I've created a special feature for the print media and broadcasters ("Page Nine" regardless of where or when it runs), that covers stories afresh, not the way news rooms typically flavor things. It would help reduce the distrust so many news consumers feel and could be the most avidly followed item you carry -- if you carry it. It certainly is well received by my audience.
This casual sample might make you say, "We'll NEVER run that!" but Page Nine is being built around ad revenues from clear-thinking mainstream businesses.
Alan Korwin, Author
Gun Laws of America
"The Uninvited Ombudsman"
--Tell your friends--
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PAGE NINE
The Uninvited Ombudsman Report, No. 48
by Alan Korwin, June 19, 2008
1- Heller Insider Info
2- RKBA Escapes Recession
3- Gun Intolerance Tolerated
4- Prison For Misfire
5- Unexpected Tax Cuts
6- Journalists Advance Deception
7- Accurate Lies Continue
8- Different Flood Results
9- Overwhelming Campaign Funding
10- Black Male Blackmail
11- Counterintuitive Man says:
Lobbying and lobbyists are swell!
STARTERS:
Our brand new 32-page full-color catalog is hot off the press. Send a street address and we'll send you one at no cost, full of cool new stuff -- DVDs, books, even "Disarm Criminals First" buttons you can't get elsewhere. books@gunlaws.com
The Wall Street Journal online cites my research on gun-free zones in connection with B.H. Obama's proposal to close every gun store within five miles of a school or park. That would close virtually every gun store in the nation. http://tinyurl.com/4jecvs Though the Constitution doesn't empower anyone to do such a thing, it shows how that man thinks, and reporters have naturally refused to question him about the lack of authority. No, he did not propose compensation for the confiscated property. An interesting article in one of the last news outlets that discusses guns with candor.
Medical journal mindlessly attacks John Lott and then ignores his well reasoned, documented rebuttal. "Unfortunately, this shows what seems to pass for academic debate on guns these days," Lott says. http://tinyurl.com/4vlnsy "Note how they refuse to alter or explain any of their attacks but instead issue the simple statement that "We respectfully disagree with Dr. Lott's comments and stand by our editorial." Intellectual dishonesty rules.
CORRECTION:
The polar bear has been added to the U.S. threatened species list, not the endangered species list as I had reported. None of the other problems described are affected.
----------
1- Heller Insider Info
The lamestream media told you:
Nothing.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
With thanks to deputy public information officer Estrada at the U.S. Supreme Court:
1. Heller does not have the highest number of amicus briefs in the Court's history, it is third, at 66. The highest was 107 in the affirmative action case Grutter (539 U.S. 306 in 2003), followed by the abortion case Webster (492 U.S. 490 in 1989) at 78.
2. The Heller decision could actually come later than June 23, the widely anticipated last scheduled day of proceedings for the session. The Court can add days to its calendar for additional decisions if it needs to, but these would typically come before the end of the week (June 27). Absolutely no way to know for sure until they act.
3. Lead attorney Alan Gura pointed out in an email to me (6/19/08) that the Court still has ten decisions left to issue, including three biggies, so it's highly likely they will add days to the calendar.
4. My conjecture: The decision must be signed and sealed now for at least days if not weeks, to allow for proofing, typesetting, printing, binding, pre-mail activity, web prep, syllabus draft, etc. My guess is they would rather release it at the end, so the national hub bub doesn't impinge on other work they have. Requests for interviews, phone calls from friends and close associates, shouting in the press, a ton of activity can be expected, might as well finish off the term first, no?
5. The best site for immediate download of the decision will be the Slip Opinions page, and web-traffic overload has not been a problem in the past according to the PIO (but we shall see on this one, eh?) http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/07slipopinion.html
Every "news" outlet on the planet will cover this story, where SOP is to a) read and partially understand only the Court's summary, or b) copy "wire services" which are routinely spin machines on this subject, and then release a mixture of fact, hype and editorial where the news is supposed to go.
6. My book on the Heller case is already underway, will include summaries and background on all 96 gun cases the High Court has heard so far, and the most thorough coverage of Heller you're likely to find anywhere. Many experts have agreed to contribute. Watch for the announcement when it goes on press.
