Trouble In My Reddish-Blue Heaven

Hmm, polling on gun control in Florida must look bleak. Or, Brian Mast, a freshmen Congressman from the 18th District is a man of honor and conviction. Or very likely both.

In any case the NY Times has found the dream advocate for some kind of assault weapons ban. The gist - Cong. Brian Mast is a heroically wounded vet, NRA lifer and nwo a gun control advocate. However, that gist does not do him justice:

I’m Republican. I Appreciate Assault Weapons. And I Support a Ban.

The most important and unregrettable time of my life was the 12 years I spent in the Army. I became a bomb technician because I wanted to save lives. I nearly gave my own life for that — I lost both my legs and a finger when a roadside bomb detonated beneath me — and have known more heroes than I can count who died defending others.

When I was with others on the battlefield and we saw a chance to save a life, we didn’t have a meeting about it; we acted immediately. I never worried about becoming a casualty myself.

Now, as a Republican congressman from Florida, I don’t fear becoming a political casualty, either. If we act now by changing laws surrounding firearms and mental illness, we too can save lives.

He's served in theater, carried an M4 carbine, hunted with grampa - it's the internet so I assume we'll see someone crazy enough to question his valor or gun background, but it surely will not be me.

His Big Finish on assault weapons, however, leaves unsquared the circle that vexes and perplexes anyone who understand the issue (i.e., few assault weapon ban advocates) - just what IS an assault weapon and what distinguishes it from a semiautomatic hinting rifle or varmint gun?

Back in 1994 Sen. Feinstein focused on detachable magazines, the pistol grip, collapsible stock, grenade launcher and bayonet mounts, and flash suppressor. Detachable magazines and their capacity can make a gun more dangerous. However, not all of us grasp the connection between lethality and bayonet mounts. On the other hand, as the NY Times explained after Newtown, even though Adam Lanza bought a weapon that complied with the original assault weapons ban (continued as CT State law), that was a matter of exploiting loopholes such as removing the bayonet mount.

In any case, here is Brian Mast today, my emphasis:

Therefore, I support the following:

Defining what constitutes an assault or tactical firearm and not allowing them for future purchase — just as we already prohibit the purchase of fully automatic firearms. The exact definition of assault weapon will need to be determined. But we should all be able to agree that the civilian version of the very deadly weapon that the Army issued to me should certainly qualify. I would not support any version of a ban that results in confiscating existing legally owned firearms.

I suppose "No confiscation" might leave room for a forced buyback, but it is only in Republican dreams that Democrats propose a full ban on semiautomatic rifles of all types. As to a meaningful definition of "assault weapons" that excludes many or most hunting and sporting rifles, while still making any sort of sense at all in terms of lethality - well, good luck.

My guess is that this is just pandering to the "Do Something" clamor. Diane Feinstein's 2013 definition remained focused on cosmetic non-issues, which is somewhat inevitable since the distinction is cosmetic.

If gun control advocates were honest they would propose a ban on all semiautomatic rifles, and endure the consequences. Just around my area they would start with losing Congressional seats all over New England, upstate New York  and Pennsylvania. As an offset they would carry the area around new York City and Philadelphia with 85% of the vote instead of just 75%, so there's that.

Well, the Dems aren't suicidal, so an honest debate won't be happening. That said, the rest of the Mast effort outlines proposals that might pass Congress:

Ensuring that every firearm purchaser has a background check. We also need to improve the background check system.

Banning the sale of accessories and add-ons that circumvent the ban on automatic firearms, and increasing the ages at which individuals can purchase various categories of firearms.

Ensuring that those who have been detained for mental illness, or have been ordered by courts to receive treatment for mental illness, cannot purchase firearms.

Ensuring that someone who is being looked at as a possible terrorist, through a system of due process, cannot purchase a firearm and that any person threatening to shoot or blow up a school, in word or on social media, is placed on an F.B.I. watch list for a long time.

Adding some judicial oversight to Obama's ludicrous "No Fly, No Buy" proposal makes it less indefensible, but I wish he would just push for the Gun Violence Restraining Order approach.

Providing behavior detection training to anyone seeking a Federal Firearms License.

Making substantial resources available to schools, at their discretion, for security measures, including the opportunity to purchase enhanced security screening, install classroom panic buttons wired directly to law enforcement and hire additional school resource officers.

Holding the F.B.I. and state agencies accountable for their failures to identify a threat like Nikolas Cruz, as well as ensuring that schools enforce basic security protocols to prevent access by unauthorized personnel.

He left out the ban on bumpstocks, which will surely pass if anything does. Raising ages just happened in Florida, normally a strong gun-rights state. I assume there will be scuffles on various points but other than the assault weapon posturing nothing on that list fazes me.

