Jay Bookman

By Midori

August 19, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

I find the idea of teachers carrying guns in the classroms completely disgusting.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Where’s all this going to end? Not until guns are everywhere and Americans are as safe and secure as, say, Baghdad?

I’d take Baghdad over Bankhead Highway any day of the week.

By "The Corporal"

August 19, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

I have friends who used to take their .22’s to school so they could go squirrel hunting afterwards. They teacher made sure they unloaded them and put them in the coat closet.

This is the wave of the future. Get used to it! It will take just one more mass shooting at a school or university and the “flood gates” will open (churches too). Resonsible ADULTS should be able to protect themselves from an “active shooter on campus”. Waiting for the police to arrive to help count the bodies afterwards is just a little too late.

And all of you guys who don’t want to - that’s fine. No one is making you.

“Free men don’t ask permission to protect themselves.”

Ooo Rah!

By "The Corporal"

August 19, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

THE RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE

The Big Idea By “THE CORPORAL” | Commentary | Story updated at 5:09 PM on Sunday, May 18, 2008

I do not claim to have all of the answers in the security field, but I do have some relevant experience, having served four years in the U.S. Secret Service’s Vice Presidential Protective Division and eight years as assistant to the special agent in charge with the Protection Squad in the Secret Service’s Atlanta field office. I’m fully retired now, and am involved in no business venture. I’m sending this nonpolitical “open letter” to collegiate security personnel out of genuine, heartfelt safety concerns.

I’m aware of the tremendous burden you carry in trying to protect your colleges and universities as other public safety officials do their schools, malls, churches and other facilities. I know you’re doing everything in your power to improve campus security: requesting more police officers, installing security systems, alert systems, lockdown procedures, awareness seminars, and recognition of and counseling for disturbed students, to name just a few.

However, I also believe colleges and universities are unique, for two reasons.

First, they are very high-profile, big-name targets for a lone gunman or for terrorists. Second, the great, great majority have been declared “gun-free zones,” which unfortunately doesn’t prevent criminals, the mentally disturbed, mass murderers or terrorists from bringing guns to your campus.

Laws that keep weapons off of higher-education campuses are a deterrent only to honest, law-abiding citizens. Those who declare a “gun-free zone” have a moral and legal obligation to make it so, but they simply do not possess the “means” to actually accomplish that goal. I believe that is an unconscionable affront to those who are defenseless.

That said, I sadly fear that dark episodes in our nation’s history such as the Virginia Tech shootings are not over, and may just be getting started. My main concern is that when a large group of students find themselves trapped in a classroom with an active shooter killing them at random, all of the best, most well-intentioned, high-budget efforts at security are of no use to them. When all of your best efforts have been thwarted, students are confronted with the choices of hiding under a desk, feigning death, begging for mercy or rushing an armed attacker.

The real question at that moment is: What is the “security plan” when students need it most, when it has become a matter of life and death and they are defenseless because police officers are still seconds or even minutes away?

With that in mind, I ask you to take steps to legally and administratively adopt these or similar additional security measures:

Develop an ongoing course regarding campus security for elective credit. The course should cover all aspects of campus security and should include firearms safety, qualification, concealed carry methods, use of force law and other relevant issues.

Restrict the course to students over 21 (including military veterans and former police officers) who possess valid carry permits. Include faculty, staff, administrators, maintenance personnel and others who also possess valid carry permits.

Consider having the course meet the requirements for certification as a “private security officer” under the laws of your state.

Allow those students who successfully pass the course to carry on campus. Annual requalification is certainly an option.

Set up an identification system should an incident occur. (Note: This is not an insurmountable issue. Uniformed police officers confront undercover, off-duty and retired local, state and federal officers every day).

Adoption of these or similar procedures or policies will, over time, provide a cadre of trained, responsible individuals who can be the first line of defense in life-or-death situations and who will serve as an additional deterrent to those who would bring evil to your campus.

I realize this is a politically charged issue where emotion often takes precedence over reason, logic and facts. I also realize those of you who may openly or secretly agree with me will have strong opposition. I seek only to help students, faculty and others when they are at their most vulnerable - when they are being killed with no means to resist. We all know it can happen again.

In closing, I sincerely hope my efforts will be at least partially successful. Will my suggestion save every life? No. But I believe it will save many, and that is worth the effort of this letter.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The author of this piece - an open letter to public safety directors at institutions of higher education - is a resident of the metropolitan Atlanta community of Johns Creek. A 1972 graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he served in the Marine Corps as a scout-sniper in Vietnam in 1967-68. He worked with the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and spent 27 years with the U.S. Secret Service and four years with the Federal Air Marshal Service.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 051808

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

Jay,

Why would you want to give these Georgia Republicans more ideas. Now, they’ll try to one up the Texans by making it legal for the students to pack as well as teachers.

By Paul

August 19, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

You can’t spank’em but you can shoot’em?

Can’t giv’em an aspirin but you can giv’em a 9mm?

This is gonna be a fun thread to watch -

BTW - ““There’s a lot of incidents where that would have saved a number of lives,” Perry said”

Just what is his definition of “lots”?

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 5:21 PM | Link to this

I believe it was Spock who said that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. A corollary to that logic is that the many need fewer corporals. I think someone went on too many snipe hunts as a youngster.

By CJ

August 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this

Changing the subject for just a second, here’s a post by one of Jay Bookman’s fellow panelists about the recent FairTax debate that Bookman, Boortz and other participated in before CNN cameras.

Thought some might be interested.

Carry on…pro-gun, judicial activists (no, the founders never intended for the Second Amendment to provide individuals with the right to bear arms).

By Tilli

August 19, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

I guess people are okay with abandoning their children to the schools every day, but not to letting these same schools protect them.

By GA Resident

August 19, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

The idea of teachers carrying guns in the classrooms is a perfectly fine idea amongst those of us willing to think differently for once, and explore new solutions to old problems. In fact, the idea is a non-issue really.

Most people with old school ideas and fears are afraid of guns, and ignorant of their uses and benefits. Those people assume if a gun is introduced into an environment, it will discharge in that environment, and nothing can be done to stop that from happening. That’s not true; in fact, it doesn’t even approach accurate. I carry my sidearm many places I go and it has never been fired in anger. Same goes for many, many of my aquaintences. So much for the ‘more guns, more violence’ theory.

Basically, if nothing happens, then nothing happened, and everybody goes home each day no worse for wear.

However, in the school example: if a person or persons were to infiltrate the school grounds with intent to do harm, then the first line of defense is the faculty themselves.

Look - All cops and paramedics are good for is taking statements and stabilizing the living victims, respectively. They’re society’s janitorial staff, and in no way (or in very, very rare instances) do they act in a proactive manner.

That’s not a slam on police or rescue staff. I mean, really, logistically, they can’t actively protect anyone or thing if they aren’t there to do so, and they can’t be every where at every moment of the day.

So… when those first few precious seconds of a gunman in a school start ticking off, the only defense those kids have is the adults in the immediate vicinity, namely the teachers and staff.

If the police are four minutes away from the property after the first 9-1-1 call is made, how many shots can be fired/people can be killed in those same four minutes? Then, how many more shots will be fired, and how many more people will be killed until the first responders arrive in the building, not just staged in the parking lot w/ bull horns?

Now: how many lives could be saved by a few teachers down the hall with .357s and 9mms ending the altercation in the first 20 seconds?

Crime prevention is a societal responsibility, it’s all of our responsibilities. It’s not just meant to be left up to a numerically insignificant group of individuals not charged with your personal safety, anyway.

Get past the whole ‘oooh, a gun, scary… I hope I don’t get shot with it’ mentality and think objectively for a brief second. How many lives would have been saved if one student or professor were to have been armed at Va Tech? Or that school up north (Indiana, Illinois, wherever it was)? How many kids would still be alive today in Columbine, CO if a janitor or adminstrator had a revolver in his/her pocket?

How many lives did Jeanne Assam save at that church in CO last December? There were 7,000 parishioners in that church the day a man showed up with a semi-automatic rifle, and all of them survived because she did her job using her weapon to save lives. Yes, guns save lives, too.