----------
2- RKBA Escapes Recession
The lamestream media told you:
Recession raised its ugly head again, and global economy faces disaster, as oil hit a record high, unemployment rose, food prices are skyrocketing and the stock market dipped against a backdrop of a weak dollar, home foreclosures, growth in China and global warming.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Defying incessant gloomy reports proliferating from "news" outlets, and curiously missing from lamestream financial "news," overall firearm sales increased by nearly 11% in the last quarter of 2007. Retail sales were up over 10% in May 2008.
Reported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, growth was led by a 23.6 percent increase in ammunition sales, a 5.9 percent rise in handgun sales and a 4 percent increase in long gun sales, according to statistics from the latest federal excise tax collection report. http://www.nssf.org
The Pittman-Robertson excise taxes provide precise business measurements, and are earmarked solely for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs. This makes gun-and-ammo sales one of the leading conservation forces in the nation, unreported by lamestream outlets for reasons that remain unclear.
During the quarter, $74.8 million was generated for conservation, compared to $67.4 million in the same period in 2006. From October through December, $16.2 million was collected for pistols and revolvers, $31.4 million for long guns and $27.1 million for ammunition. The latest tax collections suggest overall sales of $694.4 million, not including markups for final retail sales. For the entire calendar year, a total of $303.2 million was collected in excise taxes, up 21.2 percent from the $250.1 million in 2006. There are no current plans to end the taxes, and allow the businesses that generate the money to keep it.
In other news, also covered by NSSF but overlooked somehow by the networks and all other routine "news" outlets, the FBI's NICS background checks show 886,183 checks were made in May, a 10.3 percent increase from 803,051 reported in May 2007. Adjusted state figures show checks up 8.8 percent during the month. Year-to-date figures show a total of 4,831,693 background checks reported by NICS, on track to reach 10 million for 2008. http://www.nssf.org/share/images/BP061608_NICS.jpg
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3- Gun Intolerance Tolerated
The lamestream media told you:
Little.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Empty Blank Shell Casing Gets Fourth-Grader Suspended: A Massachusetts fourth-grader was suspended from elementary school for bringing a souvenir to school -- an empty shell casing from a blank used in a Memorial Day celebration.
A uniformed veteran gave the 10-year-old two empty rifle shell casings from blanks as a souvenir. He gave one to his grandfather, and kept the other. When he brought it to school, a teacher confiscated it, his mother was called in and he was suspended for five days. The school is resisting efforts to correct the egregious abuse and humiliation of the student, and has so far refused to return the valuable harmless private-property souvenir of Memorial Day. http://tinyurl.com/3mgzmj
It's unclear how government-run schools teach social sciences or history or civics, if the presence of even an empty shell casing is grounds for suspension. According to leading education experts, the unfortunate answer is that, in many cases, all students get these days is a whitewashed revisionist impression of history, minus truth.
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4- Prison For Misfire
The lamestream media told you:
Nothing.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Efforts to rein in the frequently rogue Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took a step backwards this month with the dedication of its mammoth new 400,000-square-foot headquarters in Washington D.C. The $207 million facility is the first to incorporate all the security design elements proposed after the Oklahoma City bombing. Although the agency doesn't even regulate alcohol and tobacco anymore, it's name remains the same, for reasons that remain unclear. The Dept. of Redundancy Dept. was unavailable was unavailable for comment.
The new BATFE building, "will inspire the men and women of BATFE as they carry out their mission to reduce violent crime and protect the nation," said Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan in the agency's press release, circulated by the high-priced PR Newswire press service, and paid for with tax dollars. http://tinyurl.com/4gqc73
It's not clear how that goal recently led to the arrest of a man whose 20-year-old rifle malfunctioned and fired several shots at once. The man had given the firearm to an associate to try at a range, and when the accident happened 120 rounds later, the owner was found and charged with illegally transferring a machine gun. The man who fired the gun was not charged.
The judge in the case believed the defendant, Army Reservist David Olofson, knew about the gun's condition, "or should have." He got 30 months in prison, but is appealing. http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=750464
"It didn't matter the government had repeatedly failed to replicate automatic fire until they replaced the ammunition with a softer primer type," according to Guns Magazine. "It didn't even matter that the prosecution admitted it was not important to prove the gun would do it again if the test were conducted today," the magazine said. "What mattered was the government's position that none of the above was relevant because '[T]here's no indication it makes any difference under the statute."
