the few, and no law will change that.

PS. Over 70 MILLION Gun Owners .... Killed NO ONE.

Look at the shiny object ....

My wife and I have two dogs. Both are pretty smart, which is common with Border Collies (ours are mixed). But the younger one seems to have Attention Deficit Disorder. Any shiny object, will quickly distract her from what ever else we are doing. My wife will often say, "There she goes ... she saw a shiny object."

Sadie is a smart dog. She's just easily distracted, often by such simple little things that are completely unrelated to what we (and that includes the other dog) are doing. Hannah will stay focused on what we're doing or where we're walking. Sadie will suddenly dart off and completely be drawn away.

Most citizens are smart people too. Most people can think and make good decisions about their lives and about their communities and country. Most citizens will evaluate a Presidential candidate, and make a rational decision, based upon how they perceive a particular candidate will serve the country.

But some people can be easily distracted, and miss the big picture. A candidate will throw out a shiny object to get the focus away from the bigger picture, because the bigger picture doesn't bode well for them or their record. Romney's "un-required" additional tax records, or his lawfully gained wealth, are just shiny objects. And Obama knows it. Obama is hoping there are enough people who will chase the shiny object, and not focus on the REAL issues.

(Side note: It is MY belief, that Obama is playing the class warfare game, by trying to embarrass Romney about his weath [legally gained] at a time where a LOT of people are struggling. But Obama doesn't want the fact that people are struggling, is because the unemployment rate is STILL over 8%, and even over 12% for minorities!)

The Romney tax return issue, is nothing more than a diversion ... a shiny object. Why do I say that? Because Obama and friends KNOW, that Romney does not have to do anything more than what is required by law. They only want to distract some of their potential voting block from seeing the REAL issues and concerns.

If I were Romney, I'd provide a few more tax returns, just to get them to move off that issue. But then, I would expect Obama and friends to take on another insignificant issue to pick at ... and throw out another shiny object so Romney would have to divert from the important issues, to address the new shiny object. For that reason, I believe Romney has already calculated that, and isn't paying their game.

I know ... ALL politicians play that "bright shiny object" game, when avoiding the really important issues that don't favor them. But WE, "the people", need to stay on point and not get drawn away by the shiny objects. WE need to stay focused on what is REALLY important to our nation.

Anyone who has read my blogs before, knows I am NO fan of Obama. I am a self professed Conservative, and vote Republican most the time (not a straight ticket voter - ever). But I do not see a running candidate who is currently more qualified to get our country moving again, than Mitt Romney. In the BIG picture, I believe Romney has more to offer ALL of us, than Obama has or will.

But I believe Obama and friends are throwing out shiny objects, because his record ... his REAL record ... is a failed one. And to me, I feel his professed goal, to "fundamentally change America", is counter to our constitutional design. Obama has also said that there is more he would like to be able to do, but, "sometimes, the constitution gets in the way". THAT statement .... that mindset ... is so troubling to me, that I fear what damage he could do with four more years. Obama IS a "big government" person. He's not alone either. There has been a growing number of people who think too many Americans can not make good decisions, and only they, "the government", know best what is good for us. They are NOT a "by the people, for the people" kinda of supporter. THEY feel that THEY are special, and THEY know what is best for all of us.

I reject that whole heartedly. Most of us, WILL make good decisions ... IF ... we are provided with FACTS and information. Most of us, will arrive at decisions that are best for the country. We may have slightly different ways to get there, but the end results are more often a common one. Obama seems to think that only HE knows best, and would prefer all of us just watch the shiny object, and not pay attention to what he is doing.

No matter who anyone chooses to vote for, don't get distracted by nonsense. Don't accept that the thrown out piece of fluttering foil, is more important than the real issues. Don't dart after the shiny objects. We all need to stay on point. The REAL issues are far too important to be chasing shiny objects.

"I will not rest until ....."

"I will not rest until anybody who's looking for a job can find one."

And Obama HAS kept that promise. As critical I am of Obama's most every move and comment, I must say that his promise(s) that he would not rest until .... Americans were back to work, or the economy is fixed, or businesses are hiring again, etc., he HAS kept those promises.

However, what the meaning of "rest" is, is much like what the meaning of "is", "is". Obama has not rested, like most of us would have been lead to understand. BO has indeed, been VERY busy, and there seems to be little actual rest.

BO has set a record number of golf outings and fundraisers, and has out-spent every other President .... ever. In the last 6 months, BO has been to about 100 fundraisers. Yet, during that same time, he has not met with his "Jobs Council" (The President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness), even ONCE! As his press secretary said, ".... the president has obviously got a lot on his plate”. HEY! BO! How about putting JOBS on that plate. In fact, make that a PLATTER full!

But just speaking from an average guy on the street, don't tell me you won't rest until you fix something, then take in lots of golf outings, vacations, and attend a record number of fundraisers .... then tell me you have too much on your plate to take care of one of the most important tasks you face! ......... Oh, but he isn't resting, so I guess he IS keeping that promise!

