Morgan Freeman on Racism

Whatever its original usage, the word "race" has become a collectvist term that only serves to perpetuate class warfare. Martin Luther King once said he dreamt of of the day "...that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Morgan Freeman just told you how to get there.

If there were only a way to get the race hustlers to listen...

H/T to The Advice Goddess

Don't cut the budget; write more tickets!

From Crimes, Guns and Videotape

Chicago’s Government Rules by Extortion
Chicago, IL—Chicago’s politicians and their appointed bureaucrats are dismayed by the decrease in traffic fine revenue. The outgunned, undermanned, demoralized and endangered Chicago cops can’t protect Chicago’s citizens but city officials want cops to bring them bags of cash.

The Chicago Sun Times released internal city documents that detail the decrease in traffic fines and stepped up efforts to threaten the jobs of cops that seem reluctant to become full time revenue agents.

Read the rest here

Traffic enforcement has always been a source of revenue for cities. I can remember when I was still young that whenever contract negotiations were going badly, the city cops would slow down ticket writing. Now that cities are bleeding revenue but generally unwilling to cut budgets the cities are looking to traffic tickets as a panacea. So, while I generally agree with the position Mr. Huebl is taking, traffic law is, and always has been, a cash cows for city governments.

Chicago isn't the only city trying to milk the citizenry for even more money than they already do. For example, some cities in California have been citing drivers under a Municipal Code rather than State Vehicle Code because, in the former case, all the money goes straight to the city while in the latter the city only gets a percentage.

"The City of Roseville gets a small slice of fines from state courts," Doane said. "We’re enforcing these laws, but a very small sliver comes back to the city. The city gets 15 percent of a Vehicle Code fine, which for a typical $207 fine comes to $32.50. This way, 100 percent of the [$100 local fine] comes back to the general fund."

A few more examples from around the country:

Virginia Hands Out 6996 Traffic Tickets In One Weekend In An Effort To Raise Revenue For The State Government

Speed Trap: More Traffic Tickets in Cash-Strapped Cities

Speeders on strapped cities' radar

Even more here

Attention Mall Ninjas!

Administration blocks import of surplus rifles

The venerable M1 Garand -- sometimes called the rifle that won World War II -- is a favorite of collectors and rifle shooters in the United States. While it's reputation may be exaggerated the design has proved reliable over three wars and billions of rounds fired in matches and recreation. Though quite heavy compared to modern sporting rifles, it has a reputation for accuracy not usually associated with military surplus rifles and it is a piece of history.

Now The Korea Times reports that the Obama Administation is blocking the import of about 86,000 surplus Garands that have been setting in a warehouse for the past 50 years.

The U.S. administration put the brakes on the plan, citing “problems” that could be caused by the importation of the rifles.

The problems the U.S. government cited were somewhat ambiguous, said an official at the Ministry of National Defense on condition of anonymity.

“The U.S. insisted that imports of the aging rifles could cause problems such as firearm accidents. It was also worried the weapons could be smuggled to terrorists, gangs or other people with bad intentions,” the official told The Korea Times.

Terrorists and gang bangers do not use the Garand. It is absurd on its face as an excuse for blocking these imports. Terrorists prefer the AK-47 which is a hardy, reliable, user friendly rifle designed to be used by those who have had little or no military training. American gang bangers seem to prefer 9mm pistols and shotguns. I doubt that many would even recognize a Garand if they saw it.

Supporters of the President try to use the fact that Obama signed a credit card reform bill with an amendment allowing conceal carry in national parks -- subject to local law -- as evidence that the Lightworker is not anti-gun. However, actions like this and last year's aborted attempt to eliminate once-fired military brass from the civilian market give lie to that assertion. Make no mistake, Obama wants to restrict the rights of gun owners as much as he possibly can. I have no doubt he would disarm all non " only ones" Americans if he could.

Anyone who wants to disarm you has a reason. That reason is usually that he wants to do something you would stop him from doing if you still had the power to do so.

