World Examiner

O.C. man among 7 guilty of raising funds for terror group | OCRegister.com

O.C. man among 7 guilty of raising funds for terror group | mek, federal, money, terrorist, iran - News - OCRegister.com.

A Mission Viejo man and six others pleaded guilty Wednesday to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for an Iraq-based terrorist organization. Prosecutors said the men told some contributors they were giving the money to a charity fighting for human rights.

Of Arms and the Law

Of Arms and the Law.

A cruiseship captain issues handguns and the crew uses them to fend off Somalian pirates. Two warning shots in the air and the pirates (who had AKs) bailed out, surprised that the crew actually had guns. (I find this story receiving little play in the US media. I guess that a person held hostage by pirates makes for a string of emotional stories, whereas Long John Silver bailing out after a few warning shots does not).

Fatal Stabbings Up by 50% in New York City in 2008 - NYTimes.com

Gun killings down, knife killings (and presumably Brady score) up.

Fatal Stabbings Up by 50% in New York City in 2008 - NYTimes.com.

Each of these was featured last year in a snapshot of murder in New York City, where authorities have long been battling illegal firearms — and seeing a degree of success. But these people were killed by knives, contributing to a troubling statistic in homicides.

Nordyke v. King: Excerpts & Commentary (GunLaw.Pro)

Nordyke v. King: Excerpts & Commentary (GunLaw.Pro).

On April 20, 2009, for the first time ever, Californians received judicial recognition of their Second Amendment rights. The exact scope of these rights remains to be decided, and Nordyke v. King will be criticized for giving too much latitude to the County in refusing to strike an overly broad ordinance trampling on a fundamental right, and for the clumsy manner in which it treats Heller's “sensitive places.” It is too early to say how or even whether the decision will affect policies for CCW issuance by the Orange County Sheriff or other sheriffs in California. For the full decision click here; below are excerpts from the portion of the decision incorporating 2A against the states (citations omitted for brevity):

AP: Moscow policeman opens fire in public, kills 3

AP: Moscow policeman opens fire in public, kills 3.

MOSCOW – A Moscow district police chief opened fire on the street and in a supermarket early Monday, killing three people and wounding seven others — four of them critically, Russian investigators said.

Has globalisation made us more catastrophe-prone? - Health News, Health & Wellbeing - The Independent

Has globalisation made us more catastrophe-prone? - Health News, Health & Wellbeing - The Independent.

As the world grapples with the worst economic downturn in decades and the possibility of a flu pandemic, a growing body of research suggests the complexity of the modern global economy may make us more vulnerable than ever to catastrophe

AP: Cruise ship fends off pirate attack with gunfire

AP: Cruise ship fends off pirate attack with gunfire.

ROME (AP) - An Italian cruise ship with 1,500 people on board fended off a pirate attack far off the coast of Somalia when its Israeli private security forces exchanged fire with the bandits.

Orange County Tridentine Mass Schedule at Serra Chapel, Built in 1776

Mass Schedule.

Schedule of Tridentine Masses In Orange County, there are currently two churches where the Tridentine Mass is regularly offered with the approval of the Most Reverend Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange. Fr. Serra Chapel Mission San Juan Capistrano 31522 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693 (949)258-2000 Sundays: 8:00am (High Mass every Second Sunday of the month, Low Mass on other Sundays) Note: Entry to the Fr. Serra Chapel is via the Mission gate on El Camino Real one block north of the Ortega Highway.

UPDATE: yes, per comment below see link for full updated listings--above happens to be the one i take my family to.  uvoc.org has an app to sign up for newsletter.

UPDATE 1/1/2010: another great (even more traditional) Latin Mass in Garden Grove, see http://olhc.us/ for info - found out about it because several of my concealed carry (CCW) students bumped into each other (must be a pretty good conservative bunch of Catholics); rumor has it one of the priests has an AK or something similar.

George Soros Quote of the Day | American Issues Project

George Soros Quote of the Day | American Issues Project.

Why is Soros enjoying the global economic meltdown? Soros and his hedge fund made $2.9 billion (yes, billion) betting against the United States economy. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this same man also donated over $32 million to liberal candidates and liberal causes across the United States. Which leads to a simple question... What does it say about the character of George Soros? And what does it say about the liberals who happily took the anti-US Soros contributions?

AP: Italy's Mafia thrives in global financial meltdown

AP: Italy's Mafia thrives in global financial meltdown.

NAPLES, Italy (AP) - While businesses around the world are hunkering down for survival, the Italian mob is living a golden moment. Italy's various organized crime syndicates—often lumped together colloquially as Mafia Inc.—are gobbling up gas stations, muscling in on supermarket franchises, making loans to cash-starved businesses, taking over trattorias and acquiring buildings in swank neighborhoods in Rome and Milan, investigators say.

