Tam is overqualified for public office based on her results from this Civic Literacy Test, which apparently our elected officials did not so well on. I scored 33 out of 33, so I’m clearly not destained for public office either. I’ll have to try hard to reduce my competence if I want to have a future in politics.
Category: Politics
On the New Jersey .50 Caliber Ban
CemeteryCAS points to an article in the Trenton Times talking about the ban on firearms over a certain caliber that’s been up for debate in New Jersey. Interestingly enough, I shoot indoor silhouette on Thursdays with the guy that wrote the article:
In response to calls, faxes and emails, on Nov. 17 the New Jersey Assembly delayed passage of A2116 (banning most firearms of .50 caliber or larger) and instead is in the process of amending the legislation in an attempt to respond to gun- owner concerns. The amended bill could be considered by the full Assembly as early as December. With no statistics to justify such a ban, and all the negative things that it would do, we can only hope that the state legislators will have a case of common sense and scrap the bill.
Trenton is itching to ban something. That’s just how the roll over there. Time has passed, and it’s time to screw gun owners once again. Bryan Miller demands it! But we’ve killed this before, and we might be able to kill it again.
Music to My Ears
The Inquirer is lamenting the loss of Philadelphia political power:
Philadelphia is quickly losing clout in Harrisburg, and considering the city’s budget crisis, it couldn’t happen at a worse time.
First, after Democratic voting last week, Carbon County State Rep. Keith McCall is all but certain to assume the title of House speaker come January – a title held by Philadelphians for the last five years.
For gun owners, Keith McCall is an NRA A+ rated Democrat from Carbon County. Our previous speaker was actually Philadelphia Republican Dennis O’Brein, who was also an A rated guy on our issue, but it’s good that the seat doesn’t appear to be going to a big city Dem.
They also lament the loss of Vince Fumo’s top Democratic spot in the Senate Appropriations committee to an Allegeny County Dem. Fumo did not run for re-election because he is currently under a 139 count indictment by the feds for fraud and various other malfeasance. The Democrats did gain one house seat in Pennsylvania’s House, increasing their lead to a whopping two seats. But the departure of Fumo and the Philadelphia political machine from important positions is something to feel good about.
On Manners
The Belmont Club talks about recent bad mannered proposals to get Barack Obama into the White House sooner, rather than later:
Since Barack Obama himself has made no such demand and has the good sense not to make it, why should anyone care about the likes of Collins and Matthews? One reason is that they are engaged in a very public display of their bad manners and bad manners are contagious. Manners play an important part in civic life. Why do we stand in line at a buffet and not rush to the front if we can get away with it? Why do we observe rope barriers when it would be easy to duck under it or jump over them? Because it isn’t the done thing. The Collins and Matthews proposal to install Obama in office right away if they could get away with it is in many ways like shouting that in a cafeteria queue that it would be better to clamber over the steam tables because you’re in a hurry to eat. JJ McNab observed that most things happen through voluntary compliance.
Good manners are in short supply these days, and sadly that’s true of much of our side as well.
A Litmus Test
Since the soon-to-be Obama Administration is so keen on thoroughly vetting their high-level candidate, I have a suggestion for something that should act as a litmus test. Once they complete the mandatory sensitivity training, I would recommend playing this. Anyone who stands up and puts their hand over their heart is automatically disqualified.
Sadly, I expect that would disqualify a hefty portion of his Administration.
To Kill a Turkey
I think MS-NBC wants me to frown on Sarah Palin for not having a problem with the backdrop for her interview, but I agree with Breda that it makes her just that much more awesome.
Gambling Big
Janet Napolitano gets tapped for Homeland Security. Now Kathy Sibelius for Labor Secretary. There are rumors of either Hillary Clinton or Bill Richardson at State. So we could be going forward with a lot of up-and-coming Democrats manning the decks on the U.S.S. Obama. This works out well for the Democrats if the ship turns out to be seaworthy, but it could be a godsend to the Republicans if it sinks in the harbor.
Georgia Senate Race
There’s going ot be a runoff election on December 2nd in Georgia to determine who’s going to be the winner of the Senate seat there. The incumbent is Republican Saxby Chambliss. The NRA is backing him in this election. Personally, I don’t care what Jim Martin’s stance on guns is at this point — his party is anti-gun, and if we don’t preserve a filibuster for the Republicans, there will be no opposing Obama’s gun control plans.
If you’re in Georgia, Election 2008 is not over, and it’s not lost. Now is the time to volunteer. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out information for your local EVC.
Waxman Replaces Dingell
Snarkybytes has the scoop. We’re going to be in for some dark days folks. The far left is consolidating its grip on power.
On Speaking Up
Dr. Helen has an excellent post on speaking out. I have to admit that I’ve been guilty of not speaking up enough myself. It’s not so much that I’m ashamed of my beliefs, but in polite environments, like work, for instance, you just kind of tend to try to get along, and a lot of people on the left these days take themselves way too seriously. I tend to be respectful of other people’s views, so it makes it difficult to have discussions with people who are more, shall we say, passionate. But I think Dr. Helen is on to something, if we’re going to restore some degree of dignity to ourselves, and to the debate in general.