WATE:
A state Senate committee Tuesday cleared a bill that would allow people over 21 to ride motorcycles without wearing helmets.
On an 8-3 vote, the Finance, Ways and Means Committee sent Sen. Tim Burchett’s bill to the full Senate.
Good. Freedom includes the freedom to be a dumbass.
I have always wondered how editors decide which stories to run and where to place them. From observation it appears to be more art than science. In Knox County some people are puzzled by the contrast between a story from October 5th of 2004 where some shots were fired into an empty Republican Headquarters in Knoxville early in the morning and the recent news story of the attempt on the life of a Knox County Mayoral candidate.
The first story had local front-page news and reached national exposure in USA Today and other national news outlets. The second story has been under reported. Is there an implication in the under reporting of the recent news story? Or is the under reporting a signal of local media bias?
The two events have some commonality. Shots fired into a building. The difference is that in the first story no one was in the building and in the story from this Sunday the shots were fired head high into a door moments after the gunman called out, “Mr. Mayor”, and then fired two shots.
Like most people I thought this was more a story of intimidation rather than an attempt to kill someone. That was until I saw the pictures. The pictures tell more than the words of the story.
I am a frequent critique of the local news media. So lets stipulate that. The two stories are similar but the coverage has been different.
Why?
I can understand the urge to sell newspapers but how is a sensational event in 2004 given greater coverage than an attempt on the life of a current City Councilman and candidate for Knox County Mayor?
How much independence is there is there in the local media in Knox County? Who makes the decisions on which stories run and where they are located?
In a letter faxed today to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office, the trade association representing the firearm industry officially requested a seat at the table at tomorrow’s national summit on illegal guns organized by Bloomberg and Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston.
Lawrence G. Keane, who signed the letter on behalf of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), said the industry shares the mayors’ concerns about further reducing crime by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals.
“Our industry has developed programs that are working to reduce criminal misuse of firearms, as well as reduce firearms accidents. We would welcome the opportunity to educate mayors about these programs, including Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, the straw purchase deterrence initiative developed in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” said Keane, senior vice president and general counsel.
Of all the people that didn’t show up at the blogger shoot, Michael has the only valid excuse, possible heart surgery. Me and the Mrs. send our thoughts and prayers his way and wish him a speedy recovery.
I’m not the only one who had trouble with recruiters. Miriam did too.
By the way, blogging will be lighter since I’m no longer unemployed. Scored a plum consulting gig that should keep me busy for about a month. Blogging will be more of the linky not the thinky variety.
CCTV to spot concealed firearms:
For Loughborough University’s multi-environment deployable universal software application (Medusa, see PDF) project, CCTV footage of people carrying concealed firearms will be analyzed to identify characteristics associated with the behaviour of criminals (body stance, gait, movement and eye contact with cameras) before they commit a gun-related crime. This information will be used to develop a machine-learning system for behavioural interpretation. Armed with this data, the CCTV cameras will scan footage and match behavioural characteristics that indicate if an individual might be carrying a gun.
At first I thought it was odd that concealed carry was automatically thought to be criminal. Then I realized this is in England.
You lied. Or probably realized that since the weather was nice you’d rather sit on the patio and have some adult beverages.
Got to CCA yesterday for the blogger shoot. They asked how many I thought would be there and I said that, based on emails and comments, I expected about 15 to 20 people. But only 8 showed up. So, where were you? And you know who you are.
Still, a good time was had by all. Played with some 9mm AR-15s, an MP-5 submachine gun, and a Desert Eagle 50. I got to shoot a Sig GSR for the first time. That’s a sweet pistol. There was also a super accurate 9mm CZ. More later.
Reader Knob Creeker emails:
I couldn’t find news of this on your page or any others, but figured it would be of interest to the readers. According to the Kentucky Legislature website, the Kentucky Governor signed SB 38 “Castle Doctrine” on Friday, April 21 (If I understand correctly it shall become law in about 90 days).
It gives KY residents the right to stand their ground, meet force with force, & defend themselves and others. This Act also protects a person who lawfully uses deadly force from any criminal prosecution (including arrest or detainment) or civil action.
Check out the link for more specifics.
Looks like Cali is trying to lead the way:
California could become the first state in the nation to require semi-automatic handguns include microscopic equipment for pressing an identifying mark into every bullet fired.
Through newly developed technology, the firing pin of a semi-automatic weapon can stamp the gun’s make and model onto a bullet shell as it leaves the chamber. The technology could help police investigate homicides and trace gun trafficking.
Thirty-three California police chiefs and two county sheriffs support a bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, that would require the markers.
Ammo prices would go up and more people would reload. As pointed out in comments, this would be done via firing pin and ammo wouldn’t really matter. Sorry, no coffee yet.
New York mayor Bloomberg is attempting to wrap himself in the constitution when it comes to 2nd amendment PROTECTED rights with this comment
“Believe this or not, I am a defender of the Second Amendment,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “I see nothing wrong with people having guns. But that doesn’t mean you can have a gun everyplace. And concealed weapons or even weapons out in the open in big cities, in city streets, does not make a lot of sense to me.”
I simply say “or not”, and there seems always to be a but(t) and he was the one quoted.
Article may be password protected. Trust me when I say it is not worth your time to read it.
Remember, the blogger shoot is this afternoon at about 4:45ish:
Who: Invitation is open to all. Bloggers, readers, lurkers, reporters, gun nuts, hoplophobes, or anybody else.
What: Spring Time Blogger Shoot. We will have the entire indoor range to ourselves.
When: Sunday, April 23, 2006. Arrive at about 4:45p.m(ish) and we will begin shooting at 5:00 and last at least until 6:00
Where: Coal Creek Armory, you can find a map and directions here
What you need to know: The four rules of firearms safety:
1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire
4. Be sure of your target and what’s behind it
Pro-Gun Progressive got his concealed carry weapons permit. In Maryland, even. He advises:
If you’re living in a Shall Issue state and you don’t have your permit, shame on you. If you’re living in MD or another restrictive state, apply today and make a political statement. Feel free to ask me for help with the process.
Actually I don’t, but I’m thinking about starting
Me and the Mrs. headed to Wal-Mart a bit ago. The Mrs. (who is 8 months pregnant) and I were driving through the parking lot. Wal-Mart has those parking spaces that are right near the handicap parking spaces labeled Expectant/New Mothers. These are for folks like my wife who shouldn’t have to walk far distances. We pulled up to one and there was a car in it. The car had a handicap sticker. Right next to the empty handicap spaces. Ponder it for a bit. This person could have parked in the handicap space and even been closer than they were. But they parked in the spot for hormonal women, who may kill you for looking at them funny or implying that maybe their ankles are kind of puffy.
I think that was the first time in the history of the universe that someone was pissed because a handicapped person was in their spot.
I’ve long thought that the only reason VCRs and Al Gore’s Internets took off was due to porn. Via Bitter, Reason tells us that Vivid Video’s hoping to penetrate new markets by offering DVD-burnable movies for download.
With what was basically the death of our former alt-weekly publication (it didn’t really die but became basically not alt at all), comes Knoxville Voice. Knoxville Voice seems to have the old MP crew, in part. We need another voice in Knoxville.
Via R. Neal.
Update: But if they want me to read regularly, let’s see some RSS or other syndication.
A Columbine-style shooting was thwarted through police work and tips from citizens. I mean I thought the only way to prevent this stuff was through closing the gun show loophole, passing bans on weapons that look like assault weapons, mandatory trigger locks, and marking bullets so that they are traceable?
Been widely known that large urban areas are losing population and businesses for a while. From experience, I thought most of that was due to income and property taxes. And, of course, traffic and noise and crime. But the SAF says:
The Census Bureau has reported what amounts to a “domestic migration” from three large cities in three key states, and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) blames much of this population flight on repressive gun laws.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that, according to the Census Bureau, states losing the most people are New York, California and Illinois.
“This is no mystery,” said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb. “Those states are infamous for their anti-gun attitudes. Countless times have we heard from people who have moved from those states because they wanted to escape the Draconian gun laws.
“The Census Bureau reports that New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles lost the most residents between 2000 and 2004,” Gottlieb continued. “Anti-gun politicians and their restrictive gun laws have made it virtually impossible for average law-abiding citizens to get a concealed pistol license in Los Angeles or New York City. In Chicago, you can’t own an unregistered handgun, and they no longer register handguns.
“Americans prefer to live where they can enjoy freedom and liberty, rather than depend upon an oppressive, disinterested municipal bureaucracy for their safety,” he said
While I agree with his sentiment, I doubt that gun ownership is that important to a lot of people. I could be wrong, of course.
Remember, the blogger shoot (details here) is Sunday.
Who: Invitation is open to all. Bloggers, readers, lurkers, reporters, gun nuts, hoplophobes, or anybody else.
What: Spring Time Blogger Shoot. We will have the entire indoor range to ourselves.
When: Sunday, April 23, 2006. Arrive at about 4:45p.m(ish) and we will begin shooting at 5:00 and last at least until 6:00
Where: Coal Creek Armory, you can find a map and directions here
What you need to know: The four rules of firearms safety:
1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire
4. Be sure of your target and what’s behind it
The .gov does not approve. First up, this:
At an outdoor ceremony, Bush told Hu:
“China has become successful because the Chinese people are experience the freedom to buy, and to sell, and to produce — and China can grow even more successful by allowing the Chinese people the freedom to assemble, to speak freely, and to worship.”
Seconds later, one of the people assembled on the White House south lawn actually tried to speak freely right here in America — about both the lack of free speech and religious freedom in China.
That free-speaking woman was promptly hauled off and arrested:
And Sorry, Your Viewpoint Is Excluded from First Amendment Protection.
Remember, I do this to entertain me, not you.
Uncle Pays the Bills
 |
|
Find Local
|
