Reason Morning Links: CIA Working in Libya, Top Buffet Aide Resigns, Congressional Leaders Reach Budget Deal

• CIA is working with Libyan rebels.
• Gabriel Giffords supporters discussing possible run for the Senate.
• Top Warren Buffet aide resigns after questionable stock deal.
• Trials for HIV vaccine to begin next year.
• Congressional leaders reach tentative budget agreement.
• New from Reason.tv: "Nanny of the Month (March 2011): Drug Warrior-in-Chief Barack Obama!"

Comments

[SugarFree]

Gabriel Giffords supporters discussing possible run for the Senate.

She’ll fit right in.

[Tim]

Vote Giffords! She ;lkhg dsg;klho ecwoiphn ds;lkvn po.mn –m’;als v

[Hobo Chang Ba]

*rim shot*

[Almanian]

I was thinking she needs a campaign like she needs a hole in the head.

Too soon?

[Wind Rider]

Nah. Hey, the Dhimms probably consider a significant brain injury as a plus. Look how far it took Joe Biden! And hey, didn’t Teddy K come up with his education hornswaggle that he snookered W into AFTER he had a kiwifruit growin in that huge noggin of his?

[Timon19]

…the fuck?

[Wind Rider]

good grief, Timon, keep up with events.

[Timon19]

Well, your lovely stream-of-consciousness notwithstanding, I was wondering more about the “Dhimms” and what they have to do with anything.

[Wind Rider]

Dhimms, Dems, aka in these parts as ‘Team Blue’. According to them, they are the alpha and omega, without which life would cease to exist on theis rock in space.

[Timon19]

Dhimms…what a silly turn of phrase.

Surely, Team Blue is a collection of self-important assholes, but what the fuck does dhimmitude have to do with Giffords?

[Tonio]

Too lazy too google, Tim?

[Timon19]

What?

[AU H20]

Seriously, I am just as confused as Timon as to how you got Dhimmi. Is this some in-joke?

[generic Brand]

I would find it HOOlarious if she recovers enough to resume her duties and a vote for stricter gun control comes up, and she somehow says that “despite what happened to me, I choose not to infringe on the rights of others.”

Ah, a man can dream, can’t he?

[Rich]

“I prefer this to the alternative.”

Dreams can come true.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

I can’t remember the guy’s name, but the father of a girl killed in the Virginia Tech shootings testified before Congress (IIRC) saying that he did not blame the gun and that they should not use the event as a reason to enact more gun control.

[James Ard]

That was the father of the poor girl killed at the Gifford rally, IIRC.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

No, I’m talking about the dad of one of the girls killed by Cho at Virginia Tech – this is going back a couple years.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

The dad of the 9 year-old girl killed at the Giffords rally did express similar sentiments – that he would rather have freedoms with risk than government banning guns. But the Virginia Tech dad also said something similar a few years ago.

[James Ard]

Good, it can’t be said often enough.

[Athletic Supporter]

If she won it would be another blast!

[Paddy K]

Congrats to Mr. Balko on his new job with the good folks over at Huff Post, he will fit in nicely with that truly objective staff of writers. I’m sure Alec Baldwin and Andy Sullivan will show him the ropes.

[Wind Rider]

Oh, Radley just might be really looking forward to Sully showing him his rope. . .

[Wind Rider]

Warty is the only one I really expected to touch this.

[Gomer Pyle]

CIA is working with Libyan rebels.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

[mike]

No surprise and it is completly illegal to assist any groups allied with the LIFG. But when has the law ever stopped any elected official?

[Tim]

Top non-secret.

[Wind Rider]

They’ve dispatched Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray for a remake of “spies like us”

[Tim]

They’re Afghani freedom fighters! They’re on our side! WE’RE AMERICANS!

[Nick]

Why Bill Murray? Isn’t Chevy still alive?

[Ska]

Bill Murray can still be funny.

[Wind Rider]

Weren’t you paying attention? It;’s a fucking remake, fer cryin out loud. You think the remake of Ocean’s 11 would have made damned near as much money with gaffers rolling dollys around with the propped up corpses of the original cast in the main roles? I think not. And after that stupid Capitol 1 commercial, Chase is dead to me anyway.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Old school. Get the CIA in there to move regime change along. Normally it was done without US Military and on the dee ell, but hey, they’ll eventually get their groove back.

[DJF]

You mean the “regime change” that Obama said he was not doing? Next will be the “boots on the ground” that Obama also said we won’t be doing.

[R C Dean]

Unless the CIA agents in Libya are wearing loafers, I think we already have our boots on the ground.

[Number 2]

You don’t think this story was “leaked” as the first step in the process of leading us slowly into a full-scale miltary engagement?

Next step will be the “things are worse than I thought” speech that allows BO to disown his promises about “boots on the ground.”

[sloopyinca]

You don’t think this story was “leaked” as the first step in the process of leading us slowly into a full-scale miltary engagement?

Next step will be the “things are worse than I thought” speech that allows BO to disown his promises about “boots on the ground.”

Good Lord. Take your tinfoil hat off and g…

Shit. You’re right.

[Brett L]

Nah. We need a naval incident. Like Cuba (1898) and Vietnam.

[TrickyVic]

“”Unless the CIA agents in Libya are wearing loafers, I think we already have our boots on the ground””

What, sneakers are not allowed?

If the CIA meets the definition of boots on the ground, where do we not have boots on the ground already?

[B. Obama]

Let me be clear: I said there will be no American boots on the ground, and I meant it!

We imported our boots from China….

[Bee Tagger]

In Obama’s defense, he isn’t American. He’s Canadian. “Boot” is how he pronounces “Bot.” And as far as I know, I have yet to see a robot on the ground in Libya.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Give it time, you’ll see predator drones all over the place, probably even on the ground at some point.

Obama loves him those predator drones.

