Having A Second Amendment Right To Carry Doesn't Mean You Should

Recently, while en route to Gallup, New Mexico for our weekly Saturday morning group breakfast, two friends and I got to talking about the Alex Pretti killing by ICE in Minneapolis.

We all agreed that while we may have the right to bear arms, even at protests, under the Second Amendment, it is not a good idea to do so. This is especially so if law enforcement will be present. 

The San Luis Obispo Tribune came to that same conclusion in an opinion piece they posted.

They start it with:

In recent weeks, the conversation around protests and immigration enforcement has taken a sharp turn.

Some voices on the left are no longer just criticizing ICE or calling for policy changes. They are openly asking why “Second Amendment people” aren’t showing up at protests and, by implication, why they aren’t armed. That framing turns a constitutional right into a political challenge and ignores how these situations actually play out in the real world.

I believe in the Second Amendment, and I will defend it without hesitation. The right to keep and bear arms isn’t a slogan you pull out when it’s convenient. It’s a serious constitutional protection that comes with responsibility and judgment. Having the right doesn’t mean you should use it in every situation. Defending that right doesn’t mean pretending every use of it makes sense or leads to a good outcome.

Read more at: https://www.sanluisobispo.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article314692906.html#storylink=cpy

2nd Amendment Is Meaningless If the Government Can Kill You For Exercising It

The fatal shooting of Minneapolis protestor Alex Pretti by ICE has divided (to a large degree) Second Amendment rights groups and the DOJ/ICE/Trump Administration. 

The shooting of Pretti seems at first glance to be unjustified as videos of the shooting indicate he did not make any threatening moves with his pistol. Videos show that he was taken to the ground, had his pistol removed from his person and then was shot to death. The item in his right hand in the above video was a phone.

Final judgement of the incident is pending an investigation that is now underway.

The Cato Institute has posted an article on the shooting. 

It starts off with:

What a difference four days can make. Last Tuesday, a top DOJ lawyer argued in the Supreme Court that people have a right to carry guns in public. By Saturday, another DOJ official warned: “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.” The government went from championing gun rights to defending ICE agents’ fatal shooting of Alex Pretti. Only restraints on the use of force can stop officials from turning the Second Amendment into an excuse to kill civilians.

Facts are still emerging about the Minneapolis shooting of Mr. Pretti by immigration agents, but videos show that they took him to the ground and appear to have removed a pistol from his waistband, then shot him to death. Mr. Pretti had a gun-carry permit.

Government officials rushed to defend the shooting. High-ranking DOJ prosecutor Bill Essayli wrote, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.” FBI Director Kash Patel declared, “You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple.”

Second Amendment advocates responded quickly. The NRA condemned Mr. Essayli for “making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens.” Gun Owners of America demanded respect for “Americans’ right to bear arms while protesting.” Former NRA representative Dana Loesch asked Mr. Essayli, “Do you believe that mere legal possession within the vicinity of [an officer]…merits use of force as a response?” Congressman Thomas Massie (R‑KY) wrote, “Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence.”

To read the full article, go here. 

Counter The Leftist Tesla Protests

Facebook user Becca Mari posted the following so that counter-protests by patriots can be organized:

The leftist lunatics are organizing a Tesla Takedown for this coming Saturday the 29th at Tesla dealerships all across the country.

Apparently, these people are in favor of wasteful government spending of your taxpayer dollars and government corruption. 

This is a call to action for all my patriot friends to show up at your local Tesla dealership and show your support for Elon Musk and DOGE.

If you are in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area in New Mexico, join me this Saturday from 9:30am-12noon with your signs and flags.

Here's the info I got from the lefty web site for the location near me.

Start:

Saturday, March 29, 2025

•

10:00 AM

End:

Saturday, March 29, 2025

•

12:00 PM

Location:

Tesla Bernalillo

•

4200 NM-528, Rio Rancho, NM 87144

If you live somewhere else in the country, use this link to their site to find out where you can organize your own counter-protest against these lunitics.

