Thoughts On The Chase Bank Robbery

Although I didn't blog about it when it happened, the Chase bank near my home was robbed last week.

WANAMAKER, Ind. -- A mail carrier was shot in the face when he tried to intervene after a bank robbery just outside of Indianapolis Thursday afternoon, police said.
The robbery happened just after 3 p.m. at the Chase Bank branch near Southeastern Avenue and Franklin Road in Wanamaker, 6News' Rick Hightower reported.



I chose to hold out, since the first reports were sketchy. For instance, initial reports only mentioned that Abebe had a shotgun, and reporters first claimed that was what Abebe used to shoot Bob Norman in the eye.

Later reports contained more accuracy and detail, and now bring up some interesting facts and questions. For instance...

1) The perp is a "resident alien" from Ethiopia with a lengthy criminal history.

Nazret Ethiopian Weblog:
Local authorities will screen the case Monday, and Abebe, who police said is a resident alien from Ethiopia, will face federal arraignment later this week.

Abebe, who has felony convictions out of Allen County for auto theft, welfare fraud, burglary and operating a vehicle while intoxicated on second offense, came to Indianapolis about two years ago. Wethington said Abebe worked for his brother, who ran a cleaning business, and about a month ago he rented a room at a Southeastside house.

He was late paying his rent, but on Thursday, Wethington said, Abebe told his landlord he would be able to pay later that day.

That's a heck of a plan for scrounging up rent money! Does this mean that we get to send his worthless ass back to Ethiopia, or do we get to provide his rent and meals for the next 20+ years?

With the economy tanking and jobs vaporizing, this sort of thing is going to become more prevalent. A couple cops who attend church with me say that shoplifting and robbery rates have skyrocketed this year.

2) Bob Norman, the mailman, was shot with a .38 - not a shotgun, as was originally reported. I wondered how the guy was just shot in the eye and was expected to recover if he had taken a shotgun blast @ close range to the face.

3) The fact that Abebe already has felonies against him should have prevented him from purchasing either of the weapons used in the robbery.

Hmmm... again we see that gun laws don't deter criminals from getting and using firearms.

Sharia In The United States

I guarantee this will make your blood boil. h/t to Jihad Watch

A Question For The Liberals

From Ray @ A Moral compass


If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non- existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to “Cinco de Cuatro” in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word advice would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as “proof” of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on “Earth Day”, would you have concluded he’s a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush’s administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually “get” what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan’s holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?



So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive?

Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 5 months -- so you'll have three years and seven months to come up with an answer.

The Shit Has Already Hit The Fan

From "Gadsden"

I was thinking the other day. For me in my life, consequences have always taken a fair amount of time to set in... for me to really 'get it'. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I am not outside rusting, either... but I will get back to the point.

Simply put... As of last year, we now have:
1. government controlled investment firms
2. government controlled banks
3. government controlled motors

We are well on our way to:
1. government owned healthcare
2. government owned energy industries

The Shit hit the fan already. I repeat, the shit has already hit the fan. Now we are just waiting for the consequences to set in. Americans are dull and lazy due to relatively easy lives. The consequences will be horrible unempoloyment and the debasement of our currency to the point it will be replaced... all of this leading to some sort of 'dark age'. I predict the dark days won't last more than Maybury's 3-5 years but they will be violent and brutal.

How else can 300 million people (US population) get by when nobody needs grass cutting, counter tops, mechanics, etc. and government employees don't have real pay because there is horrible inflation/ debasement of currency and a broken government that is forced to lay off/ make cuts on a large percentage of its workers

Betty's New Eyes

We had a chance to go over and hang out Sunday afternoon with one of the families we have come to know through teaching Children's Church. It was a great day of fellowship, relaxation, and--of course--shooting.

Betty, my .30-06, was recently fitted with a fixed 10 SWFA Super Sniper scope, and I've been itching to get her dialed in. Mounting the scope is a story in and of itself, since the SS is a 30mm and my previous mount and ring setup was for 1". What made this a problem was that Betty's previous owner had a blue Lok-Tite fetish, and also managed to strip out the screws that secured the mount to the receiver. Suffice it to say that almost every obstacle that could have been encountered in mounting a scope on a bolt gun was encountered--but also overcome.

