In Washington D.C. Chris Casteel of The Oklahoman's capitol bureau is reporting that Senator Jim Inhofe and Congressman Frank Lucas have co-sponsored a bill that, if passed, will prevent the federal government from stockpiling ammunition. No, they aren't trying to limit the defense department from doing such a thing. Lord knows that both of them consider the defense department the great golden calf that should be worshiped lavishly and sacrificed to daily. They are taking aim at the Department of Homeland Security and the agencies that come under its umbrella. We're talking about border patrol agents, Federal Air Marshals, Federal Protective Service Officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and others.
Lucas and Inhofe aren't doing this as a cost cutting measure, despite their stated desires for deficit reduction. They are out to make sure the U.S. government doesn't create a bullet shortage that will cause NRA members and other gun lovers the inconvenience of not being able to fully load their high capacity ammo clips. You know, the ones that people like Adam Lanza and James Holmes favor. Casteel quotes Inhofe as saying, "(Obama) has been adamant about curbing law-abiding Americans access and opportunities to exercise their second amendment rights." He went on to state, "One way the Obama administration is able to do this is by limiting what's available in the market with federal agencies purchasing unnecessary stockpiles of ammunition."
Lucas said that he'd heard from constituents who are worried about shortages of ammunition in Oklahoma. Casteel quotes him as saying agency purchases should be limited, "so Americans can exercise their second amendment rights without being encumbered by the federal government."
It is good to know that while these two statesmen have been working day and night to cut services to the infirm, aged, and indigent they are going to make sure everyone can keep their AR-15s loaded.
Slate and @GunDeaths reports that as of April 25 at least 3,700 Americans have been shot to death since the Newtown, CT murders in December. A more cynical person might contend that such a high casualty rate is one of the reasons for any temporary shortages of bullets. After all, it takes a lot of rounds to off nearly 4,000 people, especially the fast ones.
Out in Tucson, University of Arizona student Dean Saxton, otherwise known as "Brother Dean," caused a stir. The April 25th Huffington Post reported that Saxton, a junior who is studying classics and religious studies, took to the campus carrying a sign that said, "You Deserve Rape." He is reportedly outraged by female students who wear shorts, or what he describes as, "sex shorts." When confronted by a female student wearing a pair he told her, "You're disgusting. God's going to vomit you out on judgement day." In a fit of what some might consider irony he was in possession of another sign that read, "Rapists Deserve the Death Penalty."
I know, the duality there is a tad odd. He also had signs that said, "Frat Boys Are Rapists" and "Sorority Girls Are Whores." To prove he isn't just a one issue sort of guy, in the middle of his demonstration, he yelled out, "All Muslims are pedophiles." In the past he has claimed gays will be condemned to hell. And just to make sure the gays don't get lonely in perdition he believes that everyone who masturbates will be going there too.
In an interview he was quoted as saying he, "was looking for a way to be on fire for God." It is unclear what Christian denomination Brother Dean belongs to, however I'm sure the folks at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka would love to have him come by for a visit. I'm betting a Deaconship, or some other such position of importance could be made available for a man of his talents and verve.
Finally up in New England it is reported that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing and an American citizen, was questioned for sixteen hours before being read his Miranda rights. It was during that time frame NBC News sources say he confessed to the bombings. Once someone finally got around to telling him he didn't have to talk and that he had a right to legal counsel he clammed up.
I'm a fairly simple guy, but it seems to me if we consider the rights of one citizen, even one who may have committed an appalling act of mayhem, null and void for any length of time then evil has won a major victory. It doesn't matter where Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was born, what his religion is, or what crime he committed. As an American he should have been afforded the same rights as any citizen charged with a crime in the American justice system. To do anything less is to show fear. Ultimately what happened in that hospital room was an act of cowardice. We should be ashamed.
So there you have it. Another week is in the books.
Just remember the words of George Bernard Shaw in his play "The Devil's Disciple."
Major Swinden: What will history say, sir?
General Burgoyne: History, sir, will tell lies, as usual.
Mr. Sulu you have the con. Over and out.
4-27-13
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