This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Author: Jonn Lilyea

  • “Gunsplaining” to Adam Weinstein

    Adam Weinstein complains in the Washington Post that pro-2d Amendment folks are guilty of “gunsplaining” to the gun grabbers and we make it impossible to have a discussion on gun control.

    While debating the merits of various gun control proposals, Second Amendment enthusiasts often diminish, or outright dismiss their views if they use imprecise firearms terminology. Perhaps someone tweets about “assault-style” weapons, only to be told that there’s no such thing. Maybe they’re reprimanded that an AR-15 is neither an assault rifle nor “high-powered.” Or they say something about “machine guns” when they really mean semiautomatic rifles. Or they get sucked into an hours-long Facebook exchange over the difference between the terms clip and magazine.

    Has this happened to you? If so, you’ve been gunsplained: harangued with the pedantry of the more-credible-than-thou firearms owner, admonished that your inferior knowledge of guns and their nomenclature puts an asterisk next to your opinion on gun control.

    It can feel infuriating, being forced to sweat the finest taxonomic distinctions between our nation’s unlimited variety of lethal weapons. I know this feeling acutely, having covered gun violence critically for the better part of a decade and having just buried an old mentor, killed in the Parkland massacre.

    Yeah, well, the problem is that the gun grabbers want to regulate firearms and they don’t really understand the things that they want to make illegal. The most egregious example is this exchange between Tucker Carlson and Congresswoman Caroline McCarthy who wants to regulate barrel shrouds for some reason;

    She ends up calling the barrel shroud “the thing in the back that goes up”.

    Now, to prevent teachers from being armed in the classroom, the gun fascists are complaining that the ammunition for the AR-style rifle leaves the barrel at three times the speed of the standard 9 millimeter ammunition. That’s true but at the range of a few feet, the difference is negligible. It doesn’t make the teacher more vulnerable. But, that’s the scare tactic employed in order to make it seem more rational to forbid the sale of black rifles.

    Gunsplaining, though, is always done in bad faith. Like mansplaining, it’s less about adding to the discourse than smothering it — with self-appointed authority, and often the thinnest of connection to any real fact.

    Well, then, the Left needs to get up to speed on the discussion. I hate explaining everyday that there is no “gun show loop hole”, that a bayonet lug doesn’t make a gun more dangerous. That there are already “universal background checks”. That gun registration has never prevented a crime.

    [W]e need to take away the incentives for gunsplaining, for spurning conversation in favor of condescension. Can that happen anytime soon? I’m not optimistic — not as long as the pro-gun camp continues to suppress debate with heavy rhetorical firepower, instead of just shooting straight.

    The main incentive for “gunspalining” is the total ignorance of the gun grabbers who don’t even know what it is that they want to seize from the law abiding public.

    Adam Weinstein hates guns. Every time he tries to write about guns, he explains that he owns guns – it’s like a racist who explains that he can’t be racist because he has a black friend.

    If you want us to stop “gunsplaining”, know what is that you want to jerk out of my hands. Quit trying to outsmart yourself. Well, unless you don’t want to tell us what it is you’re trying to do.

    By the way, Weinstein is the chief editor at Task & Purpose – stop sending me links to that dumpster fire.

  • Stolen Valor Act signed in New Mexico

    KFOX14 reports that New Mexico’s Governor Susana Martinez signed a new Stolen Valor Act that will take effect July 1st.

    Gov. Susana Martinez signed the House bill last week, making it a misdemeanor to make false claims of military service for personal gain.

    In New Mexico, a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to a year in jail, or both.

    Folks we spoke with were mixed on the law.

    Some were supportive of the new legislation.

    “It’s a great first step, but I think it should be a harsher penalty than just a misdemeanor,” said Adame.

    While others did not believe stolen valor should be punishable.

    “I’m kind of caught in the middle,” said Sunland Park resident Sonny Cenicros. “I don’t think it should go as far as a misdemeanor.”

    The new law isn’t as tough as it is across the border in Texas;

    In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill in 2015 creating harsher punishments for stolen valor, making it a class B misdemeanor.

    It carries a fine up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail.

  • Two more plead guilty in “Fat Leonard” case

    Two more plead guilty in “Fat Leonard” case

    Two more Navy officers pleaded guilty in the scandal known as the Fat Leonard case according to Stars & Stripes;

    Cmdr. Jason Starmer pleaded guilty to willful dereliction of duty, patronizing a prostitute and adultery. He was sentenced to 60 days restriction at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, fined $3,000 and will receive a punitive letter of reprimand. Military judge Navy Capt. Robert Monahan also sentenced Starmer to forfeit a total $3,000 in pay, but he will not face that as part of a pre-trial agreement. Starmer will be administratively separated from the service as part of that agreement.

