So, this hefty mammal is stomping the crap out of a woman he once claimed to love, and a passerby who has fought for his country stops to help. The Creature From the Testosterone Lagoon decides he’ll stomp him into jelly, too. Ordinary size military vet with concealed carry permit from Wisconsin basically says, “Uh, no” and draws his 9mm pistol and takes the woman -beater now assaulting him at gunpoint. Woman-beater decides not to push the matter.
Street-savvy cops arrive, sort things out, can tell good guy from bad guy. Bad guy arrested, good guy is recognized as such, and gets accolades from the sheriff, as seen here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/16/charlie-blackmore-marine-veteran-draws-gun_n_2891176.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D284796 .
HuffPost, not exactly what you’d call a pro-gun entity, gives him props. Cool so far.
Read all the way to the bottom, to where Huffington Post compares him to other “vigilantes.” In a bizarre twist of journalism, they include a high profile case not yet adjudicated in Florida as an example of “vigilante justice,” along with Jack Ruby and some guy who threw marbles at a traffic control camera.
Uh…does anyone who writes for HuffPost understand words like “research”? Do they understand that “words mean things”?
The term “vigilante” comes from “vigilance committees,” folks on the nineteenth-century American frontier who gathered together without benefit of government authority – in a time and place where there WAS no such thing to speak of – and became judge, jury, and occasionally executioner of those they felt were wrong-doers.
In the instant case, we have a man who fought for his country and carried a pistol to protect himself, his loved ones, and others within what the law would call “the mantle of his protection.” He made, essentially, an absolutely appropriate citizen’s arrest, and kept a helpless woman from being beaten to death.
“Vigilante,” my ass.
The words you were groping for, HuffPost, were “Good Samaritan.” Or, if that’s too many syllables for your current generation of reporters and editors, maybe just…”Hero.”
But, hey, I’m an old dinosaur who thinks in the Old Ways.
What do you, reading this, think?
Frankly, I’m surprised the HuffPo article didn’t blame the woman for not doing as she was told in the first place…
The prostitutes at Ho-Po -Understand- that words have meanings. And that is -*EXACTLY*- why they used the words they used! This was off template/message from what they wanted, so they try and spin it. You are starting to see why the Spanish civial war in the ’30’s was SO bloody for journalist.
I don’t think he fought for his country. He fought for his government, not a very honorable thing to mention. I can forgive him…
Let’s face it – HP and most liberals simply do not approve of the use of a gun in any situation. Maybe we should not waste our time on them – they will not change their attitude until its their wife in danger!
You have to keep in mind that anything Huffpo prints is first and foremost intended to reinforce the programming of the Obamabots. Effective self defense must always be viewed with suspicion. There must always be the possibility that if someone had just upchucked on the perp he would have seen the error of his ways, and gone looking for religion without that evil gun coming into play.
Maybe they are mad the woman wasn’t carrying the recommended pen and whistle or maybe scissors. :-/
Accurate and appropriate representation of the facts with just the fight touch of sarcasm to not-too-indelicately make the necessary point.
My wife is quite proud of her vigilante ancestors in early Montana. They had their time and place. This latest incident no way qualifies and the term is thrown around to cause problems not provide information.
I wonder what they’d think about the San Francisco Vigilance Committee having their own cannon.
3-7-77
You are right on Mas ! The problem is the Liberal Press will never lose their slant against gun owners. I wonder if it has to do with the liberal professors they had in their journelism classes in college. There has to be some common link between all of the liberal media.
Just another delightful day in la la land for the “journalist”.
That’s about like the peabrains who think all LEO’s are corrupt because of the crimes of a few.
Besides the invidious characterization of Mr. Blackmore as a vigilante, the last paragraph of the article also included a complaint that Wisconsin’s carry law did not require making public when those forbidden to have a carry permit apply for one. Although it did acknowledge that such information is provided to police. Apparently the Huff Post is simply incapable of writing an article with a positive view of firearms and/or concealed carry, even in such a clear-cut case as this one. My hat’s off to Charlie Blackmore for his heroic behavior, and to Milwaukee County Sheriff Clarke for his support of Wisconsin’s relatively new carry law. As an Iowa native that visits Wisconsin regularly, it’s a change I appreciate.
