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'Revolutionary City' speaks to tea partyers
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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They cheer and hoot when Gen. George Washington surveys the troops behind the original 18th-century courthouse. And they shout out about the tyranny of our current government during scenes depicting the nation's struggle for freedom from Britain.

"General, when is it appropriate to resort to arms to fight for our liberty?" asked a tourist on a recent weekday during "A Conversation with George Washington," a hugely popular dialogue between actor and audience in the shaded backyard of Charlton's Coffeehouse.

Standing on a simple wooden stage before a crowd of about 100, the man portraying Washington replied: "Only when all peaceful remedies have been exhausted. Or if we are forced to do so in our own self-defense."

NRA Pleads With Members to Oppose Elena Kagan
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Tuesday, July 20, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send Elena Kagan�s Supreme Court nomination on to the full Senate for a vote. The full Senate vote on the confirmation will occur the week of August 2nd.

NOW is the time to contact your U.S. Senators and strongly urge them to OPPOSE and filibuster the Kagan nomination!

As we�ve been reporting in these pages, on July 1, in a letter to the U.S. Senate, NRA announced its strong opposition to her confirmation. Prior to the Senate Judiciary Committee vote, we ran print ads in Politico, Roll Call, and The Hill newspapers, and ran a nationwide commercial on Fox News and on the Internet opposing Kagan�s confirmation.

WA: Lake Sammamish shootings lead to debate over stricter gun-control laws
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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In Thursday�s �Special to The Times� titled �Guns and parks don�t mix,�[Opinion, July 29] Ralph Fascitelli seems quite willing to take away the rights that the Second Amendment was intended to protect. In particular he makes the argument, �and let�s have our park rangers make spot checks to ensure that no one does indeed have a gun in their possession.�

Is this guy for real. Spot checks? What�s next, strip-searches? Does the Fourth Amendment have any meaning to Fascitelli? Our Founding Fathers were, and still are, quite a bit smarter than most people give them credit for.

Now more than ever, practice self-preservation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Out-of-control spending and plunging government revenues may have unintended consequences -- as far as tax-and-spend, and spend-some-more politicians are concerned -- of reminding people that we are ultimately responsible for our own safety. The pot of gold is empty and inevitable cutbacks in important public services, including law enforcement, are on the horizon. It is happening in Oakland, where the police chief has announced officers won't respond to a whole list of crimes, and now more than 80 officers have been laid off. It's been happening in Vallejo for a long time, and the Times-Herald reports more cutbacks are coming including, more fire services.

Sudan: Sudan's 'Arrow Boys' Lash Out At Vicious Militants
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Since being displaced from Uganda four years ago, a vicious group of militants � known as the Lord's Resistance Army � has pillaged, murdered and raped its way through the remote forests of Central Africa and southern Sudan.

A new bill in Congress calls on the United States to come up with a comprehensive strategy for dealing with the cult-like group's leader, Joseph Kony, and helping bring an end to the horrific violence. ... Tired of waiting for help, many villagers in South Sudan are trying to fight back.

To protect themselves, residents of Western Equatoria state have formed self-defense forces in dozens of villages. The ad hoc commandos call themselves "Arrow Boys" after their most popular weapon � arrows dipped in poison.

MI: Police looking for man involved in shooting over $8
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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After arguing Friday night, it appears that the 28-year-old man stopped outside of the Brown's home at about 7:15 a.m. on Saturday when he saw Brown's girlfriend outside. The 28-year-old was allegedly trying to apologize for the argument when Brown returned home and approached the 28-year-old with a baseball bat, according to witness reports given to police.

The 28-year-old then pulled out a handgun and shot the 50-year-old in the chest. Brown was taken to Baptist South, where he was pronounced dead shortly later.

�At this point in time, it�s being handled as a death investigation,� Barnett said, adding that witness statements indicate that the shooting was done in self-defense.

TX: Conservatives threaten freedom
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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I�m tired of hearing right-wing zealots saying they support the Constitution and freedom while liberals are out to destroy those things. The major threat to our Constitution and the Bill of Rights comes from people who call themselves �conservatives.�

Conservatives constantly rant about various gun-control laws and the unlimited gun rights supposedly guaranteed by the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment only guarantees the right to bear arms for a military purpose, not for personal use. The powerful gun lobby and conservatives have it totally wrong.

Conservatives oppose the right to due process for those suspected of being terrorists. This includes people who were wrongly suspected and falsely accused.

OH: Gun interdiction program has limits
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The factor that this observer deems most in need of long-term attention is the sorry state of gun law politics in America. A half century ago the leaders of the National Rifle Association began a long-term propaganda campaign that said (paraphrased), �there are sinister people out there who want take away our guns and leave us defenseless against violent criminals and invading armies. The only way to prevent that is by NRA-led political action that will block any form of gun control law.� This devious campaign has succeeded. It�s always easy to frighten people and arouse them to march to a persuasive leader�s drum, and that�s what the NRA has done.

SC: Tax-free weekend is August 6-8
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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�I think this is a great thing for parents, especially with the economy they way it is right now,� she said. �I have two children and this has really helped save me some money when getting their school supplies and clothing each year. We also were able to purchase a laptop at a cheaper price during the tax free weekend last year which my kids use for school assignments.�

This year, the General Assembly will also include a second tax free weekend - the Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday in the 2010-2011 State Appropriations Act. This is a two-day sales tax holiday which applies to purchases of handguns, rifles and shotguns. It will take place after Thanksgiving on Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27.

MI: Cox's record makes him best choice for governor
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Mike Cox is the best choice for governor. He has the values, experience, and a comprehensive plan to take Michigan from the worst to the first.

That is why Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Right to Life, Gun Owners PAC, Mike Huckabee, and Dick and Betsy DeVos have endorsed Mike as our next governor. Visit www.mikecox2010.com.

Mike Cox is pro life. He fights for the Second Amendment and conservation rights. He supports traditional marriage. He led the charge to end affirmative action, thus, establishing merit-based pay, promotions and college admissions.

Since he was elected state attorney general, Mike has filed briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court arguing for our right to carry concealed weapons in high-crime urban areas.

MA: Gun pioneer's tombstone fixed
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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There is little doubt that early American gun manufacturer Edwin Wesson would be a saint, if the 4 million-member National Rifle Association were a religious instead of a right-to-bear-arms organization.

That is why a local gun enthusiast and owner of a 160-year-old Wesson gun was shocked to learn this summer that Mr. Wesson's gravestone lay forgotten and broken in a Worcester cemetery.

Edwin Wesson, born in North Grafton, taught the gun manufacturing trade to his younger brothers, Franklin Wesson, who became a Worcester rifle maker, and Daniel Baird Wesson, who, with Horace Smith, in 1852 founded Smith & Wesson, the largest handgun manufacturer in the United States.

NJ: Privatize hunting?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Ms. Dunn states "the problem is that (Ed Rummel) is an NRA gun supporter and will always support the hunters� lobby."

Not all gun owners are hunters, and not all hunters use firearms (ever hear of bow season?) So, I�m curious as to why Ms. Dunn found it necessary to bring up the gun issue.

In truth, hunting is not the reason we have a Second Amendment. In fact, the words "hunt" or "hunting" appear nowhere in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. The reason we have a Second Amendment is that it serves as a deterrent to power hungry politicians and government bureaucrats, of which America has all too many!

Concealed Carry: A Middle-Road View?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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It is a very articulate story from a man who carried a Colt Detective Special .38 for some time, and understood the power and responsibility he carried with it. In the end, he decided not to carry every day. Some in the gun world see that as a cop-out. I noticed that the author reserved the option to carry it on long drives or in other situations where he felt less secure than usual. In the end, it�s his choice. Hell, I know a lot of determined, busy Second Amendment Rights activists who don�t carry a gun every day, either, and I�ve known some who don�t carry at all�and there are a few 2A supporters who don�t even own a gun.

NJ: Throwing the book at gun laws
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Accordingly, anyone who defends a law claiming that it is �reasonable� is not stating any legal standard or offering any basis upon which to judge whether such a law would survive a legal challenge.

As it turns out, New Jersey gun law offers fertile ground for challenge, not merely because the state has such strict laws but because New Jersey law is exceedingly aggressive toward the law-abiding gun owner.

New Jersey�s regulatory scheme is highly unusual in that it approaches gun control by categorically banning guns and then carving out extremely limited exceptions to the prohibitions.

Kagan's red flags
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Rather than providing even a tenuous argument for her conclusion in a memo to Justice Thurgood Marshall, she apparently found no need to consider arguments at all. She recommended rejecting a litigant's claim that the District of Columbia's ban on firearms violated his Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms because she, Kagan, was "not sympathetic." Her terse dismissal of his claim offered no legal argument.

The Supreme Court, however, found arguments against the D.C. ban more than just plausible. In District of Columbia v. Heller, the court struck down the D.C. ban and later extended the decision to apply the Second Amendment right to the states as well.

PA: They're running for lieutenant governor
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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He [Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley] was, for a decade, a top aide to state Sen. Bob "Tommy" Tomlinson, R-Bucks County, before being elected county commissioner, a post he's held since 2005. He also does some real-estate law with the Philly mega-firm Saul Ewing.

He's married and has an adopted child. As commissioner, he's pushed for and gotten no new taxes for the last four years, and cut the size of the county budget.

Like Corbett, he's pro-life and a "strong supporter" of the Second Amendment.

