By Gerard Valentino

(This commentary has also been published at CNSNews.com!

Once a hot-button political issue, gun control has become nothing more than a second tier topic on the national scene.

In the last presidential election the only serious press coverage devoted to guns revolved around John Kerry's poorly devised goose hunting trip in Ohio designed to make him look like a supporter of 2nd Amendment rights.

There was also a brief spurt of coverage in September 2004 when the Clinton assault weapons ban was allowed to sunset. Just a few short years ago, a story about an assault weapons ban would have had long-term traction during a presidential election season. Instead the ban expired with a whimper; and less than a year later the story is largely ignored.

Victories for the pro-gun movement continued when a bill protecting gun companies from frivolous lawsuits passed in Congress was signed into law earlier this year by President Bush.

The best efforts of the establishment media to create a furor over the issue failed to generate any buzz. Regardless, the anti-gun spin doctors were out in force trying to create a tidal wave of opposition to the bill.

Instead, they couldn't even muster a ripple.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

By Jim Irvine

This is the time of year when many make charitable contributions. Tax deductible is good, but I’ve got a much better deal for you.

If you pay Ohio income tax this year, you are entitled to a $100 per couple ($50 per person) tax credit for donations to certain politicians. A credit is much different than a deduction. You don’t get a part of your donation back, you get the whole donation back as a tax refund.

If you do nothing, Governor Bob Taft will have no problem spending your tax dollars, but wouldn’t you rather take some of that money and divert it to a pro-gun candidate? Help the people you want to help change the law. It costs you nothing!

How does this work?
You must make a donation before the end of the month to the campaign for an Ohio House of Representative Seat, or Ohio State Senator Seat, or any of the statewide offices. (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and Auditor) Then next month when you start on your tax return, you note your donation on your Ohio income tax return (second page, line 52) and you get it all back in your refund. It really is that simple.

What difference can your donation make?

Toledo's NBC24.com is reporting that if Mayor-elect Carty Finkbeiner has his way, anti-self-defense Police Chief Michael Navarre will not be part of the new Finkbeiner administration.

From the story:

At an afternoon news conference, Finkbeiner said that he wants Navarre to step down as head of the police department in January when the new administration takes over. He named Captain Jack Lee Smith as Navarre's replacement. Currently, Smith is the head of Field Operations at the Scott Park District Station.

But hold on.

NBC24 has learned through a City of Toledo spokesperson that the Chief of Police does not serve at the pleasure of the mayor and Navarre has not [sic] intention of resigning.

"The Chief of Police, as a City of Toledo employee, can only be terminated for just or reasonable cause," the spokesperson said.

Ironically, Finkbeiner appointed Navarre as Chief of Police in 1998 during Finkbeiner's second term as mayor. Navarre has been on the force for 28 years.

Smith, a 32-year police veteran has held numerous positions with the Toledo Police Department. Also, He is a former Marine, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, and a Lieutenant in the Marine Reserves.

To anyone who has paid attention to some of the positions Mike Navarre has taken on the Bill of Rights, this news comes none-too-soon.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

December 1, 2005
Mensnewsdaily.com

It may seem that I write a lot about guns. This isn't about guns.

The complaint liberty enthusiasts such as myself have with officials is not about guns per se, it’s about our governance. Specifically our self-governance. Defiance of the rule of law as so many are showing these days should be of interest to every citizen.

And liberty enthusiasts have no complaint about government: our complaint is over official misconduct, such as stealing archival documents, handing over coal-bearing land, technological secrets, lying under oath, pulling troops out and winking to the enemy in the process, making rulings based on foreign law – you know what I mean.

The really overlooked part is that all of this screws liberals, too, in case you didn’t notice.

So when officials step in and do what’s right in preserving sovereignty, it’s time for hope.

We’re at war, and our nation is going to be filled with more and more stories of heroism over complacency.

Here is one.

I’ve been following the progress of USAF Retired Sergeant Bruce Beatty and his resisting official misconduct in Ohio....

Click here for the complete op-ed from Mensnewsdaily.com.