From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Karate group seeking firearms instructors for special event] (fwd) Date: 04 May 2003 21:58:41 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- This is actually classic if you think about it... Brad FYI My son, Dean, is participating in a special Karate event in Connecticut on August 3, 2003. It is my understanding that the event will be held in Simsbury and part of the exhibition will include defense techniques against an armed opponent. Prior to the event itself, the organizers and instructors are requesting assistance in teaching their students what the characteristics and functioning of a handgun are. The purpose of these lessons is to have the karate student learn what to do and not do with a weapon once an opponent is disarmed. It is a matter of safety and an excellent opportunity to develop inter-sports relations. Can you help? Can you pass this information on to other instructors and/or shooting organizations? About 30 instructors will be needed. Thank you. Larry Ierardi 603-472-9049 or e-mail dociardi@msn.com or l_ierardi@yahoo.com . ----------------------- end forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: [ALERT] Defend Free Speech Rights! (fwd) Date: 06 May 2003 19:30:44 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from ConservativeAlerts.com --------------------- ISSUE: Do you ever get the feeling that a certain Second Amendment gun rights organization isn't so hot on First Amendment free speech rights? On Sunday, April 27, Timothy Condon, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Director of Member Services for the rapidly growing Free State Project (freestateproject.org), was peacefully handing out flyers extolling the benefits of the FSP for gun owners outside the National Rifle Association national convention in Orlando, Florida. Condon, an NRA member himself and a registered participant at the convention, had been handing out the flyers in the same location for 3 days without incident. On that Sunday morning, with no notice, he was approached by security personnel and Orange County sheriff's deputies and told to "cease and desist" or he'd be arrested for "trespassing." Condon, an attorney, pointed out that he was on a public walkway, not in the convention hall, and refused, citing the First Amendment. "I believe there is a First Amendment problem with prohibiting people from passing out political literature on public property where there is no problem caused by it," Condon said. Condon was then ARRESTED and transported to the Orange County Jail, where he spent 12 hours before being released on bond. "I was held for 12 hours at the Orange County jail, treated well by the sheriff's office personnel (who were probably treating me with kid-gloves because they knew I was a lawyer, and that this was a constitutional/ civil rights challenge), before being bonded out on $500 bond by my wife Michele, who was working on it from Tampa, 100 miles away." (Note that although Condon was "treated well," he was not offered the chance to be released on his own recognizance, despite the fact that he is an attorney and certainly not a flight risk). Condon has been charged with "Trespass after warning," a first degree misdemeanor worth one year in jail if convicted. The arraignment is scheduled for 6/12/03. Haven't heard that story yet? You're not alone. Even if you live in Florida you wouldn't have seen the story in your local paper. The mainstream media is IGNORING the story. Despite the fact that Condon and the FSP immediately sent a press release to the local Florida media, there has been NO coverage. Well, let's get 85,000 conservatives to change that, shall we? ACTION ITEM: The Free State Project is encouraging concerned citizens to write letters to the editor to the "news"papers in Florida, decrying this treatment of peaceful Constitutionally protected activity, and urging them to interview Tim Condon and to show up at his arraignment and cover it as a news event. Let's make sure they know that there are those of us in the country who DO care, and care deeply, when anyone's First Amendment rights are violated, and let them know that we think the press has a special obligation to cover free speech issues, since their own existence depends on the First Amendment. Go to our site below to send a message to media outlets in Florida, requesting that they give this story the coverage it deserves (try to use our "Talking Points" to edit the letter so that they don't receive thousands of copies of the same letter - they hate that): http://www.conservativealerts.com/media-fl.htm AOL GO HERE NOTE: Those who are NRA members (and even those who aren't) may also want to write the NRA at https://www.nrahq.org/contact.asp and let them know what you think about this outrageous treatment of one of their members. Remember, NOT ONE official from the NRA approached Tim and asked him to leave or, if he WAS on "rented property," asked him to move; they simply sent the cops. As of right now, NOT ONE official from the NRA has contacted Tim since the incident, to explain their rationale for having him arrested. "What is even more bizarre to me is that the National Rifle Association would have one of its own members arrested for passing out literature that supports the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," Condon commented. Be sure to forward this e-mail to everyone you know cares about ALL of the constitutional rights of citizens across America. Thank you! You are receiving this communication because you requested to be e-mailed regarding issues and offers of interest to conservatives, either when you sent an e-mail to Congress, signed an online petition, sent a FedEx, faxgram or mailgram, or when you donated to a conservative cause or candidate on the Internet or through postal mail. You are currently subscribed as: bill@xpresso.seaslug.org To remove your subscription, send an email to leave-conservativealerts-7104F@sicm.lyris.net Was this message forwarded to you by a friend? You can sign up for the ConservativeAlerts.com Action Alerts for FREE! Go here: http://www.ConservativeAlerts.com/ ----------------------- end forwarded message from ConservativeAlerts.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Time To Write Your President - Keep Those Letters & Cards (fwd) Date: 09 May 2003 18:27:32 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- FYI - GOA ALERT.... White House Pokes Gun Owners in the Eye - Admits receiving "tremendous amount of e-mail" against semi-auto ban Gun Owners of America 8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102 Springfield, VA 22151 (703)321-8585 Friday, May 9, 2003 Well, you've probably seen the news by now. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation yesterday to reauthorize the ban on scores of semi-automatic firearms. As a result, reporters asked White House spokesman Ari Fleischer for the President's position. Fleischer said, "Often, the president will agree... with the National Rifle Association. On this issue, he does not." The bottom line? The President supports the ban on many semi- automatic firearms and on magazines holding 10 rounds or more. The White House seems to think that the bill will never reach the President's desk. At least that is what top officials are count- ing on. In pursuing this strategy, they are trying to please both sides and are playing a very dangerous game, to be sure. No one should assume for a second that there are a majority of pro -gun legislators in the Congress that will join to kill this bill. It may be that Democrats in Congress will call the President's bluff and attach the Feinstein reauthorization bill as an amendment to some "must pass" bill. With all the "horse trading" that goes on behind closed doors, don't be surprised if some fence-sitters in the Senate trade their votes in favor of the ban to gain the support of certain Democrats for tax cuts. Meanwhile, the White House has been inundated with e-mail in opposition to the ban. Senior White House official Carl Rove told a director of Gun Owners of New