You are here: Home / Media

Programming Note: I’m All Over the DMN Place This Week

July 16, 2009 By Trey Garrison 21 Comments

In a rare down moment late last week I dashed off a quick comment on the Dallas Morning News‘ Gap blog. (It’s a blog about the divide between North and South Dallas, not about the place you can buy stuff to send me as presents.)

That posting prompted Sharon Grigsby, the ViewPoints editor, to have me write a column that’s going to run in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News. Also, it prompted three letters to the editor that will run in tomorrow’s issue, where some folks take issue with what I had to say.

UPDATE: The discussion in this thread got sidetracked. This is one of those rare times I want to talk seriously about an issue and have people throw in their two cents, so the main unrelated comments not on topic have been removed. This includes my own comments. We’ll have that discussion another day.

Filed Under DMN Points and Viewpoints, Media, Vainglorious Plugging

‘Naive’ Is Believing The Words and Not the Record, Steve

July 7, 2009 By Trey Garrison 6 Comments

The untalented flotsam at the Dallas Morning News calls gun owners “sheep.”

From what I see, they are one of the most naive, most easily manipulated political groups in the country.

Naive? Why?

There’s no evidence the Obama administration has any major shift in gun laws in mind.

Oh really?

“The Obama administration will seek to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 during the Bush administration, Attorney General Eric Holder said.” ABC News Link

Mr. Obama hasn’t made any move yet to enact gun control only because he doesn’t have the votes. Even he admits this. He and Joe Biden know the losses the Democrat Party suffered when they enacted the first massive gun ban in the early 1990s.

But here’s a sampling of Mr. Obama’s past quotes and positions in favor of gun control, showing if he had the votes and could sell it, Obama would ban guns in a heartbeat.

——————

Mr. Obama supports the proposed HR 45 bill that would enact draconian gun control.

He is in favor of “closing” the non-existent “gun show loophole” — despite the fact that every firearms dealer at any gun show must conduct a full background check on every buyer.

Mr. Obama opposes concealed carry.

“I am not in favor of concealed weapons,” Obama said. “I think that creates a potential atmosphere where more innocent people could (get shot during) altercations.” Link

Obama’s pro gun control position from Ontheissues.org

His attorney general, Eric Holder — who never met an anti-gun law he didn’t support — wants to re-enact the so-called “Assault Weapons” ban. Obama is on the record as supporting the ban’s renewal. Link

The ban on “armor piercing bullets” that Obama supports is a Trojan Horse.

Obama voted for an amendment by longtime ammunition ban advocate Sen. Edward Kennedy (S. Amdt. 1615 to S. 397, Vote No. 217, July 29, 2005), which would have fundamentally changed the federal “armor piercing ammunition” law (18 U.S.C. ‘ 922(a)(7)), by banning any bullet that “may be used in a handgun and that the Attorney General determines… to be capable of penetrating body armor” that “meets minimum standards for the protection of law enforcement officers.”

Federal law currently bans bullets as “armor piercing” based upon the metals used in their construction, such as those made of steel and those that have heavy jackets. (18 U.S.C. ‘ 921(a)(17)). The Kennedy amendment would have fundamentally changed the law to add a ban on bullets on the basis of whether they penetrate the “minimum” level of body armor, regardless of the bullets’ construction or the purposes for which they were designed (e.g., hunting).

Many bullets designed and intended for use in rifles (including hunting rifles) have, over the years, been used in special-purpose hunting and target handguns, thus they “may be used in a handgun.”

The “minimum” level of body armor, Type I, only protects against the lowest-powered handgun cartridges. Any center-fire rifle used for hunting, target shooting, or any other purpose, and many handguns used for the same purposes, are capable of penetrating Type I armor, regardless of the design of the bullet.

“I’m consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry.”

Chicago Tribune, 4/27/04

“I think it’s a scandal that this president (Bush) did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.”

Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes, 10/21/04

“I believe in keeping guns out of our inner cities and that our leaders must say so in the face of the gun manufacturers lobby.”

The Audacity of Hope, by Barack Obama, 2006

“I think that local jurisdictions have the capability to institute their own gun laws.”

BaltimoreSun.com, 2/15/08

“There was a discussion today about a law that has just passed in California that allows micro-tracing of bullets that have been discharged in a crime so that they can immediately be traced,” he said. “This is something that California has passed over the strong objections of the NRA…That’s the kind of common sense gun law that gun owners as well as victims of gun violence can get behind.”

Baltimore Sun.com Feb. 15, 2008

LINK

So what’s really naive? Worrying that a superficial man with a long track record of supporting and voting for gun control might, indeed, try to force more gun control on us while saying he won’t?

Or is naive just taking the word of a politician who says, “Trust me”?

(h/t Tom E.)

Filed Under Guns, Media

Monday Roundup: Can I Borrow Your Towel? Just Hit a Water Buffalo

June 1, 2009 By Trey Garrison 3 Comments
  • When most Democrats, Republicans, the media, and right-thinking people are behind something big, expensive and grand — like they are the commuter rail scheme (or the hotel, or the Trinity Parkway) — you just know it’s probably a bad idea. I’m just going to sit here maturely and sup upon the bitter disappointment from everyone who wants to tax drivers for the benefit of a single digit percentage who feel good about themselves for taking public transportation. Muhahaha.

Filed Under Culture, FAIL, Friendly Police State, Immigration, Liberty, Media, Media Driven Panics, Novelty Cake Toppers

Thursday Roundup: Wait, I Have a Blog?

May 28, 2009 By Trey Garrison 6 Comments

Sorry for the absence. Shockingly, this blog doesn’t quite generate the revenue yet that would allow me to make it my sole daily endeavor. Blog FAIL.

  • Public school delinquents with hearts of gold. A damsel in distress. This has the makings of a Morgan Freeman vehicle.
  • On the one hand, it’s a stupid move by the homeowner association and a silly rule. On the other hand, if you buy where there’s an HOA, don’t be surprised if they get ticked if you violate HOA rules. Solution: don’t buy where there’s an HOA.

Filed Under FAIL, Media, Police, Politics, The DFW

Monday Roundup: Do They Have Jokes in Your Country?

May 11, 2009 By Trey Garrison 5 Comments
  • “If they ban smoking what’s next? Fatty foods?”
    “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. That’s a stupid slippery slope argument.”
    Guess what.
  • Good God. Almost three months for skipping jury duty? Which banana republic is this? Oh, it’s Collin County. That’s some fine police work, Lou.
  • picture-2And of course, a congratulations to the Mayor Tom Leppert, James Taggart, Phillip Jones, and Wesley Mouch on a sweeping win Saturday.

Filed Under City Owned Boondoggle, D Magazine, Media, Novelty Cake Toppers, Police, Politics, The DFW, Zombies

Headline FAIL Trifecta Now In Play

April 30, 2009 By Trey Garrison 16 Comments

I only had a few minutes with the DMN‘s print product this morning, but right there on the front page we had this:

photo21

The one death was in Houston, and the kid had prior medical problems. Fort Worth’s panicky (over-re)action has nothing to do with the death. You’d never know that. Nice touch with the Outbreak style photo, taken in Irving, which is neither Houston nor Fort Worth, if wikipedia’s entry on the ‘burb is correct.

And right below the panic news we get Mr. Obama’s assessment of what is his favorite subject and his first and utmost priority, himself.

photo

Filed Under I Kan Rede, Media

Thursday Roundup: Does This Look Like a ‘Q’ to You?

April 30, 2009 By Trey Garrison 5 Comments
  • There’s no part of this story about Ryan v Margolin that I don’t love. Keep. It. Coming.
  • Meanwhile, Bud Kennedy shows that the Guv is really going after the mouth-breathing crowd. I mean, yeah, I believe it’s been 100 days/100 epic fails, but are we really going to continue hearing this “Obama’s not a citizen!” stuff for the next four years? This is the right-wing’s version of the water-headed left-wing’s “the 2000 election was stolen!” whine.
  • Seriously though, if you are really worried about the swine flu epidemic, your risk factors, and possible symptoms, here’s a web site that will help you self diagnose — http://doihaveswineflu.org/
  • And in two bits of Twitter news, first, if you’re not following the anchors and reporters from all three of the primary local network news stations, plus NBC, then you’re missing dozens OF cheery “morning” updates!!!! LOL :) that … well, it’s like getting a new blog post from Jane McGarry every 10 minutes. Or having Steve Blow text you.
  • Also, I’m getting love tweets.12

Filed Under City Owned Boondoggle, Creepy Guys in the Park, Humor, Media, Police, Politics, The DFW, Zombies

On My Reading List: Jim Schutze’s “The Accommodation”

April 28, 2009 By Trey Garrison 2 Comments

Like Rod, I haven’t read it yet. But it’s now on the list for both the reasons Rod cites and because I just love reading Jim Schutze. Thus, The Accommodation is next, right after I finish this, this, and this. (h/t FB)

Filed Under City Owned Boondoggle, I Kan Rede, Media

Shawn Williams on CNN Any Minute Now

April 28, 2009 By Trey Garrison Leave a Comment

…for a blogger’s round table. May be delayed by the breaking (and unsurprising) story of lifelong rent-seeker, opportunist and leech Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Bag, doing his quisling thing and changing his affiliation from the Republicrat party to become a Demoplican.

Shawn just texted me he’s due to go on any minute now. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Clip’s on his site here.

Filed Under Media, The DFW

Daily FB (and other) Comments Thread

April 28, 2009 By Trey Garrison 9 Comments

Here it is again. Speak your piece on FB items such as the running Burl Osborne commentary on whether the new media will destroy the old. (Initial post, and yesterday’s first follow up.) Or whatever else strikes your fancy.

Also, check Matt Pulle‘s latest story for Texas Watchdog on how the Republicans are striking back at the man who brought down Rep. Tom DeLay.

Or get into whether a mere girl who sometimes blogs American Idol can also provide witty commentary and depth insights into bigger issues. (My vote is yes.)

Then there’s the debut tonight of Dallas DNA which looks at the ongoing exonerations from DNA evidence of now a score of Dallas prisoners. Can’t wait.

Sound off.

Filed Under Fort Awesome, Free Speech, FrontBurner, Humor, Media
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »