The Big Shell Game

As passersby go about their business, a dark figure stands in the shadow of the alley. Dressed in a nice suit and groomed well, the man is standing over a small folding table, sliding plastic cups around on the table top. People stop, hear his spiel, and put their money down to play his game.

At the time of play, the dark figure removes each cup, one at a time. Under each cup, are balls with questions written on them. The person places a bet, that he or she can pick his or her chosen question after the dark figure shuffles them around the table. If the person can pick the right cup after the shuffle, the question can be asked and an honest answer will be given.

An old man walks up, looks over the questions, then lays his money down. "That one", he says. "I want the one that says, "Did you lie on your application for Occidental College"?

The dark figure then turns over the cups, covering up the balls and questions, and starts sliding the them all around the table. All the while, the old man watches intendly to keep track of the one he chose. Then, the cups are stopped, all in a line. The old man is then asked, "Where is your question?"

The old man, confident he has watched the right cup, chooses his cup. The cup is lifted and the ball, is revealed. "Where are Romney's tax returns?" Hey, that wasn't in there!", the old man protests.

"Sorry fella, but you lose. ....Next!"

After watching carefully people come and go at the table, a young man steps up. "I'll have a go. Let me see the questions!"

Each cup is lifted up, revealing five questions in all, such as, "What are you and Holder really hiding about Fast and Furious?"; "You say you support the 2nd amendment, so why are you quietly supporting the United Nations attempt to circumvent that?"; "You said you wanted to "fundamentally change America", so isn't your real plan to make America a Marxist type society?"; "You said the constitution sometimes gets in the way of you doing what you'd like to do, so isn't it true that you hate the Constitution?"; and "Did you lie on your application for Occidental College?"

The young man slaps down his money and says, "I'll take that one!", pointing to the ball with his choice of questions. He notices that none of the balls shown, had any mention of Romney on them, so he knew to watch the shuffle closely.

All the balls are covered, and the sliding of the cups are fast and erratic, before coming to a stop in a neat line. The young man smirks, as he folds his arms in a confident pose, and tells the man, "It's that one! That one in the middle."

The middle cup is lifted up, and the ball with the question is revealed. "Why does Romney want tax breaks for the very rich?"

"Hey! That's not right. That's not the one I choose, and isn't even one of the questions! Let's see the other ones."

"No sir, you only paid for the one, and you can't see the rest of them", says the dark figure.

Someone else in the crowd spoke up, "I'm with him. You didn't have that in there. Where's his question?"

The dark figure started collecting his cups and folding his table, as he says to the on-lookers, "Sorry people, but this is the only game I play, and you played and lost."

Under the head-scratching and moans of the on-lookers, the dark figure moves on. Soon, he's in another alley, unfolding his table and setting up his cups.

"Come one ... come all ... See if you can beat me at my game....." And so it went, with more people betting their futures with the Shell Game.

The future of America is too important to let it ride on a shell game of truth. We need to not play such games, with ANY politician, and make ALL of them show their real hands.

Just one man's view,
Dan

Shit Pie

For those who've seen the movie, "The Help", you'll get this. If you haven't seen it, then you might not.

Yes sir, there are many today who will be fed a "shit pie", and enjoy it. No matter how much BHO will crap on them, many people will smile and just eat away. And BHO knows it. He's counting on it. He's counting on THEM!

It doesn't matter, that there is ....

8+% sustained unemployment - that's 23 MILLION people out of work.
15+% sustained unemployment for Blacks!
6 TRILLION DOLLARS ADDED to the nation debt in just 3-1/2 years
NO balanced budget, or even a buget, for 3-12 years!
The most middle east unrest in some 30 years.
Food stamp issuance has gone from 28.2 million to 44.7 million -- an increase of 59 percent -- in just a 3-year period.

But none of that matters! Why? Well, rationally, I don't know. Rationally, it makes no sense to me. The shear numbers from the past 3-1/2 years, should tell a different story. But here we are, watching as nearly half of the voters in this country are smiling, while eating a shit pie!