[ray]

They aren’t boots on the ground, they are kinetic foot covering devices.

[Wind Rider]

The rule of thumb seems to be that if you hear about it, it’s because the CIA fucked up royally. The things they may do sorta ok, never a peep. This could be an indication they’re working on a way to get some poisoned cigars into Khaddhafi’s tent or something equally as brilliant.

[J sub D]

What could possibly go wrong?

[Chinny Chin Chin]

Nothing! That’s the great part about it.

Top men in DC have already done an “all-in” cost analysis of this kinetic military action. They’ve considered all possible contingencies, permutations and possibilities. Rest assured: whatever happens, they’ve got it covered.

[Wind Rider]

Plus, there’s the bonus of being able to extoll their mastery of ‘unknown unknowns’. Makes bar tramps all over Northern VA drop those Vicky’s Secret tap pants at supersonic speeds.

[The Gobbler]

“tap pants”

One of human kind’s greatest achievements.

[G-Man]

TOP. MEN.

[Mike Laursen]

Ermm, let’s just say we’d be better off if the Culinary Institute of America were in there working with the rebels.

[sloopyinca]

Can they do halal?

[Aresen]

CIA is working with Libyan rebels

From that, I judge that the rebellion in Libya is doomed.

[Almanian]

Well, you know who else worked with Libyan rebels back in the day….

[sloopyinca]

The Romans?

[generic Brand]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it would appear that incentivizing test scores for teachers causes them to cheat on behalf of the students. Also, sky is blue, etc, etc.

“On the 2009 reading test, for example, seventh-graders in one Noyes (a school used by Rhee to validate her approaches) classroom averaged 12.7 wrong-to-right erasures per student on answer sheets; the average for seventh-graders in all D.C. schools on that test was less than 1. The odds are better for winning the Powerball grand prize than having that many erasures by chance, according to statisticians consulted by USA TODAY.”

I think this was actually something covered in the Freakonomics book, although I haven’t read it in a while so I’m not certain. I think merit-based pay is an important element in teaching, but it doesn’t help to tie it to state or nationally standardized tests. Each school has a completely different population of students, and so one test DOES NOT fit all.

It would be far better for our educators to teach critical thinking skills, but I suppose that would mean they have to possess those themselves to begin with.

[Restoras]

“…would be far better for our educators to teach critical thinking skills…”

Are you suggesting that our post-graduate teaching programs do not emphasize this?? Mon Dieu!!

[Educator Barbie]

Critical thinking is hard!

[Diamond Dave]

That ain’t all that’s hard!

[Pro Libertate]

I don’t think it’s that hard for administrators on the scene to judge teacher performance. . .without recourse to state or national standards.

[J sub D]

^^^This^^^
It’s been done in the military and business world for, like, forever.

[R C Dean]

Not where the workforce is unionized, it hasn’t.

[J sub D]

Hmmm. I wonder what the solution to that fucking problem is?

Tell you what, RC. I’ll ponder that gordian knot of a management problem for a while and get back to you.

[Pro Libertate]

Could we. . .nah, that’s not possible. Is it?

[J sub D]

After deep reflection, study, critical analysis and historical review of the conundrum you posed I’ve come to the conclusion that Alexander the Great came up with the solution a couple millenia ago.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Not if they are competent. But…….as we fall back once again on human nature, where is the incentive for them to do so, under the current system?

[Pro Libertate]

Guess the whole system has to go!

[CoyoteBlue]

Nuke it from orbit.
Only way to be sure.

[Pro Libertate]

If the federal government weren’t so involved, privatizing at least some of the school system in a state or two might actually be a possibility.

[Isaac Bartram]

Even without privatizing anything, I suspect that a lot of public schools would be better if there were no federal involvement.

[DJF]

“””critical thinking skills””‘

Were lucky if they can teach basic reading, writing and arithmetic.

[Grammar Nazi]

And punctuation.

[DJF]

Hey, my public school graduated me, mostly so I would not come back, but that is another story.

[kilroy]

I don’t have a dog kid in that fight but I’m curious why 5+6=? is relative to student population?

[James Ard]

Yep. Nobody can learn to think critically until he has some basic fundamentals down pat. And test are useful tools to see if the kid knows them.

[Otto]

I think this was actually something covered in the Freakonomics book

It probably was, since it was covered in the movie.

Also, if I ever visit Japan, I know how to bet on sumo wrestling…

[generic Brand]

The next key is finding a bookie who speaks Engrish. Truthfully, though, if you do ever go to Japan, sumo is a must-see. The junior matches are where it’s at, as those are made up of kids who aren’t getting paid and are actually working for a spot in the big leagues.

[Abdul]

The cheating on these things is rampant. Freakonomics pointed out that statistical analysis can almost always identify wide-spread cheating on standarized tests. However, most testing companies won’t employ it because the clients (school districts) don’t want the results invalidated. The law only requires results–not valid results.

The teachers fight so much against standardized testing because it might hold them accountable that they really over-estimate how accountable they will be. Thus, widespread cheating.

Incentives, how the fuck to they work?

[Fatty Bolger]

Yawn. It’s very easy to keep this kind of cheating from happening. So easy, that it’s really a non-issue.

[wingnutx]

There’s a chapter about teacher cheating in Freakonomics.

[Rich]

budget negotiators on Capitol Hill have tentatively agreed on a deal that would involve at least $33 billion in spending cuts from this year’s budget. That’s $23 billion dollars more than Democrats have previously agreed to in short-term continuing resolutions, and $28 billion less than Republicans previously passed

*Excellent* compromising.

2012 cannot get here soon enough.

[Tim]

Didn’t you get the memo? The Teaparty is over. Back to business as usual.

[Restoras]

Stop taking Tony pills. Your brain will become constipated.

[Rich]

Is my face red, uh, blue, uh …

[R C Dean]

budget negotiators on Capitol Hill have tentatively agreed on a deal that would involve at least $33 billion in spending cuts from this year’s budget.

