Category: Grumpy’s hall of Shame
New Jersey Governor Ends Public Land Bear Hunting
New Jersey –-(Ammoland.com)- Fulfilling a campaign promise to the best of his ability, newly elected Gov. Philip Murphy has ended black bear hunting by executive order on all state-controlled public lands in New Jersey.
The order stops short of an outright ban on bear hunting in the Garden State only because, as stated in the order, the governor doesn’t possess the power to do so. That power resides with the New Jersey Fish and Game Council, which has authorized black bear hunting for the last eight years and through 2021.
“This is pure political pandering at its finest. Gov. Murphy knows that the wildlife experts in his own agencies use the best available science and practices when evaluating wildlife populations and setting hunting regulations,” said Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “This backdoor attempt to undermine scientific wildlife management is a slap in the face to those biologists, presents a clear and present danger to New Jersey’s citizens and, ultimately, hurts the entire population of bears.”
Dense is the best way to describe New Jersey. It is the most densely populated state in the country with approximately 9 million citizens, and is estimated to have the densest population of black bears with surveys topping 3,500 bears in just the northern portion of the state.
With a robust population of black bears and such a large population of people, sightings, conflicts and attacks have taken place regularly in New Jersey – including the death of a student in 2014.
In his executive order, Gov. Murphy admits that neither his office nor the Commissioner of Environmental Protection have the power to unilaterally alter or cancel a hunt, something that has been upheld several times in court.
Instead, Gov. Murphy invokes safety on public lands as the motivation to end the hunt, even though all research affirms that hunting remains one of the safest activities millions of people engage in every year.
“New Jersey laws, court decisions and 100 years of wildlife management science all attest to how flawed Gov. Murphy’s logic is, and so he’s wielding the only political power he has been able to muster, and that is to discriminate against and attack the public-lands hunter via an executive order,” said Heusinkveld. “Millions of people depend on public lands in this country, and this is a perfect example of why so many sportsmen fear the transfer of federal lands to state ownership.”
The Sportsmen’s Alliance is evaluating its legal options to protect New Jersey sportsmen, public-land hunters, state biologists and scientific wildlife management.
Activists demand more social justice in Medieval Studies
- Conference organizers, however, insist that workshops like “How to Be a White Ally in Medieval Studies 101” and “Toxic Medievalisms” were rejected based on standard criteria such as lack of intellectual justification.
A prominent association of medieval studies scholars has pledged to boycott the discipline’s largest annual conference over a lack of social justice programming.
On July 11, the BABEL Working Group published an open letter to the organizers of the International Congress on Medieval Studies (ICMS), which is planning to host its annual conference of about 3,000 academics at Western Michigan University in May 2019, outlining two “concerns” about the conference.
On July 11, the BABEL Working Group published an open letter to the organizers of the International Congress on Medieval Studies (ICMS), which is planning to host its annual conference of about 3,000 academics at Western Michigan University in May 2019, outlining two “concerns” about the conference.
“Decisions that seem in favor of ‘academic freedom’ or ‘fairness’ to the current small group of decision-makers, for others, reinforce structural inequalities.” Tweet This
“The first is that there seems to be a bias against, or lack of interest in, sessions that are self-critical of medieval studies, or focused on the politics of the field in the present, especially relative to issues of decoloniality, globalization, and anti-racism,” the letter explains, adding that the second concern relates to an alleged “lack of transparency around the process by which ICMS programming decisions are made.”
[RELATED: Profs fear ‘alt-right’ is taking over Medieval Studies]
The letter, which has been signed by more than 600 people as of press time, argues that by rejecting workshops such as “How to Be a White Ally in Medieval Studies 101,” “Toxic Medievalisms,” and “Intersectionality and the Medieval Romance,” the ICMS organizers are hurting scholars of color and excluding their perspectives.
“The rejection of multiple sessions co-sponsored by Medievalists of Color (MOC) in particular minimizes the intellectual guidance that scholars of color would provide at the conference, when these scholars are already severely underrepresented in the field,” the letter protests.
Other workshops rejected by ICMS organizers included “Toxic Medievalisms: Misuses and Abuses of the Medieval in Contemporary Culture,” “Race and the Medieval,” “Translations of Power: Race, Class, and Gender Intersectionality in the Middle Ages I and II,” and more.
