Wheel Of Fortune

Santorum catches Romney in a national poll, which calls for a Rick Roll open thread.

In another month Mitt will be well positioned as the 'Anybody But Santorum' candidate.

Comments

[GMAX]

I thought Michigan was a place that made Mitt formidable and inevitable? Stuck for an answer to hello seems to be a bit of a problem, doesn't it?

[Melinda Romanoff]

G-

Seen the new iteration of the still in edit mortgage deal yet?

It's a doozy.

[Not Sara]

IMO, if Santorum is our candidate, we are in for a massive defeat!

[GMAX]

This has been mostly a Democrat AG farce from the start. $2.5B to the participating states? What is that the vig?

[Melinda Romanoff]

Check out the Executive Summary I linked. You won't want to be on the receiving end of that judgement, yet, I fear, we all will anyway.

[GMAX]

I dont think I agree with Tyler Durden but its an interesting twist nevertheless:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/gop-finally-discovers-obamas-achilles-heel-just-let-him-do-what-he-does-and-encourage-it

Mel its ALWAYS the taxpayer who takes it in the shorts...

[Melinda Romanoff]

I wasn't pointing to the taxpayer, writ large, but to any homeowner or investor. Just another wall papered over theft by the Administration and their fellow travelers.

[GMAX]

Noe I generally think of Quinny as a terrible pollster, but they are usually reliably biased towards Democrats, which makes this poll out of AHIA this AM to be simply stunning:

54 – 40 percent Ohio voters favor the idea of passing a “right-to-work” law that would ban workers from being required to join a union as a condition of employment, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today…

Pennsylvania, Zero in trouble. Now this? Who wants to come to my party in early November?

[Bill in AZ sez it's time for Obama/Holder murder trial in Mexico]

The only reason Santorum is "leading" is because MFM is allowing him to "lead". Sorta like Chuck Norris. MFM pushed Romney because they didn't think we were dumb enough to go for Santorum - a lesson they learned when they tried to shove Chuckabee on us 4 years ago. Romney, Santorum? Doesn't matter. MFM can dismantle either of them when they choose.

Here is a piece that is popping up here and there that will toast Romney, and maybe this is why they are flogging Santorum now. They were hoping to use this later to take the gun folks completely out of the picture.

http://www.therightscoop.com/2004-romney-signs-off-on-permanent-assault-weapons-ban/

[Of Elsevier people?]

DrJ, seen the 'Research Works Act' from Issa, of all people?
==============

[Captain Hate]

I need Rick to again convince me that Boehner isn't doing a poor job of running the House. I see that Issa has let Stedman off the hook and is giving him an unlimited amount of time to cough up the documents related to Fast and Furious rather than hold him in the contempt status that his arrogance obviously deserves. Also caving on the payroll tax suspension without a peep about what that does to social security and letting a witless popinjay like Van Hollen crow in victory is also a head scratcher.

Let's hear it Rick; although keep in mind that being privy to an inside joke has limited strategic value.

[Melinda Romanoff]

CH-

Caving on the payroll taxes, now, brings the debt ceiling deal back within the election cycle. Fun for the whole family!

Not sure about the F&F gambit, still open to be convinced on strategery.

[Janet]

story on Drudge - "CDC warns of increase in Untreatable Gonorrhea..."

Maybe that will slow the leftists down?

[Porchlight]

From Bill in AZ's link:

“Deadly assault weapons have no place in Massachusetts,” Romney said, at a bill signing ceremony with legislators, sportsmen’s groups and gun safety advocates. “These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.”

Like the federal assault weapons ban, the state ban, put in place in 1998, was scheduled to expire in September. The new law ensures these deadly weapons, including AK-47s, UZIs and Mac-10 rifles, are permanently prohibited in Massachusetts no matter what happens on the federal level.