Comments

[GUS]

My first number 1!!

[henry]

Nice Gus.

[henry]

I have a feeling that a Gus dance party night will be as useful as more gun control,spin.

[GUS]

Henry, I'm having a GUINNESS, to celebrate.

[henry]

Gus, I have a New Glarus Black Top. ;)

[henry]

Sort of on topic...

https://www.google.com/search?q=johnny+cash+battle+of+new+orleans&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#mie=e,,johnny%20cash%20battle%20of%20new%20orleans,H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLRT9c3LDTNSksxKzd5xOjJLfDyxz1hKYdJa05eY7Ti4grOyC93zSvJLKkU0uFig7KUuASkUDRqMEjxcaGI8AAA1JVWKlwAAAA

[Ed]

Brought forward from last thread. Got yer ruler handy maryrose?
----
Buckeye! Many thanks. That is the exact CD on which I first heard Four Men and a Dog. (My CDs have been scattered by the kids meddling in dad's stuff over the last 20 years.)

That's the good news. Here's the not so good news. Playing it sounded to me like I was caught in middle of a large hen house being marauded by a band of foxes. I have a looong way to go for recovery, but each day brings improvement. It's a process of matching memories of the music from one part of my brain with the synthesized impulses being shot up the auditory nerve from the processor electrodes implanted in the cochlea. It's been explained to me that my auditory cortex has gone to sleep, and must be reawakened by intense and repetitive listening. I've been lazy, also, to the dismay of my audiologist angels.

Listening to familiar music is a huge advantage to that process. I seem to be blessed with a strong memory of tunes I listened to a lot, going back over 50 years now, i.e., my earlier comments about Glenn Miller's orchestra.

I want to cut this off for now, but will assemble a sampling those various genres to pass on to you. Again, many thanks.

Ed

[Davod]

A Spectator review of A memoir of Communism’s ghastly heyday, to which many a Millennial would like to return. -In Russian Wonderland: An American’s Odyssey in Soviet Russia, By Charles Cole, includes this tit-bit:

"...During a stopover in Moscow, Charles and his fellow guides went to dinner at the Hotel Ukraina. While waiting to be seated, they were approached by four black men who asked if they were Americans. The group decided to have dinner together. These English-speaking black men were from Africa. Charles innocently asked if their country sent a lot of exchange students to Moscow. “Oh, yes,” replied one, “we send all of them here to the Soviet Union.” He explained why: “We used to send quite a few of our students to Princeton, Columbia, and Berkeley, but they all came back Marxists. Now we send them here, and after three or four years in the USSR, they all return dedicated anti-communists....”

https://spectator.org/in-commie-wonderland/

[Clarice Feldman]

Heh, Davod-- I'm sure that is true.

[narciso]

Dimelo, tell me about it,

https://babalublog.com/2018/02/23/socialism-may-be-cool-to-cnn-but-not-so-cool-to-those-who-suffered-and-died-because-of-it/

[GUS]

Your government at work. How do we fix any of these problems, when government employees are not capable???

"Social services and mental health professionals also investigated Cruz in 2016 after Snapchat videos were uncovered showing him cutting both of his arms.

But a visit by a mental health clinician at Henderson Behavioral Health ended with a determination Cruz “was not at risk to harm himself or others,” and the teen was instructed to sign a safety contract.""

Cruz apparently SIGNED ZEEE GUBMINT PAPERS.
All's well.

[hoyden]

Things that'll never happen, "Holding the F.B.I. and state agencies accountable for their failures to identify a threat like Nikolas Cruz, as well as ensuring that schools enforce basic security protocols to prevent access by unauthorized personnel."

[GUS]

Clarice and especially Narciso.....the really hip and cool Millenials, love them some CHE GUEVARA.
Unfortunately they have ZERO NOTION of who Guevara was and what he actually did. It's a video game to these WANNABEE COMMIES.

[GUS]

Hoyden. Who allowed MEXICAN DRUG GANGS to have AK-47's??? Whose idea was it, who was held accountable for BRIAN TERRY'S murder???

The same LIBERAL/FULL COMMIE APPARATUS that wants to ban AK-47 type guns.
Who will protect US....from THEM??

[MaggieW65]

After the news today of 4 more police officers not stopping the shooter, you think anything mr. brave ex soldier has to say about banning guns is going to have much bearing as the private citizens begin to understand they aren't here to protect and serve? There is no legal obligation for them to do so.

