Geeks With Guns

Texas man cleared in fatal shootings

A grand jury here Monday cleared a Pasadena, Texas, man in the shooting deaths of two suspected burglars as they left his neighbor's house -- a case that stirred a national debate over whether he was a vigilante or a hero.

The 911 audiotape captured multiple warnings by the dispatcher, asking Horn to stay inside and telling him that "property's not worth killing someone over." However, Horn grew agitated because the men looked to be getting away before police arrived. As the tape rolled, Horn went outside, shouted "Move, you're dead!" and fired his weapon.

more @ latimes.com

Supreme Court Decision on D.C. Handgun Ban

One of the first results of the Supreme Court's decision Thursday to overturn Washington, D.C.'s gun ban is likely be a legal onslaught by the National Rifle Association, which is gearing up for a nationwide campaign to make sure the court's decision is enforced.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre told FOX News moments after the court struck down the 32-year-old ban on loaded weapons inside the homes of residents in the nation's capital that his group is targeting other localities that have blanket prohibitions on gun ownership.

"It's a great day," LaPierre said. "We're going to make sure this freedom is carried out.

Read more...

Pen mightier than sword?

Robert Mugabe gave warning yesterday that he would not cede power if he loses next week’s election to the Opposition in his most explicit statement yet of his refusal to respect the result.

Let's recap:

-At first, Zimbabwe's government passed "reasonable" gun control laws barring its citizens from owning firearms in the name of public safety.
-Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's dictator suffered a crushing electoral defeat but refused to cede power.
-Not admitting defeat, the same Robert Mugabe started imprisoning, persecuting, torturing and summarily executing the disarmed dissenting citizens of his own country.
-When faced with the prospects of a popular uprising, Robert Mugabe laughs his ass off and asked his followers a rhetorical question: How are they gonna fight us, with ball point pens? We have guns.

MORE: http://transsylvaniaphoenix.blogspot.com/2008/06/pen-may-be-mightier-than-sword-however.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4152337.ece

The Open Carry Argument

My primary goal when I’m out and about (besides whatever I went out and about to do) is to go about peaceably and not be the victim of a violent crime. To that end I carry a firearm whenever I go out as well as follow all the other standard safety practices like maintaining situational awareness, staying out of high crime areas, and avoiding confrontation. I also have a larger overall goal of making it through my life without shooting anyone. Simply put, I don’t want to be responsible, legally or morally, for another’s death. Those two goals might appear at first blush to be mutually exclusive, and with concealed carry it would be a difficult set of goals to realize.

Read more...

Belch Day - June 12

On June 12, we’re calling on people around the globe to do their part to save the planet by unleashing a healthy Carbon Belch.

There’s so much you can do to increase your carbon footprint on Carbon Belch Day -- mow your lawn, go for a drive, gather neighbors for a barbecue (calculate your carbon belch here). In fact, there’s something for everyone. It’s never been so easy to do your part.
http://www.carbonbelchday.com/

Grateful, Awed, Encouraged, Inspired - Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2008 on May 26). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action. (wiki)

We are grateful for the sacrifices of our Men and Women like 19-year-old Army Pfc. Ross McGinnis of Knox, Pa., who, on June 2 will be posthumously award the Medal of Honor.

"McGinnis was perched in the gunner's hatch of a Humvee when a grenade sailed past him and into the truck where four other soldiers sat. He shouted a warning to the others, then jumped on the grenade. The grenade, which was lodged near the vehicle's radio, blew up and killed him. Lt. Col. Anne Edgecomb, an Army spokeswoman, said McGinnis easily could have jumped out of the truck and saved himself.

"The instinct is, jump out of the vehicle, but his four buddies were in the vehicle with him ... and he chose to place himself on top of the grenade and absorb the impact, and it saved their lives," Edgecomb said. (news source)

We are awed by the heart and courage of our fellow Americans who voluntarily take up the cause of freedom; most of them understanding that the price for their own freedom was paid some time ago, and that the price for the freedom of generations to come is solely on their small shoulders.

Their sacrifices, both physical and otherwise have always encouraged us to believe that our freedoms are still worth fighting for, as are our fellow Americans. The war records of our Fathers and Grandfathers have inspired many of us, both men and women, to make commitments to American Armed Forces and other groups which enable important military and humanitarian missions, both abroad and domestic, to find success and to make a positive impact on our world.

Please join us on this day in remembering and honoring those men and women who are true American heroes. As you gather with your friends and family today, please let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifices.

Novel New Weapon downplayed by Marines

War is hell. But it’s worse when the Marines bring out their new urban combat weapon, the SMAW-NE. Which may be why they’re not talking about it, much.

This is a version of the standard USMC Shoulder Mounted Assault Weapon but with a new warhead. Described as NE - "Novel Explosive"- it is a thermobaric mixture which ignites the air, producing a shockwave of unparalleled destructive power, especially against buildings.

"Guns won't Make Campus Safer"

"Guns won't Make Campus Safer": This is the title of an editorial written by a clueless, quite possibly, journalism major at La. Tech, employee of a local daily newspaper. the author's premise is that COUNSELING will reach out and include all of the social and mental misfits into the fabric of college life thereby eliminating the need for an armed student populice.

The opinion was written partially in response to the anniversary of the Va. Tech tragedy, but also in support of HB-199 being considered by the LA Legislature -- the bill will permit licensed concealed weapon holders to carry concealed on campus.

I have a 20 yr. old daughter that WILL be licensed when she turns 21 later this summer. Passage of this bill is important, not only to me but to all fathers -- especially those of female student-athletes that return back to campus, then possibly off campus housing after long road trips.

Other articles: latimes.com
arbiteronline.com

From today's headlines...

WASHINGTON (AP)—The White House on Tuesday denied a published report in Israel that said President Bush intends to attack Iran before the end of his term in January.

A White House spokesperson retorted that everyone knows the attack is scheduled for early November.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)—A black bear was shot and killed inside the ransacked home of an Anchorage couple. David and Robin Tisch came home Sunday and discovered the aggressive bear inside the residence on Villages Scenic Parkway, a dirt road near Chugach State Park.

A polar bear also on the scene was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and released.

NEW YORK - A Manhattan restaurant is offering a hamburger that costs $175 and is topped with gold. It’s made of Kobe beef. It comes with black truffles, foie gras and Gruyere cheese in addition to gold flakes.

The burger is served with a side of crude oil. The restaurant offers investors the option to pay when they order, as the price of the burger can actually double before it finishes cooking.

SEATTLE (AP)—Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer scrambled for cover from an egg-hurling protester during a talk at a Hungarian university Monday.

A spokesperson for Ballmer said that the CEO was not hurt, as Ballmer is used to dealing with shells that appear strong but that actually crack very easily.

more @ http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=4894

The Journalist's Guide to Gun Violence Coverage

Guns are a sad fact of life in American culture and are a major topic in modern journalism. A good Journalist has a duty to get involved and make a difference in this important societal debate. By following certain guidelines, the concerned Journalist can be assured of having the maximum impact on this shameful problem.

The first principle to remember is that subtle use of terminology can covertly influence the reader. Adjectives should be chosen for maximum anti-gun effect. When describing a gun, attach terms like "automatic," "semi-automatic," "large caliber," "deadly," "high powered," or "powerful." Almost any gun can be described by one or more of these terms. More than two guns should be called an "arsenal."

http://www.thepriceofliberty.org/08/05/19/brown.htm