"All my life I've had this feeling that there's something big and sinister going on in the world." "No that's perfectly normal paranoia. Everyone in the universe gets that." - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe
Well, guess this is goodbye. I raise my glass to you and wish you all the best. Thanks for reading my posts and be good to each other. We're all in this together, you know.
"When you see that trading is done, not by consent, but by compulsion - when you see that in order to produce, you need to obtain permission from men who produce nothing - when you see that money is flowing to those who deal, not in goods, but in favors - when you see that men get richer by graft and by pull than by work, and your laws don't protect you against them, but protect them against you - when you see corruption being rewarded and honesty becoming a self-sacrifice - you may know that your society is doomed." - Ayn Rand
"The United States has the most progressive (i.e., unequal) tax system in the world. The bottom 50 percent of income earners, on average, receives more in tax benefits than they pay in taxes — while the highest earners pay a wildly disproportionate amount of their income in taxes — despite the myth that Warren Buffett has a lower tax rate than his secretary. A progressive income tax only meets the test of “consent of the governed” when a majority of each class of taxpayers consents to its tax rate. Otherwise, it is tax tyranny of a low-tax-rate majority against a vote-poor, high-tax-rate minority. The apologists for the progressive income tax claim it is only “fair,” ignoring the fact there is nothing at all “fair” about taxing at a higher tax rate those who work longer and harder and/or spend more time acquiring an education and work skills. It is destructive and tyrannical for a society to tax the most productive, innovative and job-creating people at a higher rate than others."
"The Obama administration is quietly diverting roughly $500 million to the IRS to help implement the president’s healthcare law.
The money is only part of the IRS’s total implementation spending, and it is being provided outside the normal appropriations process. The tax agency is responsible for several key provisions of the new law, including the unpopular individual mandate."
"Unrest is simmering in some quarters of the Washington news universe regarding changes in the way the Department of Labor (DOL) manages its pre-release media “lockups” on sensitive data like weekly jobless benefits and unemployment...The system insures that major news organizations get the data as soon as possible and allows journalists covering the release get a jump on providing analyses and opinion about the data.
But Carl Fillichio, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’ top communications advisor, circulated a memo earlier this week to interested media informing them that everybody is being required to re-submit their credentials requests.
Fillichio reminded participants that there are only 20-30 seats available for the lockups and that priority will be given by DOL in selecting participants to those that “are primarily journalistic enterprises.”
He also offered a one-sentence assurance that 'the department will not consider editorial or political viewpoints in making credentialing decisions.'
Whatever grumbling might be occasioned by being forced to go through the credentialing process again, the element of the Fillichio memo that has journalists worried is this paragraph:
'Second, as a measure toward enhancing security in its main lockup facility (the DOL news room), the department will supply and maintain standardized equipment with a standard configuration for all participants. This change means that privately owned computer and telephone equipment, including hardware, software, cabling, wiring and Internet and telephone lines will be replaced with equipment owned by the department.'
In other words, journalists will no longer be allowed to bring their laptops or other equipment to the lockups, they will have to use government-supplied equipment, described by Fillichio as including 'a virtualized desktop running a Windows operation system, a web browser, word-processing software, an Adobe Reader application and secure file transfer capability. Equipment provided will not have wireless networking capability. Provisions will be in place for news organizations to transmit their stories over the Internet.' "
"The government spent at least $205,075 in 2010 to 'translocate' a single bush in San Francisco that stood in the path of a $1.045-billion highway-renovation project that was partially funded by the economic stimulus legislation President Barack Obama signed in 2009...the bush—a Franciscan manzanita—was a specimen of a commercially cultivated species of shrub that can be purchased from nurseries for as little as $15.98 per plant. The particular plant in question, however, was discovered in the midst of the City of San Francisco, in the median strip of a highway, and was deemed to be the last example of the species in the 'wild.' "
Ah, I'm sure I'm just using pieces of news stories to try and make some pithy argument. Apparently, libertarians like myself are extreme (and would spit in the face of Dr. King, hate the people, hate the brown folk, the gays, the lesbians, the people with piercings and tattoos). Extreme in the idea that each of us should enjoy the least possible restraints on our behavior and lives, only restraining ourselves when that behavior interferes with the freedom of others. Government has a place...in enforcing personal property and law. It should not be our big brother who we run to whenever there is a problem.