STAND WITH AMERICA!

https://actionnetwork.org/events/tesla-takedown-nm-6

Boycotts and Other Fallout Against Colorado

The fallout over the removal of former President Donald Trump from the Colorado Primary ballot by the Colorado Supreme Court continues.

First, Republican leaders in the state led a protest and taking other action.

From the Colorado Newsline:

A Republican-led protest in Denver sought to “stand against activist judges” following the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to bar former President Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot, with attendees calling out justices for using “communist tactics to keep our great President Trump off the ballot.” 

The protest, organized by Colorado Republican Party fundraising chair Darcy Schoening, drew about two dozen people to the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center in Denver Wednesday afternoon. She and Colorado state Sen. Mark Baisley, a Sedalia Republican, addressed the group. 

Schoening said the Colorado Republican Party will drop out of the primary and switch to a delegate system so Trump can be the Republican presidential candidate in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t overturn the ruling in time. She said the party has the legal ability to drop out of the primary and that GOP Chair Dave Williams is moving in that direction, with a meeting of the state central committee coming soon to decide the matter. 

Next, thousands of truckers are boycotting Colorado until Trump's name is back on the ballot:

"QAnon Shaman" Released Early

Good news, folks!

Sebastian Gorka posted the following: 

Jacob Chansley, has been released 14 months early after Speaker Kevin McCarthy released January 6th footage that proved he committed no crime.

 

New Mexico Civil Guard Activities Restricted By Judge

New Mexico Civil Guard. Now that's a name I haven't heard for a while (about a couple of years or so).

A District Judge, Elaine Lujan (What, another Lujan?! They seem to come out of the woodwork like cockroaches.) ruled against the New Mexico Civil Guard over activities during protests of of BLM and others of two years ago when they were out vandalizing statues and other private and public property.

According to the Associated Press:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Civil Guard has been barred from publicly acting as a military unit without authorization or assuming the role of law enforcement by using organized force at public protests or gathering, according to a newspaper.

The Albuquerque Journal reported Tuesday that District Court Judge Elaine Lujan also has banned such activity by the group’s directors, officers, agents, employees, members and any of their successor organizations and members.

Lujan granting a motion by Bernalillo County District Attorney Raúl Torrez, who told the Journal that the decision, “fundamentally represents a victory for the rule of law….We’re trying to prevent violent extremism.”

There may be some constitutional protections that support the Guard that can be used as a basis in filing an appeal over Judge Lujan's ruling. After all, the police did nothing to protect property, so somebody had to step in.

To read the full article, go here.

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO STATEMENT ON THE PROTESTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO STATEMENT ON THE PROTESTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL

Albuquerque, January 6--The following is a statement from RPNM on the protests and violence at the U.S. Capitol: "The Republican Party of New Mexico condemns the acts of violence happening at the U.S. Capitol. While we support the right for free speech and to demonstrate peacefully, such violence and threatening actions cannot be tolerated," says Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce.

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairman, former NM Congressman Steve Pearce, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.

Civil War II?

Well, I just got back from Gallup and now following the happenings in Washington, D.C.

Protestors over the election have occupied the U.S. Capitol Plaza.

Hundreds of thousands of Trump supporters are marching onto the U.S. Capitol grounds. The courts could have prevented all this, from the lower courts on up to the Supreme Court.

They refused to hear the cases and make determinations on the merits of each case.

The leadership of our country has failed the people. Crimes by Democrats are never prosecuted, yet is is people like Gen. Michael Flynn get prosecuted/persecuted. Rioters are allowed to burn, loot and kill, but pansy governors and mayors won't allow the police to do their jobs. 

But, it could be Antifa members with MAGA hats involved as well, should things get violent. So far, it has been peaceful.

The Democrats and their media minions asked for it.

The people are fed up.

Protesters Hold Rally Over Pelosi's Salon Trip

Above, a screen capture from a video of Nancy Pelosi at a salon.

Restrictions are for thee, but not me! 

