3 Boxes of BS

My mind often puts disparate stories or pieces of information together in strange ways.

These two stories caught my eye on Drudge Report.

First up -

One Person Killed, 23 People Hurt in Horse Accident During Bellevue Parade

BELLEVUE, Iowa — The Des Moines Register is reporting this morning that 60-year-old Janet Steines of Springbrook has died from her injuries and 23 others were injured after two horses broke loose at a Fourth of July “Heritage Day Parade” in Bellevue and charged down the street for six blocks.

Then this one

“Unruly crowd” forms after 4th of July celebration

As the crowds cleared for the night, a chaotic scene erupted on South Broad Street, near City Hall. Viewer video, obtained exclusively by Action News, shows an unruly crowd of young people flooded into the streets. Police rushed to the scene.

Jay Ingersoll captured the home video. Jay explains to Action News, “We left the fireworks probably not even five minutes into [the show]… and we left and we walked down Chestnut Street. And we got to 15th and Chestnut and we heard ‘Flash mob, flash mob, flash mob!’”

He said he saw fights breaking out, people getting punched as police moved in to try and make arrests.

Okay – does anyone other then I see the connection?

Let me try to explain my thought process here.

Would anyone doubt that in the case of the horse gone wild that force – up to and including lethal force — could and should be used to protect the people at the parade?

The right to protect yourself from harm is clear in this case, right?

Okay, how about the riot, er flash mob, oh heck, let’s call it what it was – a riot?

Does the right to protect yourself still apply? Even if the rioters didn’t start off meaning to hurt any bystanders, they definitely endangered them. Up to and including the threat of death.

Sorry but punching people can kill them, so a “simple fist fight” or “punch” is still assault.

Does anyone deny the bystanders had a right to protect themselves from hooligans and criminals intent on causing harm and chaos?

Guess what I’m asking is this “From a self defense/protection viewpoint -Do intentions matter when the results can be life threatening?”

Then we come to a completely different, or not, situation. (h/t to CCW Saves Lives)

Homeowner Kills Invader

Inkster, Mich – An Inkster homeowner shot and killed an invader in his home early Monday morning.

Police were called to the home on 2900 Parkwood around 1:30 a.m.

One man is dead, and another suspect is on the run.

The homeowner claims he confronted two unknown men in his home and one invader had a gun. After the armed invader began firing shots, the homeowner who has a CCW began shooting back.

He hit and killed one of the suspects and the other got away.

Here is a clear case of the criminals meaning to ‘harm’ the victim. The ‘harm’ may have only been financial or it may have been physical.

Does the homeowner have to wait to discern the intentions of the criminals before acting to protect his life or the lives of his family?

The criminals intentions may have been “only” to rob the place but when confronted they didn’t leave, they attacked.

Congrats to the home owner for coming out of the shooting alive and taking down a criminal.

So often we hear or read of the antis saying “It’s only property, it’s not worth killing over”. Of course the cowards are yelling that at the non-criminal gun owner instead of standing in front of the thugs trying to convince them.

Here are three widely  disparate situations; yet all of them much in common.

In each case, there was a clear need for protection.
In each case, the “government” wasn’t able to respond in time to prevent the violence or mayhem.
In each case, the person’s need to defend themselves happened in “safe settings” – a parade, a fire works show, in his own home.

Carry your gun folks, you never know when you might need it.

Update — Friend Weer’d Beard has a video that really illustrates this point. Wow, incredible video…..watch it please then ask yourself what would have/could have happened had she not been armed.

Please join the discussion.

Mesquite Texas is a town just on the other side of Dallas but it still qualifies as local. My sympathies to those families who have lost a loved one.

According to the Mesquite Police Department, officers responded to a report of  the shooting just after midnight at an apartment complex in the 5900 block of Northwest Drive. Witnesses told them an unidentified man arrived, flashed a gun and tried to rob the party-goers.

The thug showed, before the struggle, that he was willing to use lethal force. He brought a firearm, he showed it. People there had every reason to believe that he would use lethal force during the crime.

One of the things I’ll try to follow up is something they didn’t say. They didn’t say he was masked; to me that says either he wasn’t worried about getting going to jail or that he planned on killing everyone so they couldnt’ identify him.

Lt. Bill Hedgpeth said 35-year-old Tracey Moore struggled with the suspect and was shot and killed.

Notice that most of the people there followed the antis advice — to be passive, submissive victims.
Would Mr. Moore be alive today if he had followed that advice? We don’t know, We can’t know.

But I can say that I don’t understand that mindset at all; to passively allow a  thug who has shown willingness to use violence, lethal violence, to decide whether or not I live.

Another man at the party, 34-year-old Jerome Johnson, then fatally shot the gunman.

Hedgepeth said Johnson does have a concealed handgun license. A grand jury will decide whether he will face any charges.

Again we see some of the favorites lies of the antis demolished. The CHL holder didn’t start blasting instantly, the CHL holder was able to sucessfully defend his life — and others — even when the thug already had his firearm out, we see that having a CHL saved lives.

There will be more to this story, I’m sure. I’ll follow it and report on it but I can tell you now — I have decided that I will not be a passive, submissive victim as the anti right crowd advocates.

I may not come out of an encounter unscathed or alive but I won’t go quietly. I won’t allow the thugs to dictate that we live in fear, in submission to their demands. I won’t depend on others to try to protect me or mine without trying to do so first. I won’t let the culture of predatory violence go unanswered.

As the saying goes “Carry your gun – it’s a lighter burden than regret.”

Please join the discussion.

Ever notice how twist the anti – right advocate’s world view is?

The antis would have you believe that an armed criminal who points a gun at you is only after your money but a law abiding citizen simply carrying a gun is looking for an excuse to kill.

How does that work again?

This morning’s afternoon’s (some days it is tough just to get started – sorry for the late posting) is once again brought to us by CCW Saves Lives.

A driver working on his broken-down vehicle near Walterboro with his wife and mother-in law nearby shot an armed robber who confonted them, according to the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office.

The two women stood near the other vehicle and trailer while the man was down near the bumper trying to wire the trailer lights into his truck.

Malone said that’s when a silver colored sedan with three people inside pulled up.

Of course, the antis would point out the even odds here — 3 criminals and 3 law abiding citizens. They won’t mention the age of the victims — One the citizen’s parent, or their ages — youthful criminals versus older victims.

An armed man stepped out and pointed the gun at the older woman, as he covered his face with a cloth.

Just a notice to all thugs — If you point a firearm at someone, people are going to believe that you are willing and ready to use lethal force to get your way.

The son-in-law was armed and drew his weapon and ordered the robbers to leave.

Malone said the robber, armed with 50-caliber Desert Eagle handgun, pointed the gun at the son-in-law.

That’s when the son-in-law fired several rounds, hitting the robber.

The two other suspects helped the wounded man back into their car and fired several shots as they drove away.

Notice that once again the typical antis’ lies are being demolished one at a time.

The law abiding citizen placed his life in greater danger by trying to stop the crime without resorting to violence. Only when his life was directly threatened did he respond by firing.

Again, let’s make this clear – both to the thugs and the antis (but I repeat myself) — Pointing a firearm at someone making a lethal threat. People will respond appropriately.

Malone said a short time later, the Colleton Regional Hospital staff notified the Sheriff’s Office that they just had a person come in to their emergency room with several gun shot wounds.

The man, he said, fit the general description of the robbery suspect.

The suspect, David Jayquon Jakes of Smoaks, was transferred to a Charleston area hospital where he was last reported to be in critical condition.

Good Job Citizen!! – You defended your life and that of your family. Some people just have to get the message the hard way.

And least anyone think this is a case of youthful exuberance or mischief — this is from the update:

Deputies are searching for Antwon McMillan, who’s already out on bond for a murder that happened in 2009. He’s now wanted for three counts of assault with intent to kill, and attempted armed robbery, and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Authorities arrested James Davis last night. He’s facing the same charges as McMillan.

So, antis — is this an acceptable defensive gun use or do the victims have to get shot before they return fire?

Should we look at keeping people accused of crimes — especially murder, in jail instead of letting them run around?

Do you think that would reduce crime more then taking away firearms from the law abiding?

Please join the discussion.

This is very local to those of us in Fort Worth– just a block or two from the  Stockyards. I’ve been in that area many times. This is just a couple blocks from where we had the mini-blog meet when Ambulance Driver was in  town.

A local businessman flagged down an officer on patrol in the 100 block of West Exchange Avenue about 3 a.m. Thursday and reported a suspicious vehicle in a narrow alley in the 2400 block of North Main Street, Mahaffey said.

At the same time, a 911 caller reported that two men were “smoking drugs” in a Mercedes behind a bar on North Main. The patrol officer was unaware of the 911 call when he went to investigate the businessman’s report, Mahaffey said.

“Almost instantly, the [driver of the] Mercedes floored it and came directly at the officer,” Mahaffey said.

The officer dodged the car and fired several times as the Mercedes continued north through the alley and turned east onto West Exchange, Mahaffey said.

A strong clue this was a just shooting is the actions of the driver

The wounded man was dropped off at a convenience store near Yucca Avenue and Interstate 35W from a car matching the Mercedes’ description, Mahaffey said.

Friends not guilty of a crime don’t drop off their wounded buddies at a convenience store.If the driver was or believed himself to be innocent; wouldn’t he have taken his buddy to the hospital?

I’ve been by this one and there is an ambulance often stationed there in the mornings. This leads me to believe the thug in question was very familiar with the area.

Of course, this being Texas you can expect this statement to be included.

“This investigation is very, very preliminary,” Mahaffey said. “But right now, charges do not appear to be imminent on the citizen.”

So — good  shoot or Wild West, Blood in the Streets drama?
Should the  citizen have not involved himself in the situation? Did he have a responsibility to act?

Please join the discussion.

Once again, lacking any new thoughts of my own, I turn to CCW Saves Lives for a Defensive Gun Use.

DENVER — A Denver man confronts several people breaking into his home early Monday morning, wounding and killing one of them, according to police.

The lead in to the story sure makes it sound like an over eager home owner blasting away, doesn’t it?

Wonder how many people stop reading (or paying attention) at this point?

“At approximately 2:20 a.m. Denver Police Officers were investigating a burglary call in the 3100 block of Gaylord Street when they heard gunshots,” said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson in a press release.

Notice that the police were already responding to a call about the break in but they weren’t there yet. Do you think anyone but the home owner called them about the break in?

This is important to remember folks…..the police were on the way when they heard gun shots.

The homeowner told police he heard glass breaking upstairs and he found several intruders.

Note the multiple intruders — how many anti-rights advocates would have the home owner surrender to the violent intruders? How many anti-rights advocates would have the home owner try to fight off multiple attackers with just pepper spray?

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One appeared to have a weapon. The man told the suspect to drop it and that person pointed it at the homeowner, according to an investigator.The homeowner opened fire, wounding one of the suspects. That person died at the scene.

Note also the restraint the home owner displayed — he tried to get the violent thug breaking into his house to drop what appeared to be a weapon.

“The other two suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction,” said Jackson.A 17-year-old male was arrested a short time later.

The arrest is strong evidence there was more then one thug involved in the home invasion, wouldn’t you say? When the statements provided by the home owner are backed up with evidence such as this, it is hard to say the police are white washing the case or that the home owner was lying.

“The situation is currently being investigated as a homicide,” said Jackson

And again we see that there is and will be an investigation to determine just what happened. So unless the home owner is an evil mastermind, it is hard to see how he lured those thugs to his house just to kill them.

It is hard to see how this is anything but a random act of violence. Of course, there are those that will claim paranoia on the part of the home owner — even in the face of the overwhelming evidence that crime happens and it pays to be prepared.

Please join the discussion.

Even though we are told that any common criminal can pick up your firearm and use it against you; not all of them seem to have gotten the message. (h/t to CCW Saves Lives)

Investigators say Harris had a loaded 22-gauge rifle by his bed. Johnson grabbed it and tried to fire, but the safety was on.

“Basically he didn’t know how to operate the rifle. So he puts the rifle down and the bad guy starts to go over to the closet,” said Dave Bristow, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

First, notice that the thug was either over confident, stupid or a combination of both. He turned his back on someone with access to a firearm — what a maroon.

—And I’m sure everyone noticed the layers of editorial oversight –22-gauge rifle – seriously 22 gauge? Editors you can do better then that.

Second, notice the abject failure of the criminal to be able to operate a safety mechanism; of course with such an uncommon rifle, maybe I should cut him some slack.

Of course, that brings up the question – was the killing of this criminal thug justified?
Since he turned his back on the home owner, shouldn’t the home owner just cowered abjectly and given up whatever the thug wanted?

Deputies say the intruder may have encountered Harris earlier in the day at the bank.

“When he (Johnson) broke in he said give me your money, I know you’ve been to the bank,” said Bristow.

By the way, did I mention that Mr. Harris is 74 years old? Yep, look at the picture of the brave thug who was willing to take the money of an elderly person.

Did the thug consider that might be what kept Mr. Harris fed, what bought the prescriptions needed to keep him alive? Stealing a person’s money can endanger their life even if just the money is taken.

Of course the dead thug had a peculiar way of asking for help.

According to deputies, Lee Andrew Johnson broke into 74-year-old Hosie Harris’s home and started hitting him in the face and head.

We are told time and time again that it isn’t worth killing someone over money — wonder when the antis will spend time in the homes of thugs like Lee Andrew Johnson preaching that message — maybe they can convince the criminals to give up violence. What do you think?

Some in his neighborhood say they are often worried about crime here. One woman told me she won’t open the door at night — and she reads her bible hoping for some divine protection.

And I have some advice for the neighbor– read the Bible and act on it as a whole. Armed Self Defense is divinely sanctioned.

Another passage of Scripture in Exodus tells us that protecting your family and possessions by using physical force when an intruder enters your home at night is legitimate: ” If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (Ex. 22:2-3). This passage simply means that one can defend his home and life and that of his family if a thief or intruder comes in at night and threatens them. If it is during the daylight hours and the situation is not life threatening then lethal force can NOT be used.

Please join the discussion.

One of the complaints some anti-rights advocates have with Defensive Gun Uses is knowing if they are truly a Defensive gun use or not.

FORT WORTH — A 34-year-old man who died early Monday after police say he was shot by his ex-girlfriend’s husband had assaulted and threatened the woman for years, according to police reports she had filed.

Julio Cesar Salazar, who had a child with his ex-girlfriend, died at a Fort Worth hospital shortly after being shot at his ex-girlfriend’s residence on Rickenbacker Place in southeast Fort Worth.

Police had initially stated that the woman’s father shot Salazar during a domestic disturbance, but they said Wednesday that the woman’s husband was the shooter.

The report states that when the husband returned home, he ordered Salazar to leave. When Salazar threatened to kill the entire household, the husband went inside and retrieved a revolver and told Salazar again to leave, according to the report.

The report states that Salazar reached behind him as if getting a weapon and “charged” the husband, prompting the shooting.