If you're wondering why the "sportsmen's groups" were there, there were a couple of good things in the bill, too:

The new law also makes a number of improvements to the current gun licensing system, including: Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years; Granting a 90-day grace period for holders of firearm identification cards and licenses to carry who have applied for renewal; and Creating a seven-member Firearm License Review Board to review firearm license applications that have been denied.

[Clarice]

Nest up:Occupy Hospital communicable diseases wards.

[Clarice]

In Bangkok an Iranian splodydope blew off his own legs.

[Jane]

Porch,

Do most states allow assault weapons?

[henry]

Jane, it is a definition thing. Semi-automatic rifles are allowed even if they have removable magazines, pistol grips, etc. That includes the weapons on the list in MA as long as they are the semi-auto version. Full automatics (AK's etc) are banned by the Feds.

"assault weapons bans" focus on appearance rather than function.

[Threadkiller]

From the trashed thread daddy asks:
"Can anyone else think of any other questions during all the debates that had us scratching our heads "Why are they asking that?" that will soon pop up as the next Obama anti-Constitutional action Du Jour."

How about an endless amount of questioning, of republicans, of the citizenship of Obama?

While not necessarily asked in debates, this has been asked many times. Stephanopoulos leading the pact. I never wondered about the motive. I have long since documented that the birther topic rises to the top when they are scripted to do so. The left always brings it up.

[matt]

there's no such thing as an assault weapon, Jane. They're all firearms. Assault weapon is a term used by the media to describe single shot "black guns" that are civilianized versions of military style rifles.

Some of these can at significant expense and against the law be modified to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger. This is, despite the hype, very rare.

Military weapons are automatic and can fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger.

The civilian versions are allowed in most states.

[Jack is Back!]

Great news for Frederick today: Transformers 4 is being made by Michael Bay and scheduled for a June 2014 release.

Think about it. For 2+ years all I will hear everyday is "is it 2014 yet?"

[narciso]

Remember al that chaff from Dickinson at RS, Sherman at New York et al, it was just cover;

http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/13/media-matters-memo-called-for-hiring-private-investigators-to-look-into-the-personal-lives-of-fox-employees/#ixzz1mMgzFEcm

[MarkO]

Dr. K:

Host Bret Baier pointed out that the only one of the presidential candidates that had been making an issue of the budget process had been Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul. But Krauthammer declared Paul’s nomination unlikely and suggested that Paul’s competitors follow his lead.

“Unfortunately he’s not going to win the nomination,” Krauthammer said. “But those who could are not doing enough of this or even doing it at all. And they’re not going to win the general election unless they make spending and the debt the issue that it really is what Americans really worry about. They are accepting the president’s premise that somehow all of us have become Occupy Wall Street. Everybody thinks if you redistribute income to solve the economic problem. Let me be more cynical. And everybody thinks that if you redistribute income, you’re going to solve our economic problems.”

http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/13/krauthammer-calls-obama-budget-worthy-of-greece-truly-scandalous/#ixzz1mMtMtNHF

[Threadkiller]

"FORMER U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE AND COMBAT VETERAN
In 2010, during my campaign for the U.S. Senate; I was required to provide evidence of eligibility to run for office. If I had failed to do so by such date, I was going to be removed from the primary ballot by the Secretary of State. In my case she was doing her job and I proudly obliged. Later, I found out that I was singled out or flagged according to the person at the elections office.

The president continues to profess that we are all to play by the same set of rules. As such I have taken it my personal responsibility to ensure that all candidates running for federal office this year play by the same set of rules. All candidates, including the President and Vice President need to provide irrefutable proof of eligibility. Furthermore, in spite of the 2000 report from the inspectors general office published in Kansas City, all documents must be submitted and verified for authenticity. No exceptions will be made if we are all to truly play by the same set of rules."
http://www.thepostemail.com/2012/02/13/obama-ballot-challenge-filed-in-missouri/

Hearing is today. No word from Stefe yet.