[Threadkiller]

Transcript of the warning call to the FBI:

http://therightscoop.com/fbi-call-warning-about-cruz-released-says-hes-into-isis-mentally-slow-full-transcript/

[hoyden]

I don't think the Frito Bandito will save us this time.

"Who will protect US....from THEM??"

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Here's more on the FOUR deputies who DID NOT go into the school:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/02/23/dereliction-of-duty-four-broward-county-deputies-remained-outside-florida-high-school-neighboring-police-dept-were-first-into-building/#more-146199

[narciso]

How were your results miss marple.

[narciso]

This was the book i was referring to last week:

https://www.amazon.com/Georgette-Heyers-Regency-Jennifer-Kloester/dp/1402241364

[gentlejim]

I just have to say that Lt. Col. Ralph Peters is dumber than a bag of shit.

[GUS]

There were 650 murders in Chicago last years.
650 murders in Chicago last year.
How many of the PERPS/MURDERERS do you think were NRA members??? How many of the PERPS/MURDERERS, bought the GUN legally??

Yeah, I know.

Let's blame the NRA. Keep banging that puppy libs.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

narciso,

Thanks for asking. I won't know until next week. Anything they show will be fixable, either with medication or minor surgery.

I am just relieved that I don't have Alzheimer's or dementia.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Here is an unrolled thread from a guy I follow on Twitter, who seems to use actual facts and not conspiracy theories. He has some additional evidence on why the Broward deputies inaction is so terrible.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/966870132516671488.html

[GUS]

Gentlejim, I think you know my next younger Brother was swat at Columbine. I know what he and the Jefferson County CO, Sheriffs Dept faced that day.
I do NOT want to judge the Broward Sheriff's Dept, based on the MFM.
What say you?

[Davod]

Gus. Don't forget the Fast and Furious programs in Honduras and Guatemala.

[Davod]

GUS. I wrote earlier that four deputies waiting outside is not cowardice. It must be training.

The sheriff has to go, not just be voted out of office.

[gentlejim]

I’m withholding comment on their actions or lack thereof, GUS.

All of the murders in Chitcargo are committed with guns from IN through state purchases. Ask Rahm.

[Manuel Transmission]

My local gang of like minded pals has been discussing the change in the core behavior of the yutes. I thought this response was worth passing along.

I got my bolt action, Remington, .22 when I was 13. It was my Christmas present. I remember shooting from the prone position in the snow that day with my Dad, the test pilot. It was a great day. My rifle was stored in my closet with a couple of boxes of ammo, safe and sound.

Note: I grew up with a Dad I respected. Dad didn’t ask much, but when he did you hopped to and just got it done, without argument, with pride. Saturday were for sports and Sundays, after church, were for chores. I only heard him swear once. There was an aircraft accident, two of his pilots got killed and a few passengers were injured. On the way to the accident site to look for a little girl’s finger that got chopped off in the he said under his breath - “Shit.” That was it, the only time, ever.

I went to a Catholic school. It was the baby boom years so 40 kids to a classroom wasn’t unusual. We all wore uniforms, boys in ties, girls in skirts and knee socks. We had no gender confusion, and sister St. Sadistica was wicked with a three foot pointer (there were kind nuns as well). You could hear a pin drop when she taught - everybody knew the alphabet, the multiplication tables, pledge of allegiance, the National Anthem, their prayers, and could stand at attention while waiting in line. Believe me when I tell you it made boot camp in the USMC much easier, little did I know at the time it was preparatory training - both organizations are a religion.

Note: Structured and disciplined schooling, and no gender confusion. I once got in trouble in school (ok, maybe more that once) and got sent home with a note. Yup, that’s right, you got discipline from both sources - it was decidedly unpleasant, which stay after schools chores working for the nuns, then straight home were you were grounded, for what seemed like eternity. Screw-up and all of your surroundings tightened around you and everybody knew.

Everybody played sports - football, basketball, baseball, hockey, track. You did not have the ability to opt out. The more athletic kids looked out after the less athletic, and, yes, you had to put a fair amount of non-athletic kids on your team during choose-up. Not to do that was seen as unfair. There were no “play dates.” Everybody hung out with everybody else. If you were at somebody’s house after dark you got fed along with everybody else. A bike was your means of transportations - it wasn’t Mom’s problem to get you play dates and drive you back and forth.

Note: We were taught to be self reliant and contribute to your community. If you needed something you were expected to find a way to make money to pay for it - mowing lawns, washing cars, shoveling driveways, etc. You were even supposed to do stuff for nothing, the widow’s lawn, the old guys yard, and contribute to the folks less well off than you at Christmas.

