Jesse Matthew arrested in Galveston, TX, in case of missing UVa student Hannah Graham

I was on the phone with my Texas sister tonight who was in Houston, about an hour from Galveston. I had texted that Jesse Matthew, 32, had been captured in Galveston, a location that was.... (continue reading here)

Another military base shooting: 'End Clinton-era military base gun ban'

It's difficult to imagine American military bases as "gun free zones" but citizens of the U.S. discovered that during the 2009 when a shooting at Fort Hood in Texas left 13 people dead. The Washington Times printed an editorial at the time urging a change in the policy that leaves soldiers unarmed on base:

Last week’s slaughter at Fort Hood Army base in Texas was no different - except that one man bears responsibility for the ugly reality that the men and women charged with defending America were deliberately left defenseless when a terrorist opened fire.

Among President Clinton’s first acts upon taking office in 1993 was to disarm U.S. soldiers on military bases. In March 1993, the Army imposed regulations forbidding military personnel from carrying their personal firearms and making it almost impossible for commanders to issue firearms to soldiers in the U.S. for personal protection. For the most part, only military police regularly carry firearms on base, and their presence is stretched thin by high demand for MPs in war zones.

Because of Mr. Clinton, terrorists would face more return fire if they attacked a Texas Wal-Mart than the gunman faced at Fort Hood, home of the heavily armed and feared 1st Cavalry Division. That’s why a civilian policewoman from off base was the one whose marksmanship ended Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s rampage.

Will the latest shooting accelerate the call for change?

Breaking: Shooting at Fort Hood

It's happened again. "Welcome to Ford Hood: Home of America's Armored Corps," the sign at the entrance says. This evening the base is on lock-down after a shooting. See USA Today for more.

President George W. Bush recovering after artery blockage surgery

President George W. Bush, 66, underwent successful surgery for a blocked artery on Tuesday morning and is resting comfortable, according to a Bush family press release:

During President George W. Bush’s annual physical examination at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas yesterday, a blockage was discovered in an artery in his heart. At the recommendation of his doctors, President Bush agreed to have a stent placed to open the blockage. The procedure was performed successfully this morning, without complication, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. President Bush is in high spirits, eager to return home tomorrow and resume his normal schedule on Thursday. He is grateful to the skilled medical professionals who have cared for him. He thanks his family, friends, and fellow citizens for their prayers and well wishes. And he encourages us all to get our regular check-ups.

Prayers and best wishes to President Bush and his family.

Salt Lick BBQ ... Driftwood, Texas

Saturday night at the Salt Lick BBQ restaurant in Driftwood, Texas, in the hill country south of Austin. Photo taken by GOPer Jarrett Ray who took the photo and noted there were hundreds of diners. It's a popular spot and he was not disappointed in the food, the cobbler, or the atmosphere.

Photo by Jarrett Ray
7 August 2010

Rick Perry prevails in Texas primary

The Washington Examiner followed the Texas primary where Rick Perry prevailed:

The results are in for all but 2 of 8,634 precincts in the Texas Republican gubernatorial primary: incumbent Rick Perry got 51%, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison 30% and Debra Medina 19%. In my blopost last night, I looked at the early voting returns in each of the state’s four largest metropolitan areas and in the rest of the state. Let me update that with the final figures now available. I’ll show the vote totals and percentages for each of the candidates in each area.

Ouch

There's an interesting post by hogan over at RedState about the 2010 gubernatorial race in Texas, a race that has Texas Governor Rick Perry pitted against seasoned Texas senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

The title? "Perry for Texas. Hutchison for Washington."

Ouch.

Two Texas politicians are duking it out to head the state's government. It doesn't matter what you think of either one ... the question would be why? Who urged Sen. Hutchison to return home and challenge the incumbent governor who is decidedly more conservative than she?

That will be an interesting race to watch.

TX Gov. Perry defends AK Gov. Palin on national radio

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was on Glenn Beck's national radio show today defending Gov. Sarah Palin and her decision to step down as governor of Alaska.

