Heh

From Blackfive.
For no reason in particular, and for what it's worth, I feel compelled to point out that the three "dark green Marines" visible in that "Motivator" seem to be as dubious, on average, as their lighter-complected colleagues.

QOTD, 05/30/2011

"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that it is often difficult to verify their authenticity." - Abraham Lincoln

Found here, of all places.

Memorial Day, 2011

Memorial Day is an American holiday, of course, unlike November 11th, observed in the US as Veteran's Day but elsewhere under various names.
Still, I have to recognize the sacrifices our cousins in the Anglosphere have made in the cause of Freedom.
Last Post:

APOTUS--Updated

So, it seems that the Teleprompter of the United States, or TOTUS, has been joined by the Autopen of the United States, to be referred to henceforth as the ApotUS.

Anyone coming late to this issue is directed to the Google News page for "autopen", which does include some commentary as well as what passes for "straight" reportage these days. In short, because His Imperial Majesty the Hindmost was guzzling Guinness and dissing the Queen, he was not able to sign the recent Congressional extension of the patriot Act, so a device referred to as an "autopen" was used to afix a facsimile of his signature to the law.

The legality of using this device to "sign" a law seems to be is in question. Granted that the signature is indistinguishable from one which the POTUS would leave with his hands and a standard pen, what assurance is that he even knew he was signing it? Especially given the sort of "Pass to learn what's in it" philosophy that seems to prevail in Congress these days?

Several of the news items (here, here) quote "Then-Deputy Attorney General Howard Nielson" as having concluded that use of the auto-pen was constitutional--unfortunately, the years of this opinion ranges from 1995 to 2005--same name, same quote--and there has never been a Deputy US Atorney General named Howard Nielson.

Wikipedia's article on Autopen states that

On May 27, 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama became the first president to use an autopen to sign a bill into law.^[2] While visiting France, he authorized the use of an autopen to create his signature which signed into law an extension of three key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.

So, just to review: The autopen has never been used to sign legislation into effect, and the authority quoted as saying that it is hunkey-dorey to do so never existed.

This post was inspired by posts here.

UPDATE: Fixed the links. The 1995/2005 issue seems to be a typo/editorial error, as both articles quote the same law professor, who does, however, make the "then-Deputy Attorney General Howard C. Nielson" claim.
The actual DOJ Office of Legal Counsel opinion is here, signed by "HOWARD C. NIELSON, JR., Deputy Assistant Attorney General". Which is not quite the same as "Deputy US Attorney General." Not sure where these errors originated, but I suspect the initials were A-B-C...
This may all be a Constitutional tempest in a teapot. Sure seems like a dangerous precedent, though, as indicated by the fact that President Harry Truman had an autopen device to sign autographs, and even used it to sign personal checks, but His Imperial Majesty is the first to sue it to sign legislation.

Web Comic of the Year

I have the Day by Day gadget installed, buttoday's is important.

QOTD, 05/29/2011

Now, I ask you in all soberness if all these things, if indulged in, if ratified, if confirmed and endorsed, if taught to our children, and repeated to them, do not tend to rub out the sentiment of liberty in the country, and to transform this government into a government of some other form.
Abraham Lincoln

Quoted in The Powerline Blog's post Ask Comrade Kathy, regarding Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' imposition of price controls (by executive fiat!) on the Health Insurance industry.

For Bobbi

Boycott Walgreens

Read why here.

Let 'em know about it here.

Dear Hindmost

Do you really want to piss off guys who can pull off stunts like this?

Silly question, I know, of course you do.

Schmuck.

A Man's A Man...

...for a' that.

Moar Wookie-Suiter Radio

Granted the Jacobites would hardly fit in at a Tea Party Rally today, they were all for Royal Privilege, their conception of "Liberty" was "free to ha'e some French laddie lord it o'er us, not a German one."  Then again, the original version said so; it was Robbie Burns' version that became a Jacobite anthem.

Still.

Here's a bit from Mudcat Cafe about "Liberty."  Again, "liberty" is being defined as in The Declaration of Arbroath, "free from foreign, not domestic, tyrants princes."

Stirring anyway, and the sentiment translates well.

Courtesy Pandora Radio, Wookie-suiter Serenade

New bigscreenteevee came with installed innert00bz widgets, including Pandora Radio. I've been listening to my Pandora "The Corrie's" channel while putting off mowing the lawn.  Just heard this:

Wow.

Ironic fact of the day

The village in Ireland from which His Imperial Majesty's The Hindmost's Great-Great-Grandfather, Falmouth Kearney is said to have been chased out of Erin is called Moneygall.

("Falmouth"?  Really?  Is that an Irish name?  Falmouth is in Cornwall...)

A Rapturous Earworm

For some reason, I had this song rattling around in my head all day...

QOTD, 05/21/2011

From Tam, not surprisingly.

I dream of a day when we can take a national whiz quiz and have it come back 100% Kennedy-free.

But you have to watch out for the synthetics...

Unexpectedly!

This thread pointed me to this NRA-ILA alert which quoted to this CBS News item:

DEA accidentally finds guns from BATFE operation

Sources say DEA accidentally came upon the guns while stopping suspects in an unrelated case in the Phoenix area on April 13th. When agents stopped at least two suspects, they found two giant garbage cans full of dozens of AK-47 type weapons wrapped in cellophane. Sources tell CBS News that a trace on the first weapon showed it was purchased in Nov. 2009 by a suspect in ATF's Fast and Furious case.

Hah!

Carl Bussjaeger would like to know what your plans are for the Rapture this weekend.

He's also

offering Rapture Financial Security Services. There's still time to sign up.

Um, wow...

SayUncle points us to The Centers for Disease Control blog's take on preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse. "No, really."

Ripped from the headlines...

...of the Bronze Age.

Well, actually, the product of an archaeological dig into the files on this computer, stuff I'd forgotten I had, let alone where it came from...

The  First Trojan Warning:

To: Hector

Fwd From: Laocoon

Subject: WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

IF YOU RECEIVE A GIFT IN THE SHAPE OF A LARGE WOODEN HORSE DO NOT DOWNLOAD IT!!!! It is EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE and will overwrite your ENTIRE CITY!

The "gift" is disguised as a large wooden horse about two stories tall. It tends to show up outside the city gates and appears to be abandoned. DO NOT let it through the gates! It contains hardware that is incompatible with Trojan programming, including a crowd of heavily armed Greek warriors that will destroy your army, sack your town, and kill your women and children.

If you have already received such a gift, DO NOT OPEN IT! Take it back out of the city unopened and set fire to it by the beach. FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

Poseidon

GOAL Post 2011-SUMMARY & ADDENDUM

From:    Joe Waldron [jwaldron@halcyon.com]
Sent:    Friday, May 13, 2011 4:02 PM
Subject:    GOAL Post 2011 Summary

GOAL Post 2011-SUMMARY

Legislative Update from Olympia 13 May 2011

SECOND SPECIAL SESSION?

THREE BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

ALL THREE TAKE EFFECT 22 JULY

NICS-ALTERNATIVE STATUS AWAITS BATFE DETERMINATION

DEAD ISN'T NECESSARILY DEAD (2012)

GOAL ALERTS WILL BE PUBLISHED AS NECESSARY

The 2011 regular legislative session ended on Friday, 22 April. Governor Gregoire called a 30-day special session, to begin on 26 April, to give legislators additional time to come up with a biennial (two-year) state budget. We're more than half way through the special session -- no budget yet!
The Tacoma News Tribune is speculating that a second special session may be necessary.

Governor Gregoire has signed into law all three gun-related bills that passed the legislature during the regular session. HB 1016 allows use of firearm suppressors (silencers) if they are lawfully possessed under federal law. HB 1455 mandates petitions for restoration of firearm rights due to a disqualifying conviction or commitment be filed either in the county of residence of the petitioner or in the county where the conviction/commitment occurred. SHB 1923 requires denial of a concealed pistol license in the applicant cannot pass a federal NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) check.

