Month: December 2007

Free Speech vs. Philadelphia

Joey Vento, owner of Genos steaks, will go and face the PC police in Philadelphia city government today.

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations will hold a public hearing Friday to address a controversial sign at the popular Geno’s Steaks that has gained national attention.

The hearing was scheduled after allegations were made accusing Geno’s Steaks of discrimination for posting a sign that reads: “This is America. When ordering speak English.”

Geno’s owner Joey Vento said it is “free speech.”

“Since we have a little problem in the country with the language, it is also telling people at Geno’s Steaks, all we speak is English,” Vento said.

I think it’s free speech too, and I’m pretty sure the guys that operate Pats and Genos treat everyone equally bad. It’s part of the experience.

“Individuals who operate in a place of public accommodation cannot post signage or express messages that might have the resulting affect of making any group, any ethnicity, and any national origin person feel unwelcome,” said Nick Taliaferro, Human Relations Commission.

Philadelphia wants ot be a speech-free zone, rather than a free-speech zone. I’m not surprised.

UPDATE: Eugene Volokh weighs in on the legal front.

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  1. “Speak English” OK’d by City
  2. Have a Geno’s Today
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Official Oppression in Pennsylvania

The case I posted about here has finally hit the papers in Pennsylvania. Sheriff Wollyung of Franklin County is pretty clearly abusing his authority as a law enforcement officer, and trampling on one man’s rights:

“He was cautioned it was best to leave (the gun) outside,” Wollyung said. “Instead of taking the easy way out, he has to take the arrogant stand.”

So because he had the audacity to assert his legal right to carry a firearm in a place where he was legally permitted, he has taken the “arrogant stand”. I think it’s not Mr. Rotz who’s the arrogant on here.

The right to carry a firearm is not the right to annoy, harass, intimidate or alarm others, Wollyung said.

“I personally believe he violated the spirit of the law, if not the law itself,” Wollyung said.

That’s the worst of it. Sheriff Wollyung has declared himself to be above the law, and the sole arbiter of its “spirit”. If this isn’t Official Oppression, I don’t know what is. There is no “spirit of the law” it is quite simply not unlawful to carry a firearm openly into a polling place in this commonwealth. If the legislature wanted to outlaw this practice, or proscribe open carry for LCTF holders, it could have done so. It did not.

Tom Corbett, the Attorney General for Pennsylvania, is on the short list for a run for Governor in 2010 when Fast Eddie’s term is up. If he wants to build some more pro-gun street credentials, he’ll investigate the actions of this sheriff, and consider bringing charges under our state’s official oppression statute.

UPDATE: It would seem that Sheriff Wollyung, while highly concerned about people lawfully carrying firearms in the Commonwealth, isn’t all that concerned about one of the courthouse security guards returning to work while he stands accused of sexually assaulting a three year old boy. (NOTE: The Rotz in this case is unrelated to Greg Rotz, the man who has his license unlawfully revoked)

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How I Was Wrong

Ian Argent pretty much summed up why I was wrong in my post from a few days ago:

Grassroots efforts don’t use political capital in the usual sense – as long as they’re actually grassroots. Brady hasn’t got many “real” roots, it’s a creature of K street.

In this case, individuals lobbying their reps is much different from the NRA-ILA doing so.

He’s pretty spot on with that. It was never my intention to discourage anyone’s effort in regards to grass roots activity, but I think my mistake is not realizing that this kind of spontaneously organized grass roots activity isn’t really that expensive. David Codrea was right: asking for a letter really isn’t asking for much.

It was mostly my intention to question what we were really trying to accomplish by attempting to scuttle Sullivan, because I wasn’t sure that was a hill worth dying on. Now I realize we don’t have to die on the hill, that we can effect the outcome of the fight without taking it. I stand by my assertion that Sullivan will remain in charge of ATF and will be confirmed, but our lawmakers are aware of the issues, thanks in no small part to Ryan being a very effective squeaky wheel. It was a mistake for me to question the value of that in the way I did.

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More on the Cook County Ban

They are also targeting ammunition. Ahab and Thirdpower are blogging about it. Go check it out. I carry Corbon DPX, which is an all copper round, and would be illegal under this ban.

This is what happens when the ignorant legislate on guns to an ignorant constituency. Of course, the people pushing these bans know exactly what they are doing.

Plus, you kind of have to wonder. Here they are saying lead is the only ammunition you can use, because if it’s not lead, it’s evil and armor piercing.  Meanwhile, the State of California is telling us that lead ammunition is evil, and bullets shan’t be made of it.  If we make bullets out of lead, it will make little baby condors cry.

Yes folks, they know exactly what they are doing. Next time you hear a hunter type suggest they aren’t coming after him, print out a copy of this post, and stuff it in a lead pipe so you can beat it into his head.

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  1. Case Against Lead Ammunition Building
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New CeaseFire PA Executive Director

Looks like CeaseFire Pennsylvania is naming former spokesman for Mayor Street Joe Grace to their Executive Director post:

“We’re hiring Joe Grace because it’s time for CeaseFire PA to take its growing coalition in support of stronger handgun laws to the next level,” Goldsmith said. “As CeaseFire PA takes its campaign to communities across Pennsylvania, it needs an experienced campaign strategist who understands what it takes to achieve results. Joe is that person and we’re pleased to welcome him aboard.”

Joe succeeds Diane Edbril, who has served as part-time executive director.

“Diane has done a wonderful job. But our growth requires a full-time individual at the helm. I am delighted she will continue on a part-time basis to work with Joe as we further our mission to make communities safer,” Goldsmith said.

I’m not a professional political analyst or anything, but my take on this is that CeaseFire PA has decided they need someone a little more dedicated to be able to make any movement at all in Pennsylvania. Their defeat in the Judiciary Committee a few weeks ago clearly did not go unnoticed by the powers that be in the Pennsylvania gun ban movement.

Grace served for the last two and ½ years as communications director for Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street. In that role he interacted with mayors from across Pennsylvania on the issue of growing violence caused by illegal handguns, and with the national coalition of mayors focused on reducing gun violence headed by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Tom Menino.

I’m not sure I’d trust a guy that directed Street’s communication. I guess the FBI felt that Street communicated pretty well though, or they wouldn’t have bugged his office.

But what’s this growing crap? CeaseFire PA is growing? I mean, maybe 2007 is going to be a bumper year for them, but based on their IRS 990s (search “CeaseFire Pennsylvania”), I wouldn’t exactly brag. In 2004, they recorded total assets of $17,673, and in 2005 reported $24,201. My total assets exceeded that when I was living in an apartment in my mid 20s. Also for 2005, they list direct public support of about 31 large, which was down from 2004, listed at about 40 large.

Just for some comparison, in 2006, Allegheny County Sportsmens League had $186 grand in assets, and 43,267 in contributions.  That was up over 2005 with 180 grand in assets and 38 grand in contributions.

Of course, they are one of many Pennsylvania gun rights organizations.   Gun control in Pennsylvania growing?  I’m afraid only in Ed Rendell’s mind.  The numbers say otherwise.

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Silhouette Sorrow

A score of 28 was off from my score of 33 last week.  I did get all ten pigs, but that was all the mojo I could muster this week.  I just wasn’t feeling it.   I probably won’t get to see Bitter this weekend because of weather.  We’re expecting snow and “wintry mix” this weekend, which could make going home hazardous, or very difficult.   Winter can go to hell.

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