But WHY? Part of it IS racial. That is to say, no matter what, NO MATTER WHAT, some people will vote FOR him BECAUSE he's black (half black, but he has shunned his half-white heritage). Yes, it's true. Deny as one wants, but there is NO rational explanation as to why around 92% of blacks will back BHO. Shit pie and all, they have his back. Yet, that part of our society has paid the biggest price for his failed domestic policies. Hell, even the Hispanics get a better deal than the Blacks. Hispanics, "illegals" in particular, can get "in-state" college tuition, when Blacks have trouble being able to afford college at all! (To be fair, there are those who will never vote for a black person. But that % is so small, it hardly registers.)

Then, there are those democrats who will vote "democrat", no matter what. Stains on a dress, or stains on a country, it doesn't matter. (Again, to be fair, that also goes for a lot of republicans too! And that's just as wrong.)

Or, there is the social crowd, who back BHO BECAUSE he's black, and are doing so, not so much for a racial thing, but for some "historical" achievement. It make them feel good to be able to vote for a minority. Whooopy. Never mind the long term damage, just vote for a social message!

 

Lastly, there are those, of all races, who just like him. They will NOT see, hear, or read anything that should register an alarm, and they just like him and will vote for him because he has some kind of "coolness" about him. Those folks are just silly "if it feels good, do it" types, with a song of  "Ev..ery....thing is beau...ti....ful" humming in their heads.

In every election, these folks show up at the polls and vote. And for most of those, no amount of facts and discussion, will alter their decision. (Don't confuse me with the facts, I've made up my mind!)

But for decades, we've been headed for the global and national position we're in today. Barely half of the registered voters, vote, and even less in non-presidential elections. HALF, deciding for the other half. Man, that sucks. And worse yet, at the rate we're going, it won't be long before those who GET food stamps and assistance, will outnumber those of us who pay for those. Then what? They can out-vote us, and vote themselves MORE of OUR money!!! And BHO is heading up that move, and that is why "I believe" he didn't bother meeting with his Job Council for nearly a year and a half! He DOES NOT CARE. Except for the money they can pay in, the working class doesn't support him as much, and they don't help him advance his objectives. 

Meanwhile, BHO is counting on those who line up for the shit pie. He'll keep serving it up, and keep telling those folks that it's so good, and that it is the so-called 1% who OWE them and don't want to help them.

Well, I ain't no 1%. But I am against most everything BHO stands for. I will NOT be lining up for the shit pie. I do not want anyone eating a shit pie, but I don't control what others may do.

If YOU don't want a shit pie, but need a hand, then step on over. Step over and let those of us who WILL help YOU bake your own pie, and help YOU reap your own harvest. The taste of self-worth, won't leave you with the bitterness of a shit pie! Otherwise, take plenty of breath mints with you when you go to the polls!!

My God, or Theirs?

This week of 9/11 in the news, are some stories I'll reference. These stories revolve around the release (six months ago) of a minor movie that somehow portrays the "Prophet Muhammad" is a negative way, and 9/11 itself.

To start, in Libya, an American Ambassador and several staff members were attacked while in their vehicles, and were killed by gun and RPG fire. They were attempting to get to a "safe house", as the threat to the Embassy there was imminent. They were being moved by their Egyptian security forces.

Protesters in Egypt assault the American Embassy grounds and tear down the American flag, and attempted to replace it with some black flag with some kind of Arabic (?) writing on it. No one was at the Embassy compound to stop them, and what there is of an the Egyptian government didn't stop it either. Embassy compounds and property are protected, as sovereign property of the country they represent. In this case, it was United States property that was molested.

Protests and riots continue now in many countries, against America. Protests by Islamic followers, in response to the film that was produced in America.

A few years ago, there were large protests and violence resulting in deaths, after the release of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammad in an unflattering way.

