Nuclear Unicorn
Nuclear Unicorn's JournalThe Vice Lords
Recently I was watching a documentary on street gangs in America (I'm fascinated by the mafia, biker gangs, etc. Don't ask me why 'cuz I don't know.). It covered the history of gangs from the immigrant gangs of the 19th century up to the cartels today.
Along the way it discussed a Chicago gang called the Vice Lords, particularly their leader, Bobby Gore. At first they were a typical gang but along the way they became community organizers and made an astounding, wonderful contribution to their community. Sadly, Gore was later convicted of murder on rather dubious grounds destroying all of the group's good work.
This man and his work should be studied more, I think. I was excited by what I saw. What happened to him was a tragedy on so many levels but there is still so much to learn.
If anyone has anything to recommend, reading-wise, I would appreciate their contribution.
Donald Trump Says He Wants to Raise Taxes on Himself
Republican front-runner Donald Trump began to flesh out his economic vision for America, and it includes raising taxes on the wealthy.
Trump said during a Wednesday interview on Bloomberg's With All Due Respect that he would like to change the tax code.
"I would change it. I would simplify it," Trump told hosts Mark Halperin and John Heilemann from the lobby of Trump Tower on New York's 5th Ave. Specifically, Trump targeted hedge fund profits, which are currently taxed at a lower rate than regular income.
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-08-26/donald-trump-says-he-wants-to-raise-taxes-on-himself
This blowhard will say anything to get elected. He is beyond narcissistic, he's a megalomaniac.
US Service Members foil suspected terrorist attack (UPDATED)
Additional details to earlier reports --
A group of unarmed US Marines on board a high-speed train between Amsterdam and Paris foiled a terrorist attack after a gunman opened fire with an assault rifle, wounding three people.
The 26-year-old Moroccan national, who was known to security services, came out of the toilet brandishing the gun and opened fire. Fortunately, two US Marines were nearby and overpowered him before he could massacre passengers.
The suspected terrorist had at least nine full magazines of ammunition holding almost 300 rounds. He was also carrying a knife.
Unfortunately, one of the Marines was shot and is believed to be in a critical condition.
Keep fighting, Airman.
This next part leaped out at me --
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3206426/U-S-Marines-armed-gunman-onboard-high-speed-train-Amsterdam-Paris.html
UPDATE -- Not Marines as earlier reported.
The guard member, 22-year-old Alek Skarlatos, had wrapped up a tour in Afghanistan in July and was spending a month in Europe with friends, his stepmother Karen Skarlatos told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Friday night.
He was on the Amsterdam-to-Paris train with a group, including childhood friends Anthony Sadler, a senior at Sacramento State University, and Spencer Stone, a member of the U.S. Air Force, Sadler told the Associated Press.
http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2015/08/oregon_national_guard_member_h.html
Thanks to Warren Demontague for the link.
Taliban Attempt to Ruin US Cookout in Afghanistan
WARNING -- Soldier language'Merica!
What would be the most efficient means of keeping guns away from criminals?
A) Universal background checks at point of sale
B) Firearms owner ID cards that must be surrendered, like a drivers license, if the bearer is adjudicated to have committed a disqualifying offense
C) Both A and B
D) Other
E) Anybody who owns a gun should have people with guns sent after them to put them in a place where they are guarded by other people with guns because guns never solve anything
How much should a FOID/CC license cost?
In this era of nearly instantaneous records checks it's not exactly a time consuming task requiring significant amounts of effort.
Personally, I think it shouldn't cost more than a drivers license, probably less.
ATF Denies Being an ‘Agency’ to Avoid FOIA Compliance Requirements
A legal response filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives claims a Freedom of Information Act-related complaint improperly targets them. “The ATF is not an ‘agency’ within the meaning of the F.O.I.A., 5 U.S.C. § 552 (f) (1), and is, therefore, not a proper party defendant,” the response claims . . .
The complaint, filed June 23 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks an order to compel the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request filed in March and ignored in violation of federal law. The FOIA sought copies of policies and rulings relied on in enforcement and determination actions.
The complaint was filed by Tucson attorney David T. Hardy. Plaintiffs include this correspondent, firearms designer and president of Historic Arms, LLC, Len Savage, and the FFL Defense Research Center. The information, as noted in the announcement of the lawsuit, is being sought to ensure consistency in rulings, policies and compliance enforcement.
“Ok, I’ll bite,” Savage responded upon learning of the government’s defense argument. “If, as they claim, they are not an agency under Title 5 FOIA, then why do they have a disclosure division? How is an FFL supposed to comply with ATF policy that is kept secret? Perhaps that’s the point, to not be able to comply?”
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/08/david-codrea/atf-denies-being-an-agency-to-avoid-foia-compliance-requirements/
What is it about Controllers and putting people on ignore, quitting discussions they can't rebut and just plain ol' not discussing things? It's like they can't emotionally cope with other people being self-determining.
Ferguson Protesters Chant ‘We’re Ready for War’
During Sunday night’s protest on the anniversary of the shooting death of African-American man Michael Brown, Ferguson protesters chanted that they were “ready for war.”
Watch, via Twitter:
--video at link--
The above video was tweeted out at 10:47 PM Central Time, which means the chant occurred before protesters exchanged gunfire with police officers shortly after 11. CNN also reports that some protesters were chanting “We’re ready for what? We’re ready for war,” during the protests.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-ferguson-protesters-chant-were-ready-for-war/
Everyone is on edge. This doesn't help but I hope the police demonstrate a lot more restraint and discipline than they did last year.
How I know you hate the Mojave bull shark.
The plight of the Mojave bull shark is pretty dire. I think it's fair to say there aren't many left in the world.
But you decided to get together with your friends and watch the season premiere of Big Bang Theory. You know, the one where Leonard and Penny are having uncertainties about their relationship. You weren't hurting anybody but neither were you bringing awareness to the Mojave bull shark.
So I came into your house. I just walked in the door, marched right up to your TV, changed the station and made you watch a half-hour documentary about the endangered bull sharks of the Mojave desert.
You even offered me some of your guacamole and chips but it was the kind with the peas in it.
But now your friends are blasting me on social media as if I was somehow out-of-line. Excuse me for not living up to your expectations, Mr. "We were watching this other show." It's obvious the kind of people you hang out with. Just like it's obvious how little regard you have for this important issue.
Stop being such a hater, hater.
ENCRB playing "Deacons for Defense"
It is loosely based on the true story of the Deacons for Defense and Justice, an African-American militia that was formed in 1964 to protect activists working with the Congress for Racial Equality (CORE), as well as others working with the civil rights movement.
Plot
In 1965 Louisiana, war veteran Marcus (Forest Whitaker) works in the town's mill for meager wages, and must endure the ongoing humiliation meted out by his white supervisors. Encouraged by an idealistic white Northerner (Jonathan Silverman), his daughter becomes a civil rights activist. When his daughter is abused at a nonviolent demonstration, Marcus is pushed too far. Marcus organizes the Deacons for Defense and Justice, an all-black defense group dedicated to patrolling the black section of town and protecting its residents from the aspects of "white backlash".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacons_for_Defense_%28film%29
It's heartbreaking to watch. I know this is a fictionalized account but their bravery was not.
In the scene I'm watching now a judge is berating the town for flying Confederate flags. "Is there not one American flag in Bogalusa?"
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