[Neo]

I suspect that Santorum screwed up the narrative completely. He wasn't supposed to get this far.

[MarkO]

Toobin. I can't stand him. Nor can Mickey.

http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/13/jeffrey-toobin-americas-adultery-expert/

[Neo]

Iranian bomber Saeid Moradi blew off his own legs after a bungled terror attack in Bangkok today. Another Iranian was detained at Bangkok’s international airport as he attempted to depart for neighbouring Malaysia.

Oh, no. It's not Iranians or something.

[narciso]

Really, another tip to Python's idiot sketch;

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/regulations-create-jobs-too-02092012.html

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 13 at Raz today.

[MarkO]

"I suspect that Santorum screwed up the narrative completely."

The narrative I see is invited chaos. Newt will be back in action in the debates and it seems unlikely that Santorum will be off limits this time. Mitt will fight back. Santorum has announced it's "no more Mr. Nice Guy."

The GOP convention ends on August 30. If a new candidate arises he/she/it will have two months in which to be undressed by the media and to calm a nervous electorate. Were I a Democrat operative, that would be my preferred outcome.

Sixty days to save the world. Doom?

[narciso]

But I thought they were becoming more moderate, sarc;

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-02/12/c_131405777.htm

[narciso]

Well the first lesson is not to let the MFM
drive the debate, well we lost that round somewhere around 4th down, As for the other thing, when they don't have slime, like fellow Denebian devils, they make it up, haven't you been paying attention.

[Captain Hate]

But those who could are not doing enough of this or even doing it at all. And they’re not going to win the general election unless they make spending and the debt the issue that it really is what Americans really worry about.

All 3 non crazy uncles are embarrassing on this but I really have to question what Romney's team is telling him on this. It was a no brainer to expect El JEFe to release a scam of a budget and the responses to it could have been previously prepared with just specifics added subsequent to its release. The lack of immediate comment on the budget is inexcusable. Why is Romney even running if he won't address this?

[Neo]

Justice Breyer, now that you've written a dissent in DC v Heller, what are you going to do next ...

Justice Stephen Breyer was robbed last week by a machete-wielding intruder at his vacation home in the West Indies, a Supreme Court spokeswoman said Monday.

I bet he wished he had a gun.

[Ignatz]

--These guns are not made for recreation or self-defense. They are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people.--

If one were defending oneself, seems to me a gun with the sole purpose of hunting and killing people should be just the ticket. And since millions of people use them for recreation Mitt is getting on my last nerve.

--Do most states allow assault weapons?--

Jane, "assault weapon" is a term originally used by arms manufactures and the military to describe a hand held weapon capable of both semi automatic and full automatic fire. It was distinct from machine guns in that they do not generally have selective fire.
The anti gunners found the term useful to demonize civilian versions of the assault rifle which are in fact only capable of semi auto fire so they incorrectly applied that label to them for propaganda purposes. What they call "assault weapons are in fact just semi automatic rifles like any other semi auto rifle used for hunting except that they are usually made in less powerful calibers.
They are available in most states now even though there was an effort to ban them Federally. In states like CA or MA there are a bunch of restrictions regarding attributes like flash suppressors, pistol grips etc that make it more difficult to own one but even there you can usually get some version of one.
And as an aside if one possesses the proper Federal firearms license it is perfectly legal to own fully automatic weapons up to and including 50 caliber Browning machine guns and many thousands of people do. It is also little known that IIRC in all the decades of civilian ownership of full auto machine guns a legally owned one has been used in the commission of one (1) crime in the USA.

[narciso]

That piece by Michael Walsh on the origin of the Sullivan laws was rather eye opening, as to what their real goal is, never the protection of the citizenry.

[Rick Ballard]

CH,

I won't proffer any defense of the actions by the House majority on the basis of ethics or principles from now until the election. I would suggest a close examination of the cost of the last red meat battle (April through August) provides the electoral rationale for the course of non-action selected.