Funny, I hear Dems saying there’s a deal, and Repubs saying there isn’t.

If only one side thinks theres a deal, there isn’t one. So why is it being reported this way?

Not to set the Repubs up for being the fall guy when the government shutdown happens, I’m sure.

[Kristen]

So I’m not gonna get a couple days off
(without pay) in that endurance race known as “between Presidents’ and Memorial Days”? Dammit.

[Vermont Gun Owner]

But according to Tony, this is being serious. Yup, compromising so that you can cut 2% of the deficit is being serious about the problem.

NOTE: I somewhat agree with Dean. It sounds like its just (some of) the leadership that’s agreed to this. I don’t think Boehner has the pull he thinks.

[Rather]

Nothing on Rand Paul’s act of terrorism?

[Tim]

What act of terrorism?

[Rather]

He bombed the Congressional Correspondents’ Dinner

[Old Mexican]

You mean he’s not a comedic genius?

[SugarFree]

Just walk away, OM. You’ll get teh stoopid all over you.

[rather]

He’s not your puppy-he doesn’t heel;
unlike many of your little toyfriends

[SugarFree]

Yell louder. I can’t hear you. Maybe jump up and down and wave your arms or something.

[Wind Rider]

And stamp his feet. It isn’t relevant unless he stamps his feet.

[rather]

good toy boy! I bet you swallow too

[Wind Rider]

After hearing the description of the anally inserted nutrition regimine you follow religiously, well, yeah.

[rather]

does SugarFree taste sweet, or salty? 😉

[The Gobbler]

WTF is wrong with you?

[Wait your turn Gobbler]

Sugarefree will feed you soon-Sit doggy

[Nick]

Elephants can’t jump, SF.

I’d like to thank National Geographic Kids for that little nugget.

[SugarFree]

Good point.

[rather]

The only time he was funny was when he made an off-hand remark and didn’t realize it was humorous.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

That happens to you constantly…

[rather]

are you sure it just happens?

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

Abso——lutely.

[generic Brand]

Don’t feed the blore, Tim.

[rather]

Tim, ignore Aaron, he’s just a bore

[AU H20]

Hey, rather. Long time, so see. I believe that there was a post on political isolationism you owed me from a few days ago. Seriously, enlighten me as to what you mean, and also your argument. Because, if you could actually argue intelligently on here, it would obviously make your blog worth reading.

If you can’t… well, I’m sure you can. I have the utmost faith and confidence in your clear genius. I mean, otherwise, why would you insult people on here for no reason, unless you are just bitter or a bitch or something… and you clearly aren’t, right?

I mean, all I need is that post about political isolationism to prove any doubters wrong, and of course you’ll be happy to provide.

[Dear]

pee water, I responded already.

[AU H20]

No, you said I bored you then ran away. So, I believe my point has been proven, but given that it does seem to shut you up, I am all for hounding you. Pray that your email never comes to light… Dear.

[rather]

[e-mail]

[generic Brand]

The incident is also a potential black eye for Mr. Buffett, 80, who emphasizes character and integrity in his manager choices and who himself is known for his ethics.

I didn’t realize lobbying for increased estate taxes and then buying the bankrupt estates when the heirs can’t afford the taxes was ethical. I guess that’s why I wouldn’t have cut it in business school.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

I came here to say this.

[Fr Moore]

Let me say this about that.

[Wind Rider]

You just want us to let you be clear.

[Pro Libertate]

He leans to the left, which makes him ipso facto ethical.

[P Brooks]

She’ll fit right in.

I think she’ll outperform Schumer.

[Wind Rider]

Chuckie pretty much sets the gold standard for sound bite open mike in front of a camera shameless whoring. He was wearing his ankles as earrings even while Snookie was ignoring his ass. She might as well ask her dock if she’ll be able to play the piano, even if she couldn’t before she got shot.

[Jersey Patriot]

Tweak the dosage.

[P Brooks]

Mr. Buffett, 80, who emphasizes character and integrity in his manager choices and who himself is known for his ethics.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

“known for his narcissism” would be more accurate.

[Restoras]

And rent-seeking.

[Almanian]

^^this^^

[Apple]

This is the guy who told his granddaughter he was no longer legally or emotionally related to her because she talked about the family publicly. I mean she was only adopted, right? That’s not like a REAL grandkid or anything.

[P Brooks]

Oops- looks like I “johned” Chuckeh’s name; it’s Shumer.

I want to treat the Senator with all the respect he deserves.

[Wind Rider]

Already took a dump this morning. DAMN another lost opportunity to balance a striver right on Chuckie’s nose.

[Rich]

Nice.

[Fist of Etiquette]

He worked hard to get that title.

[P Brooks]

I don’t think it’s that hard for administrators on the scene to judge teacher performance. . .without recourse to state or national standards.

This is why we need rigid seniority-based promotion and compensation! Otherwise, good teachers would be rewarded and bad teachers wouldn’t, and that would be totally unfair.

[Pro Libertate]

Exactly when did everything become an enormous scam?

[Julian Assange]

23 July 1998

[Vermont Gun Owner]

My birthday?

[Jersey Patriot]

Right about the time you wandered in from the city of St. John.

[Trespassers W]

Without a dime, presumably.

Holy crap, that was subtle.

[John]

http://truthonthemarket.com/20…..t-the-fda/

INsider traiding at the FDA. Surprise Surprise Surprise.

[waffles]

Quick question that regulars here should be able to field. I live in Pennsylvania and I would like to purchase a firearm, today. Can it be done? What can I expect?

There’s a firearm shop on my commute nestled in a hellhole community that looks rather charming. I’m going to take a look.

[Rather]

I’d expect you to shoot your eye out.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

Bring your PA driver’s license. All you have to do is fill out some paperwork and pay for the gun. No waiting period. At least that was how things worked last time I bought one.