So, those who commit mayhem and violence, in the name of "Prophet Mohammad", to avenge (?) Mohammad, KILL other people for ANY mention, depiction, or reference of their "Prophet Mohammad", find it justified by their religion?

History is filled with violence in the name of God, or a god. Christians are certainly as much in that history as any other, but for the most part, except for the Middle East, such acts ARE history. Certainly in my life time, and in THIS country, such acts are not done, not condoned, and not acceptable by any religious organization. It is MY belief, that MY God, MY Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, does NOT need me to defend They name with violence. In fact, it is MY belief, that such acts are NOT subscribed to by MY God. It is MY belief, that MY God is strong enough to let people make up their own minds, and are free to believe or to not believe, and on the day of Judgment, He shall be the judge of our sins and the denial of Him.

I want to propose the following questions -

Is the Prophet Mohammad not strong enough to withstand any criticism?
Is the belief in the Prophet Mohammad too fragile to withstand such "assaults"?
Is the belief in Mohammad, in such a tender state, that the believers aren't strong enough in THEIR faith, to be unshaken by such assaults?

I would suggest, that the Prophet Mohammad is NOT strong enough, and his followers are not strong enough in faith, to withstand such assaults, and MY God, the God of love and mercy, is stronger than that of their Mohammad.

MY faith is also stronger, I suggest, because I have no need to kill in His name, because someone else blasphemies His name. My God will be the judge of such things on Judgment day. I am FREE to not worry about such nonsense. While I may not like to hear such things, I do not have to defend His name with violent acts. I will however, protect MY freedom to practice MY religion, MY belief, as I should freely do, as is protected by the 1st amendment. THAT I will fight for, for that is an assault on MY freedom. But assaults on God's name, or in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, is not for me to fret. MY God, is bigger than to worry about such things, even from people like Bill Mare (No mistake. Reference to him being a horses ass!), who insults Christians all the time. (DO we burn his house down for it? No!)

(A matter of point here, I would also suggest that America is a freer country for Muslims to practice Islam, without being molested for doing so. America has over 1,700 mosques, and millions of Muslims practice their religion, FREELY. Along with those, are over 3,000 Synagogues. Those Jewish followers also practice their religion, unmolested by their neighboring Muslims!)

So, who's God would YOU choose to follow? The God I believe in, is bigger than to let insults have any effect. I think it is a weak "god", or at least a weak faith, to resort to violence to protect the name of any such god.

"Lord, I pray today for you to reach out to those who would make war in the name of You, or any other god. I pray for continued strength in my faith in you, so as to not be tempted to join in such acts, that are falsely done in Your name. I pray for our leaders, of all nations and faiths, to openly condemn such violence, and appeal for peace. You know I am a sinner Lord, and I ask for your forgiveness. In the name of Jesus Christ, MY Lord and Savior. Amen."

PS. For those who know me, know that I am not a deeply "religious" person, and I do not attend organized church services. I AM a sinner. But I DO believe in God, and the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Yes, I am a "hell raiser" at times, can cuss like a drunken sailor, and carry grudges. I am weak when it comes to those things, and my shortcomings will be a big topic of discussion on MY Judgement Day!

 

NO-Bama 2012

For those looking for national relief, take heart! Help is coming in November.

I have no poll, no crystal ball, no insider information. But from where I sit, I see a defeat for Obama in November. And here is my view of things to lead me to believe that conclusion.

Just a year ago, Obama and his campaign were very confident that they could raise a record $1 billion for the campaign. They haven't nearly done that. That enthusiasm of 2008, is NOT there.

Obama and company had expected to get a multitude of small donors like before. But they haven't. In fact, they have had to resort to asking people to donate the money they would spend, or even receive, for Birthdays Graduations, and Anniversary gifts. (How sad, O is worth over $10 million, and he asks the little people to give up their gifts to help him! I find that pathetic.)

I had personally seen more cars than I could count, that had Obama stickers on them. Seriously, I saw them all over the place. Even in the parking lot of my office, and state employee cars, they were everywhere. Those are seen far, far less today.