It's lesser weevil season.

[NK]

MelR-- so here's 'Bam's business plan for the US in his budget. Within a few years interest payments on the National debt go to $1TRILLION/year (assuming nothing BAD happens and creditors will take pathetically low interest), the Fed will keep us in a ZIRP world so savers will be punished with no income from their savings, and Savers/Investors will be prevented from earning return a fair return on equities by taxing dividends as regular income.Hmmmm-- it's almost as if 'Bam wants to kill savings and investment and socialize capital formation.

[narciso]

Well they disarmed themselves, and in the end, 'cried uncle' and yet they were still blamed for the debacle that insued,

[A Casual Observation]

Have you noticed that Matt's loopy commentarirs have become like Aesop's Fractured Fables and Peabody's Improbable History on the Rocky And Bullwinkle Show?

[A Casual Observation]

* commentaries *

[MarkO]

"Why is Romney even running if he won't address this?" Or Newt or Rick? Eventually, we can't afford to wonder selectively. If we do end up with 60 day and Daniels [or insert fantasy name] as the candidate, do you really think we can win?

[Danube of Thought]

The authoritative Jane's Infantry Weapons (as of about 30 years ago) defined "assault rifle" as one capable of both semi-automatic and automatic fire. Weapons that look like an AK-47 but are not capable of automatic fire cannot properly be called AK-47's or assault rifles. But that battle has been lost.

[NK]

RickB-- 'agree completely. 'Bam's been in FULL campaign mode since June 2011. The House has now joined the game. Extend payroll tax cuts for middle class. It's a TAX HOLIDAY for God's sake, when do conservatives oppose tax HOLIDAYs? Attack 'Bam on 1) the anti-freedom facsism that is Obamacare, and 2) the debt -- the $5+ TRILLION and counting in under 4 years. and 3) $4+ regular gas nationally by Mem day. That's it -- stay on message and win. THEN fix the damage 'Bam has caused.

[Bill in AZ sez it's time for Obama/Holder murder trial in Mexico]

If you're wondering why the "sportsmen's groups" were there, there were a couple of good things in the bill, too:

"The new law also makes a number of improvements to the current gun licensing system, including: Extending the term of a firearm identification card and a license to carry firearms from four years to six years;"

I thought porchlight was being facetious with this comment about the "good" things in the bill for "sportsmen" (and I also don't recall "sportsmen" or "hunters" mentioned in the 2nd amendment either, come to think of it).

Gun Licensing??? I know they have that in the commie enclave of Chicago, and Rahm is trying to run it statewide, but do any other states have "gun licensing"??? Really?? Porch, does the commie enclave of Austin have gun licensing to where extending the term would be a good thing? I can't believe TX has gun licensing anywhere. Here in AZ I have no "Assault Weapons" and none of them are "licensed". I know it's a PITA to get a concealed permit in some states, but AZ and quite a few other states have recently done away with it completely. Having it "extended" would not be a good thing.

[narciso]

Yet another swarm attack, to paraphrase the Operative in Firefly, who in turn was referencing someone else 'If your quarry
goes to ground, let him find no ground
to hide within

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/02/13/occupiers-prepare-to-check-alec-off-the-lefts-shopping-list/#comments

[Not Sara]

CH, I agree completely. The silence is deafening as to the Obama budget. Weird and sad at the same time. What ARE our candidates thinking? Or are they thinking?

[narciso]

Because it doesn't work, NK, we went through these gimmicks in the 70s, with Ford and Carter, now it has the added toxic effect of draining the SS accounts,

Meanwhile like Scorpion venom, Obamacare continues to flow through the body, corrupting
and infecting everything it comes in contact with.

[Rocco]

Happy Valentines Day to all of our Lovely JOM ladies. ♥ ♥ ♥

Understanding “Assault Weapons” and “Large Capacity Weapons”...A guideline for Massachusetts

http://www.goal.org/masslawpages/awfacts.html

[narciso]

Everything is astroturf, just like the pitch 'Red Liz' cooked up,

http://www.jillstanek.com/2012/02/abc-news-presidents-top-advisers-on-contraception-mandate-included-planned-parenthood-ceo/#more-58844

[narciso]

Can someone tell me, what the point of this, is we get this everywhere;

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/14/search-is-on-for-new-wedge-isses-to-help-gop-in-2012-campaign/#comment#ixzz1mMsJeoDR

[DrJ]

Kim,

I'm aware of the Research Works Act, but I know few of the details. For me personally it will mean a bit more paperwork, but that's the only practical impact.

It would not change my access to journals, and the formatting of the open-source ones usually is so awful that I go to the publishers anyway.

[MarkO]

narc, I think it is an effort to have the Republicans talk about anything but the economy.

[Pops]

Ben 'Sanger' Franklin writes:

BF says: Pops really popped his cork, today, eh?

How many unwanted children have you adopted or supported?

Otherwise, your 'compassion' is nothing more than the sound of tinkling brass.
--------------------------------------

POPS says: More to the point, how many baby seals have you adotpted? You think they are going to raise themselves??

I support tons of children, and adults...haven't you seen Obamas welfare rolls?
----------------------------------------

Pops CONT:
More importantly Ben, show me your compassion. How many poor, minority women have you, PP and Obama paid for their infertility treatments so they could have children??

Isn't that the true MORAL test, of whether you are really about HELPING poor people or more about killing the offspring, (or denying them offspring to begin with) of what you consider the unfit.

Sure PP will give an infertile women a 'referral' from the yellow pages to an infertility doctor, but they will pay nothing and Obama pays nothing and in fact is reducing existing healthcare plans infertility payments.
-----------------------------

It is quite telling that PP AND THE FEDS HAVE HUNDREDS OF PROGRAMS TO STOP OR KILL POOR PEOPLES CHILDREN BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE BUDGET TO HELP INFERTILE POOR WOMEN.

Maybe you would suggest talking just 20% of the PP and their associated federal programs and fence that money for infertility?? Or are you just in the business of killing what Sanger considered to be the UNFIT???

Maybe to show their bonafides, Obama and PP could appear in an ad with the Duggar Family and talk about the joys of correcting infertility and commit to half their current abortion busget going for infertility and prenatal care for infertile poor women.

[Pops]

Great believer in womens healt my left ---.

ObamaCare Cuts Infertility Loan Option Beginning 2013

The Obama care bill signed into law by President Obama limits an federal program that couples use for an interest free infertility treatment loan. Beginning in 2013 the maximum contribution for a spending account for medical expenses will be limited to $2,500.
-----------------------------

Apparently Obama sees kids as a medical problem, but not infertility.

[Jack is Back!]

Excellent, Pops, nicely put. Ben loves to start fires and then tries to put them out with gasoline.

[Neo]

Moody's slashes ratings for six eurozone nations

Moody's slashed the debt ratings of Italy, Spain and Portugal as well as Slovenia, Slovakia and Malta on Monday. France, Britain and Austria were warned that they were at increasing risk of downgrades due to the eurozone debt crisis.

[Id Iom]

Nest up mean like turning up a hornets nest or like a nest where everyone is real close and there it is, like people on an island. Bio initiative like that shield thing? Up close to the nest? Energy N.E.S.T. non natural radiation? Data nest like EMF radiation shielding-satellite? Network systems and technology? Crow's nest? Defusing cancer with contamination? From the nest up? H.O.L.E. N.E.S.T?

[A Casual Observation]

A little known fact .....

Senator Dianne Feinstein established the criteria for what defines an assualt weapon, saying in a Congressional hearing several years ago that she didn't have to see one to know one, and to give her credence, Congresswoman Maxine Waters agreed with her, So we know that those criteria are legitimate.

[Danube of Thought]

I'm pretty sure I was the first to announce that the payroll tax will never be reinstated. The gap will be picked up out of the general fund, as the nation glides inexorably into a steeper decline.

[Clarice]

So, narciso, PP was too busy attacking Komen to respond well and timely to the Bishops? Heh. Interesting theory.

[Sue]

Rocco,

Aren't you the ladies' man? Thanks!

[Porchlight]

Bill in AZ, yes, I was being sort of facetious with that. I'm guessing those changes helped provide some cover for Romney. Texas/Austin is wide open - no license or permit needed unless you want to do concealed carry. Mr Porch got most of his sporting goods off the interwebs.

Jane, IIRC there are very few other states with the kind of "assault" (semi-automatic) weapons ban that MA enacted. In 1998, it was just CA, NJ, and NY, plus the DC handgun ban that ended with Heller. Since 1998 CT has enacted a partial ban and Cook County IL has a ban that is now (I think) the most restrictive in the nation b/c it includes handguns.

[narciso]

Their complaint was not about the goal, but the tactics, as with Media Matters;

Another part of the answer of why Obama backed down is that the women’s groups, the dependable White House allies, did not all have their acts entirely together to react quickly.

That’s in part because last week, when the trouble heated up, the groups were running what was a successful campaign to force the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to back down and reverse its decision to ban funding for Planned Parenthood breast-cancer screenings.

[Extraneus]

Dolan: Obama says he's not anti-religious, but he's getting harder to believe

The top U.S. Catholic bishop vowed legislative and court challenges Tuesday to a compromise by President Barack Obama to his healthcare mandate that now exempts religiously affiliated institutions from paying directly for birth control for their workers, instead making insurance companies responsible.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an interview with The Associated Press that he trusted Obama wasn't anti-religious and intended to make good on his pledge to work with religious groups to fine-tune the mandate.

"I want to take him at his word," Dolan said in Rome, where he will be made a cardinal Saturday. But he stressed: "I do have to say it's getting harder and harder," to believe Obama's claim to prioritize religious freedom issues given the latest controversy.

[Benjamin Franklin]

Romney wants to redistribute the wealth of the retired to fund the Banks.....

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120214/OPINION01/202140336/Romney-op-ed--Taxpayers-should-get-GM-shares’-proceeds

[henry]

This should be interesting. Walker to meet Obama at Masterlock visit Wednesday. I'm hoping for a little in your face "Masterlock is expanding because we ended collective bargaining" from Walker.

[matt]

Porch;

I believe the ban in Cook County/Chicago was partially lifted recently.

Regardless, Chicago has consistently had one of the highest gun crime rates in the country for many years despite its highly restrictive gun laws.

[A Casual Observation]

Romney is Obama-lite, just as McCain was Obama-lite, too.
Like Obama, Santorum is an empty suit, too. We're screwed.

[Melinda Romanoff]

matt-

Ban lifted, then a new Federal judge, appointed by (insert your guess here), ruled that the 2nd Amendment applied only within the home.

No.

Joke.

[bgates]

I was kind of lukewarm about Anybody But Mitt, but I think I could get pretty enthusiastic about Anybody But Rick.

[Ranger]

Weapons that look like an AK-47 but are not capable of automatic fire cannot properly be called AK-47's or assault rifles.

In practical terms, the defining difference between a "Battle Rifle" and an "Assault Rifle" is the shorter overall length and the pistol grip. This makes the "assult rifle" equally effect fired from the shoulder at longer ranges, and from the hip in close combat. They really should be called "Assult Carbines", but that just doesn't sound as "pwerful."

BTW, the M16A2 doesn't have a full automatic setting, only a 3 round burst setting, but it is still considered an "Assult Rifle."

All these laws should really be called the "scarey looking gun" law. As already stated, fully automatic weapons have been illegal for the general public by federal law since the gang wars of the 1930s, where the sub-machinegun became the weapon of choice.