Now they can save kids’ lives at schools in Texas, too, if the need were to ever arise.

We all hope the need doesn’t arise, but if it does it’s better to be prepared beforehand than regretful afterwards, isn’t it?

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this

What represents freedom more than a .45 Auto fully loaded with jacketed hollow points, conceal carried?

And does it come as no surprise that the libs are against the very idea?

I mean just imagine, you’re strolling down the street and here’s William Ayers, Obambi’s buddy, fixing to throw one of his bombs, bombs that the left wing toadies in the media have absolutely no issues with, and you pull out thee cannon and bust a cap in his as-s.

Problem solved.

Starting to make sense about where the pinkos are coming from, ain’t it?

By candide

August 19, 2008 5:36 PM | Link to this

If guns are allowed everywhere cities with a lot of crime like Savannah will simply tell its white folks to shoot every Negro in sight. That would take care of crime alright.

By Gops got to go

August 19, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

You know Management, I just heard on Oprah that Dr Oz says for every 35 lbs you loose you gain an inch in penis size. That might be a better way for you to start trying to be more of a man than your “bust a cap” BS.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this

Well, Ga Resident, now that you put it that way. Why didn’t you just say that this is a cost-savings ploy where teachers will now serve in the role of teacher and law enforcement officer during school hours. You Republicans are surely the clever ones — always looking for those cost-cutting measures in order to reduce the burden on us taxpayers. Riiiiight. My personal favorite regarding guns constructed with carbon steel (except for those darned non-magnetic stainless grades, of course) is to screen for them at schools by installing giant electromagnets. It provides entertainment value as well — more bang for the buck. As for weapons constructed from other more challenging materials, the screening methodology gets progressively more nefarious. Needless to say, those carrying such concealed weapons would certainly have wished for a second chance, given the chance. I liken it to the cutting off of the thief’s hand — it leaves a lasting testamonial without firing a single shot.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Baghdad is practically in flames:

Baghdad’s mayor on Tuesday unveiled a plan to build a huge commercial city in the capital’s downtown area.

Witnessing the lowest levels of violence, Iraq considers 2008 as the year for to start investment projects to develop the war-scarred and oil-rich country.

“The plan includes building a huge commercial city to replace the industrial area in Sheikh Omar, central Baghdad,” Sabir Issawi, Baghdad’s mayor, told Aswat al-Iraq - Voices of Iraq - (VOI). “A city with glitz commercial buildings, embassies and ministry offices will be built over the area of Sheikh Omar district.”

Bout time for a victory parade, ain’t it?

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

By Gops got to go August 19, 2008 6:00 PM You know Management, I just heard on Oprah that Dr Oz says for every 35 lbs you loose you gain an inch in penis size.

Speaking of BS, I’m not real sure I would have let fly with the confession of watching Oprah discuss penis size, hahahaha.

Freak.

By Ms. Tucker If Ur Nasty

August 19, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this

Candide, how many negroes were involved in the Columbine shootings, West Jonesboro Ark., Virginia Tech, University of Texas bell tower ect? I’m sure you and your ilk would rejoice in a return to the Olden days when shooting a negro required only a stamp on your hunting license.

By getalife "whiners"

August 19, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

“I’m leaning towards voting for the presidential candidate not endorsed by the worst president in American history.”

By TW

August 19, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bookman - No, teachers should not carry guns.

On a side note, could please explain something to me. When we discuss the Surge, every so often there is someone who mentions the lack of political progress in Iraq when evaluating the move to send the additional troops. My question is - How come nobody works the present disaster in Afghanistan into the evaluation of the Surge, being that the Surge meant further neglect of this area?

Why is the disaster in Afghanistan not wieghed against any gains made by the Surge?

Thanks for your time if you get to this.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

So who did Jimmy Carter endorse?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The subject above sounds like a great idea and it sounds like they have been sufficiently cautious. it does make the teachers and staff the first targets in the next major school shooting though.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this

Jay, how about a topic on something like this.

By Paul

August 19, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this

Oh - RW-(the original)

”So who did Jimmy Carter endorse?”

Good one! Best of the day on a mostly non humorous day -

By Paul

August 19, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer 6:29

So we’re into dropped posts again - from quite a while ago I responded:

Sounds like a fine topic, altho the author is a bit of the !!!!!!!!! school. So how do you think the people of Georgia would react to the closing of Moody AFB and Robins AFB and Ft Benning and Ft Stewart and Ft Gordon? Or do you suppose they’ll say those are “essential” and it’s all the other military stuff that’s “waste”?

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Whenever the topic starts out on abortion it’s mostly humorless and I don’t Jay is inclined to let us go off on the moobat(ic)s® with both barrels i think he knows it’s not a fair fight.

Here’s something to cheer you up.

Heart-ache: Obvious Bigfoot hoax confirmed as obvious Bigfoot hoax

By Frederick Douglass

August 19, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

Jimmy Carter looks like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and both Roosevelts rolled into one compared to what we’ve had for the past 8 years.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Paul but I cannot place the reference. I come and go during the day and sometimes miss replies although I do try not to miss any. After all TV offers very little and I like to stay on line for the news and stock markets especially during the heat of the day. Perhaps it was while I was away picking butter peas or crowder peas or shucking corn. I was back and forth quite a bit during harvest time. Now, my daughter is back in school and the garden has dried up and the prospects for a fall crop are not looking up so I might be on line even more. Then again, I do need to get started on that pile of horse manure. I think about it just about every time I think about the Republicans that are in office — they both just plain stink.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

Frederick,

If you don’t my asking, what time did happy hour start?

By Gops got to go

August 19, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

Well Management, Since I am a woman I am not really concerned with my penis size nor do I shun watching Oprah. However, I feel you might hold some latent insecurities on the subject.

By Gops got to go

August 19, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this

Corporal,

I thought you had progressed from grandiose self-back patting.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

By Gops got to go August 19, 2008 7:21 PM Well Management, Since I am a woman I am not really concerned with my penis size nor do I shun watching Oprah.

See what I’m talking about, I could care less about penis size but for some reason the shallow, simpleton left wingers want to dwell on the subject.

What do they call it, uh, “intelligence?”

I guess it must be something that they can, uh, understand.

All you’ve done, ma’am, is explain to all of us what a dullard you really are.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Here’s one for you poll watchers out there and you know who you are

Summertime polls are remarkably unreliable, but they usually show a wildly inflated advantage for the Democrat. If that’s the case this year then on January 20, 2009 Obambi will have to quit whining about John McCain’s President, George W. Bush and switch over to whining about George W Bush’s President, John McCain. If they still let him speak after the trouncing he’ll take that is.

By Midori

August 19, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Frederick,

Bugs Bunny looks mighty presidential next to that abomination squatting in the people’s house.

Bush isn’t man enough to carry Carter’s jock strap. Maybe Barbara Bush’s tho.

By Midori

August 19, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

speaking of losers endorsing losers

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC-M,

Gops got to go was apparently just confirming that age old question about what matters to women.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But it turns out that this episode probably never happened to Solzhenitsyn at all, and according to a Solzhenitsyn biographer it appears nowhere in his published writing. Columbia University professor Michael Scammell, the author of Solzhenitsyn: A Biography, says the episode “never happened,” and didn’t appear in Solzhenitsyn’s book, Gulag Archipelago, either.

The story still gives you loons a method to go after the story, so be sure not to give it up yet.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

So what did y’all do with Michelle?

In thee attic?

By "The Corporal"

August 19, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this

OUR GUN LEGACY - GOOD OR BAD?

Have you ever thoughtfully considered just how we got to where we are regarding the ownership of firearms ? Our nation was founded and evolved as a uniquely free society during the same time period that modern firearms were invented and became readily available due to the industrial revolution. Combine those two events with our founding fathers’ genuine fear of tyrannical government along with a need for protection on a dangerous frontier and you have the answer - a modern society with an estimated 250 million guns.

