Articles tagged as

GraniteGrok

Comment Doodlings: What does “Why to you Need that?” have to do with Freedom?

Over at Bloomberg, Ramesh Pnnuru has piece on “Sensible Gun Legislation”.  A ‘fair enough” piece that brings up some items that an uncle of one of the slain kids at Sandy Hook Elementary that included a legal requirement to report a imminent threat (or suffer jail time for remaining silent), a standard for how guns are secured in the home (disregarding it could result in a felony conviction / large fine), Federally paid for security reviews and upgrades and a national team of grief counselors.

This post is not about the above (other than to point out “why the heck is it the duty of the Federal Government to pay for a local school – especially the grief counselors”? If it is THAT important, why isn’t the more local level of government doing these things?  But there was one comment that I did respond to:

Asked by “Leo”:

I just have one question for Matt A: Why?

Why do you own an AR-15 and 30-round magazines?

This is a 100% serious question. I’d appreciate a frank and full response. In legal terms, “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

Since “Matt A” had not left a reply, I left one:

Your “worthiness” evaluation of my Need is irrelevant in a Free Society.

If we truly live in the “Land of the Free”, then the phrases “why do you need that?” or “I have no idea why anyone needs <insert whatever here>  are based on an irrelevant premise.  In a Free Society, perceived “need” is only based on the what the acquirer believes to be a need – or even a want.  Not anyone else’s perception of such.

Read more

Blogline of the Day – Why did Obama Win?

We interrupt this orgy of Obama worship to recall that his campaign huddled early in 2012 and reflected that they could not run on his first-term record. Accordingly, the strategy was “Kill Romney.” Congratulations. That what we’re celebrating today. – Mona Charen, NRO Contributor and syndicated columnist

The problem that Progressivism was supposed to fix is now embedded in their Government

“The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.”

“Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.”

– President Obama, Inauguration (2009)

Bob Schieffer of CBS on this Inauguration Day said this that caught my eye (emphasis mine):

The fight over the fiscal cliff was so distasteful and ridiculous, it left me wondering not so much about the possibilities of the next four years, but whether our political system is so broken and our politicians so inept, that they — WE, actually — are no longer capable of solving our problems.

“that they… are no longer capable of solving our problems“.  Schieffer comes right up the point of an epiphany – and then backs down.  As with all Big Government hangers-on and media, he believes that solutions can only come from Government – thus, the conflation of “they” (meaning the politicians) and “WE” (the people) – and continues the lie that we cannot take care of ourselves (like, what goes Government have that we don’t?  Oh yeah, our money).

Historically, WE confronted the problems and WE solved them. Not politicians – us, the individuals that make up this nation. It is only since the time of Wilson, accelerated by FDR, and now launched over the cliff by Obama, that people first look to Government.  Instead, we need to look to ourselves and those around us.    It is time to take back the responsibility from a Government that isn’t working – we have overloaded it (well, Progressives have overloaded it for us) in trying to get it to do stuff that is now too complex for it to do.  Yes, such irony, isn’t it?

Read more

Information Wars – used to be the stuff of foreign battlefields. Thanks, Progressives, for bringing it to the ‘hood!

This shift stems, in large part, from the movement from a predominately resource and tangible goods-based economy to an information-based one. In the past, political struggles were largely fought over how to divide up the spoils generated by the basic productive economy; labor, investors and management all shared a belief in the ethos of economic growth, manufacturing and resource extraction.

In contrast, today’s new hegemons hail almost entirely from outside the material economy, and many come from outside the realm of the market system entirely. . . . To understand the possible implications of the new power arrangement, it is critical to understand the nature of the new clerisy. Unlike traditional capitalist power groups, including private-sector organized labor, the clerisy’s power derives not primarily through economic influence per se but through its growing power to inform opinion and regulate everything from how people live to what industries will be allowed to grow, or die.