ATF lacks written standards and procedures for conducting tests, which are conducted in secret. WorldNetDaily's story of the incident differs markedly with the lamestream report linked above from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. http://tinyurl.com/5wxcg3
----------
5- Unexpected Tax Cuts
The lamestream media told you:
Green activists, environmental pundits, anti-foreign-oil interests and many in Congress and state legislatures have been clamoring for significant increases in gasoline taxes, to reduce use and force research into energy alternatives, renewable energy, higher mileage cars, and to disrupt our dependence on foreign oil.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Now that gasoline is at $4 per gallon and rising, all the green anti-growth fuelists are getting their wishes fulfilled, but unintended consequences are dogging them.
With gas prices high enough to slow consumption and encourage switching to low use vehicles like unsafe tiny cars and motorcycles, government revenue from gas taxes have dipped dramatically, causing politicians to sweat profusely.
Hard pressed for funds from gasoline taxes to build roads, infrastructure -- and multiple uses that have nothing to do with gas or driving -- cities, states and the feds are desperate for cash and not sure what they will do. Unalterable commitments to road building and various programs and entitlements were made and locked in before the revenues were generated, in typical government style.
Now that they can't squeeze more dollars out of reluctant consumers, they're in a bind and appear dissatisfied. Government generates no money of its own, forced by design to live off the backs of those who work and do produce goods and services.
The greens are thankful, though, since they can't be blamed for the problem, since they were unsuccessful in artificially boosting prices to the point where it would have the "desired" effect.
----------
6- Journalists Advance Deception
The lamestream media told you:
Islam is the religion of peace.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
It's not clear how or why America's "news" media so uniformly jumped onto that promo line right after the 9/11 Muslim jihadi attacks on America, but the newspeak game has not gone away, and is being promoted anew from an unlikely quarter.
The Society of Professional Journalists, in their latest online newsletter, is promoting an Arab-backed website that helps journalists define words. SPJ reports that the website's creator says, "madrassa" is "little more than the Arabic word for school." http://tinyurl.com/5oljs3. The newsletter goes to more than 10,000 journalists primarily in the U.S.
The typo laden site also notes that the word "jihad" has been hijacked by media extremists (and jihadis) to help promote hate. If SPJ keeps such dubious contacts coming it can quit wondering why the mainstream public no longer trusts the lamestream media.
Dozens of SPJ staffers and brass have been personally notified by The Uninvited Ombudsman of the questionable reference source. None have responded. Go figure.
----------
7- Accurate Lies Continue
The lamestream media told you:
"Would Governor Leave Office For Job With Obama?" In a bylined article, Mathew Benson writes, "Gov. Janet Napolitano isn't thinking about her chances at a spot on the Democratic presidential ticket, she assures."
"She isn't focused on scenarios under which she'd land a choice Cabinet spot in a Barack Obama administration... But... politicos are buzzing about the likelihood Napolitano will receive an offer she won't want to refuse, enticing her to abandon the final two years of her term."
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Abandoning any vestige of ethics and confirming fears of news consumers that the media will publish without question even the most outlandish nonsense as long as they quote it correctly, Gannett's number two newspaper, The Arizona Republic, featured obvious, self-evident silliness on page one in its June 9 issue. http://tinyurl.com/3mgn57
"The deceptive attribution 'she assures' fools no one," says one anonymous news-media observer, "except perhaps the lapdog reporter promoting the obvious lie."
Even dull news readers recognize that a political animal like a governor, who was an early supporter of Obama, has given thought to the possibilities if the man is elected, especially with "politicos" all speculating on what post she might be offered.
"It's like saying, 'Don't think of a zebra' and then believing a zebra doesn't come to mind. No, it's worse than that," the anonymous observer assures.
An ethical reporter might have said, "The governor doesn't want to discuss the chance that she might get a tempting offer from Obama, or what offers they may have already discussed when she agreed to give him her endorsement." Instead he chose intelligence-insulting balderdash, but the public is getting used to such bald affronts from lamestream reporters and their complicit editors.
----------
8- Different Flood Results
The lamestream media told you:
Dramatic images of homes flooded to their rooftops attest to the stunning extent of devastation caused by Mississippi River flooding in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and elsewhere. Footage of local citizens aiding each other, filling sandbags, reinforcing levees, and calmly dealing with the disaster are a positive sign of the American spirit at work. The flooding is at least as bad and may be worse than the nation experienced during the Katrina episode in Louisiana.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, could not be reached for an opinion on why his self-proclaimed "Chocolate City" suffered endless looting and lawlessness after an epic flooding disaster, while entire states on the Mississippi River have only experienced cooperative efforts to ameliorate the disaster. It's not clear whether FEMA, highly visible in the New Orleans event but remarkably low profile in the current flooding, played a role in the different outcomes. It could have been the wind, which the Gulf Coast endured, while the current flood states only have countless square miles of inundation and billions in property and industry damage.