It’s a damn site different today. I would walk through the woods to school in Connecticut with my Great Dane and my bolt action Remington in it’s leather case. I’d hang it up in the cloak room during school hours. After school, a priest or janitor would take us down to the downtown Armory to shoot with NRA instruction. Shooting a schoolmate or a teacher never crossed my mind. My schoolmates were fellow enlistees just like me, they were my mates. The nun’s were tougher than nails; if I shot one I’d likely just piss her off and the prospect of a wounded Rino was not appealing. Truly, it never entered my mind; it was just unimaginable.

What a crazy world we live in today. There seems to be loss of ethics, community, responsibility, of self.

[gentlejim]

state-straw
Preview idiot...

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

I want to take a minute to explain a theory I have about a lot of these rumors.

Let's take that Hogg kid who seems to be everywhere on the internet, yammering about guns and asking candidates to refuse NRA contributions.

Is he obnoxious? Yes. Is he being pushed by CNN and Twitter? Yes. (He got a blue check mark within one day of appearing in public.)

HOWEVER, the conspiracy theories about him are running rampant: he's a "crisis actor," he's really 25, he went to school in California, etc. etc.

This is all stuff that has been dumped into the public discourse on Twitter.

Tonight my daughter lit into me about this stuff, like I believed it. That put a red flag up for me as it seems that these conspiracy theories are being used to paint Republicans as mean spirited, stupid, etc.

Consequently, I believe these conspiracy theories are really being pushed by dems in disguise.

Be very careful about believing stuff on Twitter and Facebook. Look for actual sources. Don't believe photos and screen caps, because they can be falsified. An example is the false Redondo Beach yearbook photo of Hogg, which is actually from the Florida high school and presented as from California.

Larry Schweikhart got lured in today with a fact which turned out to be from Qanon, which I am not convinced is legit. He deleted his tweet but not before I reposted it here.

Be aware that there are fake stories circulating in order to make us look gullible and/or mean-spirited.

You guys probably know this, but I wanted to post it for lurkers.

[GUS]

Davod and Gentlejim, great comments, I agree with both of you. I am somewhat biased, as I know the Columbine situation backward and foreward, and I had a brother involved. Also the MFM is so out of control and biased so as not to be trusted.
Gentlejim, in the case of Chicago, the GUN CONTROL LAWS of CHICAGO are comical. NONE of the PERPS could have been stopped by LAWS. They disobeyed all laws start to FINISH.

[jim nj]

Davod,

Loved that link. Thought I'd share it with my usually smart girlfriend.

Me.."but they all came back Marxists."

"Marxists? What are Marxists"

"You know Marxists, followers of Karl Marx. Like Lenin."

"John Lennon?"

"No, not John Lennon, Vladimir Lenin, who sparked the communist revolution in Russia."

"I've never heard of him."

"Never mind honey, go back to what you were doing before I interrupted you."

[narciso]

Its just the same (redacted) different year Gus,
We forget about the other common element.

[GUS]

It is Narciso. It certainly is. The problem we face, is that like RUST, the FULL COMMIE never sleeps. They have an AGENDA, that does not include anything honest or worthwhile. And they have the ENTIRE MFM at their disposal. They have layers and layers and years and years of DUTIFUL GLIB MORONS that spew the nonsense that PARKLAND kids have spewed.

[Rocco]

http://abc7ny.com/hero-student-shot-saving-20-classmates-in-florida-massacre/3095942/

While 4 cops cowered behind their vehicles!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

One of the cheerful things I have seen on Twitter is Mr. T's fascination with curling:

Mr. T
‏Verified account @MrT
34m34 minutes ago

I am sitting on my comfortable couch with a ice tea in my hand. That means only one thing- it’s curling time fool. #TeamUSA #curlingiscoolfool

[narciso]

Of course he is too smart for tube interviewer:

http://760kfmb.com/story/37550791/retired-cia-chief-red-sparrow-author-jason-matthews-offers-insights-into-russia-china-north-korean-spycraft

No about tube amount of

[Porchlight]

Great comment at 9:52, Man Tran. Thanks.

[narciso]

Neglect that allows 'an acceptable level of violence'

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Gov. Mike Huckabee
‏Verified account @GovMikeHuckabee
3h3 hours ago

What did I miss? Cowardly corporations punish NRA because FBI failed to act on info re: shooter and FL Sheriff had 4 deputies who stood outside and hid during gunfire that killed 17 innocent kids. How many NRA members did mass shootings? ZERO.

[Porchlight]

Leaked transcript of call to FBI tip line from a female relative of Cruz.

https://www.scribd.com/document/372247558/FBI-Transcript#from_embed

If this wasn't enough to follow up on, I'd hate to see what does make the cut.

