Father and Son Gun Owners in Florida

The rule is that 99.9 percent of gun owners are responsible and sober. After all if they aren't they might lose thier right to keep and bear arms. It's the exceptions to the rule that give us joy and amusement.

Dedicated to Joe Huffman

Just for fun let's imagine that at 17 seconds we have a glimpse of Linoge, Mike W. and Joe Huffman peeking into a gun control gathering, rewarded a short time later with the sight of what they knew all along, Paul Helmke in red robes.

The KKK and Guns

From Laci comes this fascinating video. I dedicate it to all my blog friends who keep trying to associate the Gun Control movement with the KKK. You know who you are.

NRA Compared to the KKK?

Kurt sets us straight on this one.

I have had, and will undoubtedly continue to have, a great many disagreements with the NRA. That does not mean I will stand for them being compared to a group that epitomizes the worst of our nation's history. The KKK would love to deny the human right to keep and bear arms, to those whom they would like to terrorize. Gun rights advocacy groups, including the NRA, intend to thwart that sick goal.

It almost sounds like Kurt is claiming the Ku Klux Klan is primarily about preventing people from getting guns, sort of the antithesis of the noble NRA. Now, I can certainly understand someone being obsessed with guns, just look at my blog, but I do believe the KKK has a broader agenda than that.

About the tenuous connection between Ms. Kagan and the comparison between the NRA and the KKK, I wonder if Joe Huffman had a chance to pick up on that.

In handwriting that is almost certainly Kagan's (compare the document in question with a known sample of her writing), concern is expressed that a bill under debate at the time would benefit "bad guy orgs"--the NRA and the KKK.

Joe has other ideas, to which I had this to say.

Joe, I know you can back it up in your prolix way, and have actually done so already, but I feel your comparing Helmke to the Grand Wizard of the KKK is one of the stupidest things you've ever written. Of course I haven't seen all you've had to say, so I might be wrong about that.

I really can't decide which is crazier, comparing the NRA to the KKK or comparing Helmke to the Grand Wizard. You pick.

Raymond "Chuck" Foster, KKK Imperial Wizard

Raymond "Chuck" Foster is being charged with 2nd Degree Murder in St. Tammany Parish Louisiana. He pleaded non guilty in March.

At 5 foot 4 inches tall with a long beard and wide frame, weighing about 300 pounds, the accused leader of the Bogalusa Sons of Dixie Knights must make an impressive appearance.

He is accused of killing a 43-year-old Oklahoma woman, who was recruited on the internet but later tried to back out of an initiation rite to join his organization. I wasn't able to find out exactly what that initiation might have been. Perhaps someone can inform us.

According to the CNN report, there was a shaving of her head involved in the ritual, but I'll bet there's more to it. One thing for sure, Mr. Foster who has a history of criminal activity, including a manslaughter charge under his belt, is no stranger to violence.

After the shooting, Foster removed a knife from his pocket and rolled over the victim and began a process of trying to remove the bullet from her body ... because he was trying to destroy evidence where law enforcement would not be able to piece these things together.

This week, the Imperial Wizard's son, Shane Foster was declared incompetent to stand trial. He's being charged with obstruction of justice. From NOLA.com:

Dr. Michelle Garriga, who was appointed by the court to examine Foster and did so on March 16, testified Tuesday that Foster does "not have a factual understanding" of the law or its procedures.

She said he has "cognitive deficits," "an ignorance of legal understanding" and that he is "mildly mentally retarded or a little above that."

Garriga, who works in the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System's forensic division, said Foster does not understand the role of judges, attorneys, jurors or defendants; does not comprehend the difference between guilt and innocence; and is not aware of his legal rights.

In Louisiana the severity of sentencing is legendary. For example, "obstruction of justice charges carry a maximum of 40 years in prison." I realize that's the max, but it strikes me as somewhat severe. How about you?

If the obstruction penalty is heavy, you can imagine what dear old dad is facing.

A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic sentence of life in prison without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.

No wonder they're still executing people in Louisiana. What's your opinion? Do those sentence guidelines sound severe to you? What about the son's supposed incompetence and "borderline" mental retardation? Do you think all that is just a ploy to avoid accountability?

One idea occurred to me, I don't know if you'll like it, but the son is just 21 years old and is totally immersed in the hate culture. Is that his fault? Doesn't his father bear some of the responsibility for that? I say yes. I wouldn't mind if the senior Mr. Foster were charged with child abuse as well as murder.

What's your opinion?

Is There Fear of a Black President?

The Mother Jones site ran a very interesting story yesterday written by James Ridgeway about the reaction some white folks are having to the ever-increasing prospect of a black president.

The prospect of an African American president is bringing the nation's white supremacists out of the shadows—and, along with them, some subtler versions of racialist populism. Both hearken back to another economically and socially turbulent time in the United States, in the early 1980s.

On the official David Duke website, the election of Barack Obama is referred to as a "wakeup call." Is that some kind of code word that the true extremists recognize? It's a frightening prospect to think that there may be a powder keg of of racial hatred just waiting to be ignited.

On Huffington Post, the article called Five Reasons Why the Obama Infomercial was Worth the Cost seems to smooth the waters a bit.

Let's be honest: the Obama infomercial was about comforting white Americans -- especially middle and working class white Americans. That said, it was arguably necessary and -- for what it was -- very effective.

Although only time will tell, it appears that the Obama infomercial accomplished exactly what it needed to do: soothing skittish white undecided voters without alienating current supporters.

What do you think? Is this a problem? Is there any possibility that small bands of fanatics armed with well-read copies of The Turner Diaries will rise up and wreak havoc?