First reaction – Ah!  instead of the information war that our external enemies, Viet Nam and Ho Chi Minh, and the Iraq War and Al Queda, we’ll have that information war waged against our citizens that “dissent” from Progressive orthodoxy.  Splendid – what POSSIBLY could go wrong??

Read more

Is the NHACP going to repeat their Chicken Little routine again?

NHACP 2011-12-28 Against "Stand Your Ground"In the last session, the NH Associations of Chiefs of Police (NHACP) decided that legislation that more fully allowed NH Citizens to realize their Natural Right to self-defense and lobbied the legislators (I do wonder if that would be legal – I seem to remember that association dues like this are paid out of property taxes.  Thus, wouldn’t this be illegal??).  For all their kvetching about a “Wild West” (echoing what others always say when gun laws are relaxed), the same thing happened here in NH as elsewhere – nothing happened. At all.  Nada, when it came to actions by lawful citizens.  And like those “else where naysayers”, the NHACP ended up looking like Chicken Littles. ‘Cept no sky fell.

Well, HB135 is now up for a vote – once again, hypocritical Democrats are trying to change “settled law” and reverse what Republicans passed last session.  Will we see the NHACP throw in with the Democrats in limiting Citizens’ Rights – after all, the empirical evidence shows that the law has been successful has happened.  I outline a couple of what I thought to be key phrases .But ask yourself – given their failed prophecy, will they again try to act as the Oracle at Delphi?

Read more

NHFC’s response to the Democrat / Progressive gun grabbing actions

We here at GraniteGrok are fortunate to be in contact with a lot of the Liberty and Freedom groups here in NH  – the NH Firearms Coalition is one of them.  Today, we have added our names to this Letter:

The National Coalition to Stop the Gun Ban, of which NHFC is a founding member has issued a response to President Obama’s gun ban scheme.  I have attached it for your review.

 

In Liberty,

Jonathan R. Evans, Esq.

President, NHFC

To Congress and the American people:

The federal gun control measures President Barack Obama, Senator Dianne Feinstein and others now propose represents nothing less than an attack on American freedom. Included in that attack is a proposal to dramatically expand federal police powers by using the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to register millions of law-abiding gun owners. As history has repeatedly demonstrated, registration is the necessary prelude to confiscation.

Using the Sandy Hook tragedy as a pretext to advance a gun control agenda set in the 1980s, gun ban advocates now seek universal registration and licensing, bans on firearms only cosmetically different from common hunting guns, and limits on magazine capacities which will restrict self-defense handguns used by millions of Americans to protect themselves and their families.

Read more

New Hampshire House Democrat Respect & Civility Alert! – an update via interviews

And to a degree, an apology for this late update.  After Steve put up this post concerning the total LACK of Democrat civility by David Miller (D-Rochester):

Today’s Respect and Civility Award goes to David P. Miller D- Rochester.

He’s made it his mission to harass a Republican rep who sits near him because he disagrees with them on the right to carry a concealed weapon. Word has it that he was not at all respectful or civil after she spoke against amending a rule to ban firearms on the House floor and in the gallery. Witnesses report that he was rude and persistent. And it has been reported to me that he intends to harass this Republican Rep every day on this issue.

Well, we interviewed both NH State Rep Laura Jones (R-Strafford District 24) who observed the berating delivered by David Miller, and NH State Rep Jeanine Notter (R-Hillsborough District 21).

Skip’s interview with Laura Jones:

Steve’s interview with Jeanine Notter” on the jump:

Read more

Data Point: Democrats beware – 2 of 3 Americans believe Second Amendment is to protect Freedom

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

…and not just the “hide the truth” by gun controllers that it is for “hunting, sport, and self-defense”.  Rasmussen has the data (emphasis mine):

  • 65% of American Adults think the purpose of the Second Amendment is to make sure that people are able to protect themselves from tyranny. Only 17% disagree, while another 18% are not sure.
  • 72% of those with a gun in their family agree with the premise.  Even without gun ownership, 57% still believe in that purpose.
  • Agree?  54% of Democrats, 75% of Republicans, 68% of Independents
  • 60% would rather live in a neighborhood where they can own a gun and most would feel safer if their children attended a school with an armed security guard
  • A plurality believes dealing with mental health issues will lead to more effective results.

