Reader’s Links for December 10th, 2024

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Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

For those interested, please check out https://vladtepesblog.substack.com/ as an another avenue of expression. The Substack is a different project in a sense. It is older videos that in the light of subsequent events, look different or of increased importance, Check it out now and again if you like.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

24 Replies to “Reader’s Links for December 10th, 2024”

  2. Yesterday I went to visit my oldest friend in the hospital. He’s there because he tried to drink himself to death. He failed. Many gallons of vodka over forty-five days were not enough. Better luck next time, old friend. I use dark humour because he understands it.

    It reminds me of the joke: How many surrealists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Answer: A fish.

  3. Nihilism does lead to despair. Absurdism is certainly one way counter it.

    “You live for the fight when it’s all that you’ve got.”
    Bon Jovi, “Livin’ on a Prayer”

    I found my way back to Jesus when I found some things in the bible that contradict the official narrative. He is far more inspiring than any of the Churches say he is, and the truth is right there in the bible. The Reformation is not finished.

  7. The EVILution of Communism Workshop, Session 4
    Communism 3.0: Corporate Communism | James Lindsay

    The other three lectures in this series can be found here:
    Lecture 1: Communism 1.0: Theoretical Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/10/com…
    Lecture 2: Communism 2.0: Industrial Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/11/com…
    Lecture 3. Communism 2.5: Social Communism: https://newdiscourses.com/2024/11/com…

    New Discourses – Premiered 22 hours ago

  8. Canada’s federal public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc announced that 324 firearms have been added to the country’s “assault-style firearms” ban.

    He made the announcement at a December 5, 2024, press conference.

    In 2020, 1,500 firearms the government of Canada labeled “assault-style firearms” were banned, and during last week’s press conference the addition of more than 300 firearms to that list was referred to as “the next step forward.”

    https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2024/12/10/canada-adds-324-firearms-ban-assault-style-firearms/

    • Too bad Dominic LeBlanc and the rest of Canada’s feckless, Liberal government members do not take a look at the top 25 Canada Most Wanted. Regular Canadians eh?

  9. Far-left PolitiFact argues that only right-wing dummies are upset over Joe Biden pledging one billion dollars to Africa while Americans in Western North Carolina freeze in tents.

    First, the proven serial liars at PolitiFact pointed out that on Dec. 3, while in Africa, President Joe Biden promised one billion dollars plus in aid for people in Africa who have had to leave their homes due to drought and food insecurity.

    Then they launched into a “Republicans pounce” sort of narrative.

    https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2024/12/10/nolte-left-wing-politifact-gaslights-defend-1-billion-angola-while-helene-victims-still-suffer/

    Note; foreign aid is destroying the economy of Africa. Why buy food from local farmers, when the aid food is free? Why buy shoes, clothes locally made when you can get aid stuff for free? All this ‘aid’ is destroying the small farmer, the artisan, the small businesses – the very social fabric of African society.

  11. It is good to have wise, serious-minded and respect-worthy judiciary: you know, one that stands above the fray…

    Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to Guest Star in Broadway Musical

    Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will make a one-night, guest appearance in the Broadway musical & Juliet, fulfilling what apparently was a lifelong dream to act on the Great White Way.

    Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, whom President Joe Biden nominated in 2022, is set to make her special appearance during the Saturday, December 14 evening performance. She will also participate in a post-show audience discussion.

    A new ensemble role has been created specifically for Jackson, according to a Deadline report.

    & Juliet is a jukebox musical that is loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The production opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in 2022.

    In her recently released memoir — the promotion of which appears to be the reason behind her Broadway appearance — Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote about her desire to one day act on Broadway while serving on the Supreme Court.

    https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2024/12/10/supreme-court-justice-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-guest-star-in-broadway-musical/

  12. ROME — This weekend Pope Francis presided over the unveiling of a nativity scene in the Vatican featuring a baby Jesus lying on a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf used as a national symbol.

    I greet “the representation of the Embassy of the State of Palestine, tormented Palestine, which has come to present, on behalf of the City of Bethlehem, this ‘Nativity,’ created by the craftsmen of Bethlehem,” the pontiff said in his address.

    “I extend a cordial welcome to the civil and ecclesiastical Authorities present, in particular the Special Representatives of the president of Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas – he has come here several times,” the pope added.

