For those of us without TV, please post details

BTW, if your sick of the dancing banana, hit the Esc button on your keyboard and it will stop, along with all moving avatars.

It's on WMUR's website: http://www.wmur.com/news/26393373/detail.html

Hoplophobia...
 

1) While it might seem like a "reach" to have a term for this fear, a term does exist: "hoplophobia". (Pronounced "HOP-li-fobia".)

Wikipedia: Fear of weaponry. (Expressed elsewhere).

2) The NH Legislature made new law two days ago that would recycle FLL's fears.
—Concord Monitor

Don't Give Up.
 

"The thing about this is I've told the truth," Bird told News 9 from jail. "And if anything else, it's a life lesson for my kids and other kids. There's no point in lying about anything. And if I paid for this, for telling the truth, so be it."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_g_OPkR6w

"...when one of these gun nuts..."
 

Here's a letter to the editor from today's January 7 Laconia Daily Sun that is very expressive, and I thought it would add another opinion to this thread. Agree or disagree with her sentiments, it's an interesting letter, don't you think!
............

"If Ward Bird is pardoned I'm going to buy a gun and learn to use it."

To the editor,

If Christine Harris had been armed with a hand gun and had she been quick enough on the draw, when Ward Bird pulled his gun and aimed it at her, she could have pulled her weapon out and been justified in shooting him dead. She would have been within her God-given rights to defend her life.

If Ward Bird obtains a pardon for this crime, I, as a 71 year old woman, am going to feel free to buy a hand gun, learn how to use it well, carry it upon my person at all time and when one of these gun-nuts aims a gun at me, then I will feel free to use it. Also, if someone comes on my property that I do not feel was invited, then I will feel that I have the right to pull a gun and order them from my property.

Is this really the kind of environment that we want here in New Hampshire? Ward Bird and his followers make me sick; they are a bunch of narcissistic, hot-headed individuals who feel that they own this state and get away with anything that they want to, And our crooked, it's who you know society allows them to continue to do just that.

Carolyn Pillsbury,
Meredith
..............

From the Dept of Useful Information, we learn that New Hampshire has a population of 1,316,470 (2010 Census), 400 state representatives, and 24 state senators who represent us down at the State House in Concord. During the last election in November, I was a little surprised to see in the local newspapers where state senate candidate Jeanie Forrester was proud to show off her pink Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol as a good reason for voters to support her. If I remember correct the Laconia Daily Sun had a color photo of Jeanie taking aim at an imaginary target with her pink Glock and she went on to become the newly elected state senator for the district that includes Meredith and Center Harbor.

So, how about that?

Say what???

I haven't seen anything that indicated that Ward Bird pointed the pistol at Christine Harris.

Looks like there's more than one Loon in Meredith.

I’ll say one thing about “Carolyn Pillsbury” she expressed more emotion than what Ward Bird did during his interview with WMUR TV.

Below is what I understand Ward Bird said during the interview:

“I had my firearm behind my back in my belt, I pulled it out and removed the magazine, made sure the chamber was clear, made sure it was safe, and then went into his house to call the police.”
Then the reporter said that Bird checks his gun out of habit before entering his home.

Why would Mr. Bird unload his firearm at this time? Because it is a habit? Well to me habits go out the window when you are that upset. He would have been better off to just say I had a firearm but I never touched it during the time Harris was on my property. Also why unload your firearm each time you enter your home? I don’t! IMHO it defeats the purpose of carry one in the first place.

It Adds absolutly nothing worth while to the thread and neither do you.
It isn't even interesting. Just another stupid statement made by another anti gun liberal and printed by another newspaper that isn't capable or interested in printing true facts.

You are right FLL and here she is doing some target practicing:

http://jeanieforrester.com/wp-conten...d-Pink-Gun.jpg

Nice photo.....and the pink shirt & gun colors go real nice together.

Here's another comment from the Dept of Useful Information. Carrying a handgun carries with it a very big responsibility because once you pull that trigger you cannot put the bullet back into the gun which is probably why the Taser was invented and has become so popular for law enforcement.

