Friday, November 11, 2005

Left Gloats Over Election Results

Lefty PAC, Local Solutions, sent out a post election e-mail celebrating their success in the November 8 election. I find it hard to understand how anyone could be happy about that Dunk character being elected to the Mckinleyville Community Services District, him being the worst of all the candidates in that race as I saw it. They also took self proclaimed communist, Shane Brinton, under their wing and he won over what was arguably a much more qualified candidate. I guess there's nothing wrong with gloating over a win, no matter who the winners are.

What got me was Democrat Chair, Pat Riggs', victory message included at the end of the e-mail:

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
We had a tremendous victory here in Humboldt last night, rejecting the far right's attacks on our democracy and our American values by overwhelming margins, margins that would have been even larger had more people been clear on the details included in 73-77.


Fortunately we also prevailed statewide on all of these by decent margins. California sent a clear message that Karl Rove and Tom Delay style attacks on our constitution stop at the California border. Now we can take the fight to them, and look to beginning the restoration of human rights and democracy in our country in 2006.

Thank you all so very much for all your hard work. The community really stepped up, especially in the last two weeks of the campaign. This victory was truly a team effort. I am so grateful to everyone of you. We needed everyone's help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Peace,
Patrick Riggs


Admittidley, this sort of message is sent out by all sides of the political aisle by whatever side wins. Heck, even when they don't win, powers that be try to send out some sort of uplifting message to their rank and file. I found Pat's message as shameless as much of everything else he said during the campaign. Most shameless of which was his suggestion that the "far right was attacking our democracy...". This, from someone who believes politicians should pick their voters rather than the other way around and that the current system of incumbent safe districts is acceptable.

I also find it annoying, if not insulting, that he says his victory margin would have been wider if more people would of just understood the issues better. I suggest if more people understood the issues, his side would of lost, at least on the reform oriented initiatives. I guess I'm like Pat, and everyone else, in that regard: We all think we're right and everyone would agree with us if they just studied the issues more thoroughly.

10 Comments:

At 9:56 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here is something funny pulled from the NCJ, Hank Sims Critial Mass story:

..."Moments later, one of the officers pointed a non-lethal machine gun-style weapon at Castle's mother..."

What the hell is that? A rubber band MG-42? Paintball marker?

 
At 10:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, I meant to add that it seems everybody is going for drama, "far right", "Karl Rove Style Attacks", "Godzilla votes Mothra Platform" "Machine Gun Style"

Poor Form Hank Sims on that story. Maybe "Scary looking magic wand thingie" or how about "bullhorn" next time.

 
At 11:17 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Point taken. We do have a picture of the weapon in question in the story, but the vagaries of the printing process left it looking rather dark.

You can see a better picture of it here:

http://www.indybay.org/news/2005/11/1780250.php

The reason I went for "non-lethal machine gun-style" is that I wasn't able to figure out what it was, exactly, by deadline. Some said it shot pepper spray, others rubber bullets. All I could figure out for sure is that it wasn't an actual bang-bang gun with bullets.

So: deadline is a harsh mistress and you do what you can -- but, like I said, point taken.

--Hank Sims

 
At 12:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Even looking at the really crappy picture, you can tell it's not a "machine gun"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_gun

Even if it was a SMG, it's still not a machine gun. Machine Guns are for the most part, crew served. But it looks to use CO2 pressure system like a Airsoft or a Paintball Marker (do not call them paintball guns, paintballers get pissed about that)

I'll look around and see what is it, or maybe it would be easier to call the CHP and ask them? You don't need to feed the anti-gunner more hype by saying cops are pointing machine guns at people's heads. Will you print a correction in next weeks paper?

http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/ll_303.htm

Hell, that was quick!


FN 303
The Best in Less Lethal Response.

The FN 303 is designed to be the premier system for situations requiring a less lethal response. Completely dedicated to reducing lethality and liability, the basis of the FN 303 concept lies in its unique ammunition. The .68 caliber, 8.5 gram projectile utilizes a fin-stabilized polystyrene body and non-toxic bismuth forward payload to provide both better accuracy and greater effective range than other less lethal systems. The primary effect of the projectile is temporary, superficial trauma to help neutralize the aggressor. In addition, secondary effects from the projectiles can be delivered via a chemical payload depending on specific mission requirements. Magazines contain 15 rounds and have a clear rear cover to allow rapid ammunition payload verification. The compressed air-powered FN 303 launcher is designed to fire less lethal projectiles exclusively and has enough air capacity to launch 110 individual shots with an effective range of 50 meters at a point specific target. It is constructed from durable, lightweight polymer offering comfortable ergonomics and an easy to operate safety. Along with the flip-up iron sights is an integrated M1913 rail that can be used to mount red dot sights and other accessories. An undercarriage mount is also available for the M4 and M16 style tactical rifles.

 
At 12:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Took me all of two minutes to find out what it was.

 
At 1:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It took you all of two minutes because you know something about guns. You say "Even if it was an SMG" and "machine guns are usually crew served" -- I have no idea what any of that means.

No, I won't print a correction. I said it was a "non-lethal machine gun-style weapon" -- I didn't say it was a machine gun. It seems to me that with that admittedly awkward phrase, I am explicity saying that it is /not/ a machine gun.

And I didn't say anything about the EPD officer (not CHP) pointing it at anyone's head.

And with that, Anonymous, I sign off. I'm happy to stay and chat on this board as long as things stay civil, but I'm not going to get into a pissing match with a ghost.

--Hank Sims

 
At 1:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for your time Hank.

 
At 7:47 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Now that's better, Anon. Don't be chasing off our very own Hank Sims.

 
At 8:22 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

Might well be, Bill. No way of knowing for sure.

 
At 8:22 AM, Blogger Fred Mangels said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 

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