Internet Upgrade?: I was about halfway through assembling this morning's mailing when I lost my internet connection. It turns out that today was my block's turn to undergo a cable upgrade, which kept me offline for most of the day. --- Wishful Thinking?: Mark Steyn appears to place a ot of weight on one report that Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers used to carry a handgun. http://www.suntimes.com/output/steyn/cst-edt-steyn09.html --- Just The Facts, Ma'am: Steve Bowers takes on the Brady Bunch's lies about Florida's stand-your-ground law. http://www.politicalgateway.com/main/columns/read.html?col=479 --- Meanwhile, In Romania...: While the translation does not flow smoothly, it sounds like at least one Romanian liberal has a problem with homeowners shooting burglars. http://www.expres.ro/english/?news_id=199828 --- Rule One Reminder: Another Pennsylvania police officer has been shot by a fellow officer in a designated firearm-cleaning area. Fortuitously, the wound was not fatal. (Rule One: All firearms are always loaded. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/news/s_382298.html --- New Life For An Old Cartridge: First article discusses the history of the M1 Carbine in Israel and alludes to its cartridge being used in a newly designed weapon. The second link shows the weapon. http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20051008.aspx http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/small_arms/magal/Magal.html --- Breaking News From Canada!: Despite a massive effort to register firearms, it turns out that most Canadian firearms used in homicides have never been registered! Not only that, it also turns out that knives are the most commonly used murder weapon in that country. http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2005/10/07/1252148-sun.html --- Brazilian Firearm Dealers Say Ban Will Prove Worthless: With an upcoming referendum on legal sales of firearms in Brazil, several dealers say that its passage will neither affect their sales not murder rates. Licensed dealers are already so restricted that the new ban won't make any difference. http://www.thedailyjournalonline.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12394&ArticleId=199777 --- Attention Virginia Voters: A list member from Virginia requested that I share his thoughts on the upcoming election. I have reached a conclusion with regard to the current confusing political situation with the VA Governor's race. THE CURRENT LINE-UP: Candidate Potts is considered anti-gun. Major Democrat candidate Kaine is demonstrably anti-gun. Then there is the Republican candidate Jerry Kilgore who presents us with: THE QUANDRY: For reasons unknown to us, the presumably pro-gun Republican candidate Kilgore has a record materially confirming him to be pro-gun but he has thumbed his nose at the VCDL's request for a completed survey. Further, he or his representatives have made hostile, derogatory and FALSE remarks about VCDL's president, Phil Van Cleave. The source of Kilgore's animosity towards one of his core constituencies is baffling beyond belief and left many wondering what to do. CALL FOR ACTION: The purpose of this posting is to respectfully request all VA VCDL members, pro-gun citizens and like minded people who are properly registered as voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia to vote in the coming election, and recognize the following unofficial nomination to please: WRITE-IN Phil Van Cleave , VCDL's President ...for Governor of Virginia WHAT THIS DOES: In short, it will help quantify the resistance to the arrogance of the Kilgore campaign. There is little danger in this experiment, and here's why: VA's legislature is largely conservative and pro-gun. Regardless of who is in the Governor's office, little damage can be done. The worst that is apparent at this time is that not much good will be added to our pro-gun successes of recent years. We cannot vote for Kaine because he is anti-gun. We cannot in good conscience vote for Kilgore because his hostility now leaves us wondering how he will react to VCDL sponsored bills, were he to be elected. The reaction of his campaign makes some wonder if his campaign has been infiltrated with liberals who are sewing dissension between the candidate and gun owners. The NRA endorsement is irrelevant; I am an NRA member but find that organization's effects are largely national in scope. The VCDL is the prime mover in local/State issues. If candidate Kilgore loses by a margin within a Phil Van Cleave write in vote, it will be the LAST TIME VCDL is marginalized, insulted and ignored in State politics. The upshot is we will add a good deal of stature to VCDL. Even if candidate Kaine takes office, our effect will not be ignored by him. Between that and the sponsorship of him by the current Governor (who signed many VCDL sponsored bills), maybe we will effect some change in their outlook. THE ODDS: Current media reports indicate this is shaping up to be a close election. It is not unthinkable that we can make a huge statement and advance VCDL's cause. If Kilgore loses and can't QUANTIFY why, it does us no good. So staying home and sitting out this election is NOT an option. Kilgore needs to know WHY! We can put our name on his loss, telling him in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS that the organization devoted to preserving a key civil right of Commonwealth citizens will not be sidelined when it attempts to make clear the true colors of candidates in this state. It's about disclosure! I have never been one to throw away my vote on third-party or no name candidates, but this is different. We have nothing to lose, and quite a bit to gain in the statement we will make. On the State level gaining 3,000-5,000 votes could be major. What's more, if the magic wand was waved and Phillip actually won, he'd make a GREAT Governor. His dedication, organizational skills and Richmond experience would make him a competent and responsible leader. He certainly would not be ashamed of his views and fail to fill out a survey! Respectfully submitted, Eric Hoffmann, VCDL Member Middleburg, VA -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .