I'm not anti-guns, I'm anti-stupid guns and stupid gun use and stupid gun owners.  I'm not even against subsistance hunters, those who have valid hunting licences and who don't use an AK47 to kill game animals.  But the latest "proposal" from the NRA is beyond the pale.  They want restrictions against concealed weapons in national parks to be lifted.  And the recent SCOTUS ruling on gun ownership has made them more brazen about pushing for it, claiming they are the ones being "bullied."

 The Interior Department has extended the deadline for public comment to August 8. (See contact information at end of diary.)

 As the dear departed George Carlin noted, we all have "stuff."  Some stuff is at least moderately necessary (clothes, dishware), some to make life more comfortable (beds, chairs), some to entertain us (TVs, stereos), some to help us enjoy the outdoors (bicycles, skates), and some "luxury" items (jewelry).  And then we have stuff to keep our stuff in or on (desks, dressers).  But just how often do you need to replace that stuff?  And how much has the American economy come to rely on consumers constantly replacing their stuff?
 Manufacturers try to convince us there are "expiration dates" to some items, such as mattresses, pillows, or couches.  Then there's a hidden planned obsolescence in other items, such as electronics or kitchen equipment.  While some items become obsolete due to advancement in science, others just seem to have a lower quality level than in years past, breaking sooner or more often.  (I have a toaster my grandparents owned in the 1960s.  The only thing slightly broken on it is the electric plug.  But it will probably cost more to replace a simple plug than to buy a new toaster.)

 As I wrote last week in my diary, Nothing Else is Coming, residents of Mendocino County (and many other areas) have been left much on their own to fight the multitude of fires.  Only now is the California National Guard arriving to assist in stamping out what hasn't already burned.  My sibling, who lives in central Mendocino County, tells me that the costs of extinguishing the fires in the county would have been substantially less had more people power arrived before the fires were allowed to get out of control.
 How much extra will the state (and Fed) end up paying in manpower costs, as well as lost property costs, for Gov. Schwarzenegger possibly waiting too long before calling up the NG, and then having to wait a week for each group to get up to speed prior to being sent out to designated locations?

"You got what you got,... Nothing else is coming."

"The entire governmental system broke down; we had to rely on ourselves and our neighbors."

 These are some quotes from residents of less populated areas of Mendocino County, who have essentially been left on their own to fight the wildfires (set by lightning strikes), with only little assistance and equipment from governmental sources.  Those who haven't become instant volunteer firefighters provide the support - food, farm equipment, small  tools, and even gas for the few fire engines available.
 As eugene pointed out in their diary, How Bush Destroyed Federal Firefighting, Federal funding for firefighters has been greatly slashed under King George.  And the California budget shortage is straining already shorthanded CalFire and local firefighting crews.  So unless you're lucky enough to live in a densely populated or high priced residential area, be ready to break out a shovel and hose to protect your home, because trained firefighters or air support probably won't be coming to the rescue anytime soon.  

 True to the saying "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished", I continue to be punished for trying to be a good citizen.  One of the more recent examples is a battle with the  San Jose Mercury News.
 Back in April a high school student came to my door selling newspaper subscriptions.  He said he was trying to get a college scholarship, as he was planning on attending UCBerkeley starting this fall.  He said it was only a trial subscription, for which I could get my money back if I cancelled after a certain date.  Against my long standing pledge to never subscribe to print newspapers again, I caved.  It was supposed to be for a good cause, that came back to slap me in the face.
 When the specified date in May passed, I cancelled with the SJMN.  But after a month I still had not received a refund, so I called again.  This time I was told I would receive the refund (a smaller amount than I was told at the time I cancelled) in two weeks.  That was on June 20.  More than two weeks have passed, still no refund.