This is all just another example of making new law to appear to be taking action when it is actually a failure of policy and executive action, not the absence of law that is at fault.

[Jack is Back!]

Clarice and narciso,

Regarding narciso's 10:56 link about PP being distracted by the Komen kerfuffle, I just realized something:

Isn't there a lot of medical questions about the link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer?

I am neither a medico or even versed in woman's health issues but I just think that is an interesting juxtaposition for this politically charged issue. And making OC free - you are really doubling down on the risk probabillity of more breast cancer. Of course, the Regime could make masectomies free.

[Cecil Turner]

An "assault" is a military term for the act of closing with the enemy. An "assault rifle" is a weapon desinged for use in such an attack, characterized by high rate of fire (generally an automatic selector) and a medium cartridge (rifle as opposed to a shorter, less powerful pistol cartridge). The requirement was long identified but difficult to meet, with some early versions being the BAR and assorted light machine guns (that are generally a bit too heavy for optimal use). The first true assault rifle was the WWII German SturmGewehr (which name, not coincidentally, translates as "assault rifle"). Then over time everyone basically copied the design, resulting in AK-47s, M-16s and a host of similar weapons.

[Cecil Turner]

"Assault weapon" is a legal term for something liberals don't like. It makes little sense as a weapon description (e.g., a "pistol grip" has little or no effect on function). The federal ban is defunct, but about five states have a similar ban.

[Porchlight]

To those who don't like Santorum: I share your dismay, but this is what happens when the consensus frontrunner fails to bring conservatives on board (both because of his record and his inability to persuade skeptics).

If you run a weak horse you can't blame people for not betting on him.

[Benjamin Franklin]

"MADISON — Republican Gov. Scott Walker plans to greet President Barack Obama in Milwaukee on Wednesday and accompany him on a visit to Master Lock."

Walker may be looking to wag his finger in Obama's face, 'cause that worked so well in Arizona.

[Jack is Back!]

Porchlight,

But we didn't buy a conservative in 08 and went with the lightest candidate in McCain. I wonder what happened between then and now.......................:)

[Danube of Thought]

How trendy:

ISFAHAN, Iran - US filmmaker Sean Stone, the son of Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, said Tuesday that he converted to Islam in Iran, where he is making a documentary. "The conversion to Islam is not abandoning Christianity or Judaism, which I was born with. It means I have accepted Muhammad and other prophets," he said in a brief telephone call from the central Iranian city of Isfahan, where he underwent the ceremony. Sean Stone's famous father is Jewish, while his mother is Christian. The 27-year-old filmmaker did not say why he converted.

[Danube of Thought]

a medium cartridge (rifle as opposed to a shorter, less powerful pistol cartridge)

I was taught that a two-handed automatic weapon that fires a pistol cartridge is called a sub-machine gun.

[Extraneus]

Let's see... Greasemonkey, check... Restart Firefox, check...

[Ranger]

a "pistol grip" has little or no effect on function

Actually, it has a significant effect on function. It allows you to fire from the hip more effectively than without it. This allows the weapon to be used much more effectively in enclosed spaces. What you lose with the assult rifle is the long range accuracy of the heavier, longer battle rifle, and the ability to use it nearly as effectively as a spear or club.

[Danube of Thought]

Jane's lists the following "commonly used terms":

Assault Rifle
Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle
Light Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
Micro Assault Rifle
Mini Assault Rifle System
Rifleman's Assault Weapon
Selectable Assault Battle Rifle
Short Range Assault Weapon

You have to pay to get to where the terms are defined.

[Melinda Romanoff]

DoT-

I don't see Portable Tactical Nuclear Device anywhere on that list.

[Benjamin Franklin]

'check..' just for me?