Read more

A thought on a Cocktail Tax – what do Individuals owe to the Collective?

margaritaSteve, as always, has a unique take on this Cocktail Tax being proposed by a study New Futures.  Bottom line – a new tax to be levied against individuals for the collective cost of $1.15 Billion (and $251 million in direct social costs to the State) for the effects of over drinking (a “per-drink alcohol costs recovery charge”).

Let me state that again: ding individuals for a perceived crime or hurt against the collective.  Once again: we see the subtle nuance of which is more important in the eyes of the Left: the individual or the group.  Somehow, the Left has twisted the responsibility of people to behave sociably and responsibly as at least an offense against us all (and perhaps, rising to the level of a crime).  Certainly, mere offense or serious crime, somebody has to pay but this is where the Left’s predilection of always disavowing personal responsibility for one’s own actions (unless it is a TEA Partier carrying a gun and a Gadsen Flag – then lock them up, throw away the key, and equate them at the level of being sex offenders) fires up once again.  If one sins (or just a few), then ALL are considered to have sinned against the Collective.

Read more

Joe Biden: “If it only saves one life!” 12 year old shoots adult home invader in self-defense

BRYAN COUNTY, OK–A day off for fall break was anything but relaxing for a 12-year old Bryan County girl, when an intruder broke into her home on Michael Avenue.

Deputies say, the girl was home alone when a man she’d never seen before, rang the front doorbell. They say when no one answered the door, the man went around to the back of the house and kicked a door open. That’s when authorities say, the girl grabbed a gun and hid in a bathroom closet.

“He had worked his way all the way through the house and into the bathroom. And from what we understand, he was turning the doorknob when she fired through the door.” Says Bryan County Under sheriff, Ken Golden.

Just like the guy HUNTING for the Mom and the two 9 year old twins, this guy was HUNTING for the girl.  Nice that a case a lead poisoning ensued.

Read more

Blogline of the Day – on political hypocrites

“Contrary to the rant in response you’re anticipating, I’m not upset. I’m actually honored to do my part in that whole ‘shared sacrifice’ thing we keep hearing about from our benevolent ruling class. After all, who’s more qualified to talk about shared sacrifice than those who can vote themselves pay raises whenever they want, pass … Read more

Like father, like son? Like Jim Foley, like Bruce Perlo?

NH GOP Chair race.  Heating up.  Exposing a longstanding flaw in an Establishment mindset.  A Big one -> “Activists out side the Party are worthless”.  Remember what Finance Chair and Derry Chair said:

In addition- we have a meeting of activists every month- it is know as the Executive Board

with the implication of “we are the activists that count”.  Well, that was pretty inclusive right there, eh?  In 2006 & 2008, you had the Party activists – period.  And in a lot of cases here in NH, given the “down the nose” treatment by “Party Activists” and Mucky-Mucks like Foley, a lot of the volunteer outside the Party folks either sat on their hands (and wallets) or moved a whole lot slower if they helped at all (trust me, I heard the stories).  Top-down, command-and-control; 2012 had results more similar to 2008 and 2006 than 2010.  Sure, there were other factors in play here this cycle (muchly due to the Obama Big Data for which the Establishment Republicans (and the money they represent) had no answer, but a good deal of the “down enthusiasm” of the grass roots had to do with the way they were treated – and with the way that Bill O’Brien was treated).  When hard work was put in on Constitutional and Party Platform issues and bills, only to see it defeated by “less grassroots oriented” / Establishment Republicans, why support the Party?  So instead of getting a heartfelt “thank you for your work in the election” (e.g., TEA Party / 9-12ers/ RLCNH / Constitutionalists / Libertarians, Papa Smurf (aka, the Gnome of the North) took much of the credit for the election results.  No matter.  But when the kicks were laid in afterwards during the legislative Sessions, well, one could say that the NH GOP did it to themselves.

