Some nutjob walked into a school and started shooting. At last count, five girls were killed. It’s tragic. The Brady Camp didn’t even let the bodies get cold before politicizing it. I think Katie True summed it up best:

Someone gets up one day and says, ‘I’m gonna kill all the girls.’ How do you legislate against that?

You can’t.

Update: Aunt B. looks at it from a feminist perspective (not the crazy kind of feminism, the good kind. For the crazy kind of feminism, go here):

I woke up to NPR this morning and the woman reading the news was going on about “the children.” “The children” were tied up. “The children” were killed. And so I woke up thinking “Those were girls and it matters that they were girls because the killer chose them because they were girls. Don’t say ‘children’ like the story is their age.”

Update 2: Dr. Helen, a psychologist, looks at characteristics of mass murderers. Whatever happened to they’re just crazy? I mean, we all understand crazy.

Kim says:

We are all at the mercy of the lone nutcase who’s not afraid to die.

One of the things I liked about Ford’s campaign was his ads. The dude’s got presence. He’s on message, concise and direct (or, as whitey says, he’s articulate). He sticks with the issues. I was rather surprised to see his latest ad with a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous impersonator talking about Corker’s mansion, Corker’s worth, and how, despite his millions, he got pay raises as mayor of Chattanooga. Err, Mr. Ford, you’re a rich dude too. Politics is a game for the rich. So, spare me the class warfare hooey.

So, a congressmonkey resigned and checked himself into alcohol rehab over some instant messages sent to a 16 year-old page that used the word horny. Err, why alcohol rehab? I guess they don’t offer diddler of young boys rehab? Allegations are that the Republican leadership (specifically Hastert) knew about it earlier and did nothing. If that’s the case, they should go.

For the first time, Gov. Schwarzenegger has seen gun control he didn’t like.

I’m sure gun blog readers know that the Senate passed the bill that bans confiscation of weapons during emergencies. But I’d be a ban gun blogger if I didn’t mention it. Kopel has the text and discussion of the bill.

I’m with gunner, I can’t believe a policeman said something like this:

That’s all the bullets we had, or we would have shot him more

I don’t really care that they justifiably killed a murderer but statements like that make it seem like it’s not justifiable but more retribution.

Seen at Townhall:

I am a 5’1″ grandmother and have carried a gun for several years. Hopefully, I will never have to use it, but I feel much safer knowing that it is there. I carry a purse designed to hold the gun safely, and plan on appying for the lifetime permit.

CCKBA writes:

Last week’s decision by an Essex County, N.J. judge to scrap Newark’s crack- down on gun offenders because there’s no evidence that the “Gun Strategy” program has done anything to curb crime was likened to an “epiphany” by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, State Superior Court Assignment Judge Patricia Costello reportedly saw no benefit from the four-year-old program. She was quoted as sating, “It didn’t work the way it was intended.”

Full Tilt Poker issued a statement:

In the short term, we assure you that your online experience at Full Tilt Poker will not change. You will still be able to deposit and withdraw money from the site using the same methods and payment processors you have always used, and your money will remain completely safe and secure. We cannot predict how the online poker experience may change in the future, but we do not expect any immediate impact from the legislation, as the banking industry has 270 days to implement new rules after the bill is signed.

Douglas Henry will not debate his Republican opponent Bob Krumm. Says Bob:

Voters in the 21st Tennessee Senate district will be denied the opportunity to hear the candidates for that seat debate because Senator Henry apparently doesn’t think that people deserve to know where he stands on the issues.

Three weeks ago I mailed Senator Henry a letter asking for him to agree to a debate schedule. I pointed out to Sen. Henry that I knew how important debates were to his personal decision making process as evidenced by his attendance at the July candidate forum for the Metro Council district in which he lives. Uncharacteristically, he never even responded to the letter.

A week later I attempted to send him a registered letter. His campaign won’t even accept delivery of it.

Bob has also done a helluva job putting all his financial info, endorsements and questionnaires on line. Henry, mean while, an incumbent since I’ve been alive, says:

*crickets chirping*

Is it arrogance? Sure. But a long standing incumbent doesn’t really need to run the risk of getting schooled by a young upstart. It’s also cowardly.

Image of Jesus seen in dog butt. No, really.

Judging by all the commercials I’m seeing, Dateline’s To Catch a Predator series was popular enough to warrant it’s own TeeVee show. The premise of this show is that:

1) Some reporter type hops online and poses as an underaged girl in chat room;

2) Said reporter convinces some sick pervert to have a meetup;

3) When sick pervert shows up, the cameras are rolling.

