Tenjooberrymuds

Here's one I received from a friend of mine today.  It's funning and sad, all at the same time...

                  "TENJOOBERRYMUDS"...

 This is a hoot .... sad, because it is TRUE ..... but a hoot!!!!
By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND "TENJOOBERRYMUDS"...

In order to continue getting-by in America (our home land), we all need to learn the NEW English language! Practice by reading the following  conversation until you are able to understand the term "TENJOOBERRYMUDS".

With a little patience, you'll be able to fit right in.
Now, here goes...

The following is a telephone exchange between maybe you as a hotel guest and call room-service somewhere in the good old U S A today......

Room Service : "Morrin. Roon sirbees."

Guest : "Sorry, I thought I dialed room-service."

Room Service: " Rye. Roon sirbees...morrin! Joowish to oddor sunteen???"

Guest: "Uh..... Yes, I'd like to order bacon and eggs."

Room Service: "Ow July den?"

Guest: ".....What??"

Room Service: "Ow July den?!?... pryed, boyud, poochd?"

Guest: "Oh, the eggs! How do I like them? Sorry.. scrambled, please."

Room Service: "Ow July dee baykem? Crease?"

Guest: "Crisp will be fine."

Room Service: "Hokay. An Sahn toes?"

Guest: "What?"

Room Service: "An toes. July Sahn toes?"

Guest: "I... don't think so."

RoomService: "No? Judo wan sahn toes???"

Guest: "I feel really bad about this, but I don't know what 'judo wan sahn toes' means."

RoomService: "Toes! Toes!...Why Joo don Juan toes? Ow bow Anglish moppin we bodder?"

Guest: "Oh, English muffin!!! I've got it! You were saying 'toast'...   Fine...Yes, an English muffin will be fine."

RoomService: "We bodder?"

Guest: "No, just put the bodder on the side."

RoomService: "Wad?!?"

Guest: "I mean butter... just put the butter on the side."

RoomService: "Copy?"

Guest: "Excuse me?"

RoomService: "Copy...tea..meel?"

Guest: "Yes. Coffee, please... and that's everything."

RoomService: "One Minnie. Scramah egg, crease baykem, Anglish moppin, we bodder on sigh and copy ... rye??"

Guest: "Whatever you say."

RoomService: "Tenjooberrymuds."

Guest: "You're welcome"

Remember I said "By the time you read through this YOU WILL UNDERSTAND 'TENJOOBERRYMUDS' ".....and you do, don't you!

 

 -Bob

Thank you for response on Recall question

Here is the response I received today from Dan Rutherford regarding my post to him about the recall issue:

Dear ...,

Thank you for taking the time to express your input on whether Illinois should
have the provision of "Recall" for elected officials included in the state
constitution.

The response Committee for Legislative Action (CLA) has received shows that the
public is interested in the matter. If it were to become law, "Recall" would be
a rare, serious and seldom-used power that should not be considered lightly. As
a citizen of Illinois your input is valued.

CLA will continue to gauge public support of "Recall." The findings are posted
at: http://www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org Please visit the website to see
the percentages to date.

If you would like to make a donation to help CLA with the outreach on the
"Recall" question, you may do so at:
https://egon.cmititestbank.com/cla/contribute/contribute.asp or by mailing a
check to CLA, 220 West Howard Street, Pontiac IL, 61764. If donating online, be
sure and memo "Recall" in the comments section and we will know where to credit
the contribution. Thank you for your consideration.

I appreciate you taking the time to express your thoughts on this important
public policy matter.

Sincerely,
Dan Rutherford
State Senator
Chairman, CLA
220 W. Howard Street
Pontiac, IL 61764

It appear that we have at least one (state) senator that listens to the people. Good job Dan!

-Bob

Illinois' tricky Dick - Update

Update 10/1/2007 - Today I received the following response from Dick Durbin (in response to: http://blog.justbob.us/2007/09/illinois-tricky-dick.html):

Dear Mr. ...:
  
Thank you for your follow-up message regarding immigration reform.  I
understand your strong feelings on this subject and appreciate hearing
from you.  I will continue to keep your concerns in mind as immigration
reform legislation is considered further by the Senate.

Please feel free to keep in touch on other issues of concern.

Sincerely,                              
                              Richard J. Durbin
                              United States Senator

RJD/tf

P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join
Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee.  When the Senate
is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your
questions.  We would welcome your participation.  Please call my D.C.
office for more details.

What do you think, maybe Dick is at a loss for words?

-Bob

Dream Act defeated, for now

I just heard from Grassfire.org's Steve Elliott that our efforts to
defeat the "Dream Act" have paid off. See Steve's Blog for the details.

The fight isn't over, based on comments from Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid, bristling over the defeat, said the battle is "still on"
promising passage this Fall!

Stay tuned for updates...

-Bob

A Recall provision for Illinois?

Here's the text of an e-mail that I received today from Senator Dan Rutherford:

Legislation has been introduced to amend the state Constitution to allow for Recall of an elected official, such as the Governor.

If approved by the General Assembly and, subsequently, the state's voters, the amendment would allow the electorate to Recall statewide officeholders, legislators and judges.

The effort was inspired by California's recall provision, which voters used in 2003 to oust the sitting Governor and bring in Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If Recall became part of the Illinois Constitution, a petition to remove a statewide officeholder, such as the Governor, would require 418,559 signatures. If petitioners were successful in getting that many signatures, the Recall election would then be on the ballot.

The Committee For Legislative Action (CLA) was established in 1995 to bring sunlight to inappropriate government spending and raising Fees and Taxes. The CLA has been asked to help gauge public support on whether Illinois should have a Recall provision or not. CLA is asking for input via the internet on CLA's website and by US postal mail.

CLA has accepted the project to see if 50% of the number necessary to put the question of recalling a Governor on the ballot, 209,280, would "register" their support for such action. The intent is to actually gauge the public's interest. We will periodically update the website on the number that have "registered" in support.

Those that "register" in support of recalling the Governor will be notified of the petition procedure if Recall were to become a part of the Constitution. They will then be offered the opportunity to participate if they desire.