I know of some friends, who were Republicans in 2008, but crossed over for the Presidential ticket and voted for Obama. For a variety of reasons, they voted for him. But in casual conversation, they have been very dissatisfied and they will not be doing that again.

I know of some Democrats who gleefully voted for Obama in 2008, and have told me they won't be voting for Obama this time. Even if they don't vote for Romney, they won't vote for Obama. That discontent is deeper than the media would have you believe.

Obama has been spending more than he's been taking in. Kinda like his economic policy! And it isn't making much of a dent.

Businesses, large and small, have been vocally supportive of Romney. Obama has turned off a lot of business people, including those who voted for Obama before.

I am not hearing near the Hollywood chatter for Obama, as we did in 2009.

Oprah is not campaigning for Obama in any way that I can see.

The international scene is worse than decades, and Obama's policy of taking a lessor role, is showing to have failed.

Contrary to Obama's early blather, unemployment is STILL above 8%. That number is around 23 million people out of work! (By the way, the unemployment rate for blacks, is running at around 15%. Obama has done NOTHING to help that segment of our society!

Obama PUSHED through Obamacare, even though NONE of the top ten polls showing a majority of public support for the bill as written. A LOT of former supporters are not happy still, and more of that is coming as some of those un-told particulars come to light.

Obama has fathered more than 6 TRILLION dollars in new debt!

While the polls tell of a slight lead by Obama, I don't take stock in any of them. I say that for one simple reason. I had an on-line chat with someone who said they voted for and liked Obama, but wish he were doing a better job. The "hopes" he had for Obama, has not materialized, and this guys knows things have gotten worse. If asked who he would vote for, he'd say Obama, out of loyalty to his race, but in truth, the person I chatted with won't be voting for Obama, if at all. How many others are like that?

Add all that up, and I don't see how Obama can pull out a win. Even if Hollywood throws more money at it (I hope they DO waste MILLIONS more of their money!), it's a losing cause, and many have already seen that. Many, have already calculated that throwing good money after bad, is not worth it to them. Too bad, some of those liberal loud mouths, like Bill Mahr, should give ALL their money to Obama's campaign! (I'd love to see them broke, and no-bama to have in the end.)

So, agree or not, I see a near Carter-like defeat for Obama. It may not be that big, but by the end of the night Nov. 6th, the loss will be enough that the scores of on-deck lawyers ready for a recount legal fight, will not have enough cause to move forward with.

Oh ... Is it true, that Obama has already scouted property in Hawaii to move to, after January? I believe even he knows it's coming.

Now, here's the real kicker - I believe that for Obama, he is ready to lose and move to Hawaii. I believe that Obama has found the task of being President, to be too taxing, too much work, and he is ready to move "forward". I see him this way. He was President of the United States, and that will forever be in our history books. He'll have a Presidential Library, so he can take delight in seeing himself exhibited there. His ego can be satisfied in those things, and he would never have to deal with those people DC, whom he considers to not be worth his time anyway, again. His only real worry, is that he might end up with a discredited legacy, if the shit hits the fan between now and Jan. 2013.

Meanwhile, if anyone reading here is a democrat, please, throw more money at Obama. The networks can get rich off that losing cause. Money will NOT clean up all that is wrong. If $6 TRILLION can't get the unemployment out of the cellar, no amount of money will help Obama!

The GM Success Story

On the campaign trail, Obama and Biden have been touting the success of the auto (GM) industry (TARP bailout). And how HE saved the industry. And from the looks of much of the Ohio and Michigan voter polls, a lot of folks are buying that ... CRAP! But, are private citizens really buying the cars?

General Motors announced in June (2012) that its auto sales increased by 16 percent, its best monthly sales gain since 2008. Boy, that sounds great, doesn't it!

But IF anyone cares to check for themselves, a little fact to go along with the drivel should be in order. - As it turns out, there’s a big reason GM experienced an increase in sales that month: “government purchases of GM vehicles rose a whopping 79% in June,” according to the National Legal and Policy Center.

So, we ... that's you and me, the taxpayers ... provided a TARP bailout to GM, of which GM and GMAC together still owe the biggest share of the remaining $50+ BILLION in TARP debt, AND we, you and me, are buying the cars. GM ... excuse me, I should say Obama, is double-dipping the figures.

I guess when you (Obama) demand the firing of the CEO, and replaces him with ...the government -the President of the United States, some good deals can be had on new GM cars! So you give them huge loans, then buy the cars from them to help prop up the numbers, all to support what you've done. Government PICKING winners and losers, and even padding the false winner with ill-gotten funds - the redistribution of taxpayer (OUR) money!


This weekend, Joe Biden said, ".... Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive." He continued, "Folks, you're the reason that the automobile industry is back. Whether it was the wage freezes, the plant closures, folks, you sacrificed to keep your companies open," Biden said. "Because of your productivity, the combined auto companies have committed to invest another $23 billion in expansion in America." Well Joe, you might add in, that the US taxpayer gave GM the money to hold on. The government stepped in, and didn't let GM take a fall, and the bad business at GM is still going on. Otherwise, they would never have tried to build a car no-one wants to buy!

Yeah, that Volt? The GM Chevy Volt has been such a whopping success, trumpeted by Obama and Biden, that it is "temporarily" shut down for the 3rd time. The demand just isn't there to keep the line rolling. Gee, I wonder how many Chevy Volts the "government" (you and me) own? And at what cost?

The fact that Obama could "fire" anyone in private business, and get away with it, still dumbfounds me.

By the way - FORD did NOT receive TARP bailout funds, and is outselling Chevrolet. My next new car purchase, will be a Ford product! And I pray my next President, won't be a bailed out loser like Obama!

PS. I've been a GM owner most all my life. I love the GM brand, but until they can live within their means, and say NO t government intervention, I'll be buying Ford, if I can afford any new car again!

I've Always Loved "America"

These words still burn in my ears, when in 2008, then to-be First Lady Michelle Obama said, "for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback."

America. I've spoke before about what that name means to me. The sound of her, is a beautiful sound. And hearing someone say, "America", sends me to see in my minds eye, our glorious Flag. I love our country. I love America. I always have.

Yes, we are a country with faults. We've made mistakes. I've not always been our best. We've often failed to live up to our Founder's designs (Even they did!). And there have been times where I have cussed some acts of our countrymen. But I have ALWAYS loved America.

Having faults and making mistakes, does NOT diminish the foundation of who we are. And we must re3cgnize those faults and mistakes, and work together to correct them. We are not perfect. No place is. But knowing I have options to relocate to any place in the world, there is no other country I'd rather swear my allegiance to. NONE.

Many years ago, I cussed my nations citizens. I was in my own very dark place, and very disappointed in many of my fellow citizens. I was angry and bitter, but I always loved seeing our Flag, and "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" were songs that would cause me goosebumps. Still does.

I've shared my thoughts about our Pledge of Allegiance.
http://american1st.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-pledge-of-allegiance.html
and we, ALL Americans, need to keep in mind, that while we work to improve on ourselves, WE are ONE country. Our common goal, should be to protect America, and keep our Flag a symbol that represents all of us.

Being proud of America, isn't the same as being proud of any party, or elected official, or whomever. We should always be proud of who we are as "a people", collectively, united. Sure, we can disagree and bicker. But upon our daily sunsets, we should remain Americans. And, not just when someone we want as President, is elected. If someone is only proud, when they get their way, then they don't really love America at all. If someone wants to "fundamentally" change America, then that person doesn't really love America at all. What those types want, is a country of their own design to love.

I love MY country, America. I love my country, over myself. I have, and would again, put my life at grave risk, for my country. I believe that today, more than ever before, we have a President who would not only NOT put himself at risk, but does NOT love his country, more than he loves himself.

Obama must go!
Romney-Ryan 2012

"You didn't build that"

In that notable speech, Obama said, "If you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own. You didn't get there on your own. I’m always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart. There are a lot of smart people out there. It must be because I worked harder than everybody else. Let me tell you something -- there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there. If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business -- you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet."

There are those who now say the Republicans have taken Obama's words out of context. Really?

If you think those words are taken out of context, and suggest Obama didn't mean what he DID say, then I'd suggest this. You don't know Obama!

Obama spoke what he really thinks, and what he really is driving at. And that, is that Obama thinks everyone should share the wealth of those who built successful businesses. Obama BELIEVES in wealth redistribution. And his speech, he was simply trying to sell YOU (his followers), that YOU should get a piece of the pie someone else baked! THAT is Obama's real belief. He wants to "fundamentally change America", by having us become a re-distribution the wealth state, taking from those who actually worked for it. Obama wants to re-set the playing field, so everyone gets equal shares. Obama wants to control big business, and keep in line small business, so those without, can share in the wealth.

I don't mind paying taxes so our government can provide those critical services that only the government can do. But, should I be expected to help provide all the income to those who won't even work? NO!! Should I be expected to help provide for 2nd and 3rd generation welfare recipients? NO! I've worked in some form or another, from taking babysitting jobs and cleaning churches, since I was 13 years old, to selling TV advertising on to conducting criminal investigations as an adult. So for nearly 50 years, I've worked for MY money. (But we DO need to overhaul the tax code, that the very rich can legally take advantage of . But Obama has not said ONE word, make not ONE move to fix a totally screwed up tax system. Why? THAT does not work in his plan.

Obama wasn't taken out of context. He said what he truly believes. And what he believes, is NOT how America gained such an innovative, manufacturing, and economic presence in the world.

And, I'd add this, "What's frustrated people is that I've not been able to implement every aspect of what I said in 2008. (That is to say, fundamentally change America. - My inserted reminder.) Well, it turns out our Founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change than I would like sometimes. But what we have been able to do is move in the right direction," Obama said.

Is THAT the kind of President we want, or need? One who see our constitution as something that stands in his way! No!! But HE DOES see America's constitution as a document that gets in his way. THANK GOD it does!

For America's sake ~ Romney-Ryan 2012!

Don't Leave Your Horse In The Barn - II

Generally speaking, people are okay and unchallenged by just living the life the government lets them live. And as long as any government intrusion happens to "the other guy", then people will sit quietly by, feeling smug in that they don't have anything to worry about. But, they DON'T like people to stand up in the public square (read - any public venue) and protest the government or the leaders, and to point out, sometimes loudly, what is going on around us. Nope. That makes many feel uncomfortable. Oh yes, they'll protest in the confines of their homes and among the few they are comfortable talking to, but to write a public piece, or be vocal in public? Nope.

Some 237 years ago, I expect there were those who also felt uncomfortable when some would speak out in the public square about King George. There were those who sided with the British, and would not go along with any uprising against the King. But those who were vocal about freedom, did so at their own risk. Great risk in fact.

Samuel Adams and John Hancock had to go into hiding, because of their written and spoken protests. Patrick Henry, in a publicly defiant voice, pronounced, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" You don't think that British spies didn't take note of that speech in Richmond Virginia! Those early Patriots KNEW they were putting themselves and their families at risk. William Dawes (a shoe maker), the other "rider" like Paul Revere, was caught and arrested before his "ride" really got going. And Paul Revere took great risk of death in his "ride" to warn of the advancing British soldiers (who were headed to impound the Patriot's weapons stores). Both threw off the personal risks, and saddled up anyway. Freedom was THAT important.

Aside from our soldiers fighting our wars abroad, I can't help but wonder, "Who would dare put their personal freedom, their very lives, on the line for the cause of freedom and against government tyranny?" I fear the number of citizens who would, are dwindling.

I can't say with certainty that I'd give up my life for liberty. One can't say for certain, until faced with such a test. I will say that in my heart of hearts, I hope I would be so courageous to do so. But until that test comes, I WILL be vocal. I WILL write my protests. I WILL do so in public. I WILL NOT hide when speaking against injustice and the growing tyranny I see rising from our government. And if I make you "uncomfortable"? Well, I guess you can close your window, shut me out, close your ears, and block my words. But I WILL NOT sit quietly by, while America and our constitution crumble around me. I WILL NOT see signs of trouble, and not speak up in warning. No sir, I WILL NOT leave my horse in the barn. Will you?

Additional to the first publicized post:

November 6th, 2012 is quickly approaching. Many people will cast votes, NOT for whom is best for America, but because Obama is black, or because Obama IS black. Frankly, I couldn't care less about his color. I care, about the inner workings and belief system the man holds. And Obama scares the crap out of me. I will NOT sit quietly by, while such a man wants to dismantle America. As far as I'm concerned, Obama is today's King George, I have every intention of seeing him beaten back to the shores.

The Word Is Out!

Yes, the word is out ... about Barack Obama, or aaah ...... Barry Sotero. The word is out, in the same way "the word is out", when Harry Reid said it about Mitt Romney not paying taxes for ten years. And because Romney hasn't provided proof that he had filed taxes, then it must be true! Right Dems?

And Obama may have committed a Felony too! That is, by his own admission he tried cocaine, which by law IS a felony offense. PLUS, "the word is out" that Barack Obama lied about one of two things - IF he was born in the United States, then he lied, and perhaps committed a felony for falsifying his student application to Occidental, by claiming to be "foreign student" .... OR .... he lied about being a US citizen! Either way, I suspect Obama lied, and committed a felony in doing so.

After all, what is he hiding by NOT opening those records? By not doing so, by the standard Reid and friends have set, then Obama is GUILTY!

Tic Toc - Tic Toc - Tic Toc

Average folks, having an average day, enjoying a new release in a packed theater. While the new release family film is mid-way through, a person in a back row stands and ......

At this point, for this fictionalized exercise, the time starts. Tic Toc .....

No one really notices the person, as the semi-automatic weapon is pulled from under a rain coat. While the movie screen is filled with a loud car chase, the first shot rings out. Then another. And another, before people began to realize there was a threat. Tic Toc .... By this time, only 8 seconds have elapsed, and 8 bullets have slammed into the crowded theater, lit only by the bright colored screen images, and the flash of the weapon's muzzle.

The shooter is now blocking the isle to the main entrance/exit (Some newer theaters have but one entrance/exit, except for the emergency door.). More shots ring out, and people are screaming louder than the blasts of the gun. On top of the high volume of the on-going movie, most people still don't know where the threat is, or what is even going on. No one expects such an act of horror at a family film. Still, more shots ring out. Tic Toc .... Now, 15 rounds have been fired, and only 20 seconds have passed, but that's a life time for some.

A few of the people have now found the emergency exit and flee. Others take cover on the floor between the seats. Still others, in fear, confusion and panic, try to exit the same way they came in, and are shot down. By now, in just 42 seconds, 29 rounds have been fired. Tic Toc ....

Mass hysteria has now spread through the theater, and the shooter has moved to have clear shots at more people. Men, women, children, are all in the line of fire. More shots ring out. So far, 43 rounds have been fired, and in just only 63 seconds. Tic Toc ....

People scream, and some try to cover their children, as more shots thunder through the theater. From the instant of the first shot, to now the 50th shot, only 1 minute 15 seconds have passed. While many of the bullets struck seat backs and were stopped, more than 30 people - men, women and children, have been wounded or killed. For the others, they have no idea the shooter has made way to the exit along with other panicking people, and the threat has now gone out into the corridor with them. Tic Toc ....

