Was this photo of Feinstein with a gun photoshopped?

[Kelvin Mace]

Today I learned that Adam Baldwin is a rightwing loon and and it really has now ruined one of my favorite shows (Firefly). Baldwin rants about Obama, gays, and other Hollywood "liberals" so I am perplexed as to how people like Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion could work with him without comment.

Also, he is in the middle of an attack on a woman game designer helping stir up the stalkers to abuse her for having the nerve to criticize the portrayal of women in video games.

I then saw this photo posted on his Twitter account and it looks "wrong". Any Photoshop experts out there who can tell me if this is yet another Soviet-style fabrication.

[NYC_SKP]

2. Um, have you read the Statement of Purpose for this forum?

Statement of Purpose

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. Posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports are restricted in this forum. Conspiracy theories and disruptive meta-discussion are forbidden. For more information, click here.

And to answer your question, Yes, Feinstein is an ass and a Democrat in name only. Nobody in this community respects her.

For further idiotic antics in the Golden State, see this video:

"thirty caliber clip can dispurse thirty bullets within half a second"

eom

[Kelvin Mace]

4. Technically, I am asking for a expert opinion on whether this is a

Photoshop job. I will remove my comment about Feinstein to make it comply completely with forum rules.

[RandySF]

6. I know someone who respects her.

I know a little old lady who has lived on Church St. since the 1960's. She was at the forefront of SF progressivism and the LGBT movement. She knew Harvey Milk, Cleve Jones, Kim Rivaldo and George Moscone. And one day at breakfast at the Crepevine I asked who whom she thought was the City's best mayor. Without hesitation she said Dianne Feinstein because she held the city together after the City Hall murders. Feinstein knows how to handle a gun. She kept one in her purse after SFPD found a hit list with her name on it in the home of a People's Temple official. And if you knew her full life story, you might have a little bit of respect, yourself.

[Kelvin Mace]

10. I can certainly respect some of her choices from long ago

her choices of late, not so much. This looks like a fake to me (her hand seems misplaced under the barrel) and I don't like lies/smears of any sort.

[NYC_SKP]

13. I was fucking there. DiFi is an embarrassment.

That's all the respect, myself, that I need for you to know.

So you have a friend who knew her. Good for you.

She was a self-serving opportunist then and remains one now, she reminds me of Hillary Clinton.

That she was called an effective mayor says more about how shitty the mayors have been than how good she was.

I'm going to guess that you're new to the City. That's alright, we all have a learning curve.

Let's just say that if a little old lady is your source of information then I have you beat for having lived in that very place and been at the Civic Center as the shit hit the fan.

It was a fucked up year, with Jonestown and all.

Thanks for you reply, but don't even start with any praise of that woman, she's and embarrassment to progressive.

[Drunken Irishman]

36. DiFi lost me when she went behind Obama's back & supported more sanctions on Iran.

[Luminous Animal]

39. Feinstein sucks says this not so little middle aged San Francisco woman. And so does Crepevine.

[MADem]

37. You don't speak for everyone here regarding Senator Feinstein.

You speak for yourself, fine--but you're out of line telling people what "everyone" thinks.

I think DiFi has a mixed record in many respects, but I'm not throwing her under the bus.

[Eleanors38]

46. Oh, I don't know, what time is it?

[RandySF]

3. I call it gun shaming

The NRA nuts shout down opposition by claiming that only "gun experts" can comment on them.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. But, if it is a faked photo

then there point is moot. Not that they would admit this, of course.

[IronGate]

9. No, it's not faked, it's her actually mishandling that rifle. nt.

[Kelvin Mace]

18. Thanks for the information

I am very depressed now.

[IronGate]

16. Here's a much better, clearer picture of here mishandling this rifle.

You can clearly see that her left hand is properly placed on the forestock.

[Kelvin Mace]

19. Yes, you are correct

Thanks for the clearer pic.

[MADem]

38. What's off camera? And how do we know what that muzzle is pointed at?

The claim that she is pointing that thing at "the audience" is not supported by that photo.

[IronGate]

43. I didn't make that claim, nor do I know what's off camera,

all I did was supply a better clearly showing that this isn't a photoshopped picture and that she's obviously mishandling the rifle.

[MADem]

44. I'm not accusing you of making the claim--I'm being rhetorical.

There could be a large pumpkin she's aiming at, off camera, for all we know.