I think we’re heading for a world of hurt.
typical coverage for liberal anti-gun rags…and addressing the writer as a reporter..you certainly are a very nice ‘old’ gentleman
Yes, I’ve noticed lots of media bias in this current round of gun grabbing. Even using a firearm to defend yourself at home can get you labeled as a “Vigilante” by the press and especially by people who believe only solders in active duty and LEOs should possess firearms. I’m actually surprised the story got any press coverage at all since no one was shot. But maybe the press has to make sure that no one thinks that a “Good Guy with a Gun” saved the day. No! He is a vigilante, not a good guy.
You can’t reason with HuffPo writers. You think that’s bad, read some of the comments. It’s hard to believe how stupid and naïve some of these Liberals really are. They’re more than just a nuisance… these low information people vote. The comparison at the end of the article is disgusting.
The police chief has it right. Would that there were more like him.
These people are like a plague of locusts.
Thanks Massad. For some pure thought and sanity amid this upside-down mess liberals are creating.
Hey Mas, I’m almost 65 and you are correct!
This is why I do not read anything put out by HuffnPuff. The First Amendment establishes their right to publish any sort of crap, in any sort of context and they push that right to the limit. When I read something like this, I have to grit my teeth as I recount taking the oath to defend our Constitution. It is unfortunate that some folks will not see the absurdity in their slipshod attempt at journalism.
“Hero” works for me.
I think the Huffington Post is run by a bunch of “AssHats” that couldn’t find their butts with their hands.
Much sexier headline to call this Good Samaritan a Vigilante instead of the hero he is.
Business as usual in the anti-gun press.
Keep fighting the good fight you “Old Dinosaur” Your the Best !!
What happened to the country I grew up in? “Vigilante,” my ass….about sums it up. This guy was a HERO! Oh and by the way…if “Odinary size military vet” just happens to read this. Thank you for your service to this (once) Great Nation and God Bless you!
Kindest Regards…
In God WE Trust….
What do I think?
I think it’s totally impossible for mainstream media to report any gun-related incident, no matter how justified , without throwing in some derogatory editorial innuendo.
Shame, HuffPo . . . shame.
First of all – a big THANK YOU for all the good advice you have provided through your books and this site.
I don’t know when America turned from the “land of the brave” into “land of the wimp”…
To quote Edmund Burke – “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Tie good men’s hands “for the kids” and you’ll see evil prevail…
The vigilante picture gallery did seem in poor taste, as does a lot of Huffington Post. Interestingly enough, Huffington Post requires my admin password to view on my work laptop and is categorized as “adult”. That being the case, I don’t expect cutting the cutting edge journalism I would expect from our High School newspaper or website. They have an English and Spanish teacher as an editor. The comments at the very, very bottom or the article were predominantly positive with a bit of real concern for the gentleman’s legal and financial well being if the situation would have required deadly force.
In this spirit, I do have to ask about your change from “vigilante, my butt” to “my ass” latter. Mas, do you really have a donkey? And, yes, I am a “smart ass”. Thanks for an interesting article.
I think you are absolutely correct.
It is an ongoing source of irritation to me, to see words used poorly (or deliberately misused) in media stories. Words have specific, clear meanings…except in advertising, and in the news media.
Kudos to the vet who cared enough to stop and place himself at risk of injury (and litigation). A shake of the head at the media for trying to ‘spin’ the story into something it isn’t.
Charles Blackmore is the epitome of what concealed carry is all about. That is why he must be demonized. Gun grabbers only win on fear and anything contrary cannot be made known.
Mas, take heart. It is said that everything that is old will be new again. Sooner or later the failings of the control society will be so apparent that even they will have to recognize them and then we who think in the “old ways” once again will have to rise to the challenge of educating the lost.
To one battered woman Charles is truly a HERO and to the rest of us he is a perfect example of what should really be considered control.
Watched my Mother face off against a wife beater several times when I was 10-11 years. She was a toughie and he backed down.
Hero fits it just fine
I suspect their ivory-tower purity will remain untainted by reality until it is forced on them. How fortunate that they can call upon people who DO face unpleasant realities every day to protect them from their own foolishness!
Vigilante justice is the result of a person or group believing that no other options exist; that the acts of a vigilance committee are the only source of justice – not law – available to them.
We haven’t experienced vigilante justice yet. But – and this gives me no pleasure to write – in an era where even the lawyers acknowledge that you can buy the system with enough money, it may yet be coming.
I guess I’m an old dinosaur, too!!! I am so sick of this so-called government. The left wing liberals and commies are ruining this once great country! I wish we could just take them right out of their Congressional seats and replace them with good, god fearing people who have common sense, morals, and an understanding of the Constitution. I would like to see another man sitting in the Oval Office..maybe Dr. Ben Carlson or someone of the same fiber. Then, maybe the lame stream media would start telling the truth and reporting what really happens. The idiots like the ones at HuffPost would still have their right to spout nonsense if they choose; and the rest of us could breath easy knowing that we don’t have to worry about living under a tyrannical maniac. God bless America and may He save us from the evilness that permeates our government!!
Mas,
Read the article on HuffPo… did not see where it talked about vigilantes… There was an edit to the post earlier today. Wonder if they were taking to much slack for it…
What really gets me is the end of the video. Some lady is spouting off about how crimes that are commited by concealed carry permit holders are not reported. While I am sure CCW holders have committed crimes, I wonder if she has ever concidered that they are not being withheld, but rather they are not being committed…. The anti-gunners amaze me. They hold on to their assumtions even (and especially) when facts to not meet their reality.
Got to hand it to you Mas, you make it much further into those HuffPo articles then I do. And I’ve got some liberal leanings in the closet.
As a good friend of mine once said, “I read it in the HuffPo so there is a small chance that at least some of the story is true.”
I think you’re 100% correct. Citizens who defend the weak (even themselves) from evil doers deserve a medal, not ridicule.
Huff Post is 99.9% crap.
Agreed, it is appalling that they would imply Charlie Blackmore is a vigilante by putting this at the bottom of the article.
I wonder if it is intentional or if it comes from a mindset that only evil can be done with a firearm leaving no room for a selfless act of good.
Mas, I think you should stop reading the Huffington Post. 😉 If your like me it’s better for the blood pressure that way.
I hope the average citizen has their BS filter cranked way up when it comes to this type of media, the story was reported correctly but really..really they had to add a photo album at the bottom of the web page and call it “notorious vigilantes”. It’s unfortunate that the media can’t report what a good guy can do with a live saving tool every night on the main stream news. I guess bad news makes good ratings and money, and good news just…well, we will never know will we.
Sir:
I think or at least my opinion is that this is an example of todays society morals. A person, in this case a women, is in trouble and needs help. A citizen, in this case a vet, who is authorized steps in and to defend himself while helping a fellow citizen draws a weapon and subdues a bad guy. In my day this would be normal citizen behavior but nowadays this is thought be vigilatisism.
Keep up the good work, sir. There are many who look up to you as a good example of a good citizen.
I’m not sure I understand what it means “your comment is awaiting moderation”. My comments would intended to be sincere and as I see things. I hope no offense.
and my comments were in direct response to Mr. Asoobs “Vigilante,” My butt.
You’re right Mas,
The words, “good samaritan” in leftist lexicon means, “non-left believing, anti-victimology supporting, pro-rights neanderthal type, confident in his abilities and understanding in what it means to be a free citizen, and what it takes to maintain that idea.” Their dictionary must be the size of the federal register.
My kudos and ooh rah! to the Marine.
As the HuffPost well knows this is a technique to turn what starts out as a pro-gun article into an anti-gun article. It’s like jerking the lead on a domesticated animal to communicate “bad” don’t do that. If the HuffPost can get us to lower our guard, even for a moment, they can push the knife in further. It’s not unlike bullies who constantly change what is acceptable to wear us down. It’s the people that are on the fence that are the most susceptible to techniques like this.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
I remember after this case:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/01/05/my-wife-is-a-hero-georgia-mother-shoots-home-intruder-five-times-after-being-cornered/
The CSGV Facebook page was full of people complaining that the woman shot him, an unarmed man (because apparently a crowbar isn’t a weapon). I don’t put ANYTHING past the other side as far as classifying good and brave actions as negative.
When I first read the Huffington Post’s article I did not make the same connection you did with the vigilantes. Although on the same page they were not related. I thought I would make that comment but did not have time. Now I have time and re-read it on my smartphone and see EXACTLY what you mean. Try the “desk top” version. What do you think?
And here is what I was looking for to link to in my previous comment, but could not locate.
http://gunfreezone.net/wordpress/index.php/2013/01/07/identities-blocked-to-protect-the-idiots/
The name “Kitty Genovese” comes to mind.
To most of the liberals I know, all forms of self-defense are examples of abhorrent violence equivalent to assault & battery or murder. Some of these idiots have actually stated to me that they wouldn’t use a gun to defend themselves, even if they knew they would be killed if they didn’t. Needless to say, they don’t approve of anyone who does.