Information is available on the CLA webpage, http://www.CommitteeForLegislativeAction.org Please register your opinion on the question of Recall.

You may also make a donation at https://egon.cmititestbank.com/cla/contribute/contribute.asp or by mailing a check to CLA, 220 West Howard Street, Pontiac IL, 61764, to help fund the outreach. If donating online, be sure and memo in the comments section "Recall" and we will know where to credit it. The infrastructure and database CLA has is quite good and activities are happening at this very moment.

Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you and working on this important project.

Sincerely,
Dan Rutherford
State Senator
Chairman CLA
220 W. Howard Street
Pontiac, IL 61764

Paid for by the Committee for Legislative Action. A copy of our report, filed with the State Board of Elections, is available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois. Contributions or gifts to the Committee for Legislative Action are not deductible for federal or state income tax purposes.

So, maybe, just maybe, we can get Illinois a new governor too?

-Bob

Illinois' tricky Dick

Check this out. I wrote to our US Senator, Dick Durbin, regarding recent legislation he is sponsoring: http://durbin.senate.gov/showRelease.cfm?releaseId=280889

This back door amnesty program is supposedly "for the children". I wrote to him (http://durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm) asking for him to explain why certain criminals needed preferential treatment and why was I going to be forced to pay for it. Here was his response (it's difficult reading, he really need to learn how to break up paragraphs):

September 21, 2007
Thank you for contacting me about the education of immigrant children. I appreciate hearing from you. I understand your concern about the cost of attending colleges and universities. Federal student aid is based on financial need and allocated to students to ensure that those from working families are not denied access to college because of income. Throughout my service in Congress, I have supported initiatives that would help make college more affordable, including increasing the amount of money available through Pell Grants and providing tax relief that will help families and students pay for college. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work to fund federal student aid programs. Graduation from high school is an important milestone in life, with many graduates then looking forward to college. Some children do not have the chance to attend college and reach their full potential because they are undocumented. Most of these children were brought to the United States when they were very young and did not have the opportunity to make an independent decision about where they would live. They grew up here, went to school here, and want to be productive members of our society. In 2003, I joined Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah in introducing the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act). I have introduced similar legislation in the 110th Congress and it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for review. The DREAM Act would enable undocumented immigrants to earn the right to apply for legal residency by allowing them to apply for conditional resident status and apply for college on the same terms as other students if they 1) have lived in the U.S. for at least five years; 2) have attended school in our country and graduated from high school; and 3) are of good moral character. This measure would not provide any financial aid to any student. It would allow these students to apply for federal student assistance, while requiring the eligible students to go through the same process as any other student applying for federal financial aid and holding them to the same standards. They would have the opportunity to remove the conditional nature of their resident status by acquiring a college degree, successfully attending at least two years of college, or serving honorably in the Armed Forces for at least two years. Finally, this bill would enable states to determine their own residency rules regarding the tuition rate for undocumented immigrant children at state colleges and universities. This approach would not affect colleges' admission rules. Immigrants affected by the legislation would have to demonstrate their academic eligibility and merit. Furthermore, Urban Institute and U.S. Census figures show that undocumented immigrant children who meet the criteria spelled out in this measure represent less than two percent of all high school graduates each year. Some opponents of this legislation suggest that it would encourage illegal immigration. No studies have shown a connection between illegal immigration and access to college education in this country. Throughout my service in Congress, I have supported efforts to deter illegal immigration. I have voted for measures to reduce illegal immigration by providing additional Border Patrol agents and giving the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) more authority to investigate illegal alien smuggling. I also voted in favor of the USA PATRIOT Act, which tripled the number of agents along our northern border and strengthened the standards for the issuance of visas. Legislation enabling undocumented children to apply for college and financial aid will benefit our nation. Current law deprives us of future leaders, increased tax revenues, economic growth, and social vibrancy. We suffer because vulnerable children who might have become scientists, nurses, teachers, or engineers are forced, instead, to settle for the more limited employment options available to those without a college degree. Worse, guidance counselors report that many promising students drop out of school once they realize that, as a practical matter, they will be unable to go to college. I hope this letter helps you understand why I support the DREAM Act. I appreciate having your views. Thanks again for your message. Sincerely, Richard J. Durbin United States Senator RJD/tf P.S. If you are ever visiting Washington, please feel free to join Senator Obama and me at our weekly constituent coffee. When the Senate is in session, we provide coffee and donuts every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. as we hear what is on the minds of Illinoisans and respond to your questions. We would welcome your participation. Please call my D.C. office for more details.

Of course, I had to reply. Here is my response:

In response to you your e-mail to me on 9/21/2007:

First, you started off your response by incorrectly stating: "Thank you for contacting me about the education of immigrant children."

This statement is simply wrong, I wrote to you about giving preferential treatment to criminals. It has nothing to do with "the education of immigrant children". Immigrant children are the children of immigrants, not the children of criminals that have broken into our country. That is why we use the term "Illegal Alien” to describe this type of criminal.

You then made the statement: "Some children do not have the chance to attend college and reach their full potential because they are undocumented."

Exactly how is this my fault? Why should I have to pay for it? Is it not their parents that decided become criminals by breaking into our country? Using the term “undocumented” to try to water down the subject accomplishes nothing. They are still criminals.

You go to mention: "The DREAM Act would enable undocumented immigrants to earn the right to apply for legal residency by allowing them to apply for conditional resident status and apply for college on the same terms as other students if they 1) have lived in the U.S. for at least five years; 2) have attended school in our country and graduated from high school; and 3) are of good moral character."

So, in the first two conditions, you are looking to allow only the better (more skilled) criminals? Like the ones that have managed to hide from INS for at least five years? And the ones that have somehow managed to avoid INS again and graduate from high school? Since when are Illegal Aliens admitted to public school? How long have I been paying for that? So, once you find some really skilled criminals, you then apply the third test: “are of good moral character”. In the eyes of the law (which what you trying to make here), how exactly is this measured? Also, if they passed the first two tests, haven't they, by default of being criminals, failed the the third test?

