Diversity in the Southern Ranks

In his Fourth Debate with Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln stated: "I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, [applause]—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race." (Delivered at Charleston, Illinois on September 18, 1858.)

The CZ 75

Introduced in 1975 by Česká Zbrojovka, the CZ 75 is one of my favorite pistols. It is all steel and, at 39.5 ounces, it is rather heavy for a handgun chambered for the 9mm Luger cartridge but it feels much like a Browning Hi-Power in the hand and the weight renders recoil negligible, even with +P+ cartridges. Double action, with a decent trigger from the factory, it is incredibly accurate out of the box and capable of groups that are less than two inches at 25 yards. 

The CZ 52

The CZ 52, made by Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) is a single action, short recoil, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 7.62x25mm (Tokarev) cartridge. Used by the Czech military from 1952 until 1982, it has a very strong action which is reliable, with the exception of a rather fragile firing pin. However, this fault can be easily corrected with a replacement from Harrington Products. 

Revisiting the 9mm Luger Cartridge

A CZ 75 BD in 9mm Luger with Hogue tulipwood grips.

I can remember when it was almost sacrilege to carry a pistol chambered for the "puny and ineffective" 9mm Luger (9x19 Parabellum) cartridge. Published experts and gun shop sages were quick to point out a long history of ballistic disappointment, including over penetration and failures to stop. Those who rejected conventional wisdom were likely to be dismissed with an arcane warning that went something to the effect of: "Well, it's your life."

Some criticism of the 9mm Luger is not without merit. Introduced in 1902, the cartridge was originally loaded with a 115 gr. truncated cone bullet at a relatively high velocty of 1,200 FPS. For much of the Twentieth Century, non-expanding, FMJ and lead bullets were standard loads for handguns and small to medium bore handguns became notorious for providing poor to marginal stopping power. This reputation still haunts the 9mm Luger today and it has been further fueled by lackluster performance of the non-expanding M882 NATO cartridge used by the U.S. Military because expanding bullets are prohibited in international conflict  by the Hague Convention of 1899.

Political Correctness is a Trojan Horse for Marxism

The following was penned by a good friend of mine, Fr. Richard Pumphrey, a well spoken, Anglican priest who is Southern in ways, habits, and character, though he hails from Illinois.

To be fully aware of the insidious encroachment of a philosophy called political correctness, or more rightly Cultural Marxism, it is beneficial to have lived in a time when the notion was regarded as ludicrous if not absurd. The fundamental premise is quite simple, it represents a virtual gagging filter placed between the thoughts of an individual and the vocal expression of them. Quite simply it is a social conditioning designed to seriously limit free expression and the exchange of ideas. 

State Sovereignty and Secession

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do.  --The Declaration of Independence

The "Civil War" was Fought to Impose Political Slavery

Lysander Spooner, a lawyer and entrepreneur from Athol, Massachusetts, was an ardent Abolitionist who believed that slavery was unconstitutional, supported John Brown, and influenced Frederick Douglass.  He also advocated violence against slaveholders:

We specialty advise the flogging of individual Slave-holders. This is a case where the medical principle, that like cures like, will certainly succeed. Give the Slave-holders, then, a taste of their own whips. Spare their lives, but not their backs.  (A Plan for the Abolition of Slavery)

Those who have been indoctrinated to believe that the War Between the States was a moral war, prosecuted by patriotic and benevolent Abraham Lincoln to end slavery, would be surprised at the summation of the Northern principle behind the War that was penned by this vigorous Abolitionist during Reconstruction.  In 1867, in his introduction to No Treason, No. 1, Spooner wrote: