Conservatives, Liberals Unite On SCOTUS Gun Case

It has been said that "politics makes strange bedfellows" over the years.

But a Supreme Court case involving a pot-user's Second Amendment rights is now before the court. It appears that the justices might side with marijuana users. Conservatives and liberals seem united in defending a weed-smoker's Second Amendment rights.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported:

A Texas man’s case illustrates the potential for common ground between right-leaning critics of gun control and left-leaning critics of the war on drugs.

Under federal law, millions of Americans are committing felonies right now because they own guns and use marijuana, even if they live in states that have legalized the drug. There is nothing unconstitutional about that baffling situation, a Trump administration lawyer assured the Supreme Court on Monday, because cannabis consumers are analogous to “habitual drunkards,” who historically could be confined to workhouses or mental institutions.

Most of the justices, including both Republican and Democratic appointees, seemed skeptical of that claim. Their agreement reflected the trans-partisan alliances inspired by this case, which illustrates the potential for common ground between right-leaning critics of gun control and left-leaning critics of the war on drugs.

The case, which sits at the intersection of those two policies, involves Ali Hemani, a Texas man who was charged with illegal gun possession in 2023 after an FBI search of his home discovered a Glock 19 pistol, about 2 ounces of marijuana, and less than a gram of cocaine. Hemani admitted that the gun was his, and that he smoked marijuana a few times a week, which would have been enough to convict him.

To read the full article, go here. 

Why Won't Conservatives Give Up Their Guns?

 

The Buckley Documentary

Above, William F. Buckley Jr. in an undated photo from Wikipedia.

Last night was the first time in months that I stayed up to almost 11:00. This was to watch the PBS documentary, "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley".

I learned a lot about William F. Buckley Jr. from the program. It was interesting that many of the liberals who appeared on Firing Line were also personal friends. It was refreshing to see how friendships can be made despite political differences. 

It was interesting to see a photo of Buckley shaking hands with Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy would not appear on Firing Line. When asked why, Buckley quipped, "Why does the baloney avoid the slicer?"

Above, Buckley and Robert Kennedy.

Buckley passed away while working in his study. At the time, he was working on a book on Barry Goldwater. He was 82.

The only thing that marred the program for me was the Trump-bashing at the end. Otherwise, it was a worthwhile documentary.

UPDATE:

I just discovered that the full documentary has been posted at YouTube.

Here it is:

"The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" On PBS Friday

PBS American Masters will be airing "The Incomparable Mr. Buckley" on Friday (9:00 PM on New Mexico PBS 5.1) evening. (Check your local listings.)

It takes a look at William F. Buckley Jr., one of the fathers of the modern conservative movement in American politics. This is one program that I am looking forward to seeing.

I have some of Buckley's books such as In The Jeweler's Eye, Quotations From Chairman Bill and Up From Liberalism. I was a regular viewer of his Firing Line television show and read National Review.

I remember seeing Buckley at the 1976 Republican National Convention as he took a "stroll" on the convention floor. I was a California Reagan delegate at that convention in Kansas City, Missouri. He received a great welcome from the delegates.

Here's the official trailer:

Trump Triumphs At CPAC

Former President Donald Trump gave a rousing speech today at CPAC in Orlando, Florida.

He paid tribute to Rush Limbaugh, who passed away two weeks ago. His widow, Kathryn, was present to receive Trump's tribute.

He also strongly hinted that he will be running again in 2024 (Holy Grover Cleveland, Batman!). He also said that he will be out campaigning for America First Republicans and against RINO Republicans (he listed the RINOs he'll be going after).

Of course, he attacked His Fraudulency Joe Biden for his disastrously bad 40 days in office. 

Trump also won a straw poll of CPAC attendees by over 50%.

Trump At CPAC

Above, former President Donald Trump arrives on state at CPAC today.

"I may even decide to beat them for the third time!" - President Donald Trump at CPAC.

Leftist Congressional Tyrants Want To Muzzle Conservative Media

The radical leftists in congress are trying to muzzle conservative media. This is something you'd find in communist states.

From Real Clear Politics:

On Feb. 24, House Democrats will hold a hearing on “traditional media’s role in promoting disinformation and extremism.” This hearing is a dangerous threat to American democracy and goes entirely against what the Founders intended when they made a free press Americans’ guaranteed First Amendment right in the Constitution.

It’s also just the latest threat against free speech from the left, which has now mainstreamed a despotic desire to use government to cancel conservative speech. Just last week, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof called for Fox News to be on trial for supporting former President Donald Trump. This is the same Kristof who recently began calling for a War on Terror-style campaign against Trump supporters and “the ecosystem that produces them” -- completely missing the key difference between the right to free speech and the lack of rights to commit political violence.

