Rough night, promises to be a rough day.

And there is the vengeance of the gods.

He is a happy man who can weave his days

No trouble upon the loom. -- Alcman, Spartan poet, 7th Century BC.

Still working when I can on the Rhode Island list and letter. Hopefully I'll feel better later today. Until then, keep me in your prayers.

"Chinese going for broke on thorium nuclear power, and good luck to them "

"Good for them. They may do the world a big favour. They may even help to close the era of fossil fuel hegemony, and with it close the rentier petro-gas regimes that have such trouble adapting to rational modern behaviour. The West risks being left behind, still relying on the old uranium reactor technology that was originally designed for US submarines in the 1950s."

Uniformed Insanity. Hyper-hoplophobia breaking out all over.

‘Gun’ Tattoo Mistakenly Brings Heavily Armed Police To Maine Man’s Home

Gun rights supporters gather at Rhode Island Statehouse as ban on semi-automatics weighed

Hundreds of gun rights supporters gathered at the Rhode Island Statehouse on Tuesday to oppose another attempt to ban semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines.

See also: Rhode Island lawmakers to mull draconian ban on sale of semi-automatic weapons

Ares Armor and ATF hearing taken off calendar as more questions emerge

In related developments, legal sources advise Gun Rights Examiner that actions against EP Armory and Ares Armor were initiated in large part because of law enforcement interest in so-called “build parties,” including when such collaborative efforts would legally be considered “manufacturing firearms.” Concerns expressed by the California Department of Justice were also said to play an influential role in ATF’s decision to assert itself through the recent investigations and seizures. One source gave strong warning that owners of facilities where equipment and guidance are provided must exercise caution to keep things legal. Law enforcement agents have reportedly conducted stings resulting in prosecutable arrests merely by requesting assistance or feigning lack of operating skill to complete metal or polymer precursor receivers like the ones sold by Ares. Well-meaning proprietors and employees could then be caught up along with those knowingly and actively skirting the rules, it was emphasized.

Before you share photos online, watch this video

From last year but still pertinent.

Doctor's appointment this morning, followed by a little fund-raising and Rhode Island list making.

Still waiting on input from New Jersey. Hopefully more later.

Hmmm. The "Department of Pre-Naughty-or-Nice." Their choice. I like it.

Yeah, but what's going to be their decision when CT state authorities start killing citizens over their products?

Colt Entities Together Again: Company Reunites Military, Civilian Gun Manufacturing

Although separate, the two companies continued to occupy the same space on New Park Avenue in West Hartford.

Dinkel said the decision was not related to recent changes in the state's gun laws, prompted by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December.

Although tougher restrictions on assault-style weapons were not supported by Colt, company business has yet to be impacted, Dinkel said. The company plans to remain in West Hartford, but Dinkel said Colt will continue to monitor the situation. At least one company, PTR Industries in Bristol, has announced it will move to South Carolina, and other gun manufacturers have said they are considering leaving Connecticut.

"The bigger the company, the harder it is to move," Dinkel said, but he added: "It all remains to be seen."

"Remains to be seen"?!? What will it look like when they have to gaze past the bodies of dead Connecticut citizens killed by the forces of state violence over their possession of Colt products? Is THAT what "remains to be seen?"

New York gun rights advocates turn registration forms into airborne carbon

In both cases, what can the states do about it? No more than we the people allow them to. And that might be a new reason for Cuomo to sweat, regardless of how much carbon is in the atmosphere.

I'm guessing this guy a. thinks the uniform makes him look cool to females and b. doesn't have a DD-214.

"Things got heated on the San Joaquin Delta College campus last week when a man wearing a military uniform was confronted by two veterans who believe he never served." This is a pet peeve of veterans like my son and I can hardly blame them.

The Barbour Gang rides to Thad Cochran’s rescue.

In all the Republican-on-Republican primary battles that have unfolded over the last few cycles, there’s no more vivid example of establishment forces racing to the rescue of an embattled legislator than the Barbour-backed rescue operation underway in Mississippi, a tradition-bound place where seniority has long been king.

Federal judge blasts ATF stings

"Society does not win when the Government stoops to the same level as the defendants it seeks to prosecute — especially when the Government has acted solely to achieve a conviction for a made-up crime," Wright wrote.

Ouch. Codrea on Nugent's forgiveness of Tancredo's hypocrisy: "Nugent AR-15 giveaway neglects Tancredo’s anti-gun past."

“As a congressman, he made waves in Washington by vehemently opposing ... insane infringements to our sacred Second Amendment rights,” Nugent claims. “Mark my words: we'll keep our guns if Tom wins this race.” The problem is, that’s not how Tancredo proved himself when entrusted with political power and strong hearts were needed.

“Tancredo stood out as the only representative from Colorado to vote for the final gun-control bill, which allowed just 24 hours for background checks at gun shows but also placed some restrictions on semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity ammunition clips,” The New York Times reported in 1999, explaining why, following the events at Columbine, the congressman bucked his largest campaign contributor, the National Rifle Association, and sided with the gun-grabbers.