By the way - The black segment of our society, has a higher rate of unemployment than any other segment. And, they also have the highest poverty rate. SO why they still support BO, at an estimated 90%, is absolutely beyond any reasonable explanation, except ONE.

No matter what anyone thinks of Romney, and there ISN'T anything criminal (unlike the admitted past cocaine use by BO) in Mitt's background, BO must GO! Then, in 2016, Romney can go next if he doesn't work FOR all Americans. In fact, ALL elected officials, MUST be held accountable to the tasks and responsibilities they are charged with .... or they can go next.

BO must GO!

What's at stake in 2012

Well, we have just seen the Supreme Court Of The United States uphold the Obamacare law. Although, the court had to correct the Administration's argument in the case, to say it was constitutional as long as it was a "tax", and not a penalty. So more taxes will be coming. By the way. Who is most likely to not be able to afford the rising cost of health insurance? The rich can afford what they need. The very poor has it given to them by the government. So I guess those in the middle will get the squeeze again! Pay the tax, or go to jail.

Even though the majority of Americans are not in favor of the law, as written, we had it shoved down our throats anyway. While I can not imagine anyone not thinking reforms were needed, THIS monstrosity was NOT what we needed, and according to the top ten polls at the time, NO majority supported it.

So, SCOTUS stamped it's legal approval on it, and we are stuck with things we don't even know about yet. And like Nancy Pelosi said, we'll find out what's in it....after its passed. Funny, the costly impact really won't even be felt until 2014...AFTER the elections! (That's NO coincidence!)

The US government (OUR government) is suing Arizona (one of OUR 50 states), for Arizona's laws to stifle the influx of illegal (that's IL-LEGAL) immigration, which brings not just those looking for work,  but those who run drugs, guns, people, and ... perhaps even terrorists. The US government WILL NOT secure the border, and the Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California borders are full of holes for the illegals to cross over. Oh ... wait ... I forgot, California is a sanctuary state, so they don't count. They just exacerbate  the problem!

The US is also filing suit against the State of Texas. Seems they don't like the Texas voter registration laws. I guess the Obama koolaid drinkers think it will keep some voters away. Voter intimidation, is what they call it. I guess as the nation watched news feeds of The New Black Panthers, standing in front of a polling location, dressed in black, holding billy clubs, US Attorney General Holder didn't think THAT qualify as "voter intimidation", and refused to prosecute THEM! (I'd bet a month's pay, those who say people [who are those people?] couldn't obtain an ID, could sure as hell come up with one for the food stamp line, or for filing for free housing, or other benefits!)

Obama wants additional "stimu-less" money. I guess the trillion plus wasn't enough to get the results he thought he'd get. More money has to come from somewhere .... that means us. You and me, who PAY the taxes. The government, Obama doesn't seem smart enough to know, HAS NO MONEY. Any money that comes through the government hands, comes from TAXPAYERS!

This Democratic lead Congress (pre-2010) even invited Mexico's President Calderon, to speak in front of that house ... OUR house, and lecture US and Arizona about attempts to pass strict laws on (IL-LEGAL) immigration. A MEXICO PRESIDENT, in OUR HOUSE, permitted .... no - INVITED .... to lecture us!

Let's not forget the Obama "apology tours". And the statement that America is not a Christian nation. Or that NASA needed to be more inclusive of Muslims. And the friendship with Bill Ayers ... the self professed bomber of government buildings in the 60's (The Weather Underground).

And still today, more than 18 months after the death of one of our Border Patrol Agents, Brian Terry, who was killed by Mexican gun/drug runners ... 50 miles north of Mexico in Arizona ... our government is hiding pertinent facts of the case from a Congressional Oversight Committee. By the way, that is OUR "Oversight" Committee....the part where, "We, the people" can have oversight into what our government is doing! And, President Obama, in a move to protect US AG Holder, has cloaked him under the umbrella of "Executive Privilege".

Add to this, Obama was never fully vetted for the job, and most people didn't know (or want to know) about his total lack of experience for such an important position. His whole record, leading up to Nov. 2009, was sham. I guess far too many were of the Pelosi mind ... We had to elect him, before we could really know him.

Obama has openly approved "same sex" marriage. Has removed "Don't ask, Don't tell", from our military. And from that lead, just recently, the Air Force had a "Gay Pride" recognition week. (When is the "Hetrosexual Pride Week?)

There are possibly two Supreme Court Justices who could retire from the bench in the coming few years. The next President may likely be appointing "like minded" judges to fill those seats.

And, while most will never say or admit this ... Had Obama not been (half) Black, he would have NEVER been elected. Never! Any person, man or woman, of any other race, would NEVER have been elected with such thin experience. With almost no history on him exposed, no college transcripts, no copies of his college writings. All that, has been kept from the voters. Why? Ain't he proud of who is was and where he'd been? Or does he NOT want us to know. I don't think he wants us to know the REAL Barry Sorento.

Before anyone shouts me down for being a racist, my opinion has NOTHING to do with race, except for those who voted for him ONLY because he is (half) Black. That is the TRUTH! I could not care less, about his race. I DO CARE about the person. And Obama is the wrong person for this job.
PERIOD. (Until he dropped out, Herman Cain was my guy to vote for.)