Gov. Perry also talked about his state's defense of the 10th Amendment, their low unemployment rate hovering around 6% at a time when the national unemployment rate is 9.5%, highest since 1983 (and some believe it is actually at 20%), and the multi-million dollar surplus his state enjoys, even with no state income tax, at a time when California is broke and other states are floundering.

Gov. Palin endorsed Gov. Perry earlier this year and will be campaigning for him leading up to his 2010 reelection. It seems appropriate that the Republican governors from the two states with probably the most independent-thinking constituents would support one another.

Republicans supporting Republicans....

Gov. Palin stumps for Gov. Perry ... more popular than ever

After endorsing Gov. Rick Perry in February, Gov. Sarah Palin will continue to work with him in his reelection campaign against Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Trailblazers speculated about the possibility of a Palin-Perry 2012 ticket in our future. Who knows? The LA Times reported:

It could make sense. Republican national tickets typically do much better with governors than legislators. Texas is a rich source of conservative political donors. And it would get the GOP back with a genuine Southerner on the ticket, historically a strong suit and one that would help counter Barack Obama's likely choice of current Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the new head of the Democratic National Committee, to replace the aging Joe Biden, who'll be 70 by then.

Gov. Palin pulls huge crowds when she speaks.

She inspired a local businessman, Tom Sheets, to put his own money behind "I Am Voting For The Chick" signs to distribute throughout the area. They were so overwhelmingly popular that they ended up going nationwide.

When appearing in Richmond last fall to a capacity crowd, she was inspirational enough for my 80-something parents to stand in line with their "I Am Voting For The Chick" signs to hear her address the enthusiastic crowd.

Everywhere she appeared throughout the country on behalf of the McCain-Palin ticket, record-breaking crowds of thousands eagerly lined up to hear her inspirational, "I'm-a-conservative-and-I'm-proud-of-it" remarks.

At the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul in September 2008, the night that Sarah addressed the packed convention center (there was not an empty seat to be found), the place was electrified! Roars of approval and cheers almost brought down the roof.

Her popularity continues.

The latest Rasmussen poll shows 76% of Republicans are more behind her even after her resignation announcement.

In June her appearance in a small New York town brought thousands -- the crowd was estimated at 20,000 -- out to line the streets and cheer for Sarah, many holding signs urging her to run for president in 2012. When she prepared to address the crowd, they began chanting, "Run, Sarah, Run."

In June, comedian David Letterman's crude remarks on national TV about Gov. Palin's 14-year-old daughter brought millions to her defense resulting in an apology by Mr. Letterman.

Gov. Palin continues to appear before sold out events throughout the country and remains popular in her own state of Alaska. Will she prevail?

My bets are on Sarah.

"Free Range Trout" ... Houston music scene

Bill Aspinwall offers us an album that crosses a number of Texas musical styles including folk, pop and blues. He has brought together a talented set of friends to produce an album that highlights their versatility and creativity including Gibson, the dog and Satchmo, the cat (highlighted in “Mister Crippen’s Banjo”). This is the first of two albums that we will be reviewing that were recorded by Lloyd Daniel at his Songbrush Sound studios near Houston.

Aspinwall was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, but has been a traveler most of his life, having lived in Ohio, Illinois, California, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Now residing in Austin and Houston, his music is a corollary to the historical development of Texas music. He combines the experiences of many places and different musical styles to express a musical statement that is truly his own.

So begins the Texas Music Journal of Bill Aspinwall's new solo endeavor, "Free Range Trout."

Bill is my brother-in-law so forgive me if I'm a little biased in my opinion ... but the Houston music scene agreed when they gave him the 2005 Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year awards.

I wrote my own review of his new CD a few weeks ago ... Aspinwall & Friends ... Houston acoustic music at its best. If you like the laid-back musical style of James Taylor and the story-telling style of Jimmy Buffet, you will like "Free Range Trout" in which Mr. Aspinwall calls on family and friends to join him on a pleasant musical ride.