Maybe she's doing an Edward G. Robinson imitation, see....SEE?

I think it's hugely amusing that anyone's gotta go back fourteen years to try to "smear" her with a "Waaah, yer holdin' yer tommy gun wrong" charge.

I will wager that the people who vote for her, and who have benefitted hugely from her seniority, don't really care if she uses that thing as a walking stick!

[IronGate]

45. Got it. nt.

[RandySF]

7. It looks like the little girl is holding a BB gun.

[X_Digger]

12. That's a bolt-action 22. Cricket or Savage Scout, I believe. n/t

[IronGate]

8. Sen. Feinstein actually was that stupid to handle that rifle like that.

Finger on the trigger, bolt closed.

[X_Digger]

11. Not 'shopped, no.

It's one of a number of times that anti-gun politicians have smeared egg on their own faces. (e.g. Carolyn McCarthy's 'shoulder-thing-that-goes-up' or 'heat seeking bullet'.)

[RandySF]

14. Hoever they handle it

doesn't change the basic facts on guns and gun violence.

[Kelvin Mace]

27. Absolutely not

I was just hoping this wan another fake, as the right produces so many.

[Subways]

40. I'd they want to make laws about something...

... They should have a basic knowledge at least.

[Kelvin Mace]

15. *sigh*

[X_Digger]

22. The cake has to go to Leland Yee, indicted on gun trafficking charges.

Yes, *that* Leland Yee.

[The Straight Story]

17. Couple of thoughts

1. Hard to tell if trigger is off
2. Given the Orange wrapping a good chance it was a seized weapon that was rendered inoperative.

and:

The firearm shown above was "unloaded, disabled, and 'locked.'"

"Unloaded" does not, of course, make it safe to handle as shown. If, however, "disabled" means it was rendered unable to fire under any circumstances, e.g. firing pin removed, breech disassembled, or something similar, I am willing to conclude that it was no more dangerous than an inert theatrical prop (such as one actor might safely point at another).
Nonetheless, I think Ms. Feinstein set a poor example by handling the weapon in this manner. I recall a Star Trek episode in which one person let a phaser point at another, who said, "Watch where you point that." The first replied, "Don't worry, the safety is on." The idea that "the safety is on" makes it all right to point any weapon (even a science fiction one) at another person should not be propagated by any media.

http://www.stentorian.com/2ndamend/dianne_f.html

[Kelvin Mace]

23. I have handled a number of firearms in my day

starting with six years of military school with M-14 and Spingfield 03s. The firing pins were removed from all the weapons we handled, but we were still told NEVER put your finger on the trigger (except during dry fire exercises) and ALWAYS assume the weapon could discharge. And god help the cadet who did not follow those rules.

[The Straight Story]

29. Guessing it was from this press conference (or an earlier/similar one given the date):

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/NRA-clout-is-outgunning-Feinstein-Assault-2710800.php

[The Straight Story]

24. Also worth noting is the date. 2000

Talk about going back in time to complain about something

[Kelvin Mace]

31. True

but still not helpful of her.

[MADem]

56. Yeah, if that was something happening today, and not a decade and a half ago, she'd be arrested....

....by the FASHION POLICE!!!!

[IronGate]

57. Good one.

LOL.

[Duckhunter935]

25. What orange wrapping?

Magazine inserted in well.

Weapons are always treated as loaded

Basic safety is remove magazine and visually clear the rifle and even then finger off the trigger and never ever point it at another person.

[The Straight Story]

30. The first photo was hard to see, as noted, take a look at a later one I posted

Much more clear.

[oneshooter]

48. what "orange wrap" There is none visable in the picture.

[Duckhunter935]

20. not shopped

[RandySF]

21. The right wing double standard

You must be a gun expert to discuss gun control and gun violence, but you don't even need a high school diploma to dispute climate change.

[Kelvin Mace]

26. Agreed

But it is a pretty stupid thing to do, none the less, especially as some here have claimed she "knew how to handle" firearms.

It never helps our side when we. pardon the pun, give the enemy ammunition to use against us.

[X_Digger]

28. Considering she had a concealed carry permit, and carried, yeah. n/t

[friendly_iconoclast]

35. Expertise isn't necessary, a lack of demonstrable idiocy and/or ignorance will do

And we've all seen Kevin DeLeon, Dianne Feinstein, Carolyn McCarthy, and
Diana DeGette fail even that lesser standard...

