Wednesday, February 28, 2007

An Act of Terrorism

Fits has a picture of one in progress...

"We are Hopeful"

With the support of a new Democratic governor, advocates for a state assault weapons ban said yesterday that they have the legislative backing and momentum to pass a bill this session.

"We are hopeful that the new political landscape will make a difference this year," said Sen. Michael G. Lenett, the Montgomery County Democrat sponsoring the proposal.

So, Michael, how many people who defy your hopefulness are you willing to have state enforcers imprison or kill? That'll sure "make a difference."

We're the Only Ones Prioritizing Enough

A TERRIFIED 80-year-old had to wait 24 HOURS for cops after a hammer fiend smashed her windows and threatened to kill her...It was not until the next day that a policeman finally turned up.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “We have to prioritise our calls in order of seriousness.”
As Cryptic Subterranean notes:
Yeah, like one of their own complaining about a kid kicking a ball against a fence.
It doesn't matter where in the world you go, you'll always find "The Only Ones."

UPDATE: I just sent the following email to the reporter and the Thames Valley Police. I'll post any responses I get:

In re:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007080092,00.html

Mr. Pyatt, assuming the facts of your story are correct, you are in a unique position to complete a needed investigation. The police say they had to prioritize their calls, but a scan of news stories from that area doesn’t really show enough urgent response activity to warrant a 24-hour tie-up of all emergency resources, does it?

I mean, we see:
Ex-landlady buys police drugs dog

Police set Shining example with in-car computers

Sara Thornton appointed top cop

Workshop Offer To Driving Mobile Phone Offenders –

Police get cash

Etc. But we don’t really see anything you or I would consider more of a priority if it were our mother being attacked, do we? Do you think emergencies warranting a 24-hour delay for a 999 call could have happened without being picked up by the news?

It seems fair to ask if the spokesman was merely covering up for failure.

Please press the Thames Valley police for their log to show what they considered more important than a defenseless old woman being terrorized with a lethal weapon—and please press them to give you their written policy on how such prioritization is determined. Please publish that you are doing this, and please keep your readers posted on whether or not satisfactory answers are forthcoming.

Sincerely,

David Codrea
I mean, somebody's got to tell the "authorized journalists" how to do their job...

Gun Control on Rise Again

All of the efforts put forth by gun owners over the past several years may well be undone in the next few years.

True, and based on results, those efforts must not have been very effective.

We can apportion blame to give our political "leaders" their due, but the fact is everything they do to the people is because the people have (and continue to) let them.

Bust This Union

Why be concerned? Because neither Mexico nor Canada recognizes inherent, natural rights. All of their "rights" are actually privileges, granted by the government, and subject to removal at the government's whim. A North American Union would effectively eliminate the Bill of Rights. Since neither Mexico nor Canada recognizes the right to keep and bear arms, it's a virtual certainty that the Second Amendment would be the first right to be eliminated.

JPFO alerts us to the dangers of the nascent North American Union.

[Via John Schaefer]

We're the Only Ones Not Facing Charges Enough

"They've decided that it doesn't rise to a criminal offense and they're not going to press criminal charges against the two police officers that have admitted to breaking into the fire station and doing damage"...
No, absolutely not. I'm sure any one of us could get away with doing the same as these ON DUTY "Only Ones."

What's with the preponderance of "Only Ones" stories today? It's not like I announced another Carnival...

[Via Declan]

We're the Only Ones Fearing Repercussions Enough

In his handwritten confession to investigators last year, a disgraced Harvey detective said he handed over a handgun to a suspect's family at Mayor Eric Kellogg's suggestion.

"I feared losing my job or other internal repercussions," Hollis Dorrough, a formerly decorated officer, wrote in the six-page confession obtained by the Daily Southtown. "I have seen others fired or messed with for not following Mayor Kellogg's direction."

We've visited Harvey before. Twice now.

Lovely place. A real Mayberry when it comes to "The Only Ones."

[Via HZ]

We're the Only Ones Discharging in the Men's Locker Room Enough

A bullet discharged from a sheriff deputy’s gun Monday at Miramont Sports Center, narrowly missed a 14-year-old girl working out in an adjacent room...it does not appear that any charges will be filed because the discharge was accidental.
"Accidental."

See, if it's not due to "negligence," they can avoid those messy charges, one of the perks of being an "Only One."

[Via Nathan F]

This Day in History: February 28

On this day in 1784, John Wesley charters the first Methodist Church in the United States. Despite the fact that he was an Anglican, Wesley saw the need to provide church structure for his followers after the Anglican Church abandoned its American believers during the American Revolution.

So out of that noble motive came this?