REMINDER: It’s Victims of Communism Day.
Today is May Day. Since 2007, I have advocated using this date as an international Victims of Communism Day. I outlined the rationale for this proposal (which was not my original idea) in my very first post on the subject:
May Day began as a holiday for socialists and labor union activists, not just communists. But over time, the date was taken over by the Soviet Union and other communist regimes and used as a propaganda tool to prop up their [authority]. I suggest that we instead use it as a day to commemorate those regimes’ millions of victims.
The authoritative Black Book of Communism estimates the total at 80 to 100 million dead, greater than that caused by all other twentieth century tyrannies combined. We appropriately have a Holocaust Memorial Day. It is equally appropriate to commemorate the victims of the twentieth century’s other great totalitarian tyranny. And May Day is the most fitting day to do so….
Our comparative neglect of communist crimes has serious costs. Victims of Communism Day can serve the dual purpose of appropriately commemorating the millions of victims, and diminishing the likelihood that such atrocities will recur. Just as Holocaust Memorial Day and other similar events promote awareness of the dangers of racism, anti-Semitism, and radical nationalism, so Victims of Communism Day can increase awareness of the dangers of left-wing forms of totalitarianism, and government domination of the economy and civil society.
While communism is most closely associated with Russia, where the first communist regime was established, it had equally horrendous effects in other nations around the world. The highest death toll for a communist regime was not in Russia, but in China. Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward was likely the biggest episode of mass murder in the entire history of the world.
What communism really is
(just another form of authoritarian goobermint but done mostly by idiot tyrants)
May 1, 2024
The Roman poet Ovid wrote in his Book Of Days that the month of May is named for the maiores, Latin for “elders,” and that the following month, June is named for the iuniores, or “young people”
AG Merrick Garland Admits That It’s *Gang* Violence, Not ‘Gun Violence’
We’ve written about it repeatedly. It’s gang violence that’s rampant across America, not so-called “gun violence.” The problem has become so bad that even full-time partisan political hack and part-time Attorney General Merrick Garland admitted as much at an ATF “summit” just days ago. Of course, the mainstream media ignored it. What’s more, his comment even escaped most of the alternative news outlets as well.
Garland abandoned his “Christian Nationalist” and “White Supremacist” bogeymen to admit that gangs members and repeat offenders are driving the gun violence problem in America. And for the slow-witted trolls in comments, this isn’t the MAGA gang either.
Here is an excerpt from the transcript provided by the US Department of Justice:
We are using our prosecutorial and technological tools to identify the repeat offenders and gangs who are principally responsible for community violence.
And here’s the video which begins at 28:00 when Garland admits what we’ve known for a long, long time: that repeat offenders and gang members (sorry for repeating ourselves in so many instances) are driving violent crime:
Yes, the mainstream media and left-leaning pols love to redirect low-information voters from violent criminals to the tools they misuse.
I love it when soft-on-crime politicians get very defensive and very animated when you talk about gang violence in their presence or correct them when they throw out the “gun violence” talking point.
“We don’t talk about gangs,” one Illinois State Representative from Chicago said to me as I sat in his office in my role as executive director of Guns Save Life. His body language screamed his discomfort at where the conversation was headed.
ATF’s Poorly Trained ‘Operators’ are a Threat to Public Safety
ATF Agents qualify with handguns during the two-week course to become member of ATF’s Special Response Team. (Screenshot courtesy ATF.gov)
Selection, training and leadership are vital to any special operations team, regardless of their size or mission parameters. The more rigorous the selection process, the more comprehensive the training, the more professional the leadership, the better the unit will perform.
Delta Force’s Operators Training Course, for example, is six months long, and teaches advanced CQB, precision marksmanship, counterterrorism and a host of esoteric skills needed by Delta operators to meet their worldwide mission requirements. OTC is only open to candidates who survive Delta’s arduous Selection and Assessment phase.
DEVGRU’s Green Team selection and training course is also six months long, and only Navy SEALs who have completed BUDS and spent at last five years on an SDV or SEAL team can apply.
MARSOC Raider candidates must complete a nine-month course, known as the Marine Special Operations Individual Course, or ITC. MARSOC Officers must also attend a four-week Team Commanders Course after they graduate ITC.
Army Special Forces candidates can spend six months to two years training before they earn an SF tab and a Green Beret, and the pipeline for Air Force special operators can take 15 months to two years.
Special Agents who want to join the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team must pass the New Operator Training School, which is 10 months long and extremely easy to fail.
United States Secret Service Counter Assault Team (CAT) members undergo a two-week selection course and then a seven-week basic training program. Secret Service snipers must pass a one-week selection process and then a 10-week sniper training course.
Candidates for Border Patrol’s Tactical Unit (BORTAC) undergo a three-week selection course and then a six-week training course before being assigned to a sector team. After a year, they can apply to join BORTAC’s elite national team.