Hampshire that they have received a "tremendous amount of e-mail" on this issue. That's a testimony to all of you. Good work, guys! But there is still much more that needs to be done. The White House is trying to straddle the fence on this issue. It's up to us to yank the President over to our side. We have included a new pre-written letter for you to e-mail which answers the main objection that the White House is putting forth. But if you have the time, we encourage you to call the White House to deliver your message. Better yet, do both! It is important that they feel the growing displeasure that is brewing in the grassroots. Making phone calls -- as opposed to just e-mailing -- is one way to do that. As one legislative official said, "If you do phones, you can ruin the staff's day and they will get nothing done -- because they are spending all their time on the phone. That definitely gets their attention." Let's get their attention. ACTION: Please use the pre-written text below to guide your response to the White House. It is preferred that you call. But if you can only e-mail, please be sure to do that. You can visit the Gun Owners Legislative Action Center at http://www.gunowners.org/activism.htm to send a pre-written e-mail message to President Bush. To call or snail mail the President regarding the semi-auto ban, you can use the following contact info: President George Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Fax: 202-456-2461 or 202-456-1907 Phone: 202-456-1414 ------ Pre-written message ------ Dear President Bush: I am sorely disappointed to hear that you support reauthorizing the Clinton-Feinstein ban on commonly owned semi-autos and on certain magazines. Your spokesmen have said that you are being "consistent" because you have always supported the enforcement of existing gun laws. First, the Second Amendment says the right to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." That does not allow for you to play political games with the Bill of Rights! Second, your support for "existing gun laws" means that you should support the EXISTING SUNSET in the semi-auto ban which forces the semi-auto gun ban to expire in September, 2004. You are in the White House because gun owners in West Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas believed they could count on you. We would urge you to keep faith with them and with us. Sincerely, **************************** Pro-gun Books, Videos, and Other Merchandise Support the Second Amendment while "arming" yourself with information, materials, and visible reminders of the importance of our freedoms. Purchase books and videos from Gun Owners Foundation and merchandise from GOA online today. All products are 100% guaranteed. GOF Books and Videos: http://www.gunowners.com/resource.htm GOA Merchandise: http://www.gunowners.org/merchandise.htm **************************** -------------------------------------------------- The idea of being able to hold a manufacturer of a product, legally liable for any after sale illegal misuse, is like suing Boeing for the World Trade attacks! Brad. -------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- end forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: VOTE.COM - Should Congress Extend The Ban On Semiautomatic Assault Weapons? (fwd) Date: 10 May 2003 21:42:10 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Bill Phillips --------------------- Should Congress Extend The Ban On Semiautomatic Assault Weapons? http://www.vote.com/ ----------------------- end forwarded message from Bill Phillips --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: To DisArm The Sheeple,,,,,,,,,,,,, (fwd) Date: 13 May 2003 05:34:38 -0700 (PDT) Lest we forget..... Bill ----------------------- begin forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- Thank you, Jan, for this important forward. Only a tyrant would wish to disarm The People. IT IS TIME - GUNS: USE THEM OR LOSE THEM. Reinhold And retroactive, too.... Weapons Ban Here is the text of the reauthorization of the '94 gun ban. It is MUCH broader and will ban many more guns. Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003 ( HR 2038 IH ) 108th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2038 To reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 8, 2003 Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York (for herself, Mr. SHAYS, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. NADLER, Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. WATERS, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. WEINER, Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California, Mr. EMANUEL, Mr. CASE, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. ACKERMAN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. HONDA, Mr. STARK, Ms. SOLIS, Ms. LEE, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. NORTON, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. RUSH, Ms. WATSON, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. OWENS, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. FARR, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. HOLT, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. MENENDEZ, Ms. VELAZQUEZ, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. ROTHMAN, Mr. FATTAH, Ms. HARMAN, Mr. BISHOP of New York, and Mr. LANGEVIN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003'. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. (a) IN GENERAL- Section 921(a)(30) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: `(30) The term 'semiautomatic assault weapon' means any of the following: `(A) The following rifles or copies or duplicates thereof: `(i) AK, AKM, AKS, AK-47, AK-74, ARM, MAK90, Misr, NHM 90, NHM 91, SA 85, SA 93, VEPR; `(ii) AR-10; `(iii) AR-15, Bushmaster XM15, Armalite M15, or Olympic Arms PCR; `(iv) AR70; `(v) Calico Liberty; `(vi) Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle or Dragunov SVU; `(vii) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, or FNC; `(viii) Hi-Point Carbine; `(ix) HK-91, HK-93, HK-94, or HK-PSG-1; `(x) Kel-Tec Sub Rifle; `(xi) M1 Carbine; `(xii) Saiga; `(xiii) SAR-8, SAR-4800; `(xiv) SKS with detachable magazine; `(xv) SLG 95; `(xvi) SLR 95 or 96; `(xvii) Steyr AUG; `(xviii) Sturm, Ruger Mini-14; `(xix) Tavor; `(xx) Thompson 1927, Thompson M1, or Thompson 1927 Commando; or `(xxi) Uzi, Galil and Uzi Sporter, Galil Sporter, or Galil Sniper Rifle (Galatz). `(B) The following pistols or copies or duplicates thereof: `(i) Calico M-110; `(ii) MAC-10, MAC-11, or MPA3; `(iii) Olympic Arms OA; `(iv) TEC-9, TEC-DC9, TEC-22 Scorpion, or AB-10; or `(v) Uzi. `(C) The following shotguns or copies or duplicates thereof: `(i) Armscor 30 BG; `(ii) SPAS 12 or LAW 12; `(iii) Striker 12; or `(iv) Streetsweeper. `(D) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine, and that has-- `(i) a folding or telescoping stock; `(ii) a threaded barrel; `(iii) a pistol grip; `(iv) a forward grip; or `(v) a barrel shroud. `(E)(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a semiautomatic rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds. `(ii) Clause (i) shall not apply to an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. `(F) A semiautomatic pistol that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine, and has-- `(i) a second pistol grip; `(ii) a threaded barrel; `(iii) a barrel shroud; or `(iv) the capacity to accept a detachable magazine at a location outside of the pistol grip. `(G) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds. `(H) A semiautomatic shotgun that has-- `(i) a folding or telescoping stock; `(ii) a pistol grip; `(iii) the ability to accept a detachable magazine; or `(iv) a fixed magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds. `(I) A shotgun with a revolving cylinder. `(J) A frame or receiver that is identical to, or based substantially on the frame or receiver of, a firearm described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) or (L). `(K) A conversion kit. `(L) A semiautomatic rifle or shotgun originally designed for military or law enforcement use, or a firearm based on the design of such a firearm, that is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, as determined by the Attorney General. In making the determination, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a firearm procured for use by the United States military or any Federal law enforcement agency is not particularly suitable for sporting purposes, and a firearm shall not be determined to be particularly suitable for sporting purposes solely because the firearm is suitable for use in a sporting event.'