[DebinGA]

I wrote earlier that four deputies waiting outside is not cowardice. It must be training.

Iirc as Peterson and 3 other Broward deputies stayed outside as Cruz fired, a large group of Coral Ridge deputies arrived, along with 2 other Broward deputies, and all but the cowardly 4 immediately rushed into the school together.

[GUS]

Lovely Miss M., where do most...MOST of America's murders derive from?????

Nobody wants to acknowledge the truth.

[GUS]

DebinGa, if that is accurate and true, it's awful.
IT IS BEYOND AWFUL.

[Threadkiller]

I don't think, as an individual law enforcement officer, claiming that you were group think trained to stand by while kids were getting shot is going to get a pass.

Unfortunately for most of LE they have a high hurdle when it comes to the hero personification dumped on them and the taxpayers every day.

You aren't going to see entire freeways closed and 300-400 government vehicles escorting the dead gym teacher. If it was a cop, (and I'm not suggesting that it should have been), you would be bombarded with a Captain America is dead guilt trip from the media to the city government to the state and the feds. All the other officers have to live up to this standard and it is unrealistic.

If, mainly post 9/11, police and firefighters were enshrined as humans and not from Thor's realm, it would be a lot easier to digest that they have a similar fear of death.

They accepted the Two America glorification that is beyond realistic so they shouldn't be immune when getting chumped during a fall from that grace.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

GUS,

As I look back over my lifetime, I am overcome with sadness about how things have disintegrated socially.

Schools are terrible, churches filled with commie priests and ministers, decline of marriage, etc. etc.

At the same time Hollywood and media have gained inordinate influence.

It makes me angry, but also sad. When I was a kid, I had a security that lots of kids today don't have. I wasn't overwhelmed with sex and violence. In fact, people who said stuff like I see on Twitter from lefties would have been arrested.

It's so much to overcome. I hope we have the strength to do it.

[narciso]

Now we face a scenario out of a very British coup, 30 years later:

http://telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/02/23/jeremy-corbyn-has-questions-answer-contact-communist-spy-says

[henry]

Miss M, 9:52. Yes. Exactly. Those are the "FF's" that Q guy talks about. Use Occam's Razor. Anything complex is a trap. ;)

[Roy Lofquist]

"what distinguishes it from a semiautomatic hinting rifle or varmint gun?"

The hinting rifle has a little flag that pops out of the muzzle and say Bang!. The assault rifle fires real bullets.

[GUS]

The Officer, who was already named, and who resigned and who has Police protection at his door, was not proffered DUE PROCESS in any stretch of the imagination. The LYNCH MOB, and the MFM, rushed as fast as humanly possible to blame him. He may have been derelict. Do we know that??? I am as LAW and ORDER and I am as CONSERVATIVE, as anyone on this blog. My personal opinion on this matter cannot be arrived at, by the same MFM, that had DANA LOESCH being BURNED AT THE STAKE.
We simply DO NOT KNOW the FACTS. The MFM has decided that this COP was a COWARD and DERELICT. That is way way to convenient in making this complete SHIT STEW of GUBMINT malfeasance go away on one guys shoulders.
I AM NOT, defending this COP, I am merely pointing out, that PATSIES are always used to END the SCREAMING OUTRAGE.

[henry]

Roy, define varmint. ;)

[DebinGA]

Incredible, Porch. The person gave the FBI agent Cruz' history, current situation, eye witness account of his animal abuse, many guns, pointing the agent to a specific site where Cruz made his deadly intentions clear. It's as if unless the tip involved a specific date a specific person was to commit a specific act, tips went into the round file.

[GUS]

Lovely Miss M, I agree ENTIRELY. Your words, brought back the RELATIVE INNOCENSE of my childhood. I'm Catholic, and I was an Altar Boy. I had no reason to be skeptical of the Priests, and for my story, the Priests that I knew, never did anything untoward. I don't know HOW I would have reacted, but I know, that I would NOT have allowed or accepted things, that my entire existance and values told me were wrong and sinful.
It was a simpler time, and it was a time, where most of America had common values. The FULL COMMIE LEFT, will piss and moan, that those values included RACISM, SEGREGATION and any other ISM that they can USE to garner more power.
It will never end, so long as THE FULL COMMIE cannot impose it's will on uts. I have no original sin with regard to America's past. I have been BAPTIZED in the name of JESUS CHRIST, and I live as decent and kind a life as I can.
That being said. My son will live a lot longer than me, and he'll be a PATRIOTIC OLD FASHIONED American, 2 of his GRANDPARENTS....my parents, are buried at ARLINGTON. He shares my values.
Because, I have raised him, just as JACK raises FREDERICK.