[waffles]

That’s what I thought. Some buddies of mine kept asking me to come shooting with them. They got me to go and I’m hooked. My only firearm is a hunting rifle bequeathed to me as a youngster. It’s beautiful, but not useful since I don’t hunt anymore.

Knowing full well that self-defense with a handgun isn’t practical for me I just want a handgun that works reliably/elegantly and is fun at the range.

[SugarFree]

So you are admitting that you were bequeathed upon.

[waffles]

I think I made myself clear enough, yes.

[SugarFree]

OK, dude. Whatever floats your boat.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

May I suggest either one of the many fine offerings of Sig Sauer, or one of the many fine M1911 variants by Springfield, Kimber or Para Ordnance?

I am partial to the 1911 variants, myself. Very simple, very reliable, and hella fun to shoot. If you’re not a fan of the single-action, or of .45, you could go with something by Sig in 9 mm or .40 or whatever suits your fancy. Para Ordnance straddles that divide with their “LDA” trigger, which gives you double-action, but with the feel of a single-action, in a 1911-style package. It’s win all the way around!

[waffles]

LDA? light double action, yeah?

[generic Brand]

If money is an issue, and you’re getting the gun mainly for fun at the range, I suggest something with somewhat cheap bullets. A 9mm is good, .357 is pretty expensive to shoot (but hella fun).

[Otto]

Personally, I’d avoid the .40 or .357 Mag for your first handgun. They’re overpumped rounds with a lot of recoil. .45 or 9mm are better. I’d also agree with BSR on the 1911 variants.

[waffles]

preference is toward smaller. I’m not a small person, but I don’t want to rule out the potential of getting CC permit. Ubiquitous, cheap ammunition is a plus too. My first thought was .22, but I guess that throws respectibility out the window.

[capitol l]

Don’t let anyone bully you into getting some huge freakin’ gun. A .22 is a blast for plinking around, ammo is cheap(no shortages either), and you could pop off a couple hundred rounds without getting fatigued.

And to all those that say a .22 won’t stop an attacker: let me shoot you with a .22 and we’ll see how far you get.

[Otto]

What cap l said. If you want a small gun, get a small gun. There’s nothing wrong with having a plinker. And the macho BS is just that. I don’t think I’ve seen much of that on this board, though.

That said, the recoil on the .45 isn’t bad, especially if you have a heavy gun. I would be very happy to trade my .40 for a .45

[generic Brand]

Good point about the .22 ammo. Extremely cheap (box of 500 for about $15 at Walmart) but with that also comes the potential for dirty ammunition or rounds that will jam the chamber more easily. Went shooting a couple weeks ago and used my friends .22 Ruger and it would jam every 20 rounds or so because a bullet had a nick or dent in it. Still, really easy to aim and shoot… a lot of fun.

[Isaac Bartram]

I agree with this, a .22 is a perfectly respectable gun, for all the reasons captol l gives..

[SugarFree]

waffles… Sig Sauer P250

Not a personal recommendation, but the concept of the modular gun is interesting.

[Agammamon]

Try .22 Magnum – Kel Tec has the PMR-30, 30 rounds of .22 mag.

I’ve got a KT P-32 (.32 ACP) for concealed carry – get a 10 round extended magazine and it fits pretty comfortably in your hand and its small/light enough to carry all the time.

Or try old-timey cowboy shooting

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

My first thought was .22, but I guess that throws respectibility out the window.

Absolutely not – there are some sweet .22 handguns out there. And some that would make excellent concealed carry weapons. The best gun to have is the one you’re comfortable with and can shoot well. A .22 can be just as effective as a .45 – and in fact moreso – depending on how well versed the shooter is with that gun.

[Isaac Bartram]

Personally, I’d avoid the .40 or .357 Mag for your first handgun. They’re overpumped rounds with a lot of recoil.

You can always get a .357 Mag and shoot 38 Special rounds until you get used to the recoil.

I am still of the belief that if you’re a beginner, 22LR is the way to go until you are proficient at acquiring the target and hitting it. Then move on to a bigger caliber. IMO, every shooter should own a good pistol in 22LR. The ammo’s cheap (cheaper, anyway) and they’re a lot of fun.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

I second the recommendation for Sig. They are great guns. My carry gun is a P239 in .40 S&W.

[Wind Rider]

38, 39, whatever it takes.

[R C Dean]

Don’t go cheap; guns last forever, get one you’ll be happy with forever.

Sigs are wonderful pieces of machinery; my wife has one (it was her wedding present from me).

I’ve got a Para high-capacity .45. Aside from the extra rounds, I like the way the wider handle fits my hand – I think it reduces perceived recoil a little.

9mm is cheap to shoot, but not, perhaps, the best round for actually killing someone if you need to. That’s why I shoot a .45.

[waffles]

I never thought lethality was a requirement for effective defense. Not that I’m very educated on the matter, but don’t smaller caliber rounds off more people each year than larger? I guess in a standoff it’s always “shoot to kill” but I’d rather enjoy shooting at the range than worry so much about this.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

I never thought lethality was a requirement for effective defense. Not that I’m very educated on the matter, but don’t smaller caliber rounds off more people each year than larger?

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

You’ve got an attacker charging you. You point your .45 at him and miss. Or hit him in the hand. Or in the abdomen and it goes through and through. He’s still coming.

Same guy. You hit him in the eye with your .22. He’s going to drop like a sack of doorknobs. Or you hit him directly in the heart with a .22 hollow point. Same thing.

What’s more important than using the biggest bullet is being familiar with, comfortable with, and proficient with your chosen carry gun.

I actually need to practice what I preach. It’s been far too long since I’ve been to the range…

[John]

I am old school. A .357 Colt Python revolver. Screw automatics, give me a revolver. If the round is defective, I don’t have to clear the chamber or do anything but keep pulling the trigger until I find a round that works. And they are big enough and bad enough to keep coming after six shots with that thing, well I guess it just isn’t my day. You can keep your automatics and high capacity clips.

