Terrorism in America

Sadly, we are an easy target. Much easier than most people think. I won't go into the details, but I could easily devise a plan to terrorize America, using legally available weapons and a hand-full of faithful extremists.

We need to understand that it isn't about the numbers that could be killed. It's about the numbers that "could be" killed. Terror is in the mind. And if someone can make us feel terrified, then terrorism has worked. Fear of flying? Fear of mass gatherings? Fear of buses? Fear of a Muslin "looking" person? Any progress by those who hate us, to have us grow more fearful, will broaden terrorism in the minds of those targeted.

Personally, I think it's time for the modern day "Minuteman", and every willing American legally able to do so, should learn to shoot, and have a firearm safely close at hand. We might not stop a bomb with a handgun, but if just ONE of the soldiers at Fort Hood had a handgun, who knows how many lives may have been saved.

While our police and intelligence organizations are trying to deal with all the possibilities, in the end, it could come down to more people, like those on Flight 93, and those on the last flight with a terrorist on board. Americans need to adopt that mind-set in our every day lives.

We can't just leave it all to those folks. We need to take some responsibility for our own safety and protection as well. If and when the crap hits the fan someplace, our first responders will have their hands too busy to answer individual calls for help.

Healthcare polls

The Health Care Reform bill ~

A quote from an AP on-line news story, said, The president said that "it now appears the American people will have the vote they deserve" on this important issue.

This should have read, The president said that "it now appears less than HALF the American people will have the vote they want" on this important issue.

Why? Because by any poll out there, this thing is at least split on the "for" or "against". And in some polls, the "against" runs to as much as 61%! I checked on-line polling results for Dec., with 10 different polling providers listed (see: http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php ), and averaged them out. The "for" runs 32 - 51%, with an average of 39%. The "against" runs 44 - 61%, and an average of 51%. HOW can these politicians make such monumental decisions for ALL of us, with those numbers?

Our nation's politicians, on both sides, seem to think that if they get elected by a majority, then EVERYTHING they do is automaticially approved by the voters. NOT TRUE. We have all known, and with each day have more evidence of it, that once they get into office, the campaign promises go away and they proceed on to their own agenda, or of that of whomever promises them support for THEIR agenda.

In this case, this administration is about to take from ALL OF US, to please themselves, and less than half the rest of us!

Is health care in our country an issue? Yes. But a mixture of ideas, from both parties, may provide some relief from the growing costs. But a take-over by the GOVERNMENT? It is NOT what our Forefathers invisioned for us. It is NOT American.

BY the way, it is NOT an emgergency either. Obama just wants this pushed through before Christmas break for two reasons. 1 - The politicians will go home and find that the 51% average will be vocal; 2 - Obama wants this for HIS own personal ego, so he can say he got it pushed through while the Clinton machine could not! It's a POWER thing, pure and simple.

Also evidenced by all this, is that once these butt-holes get elected, "we, the people" no longer have a voice! We get ignored, and sometimes even vilified for expressing angst over their actions.

We do have a voice left however. It still rests in the ballot box. VOTE in 2010. VOTE out every politician who is voting away OUR money. VOTE out every one of them who have ignored "the people", even if it is only half of them.

This American is pissed, and I encourage everyone to VOTE in 2010 and 2012, and put these professional politicans back on the street to look for a job themselves! "for the people, by the people" needs to be part of our politican leadership in Washington again!

Please, forward this to everyone you know. We need to become a vocal America and MAKE our voices heard by those we put in Washington.

Dan

Merry Christmas to those in uniform

An Open Letter to our Military families (and to our Police Officer families) ~

Every day in America, it's the economy, or jobs, the bail-outs, gas prices, and politics. At least for many of us, that seems to be the news and concerns of the day. But for those who serve us in far off places, and their families who worry about them, those woes are the least of their worries.

To our Soldiers, I want to take this time to say that you are not forgotten. Not a day goes by that many of us still hold you and your families in our daily prayers and thoughts. It is not lost on most of us, that all our troubles are just the minor struggles of free people. People who aren't free, suffer real life and death decisions and events on a daily basis. For those who serve, such problems would be welcomed, compared to what their lives are like in and around the hot-spots of the world.

For the most part, we work, juggle money to pay bills, go to the churches of our choice, and basically go about our lives as a FREE society. We are only free, because of the past and current commitment of those who willingly put on our nation's uniform and stand guard over our freedoms. Our flag flies, because of those who provide the safeguards for it.

Forgive us for our complaining and bickering over how to set our nations business straight. But that's what a free country does, isn't it. Thank you for your service. Thanks to your families for sharing you with a nation of free people. I am grateful beyond words, and just wanted to say so.