    Before this Nativity display, “let us remember the brothers and sisters who, instead, right there and in other parts of the world, are suffering from the tragedy of war,” he said. “With tears in our eyes, let us raise our prayer for peace. Brothers and sisters, enough war, enough violence!”

    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2024/12/10/vatican-nativity-scene-features-baby-jesus-on-palestinian-scarf/

  14. Climate ‘scientists’ discover they’ve been underestimating a major factor, and all their climate models are in fact wrong
    By Olivia Murray
    Climate scientists recently discovered that they’ve been underestimating the impact of a particular organic compound in the atmosphere, and the oversight’s significance is so profound that it’s left existing climate models completely obsolete. As Jo Nova writes, “This is so big, it may change the sacred ‘climate sensitivity’ of the whole Earth”.

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/12/climate_scientists_discover_they_ve_been_underestimating_a_major_factor_and_all_their_climate_models_are_in_fact_wrong.html

  16. Rediscovering the Second Amendment: A Call to Arms for Common Defense ~ DEEP DIVE
    Ammoland Inc. Posted on December 10, 2024 by F Riehl, Editor in Chief
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    The debate over the Second Amendment often feels like a tug-of-war. On one side, some argue it’s about protecting individuals’ rights to defend themselves from crime. On the other, some claim it’s all about state militias, not personal freedom. But there’s a missing piece to this puzzle—a third way to understand the Second Amendment.

    This perspective views it as a personal right, but one that also serves the collective good: the defense of the community.

    A Forgotten Legacy: Arms for All

    In George Mason University Associate Professor Robert Leider’s insightful work, titled ‘The Individual Right To Bear Arms For Common Defense,‘ [embedded below] he revives an older understanding of the Second Amendment. He calls it the “individual right for common defense.” This isn’t about a government-controlled militia or just personal self-defense. Instead, it’s about empowering regular citizens to band together when needed—whether against invasion, tyranny, or societal collapse. This idea was mainstream in early America, where every able-bodied man was expected to be ready, armed, and trained.

    Sadly, modern legal interpretations often ignore this. Since District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), courts have focused on the Second Amendment as a means of self-defense against crime. That’s valid but incomplete. Meanwhile, collective-rights advocates dismiss the right to bear arms as irrelevant in today’s military landscape, claiming militias are obsolete.

    Both sides miss the historical truth: the right to bear arms was always meant to be broader than just personal safety or state-run militias.

    Why the “Common Defense” Still Matters

    Leider’s analysis is a wake-up call for today’s pro-gun advocates. The “common defense” isn’t just a relic of the Revolutionary War—it’s a practical framework for modern times. Here’s why it matters:

    Tyranny Never Sleeps: A government monopoly on force is dangerous. Armed citizens balance power, keeping government overreach in check. The Second Amendment isn’t just about protecting yourself from crime; it’s about ensuring freedom for everyone.
    Disaster Preparedness: Think of natural disasters, riots, or other emergencies when government services fail. In those moments, communities that can rally together—armed and organized—stand a better chance of survival.
    A Civic Duty: Leider reminds us that owning firearms isn’t just a right; it’s a responsibility. The founders envisioned citizens not as passive subjects but as active participants in their communities’ defense.

    What Courts & Scholars Get Wrong

    Leider critiques modern courts for sidelining the militia’s role in the Second Amendment. Today, laws often ban “military-style” weapons, claiming they aren’t necessary for self-defense. Ironically, these are the exact types of arms that citizens might need for common defense. Courts have also upheld bans on weapons like knives and nunchucks, ignoring their historical use in public defense.

    Meanwhile, scholars rarely discuss how the Second Amendment could still function in a world of standing armies. Leider points out that America’s founders feared professional armies could oppress the population. An armed citizenry prevents this by being a counterweight to concentrated military power.
    Building on This Vision

    To bring Leider’s ideas into the 21st century, we need action. Here are some steps:

    Educate the Public: Many Americans don’t know this broader interpretation of the Second Amendment. Pro-gun advocates must highlight how owning firearms isn’t just about personal safety but about community resilience and national security.
    Fight for Militia-Friendly Policies: Laws that ban military-grade weapons or discourage firearms training hurt the spirit of the Second Amendment. We should push for policies that encourage responsible gun ownership and marksmanship.
    Promote Local Readiness: Local communities should revive the tradition of voluntary militias—not as a replacement for the National Guard but as a supplement. Imagine neighborhoods coming together to train for emergencies, fostering unity and preparedness.

    Conclusion: A Right Worth Defending

    The right to bear arms for common defense isn’t just a historical curiosity—it’s a vital part of America’s DNA. By embracing this idea, we honor the Second Amendment’s full scope and keep its promise alive for future generations. Let’s not limit the debate to “self-defense vs. state militias.” Instead, let’s rally around the broader vision: a nation where every citizen is empowered to defend not only themselves but also their neighbors and their freedom.

    https://www.ammoland.com/2024/12/the-second-amendment-a-call-to-arms-for-common-defense/

    The Individual Right To Bear Arms For Common Defense by Robert Leider, George Mason University –

    https://www.scribd.com/embeds/802741226/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&access_key=key-X6xMjW8wiq6HShYO8NX3

  17. Northwest Anti-Gunners Ignore the Obvious About Crime & Guns
    Ammoland Inc. Posted on December 10, 2024 by Dave Workman
    The Oregon Firearms Federation published a statement supporting a measure in Columbia County establishing what is generically called a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” The measure passed but will it stand? iStock-884203732
    Anti-gunners in Oregon and Washington are ignoring the obvious: Criminals do not obey gun control laws. iStock-884203732

    Reports from U.S. Attorneys in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington are shedding light on a genuine truth which seems to either elude gun prohibition lobbying groups in both Northwest states, or is simply ignored.
    Gun control laws do not prevent criminals from getting their hands on firearms.

    The Alliance for a Safe Oregon recently published an “analysis” of crime-gun sources in the Beaver State, saying Oregon gun dealers are the “primary source” of firearms recovered at crime scenes or during investigations, but it appears the group has its sights set on the wrong target.

    The Portland Oregonian/Oregon Live noted in its coverage of the problem last month, “ATF spokesperson Jason Chudy declined to comment Wednesday. An ATF report says the primary source of stolen guns is theft from private residents’ vehicles, homes and persons. ‘A substantially smaller number of firearms are stolen from federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and from carriers during shipment,’ according to the bureau.”

    In its report, the Oregon Alliance acknowledges the activities of certain individuals who have trafficked legally purchased firearms to members of street gangs. The same report identified one individual who “bought and smuggled nearly 150 high-powered assault rifles to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico.” This man “recruited straw purchasers to buy the rifles at gun stores in the Portland and Salem areas.” He subsequently obliterated serial numbers before turning them over to a courier headed to Mexico.

    Another criminal, identified as Anthony Devalin Brant, Jr., now doing time in prison, was, according to the Safe Oregon report, “found with a stolen 9mm linked to two Portland shootings, which he acquired through this illegal market. According to The Oregonian, the federal case against Brant “was his fourth prosecution involving guns.”

    Kevin Starrett at the Oregon Firearms Federation told Ammoland News via email the Oregon Alliance report “is being marketed to other Oregon ‘press’ organizations, so we know it’s the warm-up for more legislation. It is coming…But there is more. I think it is safe to say the OSP (Oregon State Police) will be looking to have the laws changed so they can work less, meaning fewer hours, take longer and throw up a million new roadblocks. Look for that to come down the pike too.”

    Starrett has been battling restrictive gun control in Oregon for decades.
    Head north to Seattle, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office there has just successfully prosecuted Dion Jamar Cooper, a resident of suburban Kent, who reportedly managed the straw purchases of more than 130 firearms. He actually gave these guns to people who should not have them. At least 54 of the firearms he purchased have been recovered in connection to crimes including “two bank robberies, several carjackings and assaults; numerous drive-by shootings; numerous other shots-fired incidents; and at least one homicide,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said in a news release.
    Early last year, federal agents watched as Cooper “made arrangements to purchase additional firearms.” The man who drove Cooper around to various gun shops was identified as De’ondreLamontia Phillips, a convicted felon prohibited by law from purchasing or possessing firearms.

    Here’s an interesting passage from the US Attorney’s statement: “According to the ATF analysis, all of the… crime guns were recovered from persons who were legally prohibited from possessing firearms, either because they were convicted felons and/or were underage juveniles. This is not surprising, given the nature of straw purchasing offenses…. Notably, several of the recovered crime guns had very short “time-to-crime” periods (the amount of time between the firearm purchase and its recovery at a crime scene). These recovery periods included some as short as two days and others of six days, seven days, and eight days. This reflects that Cooper was purchasing firearms and turning them over to people who nearly immediately used them to commit violent crimes.”

    According to Seattle’s KOMO News, an ABC affiliate, three armed men robbed a woman in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood in January 2023. One of them dropped a handgun in her car which was traced back to Cooper. ATF discovered during a check that Cooper had bought more than 100 firearms between June 2021 and April 2023.
    Cooper will be spending three years in prison, while his pal Phillips has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg called Cooper the “largest known straw purchaser of firearms in the history of the Western District of Washington….”
    Yet, instead of acknowledging that existing gun laws ultimately resulted in putting these individuals behind bars—despite the fact the same laws didn’t prevent them from engaging in the illegal activity—gun control proponents want more laws on the books, which greatly inconvenience (make that “impair”) honest citizens from exercising their rights.

    Points to ponder:

    Criminals don’t bother with background checks, because they couldn’t pass one. So, they rely on people like Cooper.
    Criminals don’t bother with waiting periods, which only affect law-abiding gun purchasers.
    Adding new laws which criminals will ignore simply exacerbates the problem for honest citizens, who are being penalized for the misbehavior of others.

    As reported by Seattle’s KING5 News, the NBC affiliate, Cooper was arrested in April 2003. He was just sentenced, some 19 months later. Why does it take so long to bring these guys to trial? And one wonders if he will be prosecuted as an accessory to that homicide mentioned by the US Attorney.
    One conclusion which seems irrefutable is that the Northwest gun prohibition lobby, since it hasn’t made a peep, is less concerned about gun traffickers than about making it as difficult as possible for law-abiding citizens buying firearms.

    https://www.ammoland.com/2024/12/northwest-anti-gunners-ignore-the-obvious-about-crime-and-guns/

  18. What New York Times Left Out of Its ‘Ghost Gun’ Explainer
    By Tom Knighton | 2:29 PM | December 10, 2024
    AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

    The New York Times still, somehow, maintains a reputation as the premiere newspaper in the United States. We’ve seen a thousand examples of just why that shouldn’t be the case, but Gell-Mann Amnesia is a real thing and the Times benefits from it more than most.
    Advertisement

    In the wake of an arrest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and reports that the alleged killer used a “ghost gun” to carry out the fell deed, it’s unsurprising that the Times would feel the need to run a story on just what a “ghost gun” actually is.

    After all, it’s only run about five billion of them already, but one thing you never do in the newspaper business is assume a reader is as well-versed on the topic as you’d like. Every story should be treated like the first time someone ever encounters the subject, more or less.

    So, the explained what a “ghost gun” is.

    Ghost guns, made with parts sold online, are typically easy and relatively inexpensive to assemble. An alluring selling point for many buyers is that ghost guns do not bear serial numbers, unlike traditional firearms made by companies and bought from licensed dealers.

    Ghost guns are sold as do-it-yourself kits and shipped in parts so that buyers can carry out the final assembly themselves.

    Not entirely true. There is also a requirement to do some modification to the piece of plastic that will, eventually, become a receiver. If it was just assembly, then that would involve selling a completed receiver, which is what the ATF defines as the firearm. That’s not what’s happening here, and failing to note that is problematic because it makes it look a lot easier than it actually is.

    That’s assuming that you buy a receiver kit.

    The alleged killer reportedly used a firearm with a 3D-printed receiver, which means that he didn’t even need a kit. Everything beyond what he printed was simply a replacement part for a gun. He didn’t need a kit.
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    Moving on…

    They have been sold since the 1990s but have become popular in recent years, particularly among criminals barred from buying ordinary guns, and have been a major issue in the larger national debate over gun control.

    They’ve become popular among criminals because the media keeps running stories about how they can be obtained without a background check.

    However, it should also be noted that they account for only a small percentage of guns used by criminals based on the information we actually have available. Yeah, they’ve been held up as a major problem, but there’s also no evidence that the criminals who use these kinds of guns couldn’t get a gun through the black market.

    Moreover, one thing they completely missed, is that building your own gun has been something available to people for centuries in this country. The tradition of building your own gun, even from a “kit,” predates this country. People have done it for ages. It was only when politicians and the media lost their minds over it that it suddenly became something criminals considered.