By comparison, training for ATF’s Special Response Teams takes only two weeks, and ATF agents call themselves “operators” after they’ve completed the course.
Yeah, this’ll be off the news by late tomorrow
The Charlotte police released a statement last night.
Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, April 29, 2024) – On Monday, April 29, 2024, an armed suspect opened fire on law enforcement officers in the 5000 block of Galway Drive in the North Tryon Division. Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers were shot, one of which succumbed to his injuries. Additionally, four officers from the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force were shot, three of which succumbed to their injuries.
On Monday, April 29, 2024, around 1:30 p.m., the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, comprised of officers from multiple agencies, was conducting an investigation in the North Tryon Division at a home in the 5000 block of Galway Drive. The preliminary investigation indicates officers were attempting to serve active felony warrants on a male subject. As officers approached, the male subject discharged his firearm striking multiple officers. These officers requested immediate response from other officers. As officers responded, the gunfire continued, striking additional officers.
In total, eight officers were struck during the gunfire. The officers were rushed to area hospitals. Three task force officers were pronounced deceased at the hospital. One of the injured CMPD Officers, Joshua Eyer, a 6-year veteran, fought for his life for several hours before succumbing to his injuries.
The male suspect exited the residence on Galway Drive with a firearm. Law enforcement officers perceived an imminent deadly threat and fired their service weapons striking the suspect in the front yard of the residence.
The CMPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) began negotiations with other occupants in the house. Two females exited the residence and were transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) in Uptown (601 E. Trade St.) to be interviewed by detectives.
Upon securing the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the residence. The deceased suspect has been identified as Terry Clark Hughes, Jr, 39. Mr. Hughes was wanted for Possession of a Firearm by Felon and Felony Flee to Elude (2 counts) out of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, The U.S. Marshals Office, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, CMPD’s Crime Scene Investigations, CMPD’s Operations Command, Victim Services, N.C. State Highway Patrol, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Homicide Prosecution Team, MEDIC and the Charlotte Fire Department all responded to the scene.
The investigation is being conducted by CMPD’s Homicide Unit. This is an active and ongoing investigation. As is standard procedure with any officer involved shooting, the CMPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau will conduct a separate but parallel investigation.
As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD’s Public Affairs Office. For additional information in reference to this case, please refer to the report: 20240429-1333-00.
Today is Camerone Day, the anniversary of the Battle of Camerone.
On this day in 1863, 3 officers and 62 men of the French Foreign Legion exemplified stoic determination in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Legionnaires under Captain Jean Danjou, retreating in good order from Palo Verde as a diversion, made a stand in an hacienda in the Mexican town of Camarón de Tejeda and were surrounded by as many as 2000 Mexican troops.
When called on to surrender, by Colonel Francisco de Paula Milán, the Mexican commander, Captain Danjou replied, “We have munitions. We will not surrender.”
In the ensuing battle, nearly all of the Legionnaires, including Captain Danjou, were killed. When the last 5 unwounded men ran out of ammunition, under the command of Lieutenant Maudet, they loaded their last round, fixed bayonets, and charged the enemy.
Inevitably, they were surrounded and captured. The last remaining NCO, Corporal Maine, insisted that the wounded be treated, the survivors be sent with their arms back to France, and that the body of Captain Danjou be escorted for a proper military burial. Colonel Milan reportedly said; “Que podré negar a cierto hombres? No, estos no son hombres, son demonios.” What can I refuse to such men? No, these are not men, they are devils.
The Foreign Legion celebrates this day as an annual holiday where, on parade, the wooden prosthetic hand of Captain Danjou is carried as a high honor.
December 2006-
Smith & Wesson to Acquire Thompson/Center
(From Gregg Ritz, with him still at the helm)
May 2021 –
Smith & Wesson to Divest Thompson/Center
(Focus on “Smith & Wesson”)
Today-
Gregg Ritz (Re)Acquires Thompson/Center
(Three years with no apparent buyers? Mr Ritz likely got shweetheart of a deal to take if off S&W’s hands)
Greg Abbott Issues Deadly Alligator Warning to Migrants
Alligators are in the Rio Grande.
FYI there are warning signs posted in some sectors.
Cross at your own risk. https://t.co/20ERlPNW8E
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 29, 2024
April 30, 2024
Just remember; The Process Is The Punishment™
Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly will not be retried after deadlocked jury, prosecutors announce
George Alan Kelly, the Arizona rancher charged with murder in the shooting of a Mexican national on his border property, will not be retried, prosecutors with the Santa Cruz County Attorney’s office said.
The state charged Kelly with second degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed a migrant, Gabriel Cuen-Buitimea, on his land in January 2023.
