The WAG THE DOG Manifesto!

[WaltGraham]

I don't believe I've ever bought a new gun of any kind that didn't have SOME sort of "cosmetic blemish" on it, if I looked hard enough.

True enough, and those cosmetic flaws are usually good for an additional discount... On the topic, I would contend that we non-Fuddist types have been the dog rather than the tail for many years. It's just that most of the noise, until recently, has been emanating from the aft end of the dog.

[Overload]

A Walmart I went to here in Colorado has removed all its guns.  It had carried a display of long guns and shotguns.  I'll try and visit or call other local stores tomorrow (my day off).

So, not just in NH stores.  Trend?  New policy?  Important?

Overload in Colorado

[Pathfinder]

I know that Dickie Daley's henchmen in the Chicago and Cook County areas basically coerced a lot of stores into giving up their firearms, or dealing only in long guns. The Wal-Mart in Rolling Meadows, for instance, dropped all gun sales at one point. I haven't been back there in four years, but I doubt they started selling them again.

So maybe Wal-Mart, with all of its woes in Chicago (they can't open a store without being unionized and/or paying huge salaries with benefits), or due to gun sales (or lack thereof) just decided to remove one more obstacle in highly contentious locations.

In North Dakota, they sell long guns no problem.

[Snake45]

True enough, and those cosmetic flaws are usually good for an additional discount

Never works for me. For some reason, when I buy a gun, it's always a seller's market, take it or leave it.

Back in the '70s, I worked for a while at a big sporting goods chain that was not only a retailer for Remington and S&W, but a direct jobber for them as well. Those were the Smith-frenzy years. We took what we could get from them. We'd get some M29s and M59s and M66s and other cool stuff but for everything halfway interesting we got, we also had to take a dozen plain M10s and M36s. And also a buttload of the holsters they were pushing at the time, and their ammo, too. I think we even had to take some of their awful pump shotguns off their hands, too. We didn't sell THOSE to people we knew or liked. 

[gringle84]

Mr. Bane and all,
       First of all, great site and thank you for allowing me aboard.

The Zumbo Syndrome Effect is still reverberating around the net and also the halls of Congress and many are watching and listening. If Mr. Ted Nugent does educate Mr. Zumbo and he is sincere about learning of the REAL Second Amendment and does carry water to others who are so ignorant, that will be a big plus for freedom.

This is not 1994 and all those who would throw away some to save others are now on NOTICE that those who cherish all the freedoms will not sit still as before. A line has been drawn in the sand so to speak, you are either for the Second Amendment or you are against it. Some will be hard line and never forgive Mr. Zumbo, others are waiting for action on his part before forgiving him and still there are others who believe the way he spoke in that infamous blog and see no need to forgive. Those latter ones and many others are the ones a sincere and changed Mr. Zumbo can reach.

With the size of the INTERNET today and the speed of how the Zumbo Syndrome Effect moved and Mr. Nugent's efforts in eduction, we have a good chance to turn all of this into an asset for gun rights. The last few statements from Mr. Zumbo I have heard gave me hope that he is learning.

The big question is how to get ALL firearm owners/Second Amendment activists on the same page, and use the power of the Zumbo Effect on all who try to gut the Second Amendment be it at the Federal, State or Local levels.

Mr. Zumbo has woke a sleeping giant and many are watching, some radical, many not, ALL need to take a step back and see who the REAL enemies are and focus on the fight ahead. Maybe an INTERNET clearinghouse needs to be sit up so those looking for information don't have to search all over the net?

I do hope Mr. Zumbo is sincere and time will tell.

Robert
N.R.A. Life Member

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Following up on gringle84's excellent comments, I had this thought.

I know we aren't all their constituents, but if we could get a list of the newly elected Democrats who are supposedly pro-gun, and do the following:

1. recount Mr. Zumbo's article and the comments he's made.
2. His apology and the aftermath of lossing his sponsors.
3. The Internet firestorm, and the rapidity with which it happened.
4. Note the Democrat's published pro-gun stance.
5. Urge them to stand firm against the Shumers, Clintons, Boxers, Feinsteins, Kennedys, et als.
6. Let them know that any wavering from the 2nd Amendment would be immediately known and noted

These freshman legislators are weak compared to the folks mentioned above. They do not know the political lay of the land, and will be looking to the more senior members for guidance. And, if they want anything passed, they will have to make deals. Let them know that the deals cannot include sacrificing any part of our 2nd Amendment rights. If they waver and support any limitation, we will know and act.

I agree with another DRTV poster that the 2nd Amendment is the only issue of concern right now. Forget Iraq, Social Security, the budget or anything else. For this moment in time, protect the 2nd Amendment at all costs.

