Monday, January 25, 2010

Sold to the Highest Bidder

Responding to Clement's remarks, Gura said, "The suggestion that I wouldn't present all the arguments to the Court was uncalled for." Gura added, "I hope that this time Paul understands that handgun bans are unconstitutional." As solicitor general in 2007, Clement filed a brief in the Heller case arguing that the D.C. handgun ban warranted heightened scrutiny but was not necessarily unconstitutional and should be remanded to lower courts for more review. [More]
NRA tried to horn in on Heller and Gura didn't want them. Now they've horned in on McDonald and Gura doesn't want them. And they keep picking representatives with no core loyalties.

A telling comment at Volokh Conspiracy:
Do you understand that lawyers are advocates?
Yeah, we understand that.

Do you understand that a man of principle would have quit first?

[Via Mack H]

We're the Only Ones Truthful Enough

Boston Police Chief Institutes 'No Lying' Rule [More]
And yes, of course it's a "publicity stunt." Show me one thing Commissioner Davis does that isn't.

But that doesn't mean he's off-base in his suspicions. Or that we're off-base if we suspect such a generalized statement means there just might be more than one or two bad apples in the barrel...

What does it say about Boston PD when their own leadership doesn't trust them or believe them, and publicly admits as much?

And what does it say about that leadership to know they still consider lying "Only Ones" to be more trustworthy than the rest of us?

[Via Harvey]

Taking a Flyer in Arkansas

A flyer appearing to be from the FBI has been turning up at local gun and ammo shops, instructing employees there how to identify suspected terrorists, but some store owners say its regulations might affect more than just enemies of the state. [More]
I've been trying to get a copy of the actual document. I asked Paul W. Davis who is from Ark. if he could locate one and this is his reply:
I talked to two gunshop owners today. One is a mom and pop that sells guns along with hardware, the other a large gunshop that deals with every firearm imaginable. The mom and pop owner saw the report, but no one ever delivered any kind of flyer to him, nor did he receive one in the mail. The owner of the large gunshop was out of town when the flyer was delivered, but was informed about it. They tried to call the number on the flyer, and the number was never answered. Before 40/29 did their report they tried to get him to talk to them, but he refused because he doesn't trust them. Nonetheless, he had it confirmed to him that they (40/29) tried to reach the number and it was not answered for them either. He does know the FBI was contacted at their normally published number and they claimed no knowledge of the flyer. The flyer his shop received, they destroyed when it didn't appear to be official. His take is that someone was trying to create a stir. At this point, a couple of things are apparent: If it was a government operation, it was a black op to determine reaction and nothing more. If it was not a government operation, the individual(s) responsible are attempting to stir the pot for reasons known to them. In any case, it is not "official" policy. Although, from what the gun store owner described as being on the flyer, he considered the points raised to be all the things they normally evaluate when someone is purchasing a firearm anyway. At this late in the game, it is highly doubtful I could get my hands on a copy of the flyer. I do not know too many other people who might be able to get one either. I will say this, if it were an official op from the government, they know every FFL in the entire area, and the mom and pop guy would have gotten one too. Whoever did this wasn't aware of all the different FFL's (we have dozens) in the area, or decided to hit only those shops which were high visibility and possibility only in a certain geographical area. Sorry I could not hit more shops, but that would require more time than I had available due to other commitments. I hope this sheds some additional light on the situation.
If anyone can shed some additional additional light, please do. In the mean time, I left a voicemail and sent this to the FBI public affairs officer in Little Rock:

We're the Only Ones Apologetic Enough, Eh?

The Vancouver Police Department has issued an apology after a man said he was beaten by officers who knocked on the wrong door while investigating a report of a violent domestic dispute. [More]
Nice to see a non-"Only One" was ultimately arrested on suspicion of assault...

The guys who demonstrably committed an assault?

Don't worry: there'll be "a full and through investigation." And it will find that because their victim "resisted," they were within established protocol.

Bet me?

[Via William T]

Request or Demand?

But recently the nazi's in Albany NY where it is held, decided to post state police in the parking garage and request ID from everybody who parks for the show. [More]
What happens if you say "No"?

And can anyone independently verify this?

We're the Only Ones Having "a Simple Disagreement" Enough

Just read the whole thing and imagine if it were anyone else besides a New Orleans politician .

Good grief. [More]

We're the Only Ones Cuffing Enough

Two New York Police Department patrolmen have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them beating a handcuffed suspect during an undercover drug operation. [More]
Hey, give them credit: they may have saved his life. After all, if uncuffed, he could have lifted a finger against them.

Besides, as we've just seen, the potential for an on-the-job head injury could mean loss of "Only One" status, and they'd then have to approach physical confrontations on an equal footing. We can't risk that.

Your Worst Nightmare

...I'm the NRA's worst nightmare. [More]
Keep dreaming, Beau Willimon.

Quan Truong, Authorized Journalist

Couldn't find even one person to quote who holds an opposing view, could you, sport? [More]

That's some digging.

But at least you got all the talking points from the freedom haters.

Slick site. Not much effect.

I guess that's why they need folks like Quan.

Why Has NYPD Disarmed 'Hero Detective'?

"Department officials are concerned that if Cowan lost consciousness, he would be unable to safeguard his firearm and consigned him to its 'no carry' list."

With that as the criterion, no one alive should be carrying a gun--including Mike Bloomberg's bodyguards. Not to mention anyone on or retired from the force and still carrying who suffers from a heart condition, high blood pressure, obesity... [More]
Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at Furious Mike's enforcers eating one of their own.

Also find out about a knife fight in New Hampshire and get the latest from my fellow GREs.

Tell a friend?

This Day in History: January 25

I begin to be very apprehensive that the Season will entirely pass away, before any thing material will be done for the defence of Hudson's River. [More]