Wisconsin's State Assembly passed a concealed carry bill today and sent it to the governor who is expected to sign it into law.
I applaud what Wisconsin has done but take exception to the training requirements that have been reported in the media. Apparently the bill requires only classroom work, no actual range time. Bad idea.
But then, I haven't seen any state demanding real-world training for its permit holders.
Granted, many individuals who choose to carry concealed handguns already have significant experience with firearms. Unfortunately, that experience, while better than nothing, is often limited to shooting ranges at best and "plinkin' at cans' at worst. Too many people have told me they don't need or want to take even a basic class because they "know all about guns."
I was fortunate to have early police training, augmented by several advanced classes taught by the FBI. When I decided several years ago to take-up the handgun hobby again, I signed up for individual instruction in basic safety, and carrying and using a concealed weapon, as well as NRA- certified classes in everything from the basics to handgun self-defense in and out of the home. . . about 100-plus hours in all. In the next year, I hope to attend Masaad Ayoob's fine pistol training facility in Florida for more specialized classes.
Concealed carry is a deadly responsibility. It is not a game. It isn't something you do to impress your friends. States should require professional instruction and rigorous range testing before a permit is issued.
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Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Congress and Casting Stones
So it looks like Congressman Weiner is out.
Reports in the New York Times and elsewhere say the pec-and-ab-displaying Democrat will resign after long discussions with his wife and amid threats that his colleagues planned to strip him of his committee assignments. Probably not the kind of stripping he's used to . . . but, I digress.
Yeah, he's a creep for playing around with other women while married and for the unpardonable sin of lying about it when the media came calling. Now he bows out in disgrace and goes to spend time in rehab or taking long walks on the beach. Can a nasty, but quiet, divorce be far behind?
Here's my take.
I wonder how many others in Congress are guilty of the same thing . . . or worse? Were any of those esteemed statesmen (and undoubtedly stateswomen) among the "colleagues" who urged him to quit? Of course they were!
I suspect more than a few of the finger-pointing media have their own sexual peccadillos to hide. Sure they have a job to do but, do they have the moral right to criticize anyone else? Just askin'.
Final question...what serious issues, what criminal acts, what real wrongs have gone uninvestigated and unreported while the media and pundits have been dancing all over Weiner's weiner?
Is it too much for a disgusted public to ask that we get back to the business of news sometime soon?
Reports in the New York Times and elsewhere say the pec-and-ab-displaying Democrat will resign after long discussions with his wife and amid threats that his colleagues planned to strip him of his committee assignments. Probably not the kind of stripping he's used to . . . but, I digress.
Yeah, he's a creep for playing around with other women while married and for the unpardonable sin of lying about it when the media came calling. Now he bows out in disgrace and goes to spend time in rehab or taking long walks on the beach. Can a nasty, but quiet, divorce be far behind?
Here's my take.
I wonder how many others in Congress are guilty of the same thing . . . or worse? Were any of those esteemed statesmen (and undoubtedly stateswomen) among the "colleagues" who urged him to quit? Of course they were!
I suspect more than a few of the finger-pointing media have their own sexual peccadillos to hide. Sure they have a job to do but, do they have the moral right to criticize anyone else? Just askin'.
Final question...what serious issues, what criminal acts, what real wrongs have gone uninvestigated and unreported while the media and pundits have been dancing all over Weiner's weiner?
Is it too much for a disgusted public to ask that we get back to the business of news sometime soon?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Federal Study States the Obvious
Many of us who used to love journalism have known this for some time: with all the *new* sources of news provided by the Internet, the actual quality of reporting has diminished.
Now, the New York Times is highlighting a federal study that makes our cynical observations official.
Commissioned by the FCC, the study focuses specifically on the coverage of local and state government. It says that politicians gain power when the media is not around to question their actions and assertions...and fewer and fewer media organizations are doing so.
Reporters hold up a mirror so society can see how it is functioning.
Without that mirror, the arrogance of power goes unchecked and we all suffer.
Now, the New York Times is highlighting a federal study that makes our cynical observations official.
Commissioned by the FCC, the study focuses specifically on the coverage of local and state government. It says that politicians gain power when the media is not around to question their actions and assertions...and fewer and fewer media organizations are doing so.
Reporters hold up a mirror so society can see how it is functioning.