[Marshal Halloway]

A round-up of comments:

 
• Zumbo:

 
1. Alphecca : A Liberal Looks at the Zumbo Affair 
 
2. The Bitch Girls: I Thought It Was Over
 
3. The Bitch Girls: An Outdoor Writer Speaks
 
4. Blogonomicon: The NRA didn't do it
 
5. Blogonomicon: I think this will be my last word on the incident...
 
6. Cam Edwards: NRA Publications Suspends Ties to Zumbo
 
7. David Petzal: ZUMBOMANIA: David E. Petzal’s take on the Jim Zumbo fiasco
   ZUMBOMANIA: David E. Petzal’s take on the Jim Zumbo fiasco
 
8. David Petzal: ZUMBOMANIA, PART II: David E. Petzal responds to your comments
 
9. FreedomSight: Zumboed Out
 
10. FreedomSight: One More Time, It Ain’t About Hunting
    One More Time, It Ain’t About Hunting
 
11. GunShowOnTheNet: Jim Zumbo apologizes on Nugent's Forum
 
12. Hell in a Handbasket: A Matter of Intent
 
13. John Lott: Washington Post Gets it wrong: "Criticism of hunters who use assault rifles puts writer’s career in jeopardy"
    Washington Post Gets it wrong: "Criticism of hunters who use assault rifles puts writer’s career in jeopardy"
 
14. Live from the (upper) Texas Gulf Coast: Another Fuddite Steps Up to His Petard...
 
15. Live from the (upper) Texas Gulf Coast: Zumbo's Favor to Gunnies and the Industry, and Other Observations
 
16. Michael Bane: OUTDOOR LIFE Does It Right
 
17. Musing: Jim Zumbo learns a valuable lesson
 
18. Pro-Gun Progressive: David Kurtz Responds
 
19. Pro-Gun Progressive: The Liberal Blogosphere Finally Picks Up The Zumbo Thing
 
20. Ride Fast & Shoot Straight: More Zumbo fallout - skirmish lines forming
 
21. SayUncle: Careful, you might get Zumboed
 
22. SayUncle: Petzal responds
 
23. Snowflakes in Hell: When Hunters Attack
 
24. Snowflakes in Hell: The Zumbo Defenders
 
25. Snowflakes in Hell: Zumboing Politics
 
26. Snowflakes in Hell: Further Thoughts on “Zumboing”
    Further Thoughts on “Zumboing”
 
27. The Ten Ring: A Need to Educate the Dedicated Hunter
 
28. TheOtherSideofKim Front Page: Both Wrong
 
29. TheOtherSideofKim Front Page: Oh, Really?
 
30. Triggerfinger: Discipline
 
31. Triggerfinger: Failing to learn from experience…
    Failing to learn from experience…
 
32. New WarOnGuns Poll: Zumbo and Petzal
 
33. Xavier Thoughts: Who's Next?
 
34. Xavier Thoughts: Thoughts on Ted & Zumbo......
    Thoughts on Ted & Zumbo......
 
35. Xavier Thoughts: Jim Zumbo Finally Gets It

[Michael Bane]

Robert;

You are corrrect...the most important thing now is to make sure we're all on the same page, because there's a war coming. We already see it in Colorado and the beginnings of it in Washington. The Democratic Party and guns reminds me of that old joke about the scorpion and the frog, where the scorpion stings the frong as the frog is carrying him across the pond, the punch line being something to the effect of, "What did you expect? I'm a scorpion!" No matter that gun control is a suicidal issue for the Dems; no matter that they promise again and again and at great lengths to stay away from gun control...it's like heroin to them. Gun control is part of the Democractic Party DNA, and they quite literally can't stop themselves, even if it guarantees their eventual defeat.

The Republican Party, OTOH, could care less about the 2nd Amendment, the gun culture, "assault weapons" or, for that matter, us...we are convenient swing votes. For the most part, the Repubs treat us like the crazy uncle in the closet...quick example...Rudy Guliani...the present darling of the Republican Party for 2008...as antigun a politician as ever walked the face of the earth...last Friday NRO wondered briefly if there might be a problem with Guliani and the gun culture. Gee, ya'think? Our vote is taken for granted in Republican councils — as I was told, "So what? Are you going to vote for the Democrats? Or stay home like you guys did with Bush Senior and get another Clinton?"

The only reason the bulk of the Republican Party doesn't totally sell us out is the Zumbo Effect.

Michael B

[DonWorsham]

Robert;

You are corrrect...t

Which one is Robert?

[howlrwy]

Jerry,

I just read that wonderful message about your dad and how he thought a rifle should be and wow!  It made me think of my own dad and also his uncle, both of whom taught me what hunting and fishing was all about.  Anyone looking at my collection would see that background too, though these days I have my share of auto pistols along with the revolvers.  My rifles are either bolt, lever or single shot.  The only auto loading rifle we have is the old .22 my wife got from her grandfather.