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With all this talk of “The Wild West”, I thought it might be informative to look at the reality of crime in the “wild west” cattle towns and compare them to the peaceful streets of such eastern, gun-control paradises as DC, New York, Baltimore and Newark ...

These are interesting times in the fight to protect and enhance our rights as gun owners. In Wisconsin, we stand on the eve of an historic court ruling regarding open carry. In Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Arkansas, local activists have succeeded in making their voices heard regarding restoring open carry to these otherwise gun-friendly states. With all of this pro-gun activity, it should come as little surprise that the anti-gun forces are out in-force repeating their aged mantra … “This isn’t the wild west.” And this rhetoric is not limited to anti-gunners. Recently, I was quoted in a USA...

With the exception of a few goofy teetotalers, in the average Old West town you couldn’t swing a dead cat without hitting a serious tippler (and he’d probably shoot you soon after). The drinkers you’re about to cross paths with—con-men, gunslingers, gamblers, madams, lawdogs and soiled doves—are among the very best.  THE GOOD…  Wild Bill Hickok (1837-1876)Law man, gunfighter, Union Army spy, military scout, dime-novel hero and dangerous poker player, James Butler Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois. His youth was characterized by a love of guns, a cheerful fondness for “medicinal� whiskey, and a near-total disregard for...

HAWIJAH, Iraq, March 2, 2008 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff walked through the bustling market street of this Iraqi town today – a town that al Qaeda ruled just three months ago. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen saw a market crowded with people and shops stocked with goods. And he saw American soldiers and their Iraqi security forces partners operating with incredible professionalism. Three months ago, this northern Iraqi city was the “Wild West,” said Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North. But a new sheriff came to town in the form of the...

SAHIWAL: At least 13 bandits were killed in a gunfight with villagers in a village near Sahiwal early on Sunday morning, police and witnesses said. More than 25 bandits robbed a house in Chak 135/9-L and were about to break into another one when villagers opened fire on them. At least 13 bandits were killed in the fight that lasted more than one hour. Twelve others, most of them injured, fled. Police said the bandits belonged to the Oar Gang, which was wanted by police in a number of cases. Police have seized the truck and car that they left...

In 1876, a group of triumphant Northfielders propped up the dead bodies of some would-be bank robbers, ripped off their shirts and photographed them. They plastered the images on postcards and mailed them everywhere with the question, "Who are these guys?" Those guys turned out to be members of the infamous James-Younger Gang. And now, the Northfield Historical Society has received a valuable and unexpected gift: A set of glass-plate negatives that appear to be the originals from Ira Sumner, the photographer who shot the now-famous photos. "I knew there were negatives out there, but I never thought I'd ever...

Recent reports from Baghdad have made passing mention of the appearance of vigilantes in some of the city’s neighborhoods. Streets have been blockaded by residents, and only individuals with legitimate business are allowed in. Unofficial curfews have been set, with intruders shot on sight after a certain hour. Beyond that, details are vague – the topic is covered only briefly, as in final lines of this piece. Mainstream reporters don’t seem to see anything very newsworthy in the story. Criminals running loose Something that’s often forgotten concerning the unrest in Iraq is that much of it – in Baghdad in...

The owner of an Andrews-area convenience store, accused of taking the law into his own hands after he witnessed an alleged gas drive off Wednesday, is charged with two counts of assault and battery with intent to kill. Dennis Cooper, 52, the owner of Cooper’s Six Mile Crossing Convenience Store allegedly chased and then fired shots at a vehicle after the driver reportedly drove off without paying for $28 worth of gas. According to an incident report, the ordeal began about 4:20 p.m. Wednesday when 18-year-old Joshua Jennings, of Gray Court, S.C., and 18-year-old Jacob Skelly, of Fountain Inn stopped...

Cowboys, Indians - et les Français It's hard to imagine the French embracing anything American, so why, wonders Abigail S Carroll, have they gone wild for le country? (Filed: 07/05/2005) My first contact with le country was accidental. While travelling last summer in Lorraine, I saw a banner reading "Marange-Texas Rodeo" and decided to investigate. Rough ride: interest in the Wild West is strong in France Two smiling Frenchmen dressed in 10-gallon hats, cowboy boots and spurs welcomed me to the event. I paid €2 (£1.42), but only because I had showed up in a Peugeot hire car. Anyone riding...