. (b) RELATED DEFINITIONS- Section 921(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: `(36) BARREL SHROUD- The term `barrel shroud' means a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel of a firearm so that the shroud protects the user of the firearm from heat generated by the barrel, but does not include a slide that encloses the barrel, and does not include an extension of the stock along the bottom of the barrel which does not encircle or substantially encircle the barrel. `(37) CONVERSION KIT- The term `conversion kit' means any part or combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a firearm into a semiautomatic assault weapon, and any combination of parts from which a semiautomatic assault weapon can be assembled if the parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. `(38) DETACHABLE MAGAZINE- The term `detachable magazine' means an ammunition feeding device that can readily be inserted into a firearm. `(39) FIXED MAGAZINE- The term `fixed magazine' means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm. `(40) FOLDING OR TELESCOPING STOCK- The term `folding or telescoping stock' means a stock that folds, telescopes, or otherwise operates to reduce the length, size, or any other dimension, or otherwise enhances the concealability, of a firearm. `(41) FORWARD GRIP- The term `forward grip' means a grip located forward of the trigger that functions as a pistol grip. `(42) PISTOL GRIP- The term `pistol grip' means a grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other characteristic that can function as a grip. `(43) THREADED BARREL- The term `threaded barrel' means a feature or characteristic that is designed in such a manner to allow for the attachment of a firearm as defined in section 5845(a) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(a)).'. SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF SUNSET. Section 110105 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 is amended-- (1) by striking `--' and all that follows through `(1)'; and (2) by striking `; and' and all that follows through `that date'. SEC. 4. GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS. Section 922(v)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) by inserting `(A)' after `(2)'; (2) by striking `on the date of the enactment of this subsection' and inserting `as of September 13, 1994'; and (3) by adding after and below the end the following: `(B) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any firearm the possession or transfer of which would (but for this subparagraph) be unlawful by reason of this subsection, and which is otherwise lawfully possessed on the date of the enactment of this subparagraph.'. SEC. 5. REPEAL OF CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS. Section 922(v)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking `(3)' and all that follows through the 1st sentence and inserting the following: `(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any firearm that-- `(A) is manually operated by bolt, pump, level, or slide action; `(B) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or `(C) is an antique firearm.'. SEC. 6. REQUIRING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE TRANSFER OF LAWFULLY POSSESSED SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS. Section 922(v) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: `(5) It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer a semiautomatic assault weapon to which paragraph (1) does not apply, except through-- `(A) a licensed dealer, and for purposes of subsection (t) in the case of such a transfer, the weapon shall be considered to be transferred from the business inventory of the licensed dealer and the dealer shall be considered to be the transferor; or `(B) a State or local law enforcement agency if the transfer is made in accordance with the procedures provided for in subsection (t) of this section and section 923(g). `(6) The Attorney General shall establish and maintain, in a timely manner, a record of the make, model, and date of manufacture of any semiautomatic assault weapon which the Attorney General is made aware has been used in relation to a crime under Federal or State law, and the nature and circumstances of the crime involved, including the outcome of relevant criminal investigations and proceedings. The Attorney General shall annually submit the record to the Congress and make the record available to the general public.'. SEC. 7. STRENGTHENING THE BAN ON THE POSSESSION OR TRANSFER OF A LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE. (a) BAN ON TRANSFER OF SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON WITH LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE- (1) IN GENERAL- Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (y) the following: `(z) It shall be unlawful for any person to transfer any assault weapon with a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'. (2) PENALTIES- Section 924(a) of such title is amended by adding at the end the following: `(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(z) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.'. (b) CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT- (1) IN GENERAL- Section 922(w) of such title is amended-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking `on or before the date of enactment of this subsection' and inserting `in the United States on or before September 13, 1994'; (B) in paragraph (3)-- (i) by adding `or' at the end of subparagraph (B); and (ii) by striking subparagraph (C) and redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); and (C) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: `(4) It shall be unlawful for a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed dealer who transfers a large capacity ammunition feeding device that was manufactured on or before September 13, 1994, to fail to certify to the Attorney General before the end of the 60-day period that begins with the date of the transfer, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, that the device was manufactured on or before September 13, 1994.'. (2) PENALTIES- Section 924(a) of such title is further amended by adding at the end the following: `(9) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(w)(4) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.'. SEC. 8. UNLAWFUL WEAPONS TRANSFERS TO JUVENILES. Section 922(x) of title 18, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)-- (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (B) by adding at the end the following: `(C) a semiautomatic assault weapon; or `(D) a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'; and (2) in paragraph (2)-- (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (B) by adding at the end the following: `(C) a semiautomatic assault weapon; or `(D) a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'. SEC. 9. BAN ON IMPORTATION OF LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICE. (a) IN GENERAL- Section 922(w) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 7(b)(1) of this Act, is further amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking `(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2)' and inserting `(1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B)'; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking `(2) Paragraph (1)' and inserting `(B) Subparagraph (A)'; and (3) by inserting before paragraph (3) the following: `(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to import or bring into the United States a large capacity ammunition feeding device.'. (b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 921(a)(31)(A) of such title is amended by striking `manufactured after the date of enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994'. ----------------------- end forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: HOORAY FOR IDAHO,,,,,,, SOVEREIGN IDAHO !!!!! (fwd) Date: 14 May 2003 23:30:37 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- http://www.sierratimes.com/03/05/14/sheriff.htm Idaho Stands Up To The Feds! By Sheriff Mike Cook I'm so proud of the State of Idaho. They stood up to the federal government and defended our rights under the Tenth Amendment. This state is showing the federal people that we will only give them the powers we want them to have. Idaho has said no to the ESA at the federal level. The Idaho State Legislator passed House Bill 294 and Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed it into law. This bill givesto the state the power to control wolves. The animal "rights" zealots are very upset about this. I think it is about time. They have used every means, legal or not, to impose their will on the people of America. So when they are overruled by law and the will of the majority they scream for all they are worth. Welcome to the real world. The people of Idaho never wanted the wolves planted in their state. So the federal government, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, got around that by getting the Nez Perce Indian Tribe to plant wolves on their lands. The end result was that the people of Idaho had to deal with the wolf problem whether they wanted to or not. The other great part about this House Bill 294 is that it requires the federal government to fund the state for the cost of dealing with the wolf from a federal funding source not associated with other wildlife. So they have already collected $250,000 from the federal government. Idaho also took the lead in getting money from the federal government to help with the wolf depredation program. The state will pay when the animal rights groups won't pay as they promised, to a livestock producers who loses animals to the wolves. Unfortunately, we all know that it comes out of our pockets ultimately anyway. Now if Oregon can just take the lead and do the same thing it would be great. I'm afraid it won't happen here in Oregon, however. We have a governor who is more inte rested in so-called "animal rights" than humans, and a Legislator who believes the federal government should call the shots. Many of them don't read or understand our Constitution. The main complaint in rural Oregon is that they only listen to the whacko's in Portland and the large population areas in Oregon. Rural Oregon is left holding the bag, having to deal with all this stupid stuff they force on us. That is our lot in life until we get it stopped. If you have any reservations about how different Portland is from the rest of Oregon, just come and visit and talk with the people. Or you can watch all the nut cases who protest in Portland and are allowed to break the law because they have a socialist liberal for a mayor who won't stop them. To the rest of America I say this: Don't judge Oregon by what you see in Portland. You see, they don't live in the real world in that city. We wish we could affect a name change for that area, changing it to "Fantasy Land North". If they want to see wolves they can go to their zoo. You will probably hear on the news that the people of Oregon want wolves. That is one big lie. It has never been put to a vote and if they even did an informal poll it was in Portland. They don't know what the rest of Oregon citizens want, and they can't speak for the rest of us. I know that a real vote in the state right now at least 30 out of 36 counties would say NO to the introduction of wolves. This is one area that shows the fallacy of the "majority rules" idea. I believe that in the future the only way we will have any kind of freedom is to return control of such things to the county level. Then the people who have to deal with these laws would have some say over what is passed. Those who don't have to deal with the results of what they pass would then no longer be in a position to inflict stupid stuff on the rest of us. I believe if you check the record on other measures that have been passed into law in Oregon like the Bear and Cougar hunting with hounds measure that just barely squeaked by in 1994 that it failed in over 30 counties in Oregon. Those are the very counties that have had to suffer under the ever increasing population of these large predators which endanger people and livestock, not to mention the tremendous loss of game animals. Only you can force your state government to follow the Idaho lead and take back control. God Bless America. Michael E. Cook, Coos County Sheriff, Retired. The Sierra Times maintains its operation only by our sponsors and our readers. As always, any contribution is desperat ----------------------- end forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: SRA - CNN Gun Poll - Go Vote - We Are Losing... (fwd) Date: 15 May 2003 18:18:08 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- FYI - of course, if we lose, CNN will be talking about it all week. Please - click and vote! http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/05/14/bush.gunban/index.html The idea of being able to hold a manufacturer of a product, legally liable for any after sale illegal misuse, is like suing Boeing for the World Trade attacks! Brad. ----------------------- end forwarded message from Brad3000 --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Another CNN Poll (fwd) Date: 16 May 2003 18:30:54 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from CJE --------------------- Unlike this week's CNN push-poll, today's poll has some potential, coming as it does immediately after LaPierre's appearance on CNN, and asking, outright, if the Crime Bill (AW Ban) should be extended. I'd like to see CNN lose this one (which means, I suppose, they'd just bury the results...). http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/wolf.blitzer.reports/ Cliff ----------------------- end forwarded message from CJE --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: OT but its a hoot! Baby Ds in Texas (fwd) Date: 16 May 2003 19:07:08 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Bob James --------------------- I sent this to another list, but thought it made enough of a point to post here. At the bottom, there is an action item stolen directly from Chuck Muth's News and Views. While a case might be made that everyday any legislature is out of session is a good day for its constituents, the truth of the matter is that the actions of these 51 whiney democrats negated my right to vote. Imagine what would happen if you or I showed up at the polls and they told you that you would not be allowed to vote. You would scream bloody murder. I voted last November so that the Representative elected from my District could literally be MY representative. While she would not have voted the same way I would, she is MY representative and carried MY vote to Austin. (BTW, she is a dem who did not run from office.) When these whiners ran from office, they effectively negated MY right to vote on legislation in Austin. It is my opinion that these cry babies ought to be sued individually, perhaps under the RICO act, for violations of the Federal voting rights act. ANY one who supported them (read the Democrat party) ought to be included in the suit as conspirators. I ask for no punitive damages, just the damages of the costs of the legislative session and a special session needed to vote on those issues that the Baby D's obstructed my right to vote. Bob Pacifiers for Donkeys "Ever wonder what to do with all of those baby pacifiers since your kids no longer need them? Send them to the 'Chicken D's' who are AWOL from their elected duties in the state of TEXAS !! They can use them." - News & Views reader Carroll G. Palmer ACTION ALERT: We like this idea, and not just because I have a lot of old "binkies" lying around the house now that the kids are getting older. If you, too, would like to send an appropriate message to these Texas Democrats, mail your pacifiers to: "The Chicken D's" Texas House of Representatives P.O Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 If you know someone who might like to receive News & Views, you can sign 'em up at: http://www.chuckmuth.com. Bob James bob@jamesgang.ws "The last thing that you want to believe is what you hear." -- Rush Limbaugh 1/24/03 ----------------------- end forwarded message from Bob James --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Positive News From NJ (For a Change) (fwd) Date: 20 May 2003 18:31:54 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from CJE ----------------= ----- Hoist on their own petard: http://www.anjrpc.org/DefendingYourRights/MontclairPressRelease.htm=20 FIRST AMENDMENT VICTORY IN SUIT AGAINST SCHOOL BOARD=20 For Immediate Release: May 20, 2003=20 Contact: Nancy Ross (917) 974-1919=20 In a significant victory for the First Amendment, a lawsuit against = the Montclair, N.J. Board of Education (School Board) brought by the Associat= ion of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC) was resolved in a court-ordered settlement. The School Board acknowledged that it violated its own polici= es by distributing a flyer supporting anti-Second Amendment legislation, while refusing to distribute a flyer opposing the legislation.=20 The case began in June 2000, when the School Board distributed a fly= er sent home in the backpacks of every student announcing a rally sponsored by Ceasefire NJ,= urging that the State Assembly pass the then-pending =93Smart Gun=94 bill. When = Moms for Gun Safety (MGS), an ANJRPC affiliate, sought to have a similar flyer sen= t home for a rally opposing the legislation, the request was denied. MGS and the= ANJRPC sued the School Board for violation of their right to free speech (First Amendment) and equal protection under the law (Fourteenth Amendment).=20 The settlement, a first of its kind in the country, guarantees that = the School Board will treat pro-Second Amendment groups on an equal footing w= ith anti-Second Amendment groups. It requires the School Board to distribute three leaflets to make up for pas= t unequal treatment. The leaflets will promote ANJRPC=92s 2003 education an= d training events for youth and women. In addition, the ANJRPC will have ac= cess to the school system to conduct events, essay contests, grant scholarships a= nd seek establishment of a student club. If the School Board amends its policies = in the future to bar such activities, they must be applied equally to all organizations.=20 Scott Bach, ANJRPC Executive Vice President and recently-elected NRA= Board Member, who managed the litigation and its retained counsel, said, =93This case is r= eally about an attempt to manipulate young minds by presenting only one side of= an issue and actively suppressing the other side. This settlement sends a me= ssage to every publicly funded school in America: If you try to stifle debate o= n the Second Amendment, you=92re going to be held fully accountable.=94 ----------------------- end forwarded message from CJE ------------------= --- -- --- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-= 19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+------------------= --- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath n= o weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand =3D Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy= a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Chr= ist ----------------+----------+--------------------------+------------------= --- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! --- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: My Kind Of Gal,,,,,,,,,,,, (fwd) Date: 23 May 2003 19:44:52 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- Proactive is such a nice term,,,,,,,,,,,,Bob Phone won't stop ringing? Here's what you do... Leola Starling of Ribrock, Tennesse, had a serious telephone problem. But unlike most people she did something about it. The brand-new $10 million Ribrock Plaza Motel opened nearby and had acquired almost the same telephone number as Leola. >From the moment the motel opened, Leola was besieged by calls not for her. Since she had the same phone number for years, she felt that she had a case to persuade the motel management to change its number. Naturally, the management refused claiming that it could not change its stationery. The phone company was not helpful, either. A number was a number, and just because a customer was getting someone else's calls 24 hours a day didn't make it responsible. After her pleas fell on deaf ears, Leola decided to take matters into her own hands. At 9 o'clock the phone rang. Someone from Memphis was calling the motel and asked for a room for the following Tuesday. Leola said, "No problem. How many nights?" A few hours later Dallas checked in. A secretary wanted a suite with two bedrooms for a week. Emboldened, Leola said the Presidential Suite on the 10th floor was available for $600 a night. The secretary said that she would take it and asked if the hotel wanted a deposit. "No, that won't be necessary," Leola said. "We trust you." The next day was a busy one for Leola. In the morning, she booked an electric appliance manufacturers convention for Memorial Day weekend, a college prom and a reunion of the 82nd Airborne veterans from World War II. She turned on her answering machine during lunchtime so that she could watch Days Of Our Lives, but her biggest challenge came in the afternoon when a mother called to book the ballroom for her daughter's wedding in June. Leola assured the woman that it would be no problem and asked if she would be providing the flowers or did she want the hotel to take care of it. The mother said that she would prefer the hotel to handle the floral arrangements. Then the question of valet parking came up. Once again Leola was helpful. "There's no charge for valet parking, but we always recommend that the client tips the drivers." Within a few months, the Ribrock Plaza Motel was a disaster area. People kept showing up for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and Sweet Sixteen parties and were all told there were no such events. Leola had her final revenge when she read in the local paper that the motel might go bankrupt. Her phone rang, and an executive from Marriott said, "We're prepared to offer you $200,000 for the motel." Leola replied. "We'll take it, but only if you change the telephone number." ----------------------- end forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Emergency PLEDGE Update (fwd) Date: 24 May 2003 04:31:02 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Center for Reclaimin= g America --------------------- .info> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + E M E R G E N C Y P L E D G E U P D A T E >From the Desk Of: D. James Kennedy, Ph.D. 5/24/03 Dear Bill, THE FUTURE OF OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE NOW RESTS WITH THE U.S. SUPREME COURT! HERE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING... As you know, the 9th Circuit refused to re-hear the case in which the Pledge was banned because of the words "under God"- thus, brazenly rejecting the overwhelming voice of the American people. But now, the next few weeks are crucial because the Attorney General has formally asked the Court to take this case on appeal. If the Supreme Court refuses to take this case, the Pledge will be immediately banned in the Western states, and millions of schoolchildren will not be allowed to say it! Bill, it has come down to this... That is why I am asking for your help. In one week, I will be sending, by certified mail, a letter from my desk to each of the nine Supreme Court justices, urging them to reverse the 9th Circuit=92s outrageous ruling. I want to send with that letter 200,000 petitions from citizens across the country. Already more than 100,000 citizens have signed our petition supporting the Pledge. That means