The hearing Monday night went about as well as it could have, all things
considered. About 200 (my est., hard numbers not avail yet) showed at a
ratio of 80/20 (again, an approximation) in favor of the Pro2A. It is
presently anticipated that Nickels, charming soul that he is, will
continue down his course of Chicago-esque rule by Mayoral fiat, however
it appears that the press picked up on the theme and the lopsided
numbers in the testimony. I am guessing somewhere between two and five
lawsuits will be filed within a week of formal enactment of the Nickels Ban.
I suspect weather (we're not USED to cold/snow/ice here) deterred many
as temps were below freezing, and many folks in steeper neighborhoods
faced sheets of ice claiming to be roads between their homes/businesses
and main thoroughfares.
We had a fair number of good speakers on the 2A side, with only a few
wince-inducing moments. The opposition, predictably, focused more on
"disarming y'all makes me FEEEEEL safer, never mind logic/numbers" while
our side was more "facts'n'logic" based.
Present were members of the JPFO, leadership of the Second Amendment
Foundation (including Alan Gottleib), recognized NW firearms luminary
Joe Waldron (of SAF), a fair number of folks from the new Citizens for
the 2nd Amendment group, and many MANY others. Probably one of the high
points of the evening was one gentleman from the C2A group that
presented a comparison graphic of the number of shall-issue states in
1986 vs 2006 - good strong visual there.
My testimony may be found at nwfreethinker.blogspot.com .... and in a
couple of days the entire hearing will be available for your viewing
pleasure at www.seattle.gov ...
Regarding the suggestion elsewhere I move to Wyoming/Idaho/Montana - I have
practical reasons and familial obligations leading me to remain in
Seattle despite any other considerations. Additionally, I just escaped
back from California a couple of years ago where the taxes, gun laws,
and regulation generally are all much more oppressive than things in
Washington.
Barring things falling further apart up here, in WA we really have a
pretty good deal when it comes to gun issues, and the Eastern half of
the state (and the Western, outside of urbania) is fairly pro-gun and
tends to serve as a drag on anti-gun measures, and liberal notions
generally (which is not *always* a good thing, but in general a net
benefit - balance is good). And when it comes down to it, I *like*
Seattle....it's the elected ninnyhammers that annoy me.
This bit with Nickels and his ban is a sufficiently substantial
annoyance to drag me kicking and screaming back into activism at a level
beyond my preferred letter-writing and the occasional bit of mentoring.
In any instance...not a bad evenings work...
Here's the link. I've yet to find a way to copy or embed it, but will keep trying...this is to the entire hearing...
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=5010890
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Nickels Gun Ban Hearing Report
Monday, December 15, 2008
My Testimony @ the Nickels Gun Ban Hearing
Nickels Gun Ban
I am GC. I live in West Seattle. I am a gay man, suffer medical limitations, and am the proud uncle of two charming nieces. I speak against this rule.
Nature stole my ability to use my preferred safety strategy “Run away! Run away!” and as a gay man I am member of a community various bigots love to physically attack - thus I’m blessed with a sort of double whammy of vulnerability. I find it hard to imagine visiting City facilities, parks, and events under the proposed rule – particularly as darkness approaches and anti-social activity increases – while unable to EITHER defend myself or scamper off in the face of assault or worse.
We live in a democracy, not merely nationally, but even in the City of Seattle – wherein we are bound by the rule of law and the legislative process – not mayoral fiat. What a County or City is barred from doing by legislative act, it is equally forbidden to do by executive decree. This proposed rule is clearly in violation of Title 9.41 of the Revised Code of Washington.
Mayor Nickels himself acknowledged the cities absolute lack of authority regarding firearms a letter to Washington State Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, dated May 4, 2006 stating: “State law preempts any and all local regulations related to firearms. Our hands are tied at the local level and we are unable to adopt any local laws to protect our residents from gun crime.”
By his own admission, this rule is unlawful – leaving us to suppose it is merely political grand-standing as the Mayor dances in blood in a desperate effort to appear relevant in a City largely hostile to his administration as he seeks re-election.
If passed and enforced this rule increases, as Chief Kerlikowske can testify, the risk of lawfully owned firearms being stolen from vehicles as law-abiding CPL holders store them in their personal vehicles before entering city property. Not unlike Chief Kerlikowske’s experience.
The rule bars law-abiding Concealed Pistol Licensees from exercising the very action they are licensed for in all city facilities, community centers, parks, and events.
This rule *INCREASES* victim vulnerability – placing members of the LGBT community, other minorities, and stalkers victims at higher risk in the name of political grand-standing.
This rule would create vast civil liability for the City when we can least afford it – abort this ill-thought out exercise in bloody shirt-waving for political gain before it leads to both injury for citizens and expense for the city.
Kerlikowske Lost Gun Story
Nickel’s Follies
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Nickels Gun Ban Hearing
When fighting for civil rights, as in many other things, there are the "big battles" and the "small ones", and given finite resources - we are forced to focus on the big ones, lest we be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of wrongs in need of righting, and become completely ineffective in righting any of them because we are spread so thin.
The gun ban proposed by Seattle Mayor Nickels is one of those "big battles", and for more than one reason. Nickels proposes not only a gun ban (tanking the state pre-emption statute, RCW 9.41.290), he proposes that State Pre-emption is irrelevant to his efforts - since he's simply (according to him) creating an adminstrative rule, not law, and Pre-Emption only applies to laws.
On observing history, we can reasonably assume that should Nickels triumph in his speciousness, other cities will follow - and we will be returned to the patch work of confusing laws that change every few hundred feet or so that we enjoyed before the Legislature pre-empted the field of firearms law in the State of Washington all those years ago.
This is a big one. You need, if at all possible, to be at the hearing on December 15 hearing on this proposed regulation. You need to bring every friend you can. Tell them to play nice, and play nice yourself, but bring them. If you cannot make it - write (best address I've found: PO Box 94726 Seattle, WA 98124-4726), fax (206-684-5529), call ( 206-684-CITY (2489)), or use the e-comment forum. Best of all, do all of the above and ATTEND.
Still, we have yet to describe the enormity of Nickels ban if enacted. At a minimum, until overturned by the courts....
You will be unable to lawfully visit a city park (even the parking lot) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city park and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully visit City Hall (even the lobby) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between City Hall and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to be lawfully present on *any* City property while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city property and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully visit any branch of the Seattle Public Library while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully attend any event at the Seattle Center while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
This, however, just the Warm-Up Round.
It gets worse. If passed, we can look forward to jurisdictions around the state spontaneously discovering that "pre-emption doesn't apply to adminstrative rules" and all the expensive and time-consuming jurisdiction by jurisdiction political house-fighting that such adventures entail.
