As if we needed another reason to support the concealed carry movement, we have this jewel via The Patriot Post:
To Keep and Bear Arms
An 82-year-old woman was approached by a man in Sierra Vista, Arizona, in a Walmart parking lot when he began to threaten her. "This is your day," the man told her. "You are too old to be alive anyway." He then took her cane away and began beating her with it. However, he was unaware that she was carrying her handgun, which she quickly pulled from her purse and began firing at the suspect. Witnesses nearby were alerted by the gunshots and came to help the elderly woman. The suspect was taken into custody by police shortly afterward. Impending charges include attempted murder. The courageous woman later told the media, "If I go naturally or to a sickness or something, fine. I'm ready to go, but I'm not ready to let some idiot like that take me out."
The next time you hear some sniveling political type whinning about 'gun violence' remember that sometimes the gun violence saves someones grandma. Amazing how animals like the one in this story learn their manners when confronted by lethal force. Good job, granny. Next time you hit the range, the ammo is on me.
Mourning an old friend.. or Good bye to the local Drive In...
3 comments Posted by Mtn Man at 10:38 PMA news story last year highlighted our local drive in as one of only 11 left in the state of North Carolina. Unfortunately, as of March 15th, that number has now been reduced to 10.
Reaction to the news locally has been overwhelming. Hardly anyone within driving distance of our town hasn't watched a movie at "The Bright Leaf." My parents took my sisters and me to see movies there on hot summer Friday nights, crammed into the back of a huge 1967 Ford Station Wagon, hoping we'd fall asleep so they could watch the second feature in peace.
Always, always a double feature. Sometimes, if you could stay out late, all night shows.
Unlike a lot of drive in movies, The Bright Leaf stayed open year round. The original owner, Don Davis, was always there with a smile and knew you by name. He's always ask me how my dad was doing. On Halloween there would be an all night spook-tackular, and if you weren't careful one of the concession staff would likely scare the bejesus out of you with a rubber mask and a growl before the night was done....
Unfortunately, Don died a few years back. The Bright Leaf was almost closed then, but the outcry from generations of movie goers who grew up with her bough her some more time. Some of the remaining employees- all of whom had day jobs as well- leased the property and worked hard to make it a great place to go spend a night under the stars. They did well- when the weather was nice, you had to show up hours before dark to get a good parking place. The food was some of the best anywhere- try getting a hot dog like that at the local movie chain! and they still showed the old trailers from the 1950's- talking popcorn and soft drinks encouraging you to stop in at the CONSESSION STAND during the intermission. And my favorite, a vintage 1950's short encouraging you to attend your place of worship this Sunday...
Dispite good attendence and enthusiastic crowds, one thing kept working against the Bright Leaf. What had been a lonely stretch of a two-lane blacktop in 1955 was now the center of a major part of town, complete with four lane highway, strip malls, and all that comes with progress. The property, coveted by local realtors, was valued at over $1 millon dollars. (And I'm sure the lease didn't even cover the property taxes each year.) So for reasons not given publicly yet, the remaining owners of the land refused to renew the lease this year, and gave the drive in owners 30 days to get out. One rumor going around is that a major food franchise may put a resturant there. I hope not. That would just be cruel. For me, and thousands like me, this was more than just a place to have a movie. This was where you went to meet friends, cook out on the back row, play pinball, or wonder if this would be the place you'd get your first kiss. The Bright Leaf Drive In, 1955-2010. Rest in peace, old friend.