While it may be a struggle to have any kind of "good" day, where ever our folks in uniform may serve and what ever capacity, please know that "Merry Christmas" is more than my greeting of celebration, but is also one of hope and love for all of you who serve. This year, my own son is serving in the skies somewhere over there, and he is greatly missed at home too. (Love you Matt. You make me proud!)

To the men and women of Law Enforcement, you are not forgotten either. While our guardians of freedom are deployed all over the world, our protectors here at home work day in and day out to answer our calls for help. Sadly, some of those calls are to their own peril. They too have sworn an oath, and for the families of those fallen, our prayers are with you too.

We pray for all of you. We are thankful to all of you. And we do wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

God Bless ~ Dan

I AM THE NRA

For those who aren't avid hunters, sport shooters, competitors, firearms enthusiasts or such, the NRA (National Rifle Association) may seem like some ultra right-wing organization. At least that is what most of the mainstream media and those in the anti-gun camp would have you believe.

However, all anyone would need to do is pick up a copy of any of the NRA publications, like the American Rifleman or the America's 1st Freedom magazine, and check near the back of the magazines. What one would see, are listings of all the NRA is involved in. Most might never guess that the NRA is a foremost supporter of Law Enforcement, and provider of related marksmanship, instructor certifications, and police department armorer training. Many would not know that the NRA is a strong supporter of tough sentencing for those who use a firearm in the commission of a felony. The NRA was a huge sponsor of such gun laws, like in Virginia in 2007, when the Democrats with NRA support, improved background check systems for purchasers. The NRA also has safety related classes, such as the Refuse to be a Victim, or the Eddie Eagle firearms safety program for school kids. And the NRA is our strongest supporter of our 2nd amendment right, for ALL lawful citizens, not just the rich, politically connected, or whom ever the "government" wishes to grant special privileges to.

Of the 4 million strong membership, the general public would likely be surprised to find that membership is made up of citizens from all professions and economic backgrounds. Which brings me to this -

I AM a NRA member. I come from modest means and background, but am a Combat Veteran, a former Law Enforcement Officer/Detective of many years, a former Cub Scout Leader, former 4-H Shooting Sports instructor, a formerly served on the Board for a local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children, have been a past President of an Optimist Club, have volunteered my time and labor for the Red Cross and community projects, donated blood, raised honest and hard working professional children, make donations to Veteran and community related non-profits, and support my community. I am not the bogey man, or an extremist, or a potential home grown terrorist. With that, I'm here to say that - I AM the NRA.

Other members, run the diverse gambit from construction worker to surgeons, lawyers to home-makers, from Cops to Active Duty Military, and every other occupation one could think of. We, all 4 MILLION members, are "law abiding" citizens, interested in maintaining our 2nd amendment rights, who "bear arms" for any and every legal reason we choose.

If you're not a NRA member, I encourage you to join. If you are, then jump in here and say, I AM the NRA! If you are not a member, then please check out the website and join the NRA - https://membership.nrahq.org/

If you choose to still bash us, and the NRA, then read the history and the purpose of the NRA first. Otherwise, you just don't know what you're talking about.

Our 2nd amendment rights depend on the strongest support possible. And those rights, are for ALL of us.

Come on Pres!

We have our soldiers in a combat zone, and most recently, some were overrun by Taliban forces and many were killed. The situation in Afghanistan is worsening. The General, hand-picked by Oshama, has asked for more troops, to keep from losing this war. And Oshama? Delaying action, not even sitting down with the General for over 70 days. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Are we now running a war from the seat of the traveling president?

And what of our ROE (Rules Of Engagement)? We won't fire on a mosque?

mosque : a building used for public worship by Muslims

Apparently, some of those "mosques" are NOT a place of worship, but are staging areas for attacks.

Mr. Oshama, issue the following to the world - "Let it be known, that on this day forward, our ROE have changed. ANY place, building, or structure, used to launch attacks, will be leveled at the earliest possible time our Air Force can deliver the power to do so. Any such place, used for launching attacks, will no longer be looked at as places of worship, or anything else but a military target. Lastly, I am now authorizing an additional 100,00o troops, along with supporting artillery, and air and sea power, to be deployed to those areas were fighters have engaged us. This is war. This will get ugly. People will die."

This IS war and people WILL die. And as far as I am concerned, surgical strikes are nice, but winning will take a more broad approach to killing the enemy. Time to put down the scalpel and bring out the sledge hammer!

God Bless our brave men and women. They deserve a strong Commander in Chief. Someone needs to step up and be one!

Pissed off in Texas!
Dan, aka Hunter

Back to the present

Try to imagine with me, an early America, and our founders were working feverishly to wove together this new nation. In their way, was the army of King George, imposing British law and stifling the attempts of the Colonists to separate from the grasp of British rule.

The pens of those who helped craft our founding documents, were busier than their weapons. But that was soon to change. While the pens were mighty, so too were the muskets of the British, and their well documented Brown Bess rifle. In an effort to counter Britain's advance on Concord, the local militia was called upon to fight. And fight they did.

That was the "back" side of this writing to consider.

The "present", remove the 234 years or so. Let's really stretch your imagination with this.

That local militia was then armed with Brown Besses, Pennsylvania Rifles, or maybe a Club Butt Country Fowler. What ever they had to hunt and to protect their families with, that's what they brought to the fight. And just like firearms owners of today, they bought what they could get, or afford.

But what if? What if they could get and afford a better rifle? A multi-firing rifle? A lighter rifle? A more accurate rifle? An assault rifle?

Do you really think, for a Lexington minute, that any one of the colonists would not have bartered or bought an AR-15? Does anyone really think that any one of them, would not have traded most anything for a firearm that would more than meet the stronger and more professional soldiers and firepower of King George's army? Does anyone think that if any farmer turned Minuteman would not have latched on to such an arm? (By the way, my father-in-law, rest in peace, was a farmer and loved his Mini 14. He was shooting coyotes from his tractor long before the words "assault weapons" hit the lips of liberals.)

I think that far too many, even some well heeled "sportsmen", tend to think a true hunter doesn't really need an "assault rifle". Well, it is my belief that the men of that revolutionary era would have grabbed onto such guns, in a heartbeat. Let's keep in mind, it wasn't just for hunting and family protection, it was for the ready protection of freedom. It was to fight well armed foes. The 2nd amendment, was written to reinforce the 1st amendment, when the words penned so well before, failed to stop the lead of the British.

Don't be fooled. There are those, who after they grow tired, or win, at the health care issue, will take a breath and then come after their next target...the assault weapons (by what ever definition they attach to it next time). This is a fight we must win, and that means we all have to fight it. Be prepared to call, write, and voice your objection of any such attempts. It really is about FREEDOM.

The Death Penalty

As of April 16, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the death penalty, by lethal injection. With that, states are now continuing with those on death row and are sentenced to die.

I am all for the Death Penalty. Always have been. However, my view has changed a bit, and I offer up the following for your consideration.

Not long ago, Texas, and Dallas County in particular, has released a man, falsely convicted of a serious crime. The man spent some 23 years in prison, for a crime he did not commit. DNA set him free. It was primarily a "photo line-up" that convicted him. While he was not on death row, this in part is why I have changed my position, in part anyway.

Eye witnesses are notoriously inaccurate. Same can be said for other types of "circumstantial evidence", when considered without enough collaborative evidence. Most cases ARE "circumstantial", but most good cases have an abundance of it that supports but one conclusion.

My "death penalty" view has changed, in a large part, because of DNA. Dallas County has now had 16 people set free by DNA. "16" people, wrongly convicted. How would YOU like to have been one of those!

I would like to see a change in death penalty cases, and I submit the following:

1. Death Penalty sentences should be reserved for those people who are guilty beyond ALL doubt, not just "reasonable doubt". Those, like Jeffrey Dahmer, comes to mind. As does Charles Manson, a gleeful bragger of his acts, and proud of those who followed him. Or Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Fast-tracks for all of them.

2. All such cases where ONLY "circumstantial evidence" brings about a "reasonable doubt" conviction that could warrant a death penalty, should NOT receive the "death penalty", but instead, a mandatory LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE. This way, should new evidence come into play later on, the person would still be here for a new trial, or release.

3. ALL death penalty cases, under example #1 above, should be "fast tracked" through the system, and the penalty should be carried out within 1 year after conviction. When such a conviction was obtained with NO DOUBT, supported by the evidence and confessions, then why the wait?Once judicial checks have been reviewed, then git'r done.

The above, while still not perfect, may do several things.

a. Eliminate a wrongly convicted person from being put to death by our system.

b. Keep open the possibility of a new trial for those who may have been wrongfully convicted.

c. And lastly, fast-track, keeping the long and expensive "appeals" to a minimum, the sentencing for a swifter adjudication.

Any man, or woman, who should commit such an act that would warrant the death penalty, and does so in such a manner where NO DOUBT is left as to that person's guilt (so much so, that no other possibility could exist), then such a swift death penalty could bring about a new "deterrence" for such acts.Even if it didn't, that person could never kill again, including killings of guards and other prisoners.

ABC's Charlie Gibson

Some may ask, "Why didn't Charlie Gibson know about the ACORN accusations?"

Well, in all fairness to Charlie, he had no way of knowing. When the main stream media awaits for their news from The White House, they will only know what The White House tells them. And let's be honest, The White House, in particular Obama, who was ACORN'S legal counsel, and who reaped huge benefits from the activities of ACORN, is not about to tell Charlie Gibson. And, I expect Obama is just hoping that the media will not bother with REAL journalism and discover things for themselves.

So Charlie....I understand. It isn't your fault. It's not like you are a real journalist. It's not like you owe the American people anything. After all, we can still find the truth, we just have to look outside ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, and CNN.

Good night Chet....Good night David. Good bye REAL journalism.
Dan

PS. Tea parties? What tea parties?

What would TJ do?

I can't help but wonder... What would Thomas Jefferson do?

Just look at the size and power of today's government. It was NEVER intended to be this way. TJ and the boys would NEVER have let this happen. But WE did. I say WE, because as a nation, WE have let, and often demanded, that this government get this big.

All parties are guilty. This didn't happen over night. In my view, it has taken an even uglier pace in it's growth with Obama, but this has been coming for some time, and it's OUR fault.

But it isn't too late to turn the tide. It's time to get out the vote and vote OUT every person, regardless of party, who has voted for these expansive taxes, programs, and pork-barrel projects.

For the people...by the people. Professional, career, politicians are NOT "the people". They no longer are part of the working public, taking time off to represent us. Today's politician, for the most part, are too often people who want their terms to last until retirement. And when they MOVE to their Washington office, seldom to return to their beginnings, they take on that Washington mentality and become washed in the politics of the next term, NOT representing their constituents and the country's BEST interest.

Take back our country. Vote OUT everyone who has help grow the government, and not grow America!

Drug wars

While I completely DISAGREE with Hillary Clinton on the suggestion that our gun laws are helping the drug warring bad guys, I agree with with her, when she said, in essence, that America has to share the blame for the drug war, the murders, and the corruption in Mexico.

Let me say this - and LISTEN UP (if this applies to you) - IF you are even a "social" user of cocaine, then YOU share the blame for the drug related murders on either side of the border! YES, you do. Try to justify yourself all you want, but you do!

The lust for the dust, pays big money, and that money is what is fueling the killings. Billions go south - YOUR billions. If it weren't for your lust, your partaking of it, your acceptance of it, there would be no money in it for the drug lords.

Whoa.....did I hear some say, "Well, if they would make it legal, this wouldn't be a problem"? Did someone whisper that stupid argument?

To start with, the substance IS ILLEGAL. It IS A FELONY to possess. So, before we go down that road, and it's simply a road to excuse the use, IT'S A FELONY. So you are choosing to commit a felony at the get-go! You really want it? Get your legislators to pass a law legalizing it, and you can have it. But until then, IT'S A FELONY! It's illegal, like it or not, and you're choosing to commit a FELONY when you possess it, share it, consume it.

But, it's coke and you like it and you don't hurt anyone....blah blah blahhh. In case you missed it, it's a FELONY. So, from day one, you choose to commit the FELONY. NO ONE in the country doesn't know its illegal, so you are making the conscious decision to commit a FELONY. All other arguments come in after that. Want it legalized? Fine, get the law changed. Until then, STOP BEING THE CONSUMER WHO FUELS THE DRUG WARS AND MURDERS! IT'S A FELONY!

A lot of Mexican cops, justices, town leaders who oppose the drug trade, and the countless bystanders, have died because of the greed for the drug money. Of late, even those who were trying to get treatment for their addiction, in a rehab center just across the border, were executed by drug bandits. If you're a user...that means a small part of that is YOUR money to help fund those bad-guys!

By the way, that violence is here too! Arizona and Texas are seeing a huge growth in the drug related violence. Many people have been harmed and killed, because of the money involved. If you're a USER...and that means any dang socialite out there who just parties a little...then YOU contribute to the deaths. YES...YOU DO!

Now, for those who don't use, but stand while a friend uses ... then you are standing by while a felony is being committed. Don't. I'm just real enough to know you won't or can't turn in your friends or family, but put some distance between you and them. Not only to keep from being busted too, if it should come to that, but to show you do not condone it. Let them know, by your leaving their presence, that you don't like it and won't condone it.

Lastly - the mounds of money is the fuel that is burning violence in this drug war. While those in various uniforms fight that war, it is the end-user who can win it for us, by STOPPING their use. Even if all the so-called "social users" would stop, and shun those who didn't stop, could have an impact. And it would let law enforcement focus more energy on fewer people to target and prosecute.

JUST SAY NO.....shouldn't be a slogan, it should be an action!

I welcome your comments.