So. What is at stake in Nov. 2012? EVERYTHING! America ... is at stake. The future of America is at stake, and Obama, and all the cronies like him, need to go. Oh, and let's not forget those on the other side, who helped enable the obscene bargaining away of our liberties, in exchange for favors, pork projects, and increased taxes for a fatter federal government.

America, needs to take back ... America. And Nov. 2012 is when we need to start doing just that. Or it'll be too late to ever get her back.

Investigating Fast & Furious

(Note: Excuse my rush on this. I went back and corrected many errors in grammar. I am NOT an English major!)

The on-going (18 months and counting?) investigation into the Fast & Furious debacle, stinks to high heaven. The Dems claim its a Republican witch hunt, and the Republicans claim its about the truth. The Home Committee on Oversight, is lead by Chairman, Congressman Issa, and is attempting to find out what happened, who was involved, when they knew about it, and who should be held responsible if wrong doing is found.

While there "may" be some political interest involved, the FACT is, over 2,000 guns, illegally purchased and transferred under OUR government agents' direction in that operation, are unaccounted for. And, at least one or two or those guns were used in the killing of one of our Border Patrol Agents, Brian Terry (in 12/10/2010), outside Rio Rico, Arizona. That area of Arizona was not at the border, although that doesn't really matter, but was more than 40 miles INSIDE the US border. Reportedly, Terry was shot by drug runners, using an AK-47 rifle. That rifle has been tied to the guns PERMITTED to go to drug runners. (READ - "Provided"by OUR own government.)

Add to that, there are untold numbers of Mexican people who have been targeted for violence, with some of those very weapons permitted to "walk" (without tracking!).

There are a number of issues involved in this web of deceit surrounding Fast & Furious. And I'll try to address those that I feel can be agreed with by most reasonable and objective people.

1. The "AK-47", IF that was what the weapon actually is (this is important to understand), is on the face of it, an ILLEGAL firearm to buy by the average lawful citizen. Only a specially licensed and regulated citizen, can have a Class III license to buy such a weapon. An AK-47 is a fully automatic rifle! Possession by any unlicensed US citizen, is a FEDERAL FELONY. (Good questions for any Oversight committee.)

2. The gun walking program, failed in every way we know of, and the guns were NOT tracked. Not tracking the guns, to the suspected drug runners, makes NO sense to me at all. What was the expected goal of that flawed program? Not tracking them, makes me wonder if they only expected to match guns at crime scenes ... AFTER shootings (with victims) had taken place. (Good question for any Oversight committee.)

3. Do we, and particularly the Terry family, deserve to know who was involved, from government officials to gun dealers and straw purchasers? (Yes. And more good questions for any Oversight committee.)

4. In ANY investigation, ANY potential person who may be involved, should ALWAYS be treated with a certain level of suspicion. If any person is involved, criminally and/or civilly, where possible charges could be brought, it should be expected that they will attempt to cover up their involvement.

Therefore, such investigation, and legal inquiries, MUST be prepared to dig deeper than the person questioned is offering as information and evidence. (As an good Oversight committee do.)

5. When ANY person of interest, or suspect, provides information and/or evidence, ANY good investigator should suspect more could be hidden. MOST cooperating persons of interest, who DO have something to hide, will very often "appear" to be cooperating, while concealing the most damning of information and/or evidence.

THIS is why Issa and the committee are trying to get ALL relevant information. And except for absolutely critical investigative information, shouldn't OUR representatives on such a "oversight" committee, get everything relevant? And IF that is not forthcoming, then shouldn't they go for a subpoena? And if the subpoena is NOT being followed, an investigative entity go one to the next step to obtain such information? (Yes!)

In this case of US Attorney General Holder, claiming he HAS cooperated by turning over some 7,500 pages, of more than 80,000 yet to be reviewed, IS NOT cooperating. If a suspect hands over 99 of 100 pages of communication, and says he/she is fully cooperating, then how would an investigator know if page 100 didn't have the page that said, "I DID IT!"?

Withholding ANY requested information in an investigation, should absolutely suggest a cover up of involvement of active participation in the situation being investigated! DUH!!!! (Any good Oversight committee, would be cautious, and suspicious, of such efforts.)

6. For this President, to "protect" his AG with a Executive Privilege in the 11th hour, now adds to the suspicion. The President has done more harm than good here. And THAT too, is a mis-justice to the Terry family, the whole Law Enforcement community, and to ALL of us who should expect ACCOUNTABILITY! (Any good Oversight committee, should DEMAND compliance!)

Politics? No. Not on Issa's side. Politics ARE being played from the Obama side. Why hide facts otherwise?

Oh, by the way, the US Justice Department, under Holder, has refused to charge Holder with contempt. They also refused to prosecute The New Black Panthers for "voter intimidation", when the whole world saw them on video attempt just that!

ANY fool, specially if anyone is Law Enforcement or Military, who would still vote for those in the Obama camp, should line up for their Jim Jones kool-aide!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT like Obama, and in fact feel he is destroying "the foundation" of our great country. But the facts described above, should apply to ANY investigation.