[benchwarmer]

I’m with John on this. A “wheel” gun is the least problematic. I have a S&W 38 w/6″ barrel that is cheap to shoot, accurate and doesn’t fatigue my skinny arm.

Add hollow points=lethal.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

I’m with John on this. A “wheel” gun is the least problematic. I have a S&W 38 w/6″ barrel that is cheap to shoot, accurate and doesn’t fatigue my skinny arm.

I love my Ruger GP100 in stainless.

[rather]

What did you give her for your first anniversary- a morning star?

[R C Dean]

I never thought lethality was a requirement for effective defense.

Lethality is the point of effective defense. Sure, any gun can be lethal (even a .22, if you hit the opponent just right). But why not stack the odds in your favor with a round that is more likely to put the perp down quickly and permanently?

What did you give her for your first anniversary- a morning star?

She gets whatever she wants. An armed marriage is a polite marriage, I always say.

[John]

You know what is effective defense RC? A weapon pointed at you. That is effective. You can talk all you want about how a .22 or a small bore handgun won’t kill in one shot and so forth. And you are right. But you miss the forest for the trees. Once someone pulls out a weapon and starts to use it, that will end 99% of all conflicts. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be shot at or shot period. A .22 is plenty of deterent.

[R C Dean]

I am still of the belief that if you’re a beginner, 22LR is the way to go until you are proficient at acquiring the target and hitting it. Then move on to a bigger caliber.

There’s a lot to be said for this. Nobody said you could only have one gun. Well, not yet, anyway.

You know what is effective defense RC? A weapon pointed at you.

I stand by my position that your self-defense gun should be the biggest caliber you can comfortably shoot.

Pointing a gun at someone isn’t self-defense; its a threat.

(1) Don’t point without shooting,
(2) Don’t shoot without intending to kill
(3) Don’t try to kill with rounds that are less lethal than they can be.

[Vermont Gun Owner]

I stand by my position that your self-defense gun should be the biggest caliber you can comfortably shoot.

But this is an important part of it. It seems like a lot of people just think bigger is better no matter what.

Disclosure: I’ve never actually shot any handguns. I just own rifles and shotguns.

[Isaac Bartram]

Nobody said you could only have one gun.

I am firmly of the belief that every shooter should have in his or her collection at least one .22 caliber pistol or revolver; preferably one (or more) of each.

Of course, competition grade models can run into real money but hardly anyone needs to incur the expense involved in one of those.

[Tim]

” I like the way the wider handle fits my hand…”
Yeah sure, hand. That’s the ticket…

[Almanian]

Just one more plug for the Glock 17. Cheap, reliable as an anvil, and the JHP’s will kill you just as dead as a .45, .357 mag, etc. etc. etc. (which I also have)

The gun I grab going to the range is the Glock or a .22 Colt – fun and cheap and reliable.

[capitol l]

Also, if you live outside of the Philly area, then getting a cc permit is very easy. We’re “shall issue”. call your local sheriff for details(usually just a form and smallish fee).

[Fist of Etiquette]

You have to have two nonrelative references stating that you are not a threat, I believe. It is an easy process, although I had to threaten to shoot two of my buddies just to get them to sign my application.

[Abdul]

The waiting period only applies if the gun shop doesn’t have access to the background checking database. All gun shops do.

Happy shooting.

[kilroy]

http://www.pafoa.org/

Should answer your questions.

[kilroy]

This should answer your questions.

http://www.pafoa.org/

[kilroy]

Tried to link you to the PENNSYLVANIA FIREARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION website but I can’t seem to get past the spam filter. Google it.

[SugarFree]

PAFOA

[kilroy]

Must be me.

[db]

If you live near the ‘burgh, the poofa holds group shoots at Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club monthly. I haven’t been to one yet but I have some friends that are very active in PAFOA and go almost every month. You’ll get a chance to try out a large number of different toys and pick the one you like most. For my money, if you want a 9mm, the Browning High Power is the best, most ergonomic piece you will find for general plinking.

[waffles]

yeah, that’s right next door. I’ll check it out, thanks.

[John]

Fucking piece of shit spam fliter. I fucking hate you REASON!!!

[Tim]

Remember your controlled breathing excercises…

[Rich]

Please calm down, John.

If you don’t mind a bit of, um, distortion you can find ways around it.

[John]

http://truthonthemarket.com/20…..t-the-fda/

[John]

http://dailycaller.com/2011/03…..-foiagate/

Best and worst of FOIAGATE. I know Reid Cox. Nice guy, but a total political.

[John]

Insider trading at the FDA. Lets see if the God damned thing will take this link.

http://online.wsj.com/article/….._pageone_0

[capitol l]

I read this story yesterday, this guy was really stupid.

Didn’t he make like $800k in one day or something, no red flags there, nope.

[J sub D]

It doesn’t if your name is Clinton and it’s cattle futures.

[P Brooks]

It all started with Teapot Dome, I think.

That’s what my teacher told me.

[Swingin' Dick]

“A little nostalgia for the old folks.”

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

I think I live next door to one of their groupies.

[Article III Section 3]

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

[P Brooks]

I live in Pennsylvania and I would like to purchase a firearm, today.

Useless buttinsky sez:

You can in Montana (no “waiting period” nonsense); heaven knows if it’s possible in the Keystone Kop State.

[SugarFree]

Sex-Positive Feminism

[Old Mexican]

The Donald claims Bill Ayers wrote “Dreams From My Father”

Calls Barack Obama an “impostor”

Trump [during the Laura Ingram radio show] cited a noticeable difference in the writing quality between “Dreams from My Father” and Obama’s 2006 policy-centered book, “The Audacity of Hope,” which Trump said “was written by a guy that’s like a sophomore in high school.”