Recent shooting tragedies have renewed an irresponsible call by some to further restrict or repeal the 2nd Amendment. However, vicious criminals are freed everyday because of “technical violations” of the 4th (searches), 5th (self-incrimination) and 6th (right to an attorney) Amendments. As a result, thousands of citizens are later murdered, raped or assaulted. We as a nation hold those three Amendments so sacred we are willing to pay that price. The 2nd Amendment should be no less sacred. We must also remember the 2nd Amendment was included in our Constitution to protect the right of the people to defend themselves. That’s why it states “the right of the people (not the militia) to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”. The “people” in every other Amendment means just that - individual citizens and not some vague “collective group”.

Most importantly, shooting tragedies show clearly that each state needs responsible handgun carry laws especially for educational institutions. It would be absurd to allow every college student to be armed but responsible adult students (including veterans and former police officers) as well as university employees and staff should have that option. You don’t always have to kill, wound or even shoot at a perpetrator as the mere showing of a weapon often forces a shooter to “cower out” or alter his plan. One armed citizen, teacher or adult student can make a big difference when seconds count.

Several years ago I was invited to the Atlanta office of the FBI to view an exhibit of Holocaust photos placed in one of their hallways. The exhibit began with a photo of a small Jewish owned store in Warsaw, Poland. Subsequent photos showed Jewish citizens with big yellow stars sewn on the front of their clothes. The photos became progressively more disturbing and the last photo showed bodies being removed from an oven at one of the Nazi death camps. However, in the middle of the collection was an amazing photo of a ragtag group of about fifteen Jewish men and boys taken during the 1943 “Warsaw Ghetto Uprising”. They had obviously assembled very quickly and were standing and kneeling there on the street with an odd assortment of weapons; a few shotguns, a rifle or two, some pistols and revolvers and even a captured German belt-fed machinegun. As a group of Atlanta community leaders arrived at that photo, everyone became extremely vocal at the courage displayed by those men and boys. I then stated in a loud voice so all in the exhibit area could hear; “good reason for the 2nd Amendment folks.” You could have heard a pin drop.

Many believe that our country is the most dangerous in the world because of guns. I believe I can disprove that many times over but one thing is for sure. As a Secret Service agent I traveled and worked in twenty eight countries on six continents and I wouldn’t trade what we have here for anything! Our police cannot be everywhere and citizens need to have the opportunity to defend themselves. I don’t have all the answers but I would dread living in a nation where I also lost that right.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

The AP was awfully quick to pick this up

I think they’re trying to tell you to nominate Hillary or face certain defeat.

By @@

August 19, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

I’m not convinced this is a good idea but then again…

Superintendent David Thweatt said the small community is a 30-minute drive from the sheriff’s office, leaving students and teachers without protection. He said the district’s lone campus sits 500 feet from heavily trafficked U.S. 287, which could make it a target.

It sure sounds like geographical location and vulnerability are at issue on this one.

It was unclear how many of the 50 or so teachers and staff members will be armed this fall

They’re not planning on arming ALL THE TEACHERS.

The 110-student district is 150 miles northwest of Fort Worth on the eastern end of Wilbarger County, near the Oklahoma border.

So what is that…….like 110-student districts or a 110-student district with 50 or more teachers and staff? If it’s 110 students total, that’s a two student to one teacher ratio. Nahhhhhh, that can’t be.

Looks like somebody blew this one all out of proportion.

Jay?

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC-M,

They trotted Michelle back out a couple weeks ago, but she was too robotic and held her eyes wide open the whole time so I think they took her back in for a little more programming.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this

I find it odd that anyone would propose an increase in the number of guns in the hands of citizens while going about their daily business as a desirable solution for the prevention of potential future gun-related crimes. Sure, we all want to be able to defend ourselves should the need arise but I just see nothing good coming from this approach. I see scenarios where a bunch of inexperienced trigger-happy gun toters all have each other in their sights while simultaneously thinking that a killer’s got the drop on him and it’s him or the other guy and it’s all over as quick as it started. Moments later, the real perpetrator makes his rounds picking up a new arsenal from the dead bodies. There needs to be some way to focus in a different direction in cases like this. Look for more ways to detect those with guns, to keep guns out of the wrong hands, introduce weapons to the public that protect without killing, give people more space — out of range from each other, promote peace over war, etc. Republicans just need to find better hobbies. Procreation is a good one. Then, they could send their little ones out into the fields to pick vegetables and eliminate the need for all those immigrants, for example.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this

Is it time to talk McBushie and “coat tails” yet or what?

I’m thinking the Senate for sure.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

RW: Yeah, I noticed that, it looked like her medication needed some adjusting.

She’s probably gnawing on the straps as we speak.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC-M,

The 5 Republicans in the gang of ten, 40% of which are from right here, are killing off what was going to be a great issue in November. The Republicans are starting to get as bad at squandering an advantage that comes along as the Dhimmicrats. We really need to start cultivating new conservative leaders at the state and local level.

By @@

August 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Look for more ways to detect those with guns,

Wouldn’t that violate right to privacy?

to keep guns out of the wrong hands,

We’ve pretty much got that one covered with background checks.

introduce weapons to the public that protect without killing,

What would that be — water pistol? Rubber bullets? A don’t taze me bro bug zapper?

give people more space

Well heck! There goes limiting fuel consumption, driving up the price of oil.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

@@,

I think Taxpayer wants to reintroduce the crap cannon.

By FrederickDouglass

August 19, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this

Talk about catatonic states, Laura Bush must ascribe to the adage of wives being seen and not heard. I can feel her pain though, it can be a daunting task chasing a sixty year old around the house all day, especially since he’s not fully verbal yet.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Last week raised important questions about whether Barack Obama is strong enough to be president. On the domestic political front, he showed incredible weakness in dealing with the Clintons, while on foreign and defense questions, he betrayed a lack of strength and resolve in standing up to Russia’s invasion of Georgia. This two-dimensional portrait of weakness underscores fears that Obama might, indeed, be a latter-day Jimmy Carter

If Obama can’t stand up to the Clintons, after they have been defeated, how can he measure up to a resurgent Putin who has just achieved a military victory? When the Georgia invasion first began, Obama appealed for “restraint” on both sides. He treated the aggressive lion and the victimized lamb even-handedly. His performance was reminiscent of the worst of appeasement at Munich, where another dictator got away with seizing another breakaway province of another small neighboring country, leading to World War II.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

RW: There are a lot of open seats out there and with them, opportunity, I mean Hagel was never really a Republican anyway.

If we lost Susan Collins how would you be able to tell?

I’m with you, let’s start giving some of these youngblood Conservatives a chance.

This is where my angle comes into play, I truly believe voters will be so disgusted by the dimwitocrats and their puppet come November they will vote straight R in a landslide.

Especially if they put Bruno on the ticket.

Hello Senate.

By Mrs.Godzilla

August 19, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this

More armed Bubba’s!

Good grief!

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. general and 34th president (1890-1969)

Ah, compassionate conservatism!

I know, I know, I’m a commie pinko, lib…..

FACT: While handguns account for only one-third of all firearms owned in the United States, they account for more than two-thirds of all firearm-related deaths each year. A gun in the home is 4 times more likely to be involved in an unintentional shooting, 7 times more likely to be used to commit a criminal assault or homicide, and 11 times more likely to be used to attempt or commit suicide than to be used in self-defense.

-A Kellerman, et al. Journal of Trauma, August 1998; Kellerman AL, Lee RK, Mercy JA, et al. “The Epidemiological Basis for the Prevention of Firearm Injuries.” Annu.Rev Public Health. 1991;

Only an idiot, doesn’t support some form of gun control. If you pack a glock your neighbor will have to carry an M-16. The guy down the block mounts a machine gun turret on the roof (my HOA would freak). PT boats in the pool! Nukes in the nursery!

The USA has a problem with guns. I admit I don’t know how to fix it.

BUT, I do know making it easier to walk the same streets as your kids and mine, armed and packin’, cocked and loaded, sure as hell ain’t the answer!

I just don’t get living in fear.

By @@

August 19, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

I think Taxpayer wants to reintroduce the crap cannon.

NO CHIT!

By Billy

August 19, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this

Jeanne Assam did her job? Damned right she did her job! She was an effin’ security guard! She wasn’t John Q. Numbnuts whipping out a gun and blasting away in the general direction of the gunman.

Perhaps police response times would be better, perhaps there would be more police to respond, were Republicans more concerned about the common good and less concerned with giving tax breaks to McCain’s Million Dollar Middle Class…

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this

i just flipped over to the Braves game and Chip Carey started talking about the nice October weather they were feeling up there. Isn’t it about time for you Gorebots to switch back to the man made coming ice age?

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Even more so, all these voters chose the Conservative dimwitocrats in 2006, and the libs gained all these majorities, but as soon as the blue dogs got to their seats they bowed down to the extreme left wing leadership and became nothing more than common moonbats.

They can’t even force a vote on drilling.

You really think the voters will make the same mistake twice?

By Mrs.Godzilla

August 19, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this

Andy,

The voters made the same mistake before…

2000 and 2004

Sleep well.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this

Mrs. G.,

Knowing they are packed into a school which is a soft target since nobody but the killer can be armed is living in fear. Knowing the well trained teacher or staff member can blow away the perp is living in comfort.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

By Mrs.Godzilla August 19, 2008 9:28 PM I just don’t get living in fear.

SNEWZE: I don’t own a gun because of my neighbors.

As usual, instead of viewing the world in the context of good and evil, you know, reality, you turn it into a cartoon.

Just like your whole existence, a joke.

Now get back to fearing the weather, fool.

By Mrs.Godzilla

August 19, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

RW,

Nope.

I don’t buy it.

Been there done that.

We’ll have to agree to disagree.

By @@

August 19, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this

Billy:

Police are called before review boards everyday for shooting an innocent perpetrator packing heat. Do you want more innocent gang bangers shot and killed?

My gawd! Where’s your humanity William?

By Mrs.Godzilla

August 19, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this

Andy,

It matters not to me whether or not you own a gun. Who cares?

Yes, in many ways my life is a cartoon. Funny and poignant. Not a bad way to live.

Other times it’s a drama. Other times a love story.

You know nothing of my existance, but I wish you have half the joy every day that I have.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 19, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

Known fact: When Ga. made it legal to carry firearms in your vehicle, the number of car jackings plummeted.

No one wanted to play that lottery, I guess.

By Mrs.Godzilla

August 19, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this

Rachel Madoow is getting her own show!

Brava!!

By swolf4810

August 19, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

If parents won’t teach kids how they should act in schools, the teachers NEED to be armed!

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

We’ll have to agree to disagree

Frankly Mrs. G., if I didn’t have some independent knowledge of a situation and found myself agreeing with you I would do some very serious studying and quick. It’s always possible though.

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:05 PM | Link to this

Who the heck is Rachel Madoow?

About the matronly mother-in-law wedding dress Mrs. G.

Did you check out Nordstrum’s and Parisienne’s. I’ve seen some dresses from there. Very classic in line, length and colors.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Who the heck is Rachel Madoow and a show where?

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

I go away for just a short while and look at you all. I’ve got some crap for you though and it’s potent stuff — guaranteed to incapacitate. This stuff will make a grown man cry. It will have you tearing at your nose and ripping out your tongue just to try and get rid of it. Best of all, it’s cheap and legal — 100% EPA and EPD approved and guaranteed to be readily available thanks to Republican legislation, and it’s right under your very noses. Really. Let’s see if you guys can find it. By the way, you don’t have to leave the state of Georgia.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

So it’s Maddow from Airhead America.

The liberal commentator and Air America host, who has become a breakout star for the cable channel during this campaign, is taking over the 9 p.m. slot following Keith Olbermann, who she often subs for on “Countdown.” Olbermann broke the news in what he called a “fully authorized leak” this afternoon on the left-wing Web site Daily Kos. Dan Abrams, the former MSNBC general manager who had been hosting “Verdict” at that hour, will continue as NBC’s chief legal correspondent and will be a daytime anchor for MSNBC.

Obviously PMSNBC has given up any illusion of being a news channel.

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

Mrs. G:

Did you mean to type Rachel Maddow?

By Midori

August 19, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Mrs. G,

isn’t that wonderful news? She’s an excellent journalist.

this is shaping up to be quite a week :)

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this

I’ve got some crap for you though and it’s potent stuff

Why is it that no matter what ajc blog you go to you run into some lib trotting out empty threats?

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this

This stuff will make a grown man cry. It will have you tearing at your nose and ripping out your tongue just to try and get rid of it.

Sounds like a bad case of hemorrhoids down “there” Taxpayer.

I’ve seen ointments advertised for those?

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this

Mrs. G:

My husband just looked at that picture of Rachel Maddow and wanted to know if he’s a woman?

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

@@,

I’m calling a blogging foul for that 10:16 not running with a content warning.

Somebody is putting that on TV?

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Obama won’t have a Dick, but it will be a he?

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

By @@ August 19, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

“Wouldn’t that violate right to privacy?”

Never stopped Bush and his cronies. Besides those rights don’t extend to any old place or didn’t you know that.

“We’ve pretty much got that one covered with background checks.”

You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

“What would that be — water pistol? Rubber bullets? A don’t taze me bro bug zapper?”

There are clearly designs out there that you are unaware of although some of them are rather expensive right now. I can also slap together a handy little gadget that will fry a handgun once it is within range. Also, what’s wrong with pepper spray and tasers any way. They’re cheap and effective unless you are strictly limiting your “fears” to the sniper scenario. If that’s your concern, then you don’t stand a chance with your puny little .45 anyway. You’re going to need a minimum of a .222 with a good scope and that’s assuming you can get a bead on the sniper and get off that first round successfully. Like that’s gonna happen.

“Well heck! There goes limiting fuel consumption, driving up the price of oil.”

Not if you get off that Drill, Drill, Drill kick and focus on electric cars or just staying put for a while. Grow your own food. Walk a few miles to town if need be or ride a bicycle. Don’t constrain your thought process so needlessly. Break free of those Republican bonds that seem to have the best of you. Feel what it’s like to be truly liberated without first getting intoxicated on that Republican garbage. Go for it.

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this

Sorry RW.

I found his ensemble quite beautiful.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this

RW, why do you seem to be that lib that keeps popping up. All mouth and nothing to show for it.

By sunshine and thunder

August 19, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

Jay wrote:

Where’s all this going to end? Not until guns are everywhere and Americans are as safe and secure as, say, Baghdad?

One thing you left out of your article. An official named Mr. Thweatt at the school district noted that the teachers who were armed would be so anonymously so that anyone intending harm would have no idea who is armed and who isn’t.

Mr. Thweatt is a thmart man, don’ t you think?

Why is it that so many liberals are so afraid of guns? They are tools that just might save your life one day.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

@@,

The ensemble was the only redeeming feature. Are those heroin tracks running up the top of her? hand?

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

@@, if you find yourself searching for hemorrhoid medicine for your mouth and nose, then you’ve got something that likely has progressed too far for treatment. In fact, the quality of your posts suggest irreparable brain damage. Good luck with that.

By @@

August 19, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer:

‘Ya gotta get awful close to use pepper spray and a taser. Not sure the perp would wait for my up close and personal assault.

I’m about two miles from all my essentials. Other than travelling to work, I do stay put. I grow my own vegetables although I’m not sure what that has to do with conserving energy.

You’re talkin’ to the choir here buddy with the exception of buying a new electric car. The disposal of one car battery is a problem. How many do those little pluggers have?

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

I have no idea why you and Polly have been humping my leg all day, but I’ll continue to discuss topics and introduce new ones once the original ones our host has introduced become stale. The impotent attacks I’ll leave to clowns like you.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this

Newsflash,

Distraught teacher goes on shooting rampage after bitter divorce. The teacher, carrying a concealed weapon that was known only to a select few, arrived at school and took out the only other teacher with a gun first before proceeding to the cafeteria… Parents were last seen forming a lynch mob and were out for revenge… The legislators responsible for allowing teachers to carry these concealed guns are reported to have fled the country and were last known to be headed for a country with strict gun control laws.

