It was a little over a month ago that I linked readers at The War on Guns to a story about Brad Krause, a Wisconsin man arrested for openly carrying in his own yard. It was remarkable for two reasons:
He broke no law.
And his neighbor reporting him shows just how far into a snitch culture many of our countrymen will drag us down into--if we let them.
Reader Sean Y sent me an email update, and he includes some observations I think deserve a wider audience:
I know how you like to point out the lack of knowledge and bias of the typical “authorized journalist”. I am also aware that you occasionally promote articles that are fair and informed.
He's right. I have a growing category of stories on The War on Guns I call "Authorized Journalists." I use it to illustrate pervasive media bias and ignorance when it comes to reporting on guns and gun rights-related stories. I then use that to stick it to mainstream reporters and columnists attacking bloggers as unreliable and blaming us for dinosaur media failing to adapt to a changing environment.
My message is basically this: You guys blew the trust you were given. If we did not have alternative media, stories would go unreported, under-reported, misrepresented and outright fabricated. You were supposed to be government watchdogs, and too many of you turned into lapdogs and cheerleaders for the state. And you still don't get it.
Sean continues:
I would like to point out a few articles written by The Lakeland Times. Obviously this is not the largest publication in the US, but good press is good press. Maybe you can direct some readers their way to drum up the site numbers and positive comments. Who knows, maybe we can increase advertising revenue with a click here and there. I know that the big boys in the media are in dire straights and may see the site traffic little publications can generate with good reporting and opinion pieces.
From Richard Moore (Invetigative Reporter):
Judge finds Krause not guilty in open carry tangle
Gun rights controversies underscore fundamental issues of freedom
From Greg Walker (Publisher):
Go and read these. And while I'm a little late in calling them to your attention, it would probably be a good idea to let the paper know you appreciate the coverage they're providing. The Lakeland Times sure looks like a site worth bookmarking. And it looks like the kind of hometown paper I wish I had the option of subscribing to where I live.
Check out the latest from other Gun Rights Examiners:
Atlanta Gun Rights Examiner: Court rules that legislator did not mean what he said
Austin Gun Rights Examiner: Texas political two-step over border security
Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner: Massacre at Winnenden: The failure of German gun control
Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner: Gun control as a measure of safety and freedom
DC Gun Rights Examiner: DC Attorney General Peter Nickels acts schizophrenic on constitutional rights
Denver Gun Rights Examiner: Economics 101: guns and monkeymeat
LA Gun Rights Examiner: Saturday Special: AB 357: What would change?
Milwaukee:
Minneapolis Gun Rights Examiner: The first thing you do is drag him inside
Amid economic downturn, gun sales flourish; renewed vigor for gun rights evident
St. Louis Gun Rights Examiner: Suing for gun rights: now the shoe is on the other foot
Wisconsin Gun Rights Examiner: Another funeral today
Comments
I would enjoy seeing his neighbor get slapped with a lawsuit. His neighbor destroyed this man's peace in his own home/yard destroying his privacy. A suit on the cop would be in order as well. However the neighbor needs to be taking down in a lawsuit that takes him to the cleaners. An example to busy bodies to use police by calling them because they don't like your lawful conduct. Clearly the busy body neighbor could clearly see there was no threat to anyone and this man was on his own property. The neighbor didn't like what Krause was doing and tried to hassle him. Slap a lawsuit on that idiot and take everything he owns.
Wow, David. You aren't just covering gun rights, you are covering the freedom of information, as well. :)
Living in and around henderson las vegas area for over 30 yrs, I have notice lately that every time an officer of the law ends up killing someone its always been justified. I believe they even tried to set up an panel to look into this problem. someone should look into why officers seem to be into pulling the trigger when their life is not into the danger they proclaim. yes I understand they have a difficult job, but it does not justify every death that occurs. someone should actually write a article about this, that is if the powers to be dont cover it up.
AJ, the first cop to address Mr. Krause simply engaged him in conversation. He hadn't even disarmed him. It was the secondarily responding officers who pulled their guns on a man in his own yard who was obviously no threat to the cop already there, or to anyone else for that matter.
Those are the cops who need sued, decertified and tried for ADW.
Thanks for letting us know you're collecting "authorized journalist" stories. Here's one for you:
tinyurl dot com slash dxjv3g
Check out their lead photo of "9,000 gun primers" -- they sure look like bullets to the rest of us. :-)
Wow... Th editorial in the Lakeland Times not only has the name of the writer, but his picture as well. Odd that we don't see this much when there's an anti-gun editorial, huh?
As I understood it (and I may well be wrong), Mr. Krause's neighbor contacted the police merely to ask if Krause's action was legal (seems like a good idea if you don't know the law yourself, right...? [inserts sarcasm here]). It was the police who then broke the law, violated both the State and Federal Constitutions, and trampled Mr. Krause's rights.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!