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Written by Steve Ulrich, Managing Editor

In the past week, Pennsylvania residents have been subjected to TV ads featuring U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick firing a series of weapons, showing his experience as a teenage hunter, a West Point cadet and a solider in Iraq.

Im Dave McCormick and I approve this message to protect the second amendment because thats what guarantees the rest.

Today, Mehmet Oz released a new ad showing the celebrity doctor from New Jersey handling a rifle, explaining how his father taught him about how to handle a rifle and that he is passing along the same lesson to his son.

Its about our constitutional right to protect ourselves from intruders or an overly intrusive government, said Oz in his ad.

Four years ago, Conor Lamb introduced himself to the Commonwealth with a video that stated he served four years in the Marines. Still loves to shoot.

In 2020, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported over 887,000 general hunting licenses for residents of the Commonwealth. The Commission estimated hunters took 435,180 deer during the 2020-21 seasons.

No other state in the Northeast can match those numbers, not even when taking landmass into account, the Game Commission wrote highlighting the season.

Pennsylvania by the numbers Percent of residents with paid hunting licenses: 7.3% (24th out of 50 states) Total paid hunting license holders: 930,815 Total hunting license, tags, permits and stamps: 2,646,720 Gross cost of all hunting licenses: $36,873,199

But this appears to be more than just about hunting for sport.

A little over a decade ago, the Supreme Court redefined the Second Amendment. Before then, in the eyes of the federal courts, the amendment protected the rights of state militias to bear arms not the rights of individual Americans. That all changed in 2008 with the stroke of a pen.

The scale of Second Amendment arms puts firearms into context. To be sure, Americans possess hundreds ofmillions of guns. But researchers trace most firearms tomultiple-gun owners, and about half to super-owners the three percent of the adult population that owns 17 guns on average.

Most eligible Americans do not possess firearms, and the percentage of households that do has dropped in recent decades, according to onecommonly cited survey, from 47 percent in 1980 to 31 percent in 2014.On an individual level, that survey found that only 22 percent of American adults own a firearm; 78 percent do not.Far more people own knives for the basic reason that they have broader utility in day-to-day life. Some Second Amendment scholars havecalled knives the most common arm in the United States.

Politicians supported by gun rights groups similarly assume that the Second Amendment is just about guns. In fact, the Republican Partys official platform conflates gun rights and SecondAmendment rights:

We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a natural inalienable right that predates theConstitution and is secured by the Second Amendment. Lawful gun ownership enables Americans toexercise their God-given right of self-defense for the safety of their homes, their loved ones, and their communities.

As the days count down to the primary election on May 17, we will continue to see candidates utilizing hunting and firearms to make their case for who is the most Pennsylvanian.

April 29th, 2022 | Posted in Front Page Stories, Senate, Top Stories, Video | 12 Comments

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The Politics of Hunting in Pennsylvania - PoliticsPA

By Dr. Harold A. Black

blackh@knoxfocus.com

haroldblackphd.com

The latest French election shows voter discontent with the establishment. The incumbent was primarily challenged by the same far right candidate that was soundly vanquished in the last election. However, this year, the election was closer than predicted with the ruling party garnering less than 50% of the vote dictating a second round runoff. The challengers party was openly racist and pro-Nazi when it was founded with its sole issue being the massive immigration of Muslims into France. Today its rhetoric is softer. The party now speaks of independence from the European Union, the removal of French forces from the command of NATO and amending the French constitution to limit immigration.

In last weeks runoff, the opposition party ended up with less than 50 percent of the vote but the French discontentment was still evident. It is almost identical to the discontentment with the Biden Administration. The Wall Street Journal called the discontent a cultural alienation from a progressive hegemony in the Wests academic, media and artistic institutions and resistance to the new religion of universal climate change compliance with its costly implications for energy customers and seething fury with the little autocrats in government and health bureaucracies decreeing lockdowns, masks and vaccine mandates. underlying it all, righteous indignation at the arrogance of unaccountable elites who dismiss opposition to their authority as the product of bigotry and ignorance and denounce anyone displaying it as a traitor or a domestic terrorist. Sound familiar?

The incumbent, Emmanuel Macron won but acknowledged that many voted for him as the lesser of two evils. A few on the American Left have said that if Macron could be re-elected with his low popularity, then there is hope for Biden. I am no expert on the sagacity of French leadership but Macron is no Joe Biden. Here our problems are compounded by the ineptitude of our leadership. We, too, must endure the lefts obsession over climate change, open borders and Covid mandates. Add to that Afghanistan, gender identity, transgender athletes, Critical Race Theory, the woke military, inflation, shutting down pipelines, shackling oil and gas, the Build Back Better fiasco, the surge in crime and the war on parents where the attorney general was investigating parents attending PTA meetings as domestic terrorists.

The difference between the French election and our forthcoming election is that the opposition is projected to win. If Republicans win both the House and the Senate, then Biden will try to enact his changes through edict something that the progressives in Congress have been urging all along. No Biden budget would pass both Houses. No radical progressive would be confirmed by the Senate. Republicans would have the power to effectively shut down the Biden agenda and throttle back actions taken by those in the administration who think that climate change is the existential crisis of our time. I find it remarkable that so much damage has been done to our economy and our national psyche in so short a time.

We are confronted with elected officials who want to severely curtail our freedoms, re-write the Constitution, pack the Supreme Court, eliminate the Electoral College, abolish the Senate, cancel our culture, muzzle free speech and annul the second amendment. We take to heart the words of Abraham Lincoln: Our safety, our liberty, depends upon preserving the Constitution of the United States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. Amen.

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The French election and the international revolt against the ruling 'elites' - The knoxville focus

In the Western North Carolina region, eight long-time sheriffs arent seeking reelection. Voters in Avery, Cherokee, Clay, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Transylvania and Rutherford counties will elect a new sheriff in the midterm election.

BPR talked with retiring sheriffs and reformers about what this turnover means for the region and the future of law enforcement.

Macon County Sheriff Robert Holland has been sheriff since 2002 - now hes retiring.

In his office there is a picture of Holland as juvenile officer shaking hands with Former President George Bush when Bush was campaigning for his son in 2000.

Courtesy of Robert Holland

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I was in my early twenties. I was a baby. That was a long time ago, said Holland.

Hes says that he has seen the job grow in his three decades in law enforcement.

Gosh, looking back at, you know, through my career, there's been lots of changes. I can remember a time where when your patrol car broke down, you used your personal vehicle to get through the week until you could have your patrol car fixed. Computers I was one of the first ones to have a computer in the agency as an officer, said Holland.

Professionalization, and more technology have been increasingly a part of law enforcement reform.

For example, in 2020, the North Carolina Sheriffs Association recommended reforms such as recruitment, certification, use of force procedures and the creation of an employment database meant to weed out officers with performance issues before they move to a new department was also implemented. They issued an updated report on reforms this year.

Every day things change. What might work yesterday may not work today, and you've got to look at different ways to handle those things. I think that the standards that they're coming up with, they're good, said Holland.

While some things change, the position of sheriff has always been political.That side of the sheriffs role was highlighted in 2020 when the Second Amendment sanctuary movement hit North Carolina.

The resolutions were put forward across the South in part because of gun control legislation moving through the Virginia General Assembly. Cherokee County was one of the first counties to become a sanctuary in 2019. The designation is largely symbolic and promises to uphold the Second Amendment rights of citizens.

In Macon County, the debate lasted three months. Holland calls it an important moment in his career. He provided the county commissioners with a version of the resolution from the N.C. Sheriffs Association which he said did not conflict with the Constitution.

I've already taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, which includes the Second Amendment. One of the major issues that I had with signing this oath for the Second Amendment ... it wasn't the oath that I take for office. It was only a portion of that oath, Holland. And so I had legal advisors outside of Macon County that were giving me advice that you need to understand that if you're signing an oath, a new oath, then you could be null and voiding your oath that you've already taken.

Macon County ultimately passed a resolution protecting the U.S. Constitution, N.C. Constitution and all other laws.

In Haywood County, Sheriff Greg Christopher took a similar stance.

I lean on the North Carolina Sheriff's association to help guide myself as well as our other sheriffs here in North Carolina when it comes to anything constitutional, said Christopher. But especially that second amendment, which is very valid for a lot of people, they do have some valid concerns.

Haywood ultimately passed a similar Constitutional protection resolution.

Christopher, a Democrat, is also retiring after more than four decades in law enforcement.

Two Democrats and three Republicans will run their own Primary Election campaigns in hopes of replacing him. Of the five, two are current employees of the HCSO, one is a former employee and former interim sheriff, and the other two have significant law enforcement experience in Buncombe County. He has this advice for those running:

Our motto here, when it comes to community relations has been, we want to know our communities before we need to know our communities, said Christopher.

Meanwhile in Macon, all five candidates are Republicans. No Democrats filed for the seat, making the Primary Election all-important. Three out of the five candidates in Macon Countys Primary Election are current officers at the sheriffs office. Holland says he will be happy if any of those three are elected.

The Second Amendment is a key issue for candidates and groups who want local law enforcement to have more power.

One national group, the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, wants local sheriffs to assert constitutional powers even over those of the president.