Without that mirror, the arrogance of power goes unchecked and we all suffer.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Journalistic Ethics Redefined
Many many years ago, before cable probably, there existed a rule in the journalism business: Impartiality is essential for credibility. It simply meant, you don't promote or publicly support the people or institutions that you may eventually have to cover.
For example, you don't say the mayor is the best ever in case the next day you have to call him an accused felon. Or something nasty like that.
Why, kids, I even remember a time when those of us in radio weren't even allowed to read commercial sponsorships at the beginning of newscasts. None of that, "And now the news,brought to you by Dumb and Dumber Chair Company."
Nowadays, though, there's a thing called "spin."
Having the ability to spin is almost as good as having "credibility." It means you can tell people you "didn't know" that something you did was unethical or that you are a moron. In many circles, that erases your misbehavior and everyone forgets about it forever. Simply put, you are no longer a moron.
So every so-called "journalist" who was edited out of the recent non-advertisement/tribute to outgoing Mayor Daley is now forgiven. They are no longer morons.
The ones who didn't avail themselves of the opportunity to spin their appearance in said commercial remain the twits and lightweights they always were.
They have discovered another important new rule of journalism: having no ethics means never having to say you're sorry.
For example, you don't say the mayor is the best ever in case the next day you have to call him an accused felon. Or something nasty like that.
Why, kids, I even remember a time when those of us in radio weren't even allowed to read commercial sponsorships at the beginning of newscasts. None of that, "And now the news,brought to you by Dumb and Dumber Chair Company."
Nowadays, though, there's a thing called "spin."
Having the ability to spin is almost as good as having "credibility." It means you can tell people you "didn't know" that something you did was unethical or that you are a moron. In many circles, that erases your misbehavior and everyone forgets about it forever. Simply put, you are no longer a moron.
So every so-called "journalist" who was edited out of the recent non-advertisement/tribute to outgoing Mayor Daley is now forgiven. They are no longer morons.
The ones who didn't avail themselves of the opportunity to spin their appearance in said commercial remain the twits and lightweights they always were.
They have discovered another important new rule of journalism: having no ethics means never having to say you're sorry.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Mayor Rahmbo: Ruthlessness Redefined
Channel 5's political blog has this to say about Chicago's new Mayor:
“Foul mouthed, iron-fisted and arrogant. Say hello to Mayor Emanuel.”
Everything I’ve read, heard and seen about the guy suggests that assessment of the new mayor is absolutely spot-on.
While Daley whined when he felt mistreated by the media, Emmanuel delights in his default Rahmbo. The tone of Channel 5's coverage displeases him, so he thinks nothing of, literally, turning his back on their cameras. Some consider it theatre. I think it's the behavior of a politician of the Mike Madigan School of Doing Whatever You Like Because You Can.
In fact, Madigan should shiver a bit. So should all of Illinois. You're either this guy's ally or regarded as something he picked up on his shoe. Emmanuel redefines ruthless. In his arrogance, he knows he can get away with most anything he chooses to do. Who is there to question him? C’mon. The Chicago media? Please. Talk about bringing a limp noodle to a sword fight.
Beware Chicago. You’ve gotten what you asked for. Good or bad, Rahmbo’s about to rip you a new one.
“Foul mouthed, iron-fisted and arrogant. Say hello to Mayor Emanuel.”
Everything I’ve read, heard and seen about the guy suggests that assessment of the new mayor is absolutely spot-on.
While Daley whined when he felt mistreated by the media, Emmanuel delights in his default Rahmbo. The tone of Channel 5's coverage displeases him, so he thinks nothing of, literally, turning his back on their cameras. Some consider it theatre. I think it's the behavior of a politician of the Mike Madigan School of Doing Whatever You Like Because You Can.
In fact, Madigan should shiver a bit. So should all of Illinois. You're either this guy's ally or regarded as something he picked up on his shoe. Emmanuel redefines ruthless. In his arrogance, he knows he can get away with most anything he chooses to do. Who is there to question him? C’mon. The Chicago media? Please. Talk about bringing a limp noodle to a sword fight.
Beware Chicago. You’ve gotten what you asked for. Good or bad, Rahmbo’s about to rip you a new one.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Open Records...You've Got to Be Kidding!
A reporter for the Chicago Reader has sued the city of Chicago to get a look at Mayor Daley's schedule, some Chicago Police documents about homicide statistics and a study that caused some personnel shifts within the police department. The suit says the reporter has previously filed Freedom of Information(FOI) requests to gain access to the information but the city has either denied or ignored them.
I applaud his efforts but suspect they will come to nothing.
Open Records and Open Meetings Acts look great on paper. The theory behind them is sound. We, as citizens, have a right to see how our government behaves. We pay for it. We should be able to watch it work. Or not work, as the case may be.
The problem: all bodies of government, in this case the City of Chicago, have great lawyers who know all the tricks to making sure the way the city really operates never comes to light.
Why would it be in Mayor Daley's interest to open his daily schedule to the public? Who knows what names would appear on it and what topics might be covered in the meetings he takes? And murder stats? A close study by a journalist could show manipulation of data, something that was unearthed in Chicago a number of years ago. Is there a reason to think procedures have changed since then? Statistics reflect what the keeper of the data wants them to show. Especially those of the Chicago Police Department.
The arrogance with which governmental bodies operate is well documented. There is freedom of information only if the bureaucrats allow it. If petitioned, they stall, using every legal and illegal method available to them, unless ordered by a court to respond. Unfortunately, that gives them the time to redact or cleanse the documents requested. Sometimes Open Records cases are just thrown out. Why? Aren't those making the rulings essentially bureaucrats themselves? Someday their decisions could come back to haunt them. Don't rock the boat.
Politicians and bureaucrats increasingly have shown their offhand regard for the rights of the people they represent. Our elected officials, and the people they hire, don't regard us as constituents. To them, we are "the citizens" and those who stand up and question them are "pests."
In 2011, "they" run the government and we have no right to question how they do it.
I applaud his efforts but suspect they will come to nothing.
Open Records and Open Meetings Acts look great on paper. The theory behind them is sound. We, as citizens, have a right to see how our government behaves. We pay for it. We should be able to watch it work. Or not work, as the case may be.
The problem: all bodies of government, in this case the City of Chicago, have great lawyers who know all the tricks to making sure the way the city really operates never comes to light.
Why would it be in Mayor Daley's interest to open his daily schedule to the public? Who knows what names would appear on it and what topics might be covered in the meetings he takes? And murder stats? A close study by a journalist could show manipulation of data, something that was unearthed in Chicago a number of years ago. Is there a reason to think procedures have changed since then? Statistics reflect what the keeper of the data wants them to show. Especially those of the Chicago Police Department.
The arrogance with which governmental bodies operate is well documented. There is freedom of information only if the bureaucrats allow it. If petitioned, they stall, using every legal and illegal method available to them, unless ordered by a court to respond. Unfortunately, that gives them the time to redact or cleanse the documents requested. Sometimes Open Records cases are just thrown out. Why? Aren't those making the rulings essentially bureaucrats themselves? Someday their decisions could come back to haunt them. Don't rock the boat.
Politicians and bureaucrats increasingly have shown their offhand regard for the rights of the people they represent. Our elected officials, and the people they hire, don't regard us as constituents. To them, we are "the citizens" and those who stand up and question them are "pests."
In 2011, "they" run the government and we have no right to question how they do it.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Watching the Eagles and Being Amazed
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
It's an amazing site. If you are a fan of bald eagles, which I am, it's awe-inspiring.
This eagle mom, you see, laid three eggs. Two have hatched in front of our watching eyes. Another is...about to hatch. Any day now. Any moment, actually. Watching her feed her eaglets, those little squeaking clumps of grey with their black faces, tumbling around the nest, reaching up with wide-open beaks to take the food Mom or Dad offers (right now it looks like morsels of fish and maybe rabbit) darn near brings tears to my eyes. And makes me laugh out loud.
Bald eagles are wonderful creatures. Viciously strong. Graceful. Beautiful. And incredibly frustrating to photograph. I whipped around on a pontoon boat and snapped the picture shown above from waist level in the one moment I had before that particular eagle swooped out of sight above Trout Lake, Wisconsin last summer.
But the site noted above provides live, near-broadcast quality video of the eagles' nest. Eagles 24-7.
If you're not the fan I am, the Raptor Resource Project (http://www.raptorresource.org/) site in Decorah, Iowa, may not do much for you.
For me it's a connection with nature and a way to observe one of the more incredible creations of Our Creator.
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