[madville]

41. Diana DeGette

If someone prefaces their statement with the fact that they are the prime House co-sponsor for the bill seeking to ban high capacity magazines they should probably know what a magazine is and understand that they can be reloaded.

[MADem]

47. There's more to it than that--there's complete One-Issue Blindness at play.

What are they thinking? That people who have voted for DiFi for decades, now, will suddenly look at a decade and a half old picture of her holding a tommy gun in an Edward G. Robinson double breasted, pin-striped suit, and say "Ewwww, noooooooo---this WILL NOT STAAAAAAAAAND!!!!! Never mind that she's brought jobs and cash to the state--she's holding that tommy gun WROOOOONG!!!!!!!!! Ewwww, the huge manatee!"



People are .... funny! They don't understand that most people -- and that includes anyone that would vote for DiFi, anyway--could give a shit!

[joshcryer]

32. I remember the Fox Firefly Forums and Adam posted religiously.

He posted in major support of the Iraq war and I used to get into spats with him. Those were some really cool times. The internet was still relatively new for the masses (many had access but it wasn't ubiquitous). The entire cast, including Joss, would post on those forums. But Adam always ran roughshot over everyone, and he was good and articulate, about his support for the Iraq war.

Anyway, actors in Hollywood put aside their differences and do their job. Ideological reasons aren't going to get in the way of a paycheck.

[Kelvin Mace]

33. But now I can't see him in a scene without hearing the

hate and BS he spouts on Twitter. I used to love the Naked Gun movies but can't watch them because of O.J. Why the Hell didn't the Zucker brothers leave Nordberg to Peter Lupus? He was rightwing but kept it to himself and didn't murder anyone.

I am currently at DragonCon and had planned on seeing a panel with him and Ron Glass, but I can't trust myself to confront him on this issue in particular:

http://www.themarysue.com/video-game-harassment-zoe-quinn-anita-sarkeesian/

[joshcryer]

34. Oh, yeah, I can't stand him in any other role.

But it hasn't ruined the Firefly role for me (if anything his character on that show is the same scumbag in real life, only out for himself, period).

[Kelvin Mace]

49. One difference between Jayne and Adam

Jayne is an apolitical scumbag.

[Inkfreak]

42. He's "ruined" Firefly for you???!!

Then I submit you never really loved that show. Cause it's was so badass, I could give a crap what anyone's politics are. It's awesome regardless!!!!

[Kelvin Mace]

50. I cede my geek cred to no man

But, as I explained elsewhere, I loved the Naked Gun movies, then O.J. ruined them.

Though, I must confess, I could watch the scene where River wipes the floor with him and pretend its real. It certainly amused Wash.

Wash? Did I mention Wash?



I have to go curl up in the fetal position now.

[blogslut]

51. It's a stupid diversion tactic graphic and nothing more.

How Ms. Feistein handles a weapon in a photo bears no relevance to the necessity of gun control.

Adam Baldwin is an actor. Actors are not the characters they portray.

Misogyny is rampant in the gaming world and the harassment of Anita Sarkeesian is disgusting.

Falling for sidelining bullshit is not shiny.

[Kelvin Mace]

52. Well,

1) True, but if it were a Photoshop job then it is more easily discredited.

2) Again true, however Adam is an asshole whereas Jayne is an asshole who has the decency to be apolitical.

3) No argument here

4) Haven't fallen for "sidelining", just like my facts factual.

Besides, I still got to see Ron Glass, who may not be Shepard Book, but he is a decent human being.

[blogslut]

54. But why bother trying to discredit something that has no relevance?

Instead of wasting your time swatting flies, point to the stinking pile that's attracting them.

[tularetom]

53. Every firearm is loaded

The first time I heard that I was probably 8 years old.

And the only time I ever put my finger inside the trigger guard is when I intend to fire the gun. Oh, and if I check the action using a snap cap.

That said, my opinion of Feinstein is pretty low already. A 15 year old photograph of her mishandling a gun won't affect me very much.

[sarisataka]

55. As others have said

it is an accurate photo. For extra credit giggles, it is set in the full auto position.
DiFi is a DINO so I don't have high expectations of her

Jayne= assholeness raised to high art and totally awesome, found only in great sci fi

Adam Baldwin= asshole, common, can be found throughout the United States