But, oh, I'm probably being extreme. Yeah, that's probably accurate. I mean, what's the point of looking at the big picture? What has that ever solved?
Those who know numeracy, know where this comes from when I speak of it. Hey, it's not a curse word, ok?
So, England's Department of Health has stated that 1 out of 10 early deaths can now be linked to eating red meat.
"The Department of Health was last night urged to review its guidance on red meat after a study found that eating almost half the daily recommended amount can significantly increase the risk of dying early from cancer and heart disease...These results indicate that replacement of red meat with alternative healthy dietary components may lower the mortality risk...Scientists added that people who eat a diet high in red meat were also likely to be generally unhealthier because they were more likely to smoke, be overweight and not exercise.
In an accompanying editorial Dr Dean Ornish, of the University of California, San Francisco, said that eating less red meat could also help tackle climate change...He said: 'In addition to their health benefits, the food choices we make each day affect other important areas as well. What is personally sustainable is globally sustainable. What is good for you is good for our planet.'"
Ah, yes, might as well throw in climate change, whatever the topic. Cow farts and the such.
So, red meat kills 1 in 10! The horror!
Let's look at this another way...the way the article did not.
Out of all the ways to die early, red meat can cause cancer or heart disease (because red meat doesn't kill you) 10% of the time.
Yup, the horrors of red meat only have a 10% chance of killing you...early. There are other things which add up to 90% which have a chance of killing you...early. If you die early, there is a 90% chance that it was NOT red meat. If you die early (and what is considered early?), the chances of red meat being the cause are the same as the chances of being killed in a road accident.
So, by the UK's Department of Health guidance, you should completely stay away from cars and roads. They have a 1 in 10 chance of killing you too.
Good luck with that.
As for me, I'm off to eat a greasy, fat, big ol' piece of red meat while driving my motorcycle weaving in and out of traffic with lots of cars on big roads, heavily distracted (I'm talented). If I don't blog again tomorrow, there's a 10% chance that I died early due to the heart disease caused by the meat.
There's a 90% chance that I don't blog because I didn't feel like it. Or something else.
Ok, so let's just get this out of the way before I go any further...
...all is well in the bedroom. I have no problems being a man. I am a great and powerful man.
Fine. Ok then.
Anyway, a state senator from Ohio believes that government should regulate men's reproductive health, aka Viagra. If it were up to Senator Nina Turner (hmm, would "Nina" be a woman's name?), men in Ohio who want Viagra would have to:
1. See a sex therapist. (By the way, what a profession! How would you like your first conversation of the day to begin with "How is your sex life? Gettin' any lately?")
2. Receive a cardiac stress test. (So, even if you did die during sex, wouldn't that be the way to go anyway?)
3. Receive a NOTORIZED AFFIDAVIT SIGNED BY A SEX PARTNER AFFIRMING IMPOTENCY. (Oh my.)
Ohio Senate Bill 307 is not really a serious bill...of course, until it actually makes it through the state congress and is signed. Then, of course, it's serious.
This bill is a counter-argument to regulating women's health. I'll let the Senator speak for herself:
"Turner said if state policymakers want to legislate women’s health choices through measures such as House Bill 125, known as the 'Heartbeat bill,' they should also be able to legislate men’s reproductive health."
House Bill 125 attempts to limit abortion when a heartbeat is detected in an unborn child. So, according to Senator Turner, regulating abortion is the same as regulating Viagra.
Hmm.
"A critic of efforts to restrict abortion and contraception for women, Turner says she is concerned about men’s reproductive health. Turner’s bill joins a trend of female lawmakers submitting bills regulating men’s health."
Senator Sessions definitely hits the nail on the head with the description of "breathtaking".
Seven minute video worth watching...every minute. But if you have a short patience, skip to 3:30. The breathtaking part occurs from 3:30 to 4:15.
Both sides of the political aisle have played this game...that is, the Congress has not declared war since WWII. Congress has "authorized" war, to include Vietnam, the first Gulf War, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
Congress did not authorize the recent war in Libya. Rather, it was "authorized" by UN Security Council. Of note, the Korean War and Bosnia were also "authorized" by the UN.
I find this very troubling. The authority for war rests with Congress, as clearly described in the Constitution. If Congress finds it easier to "authorize" military action rather than call it "war", then I really don't have a problem with that. In my opinion, it's a matter of semantics at that point.
But when Congress has no role, and we rely on the "authority" of a foreign body to authorize U.S. military action, well...
All I can say is that I'm at a loss for words. A truly great Naval Officer has passed away.
"As the sun’s rays broke over the top of the eastern hills this morning, the military blogging community was coming to grips with the loss of a truly remarkable man. Retired Navy Captain Carroll LeFon, who was known to thousands by his “nom de blog” of Neptunus Lex, died when his Israeli-built F-21 Kfir single-seat fighter aircraft crashed at NAS Fallon at around 0915 yesterday morning."
I've followed Neptunus Lex for almost 7 years now, relying on his information and point of view to form my own. His loss is a loss for not just the milblogger community, but for the blogger community as a whole.
I don't have the words to describe the loss felt. Passing e-mails back and forth on various topics, Lex helped me start my blog with a link on his. When I thought I was going to be sent to San Diego to live, he graciously sent me information on locations that I would like. He was always there for a helping hand when I needed it, even though we never met in person. When someone is willing to help a perfect stranger, you know you've met a quality individual.
Over at CDR Salamander, the eloquent CDR S sums it up well.
"A gentleman, officer, good stick, good writer, and just plain good man. Over the years, we would comment on each others blog now and then - and exchange emails much more to share ideas, pass off tips .... or now and then return to our original conversation. That was Lex; part blog buddie, part mentor, part philosopher, but a gentle professional always...
...the path that took him back to the aircraft. In a fashion, he died serving his nation as he knew best - in the cockpit. In life, on-line and off, he built a strong network of acquaintances and friends - that too speaks a lot for the man - and most of us are in the same place right now."
After retirement from active duty, Captain Carroll LeFon tried a couple different jobs, but the draw to aviation was immense. After a short stint in private business, Lex put the flight suit back on to train the Fleet's aviators at NAS Fallon. He flew aggressor aircraft as a contractor, training the new guys in the art and science of aerial combat. He taught so that we would always hold the edge in naval aviation.
Prayers for his family...a wife, 2 daughters, and a son who followed in his father's footsteps as a naval aviator.
Fair Winds, Captain. This world is less now.
"Going home, going home, I'm a going home
Quiet like, some still day, I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by, through an open door
Work all done, care laid by
Going to fear no more
Mother's there, expecting me
Father's waiting too
Lots of folks gathered there
All the friends I knew
Nothings lost alls gained
No more fear or pain
No more stubbling by the way
No more longing for the day
Going to roam no more
Morning star lights the way
Restless dream all done
Shadows gone, break of day
Real life just begun
There's no break, there's no end
Just a living on
Wide awake with a smile, going on and on
Going home, going home, I'm just going home
It's not far, just close by, I'm just going home
Nothing's lost, all is gain, no longing for the day
No more stumbling on the way
No more fret nor pain
Goin' home, goin' home, I'm a goin' home
Quiet like, still some day, I'm a goin' home
Early last year, the Navy lifted the ban on women serving on submarines. This, of course, was not a popular move by the Navy. Many saw this as a move to promote diversity more than a move to increase national security. Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus believed it a "great idea and the right thing to do."
Curious how all those Secretary's of the Navy before did exactly the opposite. But, I digress.
Well, the Navy had to identify a group of women who would do well, as there was no room for error in such a historic move. The women were chosen and training began.
Then...oops.