The Arizona-Mexico border and the pathways to northern cities and farm fields have always been dangerous places. Just ask the granddaughter of a Cochise County rancher. The 13-year-old was surprised on a hike by armed immigrant smugglers who were bringing their human cargo across her grandfather's ranch and through the desert. She still has terrible nightmares of these men with guns. Or the 13-year-old immigrant girl named Montserrat who was making a trek to find work. Montserrat told the New York Times she thought she would go to school and eventually get a good job in the United States. Instead...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... . U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. . . Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family...

This is a link to a German Video Feed. The content of the report itself is typical (America is Doomed, blah blah) but a few facts are reprted well. I wish to call attention though to the commentator at the beginning and end of the report - his comments and attitude reflect what a majority of the German People think - he even seems to enjoy his sarcastic barbs. Clicking on the link should take you directly to the video feed.

Court martial of US officer in Iraq Tuesday 18 November 2003, 13:08 Makka Time, 10:08 GMT A court martial hearing against a high-ranking US military official on charges of beating up an Iraqi detainee has begun in Tikrit.  Court martial of US officer in Iraq Lieutenant-Colonel Allen West is charged on three counts -  beating Yahya Hamudi, threatening to kill him and firing his gun near the detainee's head during interrogation on 20 August. The hearing, which started on Tuesday, marks the first time that legal proceedings have been initiated against a senior US officer in Iraq. West's driver, appearing as a witness,...

I recently wrote an article an published on FreeRepublic entitled Colonel West...you've got my back anytime. That article haas received a lot of attention and became a very good thread with people inside and outside the military analyzing and commneting on the episode in Iraq where this fine Lt. Colonel acted on his own volition in a time-sensitive, combat environment to extract information from an enemy spy within the coalition fomred and supported Iraqi Police Force. The method of intimidation Colonel West used to extract the information has become the center of controversy and is leading to military legal proceedings...

OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOMAmericans rally behind officer who foiled plot Family shares stress of assault charges, girls hear at school: 'Your daddy is no hero' Posted: November 5, 20031:00 a.m. Eastern By Art Moore© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com A U.S. Army officer is facing assault charges for allegedly frightening an Iraqi into disclosing details of an impending ambush plot, but he's garnering support from Americans who regard him as a hero even while his daughters endure taunts from classmates. Under threat of an attack, Lt. Col. Allen B. West, a battalion commander with the 4th Infantry Division, took charge of the interrogation of an Iraqi...

<p>With the clock ticking toward a scheduled Nov. 10 investigative hearing for Lt. Col. Allen B. West — on charges of mistreating an Iraqi prisoner in a successful effort to thwart a guerrilla attack on U.S. troops — it's time for the military to rethink the ill-considered decision to go forward with his prosecution.</p>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exclusive commentary by Jon Connolly Nov 5, 2003 Has the army got its head up its collective tushie or what? The Pentagon, actually staff judge advocate for the 4th Infantry Division, has charged Lt. Col. Allen B. West with communicating a threat and aggravated assault during an interrogation and has requested an Article 32 hearing as prelude to a possible court martial. Don’t these lawyers understand we’re at war? You can bet your life -- which is exactly what the troops in Iraq do every day -- it’s literally a crap shoot who lives, who dies, or who is...

The following is Lt. Col. Allen B. West's own candid comment regarding the situation he faced in Iraq, as reported by the Washington Dispatch on November 5, 2003: "I have never denied what happened and have always been brutally honest," said Col. West. "I accept responsibility for the episode, but my intent was to scare this individual and keep my soldiers out of a potential ambush. There were no further attacks from that town. We ... apprehended two other conspirators (a third fled town) and found out one of the conspirators was the father of a man we had detained...

OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOM Prison for officer's effort to foil attack? Scared Iraqi into revealing details of plot but faces court martial Posted: October 30, 2003 12:45 p.m. Eastern © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com A U.S. army colonel who allegedly frightened an Iraqi into disclosing details of an impending attack by firing a pistol into the air near his head, faces up to eight years in prison on assault charges. Army officials have given Lt. Col. Allen B. West of the Fourth Infantry Division a choice – a court martial or resign early, losing retirement benefits. The 19-year veteran says he will reach...