I need your help now to rally 55,000 more people in just a few days! * * * * * ACTION ITEM #1 SIGN THE "I SUPPORT THE PLEDGE" PETITION AND HELP WITH THIS URGENT DELIVERY. CLICK HERE: http://cfra.info/17/pledge.asp?RID=3D1698839 Our records show that you have not yet signed the "I Support The Pledge" petition. We need your help! * * * * * ACTION ITEM #2 Once you sign, please alert your friends and help us rally 55,000 people in the next few days. * * * * * COURT DECISION EXPECTED THIS SPRING! We expect the Court to decide whether or not to review the Pledge case this Spring -- likely in the next 3-4 weeks. That is why I need your help right now. Thank you and may God bless America. D. James Kennedy, Ph.D. P.S. The Supreme Court really has three options: let the Pledge ban stay in effect, agree to hear Attorney General Ashcroft's appeal, or immediately save the Pledge by vacating the ruling. The next few weeks are crucial. Please help. P.P.S. Also, many friends have stepped forward to become Community Leaders and get the tools they need to reclaim their communities. If you haven't done so already, please click here: http://www.reclaimamerica.org/PAGES/CAMPAIGNS/CommLeader/CommLeader.asp + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + FORWARD TO YOUR FRIENDS + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + EMERGENCY PETITION DELIVERY TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT! SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE PLEDGE: http://cfra.info/17/pledge.asp?RID=3D1698839 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + READ DR. KENNEDY'S URGENT APPEAL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. CLICK HERE: http://www.reclaimamerica.org + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + BECOME A COMMUNITY LEADER AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY RESOURCE: http://www.reclaimamerica.org/PAGES/CAMPAIGNS/CommLeader/CommLeader.asp + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE "RECLAIM YOUR COMMUNITY GRASSROOTS ACTIVIST KIT" (QUANTITIES LIMITED): https://www.crmsecure.com/sp/CRAonlineForms/CRAdonationMain.asp?ID=3DX101 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + The CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA, established by Dr. D. James Kennedy, is an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries to inform the American public and motivate Christians to defend and implement the biblical principles on which our country was founded. The CENTER provides non-partisan, non- denominational information, training, and support to all those interested in impacting the culture and renewing the vision set forth by our Founding Fathers. Questions? cfra@crministries.org ----------------------- end forwarded message from Center for Reclaiming = America --------------------- -- --- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-= 19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+------------------= --- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath n= o weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand =3D Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy= a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Chr= ist ----------------+----------+--------------------------+------------------= --- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! --- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Poll that needs your vote (fwd) Date: 26 May 2003 08:17:10 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Charles Riggs --------------------- The Macombe county sheriff in Florida is the bozo who supports the semiauto ban and who worked with CNN on that inflammatory piece they did about the sunset of the ban. The Sheriff's department now has a poll on their web site, so go to it and let them know how YOU feel about letting the ban die! Message: 1 Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 15:31:51 -0700 From: Johann Opitz "Should the ban on assault weapons be allowed to expire in September 2004? This would allow those weapons previously banned to be owned by LAW ABIDING citizens." o Yes o No o Unsure http://www.MacombSheriff.com/features/poll/7/ ----------------------- end forwarded message from Charles Riggs --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: GOVERNMENT TRAINED CHILDREN,,,,,,,,,, (fwd) Date: 26 May 2003 09:32:56 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- > From: "n" GOVERNMENT TRAINED CHILDREN ARE STUPID COMPARED TO HOME-SCHOOLED CHILDREN Home-schooled kids hogged the headlines as finalists and winners at both the National Spelling Bee and National Geographic Bee. And more acclaim may be ahead: One of the home-schooled spelling bee finalists is off to a national math competition in which she was a finalist last year. The past few months also brought a New York Times puff piece on unschooling -- a child-led approach to home schooling -- and the Wall Street Journal published a paean to the home-schooled wunderkinders who are scooping up academic distinction and elite college spots galore. But along with the accolades has come an ugly undercurrent of resentment from critics of home schooling. Last week, a St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist suggested that the current crop of home school contest winners came from families who are home schooling expressly to groom future competition winners. A Fox News Channel report pondered whether "the odds are stacked in favor" of home-schooled spelling whizzes who spend hours a day poring over dictionaries, unencumbered by school bells. The program warned that recent home school triumphs, such as the record number of home-schooled spelling bee finalists, and studies showing that home schoolers score higher than regular schoolers on the SAT/ACT, may "reignite the home schooling debate." But the debate was ignited and burning nicely before Brit Hume started rubbing two stats together on Fox News. Home school e-mail newsletters often are loaded with slights and skewerings culled from the papers that seek to expose the unfair advantages of learning at home. My personal favorite? Not long ago a Tucson Weekly sports columnist charged that home-schooled kids shouldn't be allowed to compete with other kids in sports because they have more time to practice. Meanwhile, the National Spelling Bee folks already have taken steps to placate the parents of conventional schoolers with regulations that require youngsters to have "a full school schedule and varied academic course load" in order to compete. Well, speaking as an outraged home schooling mom of two, I'm here to say that the home school critics are ... absolutely right. And they're absolutely wrong. Yes, home-schooled children have plenty of time and flexibility to focus on a talent or interest. No way around it -- home schooling can allow kids to spend hours on any given passion, to zip through certain material and move on to more challenging stuff, to take advantage of opportunities like apprenticeships, early college classes and volunteering. And, if they choose, home schoolers can, and will, produce impressive portfolios to wow Ivy League admissions officials. (Note to self: Pursue online bumper sticker biz -- "My home-schooled kid just squeezed your schooled kid out of Stanford.") But a lot of home schooling advantages aren't necessarily off-limits to schooled kids. Do you honestly believe that spelling champ George Thampy was the only finalist who spent three hours a day studying for the competition? They all did, regardless of where they went to school. All kids who compete at high levels find the time to pursue their goals. Some who end up in competitions or elite universities attend pricey private schools or charter schools where polishing an individual talent is incorporated into the school day. And let's be honest: The folks most likely to cry "foul" about successful home-schooled kids are competitive parents who expect their kids to always win first place. Sour grapes, anyone? I don't buy that schooled kids don't have opportunities to wax creative or follow a talent or passion. The problem isn't that they aren't schooled at home; it is what they do at home after they leave school. The latest statistics show that 8- to 13-year-olds spend an average of 6.5 hours daily in front of a screen. There's no way kids can even discover what their strengths are, much less indulge them, with their creative juices sucked dry by passive staring. And then there is the stuff they are doing instead of hanging out at home after school. Do kids really need to be in 97 extracurricular activities? Even in my little town, I was shocked to hear the elementary school counselor tell me that the major source of stress for her students is over-scheduling. And I know from researching and writing articles about over-scheduling that it's an American epidemic. Think what might happen if kids had time to do what really intrigued them and not simply what all their friends are doing or what parents think kids "need" to do to get into a swell college. The phenomenal success that home-schooled high schoolers are having getting into great colleges suggests that many admissions officials are looking for different "right stuff" these days. Home schoolers are getting into top universities, say officials such as Stanford's Jon Reider, because they tend to be more emotionally mature (they hang out with more adults) and are inclined to be independent learners who "take responsibility for their education." This year at Stanford, home schoolers were accepted at twice the rate of schoolers. Do critics of home schooling really believe that, in the interest of "fairness," accomplished children should either submit to an educational system that even proponents admit is flawed, or foreswear any advantages proferred by an alternative learning system? "Maybe we shouldn't allow people who live near libraries to participate in contests because they can spend more time at the library," jibes home school advocate Michael Moy. "Perhaps tall people shouldn't play basketball because they have an unfair advantage." Adds Helen Hegener, who with her husband Mark publishes Home Education Magazine, "What is our real goal here? To protect a system or to raise creative, focused, passionate kids?" Home school critics are right about one thing: Eight hours daily in the classroom puts a big dent in a kid's day. It's not like home schoolers do nothing for eight hours a day -- it's just that most kids can get the "school work" out of the way in a few focused hours, and then concentrate on what excites them. And I am seriously sorry that most folks can't or don't want to home school. As Hegener points out, the truly unfair situation about home schooling is that every child could excel if given the same level of individual attention, freedom and support most home schoolers get. For my part, I have to admit to being a fairly lackadaisical home teacher. I try to put in the hours that I think I should, but writing projects are constantly in the way. Our curriculum -- that motley amalgam of used texts, library books and videos, Internet stuff and whatever else I grab -- is anything but organized and rigorous. There are entire topic chunks I've avoided so far -- sorry, I'm just not excited by physical science, but I will get to it. And I've got files full of intriguing but unexplored educational Web sites as well as still dormant fabulous field trip plans. Mostly my husband and I talk with our kids about the world and all of our interests and favorite reading. We encourage their opinions and analysis. And we see the rewards every day as they make spontaneous, cross-topic connections. We see their world expand as they have time to make friends with a fertile mixture of people of different ages, ethnicities and economic classes that they meet in our neighborhood and community, on the campus where my husband teaches and in the inclusive local home school groups we socialize with once or twice a week. Haphazard as it may seem, this approach appears to be working -- at least by conventional school standards. We just received the results of the seve nth-grade Stanford Achievement Test for our 12-year-old. My jaw dropped when I found that she "rated" PHS (post-high school) in 11 of 12 test areas. Don't get me wrong -- we're happy to know that our eldest daughter "tests well" (and in fact home schoolers do generally score higher in standardized tests), but our goal is most definitely not to create a supercompetitor. Not that it matters. We have not gone unpunished. Upon hearing about my daughter's test scores, several friends have quickly followed their praise with scolding -- not for maintaining an unfair advantages but for depriving the local public school of such a bright, and high-scoring, student. I guess as a home-schooling parent, you can't win -- but your kids sure can. - - - - - - - - - - - - About the writer Helen Cordes home schools two daughters in Georgetown, Texas, and writes for Utne Reader, Child, The Nation, Family Life and other magazines. She is author of "Girl Power in the Mirror" and "Girl Power in the Classroom." Related stories: School is out The important thing about home schooling isn't getting away from school. It's getting back into your home. - Denis Johnson ----------------------- end forwarded message from BOBWORN@aol.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Chad Leigh -- Pengar Enterprises Inc Subject: Re: Poll that needs your vote (fwd) Date: 26 May 2003 12:07:21 -0600 This is not the same sheriff as in Florida and CNN. This Sheriff appears to be in Michigan based on the address on the website. Chad On Monday, May 26, 2003, at 09:17 US/Mountain, roc@xpresso.seaslug.org wrote: > ----------------------- begin forwarded message from Charles Riggs > --------------------- > > Subject: Poll that needs your vote > Date: Mon, 26 May 2003 10:05:43 -0400 > From: Charles Riggs > > > The Macombe county sheriff in Florida is the bozo who supports the > semiauto ban and who worked with CNN on that inflammatory piece they > did > about the sunset of the ban. > The Sheriff's department now has a poll on their web site, so go > to > it and let them know how YOU feel about letting the ban die! > > Message: 1 > Date: Sun, 25 May 2003 15:31:51 -0700 > From: Johann Opitz > Subject: AWB Sunset Poll > > "Should the ban on assault weapons be allowed to expire in September > 2004? > This would allow those weapons previously banned to be owned by LAW > ABIDING citizens." > > o Yes > o No > o Unsure > > http://www.MacombSheriff.com/features/poll/7/ > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Re: Poll that needs your vote (fwd) Date: 26 May 2003 13:09:21 -0700 (PDT) On Mon May 26 11:07:21 2003 Chad Leigh -- Pengar Enterprises Inc wrote: >This is not the same sheriff as in Florida and CNN. This Sheriff >appears to be in Michigan based on the address on the website. > >Chad Oops! Bill -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Chad Leigh -- Pengar Enterprises Inc Subject: Re: Poll that needs your vote (fwd) Date: 26 May 2003 14:43:39 -0600 That's OK Bill, was not meant as a slight to you. Everyone should vote anyway. I also emailed the Sheriff and mentioned that the 94 ban did not prohibit current onwership of so-called banned weapons as long as they were legally manufactured (ie, so-called grandfathered weapons) best Chad On Monday, May 26, 2003, at 14:09 US/Mountain, roc@xpresso.seaslug.org wrote: > On Mon May 26 11:07:21 2003 Chad Leigh -- Pengar Enterprises Inc wrote: > >> This is not the same sheriff as in Florida and CNN. This Sheriff >> appears to be in Michigan based on the address on the website. >> >> Chad > > Oops! > > Bill > > -- > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** > 4-19! > ----------------+----------+-------------------------- > +--------------------- > An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who > hath no > weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his > hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and > buy a > on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus > Christ > ----------------+----------+-------------------------- > +--------------------- > > Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE > CONSTITUTION!!!!! > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > - > - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: roc@xpresso.seaslug.org Subject: Time for another DF8 campaign?? (fwd) Date: 29 May 2003 11:39:40 -0700 (PDT) ----------------------- begin forwarded message from ConservativeAlerts.com --------------------- This CONSERVATIVE ALERT is a special message from Michael Benjamin for U.S. Senate: Please give me 30 seconds of your time as I get right to the point: It's no secret that Hillary Clinton's best friend in the U.S. Senate is my liberal opponent, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. And make no mistake about it -- Chuck Schumer's reelection in 2004 is one of Hillary Clinton's greatest worries... ... Because as two liberal Democrats from a state where President Bush is wildly popular, she knows their reelection campaigns are tied in a knot to each other. Now, I trust I have your attention. Because this next part is vitally important... ... When Chuck Schumer defeated a well-known Republican in 1998, it set the foundation for Hillary Clinton's race for U.S. Senate in 2000. And now, with Chuck Schumer's first reelection on the line in 2004 -- electing a strong conservative Republican to defeat him will be a barometer for defeating Hillary Clinton in 2006. That's why I hope and pray you will support me in my race for U.S. Senate against liberal Democrat Chuck Schumer: http://www.campaigncontribution.com/alerts/benjamin2/ AOL GO HERE Now that you understand one of the main reasons conservatives NATIONWIDE should rally to support my campaign, let me give you a few more. -- Chuck Schumer is the #1 anti-Second Amendment radical in the U.S. Senate. Were it up to him, your Second Amendment rights would be stripped away year after year. -- Chuck Schumer is one of the biggest spending liberals in the U.S. Senate. He has voted to waste BILLIONS of dollars on failed government programs that perpetuate poverty. And he opposed President Bush's initiatives to reforming the failed welfare system. -- Chuck Schumer led the charge against banning the barbaric practice of Partial-Birth Abortion, and is one of the favorite Senators of the Trial Lawyers and Big Labor Union Bosses. -- And unlike the majority of Americans who live in the real world, Chuck Schumer opposed President Bush's tax cut for working American's by voting against it. As if that weren't reason enough to oppose him... ... Chuck Schumer is the leading Democratic Senator on the Judiciary Committee to oppose President Bush's nominees to the Federal Bench. So if you're a conservative black, a conservative Hispanic, or just a plain old conservative American, you can kiss goodbye your chances of Chuck Schumer supporting you. Because according to Chuck Schumer, only left-wing liberal attorneys should be put on the U.S. Supreme Court. And, even though the notoriously liberal American Bar Association has given one of President Bush's nominees for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals an "A" rating and "Well Qualified" praise, Chuck Schumer doesn't care -- because this Hispanic nominee is a "closet conservative" and not a liberal activist like Schumer wants... ... That's why Chuck Schumer has worked diligently to filibuster this nomination in the U.S. Senate! Well, I'm sure by now that if you're a conservative like I am, you've found plenty of reasons not to like Chuck Schumer's politics. Like I said before, Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton are two left-wing peas in a pod. So let me be direct... ... Helping me defeat Chuck Schumer next year -- with President Bush leading the ticket in New York -- would be the single best gift conservatives could ever give to America. I hope you'll help me... Please. I know I will not be able to match dollar for dollar the massive amount of money Chuck Schumer will pour into keeping his job in the U.S. Senate. If I can raise just half of what he's raised, I know I can win big in upstate New York and keep it close enough in the NY City to pull out a victory! That's why I hope you'll lend me a hand by clicking below: http://www.campaigncontribution.com/alerts/benjamin2/ AOL GO HERE Just a few weeks ago my campaign team sat down with me and hashed out a strategy for victory. And my campaign team is confident that if we can raise enough money, we can indeed win this race for the U.S. Senate. Just think of what my victory will mean to President Bush and Vice President Cheney in the U.S. Senate. Instead of fighting to pass conservative legislation over the will of a liberal like Chuck Schumer, he'll have gained a new conservative voice for change and reform... ... And a voice and a vote to cut taxes, protect the Second Amendment, and defend innocent human life. Plus, I will work to confirm conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. And, as a Hispanic Republican myself, I will instantly become one of the leading organizers to build the Republican Party among the growing, hard working and socially conservative Hispanic community. I make no apologies for being a conservative. And I will not back down from my support of free-markets, strong national defense, and traditional Judeo-Christian values. Now, I must ask you again for your support. Helping me defeat liberal Chuck Schumer and putting Hillary Clinton on notice is worth a gift of $100, $250 or even $500 all by itself. Certainly, defeating one of the most liberal and outspoken critics of President Bush like Chuck Schumer is worth a gift of $20, $30, or even $50. Chuck Schumer's vote not too long ago against cutting your taxes is reason enough for him to lose his seat. Please know I will give it my all to defeat him if you help me. Make no mistake about that. But to win, I must have your help. So please click through below to give the most generous gift you can afford, be it $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or even $1,000 or $2,000: http://www.campaigncontribution.com/alerts/benjamin2/ AOL GO HERE Please help a conservative Republican from New York serve his country in the Senate and return an important U.S. Senate seat to Republican control. I trust you now understand the dual importance of this race, and that you will help me in my campaign to defeat Chuck Schumer -- and put Hillary Clinton on notice. Sincerely, Michael Benjamin (R-NY) Republican for U.S. Senate P.S. Remember, this U.S. Senate seat was held by a Republican for 18 of the last 24 years. It is a totally winnable seat! So please, click through below to give an urgent gift of $20, $30, $50, $100, $250, even $500 or $1,000 to help me defeat liberal Senator Chuck Schumer -- Hillary Clinton's best friend in the U.S. Senate: http://www.campaigncontribution.com/alerts/benjamin2/ AOL GO HERE You are receiving this communication because you requested to be e-mailed regarding issues and offers of interest to conservatives, either when you sent an e-mail to Congress, signed an online petition, sent a FedEx, faxgram or mailgram, or when you donated to a conservative cause or candidate on the Internet or through postal mail. You are currently subscribed as: bill@xpresso.seaslug.org For removal of your subscription, send an email to leave-conservativealerts-7104F@sicm.lyris.net Was this message forwarded to you by a friend? You can sign up for the ConservativeAlerts.com Action Alerts for FREE! Go here: http://www.ConservativeAlerts.com/ ----------------------- end forwarded message from ConservativeAlerts.com --------------------- -- RKBA! ***** Blessings On Thee, Oh Israel! ***** 4-19! ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- An _EFFECTIVE_ | Insured | All matter is vibration. | Let he who hath no weapon in every | by COLT; | -- Max Planck | weapon sell his hand = Freedom | DIAL | In the beginning was the | garment and buy a on every side! | 1911-A1. | word. -- The Bible | sword.--Jesus Christ ----------------+----------+--------------------------+--------------------- Constitutional Government is dead; LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!!!!! -