TV network WGN uses a hated Nazi badge to commemorate Yom Kippur.

Feast your eyeballs:

Yes, it was probably a “mistake.” The kind of mistake made when (I’m guessing) nobody checks the work of some millennial in the photo archives whose knowledge of history extends no farther than Taylor Swift’s first hit song. Most likely, nobody meant any harm. Still …

(H/T MJR)

The enemies of gun rights have been awfully quiet lately. Maybe that’s ominous. Maybe that means they’re Up To Something. (Well, of course they’re up to something; we can only hope that when it arrives it’ll be something typically, laughably ineffective.)

The enemies of Jews have been far from quiet lately, but we have Y.B. ben Avraham and Sheila Stokes-Begley to deal with them.

Which I admit sometimes makes me question “What am I doing here?” How did a goy with no known connection to Jews and Judaism end up helping to found an organization that’s all about Jews and the civil right to own and use firearms?

So since it’s quiet, I hope you won’t mind me taking a little ramble into the past.

It all started with Aaron Zelman (as so many things around here do). Sometime in the late 1990s, when it was far from certain that we were ever going to prevail against the victim disarmers, Aaron asked me to write for his (now late, lamented) Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership. I immediately disqualified myself: “But I’m not Jewish.”

It didn’t take long to learn that Aaron’s view was much broader than I realized. Yes, as a Jew who grew up in gun-friendly Arizona and eventually became a gun dealer, Aaron conceived a special mission to join with Jews to educate other Jews about the life-saving, even culture-saving power of firearms. But it was more than that. It was a belief (later expressed in everything from books like Dial 911 and Die to the the video documentary Innocents Betrayed) that vulnerable groups and individuals everywhere have a need, a right, and even a mission to defend themselves and other vulnerable people.

No matter whether those vulnerable populations are (or were) tribal minorities, religious minorities, independent farmers in the collectivizing Soviet Union, educated people in Pol Pot’s crazy Cambodia, political targets of Mao’s insane utopianism … or Jews under attack anywhere and any time.

(Besides that, Aaron was the kind of uncompromising, tell-it-like-it-is cuss I could both identify with and respect. But that’s another issue.)

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I grew up in a nominally Christian home. While my parents themselves weren’t very religious, religion was a tool handy for rearing (so they hoped) obedient children. Ours was a hard religion. “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” not “Jesus loves the little children.” “Honor thy father and thy mother,” not “Love one another as I have loved you.” It was a religion of lakes of fire and eternal punishments and all the “good” people being suddenly raptured out, leaving brats (like you-know-who) parentless and alone in a hostile world if they didn’t watch their little steps and BEHAVE.

It was also — I’m sure you won’t be surprised — a religion in which Jews were “Jesus killers” and generally all-round bad people. I vividly recall my father sitting at the head of the dinner table, grousing about how those “K—s run the world.”

I didn’t actually know any Jews at the time (though I’m sure some of my schoolmates were Jewish and it was just a subject that never came up). By the time I knowingly met my first Jew, at 14, I was mildly surprised to learn they didn’t have fangs and drink the blood of infants. What do you know; regular people just like me.

But by then I was also figuring out that quite a lot of what I’d been raised with was, shall we say, exaggerated toward then negative.

As I matured, I increasingly questioned authority and identified with Outsiders, whoever and wherever they might be. And I learned the importance of self defense — not only physical defense, but also defense of the best that’s within us all — defense of the heart, mind, spirit, and intellect. I learned that ideas matter and that defending the right to think and act free of oppression is of the utmost importance, to individuals and to the fate of humanity.

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Recently, a new book about Hitler has come out. Black Earth by Timothy Snyder explores Hitler’s views on — of all things — nature. Snyder’s thesis is (or so I’ve seen it summed up in reviews and interviews) that Hitler believed that nature — proper nature — was inherently, necessarily savage. It was only right that the animals with the sharpest claws, and the humans with the biggest guns, and the “races” with the biggest armaments and best strategies should dominate the weak, the “unfit.” It was a savage, circular, self-reinforcing worldview. A mad worldview. But no doubt envisioning himself as the toughest beast in for global forest, he loved it. And it drove his determination to rid the world of Jews.

Snyder says:

[W]hat Hitler does is he inverts; he reverses the whole way we think about ethics, and for that matter the whole way we think about science. What Hitler says is that abstract thought — whether it’s normative or whether it’s scientific — is inherently Jewish. There is in fact no way of thinking about the world, says Hitler, which allows us to see human beings as human beings. Any idea which allows us to see each other as human beings—whether it’s a social contract; whether it’s a legal contract; whether it’s working-class solidarity; whether it’s Christianity—all these ideas come from Jews. And so for people to be people, for people to return to their essence, for them to represent their race, as Hitler sees things, you have to strip away all those ideas. And the only way to strip away all those ideas is to eradicate the Jews. And if you eradicate the Jews, then the world snaps back into what Hitler sees as its primeval, correct state: Races struggles against each other, kill each other, starve each other to death, and try and take land.

In other words, Hitler hated Jews because, educated and cultured above the average “race,” Jews were attempting to raise all of humanity above nature’s savagery — through ideas, through rational thought, through art and literature and science.

This is an oversimplification. If you want to know more, here’s an article by Snyder and an interview with him.

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Aaron used to love to regale me with information about the accomplishments of Jews, “We’re only X% of the population, but we make up XX% of all Nobel Prize winners. And XX% of stand-up comedians!”

Me, I’m a talentless dummy by comparison.

But I appreciate a people who want life to be something other than solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” And I weep at the tragedy that Jews have so often been targeted for hatred precisely because of the greatness within their culture — a greatness we’ve all benefited from.

So here I am, far from being either Jewish or expert in matters Jewish. Maybe I even come across to some as being silly for presuming to be here at TZP. But, thanks to Aaron (who’ll remain in my pantheon of heroes until the day I die), here I am.

Take a look at the top of the sidebar, there on the left. We’re testing TZP’s newest feature: weekly polls.

Click on the question to answer the poll (which will open in a new tab or new window), then leave a comment to let us know how the feature worked for you. We’ll leave the current question up until Friday the 25th, collecting not only your answers but your input on the polling process. They we’ll refine our polls according to what you tell us.

Thanks for helping — and thanks for visiting and supporting TZP! While you’re here, please consider joining or shopping in our store. We have excellent custom Kershaw knives, TZP yarmulkes, and uber-cool morale patches for wearing or display.

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P.S. We had a delay on producing targets when our volunteer designer couldn’t complete the work. But another artist stepped in and we’re very close to announcing the targets — and the winners of the quote competition now.

In late breaking news, Frazier Glenn Miller (aka Glenn Cross) , who failed to properly “(b)e certain of his target, and what lies beyond it.” *  has been convicted of of Murder, Attempted Murder, and various other charges, stemming from the Kansas City Jewish Center shootings last year.

The trial now moves into the “Penalty Phase”, where Mr. Miller may receive the death penalty.

Miller was most disappointed in the results of his trial, especially being effectively denied the venerable and effective ” Shape-Shifting Reptiloid, International Bankster, Talmudist, Christ-Killers had it coming” defense.

He punctuated his displeasure at the verdict with a Nazi salute.

* Millers hapless victims; William Corporon, 69, Corporon’s 14-year-old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, and Terri LaManno, 53, were all … <sigh> gentiles.

When you think of observant Judaism, San Antonio, Texas may not spring immediately to mind. Yet in north-central part of the City there is a Jewish community large and vibrant enough to support two orthodox synagogues.

One, as is found in nearly every viable location on Earth, is a Chabad Lubavitch shul. Indeed, theirs is so strong that they have no less than THREE shaliach couples (Rabbis and their indispensable wives).

A couple of miles to the West, is a bit of a fixture in San Antonio: Congregation Rodfei Sholom.

Rodfei Sholom, affiliated with the Rabbinical Council of America / Orthodox Union, serves a congregation of over three hundred families, from a wide variety of backgrounds, from orthodox to reform. Their Rabbi is Aryeh Scheinberg.

Rabbi Scheinberg, classically trained in a Brooklyn yeshiva, has spent the last thirty years building a reputation for integrity, blended with inclusiveness and tolerance. The latter aspects, although always valuable, are crucial in communities where Jews are few and yiddishkeit difficult.

Although raising eyebrows along the way, Rabbi Scheinberg has built Rodfei Shalom into an integral and valued part of the larger community.