Kristof’s dangerous rhetoric joins that of other influential mainstream media figures who are targeting media they deem too friendly towards Trump. Washington Post columnist Max Boot wants cable companies to cut off Fox, and MSNBC commentator Anand Giridharadas suggests that the outlet shouldn’t even exist. 

Freedom of expression is essential to a flourishing democracy, which is why I oppose unconstitutional limits on free speech. It’s why I supported the rights of liberal groups like the Brennan Center to oppose my nomination to the Federal Elections Commission 20 years ago even though they said things I felt were often unfair and sometimes untrue. Kristof has the right to publish his views if they are peaceful, just as Tucker Carlson and Rush Limbaugh have said things that Democrats don’t like. Calls to shut down a major news source like Fox, or even its smaller allies in the conservative media world, whether through corporate deplatforming or government force, cross the line from opposing ideas to undermining our civil society.

The Feb. 24 hearing will take place seven days after Rush Limbaugh died. Limbaugh was a giant in conservative media, but the industry he helped build couldn’t have existed if the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” had been in place. Indeed, it was the Reagan-era repeal of the doctrine that gave Limbaugh, and eventually thousands of talk show hosts of all political stripes, the ability to be absolutely, 100% American in their partisanship without threat of government tyranny.

 This article is one everyone should read. To do so, go here.

Newsmax TV A Winner In Election Coverage

Fox News has ticked off conservatives for calling Arizona for Biden so early. 

Many, including me, found a great source for election night coverage in Newsmax TV. I really didn't want to listen to liberal talking heads on the networks along with Chris Wallace and Juan Williams.

The election coverage was great without any liberal spin. It was interesting to watch their coverage with ads for Henry rifles sprinkled in.

I will be following the continuing election coverage on Newsmax TV until everything is finally decided.

I would consider Newsmax TV a winner last night.

Turn New Mexico Red 2020 Facebook Page Disabled

Administrator Audrey Trujillo has posted an announcement that the Facebook page, Turn New Mexico Red 2020 has been disabled by Facebook. She posted the above graphic.

This is a large conservative political group page (over 20,000 members) and Audrey said that no explanation was given on what specific post or posts didn't adhere to Facebook's "community standards". Talk about cowardly actions in disabling a page with no explanation.

This is just another example of the censoring of conservative opinion by the Left. "Community standards"? Meaning: not following leftist/liberal dogma?

First, Facebook blocked Gary Julian's The Federalist blog and now they do this. 

Elisa Martinez Announces U.S. Senate Endorsements

We're proud to announce the long list of leading conservatives across the state who have endorsed Elisa Martinez. She is the only U.S. Senate candidate endorsed by leading conservatives in New Mexico and the only candidate you can trust. Fmr. U.S. Congressman Bill Redmond State Senator William Sharer (R-San Juan) State Representative Dr. Gregg Schmedes (R-Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe) Fmr. U.S. Senate Candidate, Owner of Calibers, Louie Sanchez Sandoval County Commissioner Jay C. Block Union County Commissioner W. Carr Vincent Lea County Commissioner Jonathan Sena Fmr. State Representative Sharon Clahchischilliage (R-San Juan) Mayor of Hatch, Fmr. State Representative Andy Nunez (R-Dona Ana) Fmr. State Representative Janice Arnold Jones (R-Bernalillo) Former Mayor of Cuba, Ethel Maharg LtCol Michael Kozeliski USMC, Purple Heart Recipient Pastor Steve Smotherman, Legacy Church Pastor Richard Mansfield, New Beginnings Church Pastors Dr. Mark and Kim Mullaney, Jesus First Transformation Warehouse Dr. Dinah Dye, Executive Director, On Fire Prayer John Robb, Chairman, International Prayer Connect Pastors Dr. Mark and Kim Mullaney, Jesus First Transformation Warehouse Shauna Abney, United Conservative Movement Mark Cavalier, Founder and Executive Director at Southwest Coalition for Life ... These conservative leaders know Elisa is the ONLY candidate in this race who: Has a record of taking on the radical Left and winning Will support and work with President Trump to turn New Mexico RED Can actually defeat Ben Ray Lujan and win New Mexico's open U.S. Senate seat We only have 19 days left to ensure Elisa wins the June 2nd Primary. Will you join these conservative leaders and rush a contribution of $25, $50 or even $100 or more to help Elisa win the Republican nomination and defeat Ben Ray Lujan? Thanks, Team Elisa Stand with Elisa ›› Elisa Martinez is a Latina and Native American conservative Republican running to represent New Mexico in the United States Senate. She is the founder of New Mexico Alliance for Life and will be a strong voice for traditional values, personal freedom, and economic prosperity. To support Elisa's campaign, please chip in $5 or more today!

Paid for by Elisa for New Mexico

Coronavirus or No Coronavirus, Culture Wars Continue

Above, Cabela's in Albuquerque, who sells firearms, has been forced to close by the governor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things may be vastly different these days, but there's one thing that isn't different from before the outbreak of coronavirus, is the partisan culture wars.

According to Voice of America:

WASHINGTON - A partisan fight over voting in Wisconsin was the first issue linked to the coronavirus  to make it to the Supreme Court. Efforts to limit abortion during the pandemic could eventually land in the justices' hands. Disputes over guns and religious freedom also are popping up around the country. 

The virus outbreak has put much of American life on hold, but the nation's culture wars seem immune from the pandemic. 

And in a country deeply divided over politics, some liberals are accusing conservatives of using this crisis to advance long-held goals, especially in the areas of access to abortion and the ballot box. Conservatives have complained about restrictions on church services and gun shops.  

"We see the right as being very opportunistic to advance their agenda," said Marge Baker, executive vice president of the liberal People for the American Way. 

‘Knee-jerk response’ 

Tim Schmidt, founder and president of the gun-rights U.S. Concealed Carry Association, called restrictions on gun sales "a knee-jerk response to something we don't quite understand. I hope and pray it doesn't happen but that's what I fear," he said in a recent online forum. 

Gun stores targeted

Abortion clinics aren't the only places that states have sought to close during the pandemic. Gun stores, too, have been targeted. Most states have deemed gun sellers essential businesses allowed to remain open during the emergency. But three states — Massachusetts, New Mexico and Washington — forced those businesses to close. 

Gun rights groups have gone to court to pressure New Jersey's Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, and local officials in North Carolina to reverse course on gun restrictions. Other lawsuits are pending in California. 

Joe Bartozzi, president and CEO of the National Sports Shooting Foundation, said closing the stores is the wrong answer. "You don't want to, in a time of crisis, be suspending civil liberties," Bartozzi said.  

 To read the full article, go here.

The Vicious Circle

The Drudge Report: I'm Not The Only One Who Noticed

Above, a Drudge headline before it went to the Dark Side.

Last month, I mentioned that the Drudge Report has gone over to "The Dark Side" recently and posted some alternative news aggregation sites for people who are fed up with Drudge.

Apparently, I am not the only one who noticed that the Drudge Report has gone over to "The Dark Side".

PJ Media posted:

"What happened to Drudge?"A lot of people have been asking that question lately. If you talk to conservatives these days, you'll hear that Matt Drudge's eponymous news aggregation site has gone over to the dark side—that Matt's joined the anti-Trump resistance. And now, Rasmussen Reports, an arguably reputable polling operation, is calling Drudge out on Twitter, even suggesting that the site has been sold. 

The whole kerfuffle appears to have begun at the end of November, when the Bongino Report, touted as a Trump-friendly alternative to Drudge, launched.

To read more, go here. 

One America News Network

The other day, I mentioned The Liberty Daily, which bills itself as "the conservative alternative to the Drudge Report."

Thanks to a tip, I took a look at another alternative to the Drudge Report, which seems to have gone over to the "Dark Side" and is now spewing fake news. One would think that the Counterfeit News Network (CNN) took it over.

It is the One America News Network. At first, the name didn't ring a bell. Then, when I took a look, it rang a bell. I have seen their postings on Facebook.

Here's a general look of it:

To access One America News Network, go here.

The Liberty Daily, The Alternative To Drudge Report

It used to be that The Drudge Report was a reasonably reliable source for news.

Not anymore.

It became glaringly obvious that owner/operator Matt Drudge has become a "never Trumper" and is catering more to the lunatic left by spewing fake news. Drudge has gone over to "The Dark Side".

The "straw that broke the camel's back" was his headlines over Ambassador Gordon Sondland's testimony before the impeachment "inquiry" of "pencilneck" Rep. Adam Schiff the other day.

Drudge's headlines relied solely on the beginning part of Sondland's testmony and totally ignored his statements that Trump "wanted nothing" and wanted the new Ukraine president to "do the right thing" as he promised during his election campaign.

I emailed Matt Drudge the following:

Matt: 

You need to change your headlines. Sondland did not tie aid to Ukraine to investigations. NO quid pro quo! You have it wrong based on fake news media jumping the gun. 

Armand Vaquer

No changes and no response came from Drudge.

So now I am using the "conservative alternative to the Drudge Report", The Liberty Daily.

It uses a similar format to the Drudge Report in its layout, so finding news stories of interest will be easy.

I recommend dropping the Drudge Report as a news source and get your news instead from The Liberty Daily.

To access The Liberty Daily, go here. 

We're Shadow-Banned By Google

Shadow banning (also called stealth banning, ghost banning or comment ghosting) is the act of blocking or partially blocking a user or their content from an online community such that it will not be readily apparent to the user that they have been banned. - Wikipedia.

This morning, I was reading The Federalist blog on Google's ongoing censorship of this and other conservative websites.