    Capt. John Steinberger pleaded guilty to willful dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Navy Capt. Charles Purnell sentenced him to receive a punitive letter of reprimand and a $10,000 fine. Steinberger also will be administratively separated as part of a pre-trial agreement.

    Starmer and Steinberger’s characterizations of service and retirement grades will be determined later by the secretary of the Navy.

    Jeez, I hope their wrists aren’t bruised after that terrible slapping.

    Starmer and Steinberger are the two latest officers to plead guilty in military court. During a non-judicial punishment hearing, or admiral’s mast, on Feb. 27, Lt. Peter Vapor admitted to violating a lawful order, conduct unbecoming an officer and making a false official statement, according to U.S. Fleet Forces Command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Allen. Vapor received a punitive letter of reprimand and a $2,000 forfeiture of one month’s pay in exchange for the Navy dismissing charges against him.

    Slapped wrists everywhere. That’ll teach ’em /s

  • Staff Sergeant Adams saving the world

    Staff Sergeant Adams saving the world

    Stars & Stripes tells the story of Staff Sergeant Adams, a member of 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, who, along with his wife witnessed an automobile accident. They leaped into action;

    One passenger, 26-year-old Brittany Goodman of Salisbury, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.

    A child, 12-year-old Colby Springle of Angier, was trapped in the vehicle and died shortly after being extracted.

    Springle was the son of [Lillie] Mingin, who survived the wreck alongside another of her sons, 7-year-old Eric Mason Mingin of Fuquay-Varina.

    Army officials said the pair likely would not have lived were it not for Adams, who pulled them from the vehicle before a fire could start and provided lifesaving medical care.

    Speaking about his actions two years later, Adams said there was no time to wait for emergency personnel or to see if others on the highway would stop.

    “We were the first there,” he said. “It was my responsibility.”

    As his wife called 9-1-1, Adams ran to the wreckage and went to work.

    “I just did all I could do,” he said.

    SSG Adams was awarded the Soldiers Medal for his efforts.

  • Wednesday morning feel good stories

    Wednesday morning feel good stories

    From Baton Rouge, Louisiana;

    – A homeowner was assaulted at his home in Baker and one suspect was shot on Monday afternoon.

    Around 3:00 p.m on March 5, three men entered a residence at 9167 Rathmoor Ave. and an altercation ensued between one of the men and the homeowner.

    Casey Hicks, PIO for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office said, the homeowner subsequently shot the intruder and the other two men fled the scene.

    Hicks said, the homeowner was battered but not in critical condition and the wounded suspect was in critical condition.

    From Ferndale, Washington;

    About 2am Sunday, March 4th, a Ferndale homeowner in the 2200 block of Brown Road reported hearing loud banging noises outside his home and armed himself to investigate. According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Undersheriff Jeff Parks, the homeowner found a broken window at the back of his garage and discovered a man inside a fenced area.

    Before the homeowner could display his firearm, the man threw himself to the ground shouting “Just shoot me,” “Just take me to jail” and “Just tase me,” according to Parks.

    911 was called and the call receiver was informed of the subject being held at gunpoint. WCSO deputies were dispatched and Ferndale Police officers also responded to assist. FPD officers detained the suspect without incident according to Ferndale Police Lieutenant Bill Hatchett.

    From Memphis, Tennessee;

    Memphis Police say a suspect was shot while breaking into a business Tuesday morning.

    It happened about 9:45 a.m. at the business in the 3500 block of Summer Avenue. Local 24 is told a maintenance man saw the suspect trying to break into a safe and called the property manager. We are told the manager confronted the suspect, telling him to get on the ground until police arrived. The two reportedly got into a scuffle, and the manager shot the suspect in the leg and torso.

    The suspect was taken to Regional One in non-critical condition.

  • Illinois Gun Show bans AR-style rifle sales

    Illinois Gun Show bans AR-style rifle sales

    Chicago’s CBS Local News reports that the DuPage County Pioneer Valley Sportsman’s Show held at the county’s fairgrounds has banned the sale of AR-style rifles and bump stocks as well as canceling gun raffles in response to a few gun control nuts who started protesting there this last weekend.

    The Huffington Post reminds us about the non-existent “gun show loophole”;

    Gun shows from South Carolina to New Mexico have become targets of protesters since the Parkland massacre. Unlicensed private sellers at such events can take advantage of the “gun show loophole” in which they can skirt federal laws that must be followed by licensed dealers and stores. Federal law does not require unlicensed private sellers at gun shows to check a buyer’s identification, perform any background checks or even record sales.

    The federal government also doesn’t require private sellers at a folding table in their front yard to check a buyer’s identification or conduct a NICS check. Nor do they require a private seller in a darkened parking lot selling from the trunk of his car to check a buyer’s ID or conduct a NICS check. Every time I bought a firearm at a gun show, I went through a NICS check. So what’s your point, gumball?

