Predictable: NY Times Goes to Bat For Obama Administration Over GunWalker, Lies
It is hardly surprising that the left-wing MSM is trying to cover Obama's backside and see if they can get him past the scandal with his skin intact, but if this is the best they've got, Obama's toast.
If Congressional Republicans are really intent on getting to the bottom of an ill-conceived sting operation along the border by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, they should call President Felipe Calderón of Mexico as an expert witness.
Mr. Calderón has the data showing that the tens of thousands of weapons seized from the Mexican drug cartels in the last four years mostly came from the United States. Three out of five of those guns were battlefield weapons that were outlawed here until the assault weapons ban was allowed to lapse in 2004. To help him stop the bloody mayhem, he is pleading with Washington to re-enact the ban and impose other needed controls.
I suppose we should be encouraged that the unsigned editorial is no longer trying to defend Obama's 90-percent lie, but they're still lying.
Blatantly.
As I revealed today at Pajamas Media, MExico has over 300,000 weapons recovered from crime scenes locked up in vaults, and only 5,114 submitted in 2007-08 have been found to have come from the U.S.
Somebody do the math on that... does that sound like "three out of five" to you? The Times lied.
Of course, the lying doesn't stop there.
The editorial claims that the 1994 "assault weapons ban" that sunset in 2004 meant that " battlefield weapons that were outlawed here."
Not to put too fine a point on it, but bullshit.
The 1994 Bill to Outlaw Scary-Looking Cosmetic Features did not ban a single battlefield weapon. Not one.
But all of that is irrelevant. What we are witnessing here is a heavily-biased New York Times editorial board declaring that it is more important to salvage this trainwreck of a Presidency than it is to seek out and punish those that implemented a plot that put an estimated 2,000 Gunwalker firearms into the hands of narco-terrorists, which were used to kill at least 150 Mexican police and soldiers along with at least two U.S. federal agents.
Who are the real monsters? The bloodthirsty cartels, or the cool and calculating Manhattan liberals that enable their gun suppliers?
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This was nothing but an attempt to implement new anti gun laws. Obama was active with the Joyce foundation which tried to get guns outlawed. They used the well known tactic of lying. But then Obama has no problem with that. This goes all the way to the White House. The outcome will be impeachment if it happens while he is still President and prison time if he is not.
Posted by: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III at June 21, 2011 07:13 PM (PldaV)
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If the senate was Republican O would take a hit, but it is not. Nothing will come of this. too bad.
Posted by: mytralman at June 21, 2011 08:31 PM (epDAp)
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I tend to disagree with the notion the Donks in the senate can ignore a blatant violation of the law. Sending guns to Mexico was a criminal act. That is true no matter if the admin. was the carrier or just allowed it to happen. No donk senator could run for reelection based upon a vote of not guilty.
Posted by: Zelsdorf Ragshaft III at June 22, 2011 07:44 PM (SCNqL)
My latest article on the Gunwalker scandal at Pajamas Media tracks (some, not all) of the anti-gun political rhetoric of the Obama Administration, from the beginning of the 44th Presidency until Gunwalker was exposed by an ATF whisteblower.
It's just my latest post, and it won't be the last.
Admittedly, we don't have direct evidence, but we don't have to have any. You can yell "fire" in a crowded theater filling up with smoke without first seeing the flames. As bloggers and journalists, our job is the raise the alarm, not to put out the fire.
Hopefully, this continues series of exposes will force the appointment of an independent prosecutor to see if officials ATF, DOJ, DHS and the White House are guilty of breaking laws of two nations.
Letter From the Teacher #6: Parenting and Self-Esteem
Anytown High School, Any State, USA
To: Mrs. Williams
From: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Parenting and Self-esteem
Dear Mrs. Williams:
I glad my last e-mail was of some use to you, and I’ll be glad to try to more fully explain some of the things I mentioned. It’s important because most people really aren’t sure why we have decided to spend untold billions of dollars to provide a free public education for our kids. Yes, we do it to provide a common body of knowledge, to prepare citizens for the workplace, to try to make them good citizens, to help them figure out how they’ll fit into the future world of work, to civilize them to the greatest degree possible, and to achieve a wide variety of other worthy goals, but all of that represents what comes later, what is toward the end of the K-12 process. What we are really doing in education is so simple it escapes most people: building bigger, better brains.
We are literally trying to build bigger, better, more flexible, more convoluted brains. We do that by providing the opportunity for kids to make the greatest possible number of new neural connections. They do that by taking maximum advantage of their educational opportunities, which they do by constant, correct practice. Yes, I do mean practice, for you see, English is a skills class, and providing the opportunity for constant, correct practice is how I provide the educational opportunity to build bigger, better brains.
That’s why kids study English. The study of reading, writing, thinking, analysis, speaking, and everything else we do makes neural connections, builds the brain in ways that studying math can’t. Studying math builds the brain in ways that studying history can’t. Learning to be a musician builds the brain in ways that studying geography can’t, and so on and so on. Of course there are very practical reasons to study all of the disciplines the kids study, but at the very core of all we do, we try to build bigger, better brains, and everything we do is designed to further that ultimate goal.
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Your emails on the state of education in the English classroom are most elegant. I was fortunate to have a high school teacher who also inspired students to perform, have respect, and strive to excellence. Oh, by the way, she was my English teacher. God Bless Miss Anderson for making sure that her students were prepared for the rest of their lives.
Posted by: Del at June 21, 2011 11:21 AM (YwRnj)
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Mega Metro Motors
Highway 1000
Anywhere, USA
MMM! That’s a good car!
From: Mrs. Williams
To: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Your letter about Britini’s self-esteem
Dear Mr. English Teacher,
I am writing to you on behalf of my daughter’s, Britini, poor grades in your class. Which effects her self-esteem as you know. I appreciate the fact that you write a long letter to me to explain your philosophy of teaching. I don’t’ understand why she makes a C in your class. That is the only one that she makes Cs in. All the other teachers give her As. I have told her plethora times that only As are acceptable in this house. I am confused how she made a Commended score on her High Stakes Test in English and only gets Cs in your class?
Britini puts in many hours doing work for the school on the cheerleaders. Cheerleading is a difficult sport and is often not respected for what they accomplish. She does her best to fit in time for homework. But, like I always tell Britini, homework comes first. Her friends make all straight As as cheerleaders. I was able to make all As and be the head cheerleader to when I was in high school like Britini.
This is beside the point, but just the other day, at the church supper, I was sitting on Jimmy Freed’s right hand at the supper table. Jimmy is the new president of the School Board as you know. We were talking about teachers and how we have the some of the very best teachers in the state in our school, and then your name came up. Jimmy remembers you from when his son, Billy Bob, was in your class. He says he doesn’t know how you put up with that boy. We have a lot in common. Jimmy is sales manager for my husband at Mega Metro.
Again, thank you for you letter. If you are ever in need of a new car, I’ll tell my husband to have Jimmy make a deal that will fit your budget. I know that teachers have to watch there budget, that is why we pay our teachers the very best in our area.
It’s always a pleasure to talk to you.
Keep me in touch about Britini.
Yours,
Mrs. Williams
Posted by: Mrs. Williams at June 21, 2011 11:39 AM (OgI8P)
In a new post at Pajamas Media, Mike has done a masterful job of explaining the psychology behind Gunwalker, which may have led to the most deadly scandal in American law enforcement history.
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When gun control nuts try to pass restrictions on gun ownership, conservatives (rightly) respond by pointing out that there's nothing wrong with guns per se, that blame should be placed on the criminal and not the weapon.
Conservatives also (again, rightly) resisted litigation against gun manufacturers, arguing that 'damage' from crimes committed with guns was the fault of the criminal and not the manufacturer or seller of those guns.
So it is interesting that, given the opportunity to trash a disliked federal agency (as well as the Obama Administration as a whole), conservatives have gone liberal, claiming that this program led to the death of a Border Control agent (as well as some number of other people).
Yeah, but for these guns and this program, the criminals would never have thought to arm themselves... or to shoot at anyone trying to stop them from doing whatever they were doing (/sarcasm). It isn't as if people weren't getting killed before this program was put into effect.
Go ahead and blame the ATF for incompetence, for implementing a program that was poorly thought out and administered even more poorly. But let's not adopt the philosophical arguments of the gun control nuts. For if you argue that this particular agent would still be alive had these guns been kept off the street, how do you respond to the gun nuts arguing that every victim of a shooting crime would be alive if no one was allowed to have a weapon.
Posted by: steve at June 20, 2011 07:58 PM (MSwaw)
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Steve - First, I'd point out that the ATF was knowingly allowing illegal purchases to go through. That, in and of itself, is a massive difference that your argument doesn't take into account.
These are known illegal firearms being intentionally allowed to go to known criminals.
Would you honestly argue that situation accurately describes gun sales in America?
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No, it doesn't, but it's a difference without a distinction as far as policy arguments and the PR battle would go. You think the media and most people are going to take the time to understand the intricacies of your position? Me neither.
As I said, criticize the ATF for screwing up the design/administration of the program, but let's not blame the program for deaths that almost certainly would have happened in any event.
Posted by: steve at June 21, 2011 09:08 AM (MSwaw)
Thanks for your comment! You are correct, but only in a technical sense. If it was not Gunwalker guns that killed those agents, it possibly--not certainly--would have been others. The blame being placed on the Obama Administration acting through the ATF is not being placed by conservative per se, but by ATF agents with a conscience. Conservatives would feel the same way if through their knowing and absolutely predictable negligence, an innocent was allowed to come to harm. The ATF agents who have doubtless destroyed their careers have done no less. This represents two essential conservative qualities: honor and honesty.
