Feral Jundi

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Weapons: Arizona Makes The Colt Single-Action Army Revolver The State’s Official Firearm!

Filed under: Arizona,Weapons — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 7:59 PM

Right on and how cool is this?  Arizona has made the Colt Single-Action Army revolver the state’s first official firearm. Hell, I should petition the state of Idaho to make the AK 47 the state’s official firearm. lol So I wonder if any other state’s have official firearms? –Matt

Colt Single Action Army w/ 4.75" barrel, case colored and blued, referred to as "Quick-Draw" or "Civilian" model.

Arizona governor signs bill making Colt state gun
April 28, 2011
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s governor has signed a bill designating the Colt Single-Action Army revolver as the state’s first official firearm.
Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill without comment on Thursday. Legislative supporters argued that the designation was appropriate because the revolver was widely used during Arizona’s territorial days.
Opponents say it was inappropriate to give the official designation to an out-of-state company’s commercial product. Colt is based in Connecticut.
Democratic Rep. Albert Hale also says the gun was an instrument of destruction that was used against Native Americans.
Story here.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Military News: A Town Stops The Westboro Protestors, And Wins The Peace For A Marine Funeral

Filed under: Afghanistan,Military News,Mississippi,Video — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 11:04 AM

I had to post this awesome story that I am sure will please a few folks out there. This town organized their efforts to counter the Westboro Baptist protesters and were able to protect the funeral of a fallen Marine. I am grateful for what this town did and I certainly hope it catches on throughout the US. In fact, what would really be cool is a non-profit organization designed to protect funerals like this, using strategy and tactics that can defeat scumbags like this.  Such a group would be immensely popular with veterans and the families, and I am sure folks would donate to this cause.

The other reason why I like this, is this is an example of the people ‘taking matters into their own hands’. Obviously this country or even the states of the US are not organizing to protect these funerals because of freedom of speech issues. I cherish the right of freedom of speech, and will defend that right with my life. But I do not support protesters at funerals, and I don’t think most Americans support that concept. So this is the gray area of law and the common good, and in this case, I support the people doing what they have to do to smother the Westboro voice and protect funerals. Call it ‘doing the right thing’ and protecting the sanctity of our fallen warriors.

Here is the video of the funeral and it is a hard one to watch.  The tribute song is awesome. Semper Fi Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers and rest in peace. –Matt

 

A couple of days before, one of them (Westboro protestors) ran his mouth at a Brandon gas station and got his arse waxed. Police were called and the beaten man could not give much of a description of who beat him. When they canvassed the station and spoke to the large crowd that had gathered around, no one seemed to remember anything about what had happened.
Rankin County handled this thing perfectly. There were many things that were put into place that most will never know about and at great expense to the county.
Most of the morons never made it out of their hotel parking lot. It seems that certain Rankin county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates in the hotel parking lot and the drivers mysteriously disappeared until after the funeral was over. Police were called but their wrecker service was running behind and it was going to be a few hours before they could tow the trucks so the Kansas plated cars could get out.
A few made it to the funeral but were ushered away to be questioned about a crime they might have possibly been involved in. Turns out, after a few hours of questioning, that they were not involved and they were allowed to go on about their business.
Link to Ole Miss Sports forum post here.

 

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Cool Stuff: Russian Working Dogs Equipped With Cellphones And Cameras

Filed under: Cool Stuff,Russia,Technology — Tags: , , , , , , — Matt @ 12:36 PM

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Letter Of Marque: Rhode Island Governor Chafee Issues Ceremonial LoM To Privateer Re-enactors, Despite Article 1, Section 10 Of The US Constitution

Filed under: History,Letter Of Marque,Rhode Island — Tags: , , , , , , , — Matt @ 6:30 PM

Mr. Dorman explained, “Historically this document would separate a legitimate privateer from an outright pirate.” Letters of Marque were issued frequently during colonial times and through the American Revolution as a way to help protect shipping and give naval support. The organization’s ceremonial commission is the first to be signed in Rhode Island since Governor William Jones issued letters of marque during the War of 1812.

Now this is cool. This historical re-enactor group is trying to draw attention to their state’s history with privateering, and they actually got the governor of the state to issue a ceremonial Letter of Marque (see below).

I guess you could also call this a ‘ceremonial violation’ of Article 1, Section 10 of the US Constitution? lol Hopefully no one has a fit about the whole thing… The best part though is the recognition of this concept and importance to US history, by a state’s governor! –Matt