    From The Washington Post;

    Frank Cesare — of the Pioneer Valley Sportsman’s Association, which has hosted the show for more than 40 years — said the decision followed complaints the group received after the Parkland shooting and as gun-control advocates planned to protest.

    “We did the ban to try to calm the situation down and show them we are willing to work with them,” he said, referring to the protesters.

    Yeah, the gun control fascists don’t want to “work” with anyone, they just want you to follow instructions.

    I’m sure that the DuPage County organizers will return to their previous policies soon, you know, after they discover that interest has waned every time they acquiesce to the protesters at the expense of their clientele.

  • Lady Lex found

    Lady Lex found

    Billionaire Paul Allen reports that his crew has discovered the final resting place of USS Lexington, the lead ship in her class of aircraft carriers.

    The Gray Lady was scuttled by US destroyers during the Battle of Coral Sea when Japanese planes attacked and ignited aircraft fuel aboard the carrier. USS Lexington had been on patrol during the attack on Pearl Harbor. From Wiki;

    Lexington was at sea when the Pacific War began on 7 December 1941, ferrying fighter aircraft to Midway Island. Her mission was cancelled and she returned to Pearl Harbor a week later. After a few days, she was sent to create a diversion from the force en route to relieve the besieged Wake Island garrison by attacking Japanese installations in the Marshall Islands. The island was forced to surrender before the relief force got close enough, and the mission was cancelled. A planned attack on Wake Island in January 1942 had to be cancelled when a submarine sank the oiler required to supply the fuel for the return trip. Lexington was sent to the Coral Sea the following month to block any Japanese advances into the area. The ship was spotted by Japanese search aircraft while approaching Rabaul, New Britain, but her aircraft shot down most of the Japanese bombers that attacked her. Together with the carrier Yorktown, she successfully attacked Japanese shipping off the east coast of New Guinea in early March.

    Lexington was briefly refitted in Pearl Harbor at the end of the month and rendezvoused with Yorktown in the Coral Sea in early May. A few days later the Japanese began Operation Mo, the invasion of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and the two American carriers attempted to stop the invasion forces. They sank the light aircraft carrier Sh?h? on 7 May during the Battle of the Coral Sea, but did not encounter the main Japanese force of the carriers Sh?kaku and Zuikaku until the next day. Aircraft from Lexington and Yorktown succeeded in badly damaging Sh?kaku, but the Japanese aircraft crippled Lexington. Vapors from leaking aviation gasoline tanks sparked a series of explosions and fires that could not be controlled, and Lexington had to be scuttled by an American destroyer during the evening of 8 May to prevent her capture.

    From the US Navy Institute;

    Billionaire-turned-explorer Paul Allen has discovered the missing wreck of the World War II carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) at the bottom of the Coral Sea.

    The crew of his personal research ship R/V Petrel found the missing ship two miles below the surface and about 500 miles off the eastern coast of Australia, he announced on Monday.

    “To pay tribute to the USS Lexington and the brave men that served on her is an honor,” Allen said in a statement.
    “As Americans, all of us owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who served and who continue to serve our country for their courage, persistence and sacrifice.”

  • Shannon Faulkner; Stolen Collegiate Valor

    Shannon Faulkner; Stolen Collegiate Valor

    Shannon Faulkner spent two years in a legal battle with The Citadel. She joined the Corps of Cadets on August 15, 1995 accompanied by US Marshals and the media after the US Supreme Court ruled that Virginia Military Institute had to accept women in their ranks or forfeit US tax dollars.

    Faulkner clearly wasn’t prepared for the rigors of cadet life, she obviously thought that the court order would carry her through her four years. She lasted four hours on her first day before she went to the infirmary and six days later she resigned. In a 2012 interview, Faulkner said that a cadet threatened her parent’s lives causing her to quit.

    Well, according to the Post and Courier she spoke at the Citadel this last weekend;

    “I enjoyed being a member of The Citadel family. I do consider myself a Citadel alumni,” she said at a symposium on the life and legacy of the late South Carolina novelist Pat Conroy. “This is my school as much as anybody else’s. I won’t talk badly about the school and what it represents because I believe in it.”

    Yeah, no, you were there for four hours. You had an historic opportunity, but you squandered it.

    Nancy Mace, the actual first female graduate of The Citadel, addressed Faulkner on her Facebook page;

    She doesn’t wear The Ring because she didn’t earn it. And she sure as hell ain’t my mother. That’s an insult to my mother. And in the hearts of most #Citadel graduates — she’s not alumni. There is no edification or achievement in her failure.

    Anyone watching the incessant news coverage of the event could tell that Faulkner wasn’t going to make it. Instead of preparing herself for entrance into The Citadel she conducted pastry assaults on her mom’s kitchen.