“Sometimes, I stop and think, ‘Boy, have I changed since Columbine,’” The Times report quoted Tancredo. "Guns are an issue. They did take children's lives.''

A fair question for gun owners now is, has Tancredo changed again since he changed last, and if he still think guns are an issue?

The thing is, I recall Tancredo's hypocrisy quite well. I based my original short story The Window War on his (and other GOP pol's) treason at the time of Columbine. Of course the self-promoting Nugent probably has the memory of a flea, but experienced firearm rights activists like Codrea have long despised Tancredo, as have I.

How far Tancredo would go remains unanswered, but his track record of abandoning people who previously helped him gain power should surely factor into supporter perceptions. That's because rather than maintain allegiance with them, and with his oath to the Constitution, he chose to let anti-gun fervor prevail over rights.

Democrat AG plays race card to halt bribery probe on ‘mental’ anti-gun rep

In spite of recordings of Pennsylvania lawmakers accepting cash and gifts in a bribery sting, including an assemblyman who has called for mandatory mental health checks for gun owners and family members residing with them, Democrat and Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane shut down the investigation, citing unfounded allegations of racial targeting, Philly.com reported Monday.

And now . . . enter Rhode Island into the Next American Civil War Sweepstakes.

Rhode Island: House Judiciary Committee Schedules Full Slate of Gun Control at Hearing Next Week

If anybody wants to make a CT-like list of all RI legislators of both parties with their home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, send it to me and we'll have a little fun with them before this comes up for a vote. Same goes for New Jersey.

New Jersey: "We Will Not Comply."

Link.

Smuggling Update.

Folks,

I received in yesterday's mail at the PO box a big box of first class, freedom fighter grade AR 30 rounders from Shawn in Arizona along with the following note:

Hi Mike,

I finally got my mags together for you. Sorry for the delay, but I've been shopping for quite a while for a good price. Most of the mags I sent are pretty new with little use, and all the black ones are brand new, and untested, but should be good as they are new. The colored mags are all in good used condition and 100% flawless in operation. I'm also sending a few of the new E-Mags along. I don't know how much need there is out there for them, but figured you might run across the need.

On a different note, I respect very much what you are doing here, and wish to convey my undying gratitude. I will keep shopping the sales as the time passes and may have the occasion to send more presents. . . while using U.S. Government mail service to facilitate the resistance of said government. . . OH, THE IRONY!! Again, thank you for all are doing and let me know (Email address redacted) if you need other mags too. I have G3 mags, M1A mags, LR 308 mags, and 6.5 Grendel AR mags. I would be glad to send a few on to you.

You are and will be in our prayers.

Shawn

[MV Note: Here is a description of the E-Mag. ("E" being for export.) Some folks find that their front taper makes them wobble over-much in USGI spec rifles. Others have no problem.]

I replied this morning:

-----Original Message-----

From: georgemason1776@aol.com

To: REDACTED

Sent: Tue, Mar 18, 2014 7:21 am

Subject: Magazine bonanza

Shawn,

Received your generous donation of 26 top-of-the-line freedom fighter grade AR magazines in the mail yesterday but didn't feel up to responding until this morning. I was floored. Just an outstanding effort! You are hereby awarded the order of Smuggler Logistician, First Class. I will so recognize you on the blog this morning. They will form the backbone of an attempt to smuggle a couple hundred magazines into Connecticut later in the spring. As for other mags, we can always use more freedom-fighter grade (have a sufficiency of politician grade at the moment) but I'd say you've done enough for now. M1A mags & 6.5 Grendel AR mags I know are particularly expensive and at the moment I have no requests for them. So take a breather and accept my humble thanks for a job well done.

Mike Vanderboegh

III

NYPD Denies Freedom of Information Request for Freedom of Information Handbook

Transparency advocates decry ‘ludicrous’ ruling

ATF files opposition motion to TRO in Ares Armor case

Why opposition to the continuation of the restraining order is needed is unclear, as the raid allowed by a Friday order preventing Ares from divesture of property and records, and provided for “lawful criminal proceedings” to go forward. That would appear to make this latest action moot, at least to non-lawyers. A detail pointed out by a legal source is that the case number for the TRO issued on March 11 shows initials for both the district judge (JLS/Janis L. Sammartino) and a magistrate judge (BLG). Per page three of DOJ’s filing this morning, the search warrant against Ares Armor was issued by Judge Bernard G. Skomal, which again, to non-attorneys, appears curious, if not potentially conflicting.

"Is Governor Malloy’s Support of Connecticut’s 'Assault Weapon' Ban Self-Serving?"

"Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is such a strong supporter of the state’s blatantly unconstitutional 'assault weapons' ban because he wants to lessen the risk of his son getting killed by a law-abiding citizen armed with an AR-15 the next time he tries to rob someone at gunpoint."