How do you explain this if he was born in Hawaii?

The AP hasn’t retracted this story, and here it is going on over five years that it’s been out there.

So, how’s about that birth certificate now, Mr. “President”?

Meanwhile, I’ll try to catch ya’ll up on my goings-on a little later.

Almost forgot my posting today!

I am wearing red, in case you were wondering. I’ve also managed to file today’s show for “The O Word”, ran a few chats with several friends and family members, went to lunch with TMBWitW and a co-worker who’s last day is today, installed a hitch on the church van, and now I’m sitting down to catch my breath. On the show this morning, I discussed Hurst, Texas’ Mayor, Richard Ward and his membership in Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Now, I see an update to the story is due.

Top bring you up to speed, read the following items (listed in order of their appearance):

450 Mayors Petition Obama To Adopt Broad Gun Reform

When (IDIOT) Mayors Attack

When (IDIOT) Mayors Attack – Part II

Hurst mayor’s gun stance raises ire of NRA (Star-Telegram)

Hurst mayor’s gun stance raises ire of NRA (Texas Fred’s)

I’m still waiting for the Mayor to reply to my questions.

from Cary Cartter
to ward.richard@charter.net
date Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 10:03
subject MAIG
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear Mayor Ward:

As a long time reader of Texas Fred, I have watched (and participated) as Fred first opens a conversation with someone and then ends up defending himself from unfounded personal attacks. Time after time, the person making the personal attacks on Fred ends up looking quite the fool, as his readership is pretty wide spread, diverse, and usually very supportive of Fred’s position.

It is my understanding that when Fred asked you why you were supporting the Mayors Against Illegal Guns movement, your reply was a personal attack on Fred, his appearance, and even slanders and slurs against his background, his family, and his readers. I take offense at your unfounded attack.

I ask you, Mayor Ward, why you would belong to a group that, on the surface, would appear to be unnecessary. The only group of people I can think of that would be in SUPPORT of illegal guns would be criminals themselves. Perhaps, instead of increasing the level of legislation and adding more rules and regulations to an industry that is already heavily regulated, the politicians and law makers should encourage the law enforcement branches of the various levels of government to enforce the rules and regulations already in effect. Perhaps those in charge of enforcing laws (which, in most cases, includes the mayor) should be concentrating on detaining, prosecuting, and incarcerating those most likely to be involved with illegal weapons – that is, the criminal element present in each and every town in the US. Once the criminals figure out that they are going to be held accountable for their actions, their criminal actions will stop, one way or the other.

Personally attacking someone who asks you to explain your stance is not a very wise action, sir. Especially not for a politician. Claiming that the person asking you the question is only motivated by a third party is disingenuous at best. Assuming that Fred is incapable or unwilling to research items of interest before asking those involved why they are involved.

At the very least, I believe that you owe Texas Fred, his family, his readers, and his associates an intense, public, heartfelt, sincere and contrite apology for the juvenile response to his question.

Sincerely,

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

from Richard Ward
to Cary Cartter
date Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 14:42
subject Re: MAIG
mailed-by charter.net

Where are you from, Gary?

Dick

Mayor Ward:

Where I am from is not germane to this conversation; however, suffice it to say that I am a very proud American citizen and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Your inability to give a straight answer is troubling.

And my name is Cary, not Gary.

One more time, Mayor Ward – why do you feel it is necessary to belong to an organization that is illogical in it’s foundation? If you feel it is not illogical, please tell me how many people YOU know who are FOR illegal guns.

Thank you.

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

Cary, (my son’s name, I cannot believe I missed that.) Perhaps the attachment will help, but why do I think you will just try to find every little thing wrong with it that you can and not read it with an open mind?????
1AAMAIG Information.doc
95K View as HTML Open as a Google document Download

I didn’t get a chance to fully read the document, or start framing a reply, when this appeared in my in box:

You see, Cary, you read what you want to. And…old Fred did not attach all that was said. He started this fight by referring to me as an idiot mayor in his very first sentence, then went on to call me a disgrace. As a marine,for whom I have the greatest respect, I am disappointed in you.

Richard

He got that a little backwards, and one little lesson in logical reasoning will show that. Remember the links above? The second link, titled “When (IDIOT) Mayors Attack”, included the email written by Fred to Mayor Ward. How could Fred include an email not yet written in a post time stamped AFTER the email was sent? Yet, the Mayor insists that Fred referred to him as an idiot “in the first sentence” and then “went on to call [Mayor Ward] a disgrace.” Seems to me Fred called him a disgrace first, THEN referred to him as an idiot, but maybe that’s splitting hairs. However, this shows that a certain elderly mayor may not be in full control of his faculties.

Mayor Ward:

Thank you for sending me the 1AAMAIG Information document. I did read the entire document, and still have to wonder, why MAIG feels it needs to exist? I know that the document outlines what MAIG plans to do, what it supports, and what it is NOT about. I still want to know WHY MAIG needs to exist?

You said: “I have had contact with many of the Mayors in the group and I have yet to hear one of them even mention the word anti-gun.”

Well, no, they wouldn’t out right indicate that they are anti-gun. But when I read sentences like “That is why we have focused our efforts on helping law enforcement gain greater access to federal data on the origins of guns used in crimes … ” the anti-gun thought is the first thing that pops into my mind. Why? Because, unlike law-abiding citizens, criminals don’t fill out paperwork and wait for a background check before obtaining a firearm. Usually, they obtain the firearm through theft from a legal gun owner. “Greater access to federal data on the origins of guns” smacks of tracking and tracing ALL guns, ALL the time. Yes, even the old shotguns you have in the closet. Hmmm – a federal database of who owns what weapons… now, where have I heard of that before? Anyone? 1930s Germany? Naw – that couldn’t happen here.

“I joined this group so that I could be a part of the group that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals.”

You are already a part of a group (Law Enforcement Officers) that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals – or at least, that group is SUPPOSED to be doing something about them – that is, enforcing the laws already on the books, and making the lives of ordinary, law-abiding citizens safer in the process.

And the best part of your paper – the Statement of Principles that “… every mayor … signed … “. Good golly, does this mean that all of the mayors who signed the Statement are actually agreeing to do their jobs they were elected to do? For crying out loud, what the heck were all the mayors doing BEFORE they signed the Statement? Ignoring part of their job duties?

Back to my original question, slightly re-worded, Mayor Ward: Why do you feel that belonging to a group that has no LOGICAL reason for existing (who is FOR illegal guns? isn’t this organization just a duplication of effort for what the member should already be doing?) is necessary?

Thank you.

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

Since he sent two in a row, I replied separately to the second one:

Thank you for the respect you hold for members of the Armed Forces. May I say to you, a sincere Thank You for your service during the Korean Conflict. My father was a Marine in the same time frame.

I am surprised Fred called you an idiot in the first sentence. He usually waits until you give him reason to call you an idiot before you catch that side of him. Do you have a copy of his e-mail, where he calls you an idiot in the first sentence? I would like to see that, as I will hold him accountable for that. You see, he has stated that his first sentence to you was:

“How does it feel to be the ONLY Mayor in the entire state of Texas to sign on to this veiled attempt at a libber gun grab?”

And, the second sentence was conveyed as being:

“I sincerely hope your constituents take you to the wood shed in your next election.”

It was in the third, and final sentence, according to Fred, that he said:

“You are a disgrace!”

He says he closed his e-mail to your official e-mail with a link to the article referring to “450 Mayors Petition Obama”.

If I may say, he seems to have lost his edge a bit. Only three sentences, and not a slander among them. A question, incorporating his opinion of the group you belong to, a sincere hope for your political future, and his opinion of your actions. Certainly nothing there warranting a personal attack on him, his family, or his readers.

Sincerely,

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

Cary, You ask for the quote where Fred called me an idiot. This is what started it all.It is at the bottom. And do not forget to notice where he called me a disgrace. I think we are probably even in the name calling.

And Cary, Please don’t give me the company line that he was just speaking in general. When he used the plural, he was also calling me an idiot. But, some how I think he might have been right. I should never have allowed myself to react in the manner I did, but I have been beat up to the extent that it was time to fight back. My calling Fred Dumb and Ugly was just totally inappropriate. I would happily apologize, but I believe he would use it to re-open the door.

I will try my best to get to the rest of your questions by the end of the week.

And for what it is worth, the letters in support of my stand have far outnumbered the negative letters from the Texas Fred Group.

My best to you.

Richard

When (IDIOT) Mayors Attack

Today I ran a story about the 450 Mayors that are members of MAIG, Mayors Against Illegal Guns. 450 Mayors Petition Obama To Adopt Broad Gun Reform.

I found out that we only have 1 Mayor in the entire state of Texas that stood for this thinly veiled libber attempt at gun grabbing. Yes, they say ILLEGAL guns, but that is NOT what they mean. Their true intent is ALL guns, and as such, and being the gun guy I am, I sent an email to the City of Hurst Texas, directed to their Mayor, Richard Ward.

from: TexasFred
to: hurst@ci.hurst.tx.us
date: Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 10:36 AM
subject: To the Office of The Mayor
mailed – by texasfred.com
hide details 10:36 AM (0 minutes ago)

How does it feel to be the ONLY Mayor in the entire state of Texas to sign on to this veiled attempt at a libber gun grab? I sincerely hope your constituents take you to the wood shed in your next election. You are a disgrace!

450 Mayors Petition Obama To Adopt Broad Gun Reform

TexasFred
http://texasfred.net/
Guns don’t kill people
People KILL People

I see – so when he posted the item on his blog, AFTER he e-mailed you, is when you were referred to (or assumed you were referred to) as an idiot. The e-mail itself is not where he called you an idiot, contrary to what you said in an earlier e-mail.

Glad that got cleared up.

I don’t know if an apology to Fred would “open things back up” but I know for a fact that if you were to e-mail him and apologize, admitting that your actions were not in character for you, I can guarantee he would accept your apology like a man and move on from there. I can’t guarantee that you would no longer be in his sights for being on MAIG (which, even though I disagree with you about the whole direction and all, it is still your perogative to belong to that group) but he would accept your apology.

I look forward to reading your responses. I certainly understand that you have more correspondence in favor of your membership as opposed to those who have written from the “Texas Fred” group, I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed over time.

Again, however, it is your decision, and whether I agree or not will have no direct bearing on your career, since I am in Glendale, Arizona. I am, however, very concerned about any move against the Second Amendment, no matter how it is couched, and will do what I can to help target those who may not be fully aware of the ramifications of groups similar to MAIG who use overt measures to support covert movements (not that MAIG has proven itself to be doing as such, yet).

Thank you for your time, and again, I look forward to your responses.

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

So – faced with truth and facts, it seems this liberal posing as a conservative gun owner decided that he could not “convert” me, so he “signed off” – that is, I have been dismissed:

Cary, I just do not understand your first sentence below. So…, here goes my attempt; Fred sent his “When Idiot Mayors Attack” heading, it was sent on October 6 at 10:36 am. That was the first time I had ever heard or read anything about him. He also calls me stupid on October 6th in the article he ran with the “Idiot” heading. I replied on October 6th at 11:23, almost one hour after he called me an idiot and stupid in his attached article. He started this debacle, I did not.

Cary, I had truly thought that you might help us get on the right track and help start catching criminals again, but you just cannot seem to separate the facts.

My best to you and yours and once again, thanks for your service to our country.

Signing off!!!!

Richard Ward
Mayor

In other words, Cary, you aren’t following my moonbattery thoughts, and I can’t convert you, so don’t wait for any more answers from me!

Gee, Mayor Ward, I wonder who the new mayor of Hurst will be?

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

I love a good conversation. I love having a civil debate with level-headed persons. I enjoy debating the Second Amendment. I am a firm believer in the 2A, and believe that without it this long slide into socialism would have happened a lot faster.