And no one has EVAH  laid out how much better of a NH GOP Chair MacDonald turned out to be than Jack Kimball (and I can throw in Fergus “The Fringe” Cullen into that mix with MacDonald as well) when actual results are compared.

And now, former Grafton County Chair Bruce Perlow is doing it again.  Nice:

Read more

“I don’t know WHY anyone NEEDS an AR-15”. Wrong premise, Progressives!

True Freedom means not having to have a Need to order justify having something

assault weaponRemember that the next time somebody demands “Why do you need that?” (unless it is your spouse or your Mother – then forget what I’m saying here.  Steve is busy and I am having another one of those “paralysis blocks” that bloggers sometimes have.  Not exactly “writer’s block” (during which you can’t think of a thing to say, and worse, if you did, can’t type two words that lie together well) but a case of “there’s too much going on – what to take on first (or best) and not sound like a me-too schmuck”.  But sometimes, when in that mode, it’s like you are the shooting guard in basketball and you go into a 0 for 20 shooting run – the only way out is to keep shooting.  So, here’s a shot in the dark.

We are, as a nation, at a cusp.  The vast majority of Americans were outraged at the tragedy in Newtown.  True to form, Progressives jumped on this crisis with both feet – hey such a chance to advance a fundamental Progressive ideal – an unarmed citizenry.  After all, their belief system demands fealty to the notion that Government is there for YOU and that their Government (and make no mistake, no limited government is any Government of theirs) will take care of you.  Thus, no guns, and certainly no guns of any consequence.  You don’t need them to defend yourself (call 911) and you really don’t have to hunt (that’s cruel to animals, and besides, we grow them in that plastic wrap).  They really don’t believe in guns, even as many of these Progressive elected officials make utter fools of themselves concerning the vocabulary concerning the descriptions of firearms and accessories (we’ll let you off the hook – we’d laugh less at you if you just said “ewww, you can’t have them because they’re ICKY” than when you can’t get the basic nomenclature right).

So, from their Olympus like heights of Enlightened Morality, they proclaim “You don’t NEED that!” – and they do mean it; they have no idea of why something would be important to you – and they don’t care to know.  In their worldview, where the rest of us need guidance, this is one of those supreme moments of applying Progressive Guidance (yes, upper-case chosen deliberately to show the height of Progressive Reaction of those that they have allowed to go astray for too long – they are done with “our foolishness”.

Any time you hear Liberal or Progressive (yes, you can be the former without being the latter but with the way that the New Left is hollowing out the Democrat Party, that person is seldom is a moderate Democrat) say that, here is your reposte:

So, Jackass, what does Need have to do with Freedom?

Read more

So, Obamacare hates babies?

From Fox News comes the news that rationing that many conservatives have feared and warned about won’t come via a direct Obama decree, or rationing coming by longer wait times for delivered healthcare services, but by seeing those service simply disappear because Obamacare has a dim view of actually paying for the cost of delivering the service of delivering those babies:

Pregnant women in one southwestern Pennsylvania town will soon need to look elsewhere to deliver their babies, after a local hospital announced it will end the practice in March — blaming ObamaCare in part for the decision.

The Windber Medical Center will stop delivering babies after March 31 because its obstetricians are either leaving or refocusing their practices, and because hospital officials believe they can’t afford it based on projected reimbursements under looming federal health care reforms.

Huzzah!  Obama IS going to save some money for not being responsible for the care it said it would be!  Nothing says Universal Healthcare For All like “go somewhere else and get it”.  After all, if the care is not delivered, Obama won’t have to pay for it – brilliant!

Read more

So, putting armed personel in schools was a wacko idea?