On Wednesday August 12th, congregants filed out from early morning Shacharit services, to find that not everyone in San Antonio was a “Pursuer of Peace” (as the Rodfei Sholom translates from Hebrew). Someone had spray painted swastikas and racist sentiments on the synagogue, neighboring homes, cars, fences. One of the cars also had the window glass shattered. Over thirty locations in all.

The local police began their investigation, soon joined due to the “Hate Crime” aspect, by the FBI, who has recently added a $5, 000.00 reward for the capture and conviction of the culprit. Then the reward was doubled.  Reportedly, they have their eye on one particular person who resides in the area.

Most noteworthy was the immediate and strong response of the internationally known Pastor John Hagee, who roundly condemned the act, and underlined his long-standing support. Pastor Hagee, of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, was quickly joined by a wide variety of political and social leaders in condemning the acts and calling for swift justice.

These kinds of acts, usually perpetrated by some defective goober, rarely precipitate into violence against people. Like the numerous KKK or Neo-Nazi “Rallys” where maybe three or four rather sad characters turn up to a city park in their clapped out AMC Gremlin, to wave flags, march about, and annoy several hundred counter-protesters for the TV cameras, only to return to obscurity, this racist graffiti and mischief likely portends nothing.

Still, when the real violence happens, the perpetrators were usually among the participants in the lesser crimes, or the “rallys”. So, it is wise to keep an eye peeled.

I am not a fan of the idea “Hate Crimes”. If they do catch the culprit, I would much rather he or she be compelled to make full and personal restitution, in a very public way, to each and every victim.

Who knows, doing so might save the idiot from a path leading to a determined Jew defending his home and family with a shotgun.

“The Lord tries the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.”  Tehillim 11:5

Just a small reminder here that v*ting is still open until Saturday in Lucky Gunner’s effort to give away the money it’s due to receive from the Brady Center. Since it appears the Bradys have given up their appeal of the court judgment against them, the money is no longer theoretical. A bunch of lucky gun groups are going to get a share.

Although The Zelman Partisans have slipped a few places in the ranks, we are still comfortably ensconced in the middle of the pack. CCRKBA and Pink Pistols have moved farther ahead of us, but the NSSF has dropped farther behind. All in all, and thanks to you, we’re doing great for an obscure special-interest group that didn’t even exist this time last year.

The biggies lead the pack, of course. The NRA/ILA and Gun Owners of America are looking to take about one fourth of the prize between them, with some big state groups close behind. But remember — it’s not winner-take-all. Lucky Gunner is awarding the prize proportionally, so even a small vote total can earn a contribution. And just by being up there, we’re getting known.

You can only v*te once per IP address. But even if you’ve already v*ted, you can still spread the word via your social networks, blogs, etc.

Thanks for supporting TZP!

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And when it comes to supporting us — and getting yourself some cool gear — don’t forget our new custom kippahs; they’ve gotten raves from those who’ve bought them. And then there are those sleek Kershaw spring-assist knives. I use mine every day; it’s got a super-sharp blade that keeps its edge even under considerable abuse.

Better yet, if you become a three-year member, you get discounts on store merchandise. All members get an intro packet that includes our embroidered morale patch and more.

Here are the kippot, outside and inside:

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Note to members

A few of you haven’t yet created logins, which you need in order to get your discounts. In some cases, this may be because the email with the login link (sent to your PayPal address) bounced. If you want a login but don’t have the link, please drop us an email at tzpstore-at-zelmanpartisans-dot-com and we’ll get it taken care of.

Great stuff! How can you resist?

They’re here, they’re here! You asked for them and now you can buy them: Custom TZP kippahs (also known as kippot or yarmulkes).

The outside of your new kippah is a soft gray linen highlighted with the TZP logo.

Inside, they’re lined and contain a tribute to Aaron Zelman. Each kippah comes with a silver clip to hold it in place.

One of these beauties can be yours for just $15 plus shipping.

While kippot are usually for men, women can wear them, too. (Oddly enough, the first three people who proclaimed themselves ready to buy are all Gentile women. One plans to give hers as gifts to Jewish male friends, and the other two want theirs for display.) So whether you’re Jew, Gentile, or just generic, whether you’re a man or a woman, whether you plan to wear, gift, display, or use as a conversation piece … get ’em now!

This is an item we hope to stock regularly, but we’ve ordered just five dozen to see how much you like them.

Don’t forget: If you’re logged in as a three-year member, you get a discount on your purchase.