All three bills take effect on 22 July 2011.

The language used in SHB 1923 was supposed to give us a "NICS alternative" CPL, meaning a person with a valid, current CPL issued after 7/22/2100 would not be required to undergo a NICS check when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer. BATFE has yet to make the formal determination that the new law meets the federal standard, although we were told informally during
session that it did.

Keep in mind that, just as the legislature stands for a two-year term (2011-2012 biennium), all bills filed during any session remain available for action by the legislature. Bills that "died" during the session because they failed to pass one of the cut-off dates may be "resurrected" in future sessions. In addition, new bills may be introduced. All of the gun-related bills filed during the 2011 regular session are listed below, with their
current status.

I will continue to publish GOAL Alerts if something pops up.

BILL STATUS:

The following are ALL of the gun-related bills filed during the 2011 regular session. "Dead" bills may be revived in future sessions.

Bill # Subject Sponsor Status
HB 1006 Knife blade length Appleton (D-23) Dead
HB 1016 Suppressor use Blake (D-19) Gov. signed
HB 1066 Black powder storage and transport Bailey (R-10) Dead
HB 1238 CPL age requirement lowered Orcutt (R-18) Dead
HB 1400 Firearms on snowmobiles Ross (R-14) Dead
HB 1455 Restoration of rights McCune (R-2) Gov. signed
HB 1508 Range protection Takko (D-19) Dead
HB 1628 CPL background checks Kirby (D-29) Dead
HB 1638 Harmonize state/federal law for CPLs Goodman (D-45) Dead
HB 1729 State agency gun security devices Hurst (D-31) Dead
SHB 1923 CPL qualification Goodman (D-45) Gov. signed
HB 1990 WA Firearms Freedom Act Shea (R-4) Dead
HB 2067 Repeal of self defense restitution Hunter (D-48) Dead
SB 5112 Suppressor use Hatfield (D-19) Dead
SB 5313 Juvenile weapon possession Kline (D-37) Dead
SB 5418 No duty to retreat Becker (R-2) Dead
SB 5592 College weapon prohibition Shin (D-21) Dead
SSB 5634 CPL background checks Hargrove (D-24) Dead
SB 5697 State agency gun security devices Hargrove (D-24) Dead

Key to abbreviations: HB = House Bill, SHB = Substitute House Bill, SB = Senate Bill, SSB = Substitute Senate Bill

GOAL POSITION ON BILLS

Not applicable

HEARING(S) SCHEDULED:
No public hearings remain for gun-related bills.

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE: You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. Toll free!!! The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993. Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000 TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA: Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature's web site at "www.leg.wa.gov". Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format. You may
download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's web site (http://www.adobe.com). You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF
CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573. Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000. You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/
(you need "RealAudio" to do this, available free at the TVW web site).

By reading the House and Senate "bill reports" (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted. By reading the "roll call" for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on
any bill. The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT: If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to "jwaldron@halcyon.com". Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights. Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s). PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDiT IS GIVEN TO GOAL. I can be reached at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" or by telephone at (425) 985-4867. Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals. Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" with the words "Unsubscribe GOAL Post" in the subject line. I will remove your name immediately. Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists. If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list's admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):
Puyallup 14-15 May
Monroe 11-12 June

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize,
maintain or employ an armed body of men."

Article 1, Section 24
Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2011 Gun Owners Action League of WA

***

GOAL Post 2011-Addendum

Legislative Update from Olympia                                               13 May 2011

DATE CORRECTION

I MISSED ONE PRO-GUN BILL

GOAL ALERTS

Regarding the NICS-alternative status for Washington CPLs, the correct date should read "CPL issued after 7/22/2011."  I suspect not to many of us would be around to have a CPL issued after 7/22/2100!  Thanks to a sharp GOAL Post reader for catching that one.

A week before the regular session ended, Rep. Brian Blake (D-19), one of the strongest proponent of our right to keep and bear arms in Olympia, introduced HB 2099.  The bill would open the door once again to lawful possession of short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns.  The bill was filed too late for consideration in this year's session, but will be at the top of the stack for 2012.  Another sharp-eyed reader caught that one!

Up until 1994, there was no restriction on the possession of short-barreled rifles and shotguns in Washington, provided they were possessed in compliance with federal law (just as suppressors are lawfully possessed).  Back when Rep. Marlin Appelwick (D-Seattle), and Senators Phil Talmadge (D-Seattle) and Adam Smith (D-Federal Way) were drafting the so-called "Youth Violence Act" (E2SHB 2319), they added a provision banning the possession of these heavily (federally) regulated firearms.  There was no good reason for than ban in 1994, nor is there one today.  Hopefully the bill will move forward next regular session.

As I noted at the end of the narrative in the Summary message just released, I will continue to publish GOAL Alerts as necessary between legislative sessions.  I will also be updating/maintaining the GOAL e-mail list.  If you have corrections/changed e-mail addresses to add, or want to pass this on to friends, please do so.  It's a year-round effort.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

              Puyallup             14-15 May
              Monroe               11-12 June

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or
employ an armed body of men."

                 Article 1, Section 24
        Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2011 Gun Owners Action League of WA

QOTD, 05/14/2011

Harry S Truman

"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear."

More digital archeaology

This time, I know where it came from, but I'll never tell, other than to say that, apparently, everyone I've ever known has been a smart-ass geek...

The military specification (Mil-Spec) for...
1.   PIPE MANUFACTURE
 1.1  All pipe is to be made of a long hole surrounded by metal or plastic.
 1.2  All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length - do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
 1.3  The internal diameter of the pipe must not exceed the overall diameter, otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
 1.4  All pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole so that the water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
 1.5  All pipe should be supplied without rust; this can be more readilyapplied at the job site.
      (Note: Some suppliers are now able to supply pre-rusted pipe.  If available in your area, this product is recommended as it will save a great deal of time on the job.)
 1.6  All pipe over 500ft (153m) in length should have the words "long pipe" clearly marked on each end so people will know it is a long pipe.
 1.7  Pipe over two miles (3.2km) must also have the words "long pipe" painted on the middle so people will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether or not it is a long or short pipe.
 1.8  All pipe over 6" (152mm) in diameter must have the words "large pipe" painted on it so that it cannot be mistaken for a small pipe.
 1.9  Flanges must be used on all pipe.  Flanges must have holes for bolts quite separate from the big hole in the middle.
 1.10 When ordering 90, 45 or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify right or left hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
 1.11 Be sure to specify to your supplier whether you want level, uphill, or downhill pipe.  If you use downhill pipe for going uphill the water will flow the wrong way.

Irony in Government

I realize that the odds that someone not related to me will read this blog and not View From The Porch or Snowflakes in Hell are slim, but just in case, courtesy both of those, I present you a photo from Gun Free Zone that is so full of irony that, as one commenter put it, it

is so thick that you have to think that the maybe they did it on purpose.. as a joke…And then cry when you realize they didn’t.

That's right:  "Barcelona City Council. 500 meter zone under surveillance. George Orwell Square."

Of course, in a nation where legislation designed to ensure that a vote as to whether workers should be "allowed" to unionize produces a "yes" vote is entitled the "Workers Free Choice Act", irony in government is a familiar concept.

Or should be.

UPDATE: For some reason, the pic doesn't want to display on my screen reliably.  So, again, the original link is HERE.

QOTD, 05/08/2011

Mailing a check to the government to help the poor because you're feeling compassionate is like handing the local crackhead a twenty to fetch you a pizza because you're feeling hungry.
Tamara K., View From The Porch, "The Basic Problem"

"Vindication"

From Gateway Pundit: "

VINDICATION: When the loudest critic of your policies achieves his greatest success because of them.

Amen.

"Bin Laden was a trustfunder who took up performance art."

Brendan Greely writing in Business Week on Why Bin Laden Lost:

The United States has no purpose. That is perhaps its greatest achievement. America's founding document, its Declaration of Independence, allows that a state exists only to secure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Now, if only someone can explain this to The Hindmost...

In a spectacular, bloody way, Osama bin Laden said, simply, "no." This is not the philosophy of a new prophet in a clash of civilizations; it's the word of a nihilist. We feared the compelling power of his ideology, but what actually resonated was his raised fist. That's why it gives him too much to call him a monster. Remember him as a thug and murderer, but also as a self-obsessed diva with a gift for timing and spectacle. Bin Laden was a trust-funder who took up performance art.

A self-obsessed diva with a gift... Hmmm, who else does that sound like...?

Go read the whole thing.

A\ little tune, apropos ...

...this post from the other day. 

Battle Of The Timelines!

Ace of Spades' timeline traces the path to Nailing Bin Laden, while Michelle Malkin's timeline traces the 20--and counting!--different versions of events to have spewed forth from the White House since Sunday night.

Malkin's is probably more immediately embarrassing to The Hindmost, but I suspect that, what with all the "waterboarding", "enhanced interrogation", "secret prisons" and whatnot, Ace's may be more damaging to His Imperial Majesty's desires to have it be All About Him.

Egad! You cad!

I almost missed Flashman's Birthday.

h/t LTC P at OpFor.

Appalling

The PJ Tatler » British gun control is sexist

Is Washington State becoming the Illinois of the West?

Granted that we've had Shall-Issue concealed carry permits for 50 +/- years--longer than any other state that I know of--we are usually accused of emulating California.

Maybe we're copying Illinois instead.
Exhibit A
Exhibit B.

ADDED:
Exhibit C.

Historical Trivia

Except it isn't really all that trivial, is it?
A couple of days ago:

New York Times, May 2, 2011

A few years ago:

Stars and Stripes, May 2, 1945

Pointed out here.  (NOTE:  Some photographs in this thread are guaranteed to inflame the passions of radical Islamo-Fascists, offend Moderate Muslims, irritate O-Bots, and almost certainly be NSFW.)

Oh, yes

Everyone who battles with bureaucracy on a daily basis has a favorite Dilbert.

This may be my new one:

To make matters worse, The Salt Mines would promulgate a Desk Standardization Policy verbally, so you couldn't actually hold them to it.  "I never said that..."

72 What Now?

I thought it was worth revisiting this classic, with a minor update:

After getting nailed by a U.S. Navy SEAL, Osama made his way to the pearly gates. There, he is greeted by George Washington. "How dare you attack the nation I helped conceive!" yells Mr. Washington, slashing Osama with his sword.

Patrick Henry comes up from behind. "You wanted to end the Americans' liberty, so they gave you death!" Henry punches Osama on the nose.

James Madison comes up next, and says "This is why I allowed the Federal government to provide for the common defense!" He drops a large weight on Osama's knee.

Osama is subject to similar beatings from John Randolph of Roanoke, James Monroe, and 65 other people who have the same love for liberty and America.

As he writhes on the ground, Thomas Jefferson picks him up to hurl him back toward the gate where he is to be judged.

As Osama awaits his journey to his final very hot destination, he screams "This is not what I was promised!"

An angel replies "I told you there would be 72 Virginians waiting for you, idiot. What did you think I said?"

Ding, dong, the bitch is dead!

Apologies to female dogs.

Good job, SEALs! I notice the early suggestions that this was a combined op are turning out to be greatly exaggerated.

And that the usual suspects are
a) suggesting that the War on Terror is now over, and
b) Obama is somehow a better Commander in Chief than GW Bush because of this.

Phooey.

sent from The Salt Mines on my Droid

Works and Days » OK, Let’s Decline

In OK, Let’s Decline, Professor Hanson takes on a fawning New Yorker article on the decision of His Imperial Majesty to play The Hindmost.

Here's a clue, Mr. President: Americans are not Pierson's Puppeteers...

SeaTimes: "Tips to finding a tasty wine from uncharted store shelves"

The Seattle Times' Wine Adviser shares Tips to finding a tasty wine from uncharted store shelves. Handy when you're travelling.