----------
9- Overwhelming Campaign Funding
The lamestream media told you:
B. H. Obama continues to attract significantly more campaign funding than John McCain, leaving the GOP senator scrambling for general funds from his party, and giving the Democrat a significant advantage in the presidential contest.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
For unknown reasons, reporters have consistently failed to ask why McCain's Campaign Finance Reform Act, specifically designed to remove massive funding that swings elections, has yielded little more than constant race reports on who's winning the money collections for gaining office.
"It's like campaign finance reform has been a stimulus package, pouring tens of millions monthly into the race with no brakes, no limits, an no reporting on why the supposed reform bill is such an abject failure," says one financially savvy observer who prefers to remain anonymous. She has "maxed out" her personal contributions, so opened "527" groups to collect additional millions for, surprisingly, both candidates. "Might as well back them both," she said, "like the big boys do, so no matter who wins, I win."
----------
10- Black Male Blackmail
The lamestream media told you:
Harriet Christian, a Hillary supporter, made national news when she spoke out publicly about the odd goings on within the Democrat party leadership in deciding to selectively admit and reject votes from Michigan and Florida. This was termed "punishment" for people making up their own minds about how to vote during caucuses. Her rant at the DNC received nearly a million hits on YouTube within 48 hours, and an exclusive interview on FOX-TV.
One of her claims, that people asked "Is the country ready for a woman as president," but didn't ask "Is the country ready for a black as president," has led some to claim she is a racist, but she was only repeating what people everywhere were saying.
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
As guest columnist Craig Cantoni made clear recently (Page Nine No. 46), "racist" and "racial" are not synonyms. Asking questions about race are racial questions, perfectly normal and legitimate in civilized conversation.
Harriet's point, long avoided by lamestream outlets, points to blatant racism and support of that racism by some blacks and some other people "of color," who effortlessly promote inequality and unequal treatment for themselves, self-imposed segregation, racial benefits and entitlements, and exclusionary practices that would receive fiery attacks if done by other groups, especially whites.
The racist hatred spewed from the pulpit of Obama's church -- and especially the wildly exuberant acceptance of it by the flock -- is a prime example, and has received some attention, finally forcing Obama to withdraw from his church of 20 years.
The issue though has not yet reached the endemic racist nature of structures like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, The United Negro College Fund, The National Council for The Race ("La Raza," a Hispanic group), Black History Month, Black Entertainment TV, or literally thousands of groups that place their race at the heart of their activities, instead of their activities at the heart of their activities.
People who examine these issues are traditionally attacked as racists, primarily by ethnic clusters of real racists, without examining the substance of the arguments.
----------
11- Counterintuitive Man says:
Lobbying and lobbyists are swell!
The candidates and the media whine non-stop about lobbyists, power brokers and bowing to special interests, but they don't have their thinking caps turned on!
Politicians swear to uphold the Constitution, which says we the people have an absolute right to "petition Congress for a redress of grievances." How do you think you do that, by writing a letter?
Every industry, every group and every person has the freedom and an inalienable right to lobby Congress directly themselves! And they should -- it's the American way!
If you want the elites in Congress to consider your wishes, what better way than to hire a pro to represent you! Or two pros!
If someone wants to cut off your access to Congress by outlawing your professional representatives, that makes them the enemy!
Lobbying is why America is better than a dictatorship! Well, it's part of why.
If your mouth and brain don'ta worka so good, it's great that you can hire extra brainpower and a mouthpiece to speaka for you!
If you can't spend your time in that festering pesthole inside the Beltway, it's great that you can hire some hired gun to stay there for you! They even like it!
If your Rolodex is already full, it's great to bring in a specialist with an effective Rolodex in your stead!
People who love or hate any issue (take for example, guns) have a protected right to lobby for their cause! What a great idea! Lobbying means you have a level playing field! It also means you don't have to shoot at each other!
If your opponents are better organized, have more supporters, raise more money or can hire more lobbyists than you, tough noogies pal! That's what majority rule is all about! Go get more supporters and more money, or recognize you're just marginal flaky losers!
