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.) 

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.