“They say ‘Dreams of [sic] My Father’ was genius and they give him full credit, and now it’s coming out that Bill Ayers wrote it… that’s what started him on this road where he became president,” Trump said.

Trump is not finding out anything new, obviously. Jack Cashill makes the case in his book “Deconstructing Barack Obama.”

[creech]

Trump is also now open to the possibility that the Obamassiah was not born in the U. S.

[Wind Rider]

The Donald must be coming up short on his daily entitlement for mindless attention. It’s a staple of his diet, plus keeps his hairpiece steady in a stiff wind.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Not ever having paid much attention to Teh Combover before, I was willing to listen to his case with an open mind — until he decided to go full retard.

[Tim]

I want to click on your links but I’m afraid my face would melt like that guy at the end of Raiders…

[Nick]

Lazy Hippo, is that you?

[Hal]

“How Women Use Sex As A Weapon Against Men”

The only way to win is to not play.

[AU H20]

I see you, and raise you a Jezebel shitstorm comments section. Check the featured comments, and never imply that anyone who is fat is unhappy.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

Priceless–The VERY FIRST comment:

FLDS ought to stay outlawed for the simple fact that not only are the women involved in servitude, but they are forced to wear hideous outfits and hairstyles. Just wrongness on every level.

“OMG HOW DARE THESE WOMEN NOT BE ALLOWED TO WALK AROUND WITH PANTS THAT SAY ‘JUICY’ ON THE ASS OR AQUA-NETTED HAIR??!!!”

Every day, that blog reaffirms that it’s not written for women, it’s written for gay men.

[ZangoZim]

Why doesnt America mind its own business and deal with its own problems.

http://www.privacy-resources.ie.tc

[Tim]

See how it works John?

[Rich]

That’s cruel, Tim.

Funny, though!

[John]

+1000

[Jerry]

Fed to Name Banks That Borrowed From Discount Window.

[John]

Obama calls war in Libya a “turd sandwich” in private. Well don’t fucking do it then. You are you know like the President.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/sto…..176608.htm

[Tim]

Two words: extra cheese.

[Wind Rider]

Well, he tries to go through the motions when he’s not enjoying the perks, at any rate.

[Spoonman.]

THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT YOU FUCKING MORON?

Jesus Barry is pissing me off.

[Barack Obama]

Let me be clear.

I said, “Third sandwich,” “sandwich” being my code word for wa, uh, military action.

[Kristen]

you forgot the word “kinetic”. You ain’t the real Barry O!

[Pip]

Turd is that codeword.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

The apologists’ comments in that article are LOL. If Dubya had flung $100 million worth of missiles with the economy the way it is now, those dorks would be screaming about “another $100 million for wars rather than poor Americans at home!”

There’s no apologist like a Team Blue apologist.

[SugarFree]

Turned on. And horrified.

[Guy in Audience]

For ME?!

[Pip]

She looks like a lot of fun.

[Montani Semper Liberi]

So what’s the over/under on number of weeks until we start finding US supplied weapons from Libya on the bodies of dead insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq?

[Rich]

what’s the over/under

We’re talking shotguns, right?

[R C Dean]

Better question: what’re the odds that we will ever be told that US supplied weapons are being used against our troops?

[Montani Semper Liberi]

Oh, I’m sure the gov’t will try its best to cover it up, but it will eventually get out. And when it does, Obama should be immediately impeached if he is still in office, and brought up on charges of treason for authorizing this bullshit.

[John]

Near the 5th Army Headquarters at Fort Sam Houston, Texas there is a demilled towed 155 howitzer on display. The howitzer was sold to Iran in the 1960s, captured by Iraq during the Iran Iraq war and used on our troops and recaptured during Gulf War I.

[Pip]

Better question: what’re the odds that we will ever be told that US supplied weapons are being used against our troops to Mexican drug lords?

[Wind Rider]

Finding them on dead insurgents isn’t really that big a deal. It’s while they’re running around with them and still alive that can be problematic.

[kilroy]

This should answer your questions.

http://www.pafoa.org/

[kilroy]

This should answer your questions.

PENNSYLVANIA FIREARM OWNERS ASSOCIATION

[John]

http://jammiewearingfool.blogs…..overt.html

Andrew Sullivan takes time out from investigating Palin’s vagina to consider Obama’s broken promises on the war.

“It’s so surreal, so discordant with what the president has told the American people, so fantastically contrary to everything he campaigned on, that I will simply wait for more confirmation than this before commenting further. I simply cannot believe it.”

Sucker!!!!

[John]

http://metroweekly.com/poliglo…..-hold.html

And to top it off, Obama is now back to denying Green cards for gay couples.

[Wind Rider]

Sully has been batshit insane since he found out W wasn’t going to suck cocks to get Sully his freakin ice cream cone (aka gay marriage + all the bennies of straight marriage).

[Wind Rider]

To the point that Sully probably thinks the only reason Balko is going to HuffPo is to change focus and stop reporting on gunned down housepets, and start revealing the ongoing horror of gay couples being massacred by SWAT Teams using flimsy warrants. Hey, saved him a day’s worth of Cialis, it probably did.

[P Brooks]

Gunz-

I am deeply, deeply disappointed in Sig Sauer. The slide on my Mosquito CRACKED; this is not a “normal wear and tear” issue, it’s a serious design/materials flaw.

When I called them, I got several days of back-and-forth with some flunkie who eventually basically told me, “That’s too bad. If you want, we’ll SELL you a new slide, and CHARGE A FEE to put it on.”

Fuck them, and their overpriced junk.

[R C Dean]

I wouldn’t write off Sigs on one cracked slide; anything mechanical can fail. However, their customer service blows – they should have overnighted a new slide to you, and thrown in a few gimmes as well.

[Trespassers W]

My understanding is that this is why you buy a Glock instead.