Now, these perverts get no sympathy from me but shame on Dateline for really scraping the bottom of the barrel here. I suppose Americans really are obsessed with sexual perversion, even the most disgusting kind that victimized children. It’s like the fall of the Roman Empire or something. I mean, I’m all for people tracking down sexual predators but making it entertainment gives me the willies.

Of course, one day, the reporter is going to confront the wrong pervert, who also happens to be a psychopath and some bad ju-ju will go down. It’s bound to happen.

I think I’ll start me own show called To Catch To Catch A Predator. I’ll pose as a pervert and wait until someone agrees to meet me. Then, when they show up, I’ll have my cameras rolling on their cameras and say Haha, gotcha performing a valuable service. I’m just disappointed that you air this as entertainment.

B-Ho continues to make this totally retarded argument:

I’ll repeat what I’ve said before: voter approval of the amendment will not take away any rights or discriminate against any individuals in Tennessee. After it passes, just like before, all unmarried adults – gay or straight – will have the identical marriage right in Tennessee: the right to be married to one person of the opposite gender.

If an argument is redefined to, in no way, reflect the nature of the other side’s concern, it don’t mean dick (heh!). If, for example, you say that McCain-Feingold’s ban of advertisement on TeeVee is unconstitutional and, well, stupid and I say But you can advertise on the Internet then I have in no way addressed the merits of your argument. I’ve redefined the debate in a manner that is disingenuous. If you tell me that you want a Pepsi and I say Well, everyone else has Coke, it’s of little comfort to you.

So, please, let’s stick with the real reason people support this nonsense:

1) Fear of gay cooties

2) An invisible man in the sky said so

Seriously, I have yet to see a convincing argument against allowing gay marriage. As you were.

I have a confession. I like to play poker. Not that I’m all that good at it, but I like it. I’ve been tempted to try my chops at online poker but, thanks to the US congress, that urge will no longer be an option:

To summarize what was passed, this bill is designed to prevent the use of payment instruments (credit cards, fund transfers, etc.) for certain forms of online gambling that are defined as “unlawful Internet gambling.” The bill requires financial institutions to identify and block payments related to so-called unlawful Internet gambling transactions. If there is a violation, the government may file a lawsuit (known as an injunction) to prevent or restrain the violation. The bill provides a special exemption for three types of Internet gambling: (1) horse racing under the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA), so OTBs and account wagering systems can remain in business, (2) Indian gambling that takes place on a reservation or between two reservations; and (3) Internet gambling that occurs solely within a state’s own borders, referred to as Intra-state gambling.

The bill doesn’t define “unlawful Internet gambling”. So, I guess he horseracing folks have some pull, since it is a sport for rich dudes. Anyway, it’s a stupid bill.

The bill passed by an overwhelming margin because it was attached to a port security bill. CJ says:

What this Congress is saying, then, is that it is more important to attack the scourge of online gaming than it is to make sure our buses and trains do not blow up. This is the Congress we elected. This is the Congress we have to get rid of.

Terry Frank tells us that all Tennessee congress monkeys voted for it, except for Jenkins. Good for Jenkins. (Update: Terry comments that Jenkins was a no vote and not a nay – that is, the dude didn’t vote not that he voted no. Stupid reading comprehension).

Party Gaming, the largest online gambling site, issued a statement:

After taking extensive legal advice, the Board of PartyGaming Plc has concluded that the new legislation, if signed into law, will make it practically impossible to provide US residents with access to its real money poker and other real money gaming sites. As a result of this development, the Board of PartyGaming has determined that if the President signs the Act into law, the Company will suspend all real money gaming business with US residents, and such suspension will continue indefinitely, subject to clarification of the interpretation and enforcement of US law and the impact on financial institutions of this and other related legislation. Access to PartyGaming’s online gaming sites for the Group’s US free play customers will be unaffected. Access for all of PartyGaming’s non-US customers will also be unaffected.

The back-alley sports-book and poker games will be on the uptick. Poker is now more popular than it ever has been and there will be an expansion of criminal activity as a result of this legislation. Yes, illegal gambling has been around but, with poker’s popularity, it’s bound to increase.

When those that enforce the law don’t know the law, it’s amusing. The ATF, in an FAQ, gets some gun laws wrong with respect to short barreled shotguns. Wouldn’t be a big deal, after all, what’s a couple of inches? The issue is that they’ll put you in jail for 10 years for violating the law they got wrong. David Hardy provides some interesting history on why shotguns are must be 18 inches and rifles must be 16 inches:

The 16 inch limit only applies to rifles (because after WWII the government found to its embarassment that it had sold loads of M-1 carbines, as surplus, with 16 1/4 barrels). Shotguns with barrels under 18″ have been subject to NFA registration since the statute was enacted in 1934.

I always wondered about that.

The Carnival of Cordite is up. So is the Second Amendment Carnival. Get your gun bloggin fix there.

Xavier tells us where to get Remington 870 shotguns for $269.95.

I like Glocks. I like AR-15s. I simply must have an AR-15 Glock.

Sailorcourt gives them the what for.

Rich asks how you’re going to vote on Tennessee’s amendment to ban gay marriage. Well, I’ll be voting Hell No. In fact, I wonder if I can write in Hell No.

The local advertorial daily paper, the KNS, begins the campaign to save Gloria Ray of the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation. The Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation (KTSC), a private 501 © 3 corporation contracts with the City of Knoxville and Knox County to market Knoxville as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events and leisure travel for an increased economic impact on the region.

Of course the publisher of the local advertorial daily paper is on the board of the Knoxville Tourism & Sports Corporation.

Since the train wreck that was BoomsDay rumors have swirled that Ray’s job was in jeopardy. Of course the 11 million dollar per year operating costs of the Knoxville Convention Center and the pitiful numbers generated from the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame are no help either.

While Ray is not mentioned in the article the message is clear that, "From sights and scenes in the major cities, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and numerous state parks, Tennessee is a welcoming place for visitors within the nation and the world". Blah, blah, and blah.

But according to the Sentinel everything is just ducky, "Locally, Knox County received $685 million from travelers last year, which was a 7.5 percent increase over 2004."

However a realization has been recognised, "Acknowledging the importance of marketing, Tennessee Tourism Commissioner Susan Whitaker said: "We can no longer expect that, just because you build it, people will come."

Now Knox County Commission and City Council will be hit up for more taxpayer money for "marketing" because it is so clear that the problem is that not enough money has been spent on marketing to tell the people of Ohio how wonderful Knoxville is for tourists. There is no way possible we just built stupid venues in bad locations that no one cares about.

Give me a break.

The United States Postal Service has instructions on how to ship a hippopotamus.

Letter to the editor:

I would also like to comment on the lack of mention on the breeds of dogs that fatally killed this gentleman. The dogs were an American bulldog, Johnson bulldog, Border collie, and a Neapolitan mastiff. I find it interesting that when a pit bull bites someone, the breed is the headline. When it’s other breeds, they aren’t mentioned. This story is a perfect example of why breed-specific legislation is flawed. It would not have covered these breeds. I feel for the family members of the gentleman who was killed by these dogs; house arrest is not enough.

The American Bulldog is what Politically Incorrect Dog is and they are often called pit bulls by those not in the know. He’s a standard American Bulldog. The Johnson is another type of American Bulldog. So, maybe the press did it right. And Border Collie? That surprises me.

Some 1911 gun porn for your viewing pleasure.

Wage:

the existence of the blogosphere at all is evidence of a serious market failure.

And More Harold Ford, Jr. on guns.

So, Harold Ford, Jr. was on the radio again this morning. And he was again asked about two issues that were important to me. The first was guns. You may recall that I reported he told a little fib about his gun position a bit back where he claimed he had a B rating from the NRA but the NRA reported he had a C. This time, he said he had a B rating from the NRA for the last two years, which is probably a true statement. I’m sure he may have misspoke the first time. Good for him as it was an honest answer. However, Mr. Ford was definitely anti-gun up until 2003, which I figure is when he decided he’d make a play for Senate. And in 1999-2000 he introduced the anti-gun Gun Industry Responsibility Act, which encouraged governments to sue gun makers in civil court for gun damages. He has since voted for the the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms act, which prohibits frivolous suits against gun makers. A near total turn around. He also said he had a good relationship with the NRA. So good, the NRA endorsed Corker.

Then a caller asked something else that is important to me. I’ve said before I will not support Ford because of his ties to nanny statists like Schumer, Clinton and Kennedy. The caller said, essentially, I will not vote for you due to your ties to your party. How would you address people like me who like your message but, basically, don’t believe you? Ford stated he was only beholden to the people of the state of Tennessee and that he has come under fire by his own party for not toeing the line. As an example, he said he supported and still supports Lieberman (who in my opinion is as much a nanny statist as the others mentioned – he’s just a pro-war nanny statist). Good answer, Mr. Ford, but given your opportunistic and inconsistent voting record, I don’t believe you.

