::::


Worth repeating: Not a single presidential candidate in any debate so far has mentioned guns. The Second Amendment -- the number one issue for huge numbers of Americans, has been hidden from view, avoided, virtually censored, never raised. Have you noticed, or has the clamor about jobs and the economy blinded you so effectively? None of the reporters ask where the candidates stand on gun rights. No one asks about Fast and Furious, or brings it up. (One independent video channel, Western Free Press, did get one fairly straight answer: http://tinyurl.com/84udko5)

Here's betting that if and when the subject finally comes up in prime time, the wannabees mouth pablum, and the interviewers let them slide without cutting deep. That's an easy prediction -- the lamestream perpetrators (accent on the last two syllables) don't know enough about guns or gun policy to ask incisive questions. OK, I'll suggest one, "So, if you stand in such vigorous support of the Second Amendment, do you support marksmanship training in schools?" Read about all the Qs they never ask --
https://www.gunlaws.com/the%20liberty%20poll.htm


::::


NEW: GUN SAFETY RULES FOR SELF DEFENSE:

1. If you ever shoot in self defense you must prepare to defend yourself against execution for murder.

2. When you drop the hammer plan to cash in your life savings for your lawyer's retainer. Avoid this unless your life depends on it.

3. Sometimes the innocent get decent treatment, sometimes they don't.

4. It's always better to avoid a gunfight than to win one.

5. If innocent life doesn't immediately depend on it, don't shoot. And if it does, don't miss.

Want more?
After You Shoot: Your gun's hot. The perp's not. Now what?
https://www.gunlaws.com/AYS.htm


::::


Calls for Eric Holder's resignation have exploded. This report last month indicated 17 members of Congress were calling for his ouster, over the gun smuggling and murders of his Fast and Furious program. The latest reports show 91 members have either called for his removal, or signed a no-confidence resolution introduced by Paul Gosar, a first-term congressman from Arizona.

See the report below (item #1) on what actually happened at his most recent appearance before Congress (not what the media told you, despite the evidence you could have seen with your own eyes -- the public hearing -- which serves as my source).


::::



Every gun law Congress has put in place, in one volume!
Nothing else like it, many of the laws guarantee your rights, and
"If you knew all your rights you might demand them!"
Gun Laws of America
Word-for-word AND in plain English.
https://www.gunlaws.com/gloa.htm



::::


Someone's prediction for the New Year, food for thought so to speak:
"The food shortages of 2012 may not be real, but the panics will be."


::::


What can I do, I'm only one person?!

The pocket change trick -- Keep a few copper-jacketed rounds in your pocket change (as long as having ammo is legal where you live). It's the inoculation effect, and a conversation starter. Cashiers see it when you reach for exact change, and either back away in fear, or start a conversation. Either way, you help advance the normalization of gun ownership in a gun-deprived environment.


::::


In defense of anonymous speech

As often happens during election season, the media has been up in arms about “secret funds” being spent by independent groups on messages meant to support or oppose candidates.

They should get a grip. The First Amendment enshrines freedom of speech, not witch-hunts led by the political establishment under the banner of “transparency.”
Our nation was founded on anonymous free speech by independent groups. Under pseudonyms, the Founders deliberately hid their identities as they engaged in coordinated advocacy, in 85 pamphlets, for the ratification of the Constitution. The pamphlets were crucial to rebutting the arguments of those who opposed the Constitution.

Without anonymity, the arguments advanced by the Founders could have been evaded with ad hominem attacks. Anonymity forced the opposition to grapple with ideas on their merits. This resulted in a better debate, which the Founders won on the strength of their ideas.

The marketplace of ideas is enhanced, not diminished, by the freedom to engage in anonymous speech. Broadside government attacks on anonymous speech threaten to suppress the marketplace of ideas, which ultimately threatens the media as much as any independent group.

--Nick Dranias, Director,  The Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.


::::


 

::::

"There are people, and then there are people with no business card."







1- Holder's Hubris Stuns


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

"WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers told Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday to fire some Justice Department subordinates over the flawed arms-trafficking investigation called Operation Fast and Furious," according to Pete Yost, writing for the Associated Press, about Holder's testimony to Congress in early December. [Democrats, by implication and omission, see no problem here and have asked for no action.)