[T]

Google “glock ka-boom” and get back to us on that, mmkay?

[Trespassers W]

Yeech. Maybe I won’t get the .40 then.

Thanks for that; I’m just learning.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

Meh… not a Glock fan. Aside from the supposed kaboom problem, I just never have gotten along with them. I’ve fired various Glocks and never like the feel of any of them. The trigger is like a rubber band-fired dart gun. I’ve had FTF problems with a couple, which I believe were due to the lightweight plastic frame and, I dunno, just my incompatibility with the thing.

My experience has been that a lot of young guys like Glocks, or think they’re supposed to like Glocks, because of how they’ve been glamorized in Hollywood movies – like when Tommy Lee Jones in “The Fugitive” waxes all poetical about how great the Glock is.

There are a lot of excellent guns out there – I tend to not get wedded to a particular brand based on the brand name alone, until I’ve actually spent some time firing one. I’ve never fired a Kahr, but I’ve heard they can be good guns. I owned a Beretta Tomcat, and it was a piece of crap. I sold it right quick. But I’ve also fired a Beretta 92FS, and found it to be a nice gun, although it didn’t fit my hand quite right.

I’ve loved every Sig I’ve fired, though. And I love my Para Ordnance OPS.

[db]

SIG suffers from a bore axis that is too high above the grip, combined with an unnatural grip for me. Glock got a few things right, and emulating the low bore axis of the Browning style guns (1911, hi-power, and the various CZ handguns) was one of them. I prefer the 1911 and its variants myself–I carry a Para Ordnance P12.

[mad libertarian guy]

Being that I do not make my living with a gun, I live by 1 simple rule when choosing firearms: Life Is Too Short To Have Ugly Guns.

And Glock is about the most ass-ugly firearm in existence.

That’s why I shoot a 1911. Reliable as balls, and battle proven. That and they are goddamn beautiful.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

The 1911 is one of those serendipitous events in technological development–everything works the way it’s supposed to, and the design can only be modified, never improved upon.

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

One bad part doesn’t condemn the entire product line.

I’ve owned a Sig P228 for about 20 years and love it. I’ve never had a lick of trouble with it.

My brother owns one of just about everything Sig makes (I’m not kidding here – he’s got a shit pile of guns, and he’s a huge Sig fan). In fact, he’s got multiples of certain models (like a few P220s). As far as I know, he’s never had a lick of trouble with any of them.

Which is all to say yeah, it sounds like you drew the unlucky straw and got a shit part. And it doesn’t sound like you got satisfaction from them. But this doesn’t mean all of their products are “overpriced junk.”

[John]

http://www.realclearpolitics.c…..uslim.html

Looks like the Donald is going all in. He is a long shot candidate. Why not go all in and say all the stuff no one in polite company will say?

[Aresen]

How many times has he put his companies through Chapter 11?

With that experience, he may be just the man for the Oval Office.

[John]

I really can’t argue with that.

[Lord Humungus]

scary but true!

[Pro Libertate]

That, and I believe he started out with several million from his dear Dada.

[Isaac Bartram]

My impression of The Donald’s business plan is that it consists of;

1) Buy lots of publicity, favorable* or otherwise.

2) Use the artificial reputation built on the favorable publicity to borrow money faster than you have to pay it back.

3) Profit, until your creditors accelerate their repayment schedules.

*in the late 70s the news media gave lots of coverage to his perceived genius at dealmaking plus his goody twoshoes contributions to the Democratic party (he didn’t become a predatory conpicuously consuming Republican until the late eighties). But then remmeber this was the same media that told us what genii the folks at Enron were.

[Isaac Bartram]

Of course, if my post is correct, Trump is perfectly suited for politics.

Having typed that “business plan”, I see that it is pretty close to the Chosen One’s approach to his campaign for prez.

[generic Brand]

If we are having Comedy Central roastees as presidential candidates now, I would rather have Hugh Hefner I think. Damnit, Shatner, why are you Canadian???

[Kristen]

His show is currently airing. He’ll drop out right after May Sweeps.

[Red Rocks Rockin]

If he actually ran, it would be good just for the lulz. Thanks to his arrogance, he clearly doesn’t care what the media or anyone else says about him, so he’ll unload with both barrels until he thinks it’s destroying his “brand.” By mid-2012, he’d drop out and we could go back to face-palming over the shitty Team Red/Blue candidates again.

[R C Dean]

I see the Vatican is claiming to have good evidence of at least 40 civilians killed in Tripoli by the humanitarian bombing. Also, reports of hospitals hit by humanitarian bombs.

Why we are bombing Tripoli as part of the R2P mission, I couldn’t say. I wasn’t aware that Gaddafi was killing civilians there. Regardless, we are certainly protecting the civilians of Tripoli by killing them.

[Pro Libertate]

We’ve got a kinder, gentler machine gun hand.

[Kant feel Pietzsche]

As long as there is just one civilian Guh-Daffy doesn’t get a chance to kill, they consider it a win. What could be more efficient than beating him to the punch?

[kilroy]

And the NATO chief’s response to this is:
Not on my watch. That was before we took over and all on the United States.

[Tim]

Meanwhile the rebels are starting to bitch that we aren’t bombing enough. Sigh.

[Cytotoxic]

At the beginning of the revolution, Gaddhafi was killing many civilians in Tripoli.

While I oppose this intervention, the blame for all civilian casualties must rest with Gaddhafi. He has no right to power and all the bloodshed could’ve been prevented by his mere stepping down.

[R C Dean]

I’m sure that’s true, but unless there is an active campaign against civilians in Tripoli, now, I’m not sure why we are conducting a humanitarian bombing campaign there, now.

[Cytotoxic]

Well, if you really want to stop a homicidal maniac you’ve got kill C&C and that’s in the capital. I just don’t think we should be there at all.