   Thousands of firefighters from across California, and some from out of state, will be seeing fireworks tomorrow, but not the fun kind they would like to see.  Nor will they have a chance to relax at BBQs or picnics with family and friends.  That's because they will be on the front lines fighting the countless wildfires that continue to burn in various parts of California and other states, the biggest currently in the Big Sur area (Los Padres National Forest.)  
 Tomorrow the firefighters my city will hold their annual pancake breakfast, a fundraiser for their firemen's fund.  The breakfast is in conjunction with our county's big 4th of July parade, which attracts local dignitaries, service groups, and performances from the likes of {ugh} the Stanford "band".
 With that inspiration, I'd like to hold a virtual "pancake breakfast" fundraiser for firefighters and other groups involved in helping fire victims.

 232 years ago the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.  But the DOI may not have been approved that day, or may not have contained the wording as we know it today, were it not for an outspoken minister who stood up against compromise.
 How soon Americans forget (if they ever knew in the first place) that this country grew out of a clash of religion and governing rules.  Because of that, one of the most fierce advocates for a split from British rule was himself a controversial preacher.  
 During the debate over independence, one member of the Congress urged further deliberation, saying that the country was "not yet ripe" for such a declaration.  Rev. John Witherspoon, representing New Jersey, shot down that notion, stating  

in my judgment the country is not only ripe for the [declaration] but in danger of rotting for the want of it.

 San Francisco Bay area bully Cargill, Inc. now threatens to take back some of its salt ponds and go home in retaliation for environmentalists' opposition to a proposed real estate development.  

With environmentalists trying to qualify a November ballot measure that could block open-space development, Cargill and real estate development firm DMB Associates are telling Redwood City residents that if they don't support building homes and commercial offices on the 1,433-acre site as well as wetlands restoration, the company will continue to harvest salt indefinitely.

A DMB official who asked not to be named denied that the announcement is a response to the environmentalists' ballot proposal.

 http://www.mercurynews.com/...

While many people in the Obama campaign have deservedly gotten high praise by many here on dKos for a brilliantly run campaign, some early supporters appear to have been overlooked.  They are "establishment" politicians who could have taken the easy route by backing Hillary Clinton or not endorsing any Democratic candidate during the primary.  Instead they stood up for what they believed in, and believed would be in the best interest of the country.  Two of those I would like to acknowledge are former Senators Tom Daschle and Bill Bradley.
 Tom Daschle was hiting the Sunday news show circuit and elsewhere when many people had barely heard of Barack Obama, let alone before the TM considered him a serious challenger to Clinton.  Bill Bradley endorsed Obama just prior to "Super Tuesday", gaining even more media time as another key campaign surrogate.
 Although these two former senators may not have had the star power that others in the Democratic party had at the time, they had enough to get critical air time to put Obama's name and message out to the public.

A wildfire in the Santa Cruz mountains has burned more than 1,000 acres, and has now been declared "out of control."  Some structures have been destroyed.
High, eratic winds are driving the flames and making it difficult to get fire suppression aircraft into the area.   This is in an area with dense forestation.  
Several local schools were closed.  One school first used as an evacuation site was subsequently evacuated.
Many people in the area have large livestock that need to be evacuated as well.

The fire started at about 5:30 a.m. Thursday off Summit Road near Loma Prieta Road in the Santa Cruz mountains.

 NBC11 coverage

The flames are being fanned by gusty winds out of the northwest that are predicted to hit 35 mph today. Aerial photos of the fire show the plume of smoke has spread south to Carmel.

 S.F. Chron

 Earth Day is officially marked tomorrow, April 22, but we are constantly reminded that every day should be Earth Day when the environment and particular species are threatened.  Here is yet another  example.
 We may be "used to" hearing horror stories about poaching of animals for "medicinal" parts in far off places like Africa and India, but who would think we are now facing a similar explosion of exploitation here in the U.S.  Bears are being slaughtered for their gallbladders.
 Defenders of Wildlife is asking citizens to contact their Representatives and urge them to cosponsor to the Bear Protection Act   H.R. 5534 that would ban the trade of bear parts at the Federal level.
 Send a notice to your Congressperson

Protestors using climbing gear have scaled the Golden Gate bridge and posted two large signs on the suspension cables.  One sign says "Free Tibet"  
 Check the local NBC station website http://www.nbc11.com/...