[RELATED: Prof: ‘white marble’ in artwork contributes to white supremacy]
While the BABEL Working Group suggests foul play, a review of previous conference schedulesindicates that social justice issues are not typically discussed at the conference.
Instead, workshops on topics such as “Commemorating Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians,” “Transmaterial Dynamics between Italy and Iran,” and “Law as Culture: Inquisition, Landholding, and Murder” are more likely to be seen during the event.
In an effort to influence the topics of discussion at the upcoming conference, the BABEL Working Group demands that the ICMS organizers allow at least two of the previously rejected workshops to be added to the 2019 schedule, threatening to withdraw thousands of dollars in annual support if the ICMS does not comply.
“If ICMS chooses not to recognize the special urgency of supporting the Medievalists of Color this year…the BABEL Working Group does not anticipate putting more of our collective resources into the Congress,” the open letter warns.
[RELATED: University drops ‘Crusaders’ nickname to be ‘welcoming and inclusive’]
“Now is an urgent, contested time in medieval studies and in the world at large,” the letter asserts. “What may look like duplicate sessions to the current small group of decision-makers are, for others, urgently different conversations that need to happen for the field to be inclusive and to move forward. Decisions that seem in favor of ‘academic freedom’ or ‘fairness’ to the current small group of decision-makers, for others, reinforce structural inequalities.”
The letter goes on to invoke “the current political climate here in the US and abroad” as justification for why the rejected workshop proposals should be reinstated, suggesting that the field of medieval studies should serve as “a site of resistance” against the “darker forces” of nationalism and academic freedom.
“We implore the Congress Committee to work together with us to ensure that the discipline of medieval studies will act as a site of resistance to, and also refuge from, these darker forces,” the letter concludes.
[RELATED: Prof: ‘Privileging of standard English’ is ‘linguistic racism’]
In an interview with Campus Reform, ICMS spokeswoman Paula Davis said that conference workshops are approved based on a strict criteria, including “the intellectual justifications offered for individual sessions,” “the balance of topics addressed,” “the balance of sessions of various formats,” and “apparent redundancies among proposed sessions.”
Davis noted that the ICMS is aware of the open letter, but explained that the group will only respond if and when the letter is formally presented to the organizers of the upcoming conference.
CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to reflect that the International Congress on Medieval Studies conference will be held at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, not Kalamazoo College.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @Toni_Airaksinen
Here is another good news piece from Vice. Which like a lot of the media has its problems. But they do some good & interestings stories about stuff the other clowns either ignore. Or is not allowed to look into. Grumpy
From Gunpowder Magazine
South Africa Calls for 300,000 Gun Owners to Turn Over Their Weapons
By: José Niño
South Africa is opening the door for tyranny.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa recently ruled that 300,000 gun owners must turn in their firearms.
This judgement came in response to the North Gauteng High Court’s ruling in 2017 which said Section 24 and Section 28 of the Firearm’s Control Act were unconstitutional.
A report from The Citizen explains what Section 24 and Section 28 entail:
South Africa is opening the door for tyranny.
The Constitutional Court of South Africa recently ruled that 300,000 gun owners must turn in their firearms.
This judgement came in response to the North Gauteng High Court’s ruling in 2017 which said Section 24 and Section 28 of the Firearm’s Control Act were unconstitutional.
A report from The Citizen explains what Section 24 and Section 28 entail:
“Section 24 of the Act requires that any person who seeks to renew a licence must do so 90 days before its expiry date Section 28 stipulates that if a firearm licence has been cancelled‚ the firearm must be disposed of or forfeited to the state. A 60-day time frame was placed on its disposal, which was to be done through a dealer.”
Now that the High Court’s initial ruling has been overturned, gun owners who failed to renew their firearms licenses must hand in their firearms to the nearest police station, where authorities will then proceed to destroy them.
Many naïve political observers will paint this event as a casual gun control scheme, but any astute student of politics will recognize that the floodgates are now open for further encroachments – not only on the gun rights of South Africans, but also on others facets of theirs lives.
A look at South Africa’s current political climate will give us an idea of the potential ramifications of this gun control scheme.
Political Trouble Brewing in South Africa?
Though South Africa witnessed rising levels of economic freedom shortly after Apartheid ended in 1994, the country has taken a more interventionist path to economic development in recent years.