Oh, and Hitchens had another BM of an article. I had to read it so you do to: http://fullcomment.nationalpos…..ab-spring/

[Solanum]

District Judge advises sheriff not to greet potential jurors at courthouse

In a March 17 letter, Morgan said greeting the jurors was his First Amendment right of freedom of speech. “Although an elected official, I retain the First Amendment protection of my rights to freedom of speech and freedom of association. I consider the greeting of jurors an exercise of these rights and a function of Sheriff of Escambia County and the Executive Officer of the Court.”

[R C Dean]

I’m sure Morgan would have no problem with the jury nullification folks and defense attorneys also greeting jurors and exercising their 1A rights.

[Vermont Gun Owner]

You know, I would actually be ok with some restrictions on being an elected official…

[Barely Suppressed Rage]

“I submit that the likelihood that my greeting creates any ‘bias’ in a prospective juror is infinitesimal,” Morgan wrote in a letter to U.S. Judge Casey Rodgers.

I would have to agree with him.

If, as he claims, all he said was, “Good Morning, I’m Sheriff David Morgan. I attempt to get down here on as many Monday’s as possible to thank you for answering the jury summons. I know that this is a disruption of your business or personal day, but you are an integral part of the judicial process. Thank you for your service,” I can’t see that as creating any real bias. It’s pretty easy to just think, “yeah, yeah, whatever” and walk on in to the building.

I can’t quite find that offensive, really. If in fact that’s all he was doing.

[Brett L]

Correct me if I’m wrong here, but how can you exercise your personal 1A rights while acting in your official capacity as an agent of the county government? Can his employees watch porn at work as long as they do it on their personal cell phones?

[mad libertarian guy]

Ask the SEC. They are pros at that shit.

[Cytotoxic]

This is interesting. Is it possible that Pakastani extremist liberals are behind these attacks against Pakastani Islamists?

http://www.latimes.com/news/na…..9253.story

[Isaac Bartram]

I think it’s more likely that it was another group of Islamists. But then one might also consider some faction in the military or intelligence services too. In that case, how far up into the civil governement knowledge, and hence, approval of it might go is anyone’s guess.

[P Brooks]

anything mechanical can fail.

True enough, but this is a perfect illustration of what’s wrong with American business management practices.

Instead of saying, “That’s terrible; get it to us and we’ll make it right” (the actual cost of which is pretty insignificant) you get the runaround.

Meanwhile, every chance I get, I’ll badmouth them, and wave people away from Sig. So cheaping out costs them more money in the long run. Why the fuck would I advise somebody to spend nearly a thousand bucks on one of their pistols, based on my experience?

I guess all those Glock owners know what they’re doing. (I still wouldn’t buy one, because I *want* that first long-throw DA trigger pull. I don’t like the idea of “unintentional” discharges.)

[Hobo Chang Ba]

True, and this is the beauty of free markets. If word of mouth about your experience prevents one person from buying a Sig, instead of the miniscule cost of replacing the slide, they’ve now lost a potential repeat customer and a potential new customer. Corporations are too short sighted, knowing that stockholders will only care about immediate profit over long-term planning anyday.

[Nick]

A someone looking to purchase, if you had said they quickly apologized for your problem and did right by you, to me that would have gone a long way toward choosing a Sig because I’d feel confident that if something wasn’t right, they’d fix it. Now, not only do I worry that the slide cracks, but that I’ll be screwed by the company.

[GoNavy]

Waffles,

My 2 cents, for what is worth.

I am primarily a bird hunter and competitive clay shooter, primarily trap. I have also coached precision (Olympic) air rifle. However, I own a bunch of pistols and enjoy a day at the range punching holes as much as anyone.

My choice of pistols, though, has not been good. The pistol type and caliber decisions I’ve made have led to me shooting them less than I would have had I made better choices.

If I were to start from scratch, I would only consider three calibers to begin with: .22 LR, 9mm & .45 auto. The reasons for .22 have already been correctly discussed. The 9mm & .45 are also a question of price. These are the only centerfire calibers that you can count on being sold in the large discount bricks at Bass Pro & the like. Other calibers are sometimes on the shelves, but not reliably. You’ll pop a lot of caps before you’ll benefit from higher grade ammo.

With the benefit of hindsight, my first pistol would be the Ruger .22 that is built to simulate the feel of a Colt 1911 (I can’t remember the model name). Some other manufactures offer similar design concepts. My second pistol would be Colt 1911 or clone in the cheapest version that the manufacture still calls a target gun. After you’ve mastered these two guns, you’ll need advice from no one and can buy whatever you fancy.

A S&W M29 in .44mag, no matter how cool and fun to shoot they are, is not a good first choice.

[mad libertarian guy]

With the benefit of hindsight, my first pistol would be the Ruger .22 that is built to simulate the feel of a Colt 1911 (I can’t remember the model name). Some other manufactures offer similar design concepts. My second pistol would be Colt 1911 or clone in the cheapest version that the manufacture still calls a target gun. After you’ve mastered these two guns, you’ll need advice from no one and can buy whatever you fancy.

I’ve used that Ruger .22 pretty extensively, and though it is a fine firearm, it in no way properly simulates the feel of anything other than itself. It does NOT feel like a 45 ACP. That said, it is an EXCELLENT plinking pistol.

I’d also stay away from the cheap 1911 45 ACP clones because of the schwartz, or shitty-fuck parts made out of MiM (mold injected metal) rather than the proper fucking steel it was designed to use. It’s really sad, but to get a proper 1911 (using proper parts and not shitty substitutes that will (mostly) work), you’ll need to spend some cash. Say no to the schwartz.

Kimber makes fine firearms, but I wouldn’t go with anything they make that has MiM. They’re overpriced for what they give you.

The best buy in 1911 pistols right now is likely the Doublestar 1911. No schwartz, and all top notch parts through and through. She’s not cheap, but she’s AWESOME.

[????? ??????]

Thanks