Report: Democrats Refuse to Allow Skeptic to Testify Alongside Gore At Congressional Hearing | Climate Depot

Report: Democrats Refuse to Allow Skeptic to Testify Alongside Gore At Congressional Hearing | Climate Depot.

Washington, DC -- UK's Lord Christopher Monckton, a former science advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, claimed House Democrats have refused to allow him to appear alongside former Vice President Al Gore at a high profile global warming hearing on Friday April 24, 2009

25% of Mass Murder Sprees Stopped by Armed Citizens

Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » AMONG THE COPS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS.

Borsch’s impromptu discussion revealed the fact that some 25% of mass murder shooting sprees he has researched were ended by armed private citizens. This led in turn to a discussion of the Israeli Model,

Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » AMONG THE COPS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS

A reminder that rank and file cops are largely immune to the Blue Helicopter Thinking that afflicts politicians, appointed police chiefs (and appointed sheriffs), and too many Californians in general:

Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » AMONG THE COPS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS.

People write to forums and blogs (sometimes this one, in fact) to call cops jack-booted thugs and insist that they all want to disarm law-abiding citizens. I wish some of those folks could have been here. They wouldn’t have found a JBT in sight. Only hundreds and hundreds of men and women who have sworn that oath to risk their lives for the public safety, and who take with the deepest seriousness their assignment to train others to do likewise.

Reuters AlertNet - CDC says too late to contain U.S. flu outbreak

Reuters AlertNet - CDC says too late to contain U.S. flu outbreak.

He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. "So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same."

WND: McVeigh reference prompts response

WND: McVeigh reference prompts response.

Responding to the Obama administration's attempt to justify a controversial "right-wing extremism" report by citing Timothy McVeigh, a counter-terrorism group has posted a video statement by a prominent Democrat investigator who contends the Oklahoma City bomb plot was hatched not by right-wingers but by Islamic jihadists.

WND: Vote will protect unborn beginning at conception

Reminds me of the lesson Brazil taught IANSA a few years ago.

WND: Vote will protect unborn beginning at conception.

Lawmakers working on a new constitution for the Dominican Republic have voted overwhelmingly to protect life, specifying in the document that "the right to life is inviolable from conception until death." The vote yesterday was 167-32 in the national legislature, which was responding to pressure from international pro-abortion groups seeking to expand

Many Contra Costa crooks won't be prosecuted

Many Contra Costa crooks won't be prosecuted.

Misdemeanors such as assaults, thefts and burglaries will no longer be prosecuted in Contra Costa County because of budget cuts, the county's top prosecutor said Tuesday.

AG Elevates Robed Masters

State threatens locals: Marry 'gays' – or else.

"We must live by and follow what the courts decide," he said.

At the dry cleaners...

Man tries to rob dry cleaners with sword - The Boston Globe.

Police said a man dressed liked a ninja used a sword in an attempt to rob a Weymouth dry cleaner.

Miss California: God was testing me

Miss California: God was testing me.

"This happened for a reason. By having to answer that question in front of a national audience, God was testing my character and faith," Prejean said. "I'm glad I stayed true to myself."

Oligogracy: Illicit Representation

Oligogracy: Illicit Representation.

If you reload your own ammo you may find yourself engaged in "Illicit Manufacturing" of ammunition under an arms control treaty that President Obama started pushing last week in Mexico. The treaty itself is not new. It was written back in the 90's and signed by President Clinton, but never ratified by the U.S. senate. According to an AP article from Mexico City last week "Administration officials say President Barack Obama will push for Senate ratification of a Latin American arms trafficking treaty."

OC GOP Central Committee Alternates for Ken Calvert and Mimi Walters Vote AGAINST Resolution Endorsing Shall-Issue and Opposing OC Sheriff Hutchens

OC GOP Central Committee Votes To "Oppose" Sheriff Hutchens On Her Restrictive CCW Policy | Red County.

Speaking for the resolution were Bruce Whitaker, Kristine Alonzo, and Craig Alexander. Speaking against it were Don Daucher, Norm Dickinson, and Jack Anderson. The resolution passed by 41 to 14 as amended. Some notable NO votes came from from Cong. John Campbell's alternate Lou Penrose, State Sen. Mimi Walter's alternate Kat Vermeil, and Cong Ken Calvert's alternate Ann Rommel.

Entire resolution, as amended and passed:

Whereas, the Republican Party of Orange County firmly supports the positions outlined in the California Republican Party platform which declares:

“The United States Constitution guarantees the right of its citizenry to keep and bear arms. One of the first acts of a totalitarian society is to disarm its people. California’s gun control laws only serve to disarm law abiding citizens, not criminals. We oppose any further gun control legislation and support the right of all California citizens to own and bear guns and ammunition for any lawful purpose. We call for statewide legislation to allow qualified law abiding citizens in California to carry concealed weapons. We support allowing citizens to use deadly force to protect lives and property. We also support including all of these rights in the California constitution.

Finally, we call for the elimination of waiting periods to purchase firearms and instead support complete implementation of instant background checks.”

And whereas, the Republican Party of Orange County supports and promotes principles of limited government, individual responsibility, and the defense of freedom with fair and equal treatment of law-abiding citizens; and

Whereas, the Sheriff of Orange County, a registered Republican, recently launched efforts and policies to retroactively review, revoke, expire and eliminate several hundred previously issued and valid carry concealed weapons permits or CCWs, adversely affecting permit holders.

Whereas, these revocations without cause, violate an agreed-upon contractual relationship for a defined period of permitted use between the Sheriff’s Department and CCW permit holders, resulting in a limiting of freedom and abuse of discretion by an officeholder.

Whereas, the Sheriff claims she is merely following “the law” yet Sheriffs in California are empowered with wide discretion regarding issuance of CCW permits, and Orange County recently ranked 43^rd of 58 California counties in CCW permits issued per capita; and

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Orange County opposes the CCW policy of the Sheriff and urges the Sheriff to revise her policy. 

The Central Committee also urges the California legislature to adopt AB357 to make California a “shall issue” state as it relates to the citizens right to carry a concealed weapon. 

Update on National Park Carry

Casper Star-Tribune Online - Wyoming.

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration said Friday it will not appeal a federal court ruling that prohibits carrying loaded guns in national parks and wildlife refuges. Instead, the Interior Department said it will conduct a full environmental review of an earlier policy that allowed concealed, loaded guns in parks and refuges.

Lance Thomas Video

Jeweler survives four DGU's.  Great video:

Orange County GOP Resolves for Shall-Issue, Against Hutchens Policy

I attended Orange County Republican Party central committee meeting tonight at which a resolution passed 42-14 advocating shall-issue carry permits, and "opposing" Sheriff Hutchens' CCW policy.

Stronger "no confidence" language passed unanimously by the subcommittee was rejected by the central committee.

The machinations of the leadership to water down the resolution were disappointing and it's no wonder it's taken this long for the GOP to find its voice for shall-issue at the state level.

Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere

Rasmussen Reports™: The Most Comprehensive Public Opinion Data Anywhere.

Just one-out-of-three voters (34%) now believe global warming is caused by human activity, the lowest finding yet in Rasmussen Reports national surveying. However, a plurality (48%) of the Political Class believes humans are to blame.

FOXNews.com - Small Cars Get Poor Marks in Collision Tests - Auto

FOXNews.com - Small Cars Get Poor Marks in Collision Tests - Auto.

WASHINGTON — Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they do not fare well in collisions with larger vehicles. In crash tests released Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles.

Orange County: DGU During 911 Call Recorded

Audio recordings of defensive gun use are rare.  The 911 call I made two months ago, during which I had to draw my firearm, is posted here.

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Ken Blackwell : Obama, Ginsburg and Guns - Townhall.com

Ken Blackwell : Obama, Ginsburg and Guns - Townhall.com.

Three people in particular are getting close scrutiny this week because their names are before the U.S. Senate. Mr. Obama has nominated David Ogden, Elena Kagan and Dawn Johnsen to be deputy attorney general, solicitor general, and the assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), respectively. These positions, in addition to being three of the highest-ranking posts at the Justice Department, are also common stepping stones to the U.S. Supreme Court.

CAL-ERT 04/17/09 -- NOON -- CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

CAL-ERT 04/17/09 --  NOON -- CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

AB 357 (Knight) CONCEALED FIREARMS LICENSE This bill would create a "shall issue" CCW permit system in California. Existing law authorizes the sheriff of a county, upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character, that good cause exists, and that the person applying satisfies any one of certain conditions, as specified, to issue a license for the person to carry a concealed handgun, as specified. This bill would delete the good cause requirement, and require the sheriff to issue the license if the other criteria described above are met. STATUS: Scheduled for the Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, April 21st -- SUPPORT AB 962 (DeLeon) AMMO RESTRICTIONS This bill would: establish a database and a program administered and maintained by the Department of Justice for licensing handgun ammunition vendors. require that commencing July 1, 2010, unless specifically excluded, no person shall sell or transfer more than 50 rounds of handgun ammunition in any month unless he or she is registered as a handgun ammunition vendor. also provide that no retail seller of ammunition shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale, any handgun ammunition in a manner that allows that ammunition to be accessible to a purchaser without the assistance of the retailer or employee thereof. further pro

WND: 1 million attend tea parties in 50 states

WND: 1 million attend tea parties in 50 states.