"Why haven't you terminated the people involved?" asked Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that is investigating the arms-tracking operation.

"The operation's goal was to follow the gun supply chain from small-time gun buyers at a number of Phoenix-area gun shops and make cases against major weapons traffickers," AP writer Yost claims.



The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

It is widely recognized that the BATFE claims in Fast and Furious do not match the facts. There was a concerted effort NOT "to follow the gun supply chain" which BATFE helped smuggle out of the country. The conclusion, if facts matter, is that the smuggling operation increased the number of U.S.-supplied firearms to drug cartels, which were then found at crime scenes domestically and abroad. This manufactured increase was then used publicly to advance an imaginary threat, to justify increased government power, controls, and infringing on the Second Amendment.

The congressional committee, after an initial flurry of remarks and verbal jousting, stunningly refused to place Holder under oath, since he more than once said, "I'm here to tell the truth," instead of taking an oath. That made my mouth hang open. This helps insulate him from a potential charge of felony perjury before Congress. He failed to testify under oath. The "news" media failed to report this tiny insignificant fact.

What the "news" also failed to report was only the most significant parts of the hearings. Holder, who repeatedly claims he is not stonewalling, performed a "document dump" on Congress, delivering more than 5,000 documents, most of them emails, and not a single one came from or was sent by Mr. Holder, the main unindicted conspirator in the smuggling scheme and the main target of the investigation. Actually no one has been indicted, thanks to Holder's stonewalling.

That became obvious during questioning by Ben Quayle, who happens to be my representative. After noting that many in Congress seek Holder's resignation, Quayle asked, "Will you resign?" Holder said, "No." Naming and asking if the underlings just below him would resign, Holder replied "No." Naming the underlings under them with the same question, Holder said, "No," the three shortest answers he gave in the whole charade. Time ran out for Mr. Quayle, so the Chair of the committee asked the obvious last question, will anyone be forced out, and Holder continued with his terse replies, saying, "No." In the AG's opinion, as delivered to Congress, no one should be held accountable for these gross violations of law and multiple murders. This is hard news, so was unreported for reasons that remain unclear.

Nearly a year after it began, Holder has refused to identify the person who authorized the operation, a very simple task, though it might implicate him or his boss, the current occupant of the White House.

A democrat at the hearing said that "2,000 automatic rifles" had walked. The AG said, "Yes, that's correct." No automatic weapons were involved, since these were retail store purchases. Hey, it's such a small point, what do you expect. A big thank you to Rep. Ted Poe of Texas for asking some really hard-as-nails questions. The AG though ducked every one.

Daryl Issa threatened the AG with Contempt of Congress for failure to turn over documents. Contempt of Congress! This extremely serious development was also not widely reported, though Mr. Sensenbrenner's vague allusion to an impeachment of someone (unnamed) did make the "news." The AG's omitted communiques in the document dump was perhaps dwarfed by the Justice Department's flat refusal to release anything after Feb. 2, 2011, probably the most significant material. A Feb. 4 email which was a blatant lie to Congress, now admitted, has been "withdrawn."

When Holder had previously said his 4-state long-gun registration scheme is a "reasonable requirement," none of the officials challenged him -- on the fact that it's strictly illegal, he is specifically denied authority to do it by law, and in fact such action has been specifically outlawed by Congress. Maybe they didn't know. And he didn't know.

Holder and his department's preposterous position that there is no statute against gun smuggling is a naked power grab without support. Not one official challenged that statement. Making each purchase is a separate federal felony, that's 2,000 right there; lying about the nature of the purchase is a federal felony; delivering the guns to the real buyer is a federal felony; smuggling the guns across state lines is a federal felony; delivering the guns to foreign nationals without an export license is a federal felony; using undeclared income to make the purchases is a federal felony; handling illegal obtained cash is a federal felony; conspiring to do any of this with anyone is a federal felony.

Holder has acknowledged that the mess is a fiasco, inexcusable and a prohibited policy, and of course, people have been murdered as a result. In his opinion, no one pays for it. Prediction: That shall not stand.





::::


2- Because Walters Says


Armed American Radio talk-show host and author Mark Walters, in the latest issue of Concealed Carry Magazine, asks, "Have you ever heard the statement from someone, maybe a friend, a relative, or someone in the news, 'I support the Second Amendment, but...' ? Sure you have. Don't be fooled."