The group believes in zero gun control, no federally-owned land in states and more. This is founded in the CSPOAs contention that The vertical separation of powers in the Constitution makes it clear that the power of the sheriff even supersedes the powers of the President.

Christopher says there are reasons for gun permitting laws despite Second Amendment rights.

One of the things that sheriffs across our state are dealing with constantly is people who want to carry a pistol or to buy a pistol or to have a conceal pistol. And then we have to determine, whether from a mental health standpoint, if they need to do that - or not - for the safety of all of our citizens, said Christopher.

We have to protect our citizens and mental health is a huge issue for us, especially here in North Carolina, with the lack of mental health facilities that we have, he said.

Christophers point that sheriffs must consider mental health is a part of an opposing view to the constitutional association.

These conversations about other law enforcement reform spread across the county in 2020 and continue to be an important political topic.

During last months State of the Union, President Joe Biden explained that he wants to fully fund police.

"We should all agree: The answer is not to defund the police. The answer is to fund the police. Fund them with resources and training they need to protect our communities, said Biden.

Biden proposed federal budget for 2023 includes more than $24 billion for law enforcement centered programs and even more for research on gun violence, mental health services and other services.

These reforms are currently being hashed out by local governments like Buncombe County.

Rob Thomas of the Racial Justice Coalition in Asheville has been working on law enforcement reform since 2019. He says the organization advocates to re- invest some police funding into community services.

The one sentence that I would try to use is: Would you try to build an entire house with just a hammer. We try to look at law enforcement as a blanket solution for a lot of our social problems in America, said Thomas.

Thomas says that it feels like the momentum of change in 2020 has stalled.

I think people have forgotten what inspired the attention and focus on law enforcement in the first place and the individuals that didnt appreciate the changes that we made are gaining their platform back, said Thomas.

I think the thing that made so much change in 2020 is that people were able to see the injustice and the deaths and see how this has been happening for a while and it hasnt been personalized. I think that the only way we are going to get back where we were is if we are able to specific stories about how specific policies, specific things and specific power held by specific individuals creates massive ripples in individual lives within the community, said Thomas.

Law enforcement reform will be the ballot this year. Voters turning out will be able to vote for eight new sheriffs in Western North Carolina.

Another version of this story was also published in the Smoky Mountain News.

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There's a new sheriff in town: How the local elections could have constitutional implications - Blue Ridge Public Radio

Who wants to play the Bucs in Deutschland?

It seems one team is lobbying the NFL to play a road game in London against the Packers. And it got Joe thinking about what teams, if any, are pushing NFL warden Roger Goodell to play the Bucs in Munich?

The Bucs will make NFL history hosting the first NFL regular season game on German soil this fall. Rumors arethe Bucs will play on Sunday, Nov. 13. Later this week, the NFL is expected to announce dates and matchups for all the international games scheduled for England, Mexico and Germany.

That news came from Daylight-Savings-Time-scared, crossword-puzzle-puzzled, Elon-Musk-peeved, Barstool-Sports-triggered, almond-milk-sipping, hot-dog-eating-contest-protesting, mock-draft-scowling,L.L.-Bean-wearing, tennis fans advocate, Second Amendment abolitionist,Mike-Florio-arguing,parrot-insensitive,chewing-with-his-mouth-open,soup-gulping,California-train-romancing, anti-football proliferation,outhouse-admiring,airline-napping,steerage-flying,Yogi Berra-worshiping,urinal-picture-taking,video-game-playing,Taylor-Swift-listening,pickpocket-thwarting,Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating,pedestrian-bumping,olive oil-lapping,popcorn-munching,coffee-slurping,fried-chicken-eating,oatmeal-loving,circle-jerking, craft-beer-chugging, cricket-watching,scone-loathing,college football-nave,baseball-box-score-reading,NPR-honk,filthy-hotel-staying,fight-instigating,barista-training, Budweiser-tolerant,baseball-scorecard-keeping, pasta-feasting, vomit-dodging scrooge, Kay-Adams-following, Coors-Light-souring, pineapple-upside-down-cake-eating social activist and NFL insider Peter King of NBC Sports fame in his weekly Football Morning in America column.

However, there was another juicy bit of intel from King about international games and scheduling. It seems, per King, the Rams volunteered to play the Packers in London, so long as the game will be played in the second half of the season.

Joes first thought was the NFL rarely puts marquee games on international soil. In 2018, however, the Rams and Chiefs were expected to play in Mexico City but that got moved to Los Angeles because the field in Mexico was not in playing condition.

It turned out to be a game for the ages on Monday Night Football with the Rams winning 54-51. But the vast majority of the international matchups are garbage.

So why in the world would the Rams want to travel halfway across the globe to play the Packers instead of just two time zones away in Green Bay? Well, King said the Rams want to take advantage of a neutral site and avoid Lambeau Field.