This situation is becoming more pronounced with the South African National Assembly recently voting 241-83 to amend the South African constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.
The socialist-leaning African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) parties are leading the charge for expropriation under the banner of fixing racial disparities that have supposedly remained intact since Apartheid’s conclusion.
While land confiscation has not been officially finalized, South Africans should worry about the direction their country is going.
And how does gun control fit into this equation?
Gun Control: A Tool for Tyranny
No matter how socialist apologists rationalize it, the redistributionist agenda the South African government is pursuing will not be implemented passively. Ultimately, it must be carried out by force.
The kind of force socialists seek is a monopolized kind, which extreme forms of gun control like gun confiscation help facilitate.
The history of gun confiscation is one of repeated cases of tyranny.
From countries such as Cuba to the Soviet Union, aspiring demagogues have used gun confiscation to disarm the populace. Logically, an unarmed populace will put up little resistance against their tyrannical acts.
In South Africa’s case, farmers and their workers are already suffering ongoing attacks against their property. One could only imagine what it would be like for these persecuted farmers once they are stripped of their right to self-defense.
For many Americans who have enjoyed historically unprecedented gun rights, South Africa’s gun control experience may seem distant and strange.
But make no mistake about it, South Africa’s latest flirtation with gun control is not based on good intentions, especially when considering the political climate the country is enduring.
South Africa should serve as a fair warning to Americans of the dangerous consequences gun control poses.
José Niño is a Venezuelan-American political activist based in Fort Collins, Colorado.
California Supreme Court Upholds ‘Impossible’ Gun Control Law
The Supreme Court of California upheld a micro-stamping requirement for semiautomatic handguns Thursday — even though the technology does not exist to allow manufacturers to comply.
The Associated Press summed up the court’s ruling: “The California Supreme Court says state laws cannot be invalidated on the grounds that complying with them is impossible.”
Juliet Williams✔@JWilliamsAP
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — In ruling on bullet-stamping law, California Supreme Court says state laws cannot be invalidated on the grounds that complying with them is impossible.
The microstamping requirement, or “bullet stamping law,” as it is sometimes called. Requires that semiautomatic handguns sold in California have a special, one-of-kind marker affixed to their firing pins so a special fingerprint is left on each spent shell casing.
The idea is to give law enforcement a means to take shell casings from a crime scene and trace them back to the firearm’s owner.
Many problems exist with this proposed scenario. First, the technology does not exist. No manufacturer who is importing guns into California makes a firearm that puts a special mark on spent shell casings.
Anti-gun protester David Hogg — protected by armed guards?
JUNE 22, 2018
David Hogg is a VIP now.
The 18-year-old attended the Parkland, Florida school where a student murdered 17 people in February, then made himself famous with relentless calls for gun control in the wake of the tragedy.
Now he’s got a book deal, and publicists — and armed guards.
Sean Di Somma snapped some pictures of Hogg strolling the streets of New York City recently with his new entourage in tow.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaHere’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites
“Here’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and a bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites,” Di Somma posted to Twitter.
Check out the photo:
The posted prompted a tit-for-tat with Hogg and his supporters.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaHere’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites pic.twitter.com/NsT9NiN5cv
David Hogg✔@davidhogg111
Love you too
“Love you too,” Hogg wrote in response to Di Somma’s tweet.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSomma
“Get dat money,” Di Somma shot back, along with a goofy meme.
Jeff Walsh, a Hogg defender, chimed in.
Jeff Walsh@haterobicsThe book proceeds are going to gun reform charities, not to David or his sister, so yeah, the more he promotes the book, the more it supports his cause (albeit not his wallet).
“The book proceeds are going to gun reform charities, not to David or his sister, so yeah, the more he promotes the book, the more it supports his cause (albeit not his wallet),” Walsh wrote.
Jeff Walsh@haterobicsThe book proceeds are going to gun reform charities, not to David or his sister, so yeah, the more he promotes the book, the more it supports his cause (albeit not his wallet).
David Hogg✔@davidhogg111
This ^^^^, you know @SeanDiSomma you should really read the book if you did you would know we’re pro second amendment.
“This ^^^^,” Hogg added, “you know @SeanDiSomma you should really read the book if you did you would know we’re pro second amendment.”