The decision not to retry Kelly comes a week after a mistrial was declared following a deadlocked jury.
Kelly’s defense confirmed to Fox News Digital that there was “one, lone holdout” juror who wanted to convict, while the remaining jurors sought an acquittal.
The jury began deliberating April 18. After days of being unable to reach a verdict, the judge overseeing the trial declared a mistrial on Monday.
Survey Finds Second Amendment Viewed More Favorably Than Capitalism
Good news for our civil rights, but bad news for free markets. A survey of more than 2,000 adults taken earlier this year found the words “Second Amendment” to be one of the most polarizing phrases in American politics, with almost 90% of Republicans holding a favorable view compared to just under half of Democrats.
Some phrases, like “national parks”, “honesty”, “freedom”, and “responsibility” are favored by large majorities of both self-identified Republicans and Democrats, but “Second Amendment” is one where there’s a notable gap in favorability between the left and the right. Still, more Democrats and Republicans have a favorable view of the Second Amendment than “capitalism” and “billionaires”, according to the Ipsos poll.
While about 48% of Democrats have a favorable view of the Second Amendment, just 25% view billionaires favorably, and “capitalism” was viewed favorably by about 43% of self-identified Democrats. Republican support for the Second Amendment topped out around 85%, higher than GOP favorability for “billionaires” (around 53%), and “capitalism” (72%).
So what does this mean for the 2024 election cycle? Well, given that a plurality of Democrats and the vast majority of Republicans view the Second Amendment favorably, I expect that most candidates will be playing up their support for the right to keep and bear arms… though we’re going to hear an awful lot of “I support the Second Amendment, but…” statements from Democrats.
Using words that divide people can help win some races when turning out the base is the key, said Cliff Young, Ipsos’ president of polling and societal trends.
- But Young said, “You can’t govern effectively through polarization. What we’re really talking about is, how do you govern afterwards. How do you build a coalition, consensus, achieve governance?”
How it works: Ipsos tested the favorability of dozens of phrases, names and concepts earlier this year for a survey for With Honor. The cross-partisan group aims to reduce polarization and supports veterans seeking office who take an integrity and civility pledge and agree to collaborate across the aisle.
- The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults was conducted in two waves, in January and February, measuring the favorability of names, words and phrases.
What they’re saying: “Understanding what words and concepts unite us is super relevant,” said Rye Barcott, With Honor’s co-founder and CEO.
- “We’re talking to Americans across the spectrum. So we are always trying to think through what does actually connect — not just for members that are speaking to their constituents but for us and any nonprofit or advocacy organizations trying to pass something into law. You have to be talking to Americans from both sides.”
I have no issue with talking to folks from across the political spectrum, so long as candidates are being honest with them. That’s the problem when it comes to most Democrats and the Second Amendment; no matter what gun control bill they’re promoting, they promise that it doesn’t violate the Second Amendment. Bans on so-called “assault weapons”? Oh, well those guns aren’t protected by the Second Amendment in the first place? Declaring most publicly accessible places off-limits to concealed carry? Those are “sensitive”, you see, so it’s okay to ban guns there.
The gun control lobby understands that it can’t openly proclaim the Second Amendment doesn’t exist and that every privately owned firearm in the U.S. should be confiscated without hurting Democratic candidates. Heck, they don’t even want to use the phrase “gun control” because many voters have a negative connotation of that phrase (though oddly, Ipsos didn’t include it in their most recent survey). Instead, they prefer “gun safety”… neglecting to mention, of course, that their definition is “don’t own one.”
Yes, we’ll continue to see Democrats in deep-blue districts express their outright hostility towards our right to keep and bear arms, but I suspect that this cycle we’re also going to see a lot of candidates like Ryan Busse try to hide their desire for gun control behind buzzwords like “responsibility”, “common sense”, “reasonable”, and yes, even “I support the Second Amendment, but…” Don’t be fooled by what they say, especially when what they want is so contrary to what comes out of their mouths.
Biden Defense Official Says ‘Take All the Guns’, Use National Guard
In a recent undercover video released by James O’Keefe, a Department of Defense (DoD) employee, Jason Beck, was recorded discussing the potential use of the National Guard for gun confiscation.
Beck’s assertion that the National Guard would follow orders to confiscate guns prompts questions about the military’s obligation to uphold the Constitution. The tension between obeying lawful orders and respecting individual rights underscores the complexities of military service in a democratic society.
Newsom’s gun control constitutional amendment gets nowhere, to the surprise of no one
Gov. Gavin Newsom made headlines last summer for proposing a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution enshrining a handful of gun control measures into the supreme law of the land.
There was some ginned up fanfare, with state Sen. Aisha Wahab praising Newsom as “a man of action” in the press release announcing the amendment.
It was all a bit much for what everyone understood at the time to be Newsom’s latest attempt at positioning himself for the White House.
Alas, the California Legislature, dominated by the Democratic Party, approved a resolution calling for a constitutional convention on gun safety. Thirty-three states must make similar calls for such a convention to happen, but even then there’s an asterisk (more on that later).
Almost a year later, reports Bay Area News Group’s John Woolfolk, no other blue state has taken up Newsom on his proposal.
As Woolfolk notes, there are 18 other states with state legislatures controlled by the Democrats. But none have shown signs of following suit.
This is certainly not a surprise. Most states in the country have little interest in the sort of gun control measures pitched by Newsom.
Constitutional attorney Cody J. Wisniewski explained in these pages back in June: “Given only 10 states and Washington D.C. have any form of ban on so-called ‘assault weapons’ or any form of waiting period, while 27 states have enacted some iteration of free/constitutional/permitless carry, it is clear that there isn’t currently much appetite for Newsom’s particular brand of gun control across the country.”
Then there’s the problem with the fact that the California Legislature called for a constitutional convention limited to matters of gun safety.
“But constitutional scholars say it’s unclear that’s legally possible,” Woolfolk reports. If a constitutional convention did indeed get assembled, states could use the circumstance to propose whatever they want.
Oregon Sen. Floyd Prozanski told Woolfolk that’s among the reasons his state doesn’t seem likely to go down the path pitched by Newsom. “The last thing I’d want is to open up something where we can’t put the lid back on the can,” he said.
And so that’s where Newsom’s much-touted constitutional amendment and foray into national politics and national influence-peddling stands: nowhere.
Needless to say, this isn’t any surprise to this editorial board. On June 13, 2023, we said of the proposal: “This editorial board isn’t impressed by Newsom’s proposal and we’re confident most of the rest of the country won’t be, either.”
Homeowner shoots suspect during attempted break-in
SURPRISE, AZ (AZFamily) — One suspect has been shot, and another is in custody after Surprise police say they tried to break into a home Monday morning.
It happened in the area of 140th Drive and Waddell Road, just west of Litchfield Road. According to police, two suspects were trying to force their way into a house when the homeowner opened fire, striking one of them.
Officers responded and took both suspects into custody, one of whom was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“It’s almost unthinkable, especially in the early morning hours,” said neighbor Nancy McCraven. “You never think it’s going to happen, especially in a nice quiet neighborhood like this and it’s always quiet.”
Some neighbors heard the commotion early in the morning.
“I woke up around 3:30 and then I was getting ready in my room and I didn’t think it was a big deal until I heard them get closer to our house,” said Shaylee Coker.
They were shocked about what happened.
“It happened two doors down, and you never know who it could be next and so I think everybody is going to start to raise their security awareness,” Coker said.
Detectives are investigating.
With so many questions still lingering, families cannot help but wonder what they would do in that situation.
“It’s terrifying because I’ve got kids home,” said Christina Hogan. “If it happened to me I don’t know how I would’ve dealt with it.”
Rachel Moss, a criminal defense attorney for the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm in Chandler, said there are a couple of state statutes that could protect homeowners in these situations.
She explained they may overlap but said the Arizona crime prevention statute applies best to break-ins.
“The crime prevention statute would allow a homeowner if they reasonably believe that a crime is in progress, they can use physical force or even deadly physical force to protect themselves and prevent that crime from occurring,” said Moss.
Some of the crimes listed under the law include burglary, aggravated assault and armed robbery.
“In terms of this statute, what it really comes down to is whether or not the homeowner was acting reasonably,” said Moss.
She explained if a homeowner believes a crime is about to happen, they can take action to prevent it.
“That’s why the homeowner doesn’t have to wait until someone actually is breaking into their property. They have to think that it’s in progress, in some way,” said Moss.
When it isn’t a clear case, the attorney explained it might go to trial with a jury deciding whether a homeowner was justified in their actions.
Moss added that something important to consider about this statute is that a person is presumed to be acting reasonably under it.
Christian married couple quit their teaching jobs in California and started an ‘anti-woke’ school in Florida as a ‘counterbalance’ to progressive teaching which they claim has infiltrated the public education system.
Kali Fontanilla, 41, and her husband Joshua, 42, started the Exodus Institute, an online school, after becoming disillusioned by ‘overly politicized’ public schooling.
Kali and Joshua now teach classes designed around ‘traditional American values’ – and try to counter what they believe are skewed teachings about topics like gender, race and slavery in traditional schools.
The Fontanillas’ school has grown from a single student in their first class, in May 2022, to nearly 200 who are enrolled across their K-12 program and a separate ‘Young Patriots Academy’.
Their institute was founded amid growing discontent among conservatives nationwide about the perceived politicization of school curriculums. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has supported several state bills aimed at curbing the trend, including the Stop WOKE act.
April 29, 2024