H/T to David Codrea

Maybe there is Hope for England

I am not an advocate of vandalism. I've sometimes said, tongue barely touching cheek, that it should be a rebutable defense against a charge of homicide that the victim was shot while spray painting private property. Nevertheless, vandalism can be a symbol of something good.

In Merrie olde England

Snipers target road signs

Never mind speeders or road hogs, now there is a new peril facing British motorists – signpost snipers.

The RAC Foundation has warned of the growing phenomenon of gunmen firing at road signs at locations across Britain.

Officials there say that many of the shootings are "drive by", with the guns fired from a moving vehicle. Analysis of the damaged signs reveals that a high proportion of shots are fired from the near, or passenger, side of the car.

A dossier compiled for the motoring organisation has found evidence that illegally-held handguns, high velocity rifles and shotguns are all being used in the shootings.

Read the rest here

This may turn out be just some meaningless vandalism by members of one or another of the gangs that are infesting England. In fact, I suspect it is. OTOH, it may be a sign that the some of the English are finally getting sick and tired of what their country is becoming.

I can only hope. After all their ancestors committed regicide at least twice, stood up to the Germans and endured the Blitz.

H/T to the Sipsey Street Irregulars

Smoke, Ass, Blow

Radley Balko writes about his interviews with three law enforcement officials who defend arresting citizens caught video recording on-duty cops. If I hadn't followed Balko's blog, The Agitator, and the Only Ones files from David Codrea's War on Guns, for the past few years I would honestly think the article was satire. There actually was a time I would not believe that a District Attorny or Police Officer would say, on the record, the incredibly stupid things Balko reports.

It's getting harder and harder to find any substantive difference between the criminals and the cops.

Gewaltmonopol des Staates

David Codrea criticizes a recent Huffington Post editorial by Josh Horwitz entitled Passing the Sword. Codrea writes:

“The question of whether armed citizens should be entitled to challenge the government with force is at the heart of the current debate over the Second Amendment in the Supreme Court case of District of Columbia vs. Heller,” Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Executive Director Josh Horwitz writes in a recent Huffington Post opinion piece.

CSGV, of course, is the kinder, gentler name giving PR cover for what was once called “The National Coalition to Ban Handguns.”

“The concept of a ‘monopoly on force’ might sound foreign or even frightening to Americans that take great pride in our revolutionary beginnings,” Horwitz continues, “ but it is the fundamental organizing principle of any political entity, including the United States.”

To back up this assertion, he cites, “German political economist and sociologist Max Weber.”

Read the rest here.

First, Max Weber did not say monopoly on "force", he said monopoly on "violence". However, the difference may be too subtle for an intellect as "exceptional" as Josh Horowitz's.

Of greater interest to Americans is that Weber's theory means government uses violence as a matter of right but that any individual or group that may only use violence when authorized to do so by the state. This means that there is no inherent individual right to use violence in self defense no matter how great the provocation. There is only a privilege which can be granted or withheld at the whim of the state.

That is a complete inversion of the discoveries of the Enlightenment and the founding principles of the American Republic where power is inherent in the people and the state acts by permission. If that state becomes abusive then the people have the right to withdraw any previously granted permissions. If this can be done peacefully then it should be. If it cannot be done peacefully then the state has abdicated its legitimacy and the people are within their rights to use whatever means -- including violence -- is necessary to bring the state back into line.

The reason for the Second Amendment was not to insure the right of self defense nor does it grant a right of revolution. It exists to insure that the people will always have the power to "alter or abolish" a government that is no longer responsive to the individuals is was created to serve.

Whoring for Allah

Planet Iran claims to have obtained a document advertising "temporary marriages" for pilgrims en route to the shrine of Imam Reza.

Temporary Marriage (Marriage is among the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad)

In order to elevate the spiritual atmosphere, create proper psychological conditions and tranquility of mind, the Province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan has created centers for temporary marriage (just next door to the shrine) for those brothers who are on pilgrimage to the shrine of our eighth Imam, Imam Reza, and who are far away from their spouses.