I also got a decent deal on an SKD Tac sniper bean bag which helped in positional consistency and cheek weld, as well as providing a nice bit of padding between my jawbone and Betty's stock.

I decided to go for a 200yd Zero. Right out of the box, at 50yd, here was my first two shot groupings of three shots each.





The target is a piece of posterboard that I gridded into 2" squares. I was impressed and pleased, and moved back to 200 yd. About fifteen shot grouping later, this was my final result.





For some reason, I always ended up with my last shot going down and to the side. Strange, but consistent from group to group. I guess that I need considerably more Range time; either to iron out a bad habit, or to be able to predict and adjust for the wild shot in the group.

Being that this is Indiana, we experienced about the full spectrum of possible weather available during summertime. It went from swelteringly hot, bright, and muggy to windy, and then to overcast and drizzling--and then back again. While I did not mind the weather so much, the bugs were nearly intolerable.

I noticed that I really have to check my impatience. I tend to want to get a shot off now and have done with it. Mentally checking body position consistency, and going through B.R.A.S.S.wears on me. There were several times where I would be ready to take the shot, and then have to exhale, relax, and get off the trigger because I could feel myself tensing up. Mark threatened to put me in a corset to get my breathing under control.

I firmly believe that all three of these can be fixed with adequate trigger time, so next week Betty and I will be off to the Waveland Gun Club.

Welcome To The Ministry Of Truth

Wow. Who'd have thought we would have State-run Media in our lifetimes. George Orwell must be rolling over in his grave...

From The Drudge Report

ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE
Tue Jun 16 2009 08:45:10 ET

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm!

Highlights on the agenda:

ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House.

The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate.


Late Monday night, Republican National Committee Chief of Staff Ken McKay fired off a complaint to the head of ABCNEWS:

Dear Mr. Westin:

As the national debate on health care reform intensifies, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with ABC's astonishing decision to exclude opposing voices on this critical issue on June 24, 2009. Next Wednesday, ABC News will air a primetime health care reform “town hall” at the White House with President Barack Obama. In addition, according to an ABC News report, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, WORLD NEWS, NIGHTLINE and ABC’s web news “will all feature special programming on the president’s health care agenda.” This does not include the promotion, over the next 9 days, the president’s health care agenda will receive on ABC News programming.

Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party's views to those of the President's to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected. I believe that the President should have the ability to speak directly to the America people. However, I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our Party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers.

In the absence of opposition, I am concerned this event will become a glorified infomercial to promote the Democrat agenda. If that is the case, this primetime infomercial should be paid for out of the DNC coffers. President Obama does not hold a monopoly on health care reform ideas or on free airtime. The President has stated time and time again that he wants a bipartisan debate. Therefore, the Republican Party should be included in this primetime event, or the DNC should pay for your airtime.

Respectfully,
Ken McKay
Republican National Committee
Chief of Staff

ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith on Tuesday responded to the RNC complaint, saying it contained 'false premises':

"ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue.

"ABCNEWS alone will select those who will be in the audience asking questions of the president. Like any programs we broadcast, ABC News will have complete editorial control. To suggest otherwise is quite unfair to both our journalists and our audience."

Developing...

Bisy Backson

Been busy, been on vacation (which was excellent). I intend to write about it--but not quite yet.

Still Know How To Groove

YES ! I've been looking for this song off and on since it was first released. Enjoy!

Liberals "Frustrated" On Gun Issues

Good! The more their plans to disarm and subjugate us are frustrated, the better. Some of these politicians just floor me. They know that gun control is a third-rail issue, yet they mulishly insist on pushing their agenda.

Here are some excerpts from the article:

"We'll probably end up passing more gun bills" that expand owners' rights "than we did during the Republican administration," said Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., a leading gun control advocate. "That is what surprises me."

Let me tell you, Carolyn, if this comes about, I might just end up voting Democrat for the first time in my life.

She placed less blame on the White House than on ordinary Americans and advocacy groups that are consistently outflanked by gun owners' groups, especially the National Rifle Association.

"Until the American people say enough is enough, and get active in it," Democratic control of Congress and the White House will not be enough to turn the tide, said McCarthy, whose husband was killed by a gunman in 1993.

Hello... The American people have said "enough is enough," and gotten active. Have you seen the incredible rise in firearms sales? Have you any idea how scarce ammo is, because it flies off the shelves as fast as sellers can get it stocked? Be certain of this, Carolyn McCarthy (D of New York), regardless of any legislation you may pass, no matter what measures you may take, We will NOT be disarmed !

The gun votes were less surprising to many Democrats than were the Guantanamo developments. The NRA remains among the most powerful lobbies, and many lawmakers take care to stay off its political enemies list.

"People do not want to be on the wrong side of this particular cultural divide," said Rep. David Price, D-N.C., who supports tougher gun controls. "It's too bad there's not a more responsible national organization" to counteract the NRA, he said.

Note Price's word choice: "the wrong side." They know they're doing wrong, but somehow can't help themselves. And by the way, David, there is a more responsible national organization that counteracts the NRA. It's called Gun Owner's of America. They do a fine job of responsibly counteracting the NRA's milktoast pandering and "going along to get along."

In some ways, the gun-control lobby is choking on Democratic success in congressional races. "The seats we're picking up come disproportionately from those more conservative areas," Price said, where linking the Democratic Party to gun control can be dangerous at re-election time.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California is another Democrat frustrated by the gun debate. When she asks colleagues why they don't support tougher restrictions, she said, they reply, "You just don't get it, Woolsey. You don't have our districts."

"It has to do with being afraid they'll lose their election if they stand up against guns," she said.

Think about it, Lynn. If your constituents oppose gun control, then how can you claim to represent them when you force issues that go against their wishes--let alone the very COnstitution that you have sworn to uphold. How about doing what you're supposed to do instead of trying to do whatever the Hell you want to do from your own personal agenda?

"I do believe that down the road the president will start working on some of the gun violence issues," said McCarthy, the New York Democrat. "But let's face it," she said. "We've got an awful lot of issues on our plate right now."

Be sure of this: try and disarm the American people and you'll have a lot more on your plate than you ever bargained for. Step off, bitch.

MOLWN LABE

Napolitano Faces Lawsuit For DHS "Rightwing Extremism Report"

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced that on Thursday, April 16th, it filed a federal lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. The lawsuit claims that her Department’s “Rightwing Extremism Policy,” as reflected in the recently publicized Intelligence Assessment, “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of their political beliefs. Click here to read the complaint filed by the Thomas More Law Center.

Napolitano tried to blunt the public furor over the Report by a half-hearted apology to veterans, but she left out of her apology all of the other Americans her Department has targeted because of their political beliefs. In fact, officials in DHS now admit that their internal office of civil liberties objected to the language in the extremism report, but the Department issued it anyway.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center stated, “Janet Napolitano is lying to the American people when she says the Report is not based on ideology or political beliefs. In fact, her report would have the admiration of the Gestapo and any current or past dictator in the way it targets political opponents. This incompetently written intelligence assessment, which directs law enforcement officials across the country to target and report on American citizens who have the political beliefs mentioned in the report, will be used as a tool to stifle political opposition and opinions. It will give a pretext for opponents of those Americans to report them to police as rightwing extremists and terrorists. You can imagine what happens then.”

The Report specifically mentions the following political beliefs that law enforcement should use to determine whether someone is a “rightwing extremist”:

Opposes abortion (check)
Opposes restrictions on firearms (check)
Opposes lax immigration (check)
Opposes the policies of President Obama regarding immigration, citizenship, and the expansion of social programs (check)
Opposes continuation of free trade agreements (check)
Opposes same-sex marriage (check)
Has paranoia of foreign regimes (I don't know if I'd call it "paranoia," but I sure don't want to live under a regime even resembling what the rest of the world has going on. For the sake of argument, I'll say "check.")
Fear of Communist regimes (See above. Check.)
Opposes one world government (Check. Until Jesus comes back, anyway.)
Bemoans the decline of U.S. stature in the world. (check)
Upset with loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs to China and India (check)

. . . and the list goes on
(Remember, the list "goes on" by also including people who supported "radical" candidates like Dr. Ron Paul, Pastor Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr. With an unbroken string of "offenses," it looks like Janet Napolitano considers me, my family, and just about everybody at our church to be domestic terrorists. If a man is known by his enemies, then I am proud to be considered an "enemy of the State" by an unbalanced, power-hungry totalitarian bitch like Napolitano.)

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on behalf of nationally syndicated conservative radio talk show host, Michael Savage, Gregg Cunningham (President of the pro-life organization Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc (CBR)), and Iraqi War Marine veteran Kevin Murray. The Law Center claims that Napolitano’s Department (DHS) has violated the First and Fifth Amendment Constitutional rights of these three plaintiffs by attempting to chill their free speech, expressive association, and equal protection rights. The lawsuit further claims that the Department of Homeland Security encourages law enforcement officers throughout the nation to target and report citizens to federal officials as suspicious rightwing extremists and potential terrorists because of their political beliefs.

Thompson added, “The Obama Administration has declared war on American patriots and our Constitution. The Report even admits that the Department has no specific information on any plans of violence by so-called ‘rightwing extremists.’ Rather, what they do have is the expression of political opinions by certain individuals and organizations that oppose the Obama administration’s policies, and this expression is protected speech under the First Amendment.”

The Law Center is asking the court to declare that the DHS policy violates the First and Fifth Amendments, to permanently enjoin the Policy and its application to the plaintiffs’ speech and other activities, and to award the plaintiffs their reasonable attorney’s fees and costs for having to bring the lawsuit.

Click here to read the DHS extremism report.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

One Less Wolf, One More Confirmed Sheepdog

h/t to The Freeholder

College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader
Posted: 4:53 pm EDT May 4, 2009
Updated: 9:09 am EDT May 7, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. -- A group of college students said they are lucky to be alive and they’re thanking the quick-thinking of one of their own. Police said a fellow student shot and killed one of two masked me who burst into an apartment.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Jones met with one of the students to talk about the incident.

“Apparently, his intent was to rape and murder us all,” said student Charles Bailey.

TOM JONES: College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader


Bailey said he thought it was the end of his life and the lives of the 10 people inside his apartment for a birthday party after two masked men with guns burst in through a patio door.

“They just came in and separated the men from the women and said, ‘Give me your wallets and cell phones,’” said George Williams of the College Park Police Department.

Bailey said the gunmen started counting bullets. “The other guy asked how many (bullets) he had. He said he had enough,” said Bailey.

That’s when one student grabbed a gun out of a backpack and shot at the invader who was watching the men. The gunman ran out of the apartment.

The student then ran to the room where the second gunman, identified by police as 23-year-old Calvin Lavant, was holding the women.


Calvin Lavant, dead bad guy


“Apparently the guy was getting ready to rape his girlfriend. So he told the girls to get down and he started shooting. The guy jumped out of the window,” said Bailey.

A neighbor heard the shots and heard someone running nearby.

“And I heard someone say, ‘Someone help me. Call the police. Somebody call the police,’” said a neighbor.

The neighbor said she believes it was Lavant, who was found dead near his apartment, only one building away.

Bailey said he is just thankful one student risked his life to keep others alive.

“I think all of us are really cognizant of the fact that we could have all been killed,” said Bailey.

One female student was shot several times during the crossfire. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said they are close to making the arrest of the second suspect.

Why didn't this make the national news?!

UPDATE: (h/t to Lawyer) Jamal Hill of Crisp county arrested on suspicion of being the second invader.

Indianapolis Homeowner Opens Fire On Burglars

Kudos to you, Danielle!

Here is an excerpt from the article.

"I woke up and there's this man in my house and I heard the window and I grabbed my gun and I fired at him. I'm not going to be his victim and they're not going to run me and my kids out of my home," said the woman, identified only by her first name, Danielle.

Danielle said she was determined not to be a victim.

"I did what I had to do not only to protect myself but to protect my home because I didn't know whether or not - hey, are you coming here to rob me, are you coming here to rape and beat or kill me and I'm not going to stop and ask you questions as to, hey, dude, what's your intent," she said. "My dad always said, 'If you feel threatened, you put a bullet in them.'"

...snip...

This is my favorite part...

So Monday, she was ready, with the weapon she's had for almost a decade.
"It needs to send a message. If you go into someone's home, be prepared for whatever consequences there might be," Danielle said. "If I had to do it all over again, I would make sure I had better practice."


The rest of the Indianapolis Star article HERE