You then state: “Furthermore, Urban Institute and U.S. Census figures show that undocumented immigrant children who meet the criteria spelled out in this measure represent less than two percent of all high school graduates each year.”

Aren't you misusing the term “undocumented” here? This appears to indicate that these criminals are “documented”. If they were “undocumented”, exactly how are they being measured? It also appears that we have official systems in place to “look the other way” when these criminals are detected. Is not the act of “looking the other way” criminal in itself? What is being done about this? Also, if we know that 2% (or more) of high school graduates are Illegal Aliens, isn't 2% of the money I pay to support public education being used to fund illegal activities? As far as I know, knowingly funding criminal activity is in itself a crime. How do I go about making myself legal again by not paying for the 2% (or more) that I am currently being forced to pay? How do I get my government stop forcing me to be a criminal too (by forcing me to fund this type of illegal activity)? Is that not a criminal act on the part of the government as well?

Next you state: “Throughout my service in Congress, I have supported efforts to deter illegal immigration.“

Exactly how would this effort “deter illegal immigration”? On the contrary, this legislation appears to very much support “illegal immigration”. This appears to indicate that you no longer support efforts to deter illegal immigration. Exactly how does this benefit you? It clearly does not benefit our country.

Finally you state: “I also voted in favor of the USA PATRIOT Act, which tripled the number of agents along our northern border and strengthened the standards for the issuance of visas."

I did not realize that you had been that worried about the Canadians until know. Help me understand this, since when has our “northern border” been the primary point of entry for illegal aliens? You statement appears to completely avoid the real issue here. What is being done to secure the all of our borders, including the one you appear to be avoiding, the southern border. I forgot, your against “the fence”. Why exactly did you avoid mentioning the southern border?

How is breaking into my country different than breaking into my house? I would assume that you would have no problems prosecuting a criminal that breaks into my house. Why is breaking into my country any different? Do you have something to gain from these criminal activities that your not telling us about? Please come clean here.

-Bob

Let's see what happens now...

Your Social Security

Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (and some older ones) didn't know this. It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your kids. They need a little history lesson on what's what.

Our Social Security

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1. That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary,
2. That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program,
3. That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year,
4. That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General Operating Fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other government program, and,
5. That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal Government to "put away" -- you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General Fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate.


Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.


Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US


Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it!

Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is, uninformed citizens believe it!

If enough people read this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so.

Sweet Hillary

Sweet Hillary, mother,wife & next President Of These United States Of America? Want a warm and cozy feeling on how she really handles people and what's inside her play acting exterior image? Read on !


WARNING: contains very foul edited language. (My purpose in posting this is not to offend you, but to make you aware of a personality that at best is a hypocrite, and at worst is a violent, hateful person who does not care about anyone but herself and what power she can attain for her own gratification.)

"Where is the G-damn f***ing flag? I want the G-damn f***ing flag up every f***ing morning at f***ing sunrise."

(From the book "Inside The White House" by Ronald Kessler, p. 244 - Hillary to the staff at the Arkansas Governor's mansion on Labor Day, 1991)

"You sold out, you mother f***er! You sold out!"

From the book "Inside" by Joseph Califano, p. 213 - Hillary yelling at a Democrat lawyer.

"F**k off! It's enough that I have to see you s**t-kickers every day, I'm not going to talk to you too!! Just do your G*damn job and keep your mouth shut."

(From the book "American Evita" by Christopher Anderson, p. 90 - Hillary to her State Trooper bodyguards after one of them greeted her with "Good Morning.")

"You f***ing idiot."

(From the book "Crossfire" p. 84 - Hillary to a State Trooper who was driving her to an event.)

"If you want to remain on this detail, get your f***ing ass over here and grab those bags!"

(From the book "The First Partner" p. 259 - Hillary to a Secret Service Agent who was reluctant to carry her luggage because he wanted to keep his hands free in case of an incident.)

"Get f***ed! Get the f**k out of my way!!! Get out of my face!!!"

(From the book "Hillary's Scheme" p. 89 - Hillary's various comments to her Secret Service detail agents.)

"Stay the f**k back, stay the f**k away from me! Don't come within ten yards of me, or else! Just f**king do as I say, Okay!!!?"

(From the book "Unlimited Access", by Clinton FBI Agent in Charge, Gary Aldrige, p. 139 - Hillary screaming at her Secret Service detail.)

"Where's the miserable c*ck sucker?"

(From the book "The Truth About Hillary" by Edward Klein, p. 5 - Hillary shouting at a Secret Service officer)

"Put this on the ground! I left my sunglasses in the limo. I need those sunglasses. We need to go back!"

(From the book "Dereliction of Duty" p. 71-72 - Hillary to Marine One helicopter pilot to turn back while en route to Air Force One.)

"Son of a b***h."

(From the book "American Evita" by Christopher Anderson, p. 259 - Hillary's opinion of President George W. Bush when she found out he secretly visited Iraq just days before her highly publicized trip to Iraq)

"What are you doing inviting these people into my home? These people are our enemies! They are trying to destroy us!"

(From the book "The Survivor" by John Harris, p. 99 - Hillary screaming to an aide, when she found out that some Republicans had been invited to the Clinton White House)

"Come on Bill, put your d**k up! You can't f**k her here!!"

(From the book "Inside The White House" by Ronald Kessler, p. 243 - Hillary to Gov. Clinton when she spots him talking with an attractive female at an Arkansas political rally)

"You know, I'm going to start thanking the woman who cleans the restroom in the building I work in. I'm going to start thinking of her as a human being?" - Hillary Clinton

(From the book "The Case Against Hillary Clinton" by Peggy Noonan, p. 55)

"We just can't trust the American people to make those types of choices....Government has to make those choices for people"

(From the book "I've Always Been A Yankee Fan" by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 20)

Hillary to Rep. Dennis Hastert in 1993 discussing her expensive, disastrous taxpayer-funded health care plan):

"I am a fan of the social policies that you find in Europe"

(From the book "I've Always Been A Yankee Fan" by Thomas D. Kuiper, p. 76 - Hillary in 1996)



This ill-tempered, violent, foul mouthed, hateful and abusive woman wants to be your president and have total control, as commander-in-chief, of our Military, the very Military for which she has shown incredible disdain throughout her public life. Such is the heart of a socialist with communist leanings.

