vxbush 3/7/2023 6:09:39 AM

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Yesterday I had to go pick up my car at the car shop after having some work done. While I was waiting, I struck up a conversation with a retired gentleman who used to work in law enforcement. He started talking about his job, of course (why do we always want to talk about "the old days" as we get older?) and then he flat out made a statement that surprised me: "Nobody needs an assault weapon. Heck, any weapon can be an assault weapon." So I then asked if he felt that restriction should also apply to the police.

He shared that he had an assault weapon in Vietnam (which didn't explain to me how that could impact the here and now exactly) and then started to share the story of the North Hollywood shootout where the perpetrators had their homemade armor and stolen the firearms. He used that as the reason why the police needed to have M16s. 

Not once did he consider the number of times homeowners have been able to protect themselves with their own weapons. I tried to point out that if someone wants a weapon bad enough, they are going to steal it, the law be damned. He somewhat grudgingly accepted that, noting that the North Hollywood guys stole their weapons. 

But I was really sad to someone do such a poor job expressing the issues. Granted, he's retired and in his late 70's or early 80's, so he gets a pass. But his former position means that some people will listen to him uncritically and push for more gun control, as if Illinois doesn't have enough laws on the books already. 

I'm not anywhere near knowledgable enough about firearms, though, so would appreciate some pointers for better ways to steer such a discussion in the future. 

JCM 3/7/2023 7:43:31 AM

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Reply to vxbush in 1:

Did you find out what his rank was at retirement?

My observation is high ranks are all political, therefore the political viewpoints change.

There is a big difference between police and sheriffs. Police Chiefs are appointed. Sheriffs are elected and that's how you see Sheriff's like Grady, Lamb and Clarke.

Occasional Reader 3/7/2023 7:51:35 AM

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Well, speaking of crime and such, while driving in to work today (in my eeeevil ICE vehicle), I'm pretty sure I witnessed a case of wine being stolen out of the back of a delivery truck.  A guy was pulled up next to the  delivery truck, the back of which was open (doing a delivery onthe  busy 14th street commercial corridor); i saw the guy hustling a case into the trunk of the car, obviously rushing and seemingly nervous, nearly tripped over another case that was sitting behind the truck; then he sped off, turning immediately without signaling.  I glimpsed the delivery guy inside the back of the truck; I'm guessing he did not want to risk getting shot, stabbed, etc. over a case of wine.

And THIS is why we need crime decriminalized (per our City Clowncil's latest move, which is too insane even for the Biden gang); so that there will be no more crime!  By definition! 

Occasional Reader 3/7/2023 7:51:35 AM

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Well, speaking of crime and such, while driving in to work today (in my eeeevil ICE vehicle), I'm pretty sure I witnessed a case of wine being stolen out of the back of a delivery truck.  A guy was pulled up next to the  delivery truck, the back of which was open (doing a delivery onthe  busy 14th street commercial corridor); i saw the guy hustling a case into the trunk of the car, obviously rushing and seemingly nervous, nearly tripped over another case that was sitting behind the truck; then he sped off, turning immediately without signaling.  I glimpsed the delivery guy inside the back of the truck; I'm guessing he did not want to risk getting shot, stabbed, etc. over a case of wine.

And THIS is why we need crime decriminalized (per our City Clowncil's latest move, which is too insane even for the Biden gang); so that there will be no more crime!  By definition! 

Occasional Reader 3/7/2023 7:52:09 AM

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vxbush 3/7/2023 8:24:27 AM

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In #5 Occasional Reader said: No reason at all that should have come out as a double post.  Weird. 

Gnomes.

vxbush 3/7/2023 8:28:09 AM

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In #2 JCM said: Did you find out what his rank was at retirement? My observation is high ranks are all political, therefore the political viewpoints change.

No, I didn't. He had something to do with one of the jails and was at least at the level of being the "man in charge", but he didn't give his rank.

Occasional Reader 3/7/2023 8:36:22 AM

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In #7 vxbush said: but he didn't give his rank.

What about his name and serial number?

/

vxbush 3/7/2023 12:35:09 PM

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Occasional Reader 3/7/2023 12:40:27 PM

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Reply to vxbush in 9:

I missed it; but I've seen some commentary about it today, e.g. the "Qanon Shaman" being ushered in by Capitol Police; and Brian Sicknick walking around seemingly just fine, at the same time that (per the J6 Committee,etc.) he was supposedly being beaten to death with a fire extinguisher. 

JCM 3/7/2023 12:49:40 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 10:

Run the video with facial recognition against FBI personnel records.

That would be fun.

JCM 3/7/2023 1:12:25 PM

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REPORT: Former UK Health Secretary Asks When To ‘Deploy The New Variant,’ Messages Show

Don't know what to make of it.

But it verified, or verifiable. Oh, boy!

vxbush 3/7/2023 1:31:23 PM

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In #12 JCM said: REPORT: Former UK Health Secretary Asks When To ‘Deploy The New Variant,’ Messages Show

Most commentators I've seen write about this as if he's using the phrase "when do we deploy the new variant" to actually mean "when do we deploy the new messaging indicating you must get vaccinated now to avoid issues with the new COVID strain" or something along a similar line. They tend to not assume the phrasing is literal but colloquial.

JCM 3/7/2023 2:20:07 PM

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Reply to vxbush in 13:

Talk about feeding the conspiracy train.

That makes sense.

Kosh's Shadow 3/7/2023 5:34:15 PM

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In #14 JCM said: Talk about feeding the conspiracy train.

They hope Norfolk and Southern is running the conspiracy train and it will derail well before its destination.