Friday, December 4, 2009

Caledonian Crisis


The Indian War Chiefs sat stoically as they pondered the implications of what they were about to do. No longer would they let the white man impede upon there lifestyle. "We must fight!" One chief exclaimed, most nodded their agreement. "We shall drive the white settlers from there homes, burning and pillaging!" More people nodded their heads, "When they see that we are fearsome warriors, they will leave and never return!" The Chiefs were decided, it was time to fight. They all rose and headed out of the building, one yelled, "Hey, Jerry TwoFeathers, don't forget to turn out the lights." Another remarked, "Lets take my truck, there is room for all of us."

This isn't some twisted Dan Brown story, this is real life. I understand that with a name like Caledonia, and in Canada to boot, the story is less than plausible. I assure you that this really occurred and has yet to be settled. My good friend Des turned me onto this story yesterday. A revolt in Canada, so bad that the police will not even protect it's own citizens. Now I don't think that police should be held responsible for your own personal protection, and U.S. courts feel the same way. But what do you do in Canada? A place where people do not have the right to self defense. A place where gun ownership is severely restricted and to defend yourself with one would bring untold scrutiny to you and your loved ones.

What started all of this? It appears that the natives (they really call them that in Canada, what happened to PC?) sold off some of their land to the government in 1841, with the understanding that the profit would be invested by the Crown for the Six Nations. Jump ahead to 2006, and the land is sold, by the Crown, to a development firm, who promptly build a housing division on it. The Six Nations go into an uproar and say that they land was only leased to the government. It all goes before a judge who sides with the development company. Needless to say, the Indians go on the war path. They blockade streets, burn down bridges, rob peoples homes, beat up innocent people, generally riot and cause as much discontent as possible. The police do nothing to protect the innocent, except charging them with crimes. David Brown may have acted out of line, but what he did was in reaction to the criminal acts taking place against his home and his family. Yet the government decides not to pursue the true criminals, Indians, scoundrels, ruffians, terrorists that have caused all of the problems.

From wikipedia:
Since the occupation began, many Caledonia residents have complained that they have been subject to threats and violence from Native protesters and that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) failed to take any action to protect them. David Brown, who lives with his wife near the disputed area, stated in court testimony in November 2009 that he was required to carry a native-issued passport and needed approval from the protesters to enter his own house. He also claimed that after arriving "after curfew" one day, he was denied entry and jailed by the OPP when he caused trouble by ignoring the natives. Brown alleged that Native protesters threatened and harassed him repeatedly and that rocks and mud were thrown at his family and their home. Brown and his wife are seeking $7 million dollars in a civil lawsuit against the OPP on the basis that the police did nothing to protect him and his family during the occupation.[25] [26]

In response to Brown's claims, Crown lawyer David Felicient stated that the situation "must be understood against the backdrop of the unique character of aboriginal occupations and protests" and that the OPP were prevented from taking action due to "policy implications."[25] Felicient also suggested that Brown had fabricated portions of his testimony to draw attention to his lawsuit. When Felicient asked why Brown kept a loaded shotgun, Brown responded that "We were doing what we had to do to stay alive. I had no protection from our government. I felt that I needed to protect my wife and my family."[27]

In court testimony, OPP Inspector Brian Haggith stated that the Native protesters "set up a checkpoint... Almost like they were entering another country," and that community lost confidence in the OPP's ability to protect them. Haggith also testified that when natives set fire to a wooden bridge in town, the fire department withdrew from fighting the blaze when confronted by shouted death threats from the protesters. The fire chief told the OPP he did not believe they would protect him or his men if they went against the natives' wishes. In addition, a electrical substation was then destroyed, causing more than $1 million in damage and a blackout, when a truck crashed through its gates and was left ablaze. Once again, Haggith stated that there was little response from the police. Inspector Haggith also testified that he asked for a change in policy at a subsequent meeting he had with his OPP superiors but that his request was denied


So here is the real issue, and it has nothing to do with the uppity Natives. Do you have a right to self defense? Are the police required to protect you? If the answer to the first question is 'no', than the answer to the second question has to be 'yes'. This is not some third world country we are talking about here, this is Canada, land of beer and hockey. Our slightly frigid neighbors to the North that talk funny and use words like 'eh' and 'oi'. And yet this travesty continues.

I encourage you to research all the links I left for you here. It truly is an interesting story that shows how these things can happen anywhere.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Four Wheelers as Hunting Tools

I recently had the opportunity to try something I had never done before. Use a four wheeler in the pursuit and apprehension (I'm dropping into cop talk again, sorry) of game. "Wow, you sure can cover alot of ground", was my initial thought. My final thought after getting home was, "Wow, there sure is dirt everywhere." Am I going to run out and spend $10,000 on a new four wheeler? Nope. Will I borrow somebody else's? Hell yes!
Living in Texas has done wonders for my conservative mindset. One of the things that Texas does not seriously regulate is the use of vehicles for hunting, especially on private land. This is why you see vehicles specifically built for this purpose. They also can include large spotlights for the pursuit of varmints and feral hogs at night. Why I do not personally care for hunting from vehicles, many do and it does have it's place.
I figure in two days I saw five or six coyotes from the four wheeler, I can safely say that's double the number I would have seen without that mobility. The ability to quickly cover ground is awesome, and can allow you to get into position alot faster. On the other hand, two days of my rifle in a gun rack on the front of a four wheeler was not kind. I had to completely disassemble the rifle and remove the dust from every part of that weapon. My pistol was the same way, it spent the time on me in a Safariland drop thigh holster. I had to completely disassemble it as well. I am happy to report that I did fire the pistol on Sunday prior to cleaning and it functioned perfectly, even if it was full of dirt and dust.
I believe that they are an effective tool that can make hunting more productive and enjoyable. Like any other tool, they can be used improperly and abused. They can also be used in a unethical manner, which could lead to bad press for sportsman everywhere. Like a rifle, a four wheeler has no will of its own. You control how and where it is used and wether it is used for good or evil. So use your tools righteously, and lets stay safe and have fun out there!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Fantasy Fun


This is why I shouldn't have a long weekend, see what my mind does?

I should go hunt, but Mrs. Sigboy is working and my freezer is full. Anybody want Venison steaks?


I was sent this one today, I dont know where it came from. But I did laugh at the irony in it.

Monday, November 23, 2009

My Texas Mule Deer


This is Carl.

Stories about this trip will be forthcoming, right after he is safely in the freezer, not to mention the rest of the story on the whitetail that I found the weekend before.
I also would like to apologize for the crappy pictures, it was a little hectic that day and I didn't get any good ones.

It All Makes Sense Now.


Via Tam, and from West of the West (whom I have never heard of and am now considering changing that), we have a flow chart that helps you choose your religion, strangely enough, it seems to work. As usual, it all seems to come down to bacon.

Friday, November 20, 2009

National Ammo Day

Thursday was National Ammo Day. After much chagrin, I decided to participate. I really didn't need much so I decided to keep it conservative.

I wonder what I'm going to do to keep me out of trouble at home?

California Places Increased Burden on SubjectsCitizens

I have just heard that on November first, California increases it's income tax with holding by 10%. The LA Times reports. Please note that this is not a tax increase, just a forced loan to the state. And it is only a 10% increase on the taxable amount. So roughly the same amount as your cable bill. John Marshall said that "The power to tax is the power to destroy." Many people are already plagued by wage cuts and other employer cut backs that put more burden onto the employees. The state of California has decided that they will not roll back all the expensive programs that they have enacted over the years. They will take more money from the people to cover their shortfall. 1.7 BILLION dollars in an interest free loan strong armed from already strapped California citizens. "The power to tax is the power to destroy." How many will be destroyed so that California can maintain their socialist policies?

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?
 
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