"No one who supports the right of the people to keep and bear arms ever, and I do mean ever, puts the words 'but' or 'however' in the same sentence. And if you do hear those words together in conversation, as a gun owner and freedom fighter you have a responsibility to confront the speaker or writer and correct them. They need to be called out and you need to be the one to do it. This is not a task to be taken lightly." Mark's mild-mannered approach appeals to me.

I had scoped out the underlying principle here waaaay back and have used it to this day:

A "but" statement openly reveals a person's true intentions.

You know it instinctively: "I really like your boots, but the green is awful."
Now you can know it consciously.
To see through any "but" statement:

Reverse the first phrase, and change "but" to "and."

So the above line becomes "I really don't like your boots, and the green is awful."
In poker this is called a "tell."
In real life, it's just an advantage.

Next time you hear a "but" statement,
and inflection always tells you it's coming, try it --
reverse the first part, and change "but" to "and."
Works like a charm.

Politicians reveal themselves in "but" statements all the time.
Newscasters use "but" statements constantly to reveal their biases.
They don't realize it.
Now, you do.







::::


3- Internet Taxation Promised


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9Q8TV3O1.htm

Connecticut officials are not giving up on requiring Internet sellers to collect state sales taxes, despite signs from online retailer Amazon.com that it has no immediate plans to abide by the state's new Internet tax law.

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) estimates that all states are losing $23 billion each year ($152 million in Conn.), a figure that climbs annually as more people shop on the Internet instead of their local stores, according to Neil Osten, director of NCSL's Washington, D.C., office.

"All we have to do is get in the door. Once we get in the door, there are some more opportunities that come," Dept. of Revenue Services Commissioner Kevin Sullivan said.



The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

The Associated Press, working closely with the state governments for a change, is campaigning to suck more money out of the economy and into government hands, according to a recent report released by AP itself. Freedom from such taxes has contributed to astronomic economic growth in the Internet sales sector.

AP reporter Susan Haigh says, "states are losing $23 billion each year, a figure that climbs each year..." She fails to note that otherwise, the working people who earned that money would be the ones losing it. This way, we the people get to to keep the $23 billion of hard-earned cash, instead of forking it over to ever more hungry government tax czars, and in this case, to states where we don't even live. "If bureaucrats succeed in adding a gigantic new tax on the only vibrant star in the economic universe, the Internet, they will have again succeeded in making everyone poorer, in the name of government growth."

This is how government kills jobs. Economists and morons have long known that if taxes increase, people have less of their own money to spend and are poorer, and that's not rocket science.

The phrase "capture the sales tax revenue that goes uncollected" is how the states frame it, and the reporter parrots. "Keep huge piles of our earned cash in the economy, out of government hands, and let it work for us," is how increasingly disgruntled taxpayers generally see the effort to seize the funds. Reporters appear incapable of seeing this distinction and its huge bias.

Rewrite: "The public is saving $23 billion annually, a figure that climbs each year, by shopping on the Internet, according to information released by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a lobbying group representing state governments. Government agents, with NCSL backing, are now drawing up plans to take that money by creating a new tax, claiming they are "losing" revenue without the new tax.

According to leading bipartisan experts, increasing taxes at a time when government is already too large and needs to shrink, is exactly the direction you do NOT want to go, according to leading bipartisan experts."





::::


4- Hunters Reducing Hunger


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

Nothing. But it does frequently refer to the benign life-saving wonderful efforts of environmentally sensitive animal lovers in PETA. Read more about their wonderful exploits in item #6 later.



The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

"NEWTOWN, Conn. -- When you're feasting on holiday meals and leftovers, here's a story to tell -- one that would not be possible without the thoughtfulness and generosity of hunters.

"A new study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and conducted by Mile Creek Communications reveals that last year 11 million meals were provided to the less fortunate through donations of venison by hunters. Nearly 2.8 million pounds of game meat made its way to shelters, food banks and church kitchens and onto the plates of those in need.

" 'Given our challenging economic times, hunters' donations of venison have never been more important to so many people,' said Stephen L. Sanetti, president and CEO of NSSF, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. 'These contributions are just one way hunting and hunters are important to our way of life in America. Learning about these impressive figures makes me proud to be a hunter. I have donated game meat during the past year, and I urge my fellow hunters to strongly consider sharing their harvest.' "

" 'These figures are from confirmed sources, but annual donations could easily be double this amount if direct donations from hunters to friends and family are included,' said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF's director of statistics and research."

Often overlooked by animal "rights" radicals is the fact that laws typically make it illegal to let any edible portion of harvested game go to waste. Urban dwellers are often unaware that meat does not come from a foam tray covered in plastic wrap.





::::


5- The TrainMeAZ.com Campaign!


 Visit Arizona. See what real freedom feels like.
http://www.trainmeaz.com




Click the billboard and visit the TrainMeAZ state training site.

1. The lawsuit against the city of Phoenix, for censoring 50 of our advertisements at public bus stops (by claiming they are non-public spaces, and our ads don't meet their speech guidelines) is proceeding, but has thrown a wrench into our plans obviously. The suit is going well, fast (as these things go, it's been a year now), and we are cautiously optimistic about a positive outcome.

2. Although the majority of the campaign is on hold while the lawsuit proceeds, trainers who bought ad listings are getting some free "override" time, still posted without an additional fee. The Contributing Sponsors are still standing firm in support of the campaign, which will kick into high gear when the dust settles. http://www.trainmeaz.com

3. THE BIG NEWS is that, as promised, we have developed a tourist map for air travelers who arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport -- they get the billboard shown above smack dab in the middle of the page! We're in good company with other advertisers including Bass Pro Shops and Casino Arizona. Maps are on pads and available from every staffed information kiosk in the airport (all nine), and at both info booths at the car-rental facility. Rental companies are cutting expenses, so the TrainMeAZ map is often the only map everyone uses.








::::


6- Killer's Rights Defended?


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

"SAN DIEGO - A federal court is being asked to grant constitutional rights to five killer whales that perform at marine parks - an unprecedented and perhaps quixotic legal action that is nonetheless likely to stoke an ongoing, intense debate at America's law schools over expansion of animal rights," according to the Associated Press. http://tinyurl.com/7zs66cr.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, is accusing the SeaWorld parks of keeping five star-performer whales in conditions that violate the 13th Amendment ban on slavery... PETA relishes engaging in the court of public opinion, as evidenced by its provocative anti-fur and pro-vegan campaigns.

The plaintiffs are the five orcas - Tilikum and Katina, based at SeaWorld in Orlando; and Corky, Kasatka and Ulises at SeaWorld San Diego. Tilikum, a 6-ton male, made national news in February 2010 when he grabbed a trainer at the close of a performance and dragged her underwater until she drowned. PETA's five-member legal team spent 18 months preparing the case.



The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

Any questions remaining about the U.S. justice system's legitimacy, and willingness to stray from the bounds of reasonable jurisprudence, were put to death today with the acceptance of a slavery lawsuit defending animals -- that belongs instead in an obscure philosophy journal, but I repeat myself.

In days when the justice system would cling vigorously to real law, a case like this would have been summarily dismissed, its perpetrator lawyers disbarred, and the legal community in need of oxygen for laughing so hard. A simple question or two from the bench would have served to sever the nonsense and ridicule the monstrous assault on American courts.

"When did your clients retain you for this action counselor?" "What are your clients' goals?" While those questions expose the silliness, the followup would deserve punishment: "Are you saying your clients don't even know you've decided to represent them, and have not agreed to be party to this suit?" And of course, "Do we need an interpreter for this case, and what language should that person speak?" The courts no longer entertain such inquiry, no matter how bizarre a case they face. In common terms, that's malfeasance, grounds for removal from office, with prejudice.

One of the unwitting so-called plaintiffs committed murder but has not been charged. The parties remained silent on whether the murder charge would apply, if the whales are granted 13th Amendment anti-slavery human rights. The Founding Fathers could not be reached to see if they expected wild animals to be covered by the Bill of Rights or Constitution.




::::


7- Illegal Immigration Persists


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

According to the AP:
"WASHINGTON — Arrests of illegal immigrants along the U.S. border with Mexico are at the lowest level since the Nixon administration, indicating that fewer people are attempting to cross the border to live or work in the U.S. The development could change the debate on illegal immigration from securing the border to handling the people who are already here. It's the sixth straight year apprehensions have dropped. In the fiscal year that ended Sept.30, the Border Patrol arrested 327,577 people trying to cross the southern U.S. border.

"Arrests of people trying to sneak across the border have been steadily declining since 2006 after an all-time high of more than 1.6 million apprehensions in 2000." [If the all time high was in 2000 but numbers are declining since 2006, does that add up?]



The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

1. For the umpteenth time: Decreased border arrests do not equate to fewer border crossers, it simply means authorities are catching fewer people.

2. Catching 327,000 people invading the U.S. is not a good thing, as AP implies. No accounting of the people who snuck in was included in the report because it is not known, could be much larger than the number of captures, as it has been in the past, and is also not a good thing.

3. The AP's suggestion in its second sentence that this, "could change the debate on illegal immigration from securing the border to handling the people who are already here," is blatant editorializing right where the news is supposed to go. A third of a million invaders implies no such suggestion, except perhaps to the AP, a now well-recognized frequent propaganda arm of government.

4. Peak apprehensions of 1.6 million, several years ago (implying that at least an equal number snuck in) does nothing to justify the nearly 1,000 people this year caught trying to sneak in every day.

5. If indeed the lower captures are somehow related to a reduced number of invaders, the most likely explanation has been unmentioned -- after sneaking more than 20 million illegals into the country, they're running out of people to send. Who is "they"? Good question.






::::


8- Global Whining Unravels


The lamestream media told you:
The lamestream media told you:

"Associated Press --DURBAN, South Africa -- Brighten clouds with sea water? Spray aerosols high in the stratosphere? Paint roofs white and plant light-colored crops? How about positioning "sun shades" over the Earth?

"At a time of deep concern over global warming, a group of scientists, philosophers and legal scholars examined whether human intervention could artificially cool the Earth -- and what would happen if it did.

"A report released this month in London and discussed at the U.N. climate conference in South Africa said that, in theory, reflecting a small amount of sunlight back into space before it strikes the Earth's surface would have an immediate and dramatic effect... but no one knows what the side effects would be.

"Within a few years, global temperatures would return to levels of 250 years ago, before the industrial revolution began dumping carbon dioxide into the air, trapping heat and causing temperatures to rise." http://tinyurl.com/7mg6aya

The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:
The Uninvited Ombudsman notes however that:

Howard Maccabee, Ph.D., M.D., writing for the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, notes, "Allegations of harmful effects of climate warming on health are based on increased deaths observed in heat waves, especially in European cities. Year-round mortality data show, however, that death rates during cold weather are seven to nine times greater than during warm weather.

"If the predictions of the climate modelers based on the hypothesis of anthropogenic warming were true, rising temperatures in the 21st century would save millions of lives and improve human health directly."

Download the article, with its charts and graphs:
http://www.jpands.org/jpands1502.htm






::::




----::::----

Please DO NOT Donate To Us

If you want to donate to our efforts, just buy our goods from us;
https://www.gunlaws.com/books.htm
Buy a batch and give them to friends,
ask about cheap wholesale pricing.

You get something, we get something, it's more better.
Self-interest and capitalism -- The American Way





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CAN YOU LINK TO US?
If you're like some folks who ask if they can link to or forward my stuff, the answer is YES! and I'm honored by such interest. You can use the PageNine logo or any art from my site, with my thanks and appreciation.
https://www.gunlaws.com/PageNineIndex.htm
https://www.gunlaws.com

::::

9- Comments, Occupied Bias, Xmas Passed, CounterIntuitive Man

================================
Comments help keep me going. Alan.
================================

"There are two editions that go into the Page 9 Hall of Fame. The report(s) on the DC v Heller case, and this one! (here, the "occupy" rally, #104) Your style of subtle confrontation with these nitwits is spot on." -Garrett H.


"Your summary of the 'occupy' rally made my day. Loved it." Tammy S.


(Regarding media bias that shows in the typesetting of "occupy" and The Tea Party): "That's too funny. I am now repeatedly noticing this in the Yahoo! front page news.  Norm."