"The establishment in Washington, D.C., is terrified," Norquist said. "There were no such demonstrations four months into the administrations of Democratic presidents Carter or Clinton."

My daughter and I took our First Navy Jack to the one in Laguna Beach, and she snapped some great photos including this:

I met some great people there, including another Front Sight First Family member, and a lady that turned out to be a fellow alum from Hastings, only one year behind me.

World Examiner: Utah CCW Class in South Orange County, CA...Laguna Hills...Ladera Ranch...www.7-4-1776.us

World Examiner: Utah CCW Class in South Orange County, CA...Laguna Hills...Ladera Ranch...www.7-4-1776.us.

OPTION THREE: LADERA RANCH RESIDENTS ONLY...$500 flat fee* *Special restrictions apply. Student supplies venue (garage with bare wall for projection) and chairs. Class size: Anywhere from five to ten students (up to you since you form class; more students = cheaper seats), all residing within short walking distance of class venue (eliminates parking issues).

Office of the Governor Rick Perry - Gov. Perry Backs Resolution Affirming Texas’ Sovereignty Under 10th Amendment

Office of the Governor Rick Perry - Gov. Perry Backs Resolution Affirming Texas’ Sovereignty Under 10th Amendment.

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. “I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state,” Gov. Perry said. “That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

Yorba Linda Tea Party

Tax Day Tea Party » California.

Yorba Linda When: April 15, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM Where: Yorba Linda Community Center Map: Click Here Phone: 714-403-1054 Contact: EMAIL Website: www.yorbalindateaparty.com Facebook Group:

Santa Ana Tea Party

Tax Day Tea Party » California.

Santa Ana (Orange County) When: April 15, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Where: Plaza of the Flags, Santa Ana Civic Center - Behind the Superior Court Building. Bounded by Flower Street, Santa Ana Boulevard and Civic Center Drive. Contact: EMAIL Other Info: Facebook Group: CLICK HERE

Oceanside Tea Party

Tax Day Tea Party » California.

Oceanside (North County Coastal San Diego) When: April 15, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Map: Click Here Where: Oceanside City Hall, 300 N. Coast Highway We will march from the Civic Center to the pier at 6:45 Contact: EMAIL Phone: 760-622-1150 Website: www.stoptaxingus.com

Laguna Beach Tea Party

Tax Day Tea Party » California.

Laguna Beach When: April 15, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Where: Main Beach, Pacific Coast Hwy and Broadway Map: Click Here Contact: EMAIL

Sheriff needs concealed weapons permit czar - Total Buzz - OCRegister.com

Sheriff needs concealed weapons permit czar - Total Buzz - OCRegister.com.

One of the hottest jobs in OC has just opened up. And so far, there’s only four takers. The gig is over at the Sheriff’s department, deciding who does – and who doesn’t – get to carry around a concealed handgun.

John Lott's Website: Concealed Carry Holder Stop Mass Robbery: "Man Killed While Trying to Rob Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting"

John Lott's Website: Concealed Carry Holder Stop Mass Robbery: "Man Killed While Trying to Rob Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting".

WLTX Published: April 12, 2009 Columbia (WLTX) - A man who tried to rob people at an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting is dead after being shot.

Lenin Erected Monument to Thomas More as Communist Hero

There is disagreement over whether More's Utopia was simply satire or some sort of endorsement of communism.  He remains very enigmatic to me.  The local Thomas More Society in Orange County seemed to be properly engaged, from the conservative viewpoint, on a number of social issues, but I quit going because of anti-gun bias in the group--while on programming committee last summer, my idea of inviting Dave Kopel as speaker was summarily rejected; plus I had an ugly response to some of my gun advocacy from one of its leaders, recently appointed as a judge.

We need to hold on to conservative fundamentals and not let the RINO communists redefine the meaning of conservatism.

Gallery: Moscow , Russia.

Moscow This monument, suggested by Lenin and built in 1918, lists Thomas More (ninth from the top) among the most influential thinkers "who promoted the liberation of humankind from oppression, arbitrariness, and exploitation." It is in Aleksndrovsky Garden near the Kremlin.

This excerpt from Art of the Soviets By Matthew Cullerne Bown, Brandon Taylor provides "more" background:

WND: Homeland Security on guard for 'right-wing extremists'

WND: Homeland Security on guard for 'right-wing extremists'.