Attend this meeting, submit comments, and if you attend, bring expanded written copy of your comments for submission.
The gun ban proposed by Seattle Mayor Nickels is one of those "big battles", and for more than one reason. Nickels proposes not only a gun ban (tanking the state pre-emption statute, RCW 9.41.290), he proposes that State Pre-emption is irrelevant to his efforts - since he's simply (according to him) creating an adminstrative rule, not law, and Pre-Emption only applies to laws.
On observing history, we can reasonably assume that should Nickels triumph in his speciousness, other cities will follow - and we will be returned to the patch work of confusing laws that change every few hundred feet or so that we enjoyed before the Legislature pre-empted the field of firearms law in the State of Washington all those years ago.
This is a big one. You need, if at all possible, to be at the hearing on December 15 hearing on this proposed regulation. You need to bring every friend you can. Tell them to play nice, and play nice yourself, but bring them. If you cannot make it - write (best address I've found: PO Box 94726 Seattle, WA 98124-4726), fax (206-684-5529), call ( 206-684-CITY (2489)), or use the e-comment forum. Best of all, do all of the above and ATTEND.
Still, we have yet to describe the enormity of Nickels ban if enacted. At a minimum, until overturned by the courts....
You will be unable to lawfully visit a city park (even the parking lot) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city park and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully visit City Hall (even the lobby) while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between City Hall and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to be lawfully present on *any* City property while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city property and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully visit any branch of the Seattle Public Library while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
You will be unable to lawfully attend any event at the Seattle Center while armed. If caught, you will be trespassed out of all city parks, facilities, buildings, and meeting forums - quite possibly permanently. If you violate the trespass order issued by the nice police officer, you will be cited, and quite likely lose your CPL and quite possibly any firearm you are carrying. If you leave your firearm in your car, you will run the risk of becoming another Kerlikowske and leave you and yours largely defenseless between the city library and your vehicle. If you leave your firearm home or in the office, see the last sentence and add emphasis.
This, however, just the Warm-Up Round.
It gets worse. If passed, we can look forward to jurisdictions around the state spontaneously discovering that "pre-emption doesn't apply to adminstrative rules" and all the expensive and time-consuming jurisdiction by jurisdiction political house-fighting that such adventures entail.
Attend this meeting, submit comments, and if you attend, bring expanded written copy of your comments for submission.
Gun Ban Meeting
December 15, 2008
Bertha Knight Landes room
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue
Sign-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
December 15, 2008
Bertha Knight Landes room
Seattle City Hall
600 Fourth Avenue
Sign-in begins at 5:30 p.m.
Monday, December 8, 2008
On Testimony
In a few short days, I and many others will be testifying against Seattle Mayor Nickels unlawful (according to the State Attorney General) gun ban. This post is at most peripheral in regards to the content of that testimony. This post addresses tactics and technique for what I've observed thus far as effective in such situations.
Primus - as a community, those of us who take an individual rights view of the Second Amendment, support individual firearms rights, and might be considered a bit..."pro-gun" to use a phrase popular among our opponents have been vilified as a group for decades in much of our nation. We have been characterized as racist, knuckle-dragging, homophobic, mouth-breathing primitives with paranoid tendencies and phallic (or pseodo-phallic in the case of the women in our community) issues by our opponents.
Somehow, that we are more law-abiding than average and more peacable than most...seems to escape the caricature.
Our President-Elect described us as a folk when he said "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Right or wrong, when testifying (particularly in a largely liberal city) we face those prejudices when we walk into the chambers of a city or county council, or a legislative hearing, far to frequently in the United States.
Secundus, it does not serve us well to play into the stereotypes perpetrate those who oppose us, our rights, and our interests. In fact, consciously undermining those hostile stereotypes and demolishing them as ridiculous and hate-filled parodies serves us best.
Tertius, with the above firmly in mind, to quote the ever-pithy Ru Paul "We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag." The question then becomes what form of drag (or costumery, if you prefer) serves us best - be it clothing or verbiage.
When testifying, our chance of impacting a given body is enhanced when we ask our selves what attire fits the notion of "people they really respect and listen to" of the audience we seek to influence - be it a city council, a county hearing officer, a congressional hearing, or a courtroom adventure. If the group you testify to visually cues on you as "respectable", your chances of being heard (or having influence) are dramatically enhanced.
Showing up to a jousting tournament dressed as a ballerina garners neither respect nor victory, after all.
With that in mind, business semi-formal (a business suit, with a tie for men) or business casual (slacks and a good collared shirt, perhaps with a sportcoat or sweater) become a good choice both at this Seattle hearing, and most other such events in Washington - other locales may be more or less formal, but EACH will have the local "respectable critter" drag attire. Camo and denim are great for a lot of situations; not for this. And for those mired in the Disco era...give up the polyester; if you are "fashion challenged" and know it (any suit more than 5-10 years old is probably fashion-challenged), grab a buddy who knows about such things (finance allowing) and go forth and visit Men's Wearhouse for a reasonably inexpensive set of business attire (my sources for good women's attire...are limited. Macy's? )
Similarly, if you volunteer or are chosen to speak...know your time limit, and frontload your points...get the main points (the hard-hitting stuff) up front, edit down your comments to fit the local time limit (getting cut off doesn't enhance your impact), use bullet pointed 3x5 cards if you need them (most of us do), and maintain your dignity. Your effectiveness rests in your appearing more competent and knowledgeable than not just the average bear, but than your opponent - and as mentioned in the first point, the cards are stacked against us. We MUST appear calm/cool/collected regardless of what abuse our opponents throw upon us - because we start from a place of being painted in a negative light.
There are exceptions to the above, but a government hearing is rarely one of them.
Finally, or Quartius, know your facts and your playing field. Stay on topic. And don't be afraid to consult the recognized leaders in the field before you testify or plan your testimony. In Washington, and on Washington Firearms-related Law, I would suggest the Second Amendment Foundation and the inestimable Dave Workman and Joe Waldron are the acknowledged subject matter experts.
Primus - as a community, those of us who take an individual rights view of the Second Amendment, support individual firearms rights, and might be considered a bit..."pro-gun" to use a phrase popular among our opponents have been vilified as a group for decades in much of our nation. We have been characterized as racist, knuckle-dragging, homophobic, mouth-breathing primitives with paranoid tendencies and phallic (or pseodo-phallic in the case of the women in our community) issues by our opponents.
Somehow, that we are more law-abiding than average and more peacable than most...seems to escape the caricature.
Our President-Elect described us as a folk when he said "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Right or wrong, when testifying (particularly in a largely liberal city) we face those prejudices when we walk into the chambers of a city or county council, or a legislative hearing, far to frequently in the United States.