By @@

August 19, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

Now, now Taxpayer. No need to get all snippy. Just havin’ a little fun wit ‘cha.

The world would be a much nicer place if you liberals weren’t so dang sensitive. OBlahMa can’t take a joke either. Tsk tsk tsk.

RW:

Those hands kinda jumped out at me too. Let’s give him the benefit of a doubt and call ‘em vericose veins.

Obama’s manboobs and Rachel’s man hands.

By Midori

August 19, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this

In the equation which makes up the odious, criminal and murderous Bush regime and its murderous, criminal and odious foreign policy, the constant factor is constituted by a teacher, promoted to positions way above her personal and intellectual station by a gullible fool of a President. This teacher, whose sheer incompetence as National Security Advisor and as Secretary of State is today so blatantly apparent, goes by the name of Condoleeza Rice.

The fact that Rice was National Security Advisor at the time of 9/11 speaks for itself, period.

As Secretary of State, she is supposed to be responsible for her country’s diplomacy, she is supposed to be Washington’s leading diplomat. But can anyone think of a figure less qualified for the post? Starting with the face (set in a constant snarl, with a scar for a mouth, lips pursed back in a sneer, piggy eyes looking as though something evil is lunging behind them), continuing with the body language (aggressive stance, butch, defensive posture as though she is hiding something or afraid) and ending with the discourse (about as diplomatic as a raspberry and a fit of giggling at a funeral ceremony), she cuts a sorry figure.

The constant arrogance and hypocrisy of this failed female makes it that much more apparent that here is a person way out of her depth. Instead of regarding sensitive issues from a balanced viewpoint as she is supposed to do, this incompetent loud-mouthed, bad-mannered, b******-mongering bimbo takes one side, ignores the other and then speaks down from a holier-than-thou platform as if she were on a lecture dias.

This is not a classroom, Condoleeza Rice, and you are not a diplomat. You are a liar, a cheap, shallow, failed, wannabe actress on the diplomatic stage.

This is the real world and out here, you have to be prepared to face up to your responsibilities.

By Midori

August 19, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this

All that, minus the man hands.

Quantity versus quality.

By "The Corporal"

August 19, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this

To Ms. Godzilla:

That’s because you have never “experienced” that fear. If you do, you’ll change.

In the meantime, I sincerely hope you never do.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

Now one thing I’ve learned over the years is that if Midori posts over 12 words without cursing then it’s a cut and paste.

Just a link please, Parrot, we taught you how over at ml’s.

By @@

August 19, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

RW:

I don’t know about you, but with Midori’s 11:05,

this incompetent loud-mouthed, bad-mannered, b-mongering bimbo

This is not a classroom, Condoleeza Rice, and you are not a diplomat. You are a liar, a cheap, shallow, failed, wannabe actress on the diplomatic stage.

I’d say my work for this evening is done.

And RW……….

ILB (IW&SH)

Goodnight.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

“By RW-(the original)August 19, 2008 11:02 PM Taxpayer, I have no idea why you and Polly have been humping my leg all day, but I’ll continue to discuss topics and introduce new ones once the original ones our host has introduced become stale. The impotent attacks I’ll leave to clowns like you.”

Whatever are you talking about, RW. You know that you are the real LIB clown here. Through and through. You’ve been outed and you can clown around about it and fantasize about humping on something all you want in order to offset your impotence. I don’t care. I knew it was only a matter of time before you started showing those true liberal clown war-mongering Republican colors again. Good boy. You never disappoint. Now look back through the thread to see who started up with the childish remarks and attacks tonight if your memory is that bad. Good night boys or girls or mixed, whatever.

P.S. Does the following help jog your memory, RW.

By RW-(the original) August 19, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this @@, I think Taxpayer wants to reintroduce the crap cannon.

By RW-(the original)

August 19, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this

@@,

As you well know one of my own blogs when I used to pay any attention to them often linked Pravda stories. They were always linked as the absurd jokes that they are, but Midori has now decided to give them a voice at Jay’s place. American Pravda may live in Google history as this blog.

By Taxpayer

August 19, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this

@@,

Why is it you Republicans jump to conclusions. I was just funnin’. Anything for a cheap laugh after all. I especially like to play along with the Republican politicians and the pandering they so enjoy come election time. They sure know how to push those buttons for their little blocs of voters. It’s a sight to behold.

By the way, growing your own vegetables saves energy needed to go into town and buy them. Of course, you do have to expend some energy yourself in order to plant and harvest them and you get the added benefit of knowing exactly what’s been in contact with them. Salmonella is just the tip of the yellow iceberg.

By "The Corporal"

August 19, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

I LOVE IT !!!

Armed 85-year-old makes intruder call 911 Associated Press

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

POINT MARION, Pa. — An 85-year-old woman boldly went for her gun and busted a would-be burglar inside her home, then forced him to call police while she kept him in her sights, authorities said.

“I just walked right on past him to the bedroom and got my gun,” Leda Smith said.

Smith heard someone break into her home Sunday afternoon and grabbed the .22-caliber revolver she had been keeping by her bed since a neighbor’s home was burglarized a few weeks ago.

“I said ‘What are you doing in my house?’ He just kept saying he didn’t do it,” Smith said.

After the 17-year-old boy called 911, Smith kept holding the gun on him until state police arrived at her home in Springhill Township, about 45 miles south of Pittsburgh.

The boy will be charged with attempted burglary and related offenses in juvenile court, Trooper Christian Lieberum said. He was not identified because of his age.

“It was exciting,” Smith said. “I just hope I broke up the (burglary) ring because they have been hitting a lot of places around here.”

By long duk perignon

August 19, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

taachs payher

you need bootiful amarikan gurlfriend!

yoo yooo yoo sooo silly!!

By @@

August 20, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this

I was just funnin’.

Sho nuff Taxpayer? Whatever you say slick…..

I’m bathed and ready to turn in for the night, but before I do — remember our conversation on abortion? Well I was touring Cuban sites today. You know, CUBA, Michael Moore’s healthcare heaven where contraceptives AND abortions are free?

Ms. Gran interviewed more than 4,000 women across the country for her study. That number included 1,806 women who had undergone at least one abortion and 2,442 who had carried their children to term.

Of the women who had abortions, 52.2 percent said they had “given up” some birth control method and 7.3 percent, 132 of the women questioned, said they “preferred” abortion over birth control.

Patricia Garcia is a 21-year-old university student who has had two abortions in the last four years and is waiting on the results of a pregnancy test to schedule a third abortion.

“Not that I like it, but it is a solution,” Ms Garcia told IPS. “Something always goes wrong, you either forget to take one of your pills or the condom breaks.” She said she does not think about the physical risks of the surgical procedure, although she admitted to fearing the “disagreeable process” and the pain and resulting sickness.

Other reasons women gave for preferring abortion were similar. “It’s a safe method,” “it’s not a big deal,” “it’s a quick fix,” they said. Contraceptive methods “cause discomfort and are neither effective nor pleasant,” some said.

If on the tiny island of Cuba, 67,277 abortions took place in 2004; can you imagine how many were performed as a method of birth control here in the U.S.? That number, however, doesn’t include early-term abortions known as “menstrual regulation,” in which a child is aborted within the first few weeks of pregnancy. If those figures are added in, you’ve got 59 percent of all pregnancies ending with abortion being used as a method of birth control.

What was it that woman said……..It’s no big deal.

You libs are fooling yourselves if you think abortion isn’t being used as a method of birth control here in the U.S..

Research supported by the United Nations Population Fund working to promote abortion access in DEVELOPING countries.

The United States is NOT a developing country. We should be above the barbarism of killing our own children just because…..

By AJC/DNC Management

August 20, 2008 5:54 AM | Link to this

What a unique way to call America’s finest “racists:”

VFW crowd gives Obama cool reception- But McCain was the clear favorite among the predominantly older, white male crowd, and there was little indication that Obama’s speech changed minds-Urinal/POS

Everybody got that, America’s veterans can’t stand a wormy little surrender monkey because they are bigots.