NOTE: Special “threefer” deal. Save $10 on your order plus $2.50 on shipping when you buy three kippot (shipped to the same address).

And check out our custom Kershaw knives, too.

The following is a guest post.

Three Crosses
By Larry Arnold

Back in the day the swastika was just another artistic graphic. Native Americans had used versions of it, so Boy Scouts beaded it into costumes. It was common in architectural embellishment, particularly for decorative borders.

Then the National Socialist Party adopted it as one of their symbols, started the most costly war in world history, and flew it over Auschwitz and Dachau.

After Germany’s defeat the Allies blew up, tore down, painted over, and plowed under the cross with bent arms because it had been used as a symbol of hatred and holocaust. The swastika was so evil it was necessary to ban it from ever appearing again.

Unfortunately, as history has repeatedly shown, banned symbols don’t fade away. Hating them simply adds hate, and instead, they gain power. Today, over a half-century after victory in Europe, anyone who hates Jews and wants to shatter the peace of a community can do so in five seconds, by spray painting on the synagogue door that same swastika.

On the other hand, when Jesus was alive the crucifix was a real symbol of Roman world domination and bloody repression, as well as a physical device for agonizing capital punishment of Rome’s enemies. After Christ’s execution, however, his followers embraced the symbol instead of purging it. Quite possibly they did so because, unlike the Allies, they lacked the political power to attempt banishment, but whatever the reason it made a lasting difference.

In the centuries since Rome fell the crucifix and the empty cross have been sewn into flags, cast into jewelry, made into furniture, sculpted on holy vessels, carved on tombstones, and set on top of houses of worship as a symbol of resurrection. In secular versions, the red cross is known around the world as a symbol of physical healing and disaster relief, and the green cross stands for safety. The one-time symbol of evil is now so filled with the karma of good that mythology gives a cross the power to destroy vampires and other creatures of infamy.

Today, we must consider the southern cross. Those who recall the evil of slavery want to blow it up, tear it down, paint it over, and plow it under. They see the Confederate battle flag as so evil that it must be banned, never to be seen again.

Unfortunately, as history has repeatedly shown, banned symbols don’t fade away. Hating them simply adds hate, and instead, they gain power. A half-century down the road any racist who wants to shatter the peace of a community will be able to do so in five seconds, by spray painting on the church door a rectangle with an X inside.

This time, can we choose the other path? Some members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church have forgiven the murderer. Is it so much more difficult to forgive a symbol of a war no one alive remembers?

And what if forgiveness could go further? What if, as Americans, we could embrace the “stars and bars” flag? What if we resurrected it to fly as a symbol of the progress we as a nation have made since the Civil War ended slavery a century and a half ago?

Yes, we have made progress. I remember a time of separate water fountains and restrooms, and today for almost all of us that just seems stupid.

Is racism finished? No, the equality glass is but half-full. But better that, than clenching our fist around a glass that’s half-empty. Regardless of the possibilities, let’s forego anger and hatred. Let’s not hand another cross to the spray-cans of evil.

A quick note to pre-announce some news. 🙂

This morning wonderful radio host Brian Wilson interviewed TZP’s own Sheila Stokes-Begley. We’ll let you know when/if the podcast goes online.

And remember those TZP custom kippot/kippahs/yarmulkes we promised? They’ve been shipped and should be here very soon, possibly by tomorrow. We’ll have pix when they arrive.

Finally, don’t forget to v*te for The Zelman Partisans in Lucky Gunner’s Brady legal settlement polling. LG plans to give away any settlement they receive from the Brady Center. Even a small percentage would be a blessing for us. We’ve slipped a little in the results, but not too far. And remember, the v*ting runs through August 1, so there’s plenty of time for us to make a good showing. And that’s all we need. Not to beat the frontrunners, but just to move on up. Even if the Bradys never pay, the gun world will have to say, “The Zelman Partisans? Just who are these guys …?”

Obama, who has no shortage of admiration for his own intellect, character, learning, and general all-round goodness, now says he’s also the closest thing to a Jew that has ever sat in the presidential office.

Well, I guess in a world where Bill Clinton was “our first black president,” that could make sense.

But I’m beginning to suspect that the truth is that all recent U.S. presidents have actually been aliens. Not as in Mexican. But as in, “What planet are you from, man?” Mr. Obama may be the most alien of all in terms of light years from any earthly reality.