David Hogg✔@davidhogg111
This ^^^^, you know @SeanDiSomma you should really read the book if you did you would know we’re pro second amendment.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaI’m going to take a pass. I’m not really into books pushing shallow agendas not written by the listed author. Good luck to you though; if this sells well, surely there’s a nice advance for the next one. #capitalism
“I’m going to take a pass,” Di Somma replied. “I’m not really into books pushing shadow agendas not written by the listed author. Good luck to you though; if this sells well, surely there’s a nice advance for the next one. #capitalism”
Other folks on the thread simply pointed out the obvious.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaHere’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites pic.twitter.com/NsT9NiN5cv
Jim_Gerber@jgerber816Perfect Hypocrite Hogg. Speaking out every day about taking other peoples guns but oh so willing to have people with guns protecting him.
“Perfect Hypocrite Hogg. Speaking out every day about taking other people’s guns but oh so willing to have people with guns protecting him,” Jim Gerber wrote.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaHere’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites pic.twitter.com/NsT9NiN5cv
bigh ♤@gighurlBut why does he need armed guards? I understand its because of death threats but…he is in new york, guns are banned there correct????
“But why does he need armed guards? I understand its because of death threats but … he is in New York, guns are banned there correct?” bigh added.
Sean Di Somma@SeanDiSommaHere’s @davidhogg111 in NYC today with armed guards and bunch of publicists. #neveragain #Hypocrites pic.twitter.com/NsT9NiN5cv
GA Patriot@GA_Patriot912But @davidhogg111 I thought armed guards were not an answer to security? Who is Paying for him? @Everytown ? @georgesoros ? What makes you Special or better that anyone else in NYC?
Shoppers Step Over Bodies at Hogg-Led Publix Protests
After having begun the week receiving national attention for being run by people too stupid to know the difference between academic achievement and pornography, Publix Supermarkets Inc. finished it letting everyone know that the company’s corporate stupidity is here to stay:
The Hill✔@thehill
Publix suspends political contributions after being pressured by Parkland shooting survivors http://hill.cm/JWdLGHf
The Newly Press has more:
Liberal Democrats who believe in bullying people and/or corporations into submission ought to feel proud today, ladies and gentlemen, because thanks to the bullying of David Hogg and his peers, one major Florida company has just abdicated its free speech rights.
The bullying started this week after Hogg, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Florida three months earlier, began targeting a popular employee-owned supermarket chain that employees over 190,000 Americans.
Publix supermarket chain attracted the 18-year-old gun control zealot’s ire after he learned that it had contributed over half a million dollars to the Florida gubernatorial campaign of Adam Putnam, a Second Amendment advocate and proud NRA member.
For those who have been busy enjoying life and not reading news about David Hogg, the kid’s modus operandi (not dirty, Publix, I swear!) is to use his Prized Progressive Puppet status to bully anyone who disagrees with him into silence.
As the progs and Democrats really have nothing else going for them at the moment, he’s getting an extension on his fifteen minutes of fame.
While Hogg’s spiteful focus is currently on NRA supporters, the odds are probably pretty good that the kid will be branching out to a variety of other leftist issues before long.
These thoughts and actions aren’t his own, remember. His handlers are grooming him for bigger things. Look for him to be targeting anyone who opposes taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood any day now.
There is also a fairly decent chance Hogg will eventually be a violent alcoholic because, instead of getting the trauma counseling he so desperately needed, heartless progressive activists kept shoving him in front of television cameras while he was still in shock.
The real laugher in all of this is that every time Hogg gets a victory with public threats and bullying, he starts blathering about “love”:
David Hogg✔@davidhogg111
Together we can do anything. Together the young people will win by choosing love.
“Yay! I just threatened to destroy people and it worked again! Also: love or something.”
You know what I love? This picture from Hogg’s “die-in”:
Emilee McGovern@EmileeRoseThis is America. #PublixDieIn #neveragainmsd
“Oh, you’re having a die-in? Well, I’m having a walk-over. It’s a holiday weekend and I’m making fruit salad for the barbecue.”
Not every hero wears a cape.
Publix managed a couple of perverse publicity bookends for the week. They dishonored a kid who quietly achieved highest academic honors, then honored a kid who publicly complained about not being accepted at any of the universities he wanted to go to.
“Florida Man” has now become “Florida Company.”