[Danube of Thought]

Just to add a further bit of enlightenment, it helps to understand that among journalists, all rifles are divided into two classes: "high-powered" and .22 caliber. (Note also that every attorney is "prominent," and every law firm is "high-powered." I have not yet heard of a .22 caliber law firm.)

[Melinda Romanoff]

Heh.

[Barbara]

bgates @10:15am - I was kind of lukewarm about Anybody But Mitt, but I think I could get pretty enthusiastic about Anybody But Rick.

Agreed.
- - - - - - - -
Happy Valentine's Day, Rocco!♥

[Ranger]

Well, ultimately, these are all marketing terms for arms manufacturers and government procurement departments.

[Frau Wissenschaft]

Kim, cui bono?
What's Issa doing with Wexler, Conyers and Co.?

[Benjamin Franklin]

" government procurement departments."

You mean, like ruminant procurement?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentagon_Wars

[matt]

one of the fallacies of most combat is shooting from the hip. It's great in cowboy movies or at ranges of 10-20', but beyond that it is highly inaccurate for all but the most competent marksmen.

In Afghanistan one of the critical issues is distance, where engagements are often made at up to 1,000 yards. At those distances, the .223 cal CAR-15 which is standard issue encounters accuracy problems.

Longer barrels help, but the military has been buying long range 7.62mm (.308 cal) rifles for this purpose. Most of those firearms are semi-automatic. then come the .50 cal rifles than can hit a target at 1,500 - 1,800 yards.

A number of these were sold under AG Holder's Fast & Furious outreach to the Sinaloa Cartel. 90% of the time these kinds of rifles are purchased by competition shooters except when they are part of one of the regime's stimulus programs.

[Ranger]

You mean, like ruminant procurement?

Well, the Pentagon wastes a lot of money, but not nearly as much per dollar spent as the rest of the federal government.

Shall we revisit the entire Green Energy scam?

Or the Affordable Housing scam?

BTW, the Bradley ended up being a pretty good vehilce once it was fielded.

[Ranger]

but beyond that it is highly inaccurate for all but the most competent marksmen.

Very true, but in the confined spaces of an urban environment, it is much easier to snap fire from the hip than firing from the shoulder.

One of the gratest advances is the laser sight and the forward grip, which allows infantry to advance with the weapon at the shoulder and sighted, without having to actually look down the sight.

[Benjamin Franklin]

"BTW, the Bradley ended up being a pretty good vehilce once it was fielded."

You mean, once the Israelis fixed it.

[Ranger]

You mean, once the Israelis fixed it.

Well, since the Israelis never fielded the Bradley, no.

I mean the M2A2 model:

Introduced in 1988, the A2 received an improved 600-horsepower (447 kW) engine with an HMPT-500-3 Hydromechanical transmission and improved armor (both passive and the ability to mount explosive reactive armor). The new armor protects the Bradley against 30 mm APDS rounds and RPGs (or similar anti-armor weapons). Ammunition storage was reorganized and spall liners were added. The M2A2 was qualified to be transported by the C-17 Globemaster III. M2A2s will all eventually be modified to M2A2 ODS or M2A3 standard.

[Danube of Thought]

A draft dodger engages with a Ranger on the subject of weaponry, with predictable results.

[Benjamin Franklin]

" even as the dangerous, defective version is being produced for American forces, a different version has been designed for sale to Israel. In reality, Israel never acquired the Bradley, however it is true that United Defense did offer a version of the Bradley similar to the one portrayed, in that it did have external fuel tanks,"

I should have known the Israelis were too smart, and concerned with
the safety for their troops, to buy this white elephant.

[Rocco]

We always began our firearms training on the 3 yard line by unholstering the weapon (on a command) and quickly bringing the firearm to our midsection close to the body and firing 2 quick rounds. Since most shootings occur within 5-7 yards, LE is trained to get off a couple of rounds quickly with accuracy.

[Jane]

I appreciate all the info on guns. I'm sure you know that 99% of it went right over my head, but it was all an interesting read.