"Three female supply officers were pulled from submarine crews within months of joining the force for allegedly committing fraud prior to checking in at their boats, a Submarine Forces spokeswoman confirmed Friday. These three were among the eight Supply Corps lieutenants that reported to the submarine force, a cadre chosen to be role models for the younger female submariners reporting straight from training to the previously all-male force.
The alleged actions under investigation involve financial misconduct and in no way involved their performance while assigned to their current operational units,” said Submarine Forces spokeswoman Cmdr. Monica Rousselow, who explained the allegations concerned fraudulent travel claims while on temporary assigned duty."
Well, that's interesting. Almost 40% of the hand-selected individuals are already being investigated for fraud before they even report to submarine duty. That large of a group is bound to have a huge implication on the integration of women on submarines, right?
“The three reliefs are a setback for the ongoing integration of the undersea force. But officials characterized the disruption as 'minimal' — pointing out this is not the first time supply lieutenants had been removed from subs — and that the larger effort is still on track. 'Overall, the integration of women onboard submarines continues to progress smoothly and the reassignment of the three Supply Corps officers will have a minimal impact on the integration process,' Rousselow said."
Smoothly? Wow, not exactly the word I would have chosen.
I understand that things happen, and that women will eventually serve honorably in the submarine force. Yet, when a spokeswoman, especially one with the rank of Commander, says that things are going smoothly when, in fact, 40% of your hand-selected recruits are being investigated for fraud, well...
...it makes it so very hard to have confidence in anything further they say. The military is one of the few organizations people still have faith in. Please, let's don't ruin that by trying to whitewash a bad situation.
The President's recently submitted budget is slated to kill the D.C. school voucher program called the Opportunity Scholarship Program.
School vouchers have proved a huge success, giving parents choice in how their tax dollars go to providing an education to their children. Opponents of the voucher program attempt to find every possible failure of individual students, and use those failures to draw a bleak picture of the program.
But, when you support increased government control over people's lives (as the administration does...and it's not just Democrats, you know) and when you must appease a union powerhouse (aka the teacher's unions)...
...you kill individual choice.
"The D.C. OSP (Opportunity Scholarship Program--aka, School Voucher program) has been highly successful. According to federally-mandated evaluations of the program, student achievement has increased, and graduation rates of voucher students have increased significantly. While graduation rates in D.C. Public Schools hover around 55 percent, students who used a voucher to attend private school had a 91 percent graduation rate.
And at $8,000, the vouchers are a bargain compared to the estimated $18,000 spent per child by D.C. Public Schools.
The Department of Education’s budget will increase 3.5 percent if the proposal is enacted, continuing a failed trend of spending more taxpayer dollars through Washington on a myriad of programs with a poor track record.
By contrast, the D.C. OSP has a stellar track record of increasing academic success, student safety, and parental satisfaction. And because of the nature of the District of Columbia (education in D.C. is under the jurisdiction of Congress), it is entirely appropriate for the federal government to fund the D.C. OSP."
Less money for people to make the best choices for themselves and more money for central planners.
Yup, walking backwards on the road to recovery and moving forward on the Road to Serfdom.
So, as I get ready to be punched in the face by my next advanced management accounting exam, I thought I would share some simple rules of life that I might not remember after the next 4 hours.
1. Money cannot buy happiness but its more comfortable to cry in a BMW than on a bicycle.
2. Forgive your enemy but remember the bastard's name.
3. Help someone when they are in trouble and they will remember you when they're in trouble again.
4. Many people are alive only because it’s illegal to shoot them.
5. Alcohol does not solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.
Hat tip to one of my Saturday morning breakfast friends.
Newspapers
1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.
2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.
3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country.
4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand the Washington Post. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.
5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country, if they could spare the time, and if they didn't have to leave LA to do it.
6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and they did a far superior job of it, thank you very much.
7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country, and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.
8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who's running the country, as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.
9. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure there is a country or that anyone is running it; but whoever it is, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs, who also happen to be illegal aliens from ANY country or galaxy as long as they are Democrats.
10. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country but need the baseball scores.
11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.
When you study basic economics, you learn the many ways to count the unemployment rate...and then learn the the government calculates it very absurdly. You see, if you are out of work, and stop looking for work because (1) there's none to be had or (2) you just quit, you don't get counted anymore! Wow, our numbers just got better (because an unemployed dropped off the radar)!
Here's a "Who's on First" explanation:
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment rate in America.
ABBOTT: Good Subject. Terrible Times. It's 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's 17%
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's 17%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 17% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 17%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 17% are out of work.
COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are unemployed?
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be unemployed.
COSTELLO: BUT THEY ARE OUT OF WORK!!!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To who?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking for work... Those who are out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And, if you give up, you are no longer in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you get to 9%. Otherwise it would be 17%. You don't want to read about 17% unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That means there are two ways to bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if you stop looking for a job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring unemployment down, and the easier of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an economist.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what the hell I just said!
So, I live in California. Let me tell you, there is no shortage of craziness I can blog on from day to day. It's not a challenge, really, so I end up not blogging at all. I don't feel it's fair to pick on those who do not think for themselves and allow emotion and illogical reactions to guide their lives.
As I was looking through the local headlines, I noticed a city nearby that has fought the fluoridation of their water. You heard me right...they don't want fluoride in their water.
The libertarian in me applauds their "we don't want government to tell me what's good and what's bad" attitude. But, in this case, the government is right. Fluoridation has saved millions of teeth and prevented millions of cases of dental disease and decay. If you don't believe me, try watching some British...or even American...movies from the 50's and 60's. Heck, Mike Myers made a small fortune playing off the reality of bad British teeth.
So, as I read....
WATSONVILLE, Calif. -- A decade-long battle between state health officials who wanted fluoride in Watsonville's drinking water to improve oral health, and Watsonville city leaders who opposed it, ended Thursday. The California Dental Association Foundation pushed for and introduced fluoride into several California cities' tap water. The CDAF argued that low-income families that cannot afford visits to the dentist's office greatly benefited. Water fluoridation was cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the top-10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th Century. But the controversial idea of pumping fluoride into Watsonville, where many elementary school students already have decaying teeth, is dead in the water. Resistance from city leaders and local groups, coupled with pricey contracts for the project, combined to cause the CDAF to throw its hands in the air and give up Thursday, CDAF officials said.
...I wondered, "why?". Why would the city fight this tooth and nail? Has fluoridation caused ill health? Have their been outbreaks of fluoride disease? Has their been a huge conspiracy cover-up in the fluoridation of water?
No. Not at all. As a matter of fact, it's one thing that government got right.
Why would the city fight this? You know, I really don't know. I have no clue. But what I do know is this...
...the below clip is the most perfect clip I have ever matched with a blog post.
The Controller for California reported to state lawmakers today that the State of California will run out of money in March.
Governor Jerry Brown and his allies predicted $2.6 billion more in revenue that what has actually occurred, and lawmakers and the courts have spent or delayed cuts on programs costing $2.6 billion more than budgeted for.
"The Assembly budget committee approved a bill today that would enable $865 million of borrowing from existing state accounts, Senate Bill 95. Chiang, after consultation with the Department of Finance and state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, is also seeking about $2.4 billion in delayed payments to universities, counties and Medi-Cal, as well as additional borrowing from outside investors.
Absent these actions, the state would fall below its prudent $2.5 billion cash cushion on Feb. 29, Chiang estimated. On March 8, the state would actually end up $730 million in the red. The state would be below the safe cash cushion for several weeks ending April 13, save for several days at the end of March."
This mirrors much of what is to come for the rest of the country, in my humble opinion. For years, tax rates have skyrocketed in California, and spending on entitlement programs has also skyrocketed. These two factors create loss of revenue (when people, tired of the taxes, move or quit producing) and an increase in expenditures. California is finding is harder and harder to find loans to cover the difference, as potential creditors foresee economic doom and gloom for the state. For those not economically inclined, that spells bankruptcy in the long term.