Regarding the last Page Nine No. 105, from a frequent gadfly:
"Alan, Thanks for helping to drive mainstream voters toward the Democratic candidates for 2012. I read a recent poll that indicated mainstream Republicans approval of the Tea Party has dropped to 50%. Unless I misread what you wrote below it looks like you're advocating a return to racial segregation. It must be really tough on your readers having a negro president who was elected by a majority of Americans. Just when they were getting over black quarterbacks. If they enjoy being angry, they should be thankful for this turn of events. I realize it's your job keeping them stirred up. Keep up the good work. Bill"

[You're a piece of work Bill, and yes, you did misread what I wrote. FWIW, your word "negro" s/b capitalized, but since it's now considered racist and un-PC, it is only used by racists, and should not be used at all. Technically the correct word would be mulatto, but same problem with using real words, per George Orwell.

[Regarding your math, Obama 2008 vote total = 66,862,039. Population = 305,000,000. Not "a majority of Americans" or even a majority of voting-age Americans or even a majority of voters (roughly only 22% of Americans elected the guy -- the "news" media didn't make that point, did they?). Normal for our system, routine error on your part. You misrepresent "informed" as "stirred up," leaving me surprised you didn't say "upitty." Did you find anything inaccurate, or just enjoying blowing off steam. Alan.]

   

Read. Learn. Grow.

::::

BIAS OCCUPIES THE "NEWS" MEDIA

The final shoe drops in part 4 below... priceless.

PART ONE:

To: Sharon Cohen, Associated Press (and selected media friends)
Subject: Crackdowns by police at camps raise concerns
 
Ms. Cohen,
 
Wonderful article about the First Amendment rights at play in the demonstrations at Wall Street and around the country. Fair, even handed, good quotes from experts, explored the issue well.
 
Use of phrases like this are problematic, however: "...on behalf of Occupy activists..."
 
Since the AP prefers to refer to the "tea party" in its coverage (in quotes), for consistency, and to avoid an appearance of favoritism or supporting one group over another, the "occupy" movement should always appear in quotes as well, for the slight disparaging effect the quotes bring.
 
Like the tea party, the occupiers are not an official party, or a proper noun, or anything that would justify capitalization in that use. The inconsistent use of capitals along with the belittling quote marks conveys a bias you should vigorously seek to avoid, but which the public has unfortunately come to expect.
 
The alternative is to always refer to The Tea Party, but that would give this much larger, longer-standing and law-abiding group an imprimatur of significance, which AP has chosen instead to bestow upon the rowdy, unsanitary and arrest-prone "occupy" people. The public has noticed the disparity in coverage, and it contributes to the lack of confidence the media has been enduring lately.
 
Just on grammatical grounds, a change, and even a public acknowledgment of the change, is appropriate.
 
May I expect the courtesy of a reply? Alan.

PART TWO:

"Mr. Korwin: Thanks for your note. Our Standards Center at our NY headquarters will be sending you a note answering your question. Best, Sharon Cohen, National Writer"

From: David Minthorn Associated Press <DMinthorn@ap.org>
CC: AP Standards <Standards@ap.org>, "Cohen, Sharon" <scohen@ap.org>,
   Subject: RE: Crackdowns by police at camps raise concerns

Dear Mr. Korwin,
 
Your query about Sharon Cohen's story was relayed to me for a response.
 
AP has been capitalizing Occupy so far to refer to various local protests. The shorthand term comes out of the official name of a specific demonstration, Occupy Wall Street. Many protests focus on local themes while sharing the name, including Occupy Memphis, Occupy LA and other groups.
 
This is consistent with how AP handled the Million-Man March and Glenn Beck's “Restoring Honor” demonstration in Washington.
 
After two months of protests, and police actions of recent days,  it's uncertain whether Occupy in its various manifestations will endure as a lasting movement. So we're inclined to stick with the shorthand term for the time being.
 
AP's lowercase spelling of tea party, the political movement, is in line with our spellings of other political philosophies like conservatives and liberals. They share ideas but aren't formed as national parties, like the Republicans and the Democrats.
Where tea party groups are formally organized, AP capitalizes the local name. One example from AP's coverage of the Memphis situation:
 
Pope and fellow Occupy Memphis protester Tristan Tran had a lively, sometimes strained and confrontational, but mostly civil discussion with members of the Mid-South Tea Party at a municipal meeting hall outside Memphis.
 