[Captain Hate]

Welp, in case rich shows up, this is the last night of Beerstock 2018:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/16866/53326

[DebinGA]

CNN: "With direction from the [4] Broward deputies who were outside, Coral Springs police soon entered the building where the shooter was. New Broward County Sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, and two of those deputies and an officer from Sunrise, Florida, joined the Coral Springs police as they went into the building.

Some Coral Springs police were stunned and upset that the four original Broward County Sheriff’s deputies who were first on the scene did not appear to join them as they entered the school, Coral Springs sources tell CNN."

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Folks, I have hit my limit.

I have been up since 2:30 AM with only a short nap. Three hours of medical testing, plus grocery and then unloading and putting away.

I am done. Heading to bed.

Nytol!

[DebinGA]

Sleep well, MM. So glad your worst fears have been allayed.

[Captain Hate]

Gus, did you listen to the Arthur Alexander song I linked last night?

[DebinGA]

Because, I have raised him, just as JACK raises FREDERICK.

Ditto our 13 yo grandson, who's in Tampa with hubs for a gymnastics meet. Generally speaking, homeschooled kids enjoy the stable upbringing most of us remember as the norm.

[Porchlight]

Yes, DebinGA. The ignoring of Cruz is beginning to look almost deliberate.

[Porchlight]

And it almost seems like the sheriff's deputies were acting on orders not to enter the school. Weird I know. But all 4 of them?

[Rocco]

Because the sheriff is elected, EVERYONE he hires owes him for their job. Now you can do absolutely nothing but your job and retire comfortably down the road. Or you can kiss ass because like most elected officials, they quietly condone the "Pay to Play" scam under the radar, while their mission statement reads some bullshit about honor and integrity. Think about it, this sheriff gets to hire political hacks from every town and city in his county and they all play cutthroat games to get ahead. And the employee who can bundle the most cash by having house parties gets the best jobs.

It's the way it is!

[GUS]

Capn, I did. Awesome. Capn Hate, if you post, I read and follow. As for the beer advocate. A couple weeks ago, I was supposed to be at YOUR HOUSE for YOUR BEER!!!
Tonight, and I mean just a couple minutes ago, I finished hand signing 185 letters to beer BREWERS of various sizes and shapes. I have property that is custom made for a small brewery.

Oh, and some day very soon, I shall have BEER with you in AHIA.

[DebinGA]

I think FBI policy was to follow up on very specific threats, i.e. person/place/time, but not to follow up on generalized threats.

[Captain Hate]

Generally speaking, homeschooled kids enjoy the stable upbringing most of us remember as the norm.

Children can be remarkably flexible; I can remember shielding my parents from some of what was going on in school. It was probably, in retrospect, unnecessary but there's an odd role reversal type of thing going on, at least in my case.

[narciso]

Hans seems to gotten zaphods protocol officer:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/02/22/trudeaus-india-trip-is-a-total-disaster-and-he-has-himself-to-blame/?utm_term=.c36b05785579

[Porchlight]

DebinGA, I guess because of the volume of tip calls that makes sense.

I blame local law enforcement far more than the FBI. Now there is a story that the deputy, Peterson, had some kind of incident involving Cruz which he is refusing to discuss. From WaPo:

Peterson is mentioned as part of a 2016 social services agency investigation into Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old identified by police as the gunman. According to a Florida Department of Children and Families report detailing that investigation, Peterson was approached by investigators and “refused to share any information … regarding [an] incident that took place with” the teenager.

[GUS]

DebinGA, bingo and God bless. My son went to the private PRIVATE Catholic school that MOM/MRS GUS, teaches at, EVERY SINGLE DAY from K-5 thru 8TH grade, WITH HIS MOM. He was taught well, and he is a fine fine student. The idea of being homeschooled seem WEIRD to many in the general public.
I was at the local big box grocery this evening. A young lady was selling GIRL SCOUT COOKIES in the outside lobby. I asked her what school she went to, and she told me that she was homeschooled. I shook hands with her Dad, and I told her GOD BLESS YOU, young lady, God bless you too sir. I bought THIN MINTS!!!!
We, the collective WE, need to be in charge of our CHILDRENS lives. I AM. My boy makes me proud EVERY SINGLE DAY. And I'm not EASY on him. He is HIGH HONORS at MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL in Milwaukee, and he can PICK his UNIVERSITY and pay less than half.
HE'S ALL I HAVE. And he's a gift from GOD.
Henry knows him, as Henry comes to the annual birthday PIZZA feast for MINE, and my SONS birthdays.

[Dave (in MA)]

Who you gonna believe, CNN or some random kid?

Some random kid.

[Porchlight]

If Sundance is right about Broward County hiding student crime, then Peterson's refusal to share information makes more sense.

[DebinGA]

I think it's safe to say many more parents will consider homeschooling after Parkland. It's so much easier with virtual schooling and more colleges allowing homeschool teens who meet Freshman admittance standards to take classes. Our 9th grade granddaughter will graduate hs with 2 yrs. college credit. She's taking Spanish I/II this year at nearby beautiful Berry College

[GUS]

This CNN that you speak of. How did they report on SADDAM HUSSEINS, mass murder, rape, and overall violent criminality????

[GUS]

Deb, I know a lot of families here in Waukesha County Wisconsin, who homeschool. Various reasons, and some of the peeps, seem ODD to me. But it's really none of my bidness. The HOME SCHOOLED teens, that I've met and had discourse with, seem well adjusted and are OBVIOUSLY as well or BETTER EDUCATED than the FAST FOOD SCHOOL KIDS.
I live in a relatively afluent area. In fact, most of the peeps in my neighborhood are FAR more afluent than me. None of that matters.
If YOU feel your child needs a better education than your LIBTARD SCHOOL BOARD offers. GOD BLESS YOU. You are far more involved in your own childs life and FUTURE, than most.

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

I read a good. Piece today (I don't remember from where) about the cops in Broward county. The guy started researching it after Trayvon Martin. There has since been a decision to not arrest bad kids for even very bad felonies.

If anyone is interested I'll see if I can find it tomorrow.

[narciso]

They are raiding giant squirrel:

https://mobile.twitter.com/ErikWemple/status/967187862931361792

[Another Bob]

Jane, it’s been posted a couple times here.

Dynamite if true.

[DebinGA]

GUS, your love for GUS Jr is palpable and so dear. I've loved your posts about him. Same with Jack and Frederick. Private schools seem very safe, as they can choose who to enroll.

[Captain Hate]

Gus, I think the story behind that Arthur Alexander song is incredible. After writing songs that the Beatles and Stones made into huge money making hits, he was driving a bus for a community center here. But he was still writing songs and finally someone took him to Muscle Shoals, not the main studio but another one that became part of the cottage industry there, and laid down some incredible tracks like what I linked. I listened to it and thought "Wow, this is primo stuff that isn't getting any critical run but I'll bet other musicians just eat this up". Three months later he was dead of a heart attack. Even on Amazon you have to pay out the wazz for his later stuff. But one of his buddies brought together Nick Lowe, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw, Robert Plant, Graham Parker and other rock A listers to record Adios Amigo as a tribute to keep the flame lit. With God as my witness, I won't let that flame go out.

[narciso]

Cnn has been in a NC 17 relationship, with Marxist regimes for a long time, going to back to Ted turners day, when they slobbered over the soviet union, to Cuba with Lucia Newman, etc etc

[Porchlight]

Jane, that was Sundance from Conservative Treehouse, on his Twitter account.

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/966854507744374784.html

It explains why Cruz was ignored. Explains why Trayvon was never arrested, too.

[Captain Hate]

Yes, Saint Traytable was part and parcel of intimidating schools to keep Cock Curious's deadbeat imaginary worthless thug sons in schools disrupting things to make a learning opportunity nonexistent.

[Buckeye]

Great post MT.

Seems as though there are some "regular guys" up there in the PNW to hang with.

[Captain Hate]

Dave, it's good to read you here.

[Clarice Feldman]

Nytol.

[GUS]

Jane, that ideology is RAMPANT in public schools because of OBAMA and HOLDER.
Good lord, the OBAMA experiment was AWFUL.

[jim nj]

Somebody was talking about soda being a big item on food stamps. They may have seen something like this:
"According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, households receiving federal food-stamp benefits spend more money on soft drinks than on any other grocery item. Overall, they devote 9.3 percent of their food budgets to "sweetened beverages," which include sodas and iced teas, compared to 7.1 percent for households that don't receive benefits."

I suspect the usual anti-sugar people like this argument. Like former NYC Mayor Bloomberg who likes to advocate greater taxation on sugared products. Yes, raising taxes on soda in Chicago, Philidelphia and other cities really worked out well.

But like most single-issue groups they never give you the full story. They want to use the power of government to impose their will on you. Thus these silly attempts to impose sky-high soda taxes within municipal limits. People who can afford to take their soda buying outside the city limits and city merchants lose business.

So the middle-class and higher can avoid these taxes. Well, let's force this on poor people who are apparently irresponsible.