That being said, I wish I could tell you about a stimulating conversation that a few of us bloggers are having over at Texas Fred’s. I say I wish I could, but the truth is, it’s the usual – conservatives ask questions, liberals dodge the question and attack the questioner. The conversation started with Fred himself posting about the Mayors Against Illegal Guns organization. One mayor in the state of Texas (at the time) was signed on to this piece of liberal gun-grabbing crap, the Mayor of Hurst, Texas – a man by the name of Richard Ward. Mayor Ward was not impressed with the simple and straight forward question posed by Fred. In a very professional and politically correct return e-mail, Mayor Ward said (and I quote):

Texas Fred,
You are as ugly as you are dumb.

Hey, Hurst, Texas! That’s YOUR tax dollars supporting this guy!

In a typical liberal response to being asked a direct question about a straight forward subject, the so-called “professional” politician launched an unfounded personal attack against the one asking the question.

I’ll let you go over and follow the thread.

You know me – I had to put my two cents in. I sent an e-mail to Mayor Ward, telling him a little bit about myself, where I was coming from, and then asked him a point-blank question. “I ask you, Mayor Ward, why you would belong to a group that, on the surface, would appear to be unnecessary. The only group of people I can think of that would be in SUPPORT of illegal guns would be criminals themselves.”

The Mayor’s response to my direct question?

“Where are you from, Gary?”

That’s all there was to it – “Where are you from?” Like that’s going to answer the question I had.

Mayor Ward:

Where I am from is not germane to this conversation; however, suffice it to say that I am a very proud American citizen and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Your inability to give a straight answer is troubling.

And my name is Cary, not Gary.

One more time, Mayor Ward – why do you feel it is necessary to belong to an organization that is illogical in it’s foundation? If you feel it is not illogical, please tell me how many people YOU know who are FOR illegal guns.

Thank you.

And, his response:

Cary, (my son’s name, I cannot believe I missed that.) Perhaps the attachment will help, but why do I think you will just try to find every little thing wrong with it that you can and not read it with an open mind?????

A copy of the attachment (unaltered) can be found here. I read the document – the whole thing. I have several questions for Mayor Ward:

Mayor Ward:

Thank you for sending me the 1AAMAIG Information document. I did read the entire document, and still have to wonder, why MAIG feels it needs to exist? I know that the document outlines what MAIG plans to do, what it supports, and what it is NOT about. I still want to know WHY MAIG needs to exist?

You said: “I have had contact with many of the Mayors in the group and I have yet to hear one of them even mention the word anti-gun.“

Well, no, they wouldn’t out right indicate that they are anti-gun. But when I read sentences like “That is why we have focused our efforts on helping law enforcement gain greater access to federal data on the origins of guns used in crimes … ” the anti-gun thought is the first thing that pops into my mind. Why? Because, unlike law-abiding citizens, criminals don’t fill out paperwork and wait for a background check before obtaining a firearm. Usually, they obtain the firearm through theft from a legal gun owner. “Greater access to federal data on the origins of guns” smacks of tracking and tracing ALL guns, ALL the time. Yes, even the old shotguns you have in the closet. Hmmm – a federal database of who owns what weapons… now, where have I heard of that before? Anyone? 1930s Germany? Naw – that couldn’t happen here.

“I joined this group so that I could be a part of the group that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals.“

You are already a part of a group (Law Enforcement Officers) that does something about illegal guns and guns in the hands of criminals – or at least, that group is SUPPOSED to be doing something about them – that is, enforcing the laws already on the books, and making the lives of ordinary, law-abiding citizens safer in the process.

And the best part of your paper – the Statement of Principles that “… every mayor … signed … “. Good golly, does this mean that all of the mayors who signed the Statement are actually agreeing to do their jobs they were elected to do? For crying out loud, what the heck were all the mayors doing BEFORE they signed the Statement? Ignoring their job duties?

Back to my original question, slightly re-worded, Mayor Ward: Why do you feel that belonging to a group that has no LOGICAL reason for existing (who is FOR illegal guns? isn’t this organization just a duplication of effort for what the member should already be doing?) is necessary?