The second reason? The weather.

England in November isnt that awful (40s or 50s). In Green Bay? It could be 20 degrees at night and a foot of snow. So by playing in England, Los Angeles dodges potential frigid temperatures or freezing rain or snow, or all three that can easily happen in East-Central Wisconsin in November.

Smart!

So that got Joe thinking: If the Packers opponents are trying to play Green Bay in England to avoid wintry weather and a road-field disadvantage, how many Bucs home opponents are begging the NFL to play Tampa Bay in Munich to avoid roasting in the brutal Florida September or October sun?

Average temperatures in Munich are about the same as in England, 40s in November in Bavaria. The Seahawks are probably begging the NFL to play the Bucs in Munich, which seems to have a Seattle-like climate. (The Packers are another far-northern team on the Bucs home schedule, but Joe doubts they want to travel to Europe twice).

The rest of the Bucs home opponents are more accustomed to the heat.

King also noted that the NFL is trying to get half the league to play an international game instead instead of a ninth home game. Thats fair to Joe. Its been eight home games for decades.

Just FYI, Bucs home opponents this year: Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Rams) and Seattle.

Enjoy The Ira Kaufman Podcast Dissecting The Draft, And More.

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So Who Is Lobbying The NFL To Play The Bucs In Munich? - JoeBucsFan.com

LAFAYETTE, Ind. A long-serving state senator representing parts of Tippecanoe County has an apparent easy enough route to the November election and perhaps another term, while a relatively crowded field in another Indiana Senaterace appears on the May 3 Primary ballot.

Senate District 22

State Sen. Ron Alting, a Republican, has served as the 22nd District since 1998. No Democrats have filed to run for the seatin the May 3 election.

During the 2022 legislative session, Alting authored14 billsand two rolutions. He co-authored four bills and 21 resolutions.

In response to the controversies swirling around two Tippecanoe County trustees,Alting co-authored Senate Bill 304, which was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb and becomes law on July 1. The law creates a path to remove trustees who are unresponsive to constituents.

Alting alsosponsored three bills and two resolutions and co-sponsored three bills and one resolution. In total, hes been involved with 51 pieces of legislation this year.

State Senate District 22 includes West Lafayette, portions of Lafayette and Wabash Township.

Indiana District 23 Sen. Phil Boots of Crawfordsvilleannounced his retirement in 2021 after completing 16 years in office.

The open seat has garnered the attention of four Republican candidates: Bill Webster, Christian Beaver, Paula Copenhaver and Spencer Deery, as well as one Democratic candidate David Sanders.

Sanders, the lone Democrat,is an associate professor of biological sciences at Purdue University and currently serves as anat-large member ofthe West Lafayette City Council.

Sanders's campaign aims to address suchconcerns as investing in the infrastructure of District 23, advocating for veterans and investing in renewable energies.

Webster, opting for a second attemptat theIndiana State Senate seat, ran on the Republican ticket for the District 38 seat in 2010 but lost to Democratic incumbent Timothy Skinner.

Webster currently serves as the Parke County GOP chairman and previously served on the Parke County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Webster is a pro-life candidate also campaigning to reduce taxes, reform education, promote job growth, and protect voters' right to own guns.

Christian Beaver is a project manager at Beaver Construction Management but previously worked as the former leasing manager for Granite Student Living.

Beaver is a pro-life candidate who aims to stop late-term abortions. He also wants to invest in the infrastructure in rural communities, address Indianas drug and mental health crisis, reform education, invest in growing Purdue University and protect voters gun rights.

Paula Copenhaver currently serves as the Fountain County clerk and is a member of the Fountain County Republican Womens Club.

Copenhaver is a pro-life and pro-SecondAmendment candidate. She wants to create election reform, promote job and economic growth for citizens in Senate District 38 and reform education.

Spencer Deery currently serves as the deputy chief of staff and as a communications and public policy advisor to Purdue University President Mitch Daniels.

Prior to this election cycle, Deery has said he didnt have the ambition to run for politics, but that changed after the Senate District 23 seat opened.

Like the other candidates, Deery is campaigning on issues like prioritizing education by supporting teachers and focusing on parental rights, promoting job growth by supporting reform that prioritizes workforce development, aiming to reduce taxes, investing in the infrastructure of rural communities and is a pro-life and pro-second amendment candidate.

State Senate District 23covers all or parts of Vermillion, Parke, Fountain, Warren, Montgomery, and Tippecanoe counties.

Noe Padilla is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email him at Npadilla@jconline.com and follow him on Twitterat1NoePadilla.

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State Senate District 23 a relatively crowded field in the GOP primary - Journal & Courier