RNS Quote of the Day: 07/07/10

Uncle put up a quick “thinky” piece yesterday on the topic of freewill and the cancellation of individual liberty for the individual’s “own good”.

Well, moments earlier, I was at Samizdata where I saw today’s QotD

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.

George Washington

While I believe that Washington’s words were true once, I have some doubts about them being “found” to be true by most in this current era.

I have little doubt that in the not-too-distant future, this will be the only kind of Freewill the citizenry will have available to them.

At least until the powers deem the ideas contained within too dangerous.

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The walls don’t have ears

But the lampposts do.

Surveillance system monitors conversations

A controversial covert surveillance system that records the public’s conversations is being used in Britain.

The technology, called Sigard, monitors movements and speech to detect signs of threatening behaviour.

Its designers claim the system can anticipate anti-social behaviour and violence by analysing the information picked up its sensors.

They say alerts are then sent to police, nightclub bouncers or shop security staff, which allow them to nip trouble in the bud before arguments spiral into violence.

The devices are designed to distinguish between distress calls, threatening behaviour and general shouting.

The system, produced by Sound Intelligence, is being used in Dutch prisons, city centres and Amsterdam’s Central Rail Station.

Coventry City Council is funding a pilot project which has for six months and has installed seven devices in the nightlife area on the High Street.

How soon until the Brits get them installed in their living rooms?

Found via Classic Liberal

Posted in Order of the imperial upraised middle finger. | 2 Comments

Speaking Out

Sound Politics made mention that Arthur Brooks of the American Enterprise Institute will be speaking at the Seattle Townhall next Monday evening. $5 at the door.

If had any hopes that I could fit either of my vehicles in a downtown Seattle parking garage, I’d possibly try and swing it.

Why can’t these guys go to somewhere either in the south or north end of the county, where all the attendees are coming from? Hell, even the eastside would be more amicable to the folks who’d be interested in attending.

Posted in Kewel! | 1 Comment

Numismatists take note

Your precious metal purchases are now the business of the Obamanation.

Passage by Congress of the national health care legislation has had an unintended consequence to the nation’s coin collectors, vest-pocket dealers who buys and sells coins, and larger dealers who are frequent buyers of coins that collectors periodically liquidate as they trade up their collections for better coins, or simply sell to take a small profit or loss.

What has happened is that effective Jan. 1, 2012, the whole system of giving and receiving Internal Revenue Service 1099 forms will be turned on its head and all persons (including corporations) who are in business will now have to give 1099 tax reporting forms for coins and other goods that they sell as well as buy.

The responsibility for issuing forms kicks in at $600 for coins or bullion – not a very high level and one that has already started sounding alarm bells. It doesn’t matter in what form payment is made, whether cash, check, credit card, or Yap stone money, the $600 threshold applies.

There’s a bill introduced by Rep. Dan Lungren (H.R. 5141), which has gathered over 80 members of Congress as co-sponsors to repeal this section. Evidently, however, the drafters of the provision think there is a $17 billion loophole that this plugs.

The Industry Council for Tangible Assets is alerting member dealers and the public at large in the hope that some sense of outrage will lead to a ready modification before the law becomes operational in 2012.

Gunnies know why the government makes lists.

Hopefully, my trading of multiple silver ounce coins for gold 1/10th ounce coins should stay under the radar. Folks who trade or buy higher denomination gold coins should maybe start looking at the lower value coins.

Found via Bill Quick

Posted in Evil walks the earth | 2 Comments

If soccer were like this, the NFL would be toast

I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy Chris Willis’ vocals. Seeing him live a few years ago was an unexpected revelation — we’d never heard of him before. Originally a gospel singer, he hooked up with David Guetta and the rest is dance history. A remix of this song with Fergie and LMFAO is currently on the airwaves, but as usual I like the original better. Crank it!

Posted in Kewel! | 1 Comment

QOTD

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of
the society but the people themselves, and if we think them not
enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome
discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their
discretion.

Thomas Jefferson
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June e_Postal Match Results

I am glad to say that the entries were pretty damn great.

Congratulations to all who took up the challenge. It was a difficult target with even more difficult instructions.

Class One

Mr. Borland       – S&W 617 .22LR – 8 points/5X

True Blue Sam   -  Ruger Single Six .22LR – 3 points/3X

Danno 11yds    – Ruger 22/45 .22LR – 5 points/1X

Class Two

L.E.S.              – Ruger MKIII – Red Dot – 15 points/5X

Mr. Borland      -  Ruger MKIII – Red Dot – 8points/6X

Mr. Completely – HiStandard – Red Dot – 39 points/21X

Class Three

Merle               – S&W M3913 9mm – 2 points / 0X

L.E.S.              – Sig 229 .357Sig – 12 points/6X

Ol Rich             – Glock 34 9mm – 9 points/2X

Danno             – Taurus PT-92 9mm – 1 point/1X

Class Four

None

Class Five

Mr. Borland  – S&W 686 .357Mag – 8 points/3X

Class Six

None

Class Seven

Mr. Borland  – IZH-46M .177 air pellet – 8 points/6x

Rimfire Rifle Class

EJ Hokie       – 65yds Cooper 57M 22WMR – 16 points/13X

Centerfire Rifle Class

Ol Rich         – 100yds – JP Enterprises Custom .223Rem – 37 points/26X

Ol Rich         – 200yds – JP Enterprises Custom .223Rem – 6 points/0X

I’ll be getting all of the entries off to Mr. C and the folks at Cheaper Than Dirt and get the winner of the $50 gift certificate notified as soon as we can.

Be sure to check out SailorCurt’s July e-Postal Match here.

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My Diaper is Full… of Chic

Now that my generation’s old enough to be running and managing ad agencies, you’re getting lots more stuff like this. Which is a Good Thing for our funny bones. Crank the sound for the full effect.

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Have a happy and safe 4th

There’ll be a finger count when we all come back tomorrow.

Those with too few and/or burns will be laughed at.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Revenge of the Nerds, indeed

Heya GunGeeks! Life Liberty Etc. has your hookup!

The Periodic Table of Ammunition shirt

PTA01.jpg

PTA02.jpg

Good bunch of guys there at Life Liberty Etc. I get all my various stickers through them.

Now if I could only get one of the white oval stickers that read “ACP” to go with my “762” sticker.

Posted in Kewel! | 1 Comment