People are taking notice and aren't happy.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the latest Democrat who flaunted restrictions on "non-essential" businesses by going to have her hair done (New Mexico Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham was another when she went to shop at a jeweler was one of several others). She cried, "set-up" when she got caught (she must really think people are stupid to believe that).

Now she's on the receiving end of protests who are angered by Pelosi's trip to the salon. (As some of my friends have said, maybe she thought she was going to a saloon.)

According to Fox 8 News in San Francisco:

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Hair stylists took to the street outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco home on Thursday. 

The rally comes two days after video of Pelosi getting her hair cut inside a salon surfaced. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom lifted restrictions on hair salons serving customers indoors at the end of last month. 

But the city of San Francisco still requires such services to only be provided outside.

To read more, go here.

Group Protest Calls For Lujan Grisham's Removal

Above, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Since Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham is so fond of protests (she praised BLM protests in the midst of the pandemic), she's going to get one just outside of her office. This one, organizers say, will last 30 days.

The protest group is calling for the removal of Lujan Grisham from office and for its grievances to be addressed.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reported:

A group calling for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s removal from office says it will protest outside the Roundhouse for days or even weeks until its grievances are heard. 

Organizers of I Will not comply NM say they will gather Sunday at the Capitol and lock the doors to the building from the outside as a symbolic gesture. They are calling their demonstration “Shut Down the Capital.” 

“This isn’t about Republicans. It isn’t about Democrats. It isn’t about COVID. It isn’t about masks. It’s about the Constitution,” said Stephen Garrett, a small-business owner in Moriarty who founded the group in 2019. 

Garrett said the governor violated the First and Second amendments by closing churches and gun stores during the onset of the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

“I have contacted the Department of Justice and White House numerous times asking for intervention,” he said, but they have not responded. 

“I don’t understand how you can subvert the Constitution of the United States,” he added. “It’s the founding document, the founding laws of our country.”

Unfortunately, there is no recall provision for the removal of the governor or other state elected officials in the New Mexico constitution.

To read more, go here. 

Albuquerque Protest Against Governor's Health Orders Draws Hundreds

Above, Cowboys for Trump (seen here in November in Grants) participated in Thursday's protest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The people of New Mexico are "mad as hell and not going to take this anymore" (to borrow a famous tag line from the 1976 movie, Network) and hundreds of them gathered Thursday to protest Gov. Michelle Lujan "Grishy the Clown" Grisham's COVID-19 orders.

KOB Channel 4 reported:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- Cowboys for Trump joined the New Mexico Civil Guard, political figures, business and religious leaders Thursday at the "Protest for Freedom" in Albuquerque. 

Hundreds of attendees, some armed with guns, protested the governor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic at Civic Plaza in downtown Albuquerque. 

Children, who were not wearing masks, were seen at the protest with signs. The signs asked to be allowed to play sports and return to school. 

Steve Smothermon, pastor at Legacy Church, which had a lawsuit over the public health order thrown out, spoke at the protest.  

"To see how America is just so easily been manipulated and told what to do without even a fight, and today we start fighting," Smothermon said. "They need to know this is over. Today we start fighting for our freedoms." 

Speakers also expressed opposition to quarantining, the mask requirement and restaurants closing indoor dining. In general, they claimed their freedoms are being limited.  

Several Republican politicians also had harsh criticism of the governor decision-making. 

Despite the governor's draconian health orders, the coronavirus is spreading in the state anyway. The people are fed up with the closures, resulting in the loss of jobs and businesses.

To read more, go here.

About That "Black Militia" At Stone Mountain

This photo of the "Black Militia" that showed up today at Stone Mountain Memorial in Georgia was posted at the Facebook page of the New Mexico Civil Guard (yes, I am a member).

I found the photo to be interesting and humorous.

Governor and Mayor Condemn New Mexico Civil Guard

So the governor of New Mexico and the mayor of Albuquerque want the New Mexico Civil Guard militia to "stay away" from protests and their presence makes protesters "nervous".

Well, it the governor, mayor and the police did their jobs right, the need to have the militia there to prevent rioting, bodily injury and property damage wouldn't be necessary. Tough shit, governor and mayor!

It is good that protesters are made "nervous", maybe then they will think twice before starting destructive trouble.

According to KRQE:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – During Monday night’s protest, a group of heavily armed militia, who call themselves the New Mexico Civil Guard showed up. Protesters said their presence raises tensions and provokes violence and the mayor of Albuquerque and the governor want the group to stay away from protests. The New Mexico Civil Guard said they are armed to deter violence and protect counter-protesters but their presence makes protesters nervous. 

At Monday night’s prayer and protest against the Juan de Oñate statue, were about eight members of a heavily armed militia. “Why do you feel the need to be here?” asked a protester. 

“Second amendment,” replied a member of the Civil Guard. The Civil Guard is a group of people who said they are not affiliated with law enforcement or a political party but they’ve been present at a handful of recent protests in New Mexico which has caused unease among protesters.

To read more, go here.

Lunatic Lujan Grisham On The Riots

A great example on how out of touch Gov. "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham is (on the Minneapolis riots):

The best response is this one (I couldn't have said it better):

She can't tell the difference between protests and riots. Jeez.

To read more, go here.

Protest Against The Lockdown May 1

Above, the State Capitol "Roundhouse" in Santa Fe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham: Bullshit Meter Went Off The Scale

Above, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham during today's address.

Updated 04/23/20, 10:50 AM.

"Testing is not a barrier to reopening the economy!" - Vice President Mike Pence, 04/23/20.

This afternoon, I watched the televised address (if that's what you want to call it) by New Mexico Governor "Malevolent Michelle" Lujan Grisham. It was disjointed and she spoke too fast and garbled at times.

As I watched, I felt a growing outrage that this woman can claim that New Mexico is making "great" progress against the coronavirus with a bunch of "congratulations" sprinkled here and there. But the bottom line was what I and so many others were waiting for: When will the lockdown be ended? Before the speech, it was scheduled to expire on April 30.

But now, we have to wait for the state's "battle" plan is full operation (whenever that will be), which includes testing and a vaccine is developed (which may or may never happen). Some in the medical community say that a vaccine won't be ready until, at least, a year and a half from now. Now she says that the lockdown has been extended (for now) to May 15.  Sorry, but the bullshit meter went off the scale!

Remember the successful AIDS vaccine? No? Neither do I.

Just how many people and small businesses can survive until May 15 without financial ruin? That means that the lockdown will reach (roughly) two months. She gave a lot of encouraging and sympathetic words, but encouragement and sympathetic platitudes won't pay the bills or feed families. She announced nothing that would help hurting people.

So, she is basically "kicking the can" further down the road and ruining the state's economy in the process.

She spoke condescendingly as if she were talking to a room full of six-year-olds, not adults with common sense. I was not impressed.

She announced a "recovery council" of advisors on reopening New Mexico's economy. Noticeably absent from her list of council members were any representing the gun store industry (no surprise there) or from the state's county sheriffs (again, no surprise). Any political opponents on her council?

By the way, there will be a protest against continuing the lockdown on May 1 in Santa Fe. It starts at noon at the Roundhouse.

Yes, the Governor's address was disappointing, but not surprising. 

Worse Than Sore Losers

When Barack Obama and the Democrats won in 2008, we conservatives were very disappointed over the outcome and knew what was to come: unbridled socialism. But did we riot, cry or protest? Nope!

The current protests and riots over the results of Tuesdays' election are so ridiculous. Talk about being something worse than very sore losers. These knuckleheads are being referred to as "snowflakes" and worse. There is some evidence that these activities are being financed by millionaire leftist George Soros, the DNC or the remnants of Hillary Clinton's campaign (hell, what's the difference anyway?).

Even my alma mater, California State University, Long Beach has posted a video on Facebook on the post-election protests on campus. Is this the image the university wants to convey to people? If that's what they want to present to the world, then I will no longer contribute money to the school or the alumni association. To hell with them!

Funny, we haven't heard a peep out of Obama and Hillary asking (or demanding) that these activities cease. That tells us right there that the right person won the election.