So, NRA Executive VP Wayne LaPierre was crucified for his suggestion for adding more armed folks in schools (even as 1/3 of American schools already had such)?  Gee, what a different a month makes; at today’s Presidential Presser (you know, the one with kids as Progressive stage props?): 18. Provide incentives for schools to hire … Read more

I was going to do this – but the Everlasting Phelps did a pretty good job…

The Everlasting Phelps is a new blog to me and had a bit of a commentary on Obama’s Executive Orders – all 23 of them.  I have some concerns about some of the Exec Orders  (as in, is there any authorization in real law to substantiate the claim to do this, or is this  simply yet another example of “Obama being Obama” (or more bluntly put “The Rule of Man via Monarchical Decrees / The Law of the Strong Man”)).  Anyways, Everlasting Phelps has a quick reposte that matched my first reactions as well:

  • Tell the government to follow the law.
  • Tell the regulators to stop the stupid and useless regulations.
  • Pay the states back for the unfunded mandates that the Feds keeps making.
  • Tell the Attorney General to do his job.
  • Start another unfunded mandate. (See #3.)
  • Tell FDLs how to do something no one is ever going to bother to do.
  • Do the same thing the NRA already does, only half as well at twice the cost.
  • Do what Underwriters Laboratories already does, only half as well at twice the cost.
  • Tell the Feds to do their jobs.
  • Tell the DOJ to do its job.
  • Tell myself to do my job.
  • Spend more money.
  • Tell everyone to do their goddamned jobs.
  • Tell the doctors to figure out why it isn’t the feds’ fault that they aren’t doing their jobs.
  • Figure out a way to push “smart guns” that don’t exist and wouldn’t be useful as guns if they did.
  • Tell everyone that Obamacare doesn’t actually mean what it says.
  • Tell everyone that, seriously, Obamacare doesn’t actually mean that. We had to pass it to find out what was in it, after all.
  • Tell everyone that I’ve been a partisan hack for the last month every time I said the NRA was crazy to want to post more cops in schools.
  • Do the same thing that every police agency in the country has already done, only half as well and at ten times the cost.
  • Tell doctors what they already know.
  • Tell people what the parts of Obamacare that don’t say anything say.
  • Tell HHS to do their job.
  • Hand the rest of the job of telling everyone to do their jobs off to someone else so it is no longer my job.

Here’s the list but with the Exec. Orders with them:

Read more

Ignoble Quote – President Barack Hussein Obama

“What’s more important?” he asked. “Doing whatever it takes to get an A grade from the gun lobby that contributes to their campaign or giving parents some peace of mind when they drop their child off for first grade?”

 – President Barack Hussein Obama (1/16/13, on issuing 23 Executive Orders on Government gun control)

Once again, President Strawman decides to make an ignoble argument on a very important topic – how far he is going to push the Federal Government in infringing upon the Second Amendment.  Certainly anyone that has been following the issue knows exactly what he is doing with this line – he is calling those of us who support the Second Amendment as is, is framing a whole class of citizens, as kid killers.  After all, who in right mind would pick a legislative score over live kids?

Let me repeat that – Kid Killers is how he wishes to portray those that respectfully disagree with him.  That also includes us who are not always all that respectful as well (but hey, if I’m going to be called a Baby Killer and neaderthalic, I’m supposed to be respectful?).

And this from a guy (I do respect the Office of the President, but since he continues to use the language and manner of a cheap street community organizer, he has not earned that respect) who actually voted to make baby killing legal (remember, he voted to allow partial birth abortion).   So, it is merely a matter of his ideology – surround himself with kids as political stage props when it suits HIS ideological belief (which has nothing to do with kids but all about disarming the American population as his past votes and actions have shown every time).  But when HIS ideological belief supports abortion, well, the only stage props he needs is a box of plastic bags.  But, I digress.

Read more

Share to...
BufferCopyFlipboardHacker NewsLineLinkedInMastodonMessengerMixPinterestPrintRedditSMSTelegramTumblrVKWhatsAppXingYummly