To that end, we call on all our sisters who are virgins, who are between the ages of 12 and 35 to cooperate with us. Each of our sisters who signs up will be bound by a two year contract with the province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan and will be required to spend at least 25 days of each month temporarily married to those brothers who are on pilgrimage. The period of the contract will be considered as a part of the employment experience of the applicant. The period of each temporary marriage can be anywhere between 5 hours to 10 days. The prices are as follows:

• 5 hour temporary marriage – 50,000 Tomans ($50 US)
• One day temporary marriage – 75,000 Tomans ($75 US)
• Two day temporary marriage – 100,000 Tomans ($100 US)
• Three day temporary marriage – 150,000 Tomans ($150 US)
• Between 4 and 10 day temporary marriage – 300,000 Tomans ($300 US)

Our sisters who are virgins will receive a bonus of 100,000 Tomans ($100 US) for the removal of their hymen.

After the expiration of the two year contract, should our sisters still be under 35 years of age and should they be so inclined, they can be added to the waiting list of those who are seeking long-term temporary marriage. The employed sisters are obligated to donate 5% of their earnings to the Shrine of Imam Reza. We ask that all the sisters who are interested in applying, to furnish two full-length photographs (fully hijabed and properly veiled), their academic diplomas, proof of their virginity and a certificate of good physical and psychological health which they can obtain through the health and human services of the township of their residence. Please forward all compiled material and send to the below address by the 31st of the month of Ordibehesht, 1389 (May 21st, 2010).

Attention: For sisters who are below 14 years of age, a written consent from their fathers or male guardian is required.

If the Olympics ever has an event called "Lying with a straight face", the above would be a slam dunk for the gold. On a brighter note Americans could earn a thing or two from Imam Reza about how to treat women: I hear the Nevada brothels demand up to 50% as the house cut.

FBI Seal Illegal to Display Without Permission

In what has to be a local maximum of bureacratic stupidity, the FBI is demanding that Wikipedia remove the FBI seal from its site.

 The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has threatened Wikipedia with legal action if the online encyclopedia doesn't remove the FBI's seal from its site.

Read the rest here

Just when I started to think the FedGov could possibly not get any further into the borderlands of insanity they proved that you can't keep a stupid bureaucrat down.

On the advice of Patrick at Popehat I invoke this ancient spell of protection:

Ipso facto. E. pluribus unum. Res gestae divi Augusti. Agricola est bona. Shai Gaba Umbala Shoombala OOM!

And a "Klaatu, barada nikto", Just in case.

Taggers for Christ

This is old news but, given my earlier post entiled "Threeper versus Threeper", it is relevent.

Chrissy Saterfield over at World Net Daily experienced journalistic orgasms over the vandalism of a billboard right before the "Fourth of July weekend" (her words, I call it "Independence Day").

Just when I start believing there is no hope for our country I get a little reminder from my God that all is not lost. It was reported June 29 that a billboard sign sponsored by a North Carolina atheist organization had been vandalized. The ad reads, "One Nation Indivisible." It seems someone didn't think the sign was an accurate depiction of our Pledge of Allegiance, so the vandals inserted "Under God" with spray paint – and I couldn't be more relieved. It's nice to know that I am not alone in my beliefs and that some people are still willing to stand on the right side of truth.

Of course she inserts the obligatory disclaimer that she would never encourage such a thing (Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink).

Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I'll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it's about time the shoe was on the other foot.

If her beliefs are so fragile that a few words are the equivalent to vandalism then the logical side of Ms. Saterfield must be tempted to check her premises. Fortunately for the survival of Christendom, her belief system insulates her from the temptation of thinking.

In the final analysis, there is no Commandment against vandalism I guess there is no reason for Ms. Saterfield to condemn the actions of her co-religionist.

My dose of honesty this week: I am not happy that vandalism seems to be the only way to get an atheist's attention. I'm happy that I can count on other Christians to stand up for themselves and for Christians everywhere. It gives me hope.

OTOH, do I need to care what Chrissy Saterfield thinks? She seem to do it very rarely.

Onward Christian taggers, skulking in the night.
With your holy spray paint those billboard you will smite.
The royal Master Krylon, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see God's graffiti go!

H/T to The Secular Right