The bigger problem with far more damaging implications, is that it is entirely possible that our President and his administration knowingly and cynically put lives at risk--and lost them--in the evil and underhanded pursuit of unconstitutional progressive policies unobtainable through the legislative process. It is neither conservative or liberal to make this argument, it is, rather, American.
Thanks again for reading and commenting Steve.
Posted by: Mike Mc at June 21, 2011 11:02 AM (rSpVF)
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And that ladies and gentlemen is the crux of this entire event. That the President of the United States and his appointed A.G. would hatch a devious plan to funnel american bought weapons to mexican criminals, knowing that 2-3-6-8 months later they would show up after committing a crime, would be traced back to a U.S.gun store, to use that as a way to justify the implementation of leftist gun controls. Pretty simple, pretty devious and very impeachable. Alas, that is only a pipe dream!!
Posted by: mixitup at June 21, 2011 05:54 PM (Z21cb)
Because it is a Democrat admin. They have an unlimited number of passes from the MSM, since their hearts are in the right place. Not like those nasty conservatives.
Treg
Posted by: Tregonsee at June 20, 2011 04:48 PM (ParxH)
it doesnt matter what happens who gets killed, the end justifies the means. we hate guns, stupid americans shouldnt be allowed to own them, therefore its ok to manufacture an artificial crisis that we wont let go to waste.
our ideas make us better people, enlightened, we can do no wrong if our intentions were good. no matter the consequences.
cant make a utopian omelet without breaking a few human eggs
Posted by: rumcrook at June 20, 2011 08:25 PM (60WiD)
Andrew Traver was nominated in November by President Obama to become the permanent ATF director, but his nomination has been held by objections from groups that say Traver is hostile to the rights of gun owners.
Nonetheless, Traver's return to Washington Tuesday for a meeting with Attorney General Eric Holder and Deputy Attorney General James Cole could be the first step toward ousting acting director, Kenneth Melson.
Melson is complicit in Gunwalker and is the logical sacrificial lamb for the Obama administration.
I suspect he will not be the last to fall.
Update The Examiner says that while Melson needs to go, he is hardly the only one, and that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder must resign as well.
That Melson should be removed is obvious, as should other senior ATF officials in Washington and in the field. But Gunwalker could not have gone as far as it did without the approval of senior Justice Department officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder, which is why The Washington Examiner last week called for Holder's resignation. Holder should have stopped the program as soon as he found out about it if he was aware of it. And if he didn't know such an outrage was being perpetrated on his watch, he clearly isn't up to the job of managing the Justice Department.
Add Janet Napolitano to the mix and we're starting to get close to bringing those responsible to account.
We have established an archive for all articles relating to the Jose Guerena shooting. They may be found in our archives section in the right hand margin of the Confederate Yankee home page.
Since the publication of the third analysis article on June 9, several entirely predictable, but interesting, events have occurred. The Pima County District Attorney’s office has cleared five SWAT officers of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of Jose Guerena. Christopher Scileppi, attorney for Vanessa Guerena, Jose’s widow, has announced that he and his team are pleased with what their investigation has revealed and will, within days, be making predictable demands of the law enforcement agencies involved. They will refuse those demands and Scileppi will file suit.
Additional Links for this analysis article:
(1) For a June 3 KGUN9 interview of Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, go here.
(2) For a June 4 Arizona Star article containing some SWAT officer statements, go here.
(3) For the June 14 KGUN9 story on the clearing of the SWAT team, go here.
(4) For a June 17 Fox11 interview with Guerena Attorney Christopher Scileppi, go here.
(5) For an Arizona Star article naming the officers who shot Guerena, go here.
This article will be devoted to an analysis of the statements of those involved, including several Pima County Sheriff’s Department press releases, the statements of Sheriff Dupnik, and attorney Scileppi. Most of the police reports have yet to be released to the public, but some additional information has been made public. I’ll provide that information and attempt to explain what it likely means. I’ll also try to further clarify the law governing the legitimate use of deadly force, particularly in light of statements made by Sheriff Dupnik
Posted by: Col Bat Guano at June 19, 2011 11:16 AM (cJNNp)
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Let's see: There were sirens, flashing lights, knock and announce, entry and Guerena still decided to confront the police officers entering his home in accordance with a lawfully issued search warrant and confront them and point at them a loaded semi-automatic rifle.
Case closed. It is clear that Guerena was a drug dealer. It was not a case of mistaken identity.
And, for the record, it is quite common for the gun press to refer to semi-automatic pistols as automatic pistols. So trying to clear Guerena with the claim that the mistaken description of his weapon as an assault rifle is clearly a case of stretching.
It shows how little you identify as serious issues are in fact irrelevant. How is it relevant that this weapon was not an assault rifle? It was a weapon and could have killed the officers.
When you confront police officers with a gun, you will be shot. What is so hard to understand about that?
If he is just a hard working blue collar guy, what is with all the cash and numerous cell phones. To a real police officer that is evidence of drug dealing.
In the end this will be no more another Rosa Parks than Eric "The Drug Fiend" Scott.
Posted by: Federale at June 19, 2011 07:31 PM (7xqyd)
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I am getting sick of the "point a gun at a cop, you die" meme.
What about point a gun at ME and you die, officer? Why do the cops get to assault me and expect nothing in return?
This is not a binary situation, this is about reason. It is reasonable for a homeowner to arm themselves when ANYONE is breaking in the front door. With the numerous cases of getting the wrong address a SWAT team is going to have to start expecting to be aimed at by innocent people. It is not reasonable to assume that a home-owner will not be armed and making an assessment of the situation. It is unreasonable to not give that surprised person some time to figure out it's the police and to, well, surrender before you begin shooting. As an agent of the state a police officer is more replaceable than an individual citizen. Yes, that makes breaking into a house without knocking more dangerous, and I do not care. You could always stop executing no knock searches to solve the danger problem; but that never seems to be suggested by the "real police officers" does it?
This is not like someone pulling a gun on a cop at random in the street, this is someone in their home; that place where they are supposed to have a right to "be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects." The burden should be far more stringent on the police than what has been shown in this case to even knock on the door, let alone break it down.
You can't prove a negative, but would Mr Guerena have pointed a gun at the police if they had not been breaking the door down? had Mr Guerena ever pointed a gun at a police officer who wasn't breaking down his door? Who created the situation here?
I am fed up with this "police can do no wrong" attitude. I am fed up with special rules for the cops. The cops are supposed to be us; and they we. I'd feel far better if the rules for a cop shooting were at least as hard as the rules for when I can shoot. Especially since I can't call for back-up.
I am sick of the "us vs them" mentality of many cops. "To a real police officer that is evidence of drug dealing." To a real citizen that's evidence of a tyrannically minded jack-booted thug who's decided he's judge, jury and executioner who doesn't need to bother with irritating things like evidence and due process. A more reasonably minded person will ask, "where are the drugs then?"
Bite me, sir.
I hope that someday soon the proper relationship of the police working for the communities they serve is reestablished rather than the reverse you are espousing which currently holds sway.
Every single person collecting a government check works for the citizenry, not the other way around. If you find that you dislike serving, perhaps you should change carriers.
Posted by: McThag at June 19, 2011 11:13 PM (at2Fr)
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I like the cop who thinks that being in the car with saran wrap is proof you are a drug dealer. So after I kick in his door and shoot him I can prove he's a drug dealer when I search his kitchen and uncover not just saran wrap but also aluminum foil and baggies?
Posted by: Kevin at June 20, 2011 12:17 AM (G2DiJ)
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Anyhow, Sheriff Clown's comments about "nationally recognized SWAT team" is due to their having a FEMA type 1 tactical team. Which really doesn't seem that special. See page 19 of http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/508-6_Law_Enfor_Secur_Resources.pdf
http://pimasheriff.org/about-us/meet-the-sheriff/
"Oversaw the creation of the Pima Regional SWAT team. This accomplishment resulted in the largest, most capable tactical team in the state of Arizona and the only FEMA type 1 tactical team in the southern region of the United States. The Pima Regional SWAT team is a collaborative effort comprised of officers from seven Pima County law enforcement agencies and medics from various local emergency medical support agencies. The program includes several distinct elements: Tactical, Negotiations, EOD, Canine, and Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS). These elements work together to resolve dangerous incidents that pose a risk to the lives of the residents of Pima County."
I suspect there are some very strange politics in play here.
Posted by: Kevin at June 20, 2011 12:35 AM (G2DiJ)
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whats so hard about considering thier behavior was totalitarian thug regime tactics.
whats so hard about considering that these leo's spit fucked up
the smearing of this marine does not help the cuase of good police it only harms. good police shouldnt knee jerk defend other cops in a terrible clusterf$ck and especially making up lies about the dead man who cannot defend himself is disgraceful and lowlife.
I hope this women ends up owning all these cops homes.
Posted by: rumcrook at June 20, 2011 12:45 AM (60WiD)
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First, Federale has beclowned himself again with his own mouth. I'm convinced that he is not a LEO, and weep for our country if he is.
Second, I would like to point out that the Bad News Bears are a nationally-recognized baseball team. Judging from the video, Pima County is nationally-recognized in the same way.
Posted by: Phelps at June 20, 2011 01:16 AM (ACp4b)
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Sheriff Dupnik: Being stopped in a car with another guy who might be a drug dealer and registering a lot of cars is reasonable suspicion to decide that you are likely a hitman and send rough and armed men to your home to break down the door and drag you out, dead or alive.
Sheriff Dupnik: Having at least five officers fire 71 shots (and only hitting 22) at a man in his own home who never fired a shot and indeed could not fire a shot is not reasonable suspicion of any wrongdoing by the police.
Posted by: Phelps at June 20, 2011 01:26 AM (ACp4b)
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"beclowned himself" your being generous in that assessment.
Posted by: rumcrook at June 20, 2011 03:21 AM (60WiD)
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From the hyperbole and contradictory statements coming from the police in this case one can conclude that at best those people are sloppy and unprofessional. At worst? Criminally incompetent.
You state: 'The term “assault weapon” was coined by anti-gunners and the media for this purpose. There is no such thing as an “assault weapon,”...'
Actually, there is, since it has become a legal term with a specific definition in the law and varies depending on jurisdiction. CA law co-opted the anti-gunner term (surprise, surprise) into the Dangerous Weapon Control law, which states (omitted long boring specifics, any interested can look it up at http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12275.php)
"12276. As used in this chapter, "assault weapon" shall mean the following designated semiautomatic firearms: ..."
"12276.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following: ...
(4) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following: ...
(7) A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
( Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder. ..."
But Federale is missing your point that anti-gunners (and police trying to cover for obvious mistakes) use the similar terms assault rifle/weapon to garner support by exploiting the emotions and ignorance of the uneducated. Trying to make the threat and mindset of the homeowner far greater than it was. He also is stating that police did knock and identify themselves, while others state that they didn't, that this was a no-knock raid. This also doesn't address that in poorer neighborhoods criminals often pose as police during home invasion robberies.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 20, 2011 11:28 AM (NmR1a)
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Not a LEO, but I have relatives/friends who are. And yes, some police departments teach 'shoot until threat stops'. This is not to say empty the magazine but assess while shooting, that is if the first two rounds don't appear to have effected the threat continue vice being hard-wired to shoot-shoot, look, shoot.
Following is link to an organization that studied perpetrator and officer motions during firearm engagements. Perpetrators were college students unfamiliar with firearms. (In the articles they refer to officers being trained to shoot until the threat stops). It is useful in understanding reaction times required to observe and respond to suspect motions. Action beats reaction.
I don't think that this applies to a SWAT raid which should have included briefs on likely occupants, assignment of threat sectors, shooting responsibilies and greater discipline in the use of weapons than in street encounters by a patrol officer.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 20, 2011 12:44 PM (IrbU4)
Thanks for your comments! Regarding the "assault weapon" hoax, one should always leave naming to those who actually deal with the technology. This is what happens when it is left to leftist Californians. When every semi-automatic handgun becomes an "assault weapon" because they accept detachable magazines by their very nature, it is clear that the term has no meaning. It tells us nothing useful. I may as well deem all bicycles "urban stealth assault vehicles" because one may tape various long guns to their handlebars.
Thanks too for the links on the time/motion studies. The axiom: "action beats reaction" is, in the strictest sense, generally true. However, even that truism may be beaten if one is trained, experienced and employs good tactics and therefore anticipates the action. It may also be beaten through the proper employment of SWAT resources, which is absolutely not what was done in the Guerena case.
Routinely using SWAT teams to serve run-of-the-mill warrants actually makes such incidents more, rather than less, dangerous. To suggest that whenever the police decide to break into a home, even with a warrant, they are justified in shooting anyone who might have a gun in their hand--in their own home--is arguably sanctioning premeditated murder (I am not, by the way, saying that you suggested this). The police may certainly protect their lives, but when they unnecessarily provoke a deadly force incident--on purpose or through incompetence--that's another matter.
Posted by: Mike Mc at June 20, 2011 05:40 PM (rSpVF)
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Mike, thank you for the discussion. I thought the Force Science stuff is relevant because some of their articles mention police being trained to 'shoot until the threat ceases'. Interesting stuff in terms of how long it takes someone to stop shooting after realizing the threat has ceased.
But it reinforces your points that a SWAT team should be trained to a level that fire is focused and limited.
I have used the CA law to illustrate to anti-gun/uneducated folks that 'assault weapons' are not machine guns, since by definition in CA they are semi-autos (or whatever elso the legislature decides to define them as in the future), with machine guns covered by federal regs. Helps them understand the distinction between military 'assault rifles' and civilian owned 'assault weapons'.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 20, 2011 07:35 PM (FzhYM)
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While it is legally the job of the Pima County DA’s Office to render judgment on the police in this, and any other case where police wrong doing is a possibility, there is always an inherent conflict of interest.
What I found interesting is that it was the Pima County DA who reviewed this. Here, the normal procedure is that most, if not all, police-involved shootings are investigated by the State Police and reviewed by the Commonwealth's Attorney (same as a DA) from another jurisdiction. Something that ignited the media-storm this did would certainly be handled that way, to avoid any appearance of bias.
Only the most gullible will believe that the DA conducted anything but a rubber-stamp investigation of this killing.
With the numerous cases of getting the wrong address a SWAT team is going to have to start expecting to be aimed at by innocent people. It is not reasonable to assume that a home-owner will not be armed and making an assessment of the situation. It is unreasonable to not give that surprised person some time to figure out it's the police and to, well, surrender before you begin shooting. [...] Yes, that makes breaking into a house without knocking more dangerous, and I do not care.
Agreed. While I certainly would like every officer to be able to go home at the end of his shift, there is a point where you have to say "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it."
["You knew the job was dangerous when you took it."]
Does that imply criminals get to shoot first? Would you demand that of military also?
Here, they use a sitting Grand Jury, however many states don't. I believe a District Attorney review is SOP in Pima County, so.....why should this review be different? Why would the District Attorney's Office be cabalists in this alleged collusion? Certainly not financial as the county is self-insured, which means their trust funded with tax dollars.
I understand the 'evil' Judge perspective and the five 'evil' SWAT operators from four different jurisdictions viewpoint, but 'rhetorical strategy' from the DA too? I don't see the intrigue proffer.
Posted by: Buck Turgidson at June 22, 2011 02:33 PM (URQTr)
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Does that imply criminals get to shoot first? Would you demand that of military also?
I believe MikeM addressed that first question in his first analysis of this raid. Members of a SWAT team are expected to take that extra second to determine if he is actually a threat or not, rather than simply start shooting in a panic if they see a gun that may be pointed even vaguely in their direction. They knew being a cop was dangerous when they took the job, and they knew the added danger when they volunteered to join SWAT.
Of course, I would bet that danger is one reason the guy at the front door has a big, bulletproof shield for everyone to be behind, too. It lets them take that extra second while remaining behind cover - if they actually stay behind it like they're supposed to.
As for the second question, according to some sources (which I have not yet seen contradicted anywhere), the military currently does have to let the enemy shoot first.
Should the police in the US have looser rules of engagement than the army in a war?
Re: the DA - The reason those situations here are handled by a prosecutor from outside the officer's jurisdiction is that the local prosecutor works closely with those officers and their departments on a regular basis. This creates a "friendly" professional relationship, and in such a situation can create at least the appearance of bias, if not actual bias - at the very least, a prosecutor stands to alienate the police he depends on to do his job if he finds against the officers involved.
Thanks for your insightful comments. Indeed, the primary reason most professional law enforcement agencies use outside agencies to investigate police shootings is precisely what you have stated. They understand that it is vitally important that the public have confidence in the police and that even the appearance of impropriety can be harmful to that confidence. By involving agencies completely outside the local criminal justice system--to include the local prosecutor's office--this can be avoided.
As you also wisely suggested, local prosecutors very much like this procedure, particularly if the state, for example, will make charging decisions. It prevents the kinds of hard feelings that can make working with the police on a daily basis difficult or impossible.
As I said, professional agencies tend to do this.
I also appreciate your comments regarding the danger of police work. Every officer does indeed understand the inherent danger of the job, and that danger certainly does not require that officers allow bad guys to shoot first. However, officers have a moral and legal obligation to be absolutely certain of the necessity of shooting and of their marksmanship. Bad guys tend not to care about collateral damage; the police must care very much. This is one of the obligations--and the dangers--of being a police officer.
Officers should indeed be determined to go home at the end of each shift, but this is not accomplished through panic and paranoia but through solid training, situational awareness, sound tactics and calm, professional appraisal of every situation.
Posted by: Mike Mc at June 22, 2011 06:01 PM (rSpVF)
Sorry pilgrim, I've never heard the 'take the extra second' because you have hard armor & a shield offering. It was always 'fear for your life' or 'eminent threat of great bodily harm/death'. And, it did not change regardless of your unit assignment.
Guerena made a disastrous error by confronting the police with a firearm and the meager excuses made for his decision are pointless, as it was a 'legitimate use of deadly force'.
Posted by: Buck Turgidson at June 22, 2011 11:37 PM (URQTr)
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Sorry pilgrim, I've never heard the 'take the extra second' because you have hard armor & a shield offering.
Then you should go back to that first analysis I referenced and re-read it. Our host here, writing from the perspective of an experienced police officer with SWAT entry team experience, specifically stated:
Where most officers would shoot, and shoot a great many rounds, they [SWAT] are expected to be able to take the extra few seconds—or fractions of a second—necessary to more fully and accurately analyze any situation before shooting.
They did not take that extra few seconds - or even a fraction of a second - to determine whether this was a real threat or simply a startled homeowner reacting to what he thought was a home invasion, and instead started what is obviously panic-fire at the mere sight of a firearm (which may or may not have even been pointed at them). Rather than assess the effectiveness of their fire, they simply continued firing until they ran out of ammunition. (Contrast that to this non-SWAT incident local to me, where a police officer confronted with an armed suspect who actually did shoot at him only fired once, and stopped when that successfully disabled him.)
Officers should indeed be determined to go home at the end of each shift, but this is not accomplished through panic and paranoia but through solid training, situational awareness, sound tactics and calm, professional appraisal of every situation.
Truth. And PCSO's SWAT team failed that on every single point.
IMO that "perspective of an experienced police officer with SWAT entry team experience" is wrong, and if I were in that doorway it would be MY decision to shoot or not - nobody else! My decision to shoot will be reviewed and judged by the powers set-up by the state and already in place. You can second guess, conjecture, speculate, theorize, hypothesize and even become hyperbolic, but it will not change (as the body politic agreed) the KNOWN facts.
Like the Scott case, all that's left is the civil litigation, which is obligatory in today's 'Coca-Cola' society. Even Matasareanu's family tried to sue. Go figure.
Posted by: Buck Turgidson at June 23, 2011 04:06 PM (URQTr)
How do you conclude Guerena choose to confront the police? All the evidence seems to indicate that Guerena, even though he had just woken up, figured out that the police were not a threat hence no shots fired from Guerena and his rifle didn't have the selector lever set to fire.
Yet the ever changing stories from the SWAT time after the fact and the panic fire which riddled the Guerena home indicate it was the SWAT team which choose inappropriate violence.
At the very least there is inadequate evidence available to us to condemn Guerena. Yet you leap to condemn him. If your objective is to boost the reputation of the police among the skeptics your advocacy is not working.
Posted by: Brad at June 24, 2011 01:59 AM (eFtKV)
25
it will not change (as the body politic agreed) the KNOWN facts.
Which known facts?
The tactics and organization that would be laughed at by all but the most amateur Airsoft kiddies?
The ridiculous 'knock' that wouldn't have been heard from the end of the hallway, much less by
a man sleeping in a bedroom that probably had the door closed?
The wild, uncontrolled fire of the SWAT team?
The so-far unsubstantiated claims - by an organization that has changed its story about the incident at least twice - that Guerena pointed his rifle at the team making entry?
And these are just the facts of the actual entry and shooting. They don't even address the fact that the affidavit was inadequate for a warrant, or that SWAT never should have been used for this in the first place, or that there were several other ways to handle the situation even if he had been an actual threat worthy of SWAT involvement that would have been safer for all concerned.
You've been blaming Guerena from the start, based on nothing more than the fact that he was holding a rifle when someone broke down his door, and the unsubstantiated claims by the people who shot him that he pointed it at them. You refuse to acknowledge that SWAT members are supposed to be held to a higher standard than officers on the street. You've ignored the evidence of incompetence and the ever-changing story of the shooters seemingly on the basis of your apparent belief that the police never lie. You argue that we should not question the judgment of a team that has quite thoroughly demonstrated its incompetence and lack of judgment.
As Brad has pointed out, at the very least there is inadequate evidence available to us to condemn Guerena. PCSO, on the other hand, has demonstrated its incompetence, provided wrong information, changed its story multiple times, and engaged in obvious (and pathetic) attempts to publicly smear Guerena.
But I guess it must be his fault, because the people who shot him said so.
26
["If your objective is to boost the reputation of the police among the skeptics your advocacy is not working."]
Well Brad,
It worked for the people that count, did it not?
That being said, I was in fact somewhat perplexed about the safety. If you truly believe it's the cartel coming through the front door at 0900, why leave the safety on. If you truly believe it's the Police coming through the front door at 0900, why have the rifle in the first place or at least put it down and not point it, to show your hands are empty. I've seen many people, even street agents/police, forget to swipe the safety off even when shooting at non-stressful range practice. It is possible he just forgot, however, I doubt this is the case with a combat Marine, considering their cult-like training on the issue. I don't think we'll ever know.
I only chastise Guerena for his poor choices, which proved to be fatal.
Posted by: Buck Turgidson at June 24, 2011 11:16 AM (URQTr)
27
["But I guess it must be his fault, because the people who shot him said so."]
In a word, yes. How else would it be? What proof do YOU have the police conspired to bear false witness? Because someone misspoke hours after the incident and later, during the post-shooting investigation, they realized it was wrong and publicly correct it? Please!
Many mistakes were made, Jake, the biggest one being Guerena possessing the firearm. Had not that happen, we wouldn't be have this parley, despite the other mistakes. It would have been a story about an ongoing drug investigation on page three in the local section.
BTW, exactly which famed national SWAT/TACTICAL organization analyzed and censored the PCSD multi-jurisdiction SWAT team?
Posted by: Buck Turgidson at June 24, 2011 12:15 PM (URQTr)
Rahm Emanuel, when he was Obama's chief of staff, famously said that no crisis should ever go to waste if it could advance the agenda. Did Obama go Rahm one better, advancing the gun-control agenda by manufacturing a crisis caused by gunrunning into Mexico, where one of the gunrunners was the U.S. government?
Members of the Mexican Congress think the answer is yes and have opened their own investigation. From the Mexican standpoint, Operation Fast and Furious was an act of war on Mexico.
For Americans of a certain age, the next question is, "What did the President know, and when did he know it?"
1
I remember reading that they let enough small arms go across the border to equip a battalion of troops. This is not going to turn out well for the office of the President, let alone Obama.
Posted by: MunDane at June 17, 2011 12:00 PM (92+BH)
2
I will cheerfully assist in extraditing anyone who can be shown to be involved. That’s even though I think Mexican prison is too good for the anti-rights drug cartel enabling thugs.
Mexico has long encouraged their dirt-bags and unemployable to 'migrate' north, live like parasites, and wire the loot home.
Gunwalker can only stir the pot and encourage further 'migration'.
Posted by: Druid at June 18, 2011 08:11 AM (7MFxV)
6
Let me see if I get this right. Guns to Mexico is an act of war. Mexican troops crossing the border and shooting at Americans is not. Please pardon me, but I could care less what the Mexican government wants or needs. The want it all their way, just like Obie. They want open borders to their north, but carefully close their borders to the south and have the nerve to lecture our Congress. Screw mexico.
Posted by: TimothyJ at June 18, 2011 01:55 PM (w7YPP)
7
This scandal needs to get wider coverage definitely. Can't say I understand the hatred directed at people who are desperate for work and a better life. Blame the people who employ them or the corrupt, moronic government unable to provide them with adequate opportunities, but don't blame them. Maybe some of you gents will be able to empathize more when you immigrate to China looking for work in say, 10 years or so.
Posted by: Lev Bronstein at June 18, 2011 03:57 PM (zgaaP)
8
Nothing wrong with people who want a better life. The problem is with the people who ignore the law in that quest.
Posted by: Rob Crawford at June 18, 2011 04:47 PM (bjxjk)
9
"Maybe some of you gents will be able to empathize more when you immigrate to China looking for work in say, 10 years or so."
Cannot walk to China, maybe Canadolia or Canukistan?
Posted by: Druid at June 18, 2011 07:44 PM (7MFxV)
Bob and I have dedicated a reasonable amount of pixels to the continuing story of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY). Deciding whether to cover such stories is always somewhat difficult. On one hand, a great many people have done, and likely are doing, the sorts of things Rep. Weiner did, and worse. We’re not covering those people and likely never will.
Therein lies the most compelling reason to cover Rep. Weiner. Not because he is a Democrat and this is a Conservative blog; not because his behavior is particularly salacious and therefore likely to increase readership; not because of his photos (we have not published those and likely never would; doctors and police officers know one great truth: most people look better with their clothing on); and certainly not because everyone else is covering it—we like to cover things others don’t think to cover. We cover Rep. Weiner because some people, by their own choice, place themselves in positions of public trust.
I know what you’re thinking: Trust?! Trust politicians?! There is no doubt that many—Republican and Democrat alike—are not worthy of trust. But the simple truth is that most are worthy of trust, to at least some degree. It is tempting indeed to believe that all politicians are liars, cheats and thieves, and sadly, there are good reasons to be so cynical. Lily Tomlin was very much on the mark when she said that no matter how cynical she got, she couldn’t keep up.
1
In a perfect world, I would agree with you. However, in the interest of fairness, I don't think Weiner should have, or been forced to, resign. If Clinton was allowed to remain in office despite the far graver offense of perjury (talk about lack of trust!!) as well as more serious sexual deviations for the 'social contract' of far more dubious legality, then it's ridiculous for Weiner to resign. Had he been somewhat more 'likeable' the democrats would have rallied around him.
Additionally, Rangel and Waters are still around vice their offenses. Pelosi did the 'family and friends fly USAF' at the cost of millions (and loss of acft mission time for reserved but unused acft) without repercussions. Then we have Barney (my home was a gay bordello but I didn't have a clue)Frank whose exercises in crony capitalism and social justice at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac cost us 317 Billion and directly contribute to the housing bubble and economic meltdown. With those clowns sticking around, frankly getting rid of Weiner makes no sense.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 17, 2011 10:52 AM (xGZ+b)
Isn't it ludicrous--as a comment on the neronian nature of many of our public leaders--that one can even advance such an argument on behalf of Weiner? This is not against you, for strictly speaking others have done far worse with more damage then he. He simply combined a nasty personality with easily exposed lies that eventually embroiled others more powerful than he. He is for Obama and Pelosi a convenient sacrifice, something dirty easily disposed of to satisfy public outrage. However, it is like saying let us not send this murderer to prison for he killed only one person, while another who killed ten did not. You avoid confronting all that is rotten and evil.
Posted by: Humbert at June 17, 2011 11:18 AM (OgI8P)
3
A good friend and fellow businessperson once told me that, in any endeavor involving the public, each person should conduct his personal behavior so as to be beyond reproach.
Life involves choices and -- despite the protestations of some -- these choices are of a moral nature. One of the underlying reasons our nation has declined has been a lessening of the moral standards that once guided our citizenry. As John Adams said: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
Moral laws are not violated without penalty. A more contemporary saying sums it up: "What goes around comes around." Mr. Weiner has had his rendezvous with the wages of immorality. To think that the rest of us will be ultimately immune from such a fate is true folly.