Gary Julian, a longtime friend and owner of The Federalist blog, did some checking and found that Google is shadow-banning his blog.

He wrote:

With shadow banning it was all down hill from there. This last month we were down to 25,784 page views. 

What the Fascists at Google do is bury Conservative websites so deep that no one will ever find them. 

So I ran a Google search on one of my articles: "Blame the GOP for Immigration - not Trump." 

I gave up looking after going five pages in. Using the exact title the article could not be found on Google.

(To read more, go here.)

After reading his post, I decided (this is the first time I checked, I might add) to do my own checking on my blog's status on whether it is being shadow-banned. Keep in mind, while I do post some political posts (and I am a conservative), my blog mainly focuses on travel, history and entertainment.

My searches on search engines Google and Bing found a similar scenario.

Yesterday, I posted an article, "Cuba Tourism Tanks 24%". I first checked Bing, and my article was listed in the second spot. And, what's more, I didn't type the post's title verbatim!

Next, I tried Google. And, I typed in the post's title verbatim. It was nowhere to be found, even four pages in!

So, like The Federalist blog, Google is shadow-banning Armand's Rancho Del Cielo.

UPDATE:

I just checked the Yahoo! search engine and we're in the sixth spot on the same search with them.

So, if one wants to do a search and have accurate results, use either Yahoo! or Bing, not Google.

James Woods Issues Statement About Twitter

Actor James Woods says his days on Twitter "are in the past" for suspending him and deleting a post without his permission.

The Daily Wire reported:

"Twitter demanded that I rescind my tweet paraphrasing Emerson," Woods said in a statement to The Daily Wire. "It now seems they have chosen to delete that tweet from my account without my permission. Until free speech is allowed on Twitter, I will not be permitted to participate in our democracy with my voice. As long as Jack Dorsey remains the coward he seems to be, my Twitter days are in the past."

Mr. Woods, if you would like to have another platform, send your commentaries to me, I would be happy to post them here!

To read more, go here.

2 Kinds of Political Women

Texans, Californians and Colorado

Above, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During our morning breakfast conversation today, it was mentioned migration to the state of Colorado is dominated by people from California and Texas.

I knew that many Californians have moved to Colorado, but I hadn't heard of the Texan migration. So I looked it up.

Sure enough, Californians and Texans are leading the migrations into Colorado.

According to a 2016 article in the Durango Herald:

The census bureau also published national, regional and state-level data on American movers collected from 2015. Statewide, 33,487 moved to Colorado from abroad last year, 29,029 from California, 25,268 from Texas, 11,398 from Illinois and 10,254 from Arizona. In the previous two years, people moved from California and Texas in almost equal numbers. 

Also in 2015, 21,157 left Colorado for California, and 22,587 migrated to Texas.

Granted, not all Californians moving to Colorado aren't all liberals and, conversely, not all Texans moving to Colorado aren't all conservatives. But, for the sake of argument, let's say that liberals are in the majority of California migrants and conservatives are in the majority of Texas migrants. This, if it is the case, could lead to an interesting state clash of political philosophies and values.

I noticed that native Colorado residents seem to dislike Californians. Many of them feel that the California transplants flee California due to high costs and come to Colorado and try to impose California policies on Coloradoans. One cry is, "Don't Californicate Coloraldo!"

This is something that may be interesting to watch in the future.

Kansas RINOs Show True Colors, Become Democrats

Above, yours truly with then-Senator Greg Smith in 2016 at the Kansas
State Capitol. Smith was defeated by RINO-turned-Democrat Dinah Sykes. 

One thing I've learned over the years is that RINOs (Republican In Name Only) will eventually switch parties and become Democrats.

This has happened recently in Kansas when three so-called Republican moderate state legislators switched parties.

The Kansas City Star reported:

TOPEKA - Two more Kansas lawmakers are leaving the Republican Party to become Democrats, shrinking the ranks of GOP moderates after the Legislature grew more conservative in the November election. 

Sen. Dinah Sykes and Rep. Stephanie Clayton, both moderate Johnson County Republicans, said Wednesday they are becoming Democrats. They join Sen. Barbara Bollier, who left the Republican Party earlier in December. 

The party switching comes after a nationwide surge of Democratic voters in suburban areas. The surge helped defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, and some state lawmakers are now aligning themselves with this new political reality.

It did not come as a surprise that Sykes switched parties, except she didn't do it sooner. She ran against Republican State Senator Greg Smith, a perfectly good conservative state senator, in the Overland Park area in the 2016 Primary Election and won. Many of us who closely followed that campaign suspected she was a "she-wolf in RINO sheep's clothing" and was actually a liberal Democrat posing as a moderate Republican with liberal backing. A real Republican wouldn't run against a Republican incumbent in a legislative district.

Now we know!

To read more, go here.