Secundus, it does not serve us well to play into the stereotypes perpetrate those who oppose us, our rights, and our interests. In fact, consciously undermining those hostile stereotypes and demolishing them as ridiculous and hate-filled parodies serves us best.
Tertius, with the above firmly in mind, to quote the ever-pithy Ru Paul "We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag." The question then becomes what form of drag (or costumery, if you prefer) serves us best - be it clothing or verbiage.
When testifying, our chance of impacting a given body is enhanced when we ask our selves what attire fits the notion of "people they really respect and listen to" of the audience we seek to influence - be it a city council, a county hearing officer, a congressional hearing, or a courtroom adventure. If the group you testify to visually cues on you as "respectable", your chances of being heard (or having influence) are dramatically enhanced.
Showing up to a jousting tournament dressed as a ballerina garners neither respect nor victory, after all.
With that in mind, business semi-formal (a business suit, with a tie for men) or business casual (slacks and a good collared shirt, perhaps with a sportcoat or sweater) become a good choice both at this Seattle hearing, and most other such events in Washington - other locales may be more or less formal, but EACH will have the local "respectable critter" drag attire. Camo and denim are great for a lot of situations; not for this. And for those mired in the Disco era...give up the polyester; if you are "fashion challenged" and know it (any suit more than 5-10 years old is probably fashion-challenged), grab a buddy who knows about such things (finance allowing) and go forth and visit Men's Wearhouse for a reasonably inexpensive set of business attire (my sources for good women's attire...are limited. Macy's? )
Similarly, if you volunteer or are chosen to speak...know your time limit, and frontload your points...get the main points (the hard-hitting stuff) up front, edit down your comments to fit the local time limit (getting cut off doesn't enhance your impact), use bullet pointed 3x5 cards if you need them (most of us do), and maintain your dignity. Your effectiveness rests in your appearing more competent and knowledgeable than not just the average bear, but than your opponent - and as mentioned in the first point, the cards are stacked against us. We MUST appear calm/cool/collected regardless of what abuse our opponents throw upon us - because we start from a place of being painted in a negative light.
There are exceptions to the above, but a government hearing is rarely one of them.
Finally, or Quartius, know your facts and your playing field. Stay on topic. And don't be afraid to consult the recognized leaders in the field before you testify or plan your testimony. In Washington, and on Washington Firearms-related Law, I would suggest the Second Amendment Foundation and the inestimable Dave Workman and Joe Waldron are the acknowledged subject matter experts.
Monday, December 1, 2008
A worthy Bleg
I rarely re-post, and pass this along only due to its' relevancy to core Pink Pistols interests. For those not familiar, FAS is Firearms Academy of Seattle ( http://www.firearmsacademy.com/ ), owned and operated by Marty and Gila Hayes (in passing, I am informed that Massad Ayoob teaches there from time to time).
As an organization, I've heard nothing but good things of them, and am more than prepared to take them at their word. I am not aware of any formal FAS-PinkPistols interactions, but I am aware that FAS runs a very successful womens program of the sort that if I were able to move my eighty year old mother past her hoplophobia, I'd be sending her to class with Gila & Marty.
_____________________________________________________________
Dear FAS students, friends and staff.
Imagine being jumped by three individuals, knocked to the ground and being stomped on, with your only recourse being to draw your gun and shoot. Seems reasonable, right? Well, a firearms trainer from Arizona is sitting in jail right now for doing this exact thing, and he needs some help.
First off, he is affiliated with the school Tactical Response, a school run by a trainer named James Yeager. I know James personally, and think he is a pretty good guy, and is teaching good material to good folks. It is one of his adjunct staff guys who was in this situation last week, and he is now being held on $100,000 bond, and is being forced to use a public defender until he can raise money for a real lawyer. Tactical Response is coordinating a fundraiser, and FAS has donated $1000 in classes towards this fund raiser, and I wanted to ask everyone reading this, to consider participating in this fund raiser, even if it is just a $20 bill.
If Tactical Response is anything like FAS, Mr. HIckey likely donates his time to help teach people how to save themselves from criminal attack. We are blessed here at FAS with many like minded staff, and I would like to think that if one of them were in this trouble, we would be doing the same thing for him or her.
They are holding a raffle Dec. 12 for some really cool gun stuff, (including a couple of guns). The list and how to get involved is pasted below. Please, as a favor to one of our own, send this guy a few bucks so he can get good counsel and get the heck out of jail so he can get back to work and support his family. Thank-you for caring.
Marty
P.S. Can someone forward this to the Insights list? This is a cause the whole industry, and all of us gun carrying good guys need to be helping out with. See below for the raffle details and how to buy chances.
----------------------------------------------------------
You may purchase your raffle chances at the following PayPal address.
40usit.net>tracyah@usit.net
or,
You may send payments to the following address.
Larry Hickey Defense Fund
1061 Asbury Rd.
Camden TN 38320
Make funds payable to: Tracy Hightower.
Funds must be received before Friday December 12th as the drawings will be held Friday December 12th at 11:00am
Raffle chances are $5.00 each. If you wish to purchase more than one chance then send more money. Example: If you wish to purchase 10 chances then send $50.00 and your name will be entered 10 times in each drawing.
Each item will be drawn for separately and your name will be in each drawing. If you buy one chance, your name will be entered one time for each drawing. If you buy 10 chances your name will be entered 10 times for each drawing.
When we begin to draw for items we will post what item we are drawing for and we will draw a name and post the winner. No tickets or numbers will be sent out as there is not time for this. We are all men and women of honor doing this for an honorable cause. Everyone will have an equal chance at winning.
If you donate an item, you may also participate in the drawings. It is not fair to exclude those who have donated items from a chance to win. It will just suck if you win your own item.
VERY IMPORTANT:
When you send your PayPal Payment in the subject line put the words "Larry Hickey Fundraiser". Nothing else!
In the message box, put your name and phone number. Nothing else!
DO NOT put the words "raffle", "drawing" or I want 10 chances or anything that refers to a raffle. Do not make any reference to this thread or the other raffle thread. There is nothing illegal about a raffle here it just that PayPal has a problem with raffles.
THE DRAWINGS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th 11:00AM
Time extended by request.
Enjoy, good luck and thank you all for your generous donations to a good cause.
1) Kimber Custom CDP II 45acp. Like New. Includes: Original case and paperwork, 2 mags, Galco Fletch Holster
2) Tactical Response Training Donation: a $1000.00 training certificate WWW.TacticleResponse.com
3) Gift certificate good for a Fighting Rifle class at the Camden location WWW.TacticleResponse.com
4) Wilson Combat Scattergun Technologies SWAT model 11-87 NFA 14" shotgun. Details can be found here www.gunbroker.com Auction # 116559560
5) AKLB AK-74 Lightning Bolt Serial #0007http://www.coloradoshootingsports.com/6.html
6) SOE "Breacher's" vest: This is a one-of-a-kind shotgunner's vest made by John Willis
7) SOE CQB subload for rifle mags in tan. No damage. Just a little broke in.http://www.originalsoegear.com/cqbsub.html
8) S.O. Tech Go bag, black in color. New Unused
9) New SORD Australia MFF (military Free Fall) rig small chest type harness. No pouches
10) Shihan chest rig, coyote, brand new
11) MSR Blacklight "Gourmet" cookset
12) $30 Starbucks Gift Card
13) Custom Tactical Tailor patrol vest (It's a modded version of this vest in tan)
14) Custom TT fold out "IFAK" in Multicam
15) AT&T BlackJack 1 phone basically NIB with all the parts and accessories.
16) 500.00 certificate for Rifle Dynamics services of your choice. www.rifledynamics.com
17) Taurus 24/7 45 ACP OSST DESERT TAN GRIP shipped to the winners FFL
18) $75.00 Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
19) Cavalry Arms' last lower and a set of matching hand guards (red color). "If someone sends a upper (we're completely out) we can make it into a complete gun" www.cavalryarms.com
20) brand new 34"? Blackhawk CQC Pistol Belt in the carbon fiber finishhttp://www.blackhawk.com/product/CQC-Pistol-Belts,794,61.htm
21) (10) AK47 mags
22) 5 sets of Glock Big Dot sights. GL-001S-5
23) VCAS sling
24) CONTRACTOR RX-PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICAL KIT LEVEL 1' www.gorgrp.com with full personal training, , letter of prescription, position and transit, pocket guide, etc
25) $3295.00 TRAINING CERTIFICATE towards the tuition portion of any class taught in Belize, Central America by GMRS in 2009 or 2010 www.gmrsltd.com
26) 1000 rounds .308 ammo. Factory milsurp
27) OSOE Tear OFF IFAK Black very barely used
28) Brand New CRKT M16-10KZ folder
29) Brand new Pro-Mag AR-15 Frontsight rail mount system
30) Brand New 5.11 Dress belt 1.5 inch with stiffner size Large
31) 3 hours of tattooing (about $250.00 worth). In south Denver, CO.
32) Rusch ViewMax Adult laryngoscope fiber optic blade on a new ADC battery handle
33) Filipino Martial Arts training Colfax, CA
34) Snugpak Jungle Bag
35) Dogtra Remote collar and the training to go with it. If in driving distance of Long Island, NY. If not we have a video based training program. Dogtra collar model will depend on dogs needs.
36) Handmade ACU purse, the winner can choose the color of lining.
37) two slots to our upcoming two day Combatives Workshop (December 13 - 14)http://www.truthincombat.com/SSTandGS.html
38) Swarovski and Gold/Bronze iPod Classic Jewelry Case from Gilty Couture (80/120GB model)
39) 3 Talon Tactical pocket holsters your choice of J-frame or KelTec 380 from talon tactical holsters
40) Timberline Tactical LCP (LNIB)
41) Fighting Rifle DVDshttp://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_inf...182&products_id=2799
42) HSGI Molle OD green sub panel as new.http://hsgi.us/proddetail.asp?prod=HSG-MDLP
43) Eagle subload in black holds 2 ar mags as newhttp://www.sealsactiongear.com/catalog/store/comersus_v...em.asp?idProduct=257
44) romy G kit Good shape dated 1986
45) 300 rounds Federal HST .40 S&W 180gr shipped
46) 5 VOK/GSW video packages. (2 VOKs& the Tactical Response Gunshot Wound Basics DVD)
47) Two $500 training certificates from The Firearms Academy of Seattle www.firearmsacademy.com
PLEASE READ MY ENTIRE POST BEFORE YOU SEND A PAYPAL.
As an organization, I've heard nothing but good things of them, and am more than prepared to take them at their word. I am not aware of any formal FAS-PinkPistols interactions, but I am aware that FAS runs a very successful womens program of the sort that if I were able to move my eighty year old mother past her hoplophobia, I'd be sending her to class with Gila & Marty.
_____________________________________________________________
Dear FAS students, friends and staff.
Imagine being jumped by three individuals, knocked to the ground and being stomped on, with your only recourse being to draw your gun and shoot. Seems reasonable, right? Well, a firearms trainer from Arizona is sitting in jail right now for doing this exact thing, and he needs some help.
First off, he is affiliated with the school Tactical Response, a school run by a trainer named James Yeager. I know James personally, and think he is a pretty good guy, and is teaching good material to good folks. It is one of his adjunct staff guys who was in this situation last week, and he is now being held on $100,000 bond, and is being forced to use a public defender until he can raise money for a real lawyer. Tactical Response is coordinating a fundraiser, and FAS has donated $1000 in classes towards this fund raiser, and I wanted to ask everyone reading this, to consider participating in this fund raiser, even if it is just a $20 bill.
If Tactical Response is anything like FAS, Mr. HIckey likely donates his time to help teach people how to save themselves from criminal attack. We are blessed here at FAS with many like minded staff, and I would like to think that if one of them were in this trouble, we would be doing the same thing for him or her.
They are holding a raffle Dec. 12 for some really cool gun stuff, (including a couple of guns). The list and how to get involved is pasted below. Please, as a favor to one of our own, send this guy a few bucks so he can get good counsel and get the heck out of jail so he can get back to work and support his family. Thank-you for caring.
Marty
P.S. Can someone forward this to the Insights list? This is a cause the whole industry, and all of us gun carrying good guys need to be helping out with. See below for the raffle details and how to buy chances.
----------------------------------------------------------
You may purchase your raffle chances at the following PayPal address.
40usit.net>tracyah@usit.net
or,
You may send payments to the following address.
Larry Hickey Defense Fund
1061 Asbury Rd.
Camden TN 38320
Make funds payable to: Tracy Hightower.
Funds must be received before Friday December 12th as the drawings will be held Friday December 12th at 11:00am
Raffle chances are $5.00 each. If you wish to purchase more than one chance then send more money. Example: If you wish to purchase 10 chances then send $50.00 and your name will be entered 10 times in each drawing.
Each item will be drawn for separately and your name will be in each drawing. If you buy one chance, your name will be entered one time for each drawing. If you buy 10 chances your name will be entered 10 times for each drawing.
When we begin to draw for items we will post what item we are drawing for and we will draw a name and post the winner. No tickets or numbers will be sent out as there is not time for this. We are all men and women of honor doing this for an honorable cause. Everyone will have an equal chance at winning.