Along the same vain, don't swing your broomstick too hard either, it will not look the same afterwards :)

Dept of Useful Information. DUI http://www.myemoticons.com/images/em...king/hmm-2.gif

Hey FLL,
Someone is registering today with a user name almost like yours. fatnlazyless
instead of fatlazyless. Why would someone do that??

Here it is:

http://localhostr.com/file/3g3eKU0/FLL.JPG

WARNING WARNING: RUSTY has Hacked into the forum software. How else would he have access to such info otherwise... :look: NB

You can see this information if you go to "Who's Online". If someone is registering it will appear there.

Don is pretty savy about computer stuff. Hacking into his baby is pretty tough.

RUSTY is Pretty Knowledgeable for a Newbie..don't ya think...? TOTALLY. Just sayin......:D :D NB

I don't know. My money is on Don.

I found a lot of good information about how to get around this forum by doing the following:

1. Clicked on “FAQ”
2. Clicked on “Board FAQ”.
3. Clicked on “General Usage”.
4. Looked at “General Forum Usage”
5. Clicked on “Forums, Threads and Posts”.

After clicking on “Forums, Threads and Posts” a screen comes up with some real good information that helps you understand how this forum works.

Didn’t everyone do that before using this forum?

lET THIS MAN OUT OF JAIL AND GO AFTER SOME REAL CRIMINALS!
 

I cannot understand this case at all. For the life of me I do not know why taking out a gun would get you a three year sentence if you did not threaten to use it against an innocent person. I must be getting too old for some of this nonsense.

I don't have a gun and don't want one and feel that accidents happen in homes where they are kept. However THREE YEARS FOR TAKING A GUN OUT TO TALK TO A TRESPASSER SOUNDS CRAZY. WHY NOT GO AFTER THE REAL CRIMINALS?" Let Ward out! Overturn the ruling or keep it in mind at the polling booths when you vote.

lucky1...
 

He cannot just be "let out". He was found guilty of a crime, by a jury of his peers.
The judge, at that point, has a law/sentencing guideline to follow. It is not open to "discretion".
Attack the law if you want to...start a petition to have the law changed.
So much has come out here..however...I realize the woman is a few sandwiches short of a picknic...but from what I have read, Ward is no stranger to confrontation...and seems to be the type to think that on his own land, he makes the laws.
Just my opinion...

Hey..thanks for posting that, Rusty.......I followed your steps and learned something.

"Prosecutor Susan Boone said that between trials Bird was offered a plea deal for reckless conduct, which carried no jail time but probation - and loss of his right to possess a gun - for two years. Bird said he rejected it because he did nothing wrong. He was convicted by a jury on June 30, 2008."

That's a quote which grabbed my attention that was taken from the middle of a very recent Associated Press article titled: "NH Farmer is folk hero for gun rights advocates."

Hmmmm....saying no to a plea bargain that would avoid prison time like that is definitely not a decision that I would have made myself. Like, what is the great big deal about carrying a handgun that is concealed. First of all, a .45 Sig is not a small gun, it is a very large gun that is heavy and large in overall size. Carrying that thing all loaded up with heavy lead bullets must be something like walking around all day with an Estwing 22-oz framing hammer in your back pocket.

Carrying a handgun for self protection in central New Hampshire is totally unneeded, in my opinion.

And most importantly, saying no to the plea bargain like that was a very unusual decision. Like who would say no so they can keep their legal right to lug around a totally un-needed and very heavy handgun all day. Gee whiz...give me a break!

Is there anyone reading this that would have made the same decision to reject the plea bargain under the same circumstances as did Ward? His decision is very difficult to understand?

So lie & stick your head in the sand? That's the answer?
 

Saying "yes" to a plea bargain is an admission of fault.

Bird felt he had NOT done anything wrong and to admit he had been wrong would have been, in his opinion, a lie. He shouldn't have had to lie to comply with the plea bargain. He's been open, honest, and cooperative with law enforcement and the courts, as far as I know from what I've read.

So, he's in jail for exercising his second amendment right and refusing to lie. Is that what's really going on here? I'm disgusted.