You’re over the line, AJC.

And I’m stifling several things that I would love to say right now.

But then again, I am more of an adult than you freak liberals are.

~~~~~

Paddlings declining, but racial disparities persist- Paddlings, swats, licks. A quarter of a million schoolchildren got them in 2007 —- and African-Americans, American Indians and kids with disabilities got a disproportionate share of the punishment, according to a study by a human rights group.-Urinal/POS

And just imagine, the Teacher’s Union is a wholly owned subsidiary of the dimwitocrat party, or the other way around.

Bigots.

~~~~~~

U.S. District Court Judge Jack Camp cited the “frivolous nature” of her purchases before sentencing. Gamble, who worked in the Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, also was ordered to repay $316,000. Authorities have seized many of the items she bought with grant funding from the National Science Foundation. The cards, called “p-cards,” are issued for state employees to buy work-related goods and services.-Urinal/PMS

Here we have a wonderful example of what scare mongering produces, the Urinal believes they have a typical white collar criminal in the bag, I know that they have uncovered abuses in the larger scheme of governmental grants to these junk scientists that parasite off of federal tax dollars.

If they needed that money for research so bad, why did it take five years to notice it was missing?

You, We The People, are funding “global warming” hysteria, nuclear energy opposition, hell, for that matter, if you want to go big picture, the demise of the economy of the United States.

Blood sucking socialism, and the host is feeding the disease.

~~~~~

Greenback has begun to rebound- Strengthening dollar good news for Americans traveling overseas but a mixed bag for U.S. industry. -Doom and Gloom/PMS

Blah, blah, blah.

By AJC/DNC Management

August 20, 2008 6:41 AM | Link to this

“Obama has spent a large amount of money in Florida and his numbers don’t seem to be moving,” she told me.

Moving down if anything. The four statewide polls taken in August and listed on “Real Clear Politics” show McCain leading Obama by between three and six points in Florida, an improvement over McCain’s July numbers. Millions spent on ads and a week’s world tour as pretend President netted Obama a small loss of support in Florida. These poll results mirror national outcomes that show Obama’s approval going down and negatives going up, though he clings to a small lead in most national polls.

Buh-bye barry!

By AJC/DNC Management

August 20, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this

It’s obvious that the left feels that this whole charade of packaging Obama as a black Jack Armstrong is necessitated by the ignorant prejudices of the vast majority of typical white bigots. And so, we’ll be treated to a convention of a party that will hypocritically wrap itself in the American flag for a few days in the hopes of reaching the majority of Americans who are not ashamed of that flag the rest of the year.

You’d think that their last failed attempt at making their candidate seem presidential by sending him overseas would have taught them something about the American people, but thankfully, it has not.

Buh-bye dimwitocrat party.

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this

Sho nuff Taxpayer? Whatever you say slick…..

@@, I love you too. Now don’t go gettin’ all uppity on me over a little game of mud-slingin’ or crap-shootin’ or whatever. It’s all just a means of passin’ the time.

As for Cuba, someone in the Republican party really needs to convince Bush that some faith-based organizations could do a world of good down there. Have you been working on that. Maybe a little economic incentive to get more women into something other than the world’s oldest profession would help too. Perhaps Mr. Moore could make a movie about that.

Also, I’m with you 100% on being against barbarism and killing and all. Have you let Bush know how you feel about wars too.

By B. Obama

August 20, 2008 7:04 AM | Link to this

I, er uh, duh, ahhhhhhhhh,cannot see, ugh (sniff) er uh ah, oh, uh, my,uh oh (snort), ugh, er duh, teleprompter.

By B. Obama

August 20, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this

Ah, there it is. er ugh er.

I believe we should cap all pregnancies at 8.75 months. If they somehow escape scrutiny and escape the womb alive, they shall then be analyzed for worth to society. Those that cannot pass this Democratic Viability Test shall then be aborted.

By Mrs. Godzilla

August 20, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

@@….No need to go matronly yet…..

No polyester, no elastic waist, no filmy cover up with beads…..ick!

I have tried all the majors….best so far is a little taffeta number at Ann Taylor.

Wedding colors are chocolate and cherry…..

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

Corporal, that 85 year old did good, didn’t she. She defended her home quite well and with no bloodshed. Bravo.

By T

August 20, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

It problably should be up to the district. That particular school is a 30min drive from the nearest law enforcement agency. However, I don’t think this will aide in prevention. The person whom is ill enough to load up with pipe bombs and assault riflesm, is doing so for a purpose.

By GMAN

August 20, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

“I’d take Baghdad over Bankhead Highway any day of the week.” (AJC/DNC Management)

Delta is ready when you are!

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

Oh man, here we go with the delicious anti-gun rhetoric.

“WE HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THIS! AND AND.. ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE!!! AND! AND! ISOLATED INCIDENTS!! AND IGNORANT ASSUMPTIONS!”

I ask you, tell me about gun violence on Utah college campuses.

Tell me whose gun fire suppressed Charles Whitman?

Tell me how many kids were killed by guns in Chicago public schools last year.

Tell me how many handguns are legal in Chicago.

The school in district in question requires carry permits, which in Texas require certification training by the state and they require additional crisis training, then who can carry is up to the school board and principal. I’m sure there are plenty of other rules and provisos, but I wouldn’t expect anyone here to look into that, just to react the same way they always do.

@CJ,

Yeah, the founding fathers didn’t intend individuals the right to bear arms… or the right to free speech, religion, or press.. The right to due process, trial by jury and freedom from cruel or unusual punishment are not afforded individuals..

The cognitive dissonance of a statement like yours in reference to the Bill of Rights is staggering.. my head hurts right now..

By GMAN

August 20, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Where’s the Cheshire Cat grinning, one armed, incompetent, old fossil this morning? Oh, I forgot he’s taking his morning nap.

John McCain is so old and stupid, it takes him 2 hours to watch 60 Minutes.

GOP - Taking Pride in Ignorance

By red ryder

August 20, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

has obama ever fired a gun?

By GMAN

August 20, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

John McCain is so old and stupid, he’d stand up on an empty bus.

GOP - Taking Pride in Ignorance

By Paul

August 20, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Off-topic notice.

Poles and US conduct eighteen-month negotiations. Russians invade Georgia. Poles sign agreement with US for missile interceptors. The Democratic Chairwoman of the House subcommittee overseeing the program says “no.”

Democrats wonder why they’re perceived as not having it together on defense matters. And they also wonder who keeps shooting them in the foot around election time. I don’t think Rep. Tauscher’s gonna get a thank-you note from the Obama campaign.

Link: Some Democrats urge delay in building a U.S. missile system in Eastern Europe

By Midori

August 20, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

one question: does Andy even sleep?

Is this blog your entire life?

don’t you find something disturbing about that?

By GMAN

August 20, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

John McCain is so old and stupid, he watches “The Three Stooges” and takes notes.

GOP - Taking Pride in Ignorance

By tcoach

August 20, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Do allof you idiot think that by eliminating guns by a way of law is going to have any effect on criminals. They do not obey the law, that is why they are criminals. I guess we should all just learn to reason and communicate our differences. Then next week we can all go play witht the carebears, or a unicorn. You liberal thought need to have more reality to them. Putting a ban on guns would be as good of a plan as the “Just Say No” Campaign. That seemed to really stop all that drug use. But that was a Dem. liberals wife who came up with that one so I guess it is OK. people need to have the right to bear arms and protect themselves and their property. That is exacly why it is in the constitution. I do not know if you liberals remember but that is the document that explains how our country is to be governed. So one of you tree-hugging, let the world hold hands, and we will sing songs softies explain to me how it is good to let criminals have guns( because they get them illegally) and not let a law obeying person have the right to defend themselves. You are the same people who told the teacher when something happened huh. How did that work for you, you just got a worse beatin after school.

By Paul

August 20, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

‘nuther off-topic from the gun debate

Hi Midori

Any interesting recipes tryouts this past weekend?

By Midori

August 20, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Hi Paul,

I didn’t get around to making the beef and noodles this past weekend, but I’m going to do it this weekend.

Don’t we have a 3-day weekend coming up?

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

I believe that everyone has a right to bare arms and no danged Republican should ever be able to conceal that fact — even Bush.

By FrankLeeDarling

August 20, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

I have no problem with guns,I grew up with them,I own some. I think the S&W Ladysmith 9mm is a superb firearm. On the other hand anyone who feels the need to carry a weapon in public is a little too insecure to be safe.

I have lived in downtown atlanta for 20 years,been in its worst neighborhoods and have never felt the need to draw a weapon.

All we need is some insecure OTP hillbilly coming down here and getting spooked and shooting someone

The world you are getting delivered to your gated community by fox news is not real

By bc

August 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Lets just wait and see. Instead of exagerating why or why not, let whatever develops decide. That way we are using real life evidence to determine what is the best policy. Why restrict this experimentation? If someone is willing to be our “guinea pig” why not just watch and appreciate their sacrifice or foresight.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

@ Frankie Lee Darling

Hey it’s great that you feel that way. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion.. Your opinion should not decide policy for me.

If you said, “I think black people are all stupid. I’ve lived around black people all my life and I’ve never met a smart one” would that be sound logic for the basis of a law?

By Truth

August 20, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

What would you libs say if a mass shooting was stopped by a teacher with a gun?

By FrankLeeDarling

August 20, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

Jimbo I never suggested any legislation to limit your right to bear arms. we just don’t need to put them in the hands of fools too easily. I fully support that Texas requires the teachers who want to carry a weapon be fully checked out on their gun,I think this would be good for all gun owners.Just like driving a car

By GrowAset

August 20, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

If all these chicken little gun nuts had a pair of gonads they wouldn’t need the gun.

By FrankLeeDarling

August 20, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Truth ,what if the moon was cheese? Huh? what then?

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

I just hope I’m not in the same zip code when these shaky handed Barney Fifes start busting caps and hitting everything but their intended target.

By Spanky

August 20, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Are these teachers going to be armed to protect the students or to protect themselves from the students. Sounds like a great idea to me. I favor corporal punishment too.

By Spanky

August 20, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Are these teachers going to be armed to protect the students or to protect themselves from the students. Sounds like a great idea to me. I favor corporal punishment too.

By GMAN

August 20, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

John McCain is so old and stupid, he gets lost in thought.

GOP - Taking Pride in Ignorance

By RealityKing

August 20, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

When I turned 16, my Father let me drive the truck to school. The old farm truck that had the loaded shotguns hanging in the back window. No one died, in fact, no one ever thought twice about it..

By RealityKing

August 20, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Of course, the stupid should never handle weapons. And given the state of today’s progressive education system…, well, perhaps giving teachers firearms isn’t such a good idea..

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Ok, Frankie, thanks for the clarification. That’s one place I think Georgia is really behind the curve is that it doesn’t require certification.

On the other hand a lot of states have decided to use the cost of permits and certification to price people out of owning or carrying guns.

Could you also clarify this: “On the other hand anyone who feels the need to carry a weapon in public is a little too insecure to be safe.”

I’ve never felt the need to draw my weapon and I don’t carry with the feeling that I’ll necessarily need it (Or I’d have something larger than a Kel-Tec .380), but I’d rather have it and not need it than find myself in the wrong place at the wrong time without it (yes, I know the wrong place and the wrong time can usually be avoided but sometimes you just get unlucky). I don’t mind saying I take a little offense at this statement. It implies that people who carry are crazy paranoid when the FBI crime statistics for Atlanta clearly show that it’s a bit more than baseless paranoia.

By Truth

August 20, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

FrankLeeDarling… you are a complete moron if you think that Virgina Tech shooting couldn’t have been stopped if one freaking person would have had a gun… Aim center mass….

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

You gun nuts are the same crowd that sees a terrorist behind every tree. You don’t need a gun everytime you crawl out from under your bed girls.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Yeah GrowASet, I’m sure women who carry will get right on growing a set, just for you..

You know, we have a felon in the family and occasionally he goes to jail. You know what he does there? He works out. Jail is his opportunity to catch up on his exercise. I don’t know about you, but I have a job and a family. I’m a pretty nice guy and I tend to stay out of trouble. I don’t have time to get prison hard, do you?

@Andy Taylor Please provide even remotely scientific information linking permit holders to criminal actions involving guns, thanks.. Also nervous permit holders lighting up targets indiscriminately, thanks.

By @@

August 20, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer @ 7:00AM:

Faith-based organizations and NGOs are already at work in Cuba. Prostitutes are those who sell themselves for money. That’s a pretty apt description of a democrat in my opinion. The Democratic Party=Political Pimping.

Why would I need to talk to Bush about what’s going on in Iraq? We’ve got an ongoing war here in the states.

The left actively seeks to destroy our unborns, the right wants to destroy our enemies abroad.

Your linking of the two is quite revealing.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Andy, you’re confusing “seeing a terrorist behind every tree” with “seeing the potential for a threat and taking steps to mitigate it”

I guess I’m less of a man because I have health insurance, care insurance, renters insurance, and a spare tire too?

I wonder, would you be thumping your chest if a guy kicked your door in at three in the morning? I mean it’s easy to be Toby Tough Guy on the internet, it’s a lot harder if you’re having a confrontation with someone in your boxers, or out on a date with the missus.

If it’s any consolation, I’m not the man you are, even if I wasn’t carrying I wouldn’t fight fair. I’ll hit you with a bottle or kick you in the knee.. stab you with a car key.. It’s just not worth it to approach something like that with anything akin to a sense of fair play, sorry.

By Marshall Dillon

August 20, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Truth you probably can’t hit anything but your own foot.

By Truth

August 20, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Marshall Dillon…. you forgot about the eight deer on my wall…

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Jimbo I, learn to read. None of my post said anything about permit holders and crime. But congratulations! You just proved you are too damn dumb to be allowed to play with guns.

And Truth..when the deer can shoot back then I’ll be impressed. Don’t let those deer create a legend in your own mind. That could get your dumbazz killed one day.

By Truth

August 20, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Andy Taylor… You should be impressed because if it werent for people like me then the deer in Georgia would be overpopulated and they would all look like skin and bones and be running into your hybrid car… but you probably wouldnt understand that…

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

If a guy kicks my door down at 3 in the morning he gets a dose of .45. Again you prove your stupidity. Nobody has said one word about guns in the home to defend the home. All of us just aren’t such big puzzies as to have to take a gun everywhere we go. Maybe you should be off to see the wizard Jimbo. He’ll fix you up with some courage. Then you won’t be jumping out of your skin and throwing down on every cat that runs out of the shadows.

By Doug

August 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Truth I got to hand it to you. That is the most unique, if not the stupidest post I have ever seen on any blog. Are you saying that you need to carry a gun everywhere you go to shoot deer. Yeah buddy. We really need you based on all those deer hanging out downtown. You’re another one too stupid to be allowed to pack heat.

By FrankLeeDarling

August 20, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

Ok jimbo i take that one back.I should not paint with such a broad brush,but our favorite posterboy andy is a perfect example of the kind of guy I don’t want sitting next to me drinking beer packing heat at the ballgame.

By Casper

August 20, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Hey Jimbo I! BOO!!!!

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Andy, learn to clarify exactly who you mean when you say thing things like “shaky handed Barney fife’s”

Also, some of the crap I’ve been witness to and not used a gun speaks volumes about my character. It’s nice you can make assumptions from afar though.

Sorry I impugned your honor there, it’s good that you’re willing to defend your home but not your person, that makes a lot of sense really.. so far this year there have been 2,231 residential burglaries in Atlanta. There have been 1,026 robberies and 1,142 aggravated assaults for a total of 2,168 between the two, that doesn’t include homicides (31), rapes (44). Most burglaries happen when you aren’t home so defending your home is a limited gig, but robberies and aggravated assault can occur either in the home or out and the crime requires a victim.. some gets robbed, someone gets assaulted.. places get burglarized. You’re about as likely to get robbed, assaulted, raped or murdered as you are to get burgled. Why wouldn’t you carry outside the home?

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

You know, the fact that I’ve worked the night shift downtown (and had to push a cart between buildings at 4am with $100,000 worth of computer equipment on it). Lived on Franklin Road in Marietta, Peachtree Corners in Norcross (not the good half of it either) and 4th Street a block of Ponce in Atlanta pretty much places me in the “not afraid of my own shadow” group. These places aren’t the West Bank or DC but they’re not generally the best places at night and we saw our fair share of crime. My favorite was a shooting outside of our office at 3am one night in the park on P’tree.. over there by Broad Street? The place is decent during the day (except for the bums) and deserted at night.. except a few “characters” (and the bums).. anyway.. I think it’s charming that you want to characterize me as a coward while you’re the guy using a .45 for home defense.. tell me you use frangible ammo.. tell me you live alone or that your house is cinder block.. tell me it’s at least a house.

By FrankLeeDarling

August 20, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

opps I mean AJC not andy

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Jimbo maybe the fact that I am a retired Army Lt. Colonel has something to do with my affinity for a .45. Still prefer them to the nine. And maybe living in Bangkok Thailand and Mexico City is why I don’t see Atlanta, Ga. as anything remotely resembling the “badlands” that I am hearing described here. Still maintain a residence in Mexico City and don’t feel the need to carry a weapon when I go out there either. And actually Jimbo I, a Model M1911A1 .45 is one of the safest handguns there is for home defense. The muzzle velocity is low enough not to through and through an intruder and hit another person in the house, unlike some of the hand cannons I commonly hear the citizen cowboys talking so proudly of. My primary problem with this thing Jimbo I are all the untrained people that walk into a gun store and buy an exotic piece of weaponry without a clue how to handle it. Being permitted doesn’t mean a damn thing if the person packing the piece isn’t trained in it’s use. They are as much a danger to the public at large as any perp. I myself saw gun fall out of a permitted carriers holster at the bar at No Mas Cantina a couple of weeks ago. The guy had the piece in a holster stuck in the small of his back unsecured and out it fell onto the floor. The guy didn’t have a clue how to secure that weapon. Probably saw some T.V. badboy carrying like that. That is my objection to letting just anyone get a permit to carry a gun in public.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Now we get to the meat of it Colonel. I don’t like those people any more than you do. I think training should be required for a carry permit and that if gun owners here want the same rights as most of the other states that allow carry then they have to take responsibility for themselves and take the good with the bad (I still feel a lot of states try to price people out of defending kith and kin by hiking up the prices on permits, licenses, training and whatnot and I think that’s unacceptable)

I’ve been around guns in a properly controlled environment since I was a teen. I worked shooting ranges as a rat to pick up knowledge and experience. I was captain of the my JROTC rifle team and the unit armory officer. I’ve drawn and qualified with the M16A2 and M249 in my day.. While my experience may not mirror yours in years, I’m not one of those guys.

What the hell was he doing in No Mas anyway? I’d assume they get more than 50% of their money from liquor.

I agree with you on the safety of the 1911A1 when people know what they’re doing with one, and again we’d likely agree that too many don’t. I own 2 of them, a .45 and a .38 super, neither is the tricked race guns you see a lot of guys carrying around these days, just the good old mil-spec pistol of yore. I will admit that the .38 super has a mirror chrome finish and looks like something a drug lord would use, but it was my engagement ring so I guess that’s sort of fitting. The .45 is a better round for home defense than say a 9mm or even the .40 but I have to disagree that it’s the best because it’ll still pass through a wall or two thanks to the shoddy construction of modern homes (I live in an apartment so I stick with a .380 with hollowpoints because six of them will still kill a guy and I only need to hold them up long enough for the missus to get to the Mossberg 500 in the safe) and I’d still rather use frangible ammo but that’s on you and you seem to know your piece so.. who am I to judge?

So you know, If I’m carrying it’s a Kel-Tec .380 (the size of a belt buckle)or a charter bulldog .44spl (that doesn’t go through too many wall either) and I don’t think either of those count as exotic.

While Atlanta isn’t Mexico City it isn’t Burlington, Vermont either. I don’t go out looking for or expecting trouble, but I was a boyscout too, so why not be prepared?

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

“By @@ August 20, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this Taxpayer @ 7:00AM: Faith-based organizations and NGOs are already at work in Cuba…”

Then why did you feel a need to cite an article about their abortion issues to me. If we have provided faith-based help and they have accepted it and they don’t have a problem with prostitution that we might help address economically, then what else do you think we can do about it. I don’t like the killing of babies or any other innocent person but there is a limit to what we can do to stop it.

“Why would I need to talk to Bush about what’s going on in Iraq? We’ve got an ongoing war here in the states.”

I thought you were against barbarism and killing. Besides, if you get Bush to leave Iraq, then we’ll also have more resources available to fight killings here in the states.

“The left actively seeks to destroy our unborns, the right wants to destroy our enemies abroad.”

I’m not for actively killing people from the left, right, middle, behind, or any other direction. Maybe you are willing to allow select killing of innocent people in Iraq though. Is that what you are saying.

“Your linking of the two is quite revealing.”

And your acceptance of killing some innocent people while saving some is quite revealing — I think. Now, what have I revealed to.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Oh, and one last thing Andy Taylor, a fairly decent site on what penetrates what and by how much is www.theboxotruth.com

It’s not exactly science.. but it gives you an idea of how certain things hold up to gunfire.

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

Jimbo you should try the No Mas Cantina. It is one of the best Mexican experiences in Atlanta. It’s primarily a food establishment and a good one at that. As for the training issue, it should not be a rubber stamp thing, period. It should be given by professionals and be rigorous in nature. Not just firing a few rounds down range and it’s done. If it costs several hundred dollars so be it. For those who feel that strongly about carrying, cost should be no issue. The cost of them not being trained and killing themselves or someone else is my concern. Furthermore they should be trained and permitted for each individual weapon they carry in public. There is a big difference in a .38 wheelgun and the more sophisticated semi autos. It’s hard to hurt yourself with a revolver but a semi auto is a totally different animal and requires a little more thought and care than just point and shoot. There is some common sense that has to be excercised with this issue and I’m hearing a huge lack thereof from some of the folks here.

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Sheriff,

The gun falling out of the holster. Is that for real. I almost fell out of my chair laughing while trying to picture how that one played out. Did some kid come over and pick it up and tap him on the shoulder and say “Hey Mister, I think this belongs to you!” Did the guy get all red faced and embarrassed or was he sort of nonchalant about it and blame it on that cheap holster.

By Andy Taylor

August 20, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Yes Taxpayer that is for real. And yes, the guy sitting next to him just asked him if he had dropped something. It didn’t lay there long but the one thing that really stood out was that other close by patrons were not happy campers about it. Was he embarrassed? I don’t know, he stayed and had quite a few more beers. The silver lining to that cloud however was that at least it was a hammerless revolver. Other types of weapons have been known to discharge in that situation. In a nutshell, the guy shouldn’t have been carrying. He probably saw somebody on T.V. with a gun stuck in the back of his pants and thought it was cool. That’s my problem with untrained people carrying guns. And proper training would have prohibited that accident. Proper use of equipment 101.

By Jimbo I

August 20, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

The small of the back isn’t the best place to carry and drinking while carrying is prohibited by law, sounds like this guy was just being an all around jack a*.

The missus has been enjoying the benefits of HB89. If I’m carrying I’m also driving.. yay me.

By Taxpayer

August 20, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Andy, I could not agree more with you. By the way, I did not really laugh. I just said that for effect. You have to say just the “right thing” sometimes to get a point across.

By cnarelca

December 6, 2008 3:07 AM | Link to this

alletoro

By nick_trvarc

December 30, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

http://www.message_vizelg.com/

By nick_trvarc

December 30, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

http://www.message_vizelg.com/

By nick_trvarc

December 30, 2008 1:29 AM | Link to this

http://www.message_vizelg.com/