Posted by: Just Sayin' at June 17, 2011 12:53 PM (BTTlx)
I completely I agree. I do find Weiner's conduct indefensible for a public figure. If I controlled the criteria for resigning he would be on the list, but there would be others ahead of him.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 17, 2011 05:50 PM (IrbU4)
5
Think of the fact that this trash is what wants to take over our lives and tell us what to do at a micro level. That is the problem. Maybe if they got out of our lives, quit trying to destroy our business, quit trying to take our wealth, then we would really not care about that indiscretions. As it is, we need to get rid of these people anyway we can.
Posted by: david7134 at June 19, 2011 03:00 PM (BRPAg)
6
Vote the new Weiner/Holder (eric) ticket in 2012
Posted by: Craig at June 21, 2011 03:11 PM (ki0EN)
The more than 2,000 weapons that the Obama Justice Department allowed to be delivered to Mexican narco-terrorist cartels are thought to have been used in the shooting of an estimated 150 Mexican law enforcement officers and soldiers battling the cartels. Two American law enforcement officers have also presumably fallen prey to these weapons, along with an unknown number of civilians on both sides of the border.
President Barack Obama’s Department of Justice has purposefully armed narco-terrorist drug cartels that have been accused of bombings, ambushes, mass murders, public executions, and the assassination of police, politicians, and civic leaders.
Obama's Justice Department armed the enemy of our neighbor and ally, providing enough arms to equip ten infantry companies, or two battalions, of violent drug dealers.
Posted by: Robert at June 16, 2011 03:47 PM (TGdxO)
2
What makes you think the press will waste their time on something so trivial? The have important issues such as Weinergate and Palin's e-mails to report on.
Posted by: Tregonsee at June 16, 2011 05:28 PM (ParxH)
3
As posted above, the dims/media are ignoring and the WH flacks will spin this into the ground.
The disgraceful Democrat is finally quitting, presumably after acquiring a golden parachute from the Democrat Party to step down.
Expect a lengthy screed at the Daily Kos later in the day blaming Andrew Breitbart for any missing furniture as Weiner's staff—err, personnel—heads for the exits.
Was Gunwalker Designed to Affect U.S. Laws Through Cartel Violence?
I've been working the available evidence since last night, and there are enough smoking guns (literally and figuratively) to begin wondering if generating violence to justify gun control proposals wasn't precisely the point.
1
If so, someone needs to see the inside of prison walls over it.
Posted by: Larry at June 16, 2011 08:36 AM (f4gk9)
2
OH SNAP! That's an interesting theory, Bob, and it's definitely not beyond the realm of plausibility with this gang of crooks.
I'm with Larry, except I'd rather see whomever is responsible for this go to the gallows, myself. I've had enough of people trying to manipulate Americans into becoming some neutered Euroweenie satellite state!
Posted by: Brian L. at June 16, 2011 09:13 AM (kPeSM)
Posted by: Consul-At-Arms at June 16, 2011 10:17 AM (Ux/f+)
4
This is not a surprise at all.
Don't let them get away with it.
Posted by: Stopshouting at June 16, 2011 10:50 AM (OLKDg)
5
There's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that ultimate goal of this program was to give the NRA and its membership a black eye.
Yes, they, the Obama admin, was, and is, attempting to manipulate public opinion with this program.
Posted by: Tango Juliet at June 16, 2011 11:16 AM (xy8Md)
6
It started AFTER Obama entered office. Holder is refusing to answer questions about it. Dem talking points were that guns were being walked over the border. At least two US agents have been killed by the weapons involved.
There must have been a plan behind it. The risks were huge, so there must have been an equivalently large upside (for someone). Cui bono?
I mean, they shipped them Barrett 50cal sniper rifles, for goodness sakes.
Posted by: Dead Dog Bounce at June 16, 2011 01:06 PM (UaBMH)
7
Doesn't this case cry out for s special prosecutor?
I mean, there are laws about supplying guns to criminals, and there is a criminal conspiracy to do so, centered on the BATF.
Posted by: Dead Dog Bounce at June 16, 2011 01:13 PM (UaBMH)
8
im shocked shocked that the atf would do anything like this
Posted by: capt renault at June 16, 2011 03:06 PM (qc5aI)
9
No shit, Sherlock. Gunwalker and the 90% Lie were joined at the hip from the outset.
Posted by: Bohemond at June 16, 2011 08:40 PM (dwXf/)
10
The most suspicious thing is why would drug cartels willfully buy guns from gun shops that could be easily traced when the black market is full of AK's and Chinese autos? That makes no sense at all. It smells like one big fat dead rat!
Posted by: Col Bat Guano at June 16, 2011 11:59 PM (cJNNp)
11
Why, yes, yes it was.
The proof is in the ignoring of the story by the Lmsm after their boys got caught with the dead bodies in THEIR cookie jar.
Posted by: emdfl at June 17, 2011 12:45 AM (mJEkb)
12
The most suspicious thing is why would drug cartels willfully buy guns from gun shops that could be easily traced when the black market is full of AK's and Chinese autos? That makes no sense at all. It smells like one big fat dead rat!
Because the weapons available in bulk aren't as "sexy" as the ones available through gun shops?
Because they were attempting to make use of their cross-border smugglers while they were otherwise dead-heading back into Mexico?
By a back-of-the-envelope calculation, Gunwalker nearly DOUBLED the amount of guns flowing into Mexico from gun shops. It's likely the cartels didn't really care about US guns until it suddenly became easy to get them...
Posted by: Rob Crawford at June 18, 2011 04:44 PM (bjxjk)
My husband and I applied for US citizenship the day we became eligible. I think my examining officer got the shock of his life when during the interview I recited the Bill of Rights, named all Supreme Court justices and added the names of all elected officials of the state including our hapless congressman. Talk about useless knowledge! After that we proudly voted in every election, but the idea of venturing a political opinion never crossed my mind (an unfortunate result of being brought up in a totalitarian society where keeping your mouth shut is a basic rule of survival). There was something unseemly in proclaiming my deep love and appreciation of America for all to hear.
When candidate Obama showed up, I realized that I had heard his typical stump speech every single day of my old Soviet life from big and small Communist party bosses -- the same structure, the same cadences, the same bogeymen, the same demagoguery, the same targets. The American people had no defense against this rhetoric. The result of the elections was totally predictable. To me it was a "Back to the Future" moment.
Imagine you are having a terrible nightmare. Just as you are about to suffer torture or certain death, you wake up and realize the sun is shining, your family is peacefully sleeping, and everything is in place. After enjoying a few blissful moments, you turn your head and see that hideous monster from your dream coming after you for real. This image described the trajectory of my life perfectly. Running from Communism, finding the safe haven and a new life, and now to have the same wrecking crew coming even here?
ITEM: He Did WHAT?! Remember, gentle readers, the war over the Falkland Islands? You remember that Argentina seized the British Islands in 1982 and the Brits, plucky critters that they are, seized them back? Since taking office, one of the foremost elements of Mr. Obama’s foreign policy has been egregiously insulting our allies, and none more stupidly and regularly than the British. Last June, he backed an Argentinian call for “negotiations” over the islands (read: for forcing the British to give them to Argentina). And now, fresh from his latest diplomatic debacle of insulting the Queen with a clumsy toast, he has again backed a similar resolution. Oh yes, Argentina is more and more allying itself with our declared enemies in the region, so it’s a cinch that Mr. Obama would support them. Go here for the story.
ITEM: And You’re Upset Just Because They Made People Sell Guns To Mexican Drug Cartels? According to Fox News (here), the Department of Justice is panicking at the thought of congressional hearings set to begin June 13 over “Operation Fast and Furious.” In that now infamous “operation,” BATF and DOJ officials talked legitimate American gun dealers into selling large numbers of weapons to Mexican criminals on the fiction that they would not allow them to cross the border. They did, and at least two American agents and countless Mexicans have been killed by those weapons. Many have speculated that this was done as part of a scheme to drum up support for gun control. By all means, read this story and otherwise acquaint yourself with this ugly and entirely avoidable situation.
NOTE: Reading Bob’s Pajamas Media article (here) on the same subject, and his several recent CY posts will be helpful.
ITEM: Louis Renault Award, International Division. I was shocked, shocked! to learn from Fox News (here) that the United Nations Environment Program has no idea how it’s $450 million dollar budget is spent or even who it is dealing with. No! Certainly not the UN! Entrepreneur Alert: It seems all you have to do is contact them, pretend to be a greenie organization and say the right things, and you too may be a recipient of UN largess. By all means, read the whole thing, but take your blood pressure meds first.
ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Smart Diplomacy Division. I was shocked, shocked! when I discovered that Mr. Obama and the State Department were—how should I put it? Naïve? Foolish? Abysmally stupid?—in their approach to Egypt and their assumption that everything would be just fine, because after all, the Muslim Brotherhood are really just a bunch of moderates who long for democracy. Right. Not so much. Go here to the Washington Post, which speaks of the current and ongoing battle for the future of Egyptian culture. Will Egypt continue to be a reasonably secular democracy or an Islamic theocracy with all that implies? “There is going to be a battle between two visions for Egypt,” the article quotes. Indeed. And the Islamists are heavy favorites as they will have no hesitation in murdering anyone who disagrees with them. Smart diplomacy indeed.
ITEM: Are you looking forward to that brave, bright new CFL future, the future that promises unlimited light bulb life, lower electric bills, green paradise? Me neither. Visit Bloomberg News (here) for Virginia Postrel’s informative take on the history and problems of replacing the once ubiquitous and cheap 100 watt incandescent light bulb with much more expensive and actually dangerous CFLs. Next year, you won’t have a choice, thanks to our Congressional masters who do it all for (to?) us.
