Internet Upgrade?: I was about halfway through assembling this morning's
mailing when I lost my internet connection. It turns out that today was
my block's turn to undergo a cable upgrade, which kept me offline for
most of the day.
---
Wishful Thinking?: Mark Steyn appears to place a ot of weight on one
report that Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers used to carry a handgun.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/steyn/cst-edt-steyn09.html
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Just The Facts, Ma'am: Steve Bowers takes on the Brady Bunch's lies
about Florida's stand-your-ground law.
http://www.politicalgateway.com/main/columns/read.html?col=479
---
Meanwhile, In Romania...: While the translation does not flow smoothly,
it sounds like at least one Romanian liberal has a problem with
homeowners shooting burglars.
http://www.expres.ro/english/?news_id=199828
---
Rule One Reminder: Another Pennsylvania police officer has been shot by
a fellow officer in a designated firearm-cleaning area. Fortuitously,
the wound was not fatal. (Rule One: All firearms are always loaded.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/news/s_382298.html
---
New Life For An Old Cartridge: First article discusses the history of
the M1 Carbine in Israel and alludes to its cartridge being used in a
newly designed weapon. The second link shows the weapon.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20051008.aspx
http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/small_arms/magal/Magal.html
---
Breaking News From Canada!: Despite a massive effort to register
firearms, it turns out that most Canadian firearms used in homicides
have never been registered! Not only that, it also turns out that knives
are the most commonly used murder weapon in that country.
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2005/10/07/1252148-sun.html
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Brazilian Firearm Dealers Say Ban Will Prove Worthless: With an upcoming
referendum on legal sales of firearms in Brazil, several dealers say
that its passage will neither affect their sales not murder rates.
Licensed dealers are already so restricted that the new ban won't make
any difference.
http://www.thedailyjournalonline.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12394&ArticleId=199777
---
Attention Virginia Voters: A list member from Virginia requested that I
share his thoughts on the upcoming election.
I have reached a conclusion with regard to the current
confusing political situation with the VA Governor's
race.
THE CURRENT LINE-UP: Candidate Potts is considered
anti-gun. Major Democrat candidate Kaine is
demonstrably anti-gun. Then there is the Republican
candidate Jerry Kilgore who presents us with:
THE QUANDRY: For reasons unknown to us, the presumably
pro-gun Republican candidate Kilgore has a record
materially confirming him to be pro-gun but he has
thumbed his nose at the VCDL's request for a completed
survey. Further, he or his representatives have made
hostile, derogatory and FALSE remarks about VCDL's
president, Phil Van Cleave. The source of Kilgore's
animosity towards one of his core constituencies is
baffling beyond belief and left many wondering what to
do.
CALL FOR ACTION: The purpose of this posting is to
respectfully request all VA VCDL members, pro-gun
citizens and like minded people who are properly
registered as voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia
to vote in the coming election, and recognize the
following unofficial nomination to please:
WRITE-IN Phil Van Cleave , VCDL's President ...for
Governor of Virginia
WHAT THIS DOES: In short, it will help quantify the
resistance to the arrogance of the Kilgore campaign.
There is little danger in this experiment, and here's
why:
VA's legislature is largely conservative and pro-gun.
Regardless of who is in the Governor's office, little
damage can be done. The worst that is apparent at this
time is that not much good will be added to our
pro-gun successes of recent years.
We cannot vote for Kaine because he is anti-gun. We
cannot in good conscience vote for Kilgore because his
hostility now leaves us wondering how he will react to
VCDL sponsored bills, were he to be elected. The
reaction of his campaign makes some wonder if his
campaign has been infiltrated with liberals who are
sewing dissension between the candidate and gun
owners. The NRA endorsement is irrelevant; I am an NRA
member but find that organization's effects are
largely national in scope. The VCDL is the prime mover
in local/State issues.
If candidate Kilgore loses by a margin within a Phil
Van Cleave write in vote, it will be the LAST TIME
VCDL is marginalized, insulted and ignored in State
politics. The upshot is we will add a good deal of
stature to VCDL. Even if candidate Kaine takes office,
our effect will not be ignored by him. Between that
and the sponsorship of him by the current Governor
(who signed many VCDL sponsored bills), maybe we will
effect some change in their outlook.
THE ODDS: Current media reports indicate this is
shaping up to be a close election. It is not
unthinkable that we can make a huge statement and
advance VCDL's cause.
If Kilgore loses and can't QUANTIFY why, it does us no
good. So staying home and sitting out this election is
NOT an option. Kilgore needs to know WHY! We can put
our name on his loss, telling him in NO UNCERTAIN
TERMS that the organization devoted to preserving a
key civil right of Commonwealth citizens will not be
sidelined when it attempts to make clear the true
colors of candidates in this state. It's about
disclosure!
I have never been one to throw away my vote on
third-party or no name candidates, but this is
different. We have nothing to lose, and quite a bit to
gain in the statement we will make. On the State level
gaining 3,000-5,000 votes could be major. What's more,
if the magic wand was waved and Phillip actually won,
he'd make a GREAT Governor. His dedication,
organizational skills and Richmond experience would
make him a competent and responsible leader. He
certainly would not be ashamed of his views and fail
to fill out a survey!
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Hoffmann, VCDL Member
Middleburg, VA
--
Stephen P. Wenger
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