Thank you.

Cary Cartter
In GOD We Trust
http://cartter.net

Something I didn’t ask Mayor Ward, but will if he grants me an answer or even a reply to my question, is that part in the Statement of Principles that says:

Whereas: 30,000 Americans across the country are killed every year as a result of gun violence, destroying families and communities in big cities and small towns;

30,000 people in the US are killed by firearms every year? What about OUTSIDE the Beltway? (bah-dum-bump!) But seriously, what about the 435,000 people every year who die from tobacco related products? WHy not outlaw and track and trace all the tobacco? How about the 85,000 who die from alcohol-related issues? How about the 365,000 from poor diet and lack of exercise? How are you going to legislate THAT?

And then there is this little conundrum:

Thune Concealed Carry Reciprocity Amendment: Mayors successfully supported efforts to ensure that the federal government does not override states’ authority to decide whether to recognize carry permits from out-of-state residents who have criminal records or can not meet the in-state safety training requirements.

None of the coalition’s positions conflict with any individual’s rights under the Second Amendment.

Now, according to the Second Amendment, the right of an individual to bear (possess, own, carry, display) arms shall not be infringed. In this case, it is a Federal Right (correction, as noted by Just John – this is an inalienable right, and outlined in the Constitution. The government is not GRANTING this right, but acknowledging that we have this right). All other rights not enumerated by the Constitution are to be held by the states. Since the Federal Right says I can bear arms, then the State cannot abridge or infringe upon that right. States, cities, counties, whatever, cannot, by Federal Law, infringe on the right of the individual to bear arms. The Thune Amendment had it backwards – the Federal Government is the one granting the right, and the States (counties, cities, whatever) do not have the right to override that right. Any law that says a citizen cannot own a gun is trampling on the Federal Right of the individual. A Concealed Weapon permit issued by any state in the union is valid anywhere in the union, in my opinion. Any individual in the United States has the right to openly carry a firearm, according to the Second Amendment. Saying the coalition’s position does not conflict with the 2A after saying the Federal Right does not override the state’s authority (in direct contrast to the Constitution’s assertion that it gives the individual the right to bear arms, and since it is a right granted by the Government shall not be over ridden by the states) is a direct contradiction of of the enumeration clause.

Just a little food for thought.

See also Storm’n Norman, An Ol’ Broad’s Rambling.

Quick reminder – “The O Word“ on BlogTalkRadio, Friday morning, 0700 Mountain Standard Time. Something tells me you might here a good part of this then, too.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the passing of my sister, LeaAnn. She battled breast cancer for twenty five years. We miss you, Beetle.

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

I am a carnivore.

That is, I like to eat meat. Beef, preferably. I’ll settle for a pork chop or a rack of pork ribs if need be, but I prefer beef. Steak. Roast. Even beef ribs. Rare. Bloody rare. When the waitress asks how I want my steak, I tell her I want it so a good paramedic can have it up and mooing inside of three minutes.

So – today at the deli, one of the tasks was to slice up a couple of rare beef roasts for roast beef sandwiches. The slicer (a mean, fast, horribly powerful model that gobbles up five pound blocks of cheese or ten pound turkey breasts and spits out perfectly sliced results every time. the blade is twelve inches across and sharp enough to take off a finger tip before you feel it) has a habit of throwing small chunks that didn’t quite slice correctly back at the operator. I’ve worn face masks of provolone, muenster, swiss, turkey, even ham. Today was going to be a first, and I was, in a sick and weird sort of way, looking forward to it.

That is, right up until it started happening. I forgot to factor in the B-grade horror movie aspect of the result. There was just something about having red meat chunks flinging at you that can be a mite unsettling, especially with congealed fat and chunks of still-cold blood mixed in. After slicing ten pounds of beef, Chef came back to pick up the pan. He took one look at me and said “Nice meat mask.”

It was not what I had thought it would be like.

Quick reminder – BlogTalkRadio, Friday Morning, 0700 Mountain Standard Time. The “O” Word – and this time, I’ll have the microphone plugged into the right jack!

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!