ITEM: The Glory of High Speed Rail: So the federal Department of Transportation wants to build a high speed rail line from Iowa City to Chicago that would be substantially slower than bus service (only 45 MPH), would cost at least three times more per passenger, in an area with a completely insufficient number of potential passengers, and would cost megabucks to build and maintain. But of course! We must build it immediately! Think of the stimulus, the jobs created and saved! Go here to read Michael Barone’s brief article on this latest lunatic Obama Administration boondoggle.
ITEM: OMG! Ten years of rising greenhouse gas emissions! Ten year of emissions rising faster than predicted by the UN! Run for the hills! The planet is doomed! Nah. Not so much. Despite the truth of the last few statements, there has been no global warming—none—for the last decade. This, gentle readers, is a large part of the reason why the alarmists are now using the term “climate change.” Go here for the story.
ITEM: Remember how Mr. Obama, during the campaign, said that if he got his way, energy prices would “necessarily skyrocket?” Well, that appears to be one of the few promises he has actually kept, or at least he’s trying very hard to keep it. If new regulations the Obama EPA wants to implement actually happen, electric bills could rise up to 60% by 2014. Go here for the good news about the hope and change.
ITEM: We’re Number 1! We’re Number 1! That’s right gentle readers, America once again leads the world. We’re in worse financial shape than Greece, the nation recently rated by Standard and Poors at the absolute bottom for bond security, even lower than Pakistan. Go here for the story.
ITEM: Money Quote: “No President since Jimmy Carter has enacted programs that were so job destroying.” I was old enough to drive during those halcyon days of Jimmy Carter. I remember the horrendous inflation, the gas lines, the lusting in his heart, the insipid speeches. To paraphrase, “I knew Jimmy Carter; Jimmy Carter was a President of mine. Mr. Obama, you’re no Jimmy Carter; you’re worse.” More and more, it appears that the best we can hope for is that Barack Obama will be no worse than Jimmy Carter, but I fear he’s long past that black marker. Go here for the story. Also visit Walter Russell Mead at The American Interest (here) for his thoughts on this topic.
ITEM: Have you seen those clever Nissan ads? You know, the ads where everything—alarm clocks, computers, hair dryers, is gasoline powered? Unfortunately, I fear that Nissan is being a bit too clever. The ads show the ridiculous application of gasoline engines to everyday items, and then go immediately to a Nissan logo with a few cryptic lines of text. Nissan is obviously trying to satirize the pseudo-hybrid Chevy Volt by touting the all-electric purity of their Leaf, but I’m quite sure that most people have no idea of the respective qualities of either car, and a great many have no idea that either vehicle exists. Still, go here to PACNW Righty, where Rob has supplied one of the commercials, which finally makes the connection directly, but with a very brief view of a Volt, which might be easily missed.
ITEM: Go here to Fox News for the story of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which ruled on June 14 that the law passed by Wisconsin Republicans limiting union power as a partial means of dealing with Wisconsin’s fiscal crisis is lawful. The law will soon be in effect, ending months of Democrat efforts to delay or overturn it. The story notes that the decision was 4-3. The media is fond of quoting such numbers as though they are of great significance. Supreme courts have odd numbers of justices to avoid deadlocks, and a 4-3 decision is no less valid and has no less force than a 7-0 decision. Go here for excerpts from the decision.
UPDATE!: Now the unions have filed a lawsuit in federal court. Apparently they’re asserting that all union workers must be treated exactly alike, or something. This is likely nothing more than another delaying tactic in the hope that recall elections can turn the tide in the legislature in favor of the unlimited enrichment of unions. Go here for the story.
ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Jobs Division! I was shocked, shocked! when Mr. Obama recently made a lame joke about the “shovel-ready jobs” the stimulus was supposed to produce in huge numbers. ”Shovel-ready was not as shovel-ready as we expected.” Surprisingly, Americans were not amused. So I was again shocked, shocked! when, according to Fox News (here):
“On Tuesday the administration said despite the joke, the shovel-ready projects met the administration’s goals.”
Uh, correct me if I’m wrong, gentle readers, but didn’t the Obamites admit—quite some time ago--that there never were any shovel-ready jobs or projects? How then, can those non-existent jobs and projects meet the Obama Administrations goals…oh. Now I get it. They never intended the stimulus to produce jobs in the first place! I’m shocked, shocked!
ITEM: Mr. Obama Explains It All For You! So why aren’t businesses hiring? Why it’s a structural issue! That’s right! Businesses are learning to do more with fewer employees, you know, that’s why they have ATMs! It couldn’t have anything to do with convenience, could it? You know, being able to access accounts after business hours? Nah. ATMs have only been around for two years, right? Remember that Mr. Obama once suggested that energy issues could be in large part addressed by maintaining proper tire inflation. Visit Hot Air (here) for a quick glimpse of the kind of economic, practical cluelessness that is actually quite frightening. Discuss.
ITEM: I’m posting an education series every Tuesday, and in my most recent post (here), I touched on the problem of the culture of self-esteem. There is a bizarre idea out there in education that if children think highly of themselves, that will somehow translate into greater academic achievement. Visit the Atlantic (here) for an interesting story by psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb about the realities of the culture of self-esteem. It’s long, but worth your time.
ITEM: Those Who Will Not Learn From Weiner Are Doomed To Become Weiner!: Go here for a quaint story about a Democrat Wisconsin politician facing a recall election. When his cold call didn’t go as he planned, he revealed a bit more of his views than he intended, all caught by the still recording answering machine of one of his female constituents. No, he wasn’t preaching universal love and bipartisanship.
ITEM: Palin Derangement Syndrome: This Time It’s Personal! With the release of thousands of Palin-era e-mails, the mainstream media descended (ascended?) on Alaska like a swarm of self-righteous locusts, just dying to strip bare all of the idiocy and corruption that just had to be there! The vaunted New York Times even asked for public help! It was a sort of do-it-yourself muckraking in the new digital age! And they found…nothing, nothing but good government, honesty, sincerity, common sense, hard work, and the kind of humble kindness and devotion to God that was once the hallmark of all we considered right about America. Go here to Ann Althouse for her take on the continuing descent of the media into self-parodying madness and irrelevance.
IYEM: While rhetorically pretending to be for nuclear energy development, Barack Obama has done quite the opposite. Yucca Mountain, the nuclear fuel repository for the nation, waylaid by the Obama Administration, is a case in point. Visit here for an article by the excellent Kimberly Strassel on the Obamite battle to ensure a cold, dark, expensive and miserable energy future for America, starting with Yucca Mountain.
ITEM: Do you like America? Do you, on a regular basis, take the time to thank God for being born an American? Do you see what’s right with America and resolve to fix the relatively few things that are wrong? If so, you’ll want to visit this essay (here) by the ever-informative Victor Davis Hanson who writes on America from the perspective of one who has recently experienced the Old World.
ITEM: Hope And Climate Change? Global warming is upon us! We must immediately make energy prices skyrocket and return to a preindustrial age, like the Medieval Warm Period—uh, OK, so that’s not such a great example, but we have to do away with cars and air conditioners, and private jets—OK, so that means Al Gore can’t go anywhere, but Global warming is real and if you don’t listen to me, I’ll make you use compact florescent light bulbs! Maybe not so much. Go here to learn that we just might be seeing the beginning of a mini ice age. Hope. Change. Down jackets.
ITEM: Remember when stereo Magnate Sidney Harmon bought Newsweek not long ago? Remember how huge banks geared up to transfer the funds…what’s that? He paid only one dollar for the company? Oh. Sadly, Mr. Harmon has moved on to that hi-fidelity paradise in the sky, so he won’t be bailing out Newsweek, which now claims to be a journal of “elite liberal opinion” and which recently—and presumably elitely-- announced that it will be publishing even fewer issues this summer than planned. “News-biweek” perhaps? Go here to JammieWearingFool for the tragically elite story.
ITEM: Is Nothing Sacred Anymore? Wisconsin, the birthplace and one of the last bastions of modern liberalism, has had a rough go of it of late. Unions have spent millions and been soundly trounced at the ballot box and in the Legislature and have only succeeded in stupidly disrupting a Special Olympics award ceremony. And now, horror of horrors, it appears that Wisconsin will soon become the 49th state to allow concealed carry of handguns! Only the People’s Republic of Chicago—er, Illinois—remains steadfast in prohibiting self-defense and maintaining a state-sized victim disarmament zone. Go here for the story.
ITEM: Is There an Upper Limit To Over-weaning Government Regulation? Steven Hayward at Powerline (here) suggests that it’s possible, as a number of EPA and other long-promised regulations that would all but destroy the economy just in time for the 2012 elections have apparently been withdrawn “for further study,” and other such likely reasons. The primary lesson we should all take from this is that Mr. Obama understands that Socialism has electoral limits in America and he will abide by them as long as he thinks he has a chance at reelection. Should he be re-elected, we can expect an avalanche of utterly destructive, freedom-stealing regulations such as mankind has never experienced. Think ahead a bit gentle readers; think ahead.
ITEM: Double Standard? We Don' Got No Stinkin’ Double Standard! AT CY we’re not shy about calling attention to the improper antics of any politician. In our recent mentions of Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Twitter), we have occasionally been accused of picking only on Democrats. As soon as a similar Republican scandal comes up, we’ll be sure to comment. But for now, visit the invaluable Michele Malkin (here) for a story about the realities of Congressional Dems and their reluctant self-oversight.
ITEM: Wait a Minute! Mitt Romney Is A Republican?! It would be hard to think up a more effective Republican campaign killer than having Al Gore congratulate you on your global warming orthodoxy, but that, gentle readers, is just what the Goracle recently did for Mr. Romney, and with good reason. Go here for the story, if your stomach is strong enough.
ITEM: Remember when Bill Clinton was caught up in determining what the meaning of “is” is? This is apparently a semantic malady peculiar to Democrats, as Mr. Obama is now trying to figure out what “hostilities” means, but is quite sure it has nothing to do with our military bombing Libya or our involvement with NATO there, which really isn’t us, because, you know, it’s NATO, even though we, you know, sort of, pretty much run NATO and pay most of the bills and stuff, but it’s not hostilities, that’s for sure! It’s all about Mr. Obama’s attempt to evade the War Powers Act. Go here for the story, and remember: it’s George W. Bush’s fault; everything is George W. Bush’s fault.
ITEM: Many years ago, actor Tom Selleck appeared on the Tonight Show. Johnny Carson was the host, and Carson veered into politics, asking Selleck for his opinion. Selleck responded that his job was to effectively act roles and couldn’t imagine why anyone should or would care about what an actor had to say about politics. He’s shown similar class in the intervening years, and I’ve purchased every one of his films since that Tonight Show appearance, lo, those many years ago. Now comes Conan O’Brien and his graduation speech at Dartmouth University on June 12. For class and humor, it’s very, very good. You owe it to yourself to see (here) what a worthy graduation speech can be.
And on that very satisfying note, I thank you once again for stopping by and I bid you all farewell until next Thursday and another edition of Quick Takes! As Roy Rogers and Dale Evans said: “Happy trails to you, until we meet again!”
Just a quick programing note. I'll be on NRA News with Cam and Company tonight, (SiriusXM Satellite Radio Patriot 125) at about 10:20 EST to talk about BATF's Gunwalker fiasco.
We'll be discussing my recent article at Pajamas Media, Gunwalker under Fire.
Update: The video:
Weiner Still Sexting Porn Star After His Perversions Were Revealed
The perverted New York Democrat continued to talk to former porn star Ginger Lee after the story of the scandal broke, encouraged her to lie about their relationship.
According to Allred, Weiner wrote Lee, "Alright, my package and I are not going to beg. We both see the hazard of going down the path of comparative sexiness."
In another email also read at the press conference, Weiner wrote, "You aren't giving my package due credit."
In yet another, Allred said Weiner wrote, "I have wardrobe demands, too. I need to highlight my package."
Anthony Weiner is the self-gratification poster child for the Democrat Party.
Regular readers have long suspected this, and I’d hoped to keep it secret as long as possible, but now I’m out of the closet. Yes, I’m—gasp—conservative! I suppose I’m what might be called a quiet conservative. I’m hardly a political evangelist, running about verbally assaulting complete strangers in the hope of converting them to the one, true political/economic faith. I’m happy to converse with just about anyone on any topic, and put my opinions in writing for those who might agree and those who might not, but I always expect to discuss them with reason and civility. Indeed, I look forward to it.
I’ve found that Conservatives are generally willing to discuss political, economic and cultural issues with civility. There are exceptions, of course, but I’ve found this to be generally true. On the other hand, I’ve found Liberals to be generally unable to discuss such things with civility. All too often, they become very angry and emotional, and begin to fling about accusations of my hating this or that group, wanting to take food out of the mouths of poor children, my obviously ardent desire to murder various foreign minority groups (all non-white of course), racism, sexism and various other “isims.” There are, of course exceptions to this as well.
With that background, I provide the true, recent story that follows without comment. Make of it what you will.
Several of us, people involved in a long-term musical endeavor, were waiting for a performance. One gentleman was talking about going on a driving vacation through a considerable portion of the Western United States in the near future and was commenting particularly on the number of states he expected to visit. Quite innocently, I joked that he might take the Obama tour and visit all 57 states.
Everyone present chuckled, everyone that is except for one young fellow who was obviously unaware of the reference. I explained that it was a gaffe made by Mr. Obama during the 2008 campaign. He looked at me blankly for a moment, blinked, and in an excited, loud voice launched into a verbal assault on Sarah Palin! It was as though I had somehow thrown a secret Palin switch, which once thrown, required a complete, non-stop, pre-recorded recitation of Palin’s idiocy and all-around sub-human status. The effect was surprising as he was speaking in an animated manner unusual for him, as though he was on a sort of automatic pilot and could not stop until the entire recording was complete.
He became increasingly loud and incredulous in stating that Palin actually said that Paul Revere warned the British during his famous ride. His expressions and manner were surprising. None of us had ever seen him behave that way before, despite having known him for at least a year. This particular example of Palin’s stupidity seemed to be his ultimate proof of her sub-normal IQ, and was clearly what he considered his most convincing proof.
I traded surprised glances with several people and quietly pointed out that Palin was in fact correct, and that Revere did warn the British after he was captured. I explained that numerous historians confirmed Palin’s accuracy. He stopped only long enough to blink, and then immediately continued as though the Palin switch had been interrupted for only a second and immediately reset. He continued for another few minutes, finally winding down—the recording apparently complete--and resuming his normal tone of voice and demeanor as we sat quietly, watching the spectacle.
Minutes later, we performed as we had on many previous occasions, and he was quite himself again.
1
I've heard a couple of people I (previously) thought intelligent and thoughtful do the same kind of thing;scary and shocking.
Posted by: Firehand at June 14, 2011 10:09 PM (igRPZ)
2
Palin Derangement Syndrome comes in varied flavors. This TeaParty Conservative would like someone to tell him exactly how many shots Revere fired and how many bells he rang to warn the British. That's what she said...
"And you know, he who warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms, by ringing those bells and making sure, as he is riding his horse through town, to send those warning shots and bells, that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free."
Does not compute, folks. The fact is that Palin was speaking extemporaneously and flubbed the story. I find equally curious the reaction of the young man cited in the item and the folks who support Palin that can't admit she erred.
I like and admire Palin, but she sure has a polarizing personality, it seems.
Posted by: Steve in TN at June 14, 2011 10:46 PM (6lc+N)
Thanks for your comment! Palin was, in fact, correct. Revere did warn the British, and bells were rung contemporaneously. His warning to the British was that they would not be successful in seizing Colonist's arms. Could Governor Palin have phrased it more elegantly? Indeed, but as you note, she was giving an on-the-fly, off-the-cuff answer. Considering the situation, her answer was quite good and, by any reasonable standard, accurate if not textbook-perfect. If she had erred in this instance, I'd note it. We're not the least bit shy about taking politicians of any party to task here.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Mike Mc at June 14, 2011 10:57 PM (rSpVF)
4
Sad to say most only no the story of the ride from hearing the poem.
It's understandable why they think sh made a gaff. Sad, but understandable.
5
You know, I wasn't much of a Palin fan. But the more I see her attacked over trivialities and the way she responds, I can't help having some sympathy for her. And sympathy can turn to respect which can turn to support. Support of course would be easier if someone asked her what specifically she would do in terms of economic policy re entitlements; foreign policy in terms of middle east etc. Instead of worrying about off the cuff comments about Revere's ride.
Of course, it would have been nice if the media would have done the same with Obama and more deeply explored some of his comments during the election vice trivialities. That is his stated vie that taxes were about fairness vice raising revenue; his comment that folks could build coal-fired plants but he'd regulate them to where they would be too expensive to operate; that he believed gasoline should be far more expensive etc; that he would get out of Iraq and into Afghanistan etc. Say what you will about him but he was up front about a lot of what he would do.
Posted by: styrgwillidar at June 15, 2011 11:47 AM (IrbU4)
6
I would've just reminded him that it was McCain that ran against Obama, not Palin, so don't believe everything you hear in the news.
Posted by: Druid at June 15, 2011 06:34 PM (7MFxV)
7
One good thing about a Palin Presidency: it would drive the liberals (more) insane. If she were to find a cure for cancer, solve all the questions of the origin of the universe, locate the Holy Grail, and part the Red Sea in a single day, the socialist-democrats here and abroad would still claim she is stupid.
As far as a Palin Presidency goes, we can (and are) doing much worse.
Posted by: Robert B. at June 15, 2011 09:09 PM (DYphe)
8
styrgwillidar, or anyone else who wants to know more about Palin’s economic, foreign, or any other policies can find them several places on line, including conservatives4palin.com.
The truth is on her side.
Posted by: Bill589 at June 18, 2011 12:52 AM (gTuuy)
To the Sisters, Brother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends of Trig Paxson Van Palin (or whatever you end up naming him!):
I am blessing you with this surprise baby because I only want the best for you. I've heard your prayers that this baby will be happy and healthy, and I've answered them because I only want the best for you!
I heard your heart when you hinted that another boy would fit best in the Palin family, to round it out and complete that starting five line-up.
Though another girl would be so nice, you didn't think you could ask for what you REALLY wanted, but I knew, so I gave you a boy because I only want the best for you!
Then, I put the idea in your hearts that his name should be 'Trig', because it's so fitting, with two Norse meanings: "True" and "Brave Victory". You also have a Bristol Bay relative with that name, so I knew it would be best for you!
Then, I let Trig's mom have an exceptionally comfortable pregnancy so she could enjoy every minute of it, and I even seemed to rush it along so she could wait until near the end to surprise you with the news - that way Piper wouldn't have so long to wait and count down so many days - just like Christmastime when you have to wait, impatiently, for that special day to finally open your gift? (Or the way the Palmas look forward to birthday celebrations that go on for three, four days_ you all really like cake.) I know you, I knew you'd be better off with just a short time to wait!
Then, finally, I let Trig's mom and dad find out before he was born that this little boy will truly be a GIFT. They were told in early tests that Trig may provide more challenges, and more joy, than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for.
At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing. But I gave Trig's mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed lots of time to understand that everything will be OK, in fact, everything will be great, because I only want the best for you!
I've given Trig's mom and dad peace and joy as they wait to meet their new son. I gave them a happy anticipation because they asked me for that.
I'll give all of you the same happy anticipation and strength to deal with Trig's challenges, but I won't impose on you... I just need to know you want to receive my offer to be with all of you and help you everyday to make Trig's life a great one.
This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together and get everyone focused on what really matters.
The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven't experienced yet. He'll show you what "true, brave victory" really means as those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells you is "normal" or "perfect°.
You will grow and be blessed with greater understanding that will he born along with Trig.Trig will be his dad's little buddy and he'll wear Carhartts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He'll love to be read to, he'll want to play goalie, and he'll steal his mom's heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow and Piper did.
And Trig will be the cuddly, innocent, mischievous, dependent little brother that his siblings have been waiting for_in fact Trig will - in some diagnostic ways - always be a mischievous, dependent little brother, because I created him a bit different than a lot of babies born into this world today.
Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential. Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed up world you live in down there on earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome. Doctors call it "Down's Syndrome", and Downs kids have challenges, but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine! Just wait and see, let me prove this, because I only want the best for you!
Some of the rest of the world may not want him, but take comfort in that because the world will not compete for him. Take care of him and he will always be yours!
Trig's mom and dad don't want people to focus on the baby's extra chromosome. They're human, so they haven't known how to explain this to people who are so caring and are interested in this new little Alaskan. Sarah and Todd want people to share in the joy of this gift I'm giving to the Palin family, and the greater Alaska family.
Many people won't understand_ and I understand that. Some will think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won't be considered "perfect" in your world. (But tell me, what do you earthlings consider "perfect" or even "normal" anyway? Have you peeked down any grocery store isle, or school hallway, or into your office lunchroom lately? Or considered the odd celebrities you celebrate as "perfect" on t.v.? Have you noticed I make 'em all shapes and sizes? Believe me, there is no "perfect"!)
Many people will express sympathy, but you don't want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this.
I know it will take time to grasp this and come to accept that I only want the best for you, and I only give my best. Remember though: "My ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts- for as the heavens are higher than the earth, my ways are higher than yours!"
I wrote that all down for you in the Good Book! Look it up! You claim that you believe me - now it's time to live out that belief!
Please look to me as this new challenge and chapter of life unfolds in front of you. I promise to equip you. I won't give you anything you can't handle. I am answering your prayers. Trig can't wait to meet you. I'm giving you ONLY THE BEST!
Love,
Trig's Creator, Your Heavenly Father
This letter was not for written for public consumption, but for the extended Palin family several days before the arrival of the Palin's fifth child, Trig, who was born with Down's Syndrome.
It speaks of the challenges and blessings such a child will bring into their lives and if it doesn't soften your heart to Palin the woman, the mother and matriarch... well, you simply do not have a heart. This is from the soul, and speaks to the character of the then Governor, long before she became a target for character assassination.
Jeff Goldstein writes eloquently (as he so often does) about the letter, how he hopes some will feel after reading it, and a bit about the soul of future of this nation.
* * *
I don't care if you love Sarah Palin, or loathe her. I don't care if you feel indifferent towards her. But I do want you to understand that this nation desperately needs someone like her in charge, if we are to ever regain our footing and our confidence in this nation.
I find myself a bit surprised by that declaration, but is nonetheless true.
I do not pretend she is perfect.
I do not know if she is up to the job.
And I can predict with exacting, excruciating certainty that her name, character and family will be dragged through the mud and crucified by the MSM and Democrat Party every step of the way (even more than they already have, if that is possible). The din will grow ever more shrill, hysterical, and panicked if she approaches taking the GOP nomination for President, and then contrasts Obama in the 2012 general election.
But I think Jeff is on to something in his thoughts. Sarah Palin reflects the spirit that makes this country great and what it needs to recover. She has had the character and fortitude to fight, survive, and triumph in the face of concerted and powerful opposition, and shows no sign of giving up.
We're going to need someone like that guiding us in the hard times ahead, as we as a nation re-address Obamacare, the reformulation of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other entitlement programs. We'll need someone with strength and humility and a solid sense of core American values, who has proven that a leader can come from anywhere... even the mayor of a small town in Alaska.
Run, Sarah, Run.
I'm still a bit of a skeptic, but I want to believe.
1
Michelle Bachman fits that bill as well, IMO. Further, the Minn congresswoman has yet to be subjected with the faux narrative (preempting the real story, which kills the decades old faux narrative that minorities refuting the leftist line are identity traitors). I hope Michelle teams up with Sarah, and gets rid of Ed Rollins.
Then again, perhaps Michelle is just a feint (in my dreams cooked up by both Palin and Bachman) to distract the ideologically constrained media long enough to miss the inevitable fatal thrust.
Dreams are good....
Posted by: bains at June 14, 2011 09:00 PM (7IhOo)
2
That's the person who will have my vote next time, voted for McCain last time just because of her. She understands people more that any of the rest of the candidates.
Posted by: gDavid at June 14, 2011 09:57 PM (zEoWS)
3
I worked with the Vets for McCain campaign in New York in 2008. We were having a terribly difficult time with veterans who had no use for McCain. Then Palin came on the scene and all of a sudden doors were open that had previously been locked.
She is a game changer. I do hope she runs and I would die a happy man if she picked Lt Col Allen West as her VP candidate. I think that combination would be unbeatable.
Posted by: DanNY at June 14, 2011 11:14 PM (33Et6)
I would like to touch on Roger's point that being intelligent isn't the most important qualification for a president.
I have observed all of them since Harry Truman. I have believed for a long time that the proper temperament is vital to success. Truman, Eisenhower, Reagan and both Bushes had it.
Policy differences don't much matter at this point. None of them will be able to get their way on most of the issues that they are debating. It has taken a hundred years to get to this point. It's gonna be a long slog trying to fix it. The ship is sinking. Our only hope is to plug the biggest leaks and change course towards safe harbor. Try to change course too quickly and it'll go keel up and we'll be fighting over the lifeboats.
The leaks have been clearly identified. That's the easy part. We need a leader with the political skills to start patching the big leaks and start the course change. By political skills I don't mean electioneering skills. It is going a large degree of true bipartisanship - not the gotcha kind that is part of the campaign buzz.
The only person that I have seen who has actually demonstrated these skills is Sarah Palin. She tore apart the establishment in Alaska despite the mighty forces clawing tooth and nail to stop her. When she was selected as the vice presidential nominee her approval rating was above 80%.
Debating policy is great fun. I do a lot of it myself. However, when I pull the lever for our most important office I look to historically proven performance.
Posted by: Roy Lofquist at June 15, 2011 04:04 AM (w1shI)
CNN Pushing Long-Debunked Cartel Guns Story To Protect Obama Administration during GunWalker Hearings
I had this as an update to the previous post, but it deserves it's own.
CNN has decided to engage in fact free anti-gun propaganda this morning on behalf of the Obama Administration, co-incidentally on the second day of Congressional hearing that promise to excoriate Eric Holder's Department of Justice in general and acting director Ken Melson's BATF in specific.
The BATF is under fire for supplying more than 2,500 firearms to Mexican narco-terrorists as part of a poorly-conceived operation that turned the U.S. government into the largest single supplier of cartel weapons found north of the border. These weapons have been used to murder two U.S. law enforcement officers (Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata), and were used to gun down 150 Mexican police officers and soldiers.
CNN has chosen to trot out a variation of the 90-percent lie, a bit propaganda debunked by the ATF two years ago.
CNN claims:
More than 70% of 29,284 firearms submitted to the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for tracing by the Mexican government during 2009 and 2010 originated in the United States, according to the report.
"Congress has been virtually moribund while powerful Mexican drug trafficking organizations continue to gain unfettered access to military-style firearms coming from the United States," said Sen. Diane Feinstein of California.
In a letter this month to Feinstein, the ATF acknowledged that the United States keeps no record of criminal firearms seized in Mexico and that "the Mexican government does not submit every recovered firearm to ATF for tracing."
As a result, the ATF-provided figures may not be representative of all firearms recovered by Mexican officials.
Of the 100,000 weapons recovered by Mexican authorities, only 18,000 [out of the 29,284 submitted. -- ed.] were determined to have been manufactured, sold, or imported from the United States, and of those 18,000, just 7,900 came from sales by licensed gun dealers.
We now know that of those 7,900 firearms supplied to the cartels via U.S. gun shops, roughly 2,000-2,500 were forced on BATF's orders making them the largest single direct supplier of cartel weaponry (not counting the thousands of military weapons the U.S. indirectly supplies).
The actual figure is that a little over 5-percent of cartel weapons have come from border gun shops, and that translates to less than one gun per shop in the region.
Of course, neither the Obama Administration nor CNN want to share that factoid, as it undermines their shared goal of pushing for more gun control laws.
Here's an idea.
If you want to stop Mexican cartels from getting U.S. weapons, have the U.s. government quit supplying the weapons.
Through legal and illegal means, it is the U.S. government the primary supplier of cartel guns.
If you really want those responsible for running guns to narco-terrorists to be put behind bars, put Barack Obama, Eric Holder, and Ken Melson on trial.
Of course, that is precisely what CNN is trying to avoid.
1
A while back I caught a clip of Obama meeting with an anti gun group. Someone asked why he wasn't pushing the cause. He replied (pp) "Don't worry about that. We're pursuing it by other means".
That is what they're trying to cover up. Worse than Watergate. Nixon went down for the cover up. He did not initiate or know about the burglary. This is orders of magnitude worse.
Posted by: Roy Lofquist at June 15, 2011 04:17 AM (w1shI)
Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder. ..."