Now, we see the same on the national stage, but just a little more behind in the timeline. As soon as our creditors dry up, we can expect the same in the national economy. Businesses will leave because of high tax rates, people will become more dependent on the national government as their income falls, and the economic death spiral will ensue.
Or not. Just depends on our future actions. On the current path, the Controller for California is a bellwether for the nation. Take aggressive steps now, or we'll be bankrupt.
You can argue all you want with politics, but the numbers just don't lie.
So much for the free market and safety! Even with huge cash incentives, people just are not ready for the switch...nor do they think its safe or makes economic sense. Instead of letting the free market decide winners and losers, a "regulatory" board decides for us. You see, central planners always have a better idea of what's good for the consumers and for the environment.
Don't forget, if you think the government is all powerful and knows what's best for the environment, just remember who routinely exploded atomic weapons on our own soil.
It's sorta a rhetorical question until, well....you actually start thinking about the true answer.
I'm not a proponent that the "government" is out to get us. I truly believe that the "government" is filled with a high percentage of people trying to do a really good job. I've met and worked with a lot of folks who work for the government and are true patriots. That is, they want the best for the country and their fellow Americans.
Yet, good intentions pave the road to hell.
Our Founding Fathers knew this to be true. They knew that absolute power, even in the hands of the best of people, eventually leads to tyranny. This is why we have checks and balances. It's why there is a divided government. It's why it SHOULD be hard to pass legislation.
Take a look at the below clip. While I understand the intentions of the Patriot Act, I also understand Judge Napolitano's concern over it.
And why the Affordable Health Care Act is unconstitutional.
I'm going to miss you and your smile. Wish I had a chance to shake your hand one more time. Thanks for sharing your love of Harley's with me, and showing me and my family true friendship.
Look forward to riding together again one day. Until then, this world down here is much less fun.
I don't know Chris Kyle, but the first couple beers are on me if I ever meet him.
I watched Jesse Ventura's show "Conspiracy Theory" during the holidays. That's 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Jesse Ventura has definitely bought a ticket on the insane train, and the below story from Chris doesn't surprise me. What surprises me is that the people of Minnesota decided to elect such a crackpot as their 38th governor. By the way, his real name is James George Janos, and he changed his name to Jesse Ventura during his WWF wrestling "career". His motto during his time as "The Body" was "Win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat."
Ventura, for some reason, decided to visit the wake of Medal of Honor recipient Michael Monsoor in 2006. He started spouting off about how Americans were over in Iraq "killing women and children" and that the SEAL Teams "deserved to lose a few"...
...and Chris Kyle decided he would have none of this.
Two armed men tried breaking into her house that night, and she was alone with her 3 month old baby. She called 911, and asked...if she could utilize her 2nd Amendment right.
Amendment II: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
And no, not those kind of arms....
These kind of arms...
Recently widowed, Sarah picked up her shotgun and asked the 911 dispatcher if it was OK to shoot the men if they entered her home. The dispatcher responded, "Well, you have to do whatever you can to protect yourself...I can't tell you that you can do that, but you do what you have to do to protect your baby."
Damn straight. When Justin Martin, one of the intruders, broke into her home, Sarah sent Mr. Martin a welcome invitation. Sarah fired her 12-gauge shotgun and killed him.
First Assistant District Attorney James Walters said that Sarah will not be charged. He stated, "A person has the right to protect themselves, their family, and their property." How refreshing!
For all those people who don't believe individuals have the right to bear arms, then I wonder how well Sarah could have protected herself and her baby. Frying pans are heavy, but lack "effectiveness".
And I wonder how different the story would have read. Let me make a guess on what the story would have been if Sarah did not have home protection in the form of a shotgun:
"A single mother and her child were killed on New Year's Eve as a result of a home break-in. Police were unable to respond quickly enough to her 911 call, and arrived after the crime had been committed. Police have no leads for suspects. Police request anyone with any information to call the Blanchard Tip Hotline. The victim's family says the funerals will be held next Tuesday."