Read the Texas Music Journal review ... read my review ... and then listen. I think you'll be pleased.

Gun laws: Montana tells feds to take a hike

Ernest Hancock at Freedom's Phoenix reports that Montana has defied the federal government concerning gun laws. Sounds like Montana has found the same backbone as Texas.

I contacted Mr. Hancock and received permission to share his article:

The USA state of Montana has signed into power a revolutionary gun law. I mean REVOLUTIONARY.

The State of Montana has defied the federal government and their gun laws. This will prompt a showdown between the federal government and the State of Montana. The federal government fears citizens owning guns. They try to curtail what types of guns they can own. The gun control laws all have one common goal – confiscation of privately owned firearms.

Montana has gone beyond drawing a line in the sand. They have challenged the Federal Government. The fed now either takes them on and risks them saying the federal agents have no right to violate their state gun laws and arrest the federal agents that try to enforce the federal firearms acts. This will be a world-class event to watch. Montana could go to voting for secession from the union, which is really throwing the gauntlet in Obamas face. If the federal government does nothing they lose face. Gotta love it.

Important Points – If guns and ammunition are manufactured inside the State of Montana for sale and use inside that state then the federal firearms laws have no applicability since the federal government only has the power to control commerce across state lines. Montana has the law on their side. Since when did the USA start following their own laws especially the constitution of the USA, the very document that empowers the USA.

Silencers made in Montana and sold in Montana would be fully legal and not registered. As a note silencers were first used before the 007 movies as a device to enable one to hunt without disturbing neighbors and scaring game. They were also useful as devices to control noise when practicing so as to not disturb the neighbors.

Silencers work best with a bolt-action rifle. There is a long barrel and the chamber is closed tight so as to direct all the gases though the silencer at the tip of the barrel. Semi-auto pistols and revolvers do not really muffle the sound very well except on the silver screen. The revolvers bleed gas out with the sound all over the place. The semi-auto pistols bleed the gases out when the slide recoils back.

Silencers are maybe nice for snipers picking off enemy soldiers even though they reduce velocity but not very practical for hit men shooting pistols in crowded places. Silencers were useful tools for gun enthusiasts and hunters.

There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal records check, waiting periods or paperwork required. So in a short period of time there would be millions and millions of unregistered untraceable guns in Montana. Way to go Montana.

Discussion – Let us see what Obama does. If he hits Montana hard they will probably vote to secede from the USA. The governor of Texas has already been refusing Federal money because he does not want to agree to the conditions that go with it and he has been saying secession is a right they have as sort of a threat. Things are no longer the same with the USA. Do not be deceived by Obama acting as if all is the same, it is not.


Text of the New Law

HOUSE BILL NO. 246

INTRODUCED BY J. BONIEK, BENNETT, BUTCHER, CURTISS, RANDALL, WARBURTON

AN ACT EXEMPTING FROM FEDERAL REGULATION UNDER THE COMMERCE CLAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES A FIREARM, A FIREARM ACCESSORY, OR AMMUNITION MANUFACTURED AND RETAINED IN MONTANA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Short title. [Sections 1 through 6] may be cited as the "Montana Firearms Freedom Act".

Section 2. Legislative declarations of authority. The legislature declares that the authority for [sections 1 through 6] is the following:
(1) The 10th amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the states and their people all powers not granted to the federal government elsewhere in the constitution and reserves to the state and people of Montana certain powers as they were understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889. The guaranty of those powers is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.
(2) The ninth amendment to the United States constitution guarantees to the people rights not granted in the constitution and reserves to the people of Montana certain rights, as they were understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889. The guaranty of those rights is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.
(3) The regulation of intrastate commerce is vested in the states under the 9th and 10th amendments to the United States constitution, particularly if not expressly preempted by federal law. Congress has not expressly preempted state regulation of intrastate commerce pertaining to the manufacture on an intrastate basis of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition.
(4) The second amendment to the United States constitution reserves to the people the right to keep and bear arms as that right was understood at the time that Montana was admitted to statehood in 1889, and the guaranty of the right is a matter of contract between the state and people of Montana and the United States as of the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.(5) Article II, section 12, of the Montana constitution clearly secures to Montana citizens, and prohibits government interference with, the right of individual Montana citizens to keep and bear arms. This constitutional protection is unchanged from the 1889 Montana constitution, which was approved by congress and the people of Montana, and the right exists, as it was understood at the time that the compact with the United States was agreed upon and adopted by Montana and the United States in 1889.

Section 3. Definitions. As used in [sections 1 through 6], the following definitions apply:
(1) "Borders of Montana" means the boundaries of Montana described in Article I, section 1, of the 1889 Montana constitution.
(2) "Firearms accessories" means items that are used in conjunction with or mounted upon a firearm but are not essential to the basic function of a firearm, including but not limited to telescopic or laser sights, magazines, flash or sound suppressors, folding or aftermarket stocks and grips, speedloaders, ammunition carriers, and lights for target illumination.
(3) "Generic and insignificant parts" includes but is not limited to springs, screws, nuts, and pins.
(4) "Manufactured" means that a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition has been created from basic materials for functional usefulness, including but not limited to forging, casting, machining, or other processes for working materials.

Section 4. Prohibitions. A personal firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in Montana and that remains within the borders of Montana is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce. It is declared by the legislature that those items have not traveled in interstate commerce. This section applies to a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured in Montana from basic materials and that can be manufactured without the inclusion of any significant parts imported from another state. Generic and insignificant parts that have other manufacturing or consumer product applications are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition, and their importation into Montana and incorporation into a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition manufactured in Montana does not subject the firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition to federal regulation. It is declared by the legislature that basic materials, such as unmachined steel and unshaped wood, are not firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition and are not subject to congressional authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition under interstate commerce as if they were actually firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition. The authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce in basic materials does not include authority to regulate firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition made in Montana from those materials. Firearms accessories that are imported into Montana from another state and that are subject to federal regulation as being in interstate commerce do not subject a firearm to federal regulation under interstate commerce because they are attached to or used in conjunction with a firearm in Montana.

Section 5. Exceptions. [Section 4] does not apply to:
(1) A firearm that cannot be carried and used by one person;
(2) A firearm that has a bore diameter greater than 1 1/2 inches and that uses smokeless powder, not black powder, as a propellant;
(3) ammunition with a projectile that explodes using an explosion of chemical energy after the projectile leaves the firearm; or
(4) a firearm that discharges two or more projectiles with one activation of the trigger or other firing device.

Section 6. Marketing of firearms. A firearm manufactured or sold in Montana under [sections 1 through 6] must have the words "Made in Montana" clearly stamped on a central metallic part, such as the receiver or frame.

Section 7. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 through 6] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 30, and the provisions of Title 30 apply to [sections 1 through 6].

Section 8. Applicability. [This act] applies to firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition that are manufactured, as defined in [section 3], and retained in Montana after October 1, 2009.

Forgetting what the "S" stands for

William Warren at Get Liberty comments:

Oftentimes, those high atop the federal monolith forget what the “S” in “U.S.A.” stands for. Or perhaps they regard the letter with flippancy or triviality. Or, even disdain.

Fortunately, many across the “fruited plain” are now standing up to defend what is arguably the most important letter of world’s most important acronym.

As ALG News Bureau has previously reported, a growing number of states are raising their voices to reaffirm their sovereignty under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. As the crucial—yet rued and ravaged—amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited to it by the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

Governor Rick Perry of Texas made news Tuesday when he signed HCR 50 affirming states rights:

The Lone Star State now has a resolution of its own—reaffirming its 10th Amendment sovereignty over powers not allocated to the federal government. HCR 50 out of the Texas legislature is yet one more resolution adding to the growing chorus of state-led dissidence that is becoming increasingly hard for Big Government advocates in Washington to ignore.

As Texas Governor Rick Perry articulated:

“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

Mr. Warren ended his article by ominously stating:

Without the States, all that remains is “U.A.”—which could one day stand for “Under Authority.”

Hurricane Ike cleanup continues....

Was it just a week ago that we were watching Hurricane Ike slam into the Texas coast? It seems so much longer. There are still widespread power outages, and cleanup will continue for months. For all the latest in coverage check out Houston's KTRK ABC-13.

Billy Graham's Rapid Response Team helps Galveston residents

As Hurricane Ike’s storm surge flooded Galveston’s historic district Saturday, sparking fires and knocking out power, chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) prepared to deploy from Charlotte.

“We are just minutes away from leaving to go help those folks so devastated by Hurricane Ike,” said Jack Munday, director of the RRT, at a press conference held at BGEA headquarters Saturday.

Franklin Graham, president of BGEA, says, “We have an army of chaplains who are trained to respond in times of crisis, to minister to people who have lost so much. The need is great.”

For the next several weeks, the chaplains will provide spiritual and emotional care to people devastated by a storm that left many without shelter and even more without electricity, clean water, and food. Deaths related to the storm have been reported in Louisiana, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio as well as Texas.

“I don't think they expected it to be this bad,” says Marilyn, a chaplain coordinator who has now arrived in Alta Loma, Texas, a suburb outside of Galveston, with other chaplains from the Rapid Response Team. “It's heartbreaking.”

More about this deployment and video

Texans cleaning up after Hurricane Ike

As Texas mops up after Hurricane Ike, it is good to know more lives were not lost. Even one is too many ... but the prediction of a possible 20-foot storm surge made many fearful there would be far more casualties. There is widespread property damage and electricity is out for millions.

Schools and universities throughout the area are closed; some grocery and retails stores are opening to provide needed goods for residents.

Video footage shows widespread damage.

For updates on it all check out KTRK TV-13 from Houston.

Texas coastal residents move inland to escape hurricane....

Checked in with the Texas sister this morning to be sure they were doing okay in Austin in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike's slam into the Texas coast. Austin is expecting wind and rain ... many from Houston and surrounding areas have taken refuge in the Austin area. Texas Niece's school closed two hours early Friday and is now being used for those from the coast who are seeking shelter.

The first film footage is coming in with massive damage in downtown Houston ... skyscrapers with blown-out windows and water damaged offices, flooded streets and interstate highways, trees across roadways, fires ... massive damage.

We've been following coverage all morning ... the Red Cross is asking for money, volunteers, and blood donors. 

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law may not be going back to his Houston office anytime soon....

Video of glass windows blowing out of downtown Houston's JP Morgan Chase Bldg

ABC TV-13 Houston

President Bush's response to Hurricane Ike

President George W. Bush appeared at a news conference early Saturday morning to respond to the damage caused by Hurricane Ike as it slammed into the Texas coast and headed inland.

Hurricane Ike slams into Texas

We called my Texas sister last night to check in since Hurricane Ike was heading into Houston and Galveston. They have a house in Houston and one in Austin and, needless to say, they were in Austin. 

As I scan the radar and listen to news reports, this storm that has already killed may kill again. Watching those who planned to stay on Galveston sent shivers up my spine with predictions of 15-20 feet of water covering the island. Weather forecasters and news reporters were hunkered down in a multi-story hotel on Galveston. All I could think was, "Are they nuts?"

In areas where police urged residents evacuate, it was suggested to those who stayed behind that they use a permanent marker to write social security numbers on their arms so their bodies could be identified if they did not survive the hurricane.

Millions are without power this morning and, as daylight arrives, the amount of destruction will be seen. Our prayers are with those in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, we'll be checking in with my sister again to see how Austin is faring....