Bird did what he thought was the right thing to do. If I was in that position and felt I had done no wrong, I wouldn't take a hit either. Why should I have to plead guilty when I'm NOT? That's probably how Bird felt.

And FLL...

I live in a wonderful little town; I love Alton. But yet less than one mile from my house a woman, who I consider a friend, and who also serves on the town's board of selectmen, was assaulted in her own home one evening a couple of years ago. Her house isn't in the center of town, but she's hardly "in the sticks", as I'd consider it. The person who hurt my friend has never been caught and I've watched my friend go through quite a process dealing with this crime.

Yes, Virginia, there's crime in Central NH.

Just the incident with the Mt Vernon home invasion/murder/attempted murder should tell you that a rural community does not mean guaranteed safety!

After that incident, I don't consider ANY town in NH to be Mayberry RFD, if you catch my drift.

Well you know what they say about Opinions !! :rolleye2:

Free ward bird!
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e41v3...ayer_embedded#!
Great song!

Argie’s Wife,

I agree that Bird shouldn’t have to lie to comply with the plea bargain. However, if someone accused me of threatening them with a firearm, and I didn’t do it, I would be pounding my fist on the table, hollering and screaming that I DIDN’T DO IT, PLEASE SOMEONE, BELIEVE ME, I DIDN’T DO IT, SHE’S LIEING, I DIDN’T DO IT!!!!!!!
But what does Mr. Bird say during his trial? Nothing, absolutely nothing!

Sorry but that is not human nature to be so passive if you didn’t do something wrong….In My Honorable Opinion that is.

YES I would.

Wow you really can't be serious.

Why would anyone agree to a plea deal if they believe they are innocent? The man believed he was and stood his ground on principal something liberals both lack and understand. Good for him, and you can bet this case is far from over.

Secondly you have no idea what you're talking about. A .45 SIG neither large nor heavy. Most of their automatics are polymer or alloy making them very light weight comparatively speaking AND are compact in size. Anyways what business is it of yours whether or not this gentleman has chosen to carry concealed or not - ESPECIALLY on his own property. That's his GOD given right to do so protected by the constitution.

Hey if you don't think it's necessary to have a gun or carry it, that's your choice I don't belittle you because you've made that decision. How dare you chastise those that do however just because in your elitist opinion you can't understand why they would.

Finally to your statement: Carrying a handgun for self protection in central New Hampshire is totally unneeded, in my opinion.

Tell that to my Dad who had some creep bust into his house high on drugs ranting like a raving lunatic in the middle of the night. He grabbed his pistol and held the guy at gun point until the cops arrived oh 15 minutes or so later after calling 911. Even the police chief admitted the outcome could have been much different had my Dad not been able to do what he did. So FLL I hope this never happens to you, but in the event that it does good luck defending yourself, I suggest telling the intruder to "shoo", is that politically correct enough for you?

Better to be practical than to be "dead right," as in sticking with a losing decision just because you think you did nothing wrong. Better to cut your losses, take a plea bargain and stay out of jail.

If presented with the opportunity today to go through that decision process again, having been locked up since mid-November, what would Ward be thinking now? People who have completed a prison sentence and get out of jail, will do just about anything to stay out of jail. Principals are just an opinion that one thinks in one's mind, and people are perfectly capable of changing their minds, after all, it's just one person's opinion with regard to how they think on one subject.

If he had accepted the plea bargain then let's see where would he be today? Two years would have already passed since starting the probation-plea bargain process.......so where would Ward be? Is it better to say no to what seems like a very reasonable plea bargain and avoid a jail sentence or to be locked up in the Carroll County Jail, and get to wear a bright orange outfit all day, everyday?

What would you do?

............

Ok....and with regards for the need for a handgun in central New Hampshire.....in thinking about it....having one ready-to-use within one's home seems like a much more reasonable thing to do than carry one on one's person. For many many years, the police used .38 revolvers which are much less expensive than a modern Glock or a Sig and is all that's needed for home safety use. Sure, a police officer should have a semi-automatic which is a combat weapon but there's no need for one as a home safety tool when a revolver works fine and is less complicated to use.
........