WASHINGTON – A newly unclassified Department of Homeland Security report warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed "right-wing extremists" concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats.

California Gun & Trust Lawyer (www.sacredhonor.us) - California Gun & Trust Lawyer

California Gun & Trust Lawyer (www.sacredhonor.us) - California Gun & Trust Lawyer.

Coincidentally, the day before my largest-ever class (15 students, in February of 2009), I had to use my Kimber in self-defense (presenting to the low ready, fortunately did not have to fire), an incident which made John Lott's statistics much more palpably real to me. [The building was in lockdown; plenty of witnesses; perp, who apparently had some pretty serious mental issues, also has myspace page* indicating he is a Muslim with radical political and social views, and the disturbance he created at the university located upstairs apparently involved some anti-Bush, anti-US rants (noteworthy as a sort of developing proto-terrorism perhaps, but this was not terrorism of course--my guess is this was just lunacy + bad economy + frustration over perceived discrimination); yet apparently there was nothing for the Orange County Register to report (didn't even make the OC Register's local police blotter).] My involvement was recorded on the 911 call I made while approaching to help the man, mistakenly assuming that he suffered a seizure. So count me in as one of the 2,000,000 or so DGU's that happen each year, most of which, like mine, thankfully do not require firing of the weapon. *the myspace page used to have a wallpaper depicting Bush with fangs dripping with blood, hovering over Miss Liberty's neck with two fang marks; the myspace page now has the picture below as wallpaper, and I'm not sure which is worse frankly...can anyone tell me what this means:

H.B. man loses quick draw against Arizona clerk, 3 years probation | gun, Arizona, clerk, probation, huntington, counter, store, robbery, felony - News - OCRegister.com

H.B. man loses quick draw against Arizona clerk, 3 years probation | gun, Arizona, clerk, probation, huntington, counter, store, robbery, felony - News - OCRegister.com.

first felony offense, and he was sentenced to probation

WND: Kentucky elections officer wants eligibility investigated

WND: Kentucky elections officer wants eligibility investigated.

An official in the office of Kentucky's elections chief has referred to state Attorney General Jack Conway for investigation the issue of Barack Obama's eligibility to be president.

WND: China's 1-child policy now threatens crime wave

But will the crime be domestic within China, or international?

WND: China's 1-child policy now threatens <I>crime wave</i>.

A new study published by BMJ, which used to be known as the British Medical Journal, has documented a worsening problem on which WND has been reporting for 12 years: the domination of males in a Chinese society that encourages the abortion of unborn daughters. The new report says males under the age of 20 outnumbered females by more than 32 million and warned, "China will see very high and steadily worsening sex ratios in the reproductive age group over the next two decades." One of the authors, Therese Hesketh, told the Associated Press that translates into a huge threat of criminal activity.

Some sailors want guns vs. pirates; others aren't so sure | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Some sailors want guns vs. pirates; others aren't so sure | Business | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle.

Both men advocate allowing commercial seamen to use firearms to defend themselves from pirates. Most commercial ships sail the world unarmed, relying on “evasive maneuvers” and blasts from fire hoses to repel would-be hijackers, according to industry analysts.

Stalemate: FedEx squares off against gun advocates : Mid-South : Memphis Commercial Appeal

Stalemate: FedEx squares off against gun advocates : Mid-South : Memphis Commercial Appeal.

"Some have said this legislation will usurp authority of the private property owner to maintain control over their property. ... It could be argued that their prohibition usurps my rights as to what I can carry in my vehicle when I'm not on their property because obviously I can't have it in my car before I arrive in the parking lot and after I leave.

Poll: Fewer Americans support stricter gun control laws - CNN.com

Poll: Fewer Americans support stricter gun control laws - CNN.com.

Since 2001, most Americans have favored stricter gun laws, though support has slightly dropped in recent years: 54 percent favored stricter laws in 2001, compared with 50 percent in 2007, according to Gallup polling. Now, a recent poll reveals a sudden drop -- only 39 percent of Americans now favor stricter gun laws, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll.

Feinstein: Not The Time For Gun Control - CBS News

Feinstein: Not The Time For Gun Control - CBS News.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a pro-guns advocacy group, explains: "We're being told all the time that, ‘The economy could just collapse and we could fall into chaos.’ Well, chaos is a good reason to be able to protect yourself… You could imagine if we truly had a collapse of the economy and it was hard to find food, those that did manage to hang onto food-might…find themselves in a precarious position.'" Van Cleave tells Stahl the other main reason is fear of potential gun control under new President Barack Obama.