    Funny, that.

    Not that the New York Times will touch on literally any of that. At least not while there’s hysteria to spread.

    https://bearingarms.com/tomknighton/2024/12/10/what-new-york-times-left-out-of-their-ghost-gun-explainer-n1227112#google_vignette

  19. Florida Driver Refuses Carjacker Then Shoots Him
    By
    Darwin Nercesian –
    December 10, 2024 4

    Today’s feel-good Second Amendment news brings us to the Sunshine State of Florida, where activities are bountiful, from beautiful beaches to golf and nightlife. But if you’re in the mood to do some carjacking, you better think twice. One young man found out the hard way recently when he clearly picked the wrong victim and found himself with more orifices than when he woke up that morning. Once he’s out of prison, I’d suggest a new line of work.

    According to Florida investigators, the would-be victim was armed and more than a little annoyed when he was paid an uninvited visit by a teenager intending to carjack him around 8 p.m. on Dec. 4. The man had parked in front of the Crafty Crab and was waiting in the car for his wife, who was inside the restaurant picking up the couple’s food.

    “While the husband was waiting in the car for the wife to pick up their food order inside the restaurant, a masked man entered the car and attempted a carjacking,” police said.

    This is obviously a rookie carjacker mistake, as you never mess with a guy waiting for his meal. This could also be why the man just wasn’t having it that day. No food, bad mood and he didn’t have a Snickers. And that’s when the conflict erupted.

    “The victim pulled out his own gun and fired at the suspect. The suspect fled the scene, and the victim called 911 and waited for police to arrive,” according to authorities.

    The suspect was later identified as 18-year-old Simon White and was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition, the St. Petersburg Police Department reported in a news release.

    The driver, whose identity has not been released, was not hurt in the incident. Details of where authorities ultimately tracked the teen down were also not made public, but police say that he will be charged upon release from the hospital.

    “Once he is released from the hospital, White will face charges including attempted carjacking and occupied vehicle trespassing,” police said.

    What a way to start off adulthood, but there is another way to look at this. The man taught White an important lesson that I hope he can retain. One can only hope. Speaking of which, I really hope the shooting didn’t ruin this Floridian’s dinner and that he was able to file his report and get home before his meal got cold.

    https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/florida-driver-refuses-carjacker-then-shoots-him/

  20. High-Profile CEO Killing Brings Focus to Ghost Guns
    By
    Doug Howlett –
    December 10, 2024 49
    Police believe this is the gun that was used to killed UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson.

    The arrest of Luigi Mangione, suspected in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is certain to bring renewed scrutiny to the debate over restricting the capabilities of 3D printers to make so-called “ghost guns.” Mangione, apprehended Monday at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, was carrying a 3D-printed black pistol with a silencer that is also believed to be made on a 3D printer. Police believe they were used in the shooting of Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week.

    Initially, investigators speculated the gun used in the ambush was a conventional firearm, quite possibly a bolt-action pistol with an integrated suppressor, such as the B&T Station Six or a WWII English Welrod pistol. Some commentors speculated it was a standard semi-auto that was jamming, so had to be cleared with each shot when it failed to cycle as displayed in surveillance video of the way he fired the weapon. However, the discovery of the ghost gun—assembled without a serial number—may explain the functional limitations of the firearm if not properly created. But it will also no doubt stoke the flames of anti-gun politicians and leaders.

    Police are not yet certain if the gun used in the shooting was a ghost gun, but they suspect it was and are currently testing the firearm.

    “It may have been made on a 3D printer, the capability of firing a nine-millimeter round,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. “Obviously, that will come out during our ballistics testing.”

    3D-printed guns can be assembled at home and are part of a longstanding tradition of gun enthusiasts who enjoy building their own firearms. The ease-of-use and prevalence of 3D printers, however, have led to an increase in the guns’ use in crimes. In New York City, police recovered 382 ghost guns this year, a 154% increase from 2020, ABC 7 in New York City reports. Mangione’s pistol reportedly had a metal slide and plastic handle with a metal threaded barrel.

    The case, involving a high-profile target and a self-manufactured weapon, is expected to intensify scrutiny of ghost guns nationwide. Gun enthusiasts who build these weapons, often for sport or self-defense, may face increased regulation and enforcement as a result.

    https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/high-profile-ceo-killing-brings-focus-to-ghost-guns/