Today's terrific but terse tract titillates and tantalizes.
Well, no.
But I want to try a sentence with a bunch of Ts.
RKBA is a DKos group of second amendment supporters who also have progressive and liberal values. We don't think that being a liberal means one has to be anti-gun. Some of us are extreme in our second amendment views (no licensing, no restrictions on small arms) and some of us are more moderate (licensing, restrictions on small arms.) Moderate or extreme, we hold one common belief: more gun control equals lost elections. We don't want a repeat of 1994. We are an inclusive group: if you see the Second Amendment as safeguarding our right to keep and bear arms individually, then come join us in our conversation. If you are against the right to keep and bear arms, come join our conversation. We look forward to seeing you. RKBA stands for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Starting off today's blurbs, we have TG (full name is Theatre Goon or ThanksGiving or Tada! Guys or something like that.)
Bias is not the problem you may think it is.
Often, when one provides a link to a website to support an argument or a statement, the response is that the support is invalid because the website (or other publication) is biased.
So what?
Any advocacy website is, by its very nature, biased. Even good old DKos is extremely biased, when you look at it honestly. That being the case, there is no problem because some referenced site is biased, only if it is non-factual. That being the case, neither the NRA website, nor the Brady Campaign’s websites are good references in many cases, because they are biased and can also be shown to be incorrect in numerous instances.
A site that can not be shown to be inaccurate, however, can not be dismissed with a simple charge of bias.
At least, not and retain intellectual honesty, at any rate.
Following that up, we have Shadan7 (no, he's not a music group like Maroon5) with an interesting news story:
Remember, when coffee cups are outlawed, only outlaws will have cups of coffee:
Thief robs arcade with cup of coffee
BERLIN (Reuters) – A thief in the German town of Hamelin robbed an amusement arcade by threatening the attendant with a cup of coffee, authorities said on Tuesday.
"He wasn't going to pour coffee over her, he was going to hit her with the cup," a spokesman for local police said.
Brandishing the steaming cup he had just ordered, the thief forced the 26-year-old to open the till and fled with cash.
Police would not say how much money he had taken from the attendant, who had been alone in the arcade. "We don't want to encourage others to try this," the spokesman said.
Clearly, the solution is banning coffee.
KVoimakas has the following tips on carrying in Michigan and other states that require informing the LEO who pulls you over that you're carrying:
This works for trucks, cars, and other enclosed vehicles (I'll cover bikes and trikes later.)
Step 1: Turn off the automobile.
Step 2: Turn on the overhead light.
Step 3: Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Step 4: As soon as the officer approaches, tell him (or her) something along the lines of the following: "Officer, I am a concealed carry permit holder and I am currently carrying."
Step 5: Shut up.
Step 6: Answer the officer's questions, which are very likely going to include "Where is the firearm?"
Step 7: Optional, but helpful (and it engenders some good will, which is always useful at a traffic stop.) Offer to allow the officer to take your pistol for the duration of the stop. This usually helps calm their nerves. That cop doesn't know you. All he has is your word that you're a licensed concealed carrier (until he sees your permit [doesn't apply everywhere.])
Step 8: Comply with the officer's wishes. This would probably include showing your permit, drivers license, registration, etc.
Step 9: Continue to comply with the officer's wishes.
Step 10: If the officer took your weapon, he will give it back at some point. Normally, he'll unload it. DON'T load it right back up with him there unless he okays it (I usually ask.)
Step 11: Go on your merry way. Hopefully, the officer didn't write you a ticket.
I've been pulled over twice since I've started carrying my pistol. *cough* I would like to point out that in each case, I was speeding by a considerable amount. *cough* The first time, I offered the local LEO my firearm for the duration of the stop but he told me to keep it. The second time, I offered and the county deputy took my firearm.
On a motorcycle there are a couple different items. I still turn off my bike, but I take the helmet off (and any goggles, earplugs, etc) and after that, I put my arms out to the side so the officer can clearly see my hands. People who actually look like stereotypical 1% bikers will probably catch more flak than say, sport bike guys.
I'll be around tomorrow morning to answer any questions or respond to any comments.
Amendment II Democrats has a new section on its website that shows where Dem Congresspeople weigh in on the Second Amendment and gun legislation:
http://www.a2dems.net/...
So far, we've got House candidates Casey Clark (MD-6) and Ted Ankrum (TX-10) on the record, but I'm hoping more candidates will be responding to our questionnaire soon.
Hope this is of some use to you. Thanks, and take care!
A Firearm Open Thread is below. Enjoy the discussion!