H&I* Fires, 25 APR 2007

Open post for those with something to share, updated through the day. New, complete posts come in below this one. Note: If trackbacking, please acknowledge this post in your post. That's only polite.

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I think Naomi Wolf is cracked (and Brian Leiter, and…, and everyone else who puts forth such X Points showing So-and-so Fascist! lists).

They say we’re a fascist country every time we don’t vote for Jimmy Carter(Saviour of the World!).
Sigh. Apparently the only bad-guys left, and fair game to demonize, are fascists so, in efforts to win cheap political points, we always compare political opponents to fascists(be afraid! as they're fascists, donchaknow.).
Boooorrriiiing, and cheap political showmanship that means absolutely jackchit.

Besides, I thought dehumanization was the path of the fascist?
--ry
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Wahoo! Who cares about labels, Ry! I'm a winner!

AMERICAN MEGA MILLIONS LOTTERY. 17740 Preston RD, Dallas, Texas 75252. AMERICAN MEGA MILLIONS Are Affiliate of MEGA Millions Jackpot Attention, CONGRATULATIONS: YOU WON $2,500,000.00. We are pleased to inform you of the result of the just concluded American Mega Millions Lottery, which was held this month. Your e-mail address attached to e-ticket number: 25-64-46-74-11 (03-07), with Prize Number (match 8): 0073627169 drew a prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand, American Dollars Only) This lucky draw came first in the 4th Category of the Sweepstake.

Oops. I screwed up. Dangit!

Because of some mix-up with sweepstake prizes, including the limited time placed on the payment of your prize of $2,500,000.00 we advice that you keep all information about this prize confidential until your winning prize of $2,500,000.00. (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand, American Dollars Only) have been transferred to you by the authorized paying bank. You must adhere to this instruction, strictly, to avoid any delay with the release of your winning to you in person. This program has been abused severally in past, so we are doing our best to forestall further occurrence of false claims.

Heh. This scamail came with a picture of the putative sender, too. I'd post it, but I suspect it's some poor woman's pic harvested off the internet. Amazing how all these Big Financial Disbursers have AOL and GMAIL addresses, vice some corporate domain name email. Yanno, suddenly I don't think I'm rich after all. Dangit! -the Armorer

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Monty Python's Reid and the Lost War

I think Reid should have stuck to the "it's a civil war" and "there is no military solution". He would have had the American public. The problem is, he said "lost". Then he tried to claim that Petraeus said the war was lost. That was a big mistake. He outright lied. Further, people are willing to let the Iraqis duke out their own civil war, but not willing to lose our war. Which, contrary to Mr. Reid and the rest of the Democrat attempts to paint Iraq as an illegal war, the American populace has never bought it completely (you know, the whole Saddam, Gulf War I, murdering the Shia, shooting at our jet fighters for 11 years thing). Finally, there is a problem with perception. While people are unhappy that our men and women are dying still, it is an unhappy with the idea that we gave the Iraqis freedom and they are squandering it, not that we have had overwhelming casualties and a military so destroyed it can't carry on the fight. I think Reid hit a wall with that last one which is why he is desperately trying to act like he is simply re-stating Petraeus. I think he just gave a right hook to his own cause.

I've been a bit remiss in posting these, but we shouldn't forget our Heroes in the War on Terror. A couple distinguished flying crosses and a Navy cross awarded amongst several.

-Kat
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If I was she who will not be named, I would believe this was an Islamofascist plot to discredit Winnie the Pooh and piglet, too. Right here in Missouri.

Now, if all of our congress folks were as principled as guy: Donkey takes witness stand
-kat

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Patrick Lasswell on Community Policing in Iraq:

Your first impressions in Iraq are often wrong, as Michael Totten and I discovered once we got a translation of our video. When we saw the apprehension and interrogation of a drive by shooting accomplice on the streets of Kirkuk two weeks ago, some things didn't add up. With the help of some Kurds from around the world, we were able to get an excellent translation that made a lot of things a lot more clear.

Go check it out - while you're there - ya oughta hit his tip jar, too. -the Armorer

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Oops. One of the machineguns captured by Sergeant Alvin York today sits in an evidence locker in Massachusetts, the victim of changing laws and the failure of those responsible for the artifact to keep up with those laws. The library where it was stored (not displayed, one would note) wanted to sell it to raise money. As the weapon is not on the National Firearms Register, that's simply not possible under the law. The local ATF suggests destroying an artifact associated with a Medal of Honor exploit. I can forgive the ATF agent for not knowing who Sergeant York is, given the parlous state of history teaching and therefore perhaps not appreciating the artifacts historical significance, but destruction is not the only option.

It simply needs to be deactivated (if it isn't already) and donated to the Smithsonian or other approved museum - and that is well within the power of the ATF to effect and allow - and I have no doubt the Smithsonian, or 82nd Airborne Museum (SGT York was in the 82nd before they were Airborne), or any number of other institutions would be happy to add it to their collections.

A rote response like destruction is simple an officiously callous barbarity inflicted on the cultural heritage of the nation by numbed bureaucrats. I would note, however, the library trustee is wrong, on the issue of ammuntion. I've got cans of belted 8mm sitting in the Holdings of Argghhh! Ammuntion is plenty available, and belts aren't as hard to find as you might expect.

But that really isn't relevant. As an unregistered weapon it has only two options. Being held by the ATF (who may choose to hold on to it or destroy it) or being moved into the holdings of a properly certified museum. Seems like a slam-dunk to me. The USA Today tidbit on it is available here. H/t, Ray B for the link. -the Armorer

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