Al Qaida has tickets to the gun show

Gun safety advocates now have another weapon in their arsenal: al-Qaida spokesperson Adam Gadahn preaching the ease of obtaining guns in the United States in order to do “major damage to the enemies of Islam.” We’ll never be safe from every possible danger, every contingency able to be schemed by those who wish to do us harm. But it is laughable that such an obvious danger be allowed to exist in our society for so long.

Bad Addy.

For those who would cling to their rifles with cold, dead fingers, the gun show loophole – the ability to purchase guns without background checks at a “private” event – has been held up as the symbol of our God-given rights as ‘mericans. Despite my personal disgust with guns, I have absolute confidence in the right of the people to bear arms as necessary to the security of a free state. Closing the gun show loophole has nothing to do with the Second Amendment.

Naturally, defenders of gun rights are taking the civil  liberties high ground; as indefensible a position it is, it is the only one left. Shenandoah County Delegate Todd Gilbert assured his campaign donors: “It’s all the more reason to embrace the freedoms we hold dear.” This is the kind of rhetoric we get from a group that maintains that guns don’t kill people, they just get people killed.

Somewhat ironically, if Obama pushes for a national gun safety standard, I believe it will likely be interpreted as a fulfilled prophecy by the thousands of who caused a run on ammunition after the 2008 election. To such fanatics, the sky is always falling and the man is always out to get them.

Revised ward plan proposed for Norfolk

The new plan, presented by former NRHA board member Rodney Jordan, would shift voting wards to more accurately reflect the city’s racial composition – eliminating Norfolk City Council’s 5-3 majority of white members “if people voted upon racial lines.” 47% of Norfolk residents identify themselves as white, 43% as black, and 10% as other races.

I give props where props are due, but a thumbs down this morning for The Pilot’s coverage. Specifically: 1) avoid trivializing a racially-charged issue by referring to it as “a new twist.” 2) If you’re discussing changes to a map, could the map be included? I know The Pilot has an awesome map person on staff because I’ve seen his work. AltDaily, on the other hand, has only volunteer writers who redirect traffic. Luckily we also have Max with the maps.

Hampton Roads will become hot as a bastard by week’s end

…According to WVEC’s Jeff Lawson.

AltDaily Weather, however, predicts it will become hot as a witch’s tit. Raining men is unexpected.

With help from The Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Eagle Cam back up

It’s pretty awesome, people. If you’re already a fan, also check out satellite feeds of Planet Earth, streaming on the NASA Channel (Cox 238). Great background for parties.

Today’s dose of schadenfreude

If you feel like letting go, hang on. Everybody hurts. Reading this will make you feel better about your own sorry life, I promise.

World of Goo being removed from Elizabeth River

Yes, yes, yes. A spark of faith, ignited by dredged creosote, that one day my children might be able to safely swim in the Elizabeth River. Big kudos to the Elizabeth River Project and Old Dominion University for the largest initiative of its kind, and to The Pilot’s Scott Harper for his sticky reporting on the subject.

On a side note, you have note made full use of your iPad until you play World of Goo. Call me. We can talk strategy.

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