    The Army has filed a criminal assault charge against an American officer who coerced an Iraqi into providing information that foiled a planned attack on U.S. soldiers.     Lt. Col. Allen B. West says he did not physically abuse the detainee, but used psychological pressure by twice firing his service weapon away from the Iraqi. After the shots were fired, the detainee, an Iraqi police officer, gave up the information on a planned attack around the northern Iraqi town of Saba al Boor.     But the Army is taking a dim view of the interrogation tactic. An Army official at the Pentagon...

The Army has filed a criminal assault charge against an American officer who coerced an Iraqi into providing information that foiled a planned attack on U.S. soldiers. Lt. Col. Allen B. West says he did not physically abuse the detainee, but used psychological pressure by twice firing his service weapon away from the Iraqi. After the shots were fired, the detainee, an Iraqi police officer, gave up the information on a planned attack around the northern Iraqi town of Saba al Boor. But the Army is taking a dim view of the interrogation tactic. An Army official at the Pentagon...

<p>The Army has filed a criminal assault charge against an American officer who coerced an Iraqi into providing information that foiled a planned attack on U.S. soldiers.</p> <p>Lt. Col. Allen B. West says he did not physically abuse the detainee, but used psychological pressure by twice firing his service weapon away from the Iraqi. After the shots were fired, the detainee, an Iraqi police officer, gave up the information on a planned attack around the northern Iraqi town of Saba al Boor.</p>

Sign a citizen petition on behalf of Lt. Col. Allen B. West, U.S. Army, who was indicted last week on criminal assault charges for the psychological intimidation tactic he used to acquire vital intelligence from a captured enemy combatant in Iraq -- intelligence that saved the lives of American soldiers facing imminent attack. "[The enemy detainee] and his accomplices were a threat to our soldiers and the method was not right, but why should I...be forced into prison for protecting my men?," Col. West asks. Patriot Petitions poses the same question: How can we expect our frontline officers to fight...

OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOM 'Heroic' officer clings to faith Facing charges after foiling ambush plot, 'devastating' to be regarded as a criminal Posted: November 5, 2003 5:00 p.m. Eastern By Art Moore © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com A U.S. Army officer facing assault charges for frightening an Iraqi into disclosing details of an impending ambush plot says his faith in God has kept him from falling apart amid the severe pain it has caused him and his family. "Without God and my Savior Jesus Christ, I would have cracked a long time ago," Lt. Col. Allen B. West, a battalion commander with the...

West Case Shows Even The Military Has Its Priorities Wrong By Nicholas G. Jenkins Silly me to assume that ends mattered more than means in the United States military. I thought in war, staying alive was paramount. Apparently not so in the Army, where Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West faces an Article 32 hearing, possible court martial, and up to eight years in prison because he fired a gun to frighten an Iraqi resister into spilling the beans about attacks on American forces. Colonel West’s methods saved American lives (including, quite possibly, his own), but the process-obsessed Army doesn’t...

OPERATION: IRAQI FREEDOM'Heroic' officerclings to faith Facing charges after foiling ambush plot, 'devastating' to be regarded as a criminal Posted: November 5, 20035:00 p.m. Eastern By Art Moore© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com A U.S. Army officer facing assault charges for frightening an Iraqi into disclosing details of an impending ambush plot says his faith in God has kept him from falling apart amid the severe pain it has caused him and his family. Lt. Col. Allen B. West and wife Angela in undated family photo (Courtesy Angela West) "Without God and my Savior Jesus Christ, I would have cracked a long time ago," Lt....

One thing we know about Army Lt. Col. Allen B. West is that he actually succeeded in collecting human intelligence in Iraq. Another is that his emergency information gathering technique may have saved American lives without taking enemy lives. And a third is that the Army has relieved West of his command, and may now court-martial him, cancel his pension and send him to prison for up to eight years. Can't see how this adds up? Nor can I. But this is the sum of stories broken last week by Rowan Scarborough of The Washington Times. The Defense Department may...

NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND7115 South Boundary BoulevardMacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 November 5, 2003Release Number: 03-11-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FORMER IRAQI GENERALS DETAINED, WEAPONS CACHE DISCOVERED Al FALLUJAH, Iraq – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, captured two former Iraqi Army general officers in an early morning raid in Fallujah Nov. 4. The two generals are suspected of being key financiers and organizers of anti-coalition fighters operating in and around the city of Fallujah. Also, soldiers from 1-16 Infantry, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division, discovered...