Knowing that legislators are often bottom-feeding maggots, it just makes sense to sic a barracuda on them to get their attention!
Your enemies are constantly buttonholing the influence peddlers, why shouldn't you! It's only fair!
The powerful drug-company lobbies face off against the powerful patient-and-doctor lobbies! It's almost like a ball game, except ball players get paid more! Well, some do. It's totally American!
Yes, lobbying upholds every great tradition we have -- representative government, democratic principles, citizen participation, equal rights, free markets, great pay,
first amendment rights to free speech, assembly and petition, and so much more!
Now, will someone will please tell this to the "news" media and the presidential candidates. Thank you. That is all.
--
Well, not quite all -- this scene from Eddie Murphy's film The Distinguished Gentlemen says it better than I can:
Tommy O'Connor (the lobbyist, over lunch): Listen, I'd like to do more money for you -- I just need to know your positions on a few issues. [takes out a pen and leather notecard case.] For instance, where are you on sugar price supports?
Tommy (Eddie Murphy, as a new Congressman, pauses for thought): Sugar price supports. Where do you think I should be, Tommy?
O'Connor: Sh*t -- makes no difference to me. If you're for 'em, I got money for you from my sugar producers in Louisiana and Hawaii. If you're against 'em, I got money for you from the candy manufacturers.
Tommy: You pick.
O'Connor: [writing] Let's put you down as for. Now what about putting limits on malpractice awards?
Tommy: You tell me.
O'Connor: Well, if you're for 'em, I got money from the doctors and insurance companies. If you're against 'em, I got money from the trial lawyers. Tell you what, let's say against. Now how about pizza?
Tommy: (indicating his plate) I'll stick with the salad.
O'Connor: Not for lunch, shm*ck, for PAC money. A lot of the frozen pizzas use phony cheese. There's a law pending requiring them to disclose it on their labels. Where do you stand?
Tommy: (Thinks for a moment) If I vote for the labels... then I get money from the dairy industry...
O'Connor: Good...
Tommy: And if I vote against the labels, I get money from the frozen food guys.
O'Connor: Excellent! And don't forget the ranchers, because they get hurt if pepperoni sales go down!
Tommy: [laughing in admiration] A pepperoni lobby. I love this town.
O'Connor: So which is it?
Tommy: F*ck the cheese people. Thanks to them my office smelled like smelt for a week.
O'Connor: All right. For.
Tommy: So tell me -- with all this money on every side, how does anything get done?
If this report works for you -- tell your friends!
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Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
4848 E. Cactus, #505-440
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If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you're reading this in English, thank a veteran.
"No one could make a greater mistake
than he who did nothing because
he could do only a little."
--Edmund Burke
================================
Comments help keep me going. Alan.
================================
Hello Mr. Korwin, I just had the opportunity to watch the Duquesne video of the conference. I want to personally thank you for taking your time and effort to go and speak. Many complain but few act. Your sense of obligation to attend and your bravery to speak to an adversarial crowd is admirable. Thanks again, Orrin L., Tyler TX https://www.gunlaws.com/newstuff.htm
Alan, Thanks, again, for the newsletter. Keep'm coming. You do such great work. William L.
I love the speech you gave at the anti rights symposium. Many people I know need to see it. Is the video available? Thanks, --Christian S.
[I can't thank people like you enough for helping me to spread the word. First link: https://www.gunlaws.com/newstuff.htm]
Alan,
Thanks for another great issue. I did want to point out one note, though. In your report about the Space Station Gun you used the phrase "the Russian built International Space Station." I'm sure you were just referring to the Soyuz module when you said it, but just in case... the station is not Russian built but rather built by an international coalition of nations, of which the USA is the most active and financially involved member. The Russians have definitely contributed, but they didn't built it all themselves. ;-) Anyway.. keep up the great work! I always look forward to your emails! David L.
Mr. Cantoni, I loved your story. It was light hearted and poignant. thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep up the good work! I just said a four letter word. --Drake M.
Another great Page 9. I read your letter to the Arizona Republic -- beautifully phrased with full use of your recommended vocabulary for self-defense rights. I feel sure the wording led them to go ahead and print it. Charles R.
Your site is a cool breeze through a smoke filled room. Buck in Phoenix.
Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
4848 E. Cactus, #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 Fax
1-800-707-4020 Orders
https://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for our f r e e full-color catalog
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you're reading this in English, thank a veteran.
"No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little." --Edmund Burke
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