The group identified themselves to NBC11 as Students for a Free Tibet from New York. At 11:20 a.m. the three climbers unveiled two mesh banners that read "One Dream, Free Tibet 08." The sign cast a shadow on the lanes of the bridge, causing drivers to slow down and read the text.

Chopper11 showed a woman at the base of the bridge being arrested. She was wearing a T-shirt that had the words "Team Tibet" on it.

Sorry for the brevity of this diary and lack of video, but I'm on dialup.

 As explained yesterday in Voteharder's diary, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff is

imposing a blanket waiver of environmental and land management laws along 470 miles of the U.S./Mexico border

so the U.S. can move forward with building a fence along portions of the border.
 The Defenders of Wildlife and Sierra Club have filed suit to stop the Bush administration from such sweeping disregard of environmental laws.  But in the meantime they need our help.
 

For Los Angeles area Kossacks, or anyone else interested, I just received an announcement of the following event to be held at the University of Southern California -
The Green Revolution: Sustainable Business Models?
Saturday, April 5, 2008 9:00 am - 3:30pm

U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer will be the keynote speaker, speaking as chair of the U.S. Senateճ Environment and Public Works Committee on the legislation of the Global Warming Bill. With questions looming over the bill such as how to deal with climate change, carbon footprints and automobile-emission standards and more, her presentation is certain to be important for anyone trying to understand these issues from a business standpoint.

The summit also will feature four Industry Leader speakers from several major corporations and organizations that have already embraced sustainable business practices as a way to both improve the planet and improve their bottom line. Chief Green Officers from Waste Management, BP ("Beyond Petroleum"), the Port of Los Angeles and CB Richard Ellis will describe their ROIs for going green.

 Have you filed your California Form 540 FYE 2007 yet?  If not, please consider donating to the California Sea Otter Fund.  If yes, please spread the word and urge others you know to help.
 Defenders of Wildlife is asking for taxpayer help in saving this fund.  In order for it to remain as a "check-off" donation on Form 540, taxpayers need to donate a minimum of $250,000 each year.  During 2007 the fund just barely met that minimum, collecting $255k from individual taxpayers.

 Well, since many others are ignoring the guideline regarding diary content (noted in the FAQ section of dkosopedia ), I thought I'd join the wolfpack gangs and post yet another diary about this news item or maybe this one.  On second thought, there haven't been quite enough diaries posted yet noting this really important news item.  There have been the countless diaries on this issue, but since I'm a licensed CPA maybe I should share my informed opinion on that issue.  Oh wait, I already did.  But people didn't like my insight because the facts put a damper on their erroneous assumptions.

 In less than a three hour period this morning I saw at least three diaries (here, here,
here) calling for Sen. Clinton to disclose her tax returns.  While I have no problem with such a request (other than the unnecessary duplicate diaries forcing more worthy diaries off the diary list), I just thought I'd point out that some of the information "demanded" isn't the type that will be found in any tax return, regardless of how forthcoming a candidate may be.  Even when a 1040 is released, it is a summary of many different items, the detail of which may not be disclosed (nor is it required to be) within the tax return.

 Today I am sad :-(( to learn that a few days ago the Democratic party lost a longtime supporter.  Although he described himself as a Democrat with a "little d" (meaning he considered himself more on the moderate side of some issues), he was no less outraged at the Katrina disaster and other horrors of Dubyah's administration than us more hard core progressives.
 I'm not sure if I should call him a friend or a good acquaintance, but I can say that the world has lost a very good-hearted, genuine person, which there seem to be far too few of these days.
 Since I am currently without a live fur friend of my own to hug for comfort, I could really use some cheering up with any friendly pootie, puppy, pony or other pet pictures that can be shared here.  Due to the slowness of a dial-up connection, I apologize in advance if I'm not able to respond quickly.