If you donate an item, you may also participate in the drawings. It is not fair to exclude those who have donated items from a chance to win. It will just suck if you win your own item.
VERY IMPORTANT:
When you send your PayPal Payment in the subject line put the words "Larry Hickey Fundraiser". Nothing else!
In the message box, put your name and phone number. Nothing else!
DO NOT put the words "raffle", "drawing" or I want 10 chances or anything that refers to a raffle. Do not make any reference to this thread or the other raffle thread. There is nothing illegal about a raffle here it just that PayPal has a problem with raffles.
THE DRAWINGS WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th 11:00AM
Time extended by request.
Enjoy, good luck and thank you all for your generous donations to a good cause.
1) Kimber Custom CDP II 45acp. Like New. Includes: Original case and paperwork, 2 mags, Galco Fletch Holster
2) Tactical Response Training Donation: a $1000.00 training certificate WWW.TacticleResponse.com
3) Gift certificate good for a Fighting Rifle class at the Camden location WWW.TacticleResponse.com
4) Wilson Combat Scattergun Technologies SWAT model 11-87 NFA 14" shotgun. Details can be found here www.gunbroker.com Auction # 116559560
5) AKLB AK-74 Lightning Bolt Serial #0007
6) SOE "Breacher's" vest: This is a one-of-a-kind shotgunner's vest made by John Willis
7) SOE CQB subload for rifle mags in tan. No damage. Just a little broke in.
8) S.O. Tech Go bag, black in color. New Unused
9) New SORD Australia MFF (military Free Fall) rig small chest type harness. No pouches
10) Shihan chest rig, coyote, brand new
11) MSR Blacklight "Gourmet" cookset
12) $30 Starbucks Gift Card
13) Custom Tactical Tailor patrol vest (It's a modded version of this vest in tan)
14) Custom TT fold out "IFAK" in Multicam
15) AT&T BlackJack 1 phone basically NIB with all the parts and accessories.
16) 500.00 certificate for Rifle Dynamics services of your choice. www.rifledynamics.com
17) Taurus 24/7 45 ACP OSST DESERT TAN GRIP shipped to the winners FFL
18) $75.00 Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
19) Cavalry Arms' last lower and a set of matching hand guards (red color). "If someone sends a upper (we're completely out) we can make it into a complete gun" www.cavalryarms.com
20) brand new 34"? Blackhawk CQC Pistol Belt in the carbon fiber finish
21) (10) AK47 mags
22) 5 sets of Glock Big Dot sights. GL-001S-5
23) VCAS sling
24) CONTRACTOR RX-PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICAL KIT LEVEL 1' www.gorgrp.com with full personal training, , letter of prescription, position and transit, pocket guide, etc
25) $3295.00 TRAINING CERTIFICATE towards the tuition portion of any class taught in Belize, Central America by GMRS in 2009 or 2010 www.gmrsltd.com
26) 1000 rounds .308 ammo. Factory milsurp
27) OSOE Tear OFF IFAK Black very barely used
28) Brand New CRKT M16-10KZ folder
29) Brand new Pro-Mag AR-15 Frontsight rail mount system
30) Brand New 5.11 Dress belt 1.5 inch with stiffner size Large
31) 3 hours of tattooing (about $250.00 worth). In south Denver, CO.
32) Rusch ViewMax Adult laryngoscope fiber optic blade on a new ADC battery handle
33) Filipino Martial Arts training Colfax, CA
34) Snugpak Jungle Bag
35) Dogtra Remote collar and the training to go with it. If in driving distance of Long Island, NY. If not we have a video based training program. Dogtra collar model will depend on dogs needs.
36) Handmade ACU purse, the winner can choose the color of lining.
37) two slots to our upcoming two day Combatives Workshop (December 13 - 14)
38) Swarovski and Gold/Bronze iPod Classic Jewelry Case from Gilty Couture (80/120GB model)
39) 3 Talon Tactical pocket holsters your choice of J-frame or KelTec 380 from talon tactical holsters
40) Timberline Tactical LCP (LNIB)
41) Fighting Rifle DVDs
42) HSGI Molle OD green sub panel as new.
43) Eagle subload in black holds 2 ar mags as new
44) romy G kit Good shape dated 1986
45) 300 rounds Federal HST .40 S&W 180gr shipped
46) 5 VOK/GSW video packages. (2 VOKs& the Tactical Response Gunshot Wound Basics DVD)
47) Two $500 training certificates from The Firearms Academy of Seattle www.firearmsacademy.com
PLEASE READ MY ENTIRE POST BEFORE YOU SEND A PAYPAL.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving
Michelle Malkin shares a wonderful tale of self-reliance and growth in her Thanksgiving Blog Entry, and I would commend it to one and all as a tale of hope in adverse circumstances.
This has, in the GC Household, been a year of losses and growth, with much for which to be thankful.
A decades long pain in the neck is largely removed from my life, and that I had the courage to finally say "enough" and recognize that at some point, discovering that someone (regardless of their goodness or badness as persons) is bad *for me*, is something of a gift for which I am grateful though it is not a cost-free situation.
That two weeks after my fathers funeral in January I lost my job, and have been job-hunting since as I burn through my resources is more challenging to be thankful for, but on the flip side I was unhappy in that job and had I not been let go, would likely have stubbornly clung to an unhappy position rather than risk the job market. If naught else, being let go opens the door for me to find a happier place to labor in search of my daily dollar.
Further, I am thankful that the job situation (however dismaying I find it) left me available to serve as nurse and chauffeur after my mom's back surgery and her impending knee surgery.
That despite the turmoil, I have a roof over my head (and probably too much) food to keep me nourished is something for which I am thankful.
I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor a newcomer in the firearms activism community, and give back to that community some of the guidance that was graciously provided to me when I showed up as a cranky (Well, what do you expect, I'm a cynic!) over-energetic newbie out to solve the problem of anti-gun moonbats in fifteen minutes or less. Newbies to activism need that "sitting upon till they calm down", and I'm thankful for the opportunity to give back.
Much as I regret the necessity, I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the process to stop or repeal the Nickels gun ban - both as a pro2A sort, and as a believer in "we elect mayors, not kings".
I am thankful for this forum that allows me to vent, perhaps hone my writing skills, and to occasionally exercise my muse.
I am thankful that thus far that Obama has only nominated one absolutely dreadful potential cabinet member, Attorney General Nominee Eric Holder, thus far. It could be far worse.
I am grateful for our troops abroad, and the difficult and dangerous work they do.
There is the much to be thankful for - may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and dine on turkey and stuffing with gravy to satiation.
On balance, there is much for which to be thankful ...
This has, in the GC Household, been a year of losses and growth, with much for which to be thankful.
A decades long pain in the neck is largely removed from my life, and that I had the courage to finally say "enough" and recognize that at some point, discovering that someone (regardless of their goodness or badness as persons) is bad *for me*, is something of a gift for which I am grateful though it is not a cost-free situation.
That two weeks after my fathers funeral in January I lost my job, and have been job-hunting since as I burn through my resources is more challenging to be thankful for, but on the flip side I was unhappy in that job and had I not been let go, would likely have stubbornly clung to an unhappy position rather than risk the job market. If naught else, being let go opens the door for me to find a happier place to labor in search of my daily dollar.
Further, I am thankful that the job situation (however dismaying I find it) left me available to serve as nurse and chauffeur after my mom's back surgery and her impending knee surgery.
That despite the turmoil, I have a roof over my head (and probably too much) food to keep me nourished is something for which I am thankful.
I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor a newcomer in the firearms activism community, and give back to that community some of the guidance that was graciously provided to me when I showed up as a cranky (Well, what do you expect, I'm a cynic!) over-energetic newbie out to solve the problem of anti-gun moonbats in fifteen minutes or less. Newbies to activism need that "sitting upon till they calm down", and I'm thankful for the opportunity to give back.
Much as I regret the necessity, I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in the process to stop or repeal the Nickels gun ban - both as a pro2A sort, and as a believer in "we elect mayors, not kings".
I am thankful for this forum that allows me to vent, perhaps hone my writing skills, and to occasionally exercise my muse.
I am thankful that thus far that Obama has only nominated one absolutely dreadful potential cabinet member, Attorney General Nominee Eric Holder, thus far. It could be far worse.
I am grateful for our troops abroad, and the difficult and dangerous work they do.
There is the much to be thankful for - may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and dine on turkey and stuffing with gravy to satiation.
On balance, there is much for which to be thankful ...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Yes, those ARE our Marines...
FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan — In the city of Shewan, approximately 250 insurgents ambushed 30 Marines and paid a heavy price for it.
By way of Random Nuclear Strikes, by way of Ace, by way of Confederate Yankee, by way of the USMC.
The few, the proud, the...U.S. Marines...
By way of Random Nuclear Strikes, by way of Ace, by way of Confederate Yankee, by way of the USMC.
The few, the proud, the...U.S. Marines...
Gay Marriage
After a bit of nudging from LGBT friends, and some kind words from over at American Mercenary, I'll cave in and answer "Well, what do you think should be done?" regarding the same sex marriage debate rather than "How not to achieve it?"
To do the issue justice, over the centuries, marriage and marriage-like relationships have performed a veritable legal drag show, appearing in different and evolving guises over the years. We need only look at the anti-miscegenation laws (inter-racial marriage/relationships) passed and repealed in our own country, the rise and fall of Mormon polygamy (still a subject for occasional debate and police raids), arranged marriages (and the more familiar corollary in this country, the requirement of the brides fathers or eldest living male relatives consent) to realize that even this tiny subset of changes hints at the vaster changes in the institution in North America, Europe, and beyond.
Things have, for instance, changed since the days when excessive affection between spouses (in private, even) was considered poor form, and protestant preachers railed against affectionate "pet" names and familiarity between spouses, lest it undermine the husbands authority.
I will leave it for another time, but ample evidence exists that in at various times and places over history that, indeed, same sex marriage (or things so oddly similar as to beggar other explanation) has existed without the world ending, or societies dissolving in response.
That said, however, where do we go from here?
Ever hear of that old phrase, "Everything old is new again?"
I suggest that marriage as we know it today has three separate functional pieces or jobs -
1) A religious ceremony.
2) An established relationship structure with specific and broad rights and responsibilities and organized default entry and exit strategies.
3) A familial element, the notion of caring for minors (pre-existing or appearing on scene after the marriage commences) and in the longer term, the partners caring for each other in their old age and thus reducing the burden of the aging upon the taxpayer even as the aging partners independence and experience are preserved and enhanced (ideally).
Again, the wild-eyed libertarian that I am, I favor a minimum of state intrusion. If only for the sake of keeping the bloodshed from spontaneous techniques to a minimum, I favor at an absolute minimum some kind of "this is how you break up without emulating Henry VIII or variations thereupon" kind of mechanism - the whole "judge as mediator/arbitrator" thing has a whole bunch of good things going for it, not least among them the aforementioned faint vague hope of keeping the bloodshed to a minimum.
I favor the notion of divorcing the civil and societal elements (i.e., all the legal privileges, obligations, benefits, etc.) from the religious element. In other words, under this scheme any church (and no, you don't get to draw me into the red herring of defining who's a church and who isn't) can perform - or refuse to perform - any little old wedding ceremony between competent and consenting adults that thrills their little hearts...such ceremony will simply be wholly irrelevant (not unlike a funeral) to the legal system.
The flip side of this is that suddenly the *civil* variety of marriage is the only one recognized by the courts and is available to all competent and consenting adults outside of a reasonable degree of consanguinity and, perhaps, a pre-marital requirement of "full disclosure" of any pre-existing health conditions between the parties to the grand event.
Anyway, that approach probably makes far too much sense for it to ever to occur.
To do the issue justice, over the centuries, marriage and marriage-like relationships have performed a veritable legal drag show, appearing in different and evolving guises over the years. We need only look at the anti-miscegenation laws (inter-racial marriage/relationships) passed and repealed in our own country, the rise and fall of Mormon polygamy (still a subject for occasional debate and police raids), arranged marriages (and the more familiar corollary in this country, the requirement of the brides fathers or eldest living male relatives consent) to realize that even this tiny subset of changes hints at the vaster changes in the institution in North America, Europe, and beyond.
Things have, for instance, changed since the days when excessive affection between spouses (in private, even) was considered poor form, and protestant preachers railed against affectionate "pet" names and familiarity between spouses, lest it undermine the husbands authority.
I will leave it for another time, but ample evidence exists that in at various times and places over history that, indeed, same sex marriage (or things so oddly similar as to beggar other explanation) has existed without the world ending, or societies dissolving in response.
That said, however, where do we go from here?
Ever hear of that old phrase, "Everything old is new again?"
I suggest that marriage as we know it today has three separate functional pieces or jobs -
1) A religious ceremony.
2) An established relationship structure with specific and broad rights and responsibilities and organized default entry and exit strategies.
3) A familial element, the notion of caring for minors (pre-existing or appearing on scene after the marriage commences) and in the longer term, the partners caring for each other in their old age and thus reducing the burden of the aging upon the taxpayer even as the aging partners independence and experience are preserved and enhanced (ideally).
Again, the wild-eyed libertarian that I am, I favor a minimum of state intrusion. If only for the sake of keeping the bloodshed from spontaneous techniques to a minimum, I favor at an absolute minimum some kind of "this is how you break up without emulating Henry VIII or variations thereupon" kind of mechanism - the whole "judge as mediator/arbitrator" thing has a whole bunch of good things going for it, not least among them the aforementioned faint vague hope of keeping the bloodshed to a minimum.
I favor the notion of divorcing the civil and societal elements (i.e., all the legal privileges, obligations, benefits, etc.) from the religious element. In other words, under this scheme any church (and no, you don't get to draw me into the red herring of defining who's a church and who isn't) can perform - or refuse to perform - any little old wedding ceremony between competent and consenting adults that thrills their little hearts...such ceremony will simply be wholly irrelevant (not unlike a funeral) to the legal system.
The flip side of this is that suddenly the *civil* variety of marriage is the only one recognized by the courts and is available to all competent and consenting adults outside of a reasonable degree of consanguinity and, perhaps, a pre-marital requirement of "full disclosure" of any pre-existing health conditions between the parties to the grand event.
Anyway, that approach probably makes far too much sense for it to ever to occur.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Courtesy of the CCRCKBA
The folks at CCRKBA say it better than I can, however, to sum up, our the Seattle Mayor has gone astray - planning to ban guns by fiat and executive tantrum, rather than following a legislative process - claiming that despite a state preemption law, that by ruling that any person carrying (lawful or otherwise, CPL or no) is inherently trespassing and subject to ejection or arrest. State Attorney General Rob McKenna disagrees, formally. The below is from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms...read it, write, call, fax - and if you're able, show up to testify.
___________________________________________________
SEATTLE MAYOR SAYS HE WILL BAN GUNS YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has launched an attack on law-abiding gun owners who either live in the city, or visit there, by forging ahead with a plan to ban all firearms, including those legally carried by law-abiding citizens. He is doing this in defiance of an opinion from Attorney General Rob McKenna that such a ban would be illegal under Washington State’s model preemption statute.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms encourages Washington State residents, and citizens from across the country who regularly visit Seattle, to submit comments to the city via its website:
www.seattle.gov/firearmsrule
On December 15, 2008, a public hearing will be held in the Bertha Knight Landes room at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, with sign-in beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Nickels’ proposed plan would impair the rights of citizens to bear arms, as affirmed by Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution. He would prevent citizens licensed to carry firearms in public places from exercising that right on city-owned property, including city parks and the Seattle Center.
Citizens may also e-mail Mayor Nickels directly: seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm
You may also call the Mayor's office: (206) 684-4000.
___________________________________________________
SEATTLE MAYOR SAYS HE WILL BAN GUNS YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS NEEDED
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has launched an attack on law-abiding gun owners who either live in the city, or visit there, by forging ahead with a plan to ban all firearms, including those legally carried by law-abiding citizens. He is doing this in defiance of an opinion from Attorney General Rob McKenna that such a ban would be illegal under Washington State’s model preemption statute.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms encourages Washington State residents, and citizens from across the country who regularly visit Seattle, to submit comments to the city via its website:
www.seattle.gov/firearmsrule
On December 15, 2008, a public hearing will be held in the Bertha Knight Landes room at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, with sign-in beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Mayor Nickels’ proposed plan would impair the rights of citizens to bear arms, as affirmed by Article 1, Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution. He would prevent citizens licensed to carry firearms in public places from exercising that right on city-owned property, including city parks and the Seattle Center.
Citizens may also e-mail Mayor Nickels directly: seattle.gov/mayor/citizen_response.htm
You may also call the Mayor's office: (206) 684-4000.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Ad CBS thinks you're too dumb to see
A group, Americans for Job Security, decided to create a video ad bashing the Democrats for their support of a bill that would deprive workers of a secret ballot in elections that decide whether or not a given group of workers wants a given union to represent them.
The secret ballot issue rotates around the ease with which voter intimidation can be accomplished - if the ballot is open for all to review "who voted for what" it is both dreadfully easy to meet out punishment upon those who oppose union representation - but also to point out well in advance that such punishment will be doled out.
A secret ballot tends to make that process of intimidation and punishment much more challenging for the naughty.
But back to that advertisement. CBS wouldn't air it (the other MSM networks did not seem to have a problem) because the advertisement showed unvoiced video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi...because they were afraid it would "confuse" viewers...
View below, and decide if you're too ditzy to comprehend what's going on...
The secret ballot issue rotates around the ease with which voter intimidation can be accomplished - if the ballot is open for all to review "who voted for what" it is both dreadfully easy to meet out punishment upon those who oppose union representation - but also to point out well in advance that such punishment will be doled out.
A secret ballot tends to make that process of intimidation and punishment much more challenging for the naughty.
But back to that advertisement. CBS wouldn't air it (the other MSM networks did not seem to have a problem) because the advertisement showed unvoiced video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi...because they were afraid it would "confuse" viewers...
View below, and decide if you're too ditzy to comprehend what's going on...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Prop 8
I've held off commenting mainly because I've been busy with other adventures, but as it seems to this wild-eyed libertarian....
The various folks who contributed to Prop 8 had every right to do so, and to participate in the political process. I may disagree with them, some of them I may specifically dislike, but that really doesn't have anything to do with their rights.
Similarly, the various folks who donated to the No On 8 campaign had every right to donate to the campaign *they* believed in.
HOWEVER, just because an election is over, doesn't mean there is some divine commandment to "shut up now and take your medicine". Neither is there such a commandment along the lines of "those who donated to victorious campaigns against you and yours are immune from law-abiding acts of retribution". Finally, there seems to be a distinct lack of divine instructions about "thou shalt not go to court over initatives victorious at the polls that thou findeth obnoxious".
So, guess what? For good or ill, LGBT folks and their friends have *every right* to take to the streets, wave signs, engage in creative protest and litigation, and refuse to hire or do business with those they perceive as having done us serious harm.
Just as would the "Pro-8" forces would have every right to do so should a constitutional amendment be passed to deny them the right to marry and to invalidate their existing marriages.
The *most compelling* argument I've heard against massive LGBT protests, blacklists, and boycotts is not "the voters have spoken, shut up". It is "backlash sucks, lets fight this in a year or two, we have Conneticut after all, let's not piss off the fence-sitters and those who barring our pissing them off, just don't give a damn about LGBT folks one way or another." And that argument I don't find especially compelling.
What I would suggest, however, is that there is a *line* in protesting that the wise activist DOES NOT CROSS. It's pretty basic, really - the swiftest way for any activist group or individual to completely undermine their own cause is to injure folks (or scare the crap out of them with envelopes of white powder, in this day and age...) or damage property (arson is tacky, don't ya know).
There are exceptions, including ones where armed insurrection is wholly justified. But they are, thankfully, damned rare and almost always involve someone on the other side getting somebody in our community dead or injured. Most other things can be fixed with time and litigation.
That still leaves an AWFUL lot of room to express dismay with vast and mighty creativity...without setting ourselves up to face former allies and potential allies turned at best substantially less friendly towards us.
In short, even without Gay Marriage (a laudable goal I believe we'll see in the next few years), when we look at the 50's, the 70's, or even the 90's - we've really got a pretty good thing going as a community, and while progress is desireable and good - so is not screwing up the relatively decent situation we've got.
That's my take...
The various folks who contributed to Prop 8 had every right to do so, and to participate in the political process. I may disagree with them, some of them I may specifically dislike, but that really doesn't have anything to do with their rights.
Similarly, the various folks who donated to the No On 8 campaign had every right to donate to the campaign *they* believed in.
HOWEVER, just because an election is over, doesn't mean there is some divine commandment to "shut up now and take your medicine". Neither is there such a commandment along the lines of "those who donated to victorious campaigns against you and yours are immune from law-abiding acts of retribution". Finally, there seems to be a distinct lack of divine instructions about "thou shalt not go to court over initatives victorious at the polls that thou findeth obnoxious".
So, guess what? For good or ill, LGBT folks and their friends have *every right* to take to the streets, wave signs, engage in creative protest and litigation, and refuse to hire or do business with those they perceive as having done us serious harm.
Just as would the "Pro-8" forces would have every right to do so should a constitutional amendment be passed to deny them the right to marry and to invalidate their existing marriages.
The *most compelling* argument I've heard against massive LGBT protests, blacklists, and boycotts is not "the voters have spoken, shut up". It is "backlash sucks, lets fight this in a year or two, we have Conneticut after all, let's not piss off the fence-sitters and those who barring our pissing them off, just don't give a damn about LGBT folks one way or another." And that argument I don't find especially compelling.
What I would suggest, however, is that there is a *line* in protesting that the wise activist DOES NOT CROSS. It's pretty basic, really - the swiftest way for any activist group or individual to completely undermine their own cause is to injure folks (or scare the crap out of them with envelopes of white powder, in this day and age...) or damage property (arson is tacky, don't ya know).
There are exceptions, including ones where armed insurrection is wholly justified. But they are, thankfully, damned rare and almost always involve someone on the other side getting somebody in our community dead or injured. Most other things can be fixed with time and litigation.
That still leaves an AWFUL lot of room to express dismay with vast and mighty creativity...without setting ourselves up to face former allies and potential allies turned at best substantially less friendly towards us.
In short, even without Gay Marriage (a laudable goal I believe we'll see in the next few years), when we look at the 50's, the 70's, or even the 90's - we've really got a pretty good thing going as a community, and while progress is desireable and good - so is not screwing up the relatively decent situation we've got.
That's my take...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
All-nighter
Church down south I useta do the newsletter for called me Thursday, offered me a couple of hundred dollars to knock it out again - seems the volunteers had flaked, vanished, or stormed off in a huff (I'm not sure which) and they were 2 weeks behind pushing out the Nov-Dec edition.
Yeargh. Just finished pulling an all-nighter, and got the email this morning that they would be sending a whole bunch of photo's north via e-mail ...to arrive this afternoon or evening. Suspect I'll have to chat with them when I'm a tad more rational about "reasonable expectations" and "how much you get for a couple of hundred dollars."
Note: If you don't want a pissy layout guy, don't surprise him with the need to generate articles from whole cloth or do a whole bunch of last minute photo work (photo's, especially ones that require extensive photo-shopping to be presentable, are very labor intensive). Grrr.
If you want a rush job WITH a lot of photo's...have them READY.
1) 150dpi+, 300dpi photo resolution is better for any kind of print edition you're not cooking out on a bottom end inkjet (the second most expensive way per page).
2) If you know how, have the photo or graphics in .tiff format. Yes it's big...but it's SOOOO much more flexible.
3) Go ahead and if you know how, convert your color palette on all graphic and photo images to CMYK, not RGB. CMYK makes print shops happy. RGB makes them REALLY cranky.
Yeargh. Just finished pulling an all-nighter, and got the email this morning that they would be sending a whole bunch of photo's north via e-mail ...to arrive this afternoon or evening. Suspect I'll have to chat with them when I'm a tad more rational about "reasonable expectations" and "how much you get for a couple of hundred dollars."
Note: If you don't want a pissy layout guy, don't surprise him with the need to generate articles from whole cloth or do a whole bunch of last minute photo work (photo's, especially ones that require extensive photo-shopping to be presentable, are very labor intensive). Grrr.
If you want a rush job WITH a lot of photo's...have them READY.
1) 150dpi+, 300dpi photo resolution is better for any kind of print edition you're not cooking out on a bottom end inkjet (the second most expensive way per page).
2) If you know how, have the photo or graphics in .tiff format. Yes it's big...but it's SOOOO much more flexible.
3) Go ahead and if you know how, convert your color palette on all graphic and photo images to CMYK, not RGB. CMYK makes print shops happy. RGB makes them REALLY cranky.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Hrmm...If I were President Bush
"Democrats prepare to move forward with investigations of the Bush administration... Developing..." Drudge Report 18:49 11/12/08
I think, just about now, if I were Bush....I'd be gathering a list of everyone that the Democrats might conceivably be thinking of investigating (and a few they weren't), then issue each of them general pardons for charged and uncharged past mis-steps...and at the same time issue identical pardons to Bill and Hillary Clinton, and to the DNC (as per the suggestion of a fellow blogger), promptly resign, and let Dick Cheney pardon *ME*.
And in giving the announcement speach, I'd open with "In the fine tradition of Bill Clinton, and what I fully expect to be the vastly expanded upon tradition of Barack Obama..."
Followed shortly by running like hell for Texas...
I think, just about now, if I were Bush....I'd be gathering a list of everyone that the Democrats might conceivably be thinking of investigating (and a few they weren't), then issue each of them general pardons for charged and uncharged past mis-steps...and at the same time issue identical pardons to Bill and Hillary Clinton, and to the DNC (as per the suggestion of a fellow blogger), promptly resign, and let Dick Cheney pardon *ME*.
And in giving the announcement speach, I'd open with "In the fine tradition of Bill Clinton, and what I fully expect to be the vastly expanded upon tradition of Barack Obama..."
Followed shortly by running like hell for Texas...
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