The AP Stylebook guidance:
 
tea party Populist movement in the United States that opposes the Washington political establishment and espouses conservative and libertarian philosophy, including reduced government spending, lower taxes and reduction of the national debt and the federal budget deficit. Adherents are tea partyers. Formally named groups in the movement are capitalized: Tea Party Express.
 
Sincerely, David Minthorn, Deputy Standards Editor, The Associated Press

PART THREE:

Mr. Minthorn's rambling excuse, illogic, rationalization, justifications and supplications (carefully selected adjectives) ring hollow. Just like the ones from the local state paper here in my home state, when they were also asked:

Have you noticed that the media capitalizes the phrase "Occupy Wall Street"
in every use, but places the "tea party" in lower case and quote marks
all the time? Does this mean the "occupy" people are real
and the "tea party" people are just a temporary distraction?
Or is it a subtle and effective way to marginalize The Tea Party,
and promote the "occupy" people as hard as possible?



Columnist replies:

"Good point,  though I don't suspect any conspiracy to marginalize one group while promoting the other.  More likely, it's just an inconsistency that hasn't been considered or has been considered but the explanation hasn't been publicly disseminated.   I seem to recall that the tea party thing was an issue because there wasn't one overarching organization (ie: The Tea Party) but rather, it was a series of unconnected groups.  I'll forward along your question to the head of our style committee."

[That struck me as a rather baseless effort to rationalize away the obvious -- 'unconnected groups'? What does that make the occupiers?




[It gets more weird from the copy editor, who "imagines" what it must be]:

"Hello, Alan,

"Thank you for your question regarding the styles for "tea party" and Occupy Wall Street. It's a good one. I can't speak for the entire industry, but you've probably noticed similar styles in other publications, and I imagine their thought process was similar to ours. It comes down to the word "party." Since the "tea party" is a grass-roots movement, not an official political party, we lowercase it to make that distinction clear. If the Occupy Wall Street movement instead chose the moniker the "occupy party," we would handle it the same way -- lowercase, with quote marks, to distinguish it from an official political party. Sincerely, Chad Snow, news copy desk manager"




Well naturally I replied (below, but that's the last I heard from him):

While what you "imagine" may or may not be true Chad, the usage has the net effect of glorifying the "occupy" people, while denigrating The Tea Party. Half the nation firmly believes the media plays favorites and behaves this way all the time, and as you know, the media's credibility is in disrepair. This sort of language exacerbates the problem.

The Tea Party has assembled upwards of half a million people on a single occasion, and many millions nationwide on given days, while the "occupy" people are essentially a rag tag youthful bunch without clear goals and social skills that leave some observers aghast. At the huge Tea Party gathering in Washington D.C., not a single arrest occurred, while the "occupiers" have had 2,400 arrests in their very short existence, according to one accounting, and have trashed, vandalized, graffitied, defecated, fought and cursed their way into notoriety.

I say this only to demonstrate to you a different way of writing their names, not to suggest that one group is a massive uprising that changed the face of Congress without being a "party" as you point out, and that the other, a darling of the left if the left-leaning bloggers (or language usage) is any measure, receives, let's at least say, Different treatment by the mainstream media, often accused of being well left-of-center in its coverage and predilections.

Those predilections, sometimes called biases or spin, show clearly, if you wish to look, in coverage of such subjects as: gun rights (my specialty, where I would mildly characterize it as consistently outrageous), religion (apparently a harmful pursuit of the intellectually challenged), taxation (overwhelmingly from the statist perspective of government losing money as perceived by tax recipients, rarely from the view of taxpayers keeping more of their own money), abortion, global warming (now climate change, to cover all bases and deflect criticism), illegal immigration (migrantion in media parlance), diversity and multiculturalism (a firmly adopted media standard, but did you notice what Angela Merkel said about it last year, or what a huge portion of the country sees it as?), islamist jihadis waging war on Western civilization (euphemistically deemed terrorists) and more.