A perfect example of this stupidity is the treatment of a high school girl I met a couple of years ago who was suspended from school for “fighting”, even though the facts showed that she was the victim of an unprovoked attack by three other girls who were jealous of her because she was an “A” student. The only resistance (fighting) she engaged in by all witness accounts was that she tried to fend off the blows of those who were kicking her as she lay on the ground.
In keeping with the school district’s asinine policy, she was suspended indefinitely, along with her attackers, who the school refused to report to the police & refused to offer evidence against because it would be judgmental. Her attackers were eventually prosecuted & convicted anyway, but the school still refused to reinstate her. Only the threat of a lawsuit by the victim’s attorney got her reinstated & got her suspension expunged from her permanent record.
There is definitely a lesson to be learned from this, but I don’t think it’s the one these imbeciles are attempting to indoctrinate their students with.
Colo. sheriff refuses to enforce gun-control bills
Associated Press – 6 hrs
GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado sheriff says he won’t enforce two aggressive gun-control measures waiting to be signed into law by Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Weld County Sheriff John Cooke told The Greeley Tribune (http://bit.ly/141Ee2z ) that Democratic lawmakers are scrambling after recent mass shootings, and the bills are “feel-good, knee-jerk reactions that are unenforceable.”
One bill expands background checks on firearm purchases, and the other limits ammunition magazines to 15 rounds. The 15-round magazine limit would make Colorado the first state outside the East Coast to ratchet back gun rights after last year’s shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn.
Colorado’s gun-control debates have been closely watched because of the state’s gun-loving frontier heritage and painful history of mass shootings, most recently last summer’s movie theater shooting that killed 12.
The sheriff said he “won’t bother enforcing” the laws because it would be impossible for officers to keep track of how the requirements are being met by gun owners — and he and other sheriffs are considering suing the state to block the measures if they are signed into law.
Cooke said the bill passed Friday requiring a $10 background check to legally transfer a gun wouldn’t keep firearms out of the hands of those who use them for violence.
“Criminals are still going to get their guns,” he said.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately return calls left by The Associated Press.
The magazine-limit bill passed earlier in the week will technically ban all magazines because of a provision that outlaws any magazine that can be altered, he said, adding that all magazines can be altered to a higher capacity.
Expanded checks have been a top priority for Hickenlooper, who called for the proposal during his State of the State address in January.
Cooke oversees law enforcement in Colorado’s third-largest county by area. His jurisdiction includes its largest city, Greeley, and large swaths of farmland and areas of oil and gas production.
Agree with you 100% Mas. This was not a vigilante. A vigilante is someone who goes looking for trouble and then acts as judge, jury and often executioner. This guy came across a someone being assaulted and likely in immediate danger of serious bodily injury or death. Instead of just ignoring it, he stood up and used the minimum level of force required to stop the crime, notified the authorities and then waited for them to show up.
Unfortunately, too many in both general public and especially the media do not understand why anyone would want to get involved. To them, someone standing up for themselves or other is viewed negatively, especially if there’s a firearm involved. They expect and almost demand people act like those recorded cases where a person was savagely beaten on a busy street while everyone just walked around them and ignored a fellow citizen in distress. After all, it’s not my problem. They have become unable to understand why someone would help another or even defend themselves.
I was proud of this veteran before for his service to the country and am even more proud of him now for standing up and helping someone in dire need. Many of us who legally carry may have chosen differently or done nothing more than call the police instead of risk getting involved. While I don’t know if I could recommend this to anyone, every situation is different and it sounds like he did the morally right thing.
I agree. I can’t tell whether I read HuffPo because I like being angry, or what. I have heard that the creator of HuffPo intended it basically to be the left’s answer to the Drudge Report, and I suppose it does that.
I was always under the impression that a vigilante would be someone who intentionally went after someone.
Journalism is dead and has been for a while.
Reporting has always been “if it bleeds, it leads”, but ever since (in my recollections) the photo of the Vietnamese girl running naked from her village, the entire purpose of reporters has been to make certain we reading/seeing the news FEEL a certain way about certain things. As long as the “news” was presented in a way that fit that agenda, it was reported.
I read years ago in a Buckskinning magazine how somehow “the guns of Vietnam became the guns of Kent State” and how that convinced a generation that all guns were bad and no guns had good purposes. You know, that same generation to whom all cops were Pigs. That same generation that said “Question Authority”.
That same generation that is now The Authority, and for some odd reason they don’t like questions.
Sorry for the soapbox, Mas, but you did ask what we felt out here…
“Good Samaritan” & “hero” don’t support the narrative. Better to have two bloody bodies, flaunt “empathy” and make more meaningless laws.