Ahoy! RI ‘pirates’ get governor’s commission
April 12, 2011
PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Shiver me timbers! A group of “pirates” has been granted a commission by the governor of Rhode Island.
The group of about 20 pirate re-enactors, called the Rhode Island Pirate Players, was granted a ceremonial so-called Letter of Marque (MARK’) by Chafee this week. The letter authorizes the group to “arm, furnish and equip themselves” to educate the public about the state’s pirate and privateer history. It also requests that captains who meet them at sea not give them any trouble.
The group’s founder and leader Casey C. Dorman says he asked Chafee’s office for the letter as a way to raise awareness. Rhode Island was once a haven for pirates, and Dorman says it’s one of the most interesting chapters in state history.
Story here.
—————————————————————-
The Rhode Island Pirate Players Receive Letter of Marque
PROVIDENCE , April 12 /–The Rhode Island Pirate Players today announced that they have received a Letter of Marque, also known as a Privateering Commission, from Governor Lincoln Chafee.
“We are very excited that Governor Chafee wants to help us in our mission to educate the public about the often overlooked history of pirate and privateer activity in the state,” Casey C. Dorman, Founder and CEO of the Rhode Island Pirate Players stated. The Rhode Island Pirate Players approached the governor in the hope that formal recognition would help bring awareness to their educational mission.
Mr. Dorman explained, “Historically this document would separate a legitimate privateer from an outright pirate.” Letters of Marque were issued frequently during colonial times and through the American Revolution as a way to help protect shipping and give naval support. The organization’s ceremonial commission is the first to be signed in Rhode Island since Governor William Jones issued letters of marque during the War of 1812.
About The Rhode Island Pirate Players
The Rhode Island Pirate Players are a living history organization dedicated to educating the public about Rhode Island ’s pirate and privateer history. They are available for educational presentations, living history events, as well as film and more. The RIPP also has a walking tour operating in Newport through the summer called Dead Men’s Tales. The Rhode Island Pirate Players are willing to travel, and have performed throughout New England, and as far south as the Carolinas .
Link to website here.
—————————————————————
Article 1 – The Legislative Branch

Section 10 – Powers Prohibited of States
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Maritime Security: Somalia News–Firms Bid For Contracts To Fight Pirates, UNSC Passes Resolution, And The PMC Halliday Finch

Filed under: Industry Talk,Maritime Security,Somalia — Tags: , , , , , , , — Matt @ 3:33 PM

Now this is interesting for several reasons. The big problem everyone had with Saracen International was that they thought there was no transparency with that contract, and that they could be in  violation of the UN Arms Embargo placed on Somalia.  With this current resolution passed by the UN Security Counsel, this is basically giving legal authority for anti-piracy operations in Somalia, by making these operations fit in with this UN Arms Embargo.

Meaning, regions like Puntland can go forth and contract with private industry to set up UNSC approved legal apparatus to fight piracy with.  Companies could be used to train police forces or navies for anti-piracy, and not have to worry about any conflict with the UN–just as long as it fits in with the SC resolution.  That is why this conference was so interesting, and got little mention in the news. I guess a comparison here, is how private industry is used to prop up the police or military forces in Iraq or Afghanistan and have legal approval by authorities to do so.

Probably the most significant part that jumped out at me was this gem:

Halliday Finch, a Nairobi-based firm that is seeking funds to build a 1,500-strong maritime police force on behalf of the government in Mogadishu, said it follows such steps.
The company has already trained 500 non-maritime police, said CEO Sam Mattock, and has kept the UN and other organisations abreast of its activities.
“We’ve said, let’s do this properly, let’s make it transparent,” he said. “No secrets.”
The firm has drafted a law for the government to submit to parliament that would regulate maritime police.
To ensure the force is sustainable, the firm aims to spend $52 million in the first year and train up an officer corps within two years. With a Kuwaiti partner, Mr Mattock said, he plans to solicit the funds from the Kuwaiti government.

I have never heard of these folks before, but supposedly they have $52 million of Kuwaiti money to play around with, and they are helping their client in ‘drafting laws’?  Not to mention that they have already trained 500 police? Wow, how come this wasn’t reported and I am sure the folks at Saracen are scratching their head as to why they were singled out? Here are some of the jobs they are offering, to give you an idea about the company:

Are You interested in joining the Halliday Finch team in Africa?
We respect your privacy: Any details you submit will be sent directly and in strict confidence to the CEO. Your details will not be shared or passed on to any other party. If we have a vacancy matching your skill set (now or in the future), we will contact you to arrange an interview or to request further details.
Current Vacancies
OPERATIONS MANAGER: Position filled.
CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATIVES: Close protection operatives needed for tasks in Africa for VVIP and VIP principals. African Experience essential.
ESCORT DUTIES FOR GULF OF ADEN: Required for ongoing tasks, must have relevant maritime experience.
AVIATION SECURITY INSTRUCTOR: The successful applicant will be a certified / licensed Aviation Security Instructor who has successfully attended a UK DfT-approved Level 5 Training Course.
POLICE MENTORING SERVICE: Potential Police Service mentoring task in Somalia. Must have relevant Police Experience, Royal Military Police, UK Police, South African Police Service or East African Police Officers would be ideal.

So there you have it. This is some news that you will not hear anywhere else, and certainly significant. I also posted the UNSC Resolution that coincides with this article, just so you can see what I am talking about. –Matt

Firms bid for contracts to fight pirates
Carol Huang
Apr 20, 2011
Eager to capitalise on the rising threat of Somali piracy, private security firms are lining up to win contracts to train maritime forces in Somalia.
And while the international community backs the idea of building up Somali forces to fight piracy, it is raising eyebrows about the prospect of unregulated training and arming programmes that could later backfire.
Still, over 100 security firms have made pitches for contracts, said Saeed Mohamed Rage, the government minister overseeing counter-piracy for the Somali region of Puntland, where most pirates come from. (more…)

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