Can someone post the entire article from the Associated Press, "New Hampshire farmer is folk hero for gun right's advocates."

Remember that FLL has his trusty and leathal "broom" I am sure that would scare any hopped up lunatic away just by it's mere presence. Besides, after 30 seconds or so, of being in the same room with FLL, I suspect ANYONE would turn and run. If he flaps his jaw in person like he does on this forum, he would even need his "broom" :rolleye2:

Had the founding fathers if this country applied your train of thought they never would have stood up to the crown in England. They risked their lives, fortunes and way of life to facilitate a revolution that forever changed this country. They did so based on principal, even though they faced staggering odds that it may not pan out in their favor and each and every one of them could face charges of treason and ultimately die as a result. I admire people like this that have a brass pair and will stand up to what they believe is right no matter the outcome. That's what made this country great, it's ultimate demise will be at the hands of spineless people who would prefer to avoid any kind of discomfort and in exchange choose to loose their liberties in the process.

James Madison sums it up very eloquently:

I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

The actions you describe, if done in a court of law, would have resulted in Bird racking up even more charges and would not have helped his case one bit. If you read the transcripts from the case, and especially the sentence delivered by the judge, it is obvious that even the judge has a problem with it because it is a MANDATORY minimum sentence by NH RSA. The judge agrees that Bird is guilty but has a real problem with the mandated sentence vs. what he (the judge) considers an appropriate sentence. (Remember, the real purpose of a sentence isn't just to punish for a crime; it's to separate the criminal from society for isolation and rehabilitation.)

It shouldn't have taken Bird going to jail for 3-6 years to prove the point that there's a problem with the mandatory sentence, as it allows no autonomy for the judge in the decision process.

We live in a state where you can buy liquor off the highways just as you cross the line into NH but post huge "Don't Drink And Drive" signs along those highways. We allow motorcyclists to go without helmets and adults to ride in cars without seatbelts. You can buy guns and ammmo, beer and wine, at Wal-Marts in our state. We have no state income tax and one of the lowest tax burdens of any state. You can even carry a gun in the NH State House Chambers...

But you can't wave a gun at someone who, for the past 5-10 minutes has refused to leave your property and even said "F-U" to you, without spending a minimum of 3 years in jail.

Something is waaaayyyyy outta wack here.

And don't forget, FIREWORKS:patriot::banana::banana::banana:

Could it be that he didn't plea bargain because he would have been required to give up his gun for a couple of years, which was something he couldn't face (voluntarily)?

Could it be that he didn't take the plea bargain because to do so would have been an admission of guilt.
I'll stand beside and support a man or woman who fights for their beliefs, long before I'll stand beside a man or woman who rolls over and plays dead at the 1st chance to save their a$$, because it it the easy way out

MarkinNH you got it so right! It's all about integrity! There are people like Ward Bird, and there are people like the critics of him for not taking the deal here on this thread. I have never faced Ward's decision that he had to make, but I hope I would have as much integrity as he did.

That has already been said.
My speculation is worthy also.
He is reported to have said that he "didn't think he needed" to take the stand. Had he known he would be found guilty and lose his gun for life, perhaps he would have chosen the other option.

So do you believe his lack of taking the stand is reason for you to cast doubt on his guilt or innocence?

It was discussed previously that if he took the stand, the prior incident with the shooting of the stump would have been fair game. It's possible his lawyer advised him not to take the stand believing the State of NH could not prove their case.

You could take Mother Theresa and make her look like a gang member witht the right prosecuter (think Duke Lacrosse). When you take the stand, it's very easy to paint someone in a bad light as so many things are fair game.

No, I don't mean perhaps he would have chosen to take the stand. In light of the previous incident that wouldn't have been a smart bet.
I meant perhaps if he had known he would be found guilty and lose his gun for life, he would have instead taken the plea bargain and only lost his gun for 2 years.

I'm missing something here. Where does the 2 years come from? I was under the impression if you had a felony conviction you lost it for life. If he took the plea he would have, in effect, have a felony conviction.