Earlier in the week, Ford called Corker a wimp. He’s right. I said something similar and more vulgar early on.

On Bob Corker:

Dude, stop sending me your junk mail. Seriously, I get this crap three times a week. Also, I want your mom to stop calling my house and leaving pre-recorded messages on my answering machine. And I want your little campaign monkeys to stop calling my house twice a day, mispronouncing my name, and calling my wife the wrong name. If you want your message out, I stay informed. I read the news, listen to the radio, read Al Gore’s Internets. Put your message there. Quit being a wimp. Your negative campaign is not effective. I throw your junk mail away. I hang up on your campaign monkeys (the wife doesn’t but she’s a much nicer person than I am). I want to hear you throw down. Debate someone. Get on the radio. Otherwise, Ford is right. You’re a wimp. I’ll vote for you. More importantly, I’ll vote against Ford. But I’ll hold my nose when I do it.

Sometimes, you can’t be a nice guy to one person without being an asshole to another.

Pulled up to the stop light I always do on the way home. I, who am apparently one of the only 1% people on the Earth who as the ability to look more than one car ahead of myself in traffic, was the fourth car at the light waiting to turn left. I notice the first car at the light was having engine trouble and couldn’t move. They appeared to have fixing it taken care of. So, the two people in front of me were stuck. Being the nice guy I am, I backed up so the two cars between me and the first guy could get in the other lane. As I was backing up, one of you other 99% comes barreling down on me not noticing that the first car was stalled. So, the two cars in front of me were sort of stuck halfway in the right lane. And I was stuck blocking the exit from a parking lot as one of the guys I was nice to was in front and the 99%er was behind me. I couldn’t go forward or back. I was trying to be a nice guy. After all, I could have just gotten in the right lane and left these two other people stuck where they were.

And, right on cue, a person is trying to exit the parking lot. And I’m blocking them in. While trying to be nice to one group of people, I was inadvertently an asshole to another person. They were pretty pissed. Started honking at me and pulling up really close to the side of my truck as if to intimidate me and let me know I was an asshole. The were in a conversion van so they were literally only about 5 feet from me. I gave them the I’m-sorry-wave-and-shrug. They kept honking, cussing at me from the window, and inching up on my truck. I thought to myself: Self, you could try to explain to these people that you were just trying to help the two people in front of you. They kept honking, cussing at me from the window, and inching up on my truck. I could have told them the perfectly reasonable explanation I had for being in their way and costing them 2 minutes of their life. They kept honking, cussing at me from the window, and inching up on my truck. I could have explained that I was actually a nice guy and sorry to have inconvenienced them but if I didn’t do what I did, this traffic light would back up forever and they’d never get out. They kept honking, cussing at me from the window, and inching up on my truck. Instead, I told them to fuck off.

Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale talks with WATE’s Gene Patterson this Sunday on the political talk show “Tennessee This Week”. The program will air at 12:00 noon.

WATE broadcast a teaser last night and it is interesting to watch the Mayor’s body language. Watch this Sunday and see if you can spot the “tell”.

Ragsdale would have made a decent magician as he is skilled in the art of misdirection. His summary of the entire Tyler Harber saga can be distilled as he, “believes the stories were generated out of a personal vendetta by Betty Bean and Halls Shopper editor Sandra Clark.”

Betty calls the Mayor on that balderdash here. An invitation to the parking lot behind Eddie’s Auto Parts may be imminent.

The County Mayor has a very simple political philosophy, you are either with him or you are against him. By the way, he wants to be Governor.

Seen at David Hardy’s:

VCDL has set up a defense fund for the two Virginia FFLs sued by Bloomberg and who have refused to settle. The donation page is here.

After entering the amountand clicking ‘Continue,’ you need to enter “Gun Dealer Legal Defense Fund” at the bottom in the “Message to Seller (Optional)” field. (Alternate instructions for mailing check are in extended remarks below).

Mail a check made out to “VCDL” with “Gun Dealer Legal Defense Fund” written on the comment line.

Mail to:

Virginia Citizens Defense League
Attn: GDLDF
P.O. Box 513
Newington, VA 22122

Joe notes some for Barrett Rifles. I watched that show when it first started coming on. After that episode, I never watched it again due to the supposed weapons expert’s numerous errors, such as saying the AK fired a 308; his lack of gun safety; his lack of wearing eye protection; and other reasons.