Like Corbett, he supports a no-tax pledge: "The best economic policy is to allow people to keep their money and spend it how they choose."

PA: Prison guard accused of killing
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A guard at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill will be charged in the fatal shooting of Enola lawyer Todd Getgen last week at a North Middleton Twp. rifle range ..."

"Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said Raymond Franklin Peake, 64, of Hampden Twp., will be charged with homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy in Getgen's death on July 21. A second man, Thomas Franklin Tuso, 34, of Duncannon, also a guard at the prison, will be charged with theft and conspiracy to receive stolen property ..."

"... Freed said police found the rifle Getgen had with him at the range, as well as the weapon believed to be used in the killing and a third gun stolen from the range in May. ..." ...

IL: Layoffs to gut East St. Louis police force
Submitted by: Anonymous

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The Rev. Joseph Tracy said he's tired of going to funerals. And now, he suspects he'll be going to more of them.
"It's open field day now," said Tracy, the pastor of Straightway Baptist Church here. "The criminals are going to run wild."
Gang activity. Drug dealing. Cold-blooded killing. Tracy worries that a decision to shrink the police force by almost 30 percent will bring more of everything.
The pastor voiced his concern on Friday at a raucous special City Council meeting at which East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks announced that the city will layoff 37 employees, including 19 of its 62 police officers, 11 firefighters, four public works employees, and three administrators. The layoffs take effect on Sunday.

NV: Family Attorney Outraged Over Inquest Delay
Submitted by: Anonymous

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The postponement of a Clark County coroner's inquest into the police shooting of Erik Scott at a Summerlin Costco is creating even more controversy.
An attorney for Scott's family is outraged, but Clark County District Attorney David Roger says there's a legitimate reason for the delay. Roger says for reasons beyond Metro's control, the original coroner's inquest date simply won't work.
The original date was September 3, the Friday before the Labor Day holiday weekend. But after meeting with investigators, the DA believes this case will take at least two days to present to the coroner's inquest jury.

Will Washington's Failures Lead To Second American Revolution?
Submitted by: Anonymous

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The Internet is a large-scale version of the "Committees of Correspondence" that led to the first American Revolution -- and with Washington's failings now so obvious and awful, it may lead to another.
People are asking, "Is the government doing us more harm than good? Should we change what it does and the way it does it?"
Pruning the power of government begins with the imperial presidency.
Too many overreaching laws give the president too much discretion to make too many open-ended rules controlling too many aspects of our lives. There's no end to the harm an out-of-control president can do.
Bill Clinton lowered the culture, moral tone and strength of the nation -- and left America vulnerable to attack.

Glenn Beck and the Oakland shooter Submitted by: Tom Price	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Beck has at times spoken against violence, but he more often forecasts it, warning that "it is only a matter of time before an actual crazy person really does something stupid." Most every broadcast has some violent imagery: "The clock is ticking. . . .

The U.S. gun lobby holds Mexico hostage
Submitted by: Tom Price

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A recent weapons seizure in Nuevo Leon, just across the border from Texas, illustrates the drug traffickers' arsenals. On May 11, after an armed confrontation, the Mexican army seized 124 assault rifles, 15 handguns, three anti-tank rockets, more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition and 1,375 ammo magazines.

Submitter's note; Oh by the way Mr.David Ignatius, You can't purchase assault rifles and anti-tank rockets across the counter at FFL Dealers any where !! You haven't research any of your information

NV: Arrest Warrant Issued for Process Server
Submitted by: Anonymous

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An arrest warrant has been issued for a process server accused of falsifying paperwork in dozens of cases and potentially hundreds more, in what police called a scheme to defraud the courts.
Former Las Vegas Metro police officer Maurice Carroll is wanted by police for 35 counts of perjury, false filing of paperwork and obtaining money under false pretenses. Metro says he said he served people with legal papers, but didn't.
Carroll runs On Scene Mediations out of a North Las Vegas home. The criminal complaint said he admitted to officers he lied on affidavits and falsified work. That has caused problems in an unknown number of cases at the Regional Justice Center and potentially in District Court.

PA: 1 suspect jailed, 1 released on bail in Enola man's shooting death on firing range
Submitted by: Anonymous

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A state prison guard was committed to Cumberland County Prison on Saturday and another was released on bail after they were arrested in the shooting death of an Enola attorney last week, officials said.
Raymond Franklin Peake, 64, of Hampden Township, was charged with homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy in the slaying of Todd Getgen, 42, at a state Game Commission shooting range in North Middleton Township, a prison spokesman said.
Thomas Franklin Tuso, 34, of Duncannon, was arrested on theft charges and was released on bail. The men work as guards at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill.

SUBMITTER'S COMMENT: For more background, click on "Related topics: todd getgen"