You can find hundreds of individual events analyzed here: https://www.gunlaws.com/PageNineIndex.htm, or better yet, media so-called bias examined in egregious cases here: https://www.gunlaws.com/NewsAccuracy.htm

The paper doesn't have an ombudsman (or at least one that's visible) and your reading public knows it. If you had one, it would attract readership, and have positive impact on your credibility, and maybe even circulation. Try it?

Alan Korwin, The Uninvited Ombudsman, 25-Year Member, SPJ




A friendly reporter tries to get around it this way:

"The differing treatment is a result of AP style, which is the guiding reference for most English-language newspapers. My initial inclination is to think that you are right -- the two should be consistent. But I'd like to withhold judgment until I can learn why the gurus at AP came up with this. I'll ask our style team tomorrow. In the meantime, here are some possibilities:

    -- Liberal-pinko-Trilateralist-Free Masons in the media who control AP style want to elevate the Wall Street gang above the tea party crowd because, in their minds, it's just better. [Note: his sarcasm fails to hide the underlying truth of this statement, if you overlook the preposterous conspiracy elements thrown in for laughs. -Alan.]

    -- There are hundreds of tea party organizations, each of which has its title capitalized (i.e., Gilbert Tea Party, Mohave County Tea Party, etc.). But there is only one Occupy Wall Street group. (And one Occupy Seattle group, and one Occupy Phoenix group, etc.)

    -- If the word "occupy" is lower case in front of "Wall Street," which is always upper case, it looks weird and might create uncertain meaning for readers. For instance, the following is awkward because it is not immediately clear whether you are talking about the movement: "Police encircled the occupy Wall Street crowd and ordered participants to leave." By contrast, there is no similar uncertainty when the words "tea party" appear together.

   "I don't entirely buy any of the above explanations, but that's no surprise because I find myself in disagreement with AP style quite often, mostly on issues having nothing to do with politics.
   "If I hear of an explanation that seems valid, I'll pass it on."




Another local reporter, who has a brain, made this remark:

"These libtards also capitalize Black when referring to race while leaving white in lower case. They're simply so libtarded, they see nothing wrong with what they do." -Linda B.




An out of town reporter had this to say:

"I would like to address another issue: unfortunately, your bias is clear when you refer to the 'rowdy, unsanitary and arrest-prone 'occupy' people.'  Certainly, some unsavory elements camped out with the Occupy activists, but to label them the way you have is narrow-minded." [It's narrow minded, or an inability to detect sarcasm when used to make a point. Which of the adjectives inaccurately portrays the main thread of the movement? -Alan]



PART FOUR -- THE GOOD PART

Why would I go through all this, and how many of you have followed me up to this point? Here's the reward:

As early as Nov. 29, in a story by Geoff Mulvihill of the Associated Press, and Gannett's #2 paper The Arizona Republic began placing "occupy" in quote marks, to match the treatment afforded The Tea Party. Capitalization is being handled in a uniform way as well, removing the appearance of bias that infused these stories earlier. No formal announcement was made. No acknowledgment of The Uninvited Ombudsman's role was noted, and there may have been none. The public likely has not perceived much of a difference. And The Uninvited Ombudsman can take no direct credit or knowing satisfaction, but it do feel good, don't it.

It's a small point, but proof of principle.




::::


"Note A" -- Too late for Christmas

Anonymously received over the web --
Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition
Edited

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- produced at the expense of American labor.

Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in communist-Chinese-produced wrapping paper? How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about health. Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a book of gift certificates.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy-eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Folks, this isn't about big national chains -- this is about supporting your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line. How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Want a heartfelt gift for Mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning person for a day. My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater. Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

You see, Christmas should not be about draining American pockets so that communist China can build another glittering city. Christmas is about caring about each other, encouraging Americans to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Is it?

End of "Note A"


::::


CounterIntuitive Man Is Back!
And he says --
I think my search engine is snowing me!
My last search found “10,800,000 results in 0.07 seconds”!
There aren't 10 million answers to the question I asked!
Finding that many that fast doesn't pass the sniff test!
Most important, there's no way to check out the supposed answers!
How can I look at even the nine-millionth answer -- I can't!
And they know that. They know that.
I might get to the 36,000th, if I break my hand mousing!
What else am I being snowed on?!



----::::----


Q: How do we make money?
A: Answer

Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
 

 

 

Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
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