Here's an argument you can use against these poofters. Poor people, with little money and small amounts of food stamps quickly learn to maximize purchasing power.

Soda in most states is a taxable non-food. EBT (SNAP) classifies it as a non-taxable food. Buy soda with cash, pay state + city taxes. Buy soda with EBT, no tax. With limited resources, and presuming you want to buy soda, how would you pay for it?

[Dave (in MA)]

Thanks CH, we had the wake tonight, funeral in AM.

[GUS]

Capn, I saw Elvis Costello at a little bar/rock club in Milwaukee, when I was 17. I saw Marshall Crenshaw....Someday someway AT a street festival in DETROIT. Graham Parker, and the RUMOUR are so so under rated. I met and got drunk with Nick Lowe, when I opened for him and Dave Edmunds, when I was about 20. I even opened for CRENSHAW post BEATLEMANIA.
Capn, you are my pal and my MATE here, as I've said MANY MANY TIMES, I wouldn't be here, but for you, but you are truly a renaissance dude ON THE NET!!!! Btw.......fux ACE.

[GUS]

Good night Clartice. Last night a house on NEMAHBIN, right at SIDNEY COHEN, burned to the ground. I woke to sirens and a HELICOPTER at 4 a.m. It's still smoldering directly across the river from my pier.

[Captain Hate]

Gus, did you open for ROCKPILE?

[GUS]

Jim nj, are you familiar with a CLOWN DEM STRATEGIST, Black "PROFESSOR" with "credentials", named Richard Fowler???
He is always the go to "African-American" spokes black peep. He was debating the ISSUE of FOOD FOR THE NEEDY. Give food to the needy, not VOUCHERS that can be used for TAHITIAN TREAT and M&M's.
This time he was on TUCKER CARLSON. DICKIE FOWLER said that to not give VOUCHERS, EBT CARDS ETC, would create starvation and dead black folks etc.
He said there were NUTRITION DESERTS, where NONE OF THE CAPITALISTS sold FRUIT and VEGETABLES IN THE "HOOD". Shit no. They sell what the VOUCHER ALLOWS. If the VOUCHER is for MILK, BREAD, FRUIT and VEGGIES, the GROCER will sell EXACTLY WHAT PAYS HIM.

It's easy. Fowler is a libtard/full commie, and a black man, who has GAMED THE SYSTEM.

[GUS]

Capn, in fact, I did open for ROCKPILE, but I also opened for NICK LOWE, when Dave Edmunds was his guitarist. Nick Lowe is one of my favorite song writers, he has a great tongue in cheek, and he is quite an accomplished BASS player. Dave Edmunds is way way under rated, but Nick Lowe writes so damn well. Crawling from the Wreckage is the best collaboration. I hear you knocking is a song I've played for 30 years, usually in a medley. My favorite song by Nick Lowe is tough.
SO IT GOES, or MARIE PROVOST.....are 2.

I REMEMBER THE NIGHT THE KID CUT OFF HIS RIGHT ARM.......
Or.
That HUNGRY LITTLE DACHS HOUND......

You have great taste Capn.

[GUS]

Capn, my band plays, What's so funny bout peace love and understanding..... Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe collaboration. And I think Nick Lowe collaborated on ALISON or at least he COVERED it.
GREAT SONG. Alison.....MY AIM IS TRUE.

[Captain Hate]

Gus, I saw Rockpile open for Van Morrison in the mid 70s. I was there to see Van but couldn't believe how hard Dave and Nick were cranking it; I subsequently heard they were "requested to leave the tour". Unbeknownst to me two of my current listening buddies were in the crowd specifically to hear ROCKPILE.

Hmmmm, some of my comments @ AoS have disappeared. That doesn't make me happy. Nytol.

[GUS]

Capn, one of my colleagues saw Van Morrison, in Las Vegas 2 weeks ago. I've never opened for HIM!!!!
I am IRISH, as you know.
If you are still awake, here is one of my VERY VERY VERY VERY Favorite Pop Power Pop bands.

WHERE ARE THESE BOYZ FROM????
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyHHM17uzXY

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Bits of me are scattered in the trees and on the hedges. :)

[GUS]

Yes Ig, clever clever English man.

[GUS]

Capn, I hope you catch up to this in the a.m.
I'd pay a shit load to see the RASPBERRIES on stage. I was way too young to see them way back when, but I did meet WALLY BRYSON when he played for FOTOMAKER. It's a cool story that I'll share when I'm drinking your beer in Cleveland.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Wondering what either GUS or CH [or anyone else] think of Tom Verlaine and Televsion.
Have been aware of him a long time but Marquee Moon has really been growing on me lately.