In slightly more than 3 minutes that have passed. The Police have just started to arrive and surround the theater, and try to figure out who is who while people run out of the building. The shooter, exiting the building with the crowd, raises the gun again. From within the scurrying crowd of people, the shooter fires on police. The police take cover, while trying to return fire without hitting innocent people. With citizens in and near the line of fire, the shooter gets off 7 more rounds, before the police get a clear shot, shoot, and bring the shooter down. A short 3 minutes and 45 seconds had passed, and it was over.

Over 30 citizens shot, wounded and/or dead, in less than 3-1/2 minutes. And a total of 57 rounds were fired.

In most situations like this, it takes a little time just for a call to even go out to 9-1-1. Then, there is a national average of about 3-1/2 minutes for the first Police Officers to arrive. Even then, in such mass confusion, more time is used up to evaluate the situation and plan some kind of armed respond.

Now, most may read into the above and assume an "assault weapon" was used. They would be wrong. For this exercise, I used a stop watch, my Colt 1911 .45 caliber pistol, and 8 total magazines. While all were empty for safety, I can tell you that I am experienced enough to know that someone with some experience could shoot and reload under pressure, while shooting with a fair degree of accuracy, all those rounds in less than 2 minutes! I dry-fired what would be the first 8 rounds, then physically reloaded a magazine each time (these are normal 7 round magazines), pushing down on the slide release, then repeated dry-firing (Even this, was in a single action manual hammer back motion with each "shot", which would be a bit slower than normal rate of fire.). This was not done as fast as possible. I used a consistently quick pace, but not speed shooting. And I changed the direction of my aim, side to side, with each pull of the trigger. All 57 rounds could easily be fired in far less than the 3-1/2 minutes, as long as no one was shooting back!

No so-called assault rifle, machine pistol, or other automatic type weapon. Just a determined person with a maximum capacity of 8 round pistol (7 in the mag, and 1 in the chamber), and extra every-day available "low capacity" (7 rd) magazines, and with less than two boxes of ammo. (In my usual trip to the range, I will take 4 or more boxes of 50.)

High capacity isn't really the issue. The deranged evil person, DETERMINED to do such evil, is the problem. As I tried to demonstrate, I used an every day semi-auto pistol with normal 7 round magazines, to create the fictionalized mayhem.

While I don't think arming everyone is the answer, I'd submit this - If someone in the theater had a lawful firearm on them, could that person have returned fire right away, thus ending the massacre before the shooter reloaded? As the above was storied, everyone in the theater were unarmed sitting ducks! And you can bet your last dollar, any "FIREARM FREE ZONE" placard, would NOT have stopped any bad guy from doing anything! By the way, when you're being shot at, most all accurate firing goes out the window. So even someone returning fire without actually hitting the bad guy, will most likely disrupt, if not stop, the assailant's shooting. Such shooters COUNT on their victims being helpless, and UN-ARMED, so their cowardly plan of attack goes out the window too, when confronted by an armed person.

There are some 300+  million firearms owned by some 70+ million American citizens. And those 70 + MILLION lawful gun owners, don't harm anyone. They obey the law, own and lawfully use their firearms of all sorts, and in many cases prevent crime.

Our problem is not our "gun culture" of firearms ownership. Our problem is our failure to commit resources needed for proper mental health care services (an estimated 16% of our prison populations have serious mental illnesses), monitoring those who have shown a propensity for armed violence, and properly confining those convicted of violent crimes. (Long and/or state prison sentences for non-violent crimes, is a waste of space when we need to keep actual predators locked away.)

PS: I contemplated doing a video demonstration of the fictional scenario using live ammo, but felt it could be too much to display, and could give someone a visual lesson on rapid fire and speed reloading. As for the written description of such a horrible, but fictional, event, I feel the point was important enough so we don't get side-tracked by stupid solutions to an evil problem.

PPS: I would encourage every business to post signs, that say, "Off-Duty Police Officers and Licensed Concealed Firearms Holders Welcome Here". (If I ran a theater, I'd even offer some free tickets to all Off-Duty Police Officers.)