22 Ways to be a good Democrat:

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity..

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial, but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9.. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make The Passion of the Christ for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it suppor ts certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Thomas Edison and A.G. Bell.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag queens, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest of the United States.

21. You have to believe that it's okay to give Federal workers the day off on Christmas Day but it's not okay to say "Merry Christmas."

Last but not least

22. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

Take this test for me

Please pause a moment, reflect back, and take the following multiple choice test. The events are actual events from history. They actually happened! Do you remember?????

1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by

a. Superman
b. Jay Leno
c. Harry Potter
d. a Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40

2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by

a. Olga Corbett
b. Sitting Bull
c. Arnold Schwarzenegger
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by:

a. Lost Norwegians
b. Elvis
c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:

a. John Dillinger
b. The King of Sweden
c. The Boy Scouts
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:

a. A pizza delivery boy
b. Pee Wee Herman
c. Geraldo Rivera
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:

a. The Smurfs
b. Davey Jones
c. The Little Mermaid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by:

a. Captain Kidd
b. Charles Lindberg
c. Mother Teresa
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:

a. Scooby Doo
b. The Tooth Fairy and The Sundance Kid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:

a. Richard Simmons
b. Grandma Moses
c. Michael Jordan
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:

a. Mr. Rogers
b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problems
c. The World Wrestling Federation
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:

a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
b. The Supreme Court of Florida
c. Mr. Bean
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:

a. Enron
b. The Lutheran Church
c. The NFL
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:

a. Bonnie and Clyde
b. Captain Kangaroo
c. Billy Graham
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40

Nope, .I really don't see a pattern here to justify profiling, do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners will no longer be allowed to profile certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winning and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling. Let's send this to as many people as we can so that the Gloria Aldreds and other dunder-headed attorneys along with Federal Justices that want to thwart common sense, feel doubly ashamed of themselves -- if they have any such sense. As the writer of the award winning story "F. Gump" so aptly put it, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Come on people wake up!!! Keep this going. Pass it on to everyone in your address book. Our Country and our troops need our support. And we don't need all the crap at the airport. We have COMMON sense......and it's not in our shoes.

P. S. And guess who bombed Madrid, London and nearly succeeded in taking out 10 more airliners bound for our Big Apple?

ISRA Alert for Tuesday, August 28

ISRA suggestions for Tuesday, August 28:
Ways to show your support for the Second Amendment
As you know by now, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, with assistance from some anti-gun organizations, continues his misguided attack on your right to keep and bear arms on Tuesday, August 28, with some protests in selected cities in the United States.  Jackson has called for events in 25 cities, it looks like there might be about 15, including two in Illinois.

In Springfield, the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence is going to stage a protest about the Virginia Tech massacre by lying on the ground.  This in spite of the fact that in the months since the event, Federal and State legislation has been passed that would prevent a mentally unbalanced person, like the shooter in the VT incident, from buying a gun.

In the Chicago region, Rev. Jackson and Fr. Michael Pfleger are going to protest in front of DS Arms in the Barrington area.  There is no connection from top shelf rifles made for the law enforcement and civilian markets to criminal activity in Chicago.

In past activity this summer, ISRA has called for counter-protesters. In hindsight, ISRA has seen that liberal media air time of Jackson's protests is greater when there is a perceived conflict. This could work in favor of Jackson and his agenda to take away your right to own firearms.  Realizing this, ISRA has not called for counter-protesters since then. When no one shows up to oppose Jackson and Pfleger, the story does not play for long in the press, if at all. For Tuesday, August 28, ISRA is asking you to show your support for the right to keep and bear arms in one or more of the following ways:

1. Be the Voice of the People: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in support of the right to keep and bear arms.
2. Support your local gun shop: Visit your favorite store on your lunch break or after work and make a purchase.
3. Exercise your rights:  Visit your local range after work, sharpen your skills and your resolve.

Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill
for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay
our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with
the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve.
"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to
reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20."  Drinks for the ten
now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four
continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant,
the men began to compare their savings. "I only got a dollar out
of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,
"but he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only sav ed a
dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than me!"
"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he
get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't
get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine
sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the
bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough
money among all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is
how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes
get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack
them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore!
In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere
is somewhat t friendlier.

 

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics
University of Georgia

 

 

 

Secure Our Borders!

8/15/2007

The Senate just defeated a bill to give amnesty to millions and millions of illegal immigrants. Such a bill would have cost taxpayers over $2 trillion and brought a flood of millions of immigrants to our nation.

Today we need to move forward and demand that Congress follow-up on their promise from last year to build a fence and secure our borders!

I just signed a petition to demand that Congress take action to secure our borders and build the fence. Nearly 750,000 Americans have signed this petition. Join us!

Please go here to sign:

http://www.grassfire.org/42/petition.asp?PID=8531129&NID=1

Petition to stop the North American Union

Momentum is building in our government to create the "framework"
for a North American Union that would undermine our nation's
sovereignty and open our borders.

I just signed an important citizen petition opposing these latest
efforts. Please go here to sign:

http://www.grassfire.org/89/petition.asp?PID=14158802&NID=1

-JustBob

ISRA Action Alert for July 11

ISRA Action Alert:
Blagojevich to launch special session to attack your gun rights

Governor Blagojevich is excepted to call a special legislative session on so-called "assault weapons" starting on Wednesday, July 11. His opening volley will be notorious anti-gun Senator Kotowski's Senate Bill 1007, a ban on standard capacity magazines and many conventional centerfire rifles & shotguns with tubular magazines. SB1007 has already passed the Senate and is up for third reading in the Illinois House. Blagojevich is trying to deflect criticism of his failed initiatives and failed budget negotiations by bringing gun control to the center stage at this critical time. 

Please take the following action to preserve your gun rights:

1. Starting Wednesday, July 11, call your state representative and politely urge him or her to not support SB1007, a bill that would penalize law-abiding gun owners. Tell the person who answers the phone that you want your representative to focus on passing a budget.
    
2. Post this information to any and all Internet bulletin boards or blogs to which you belong.

ISRA has a listing of phone numbers for Illinois State Representatives. Need to find out who your Legislators are?  Check the Illinois Election Board.  If you have trouble looking up your Representative,  you can call the switchboard for the Illinois House at 217-782-8223 and they will connect you. We suggest that you call your representative's office directly if you can, there is limited staff on the switchboard.

Your fellow gun owners are counting on you to make that call.

Proposed “Safety” Regulations Would Dry Up Ammunition Sales

Please submit your comments while we still have time!
From: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=3145

---

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed new rules that would have a dramatic effect on the storage and transportation of ammunition and handloading components such as primers or black and smokeless powder. The proposed rule indiscriminately treats ammunition, powder and primers as "explosives." Among many other provisions, the proposed rule would:

• Prohibit possession of firearms in commercial "facilities containing explosives"—an obvious problem for your local gun store.
• Require evacuation of all "facilities containing explosives"—even your local Wal-Mart—during any electrical storm.
• Prohibit smoking within 50 feet of "facilities containing explosives."

It's important to remember this is only a proposed rule right now, so there's still time for concerned citizens to speak out before OSHA issues its final rule. The National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute will all be commenting on these proposed regulations, based on the severe effect these regulations (if finalized) would have on the availability of ammunition and reloading supplies to safe and responsible shooters.

The public comment period was originally scheduled to end July 12 but has been extended sixty (60) days until September 10, 2007. To file your own comment, or to learn more about the OSHA proposal, click here or go to http://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket Number OSHA-2007-0032"; you can read OSHA's proposal and learn how to submit comments electronically, or by fax or mail.

---

OSHA Docket Office Docket No. OSHA-2007-0032 U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20210

Re.: Docket No. OSHA-2007-0032 (Explosives—Proposed Rule)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing in strong opposition to OSHA's proposed rules on "explosives," which go far beyond regulating true explosives. These proposed rules would impose severe restrictions on the transportation and storage of small arms ammunition—both complete cartridges and handloading components such as black and smokeless powder, primers, and percussion caps. These restrictions go far beyond existing transportation and fire protection regulations.

As a person who uses ammunition and components, I am very concerned that these regulations will have a serious effect on my ability to obtain these products. OSHA's proposed rules would impose restrictions that very few gun stores, sporting goods stores, or ammunition dealers could comply with. (Prohibiting firearms in stores that sell ammunition, for example, is absurd—but would be required under the proposed rule.)

The proposed transportation regulations would also affect shooters' ability to buy these components by mail or online, because shipping companies would also have great difficulty complying with the proposed rules.

There is absolutely no evidence of any new safety hazard from storage or transportation of small arms ammunition or components that would justify these new rules. I also understand that organizations with expertise in this field, such as the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Association, will be submitting detailed comments on this issue. I hope OSHA will listen to these organizations' comments as the agency develops a final rule on this issue.

Sincerely,

---

ISRA Action Alert for July 9, 2007

ISRA Action Alert:
KOTOWSKI & BLAGOJEVICH PLAN AMBUSH OF GUN OWNERS ON JULY 9TH

Governor Blagojevich and State Senator Dan Kotowski are planning to ambush gun owners on July 9th by calling for a special legislative session on so-called “gun violence.” It is expected that Kotowski will introduce legislation that would result in the banning and forced confiscation of most of your guns. The hope is to ramrod this legislation through the General Assembly while the public is distracted by failed budget negotiations.

Senator Kotowski is quickly establishing himself as the most dangerous anti-gunner in the nation. He is using every trick in the book to find a way to take your guns away from you. He doesn't care if you are a hunter, target shooter, or trap shooter. He wants to take your guns away from you. He is obsessed with the notion of a gun-free Illinois. He is obsessed with the desire to humiliate you and strip you of your guns.

If you cherish your gun rights, this is what you must do:

1. On Monday, July 9, call your state representative and your state senator and politely tell him or her to focus on passing a budget, and to leave your guns alone. Tell the person who answers the phone that you are a law-abiding gun owner and that you are sick and tired of being blamed for the lawless deeds of criminals.
   
2. Post this information to any and all Internet bulletin boards or blogs to which you belong.

ISRA has listings of phone numbers for Illinois State Representatives and Illinois State Senators.
Need to find out who your Legislators are? Check the Illinois Election Board.

Remember: gun control is a disease, and you're the cure.

Mr. President: Secure our borders

I just signed a petition with Liberty Counsel urging the President to take immediate action to address our nation's current immigration crisis. Namely, to secure our borders and to oppose an immigration plan that gives amnesty to illegal aliens.

Please go here to join me in signing:

http://www.libertyaction.org/285/petition.asp?PID=13904721&NID=1

PERM Fake Job Ads defraud Americans

You have got to see this video: PERM Fake Job Ads defraud Americans. This appears to be a training seminar by Immigration attorneys from Cohen & Grigsby on how to bring in H-1B workers (foreign nationals) without even considering Americans (US Citizens) for the job.

Raise a stink like I did and contact your representative (www.house.gov/writerep) and senator (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm) and spread the word where ever you can. Can you even imagine the pain that one (a US citizen) feels that is out of work (been replace by a H-1B worker at least once) and is answering these fake ads in hope of getting employment? Now that's just not right...

JustBob

ISRA: Photos of last week's counter-protest at Chuck's Gun Shop

We've posted more great pictures taken by ISRA member Jeff Marienthal of the march last week at Chuck's, click here to view them.

Make sure that you join us there again on Saturday at 12:30 PM!

If you've not been there before, here's a mapquest map of Chuck's Gun Shop in Riverdale.

Join the ISRA

ISRA Press Release

ISRA Press Release:
ISRA Wonders Whether Saturday Gun Shop Protest Will See Father Pfleger Restore Dignity To His Vocation

CHICAGO, June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA has learned that Fr. Michael Pfleger, Pastor of Chicago's St. Sabina's Church, is planning yet another march on Chuck's Gun Shop, located in south suburban Riverdale. Late last month, Fr. Pfleger sparked an embarrassing controversy for the Chicago Archdiocese by urging those attending a similar protest to "snuff" Chuck's owner as well as any state legislator who votes against gun control legislation.

In a recent e-mail alert, the ISRA urged area firearm owners to attend a counter-protest at Chuck's scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 12:30 PM. The purpose of the counter-protest is to demonstrate support for Chuck's embattled owner and to rally opposition to gun control bills pending in the state legislature.

"Fr. Pfleger's last performance in front of Chuck's shocked the nation," commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Imagine hearing an ordained priest calling for a legitimate businessman and sitting state legislators to be "snuffed" because they do not subscribe to that priest's social philosophies. The outrage over Pfleger's hate-filled remarks was compounded by his refusal to apologize for uttering them, and the fact that the mainstream press pretty much gave him a pass."

"The Pfleger situation brings to light an interesting double standard," continued Pearson. "Earlier this week, the ISRA released the results of an investigation into the apparent harassment of gun owners by the Illinois State Police. In these cases, gun owners were treated to visits to their homes by state police detectives because they had sent faxes to Sen. Dan Kotowski expressing opposition to gun control legislation sponsored by the senator. Based on our investigation, there was not even the slightest hint of a threat conveyed in the content of the subject faxes. Nonetheless, these citizens had to bear the embarrassment of having the police show up at their homes with the additional strain of having to answer humiliating questions about their mental health and personal lives. In contrast, when Fr. Pfleger publicly advocated the "snuffing" of state legislators, the Illinois State Police turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. One would think that Sen. Kotowski would be especially sensitive to threats against legislators, yet his anti-gun alliance with Pfleger has left him totally mum on the priest's dangerous remarks."

"Fr. Pfleger can rest assured that the videotape will be rolling when he takes the stage this Saturday in front of Chuck's," said Pearson. "We'll be watching and listening. It will be interesting to see whether he displays the dignity and self respect that should accompany his calling, or whether his identity crisis casts him once again in the role of an absurd, yet malevolent, cartoon character."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of more than 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

Amnesty gang bending Senate rules to pass bill

The Amnesty gang is still at it. They appear to want amnesty for illegals at any cost. From Grassfire.org:

The Senate is committed to formally bringing back the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill possibly as early as this Friday--meaning we may have precious time remaining to make our voices heard!

Here's what our insiders are telling us...

The Amnesty Gang (including Bush, Kennedy, McCain, Kyl, and Reid) will introduce a new bill as a "substitute" of the last failed bill. This allows them to bring the bill to the Senate floor without going through committee -- just like the first Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill.

This is where it gets shadowy. Harry Reid will employ what is being called the "clay pigeon" procedure whereby all the amendments are lumped together as one to limit the ability of opposition to resist the bill!

What does all this mean?

It means that you and I and the rest of the citizens of our nation have been sold out by an arrogant Senate that has completely lost touch with the American people. Just listen to the bristling arrogance of Senate Minority leader (and Amnesty Senator from Mississippi) Trent Lott, who spoke to reporters yesterday. "I've had my phones jammed for three weeks. Yesterday I had three people answering them continuously all day. To think that you're going to intimidate a senator or any senator into voting one way or the other by gorging your phones with phone calls -- most of whom don't even know where Gulfport, Mississippi, is -- is not an effective tactic. But it's their right to do that."

That's right, Trent, it is our right, and you are feeling it! In simple terms, the ONLY barrier left for the Senate to pass this bill is YOU. That is why I'm calling for an even greater grassroots uprising than before.

Whether they formally bring the amnesty bill back on Friday, or Monday really doesn't matter. What matters is that they are bringing amnesty back, and it is up to grassroots America to stop them cold!

+ + Action #1: Faxes and Phone Calls

If you have not scheduled faxes in the past few days, do so right now. We must have faxes flooding the Senate every day until AMNESTY IS DEAD. Use our FaxFire system or fax them yourself (info. provided here):

http://www.grassfire.org/19042/offer.asp

After scheduling your faxes, call your two senators.

We've gotten many reports of citizens calling their Senators EVERY DAY, and I want to challenge every member of our team to do the same. Here's a number of KEY talking points:

1. You are disappointed that the Senate is reconsidering the amnesty bill.
2. A "yes" vote on cloture is a "yes" vote for amnesty.
3. Vote NO on cloture for the Bush-Kennedy Amnesty bill.

Your two senators:

Sen. Durbin (202)224-2152
Sen. Obama (202) 224-2854


I'm also asking team members from Mississippi to contact Mr. Lott, to let him know that his constituents who oppose amnesty certainly know where Gulfport is!

Here's his number: 202/224-6253

Or call his district offices: Jackson, 601/965-4644; Gulfport, 228/863-1988; Pascagoula, 228/762-5400; Oxford, 662/234-3774

To recap, AMNESTY IS COMING BACK perhaps as soon as Friday and certainly by next Monday. We've been told the back-room deal cut last week is in motion, and a plan to manipulate Senate rules and tie the hands of Senators opposing the amnesty bill is underway.

YOU AND I are the last line of defense!

Thanks for your help fighting amnesty!


Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org

P.S: I've just heard that the AFL-CIO is finally realizing that an amnesty bill would devastate and demoralize their membership. They have come out strongly against this bill!

+ + Recent media coverage (NYTimes, NPR, MSNBC):

http://www.firesociety.com/blog/107/14532

+ + Comments/feedback/more resources on this update:

http://www.firesociety.com/comments/14859/?src=111

+ + Grassfire's May Presidential Straw Poll Results:

http://www.firesociety.com/article/14468

It's also quite funny to find out that the Republican Amnesty Senators don't seem to be able to handle the concept that they will be scoffed by conservatives when they go against the will of the people! In Republicans Hearing Static From Conservative Radio Hosts, "Vacant Lott" says:

When they're with you, it's great, When they're not, it's not good.

Maybe, with enough pressure from grassroots conservatives, the Republican Amnesty Senators will finally get it. If not, there's always the next election...

Illinois Governor's Day Trips Cost Taxpayers $76,000

FOXNews.com reports (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,285378,00.html):

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich's practice of flying from Chicago to Springfield and back for daily budget negotiations is costing Illinois taxpayers more than $5,800 a day, for a total of roughly $76,000 and climbing.

So why is it that the Governor isn't staying in Springfield? Is he too busy taking care of the King of the People's Republic of Chicago?

Action Alert for Saturday, June 23, 2007

Action Alert for Saturday, June 23, 2007:
Counter-Protest at Chuck's Gun Shop, the 3rd Time in 4 Weeks

ISRA has found out that Fr. Michael Pfleger is going to march yet again at Chuck's Gun Shop, 14310 S. Indiana, Riverdale, IL on Saturday, June 23rd. This is four weeks after the highly publicized protest at the same location where he called for the "snuffing out" of Chuck's owner, John Riggio. He will probably bring Reverend Jesse Jackson with him.

Many of you have followed the news about Pfleger's threat and wished that you could have been at Chuck's on May 26th to show your solidarity. Some of you took advantage of the short notice to come out to Chuck's last weekend. ISRA 1st Vice President Mike Weisman was there to stand with John Riggio and the counter-protestors at both marches. He's going to be there again, and he's urging all gun owners who can do so, to come to Chuck's this Saturday.

"Chuck's Gun Shop is a part of my own personal history with firearms. I first went there over 25 years ago, when I lived in the city. The staff helped me get my first FOID card." Mike Weisman said, "Chuck's Gun Shop as been part of the community in the south suburbs for decades, it's a vital, family-run business that should stay and serve the community in the decades to come."

"So I'm going back there this Saturday, and I'm calling on my fellow ISRA members and Illinois Gun Owners from all across Chicagoland to join me. I'm also making a special appeal to those who have ties to this part of the metro area. It's important to me personally that we have strong representation there." Weisman concluded.

Background info: The owners of Chuck’s have been long-time defenders of the right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, they have paid dearly for supporting your rights. Chucks was the primary target of Mayor Daley’s $433 million lawsuit against the 2nd Amendment. Although the Daley suit failed, Chuck’s was forced to bear huge legal costs to defend their business - and to defend the 2nd Amendment. Chuck’s has also been harassed ceaselessly by anti-gun church groups and the gun-hating media - including “60 Minutes.” Rev. Jackson and Fr. Pfleger have marched twice on Chuck's Gun Shop in the recent weeks, including May 26, when Fr. Pfleger called for John Riggio to be "snuffed out." The ISRA has an audio copy of his turn at the microphone, which you can download and listen to. (550KB mp3 file)

ISRA is calling upon gun owners to make the return trip to Chuck's Gun Shop to take a stand for the right to keep and bear arms. Please do the following:

1. Plan on gathering at Chuck’s Gun Shop & Range, 14310 South Indiana Avenue, Riverdale, IL, at 12:30 PM on June 23rd for a counter protest against Michael Pfleger and Jesse Jackson. Click here for a mapquest map.

2. While at Chuck’s, express your solidarity with the owners and, if you can, make a purchase. No matter how small, your loyalty to Chuck’s will be greatly appreciated.

3. Prepare to peacefully confront anti-gun protesters with the truth. Don’t be shy about defending what you know is rightfully yours.

4. If possible, take photographs of the anti-gun protesters and send copies to webmaster@isra.org.

5. Please post this alert to every Internet blog and bulletin board that you belong to. Encourage all your friends and fellow shooters to join in this counter-protest against the gun grabbers.

Only you can defend your rights from destruction by guys like Fr. Pfleger and Rev. Jackson. The gun grabbers must not attack our rights with impunity. You are the gun owner who will stand up and be counted. Make sure that you are there Saturday, June 23rd at Chuck’s Gun Shop.

ISRA Press Release 06/18/2007

Note to our members:
Please read the following ISRA Press Release, and if any of you have received similar visits from the Illinois State Police after contacting Illinois Legislators (via telephone, USPS mail, email, or fax), then please contact the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.

ISRA Press Release:
ISRA Asks Senator Kotowski to Explain State Police Infringements on First Amendment Rights of Illinois Gun Owners


CHICAGO, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA is expressing great concern over reports that Illinois State Police (ISP) detectives have been visiting the homes of people who phoned or faxed Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) to express opposition to gun control legislation sponsored by the senator. The ISRA has recently conducted a thorough investigation into one complaint, and is gathering additional information on as many as several dozen other reported incidents of police questioning citizens who have spoken out against gun control legislation.

In the case investigated thus far, the respondent reports that ISP detectives arrived at his home, unannounced, and informed him that their visit was in response to faxes he sent to Sen. Kotowski. The detectives then went on to ask the citizen questions about his mental health and other personal matters. Although the citizen was not arrested, he reports that he feels that the detectives were there to deliver the message that it's not a good idea to criticize Dan Kotowski or the gun control measures Kotowski supports.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to petition the government for the redress of grievances," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Of course, the manner in which citizens exercise that right must not include any threats of harm against elected officials."

"When we first heard about the ISP visits to homes of people who had sent faxes to Sen. Kotowski, we were concerned that some folks may have acted inappropriately," continued Pearson. "However, upon inspection of the faxes in question, we see absolutely no reason for the ISP to visit citizens' homes -- other than to possibly put a damper on the citizen's desire to participate in the legislative process."

"At this time, we are asking Sen. Kotowski to produce any evidence he may have which illustrates threatening behavior on the part of citizens who have received ISP visits," said Pearson. "If Sen. Kotowski cannot produce any such evidence, then we will be asking Attorney General Madigan to conduct an investigation into the apparent use of the ISP to suppress the First Amendment rights of persons who express opposition to gun control legislation."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

ISRA Urgent Action Alert for Sat June 16

Action Alert for Saturday, June 16, 2007:
Mobilize AGAIN to Protect Your Gun Rights at Chuck's Gun Shop

Late breaking news: We've just received word that Reverend Jesse Jackson & Operation PUSH is going to protest again at Chuck's Gun Shop, 14310 S. Indiana, Riverdale, IL on Saturday, June 16th. This is three weeks after the highly publicized protest at the same location where Jesse's pal, Fr. Michael Pfleger from St. Sabina called for the "snuffing out" of Chuck's owner, John Riggio. It's been predicted that Pfleger will return for a repeat performance.

Many of you have followed the news about Pfleger's threat and wished that you could have been at Chuck's on May 26th to show your solidarity. Tomorrow is your chance. If you're not sure what kind of a threat this is to gun rights, we suggest that you listen to Pfleger's screaming diatribe recorded at Chuck's Gun Shop last time. Here is the link to our copy of the audio:
<http://isra.org/quick/pfleger_calls_for_murder_052607-b.mp3> It's a small (550KB) mp3 file.

Background info: The owners of Chuck's have been long-time defenders of the right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, they have paid dearly for supporting your rights. Chucks was the primary target of Mayor Daley's $433 million lawsuit against the 2nd Amendment. Although the Daley suit failed, Chuck's was forced to bear huge legal costs to defend their business - and to defend the 2nd Amendment. Chuck's has also been harassed ceaselessly by anti-gun church groups and the gun-hating media - including "60 Minutes."

ISRA is calling upon gun owners to make a return trip to Chuck's Gun Shop to take a stand for the right to keep and bear arms.

As a show of support for Chuck's, and as a rebuke to Jesse Jackson and his liberal gun-grabbers, we are asking all Illinois gun owners to do the following:

1. Plan on gathering at Chuck's Gun Shop & Range, 14310 South Indiana Avenue, Riverdale, IL, at 1:00 PM on June 16th for a counter protest against Jesse Jackson and Michael Pfleger.

2. While at Chuck's, express your solidarity with the owners and, if you can, make a purchase. No matter how small, your loyalty to Chuck's will be greatly appreciated.

3. Prepare to confront anti-gun protesters with the truth. Don't be shy about defending what you know is rightfully yours.

4. If possible, take photographs of the anti-gun protesters
and send copies to webmaster@isra.org.

5. Please post this alert to every Internet blog and bulletin board that you belong to. Encourage all your friends and fellow shooters to join in this counter-protest against the gun grabbers.

Only you can defend your rights from destruction by guys like Jesse Jackson The gun grabbers must not attack our rights with impunity. You are the gun owner who will stand up and be counted. Make sure that you are there tomorrow, June 16th at Chuck's Gun Shop.

Make a much needed Legislative Donation here:
<http://isra.org/legislation/donation>

CLOTURE FAILS -- This round of Amnesty defeated

Bush-Kennedy Amnesty Bill Update

As reported by Grassfire.org:

The Senate just failed to "invoke cloture" on the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill for the second time today. The final vote was 45-50.

What does this mean?

We did it! We defeated this round of amnesty!

Since the announcement of this bill a few weeks ago, Grassfire team members sent over 700,000 petitions and faxes to the Senate. When we add in the estimated phone calls, contacts by our team members alone to the Senate far exceeded 1 million!

We have never seen a grassroots response like this -- it was truly unprecedented. Without grassroots pressure, the Senate would have passed this bill weeks ago.

On behalf of our entire team, and on behalf of the entire nation, thank you for taking a stand!

With much appreciation,

Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org

P.S. If you listened to the floor speeches after the vote on C-Span, then you know that the battle is not over. The will bring amnesty back -- sooner rather than later. But for tonight, I want to thank you for everything you did to take a stand against this amnesty bill.

P.P.S. I would love to hear your feedback on this victory and our combined grassroots effort. I started a forum discussion on FireSociety.com earlier today that has some lively discussion (and celebrating) going on. Would you post your comments here as well?

The thread starts here:

http://www.firesociety.com/forum/thread/14217

Click on "post reply" to add your comments.

Reckless Lawsuits - Don’t Buy Claims About Tiahrt Gun Amendment

While updating this blog this morning, I noticed a Google Ad on the page for "ProtectPolice.org". I decided to take a look at the site. On the surface, it looks pretty innocent, of course, until you dig deeper. The focus of "ProtectPolice.org" appears to be opposition of the Tiahrt Amendment. What they don't tell you, is that the amendment protects ongoing criminal investigations. The National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Chuck Canterbury confirms this. What the amendment doesn't do is enable access to ATF data for civil cases. It appears that this the real issue for the antigun types.

Links:
Firearms Industry Joins Law Enforcement in Support of Tiahrt Amendment
Anti-Gun Mayors Push for Gun Trace Information
Read Memo from FOP President Chuck Canterbury to FOP Executive Board
FOP letter to Congress opposing the release of trace data
Letter from the current New York Police Commissioner Opposing Firearms Trace Data Release
Read letter from Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell to Mayor Bloomberg
Read the Department of Justice letter to Mayor Bloomberg

Disclaimer: Even though the "ProtectPolice" ads may appear on my pages, I don't recommend supporting them (but, please click on their ad, they have to pay for it). This of course also applies to any other antigun ads that may appear as well.

ISRA - Springfield Report - June 1

Springfield Report for June 1

The House and Senate adjourned today without any action on antigun bills. SB1007 is now in the House and requires 71 votes to pass it. They could not pass it with 60 votes so now they need 11 more votes. They have their problems.

Rumors abound about the Governor calling a special session on weekends but I have heard nothing concrete. We will be meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through June in extended session.

We will be there.

Richard A. Pearson

Webmaster's note:
Here's a new ISRA position paper on SB1007 (pdf, 262kB).  The lobbyists use materials like this as they make their rounds in the capitol.