Here we go again!

Here we go again folks. I'm online, on YouTube minding my own business, catching up on NRA happenings, the industry and looking for new contributors and what do I see? Another ad asking if I want to check for an arrest record. (See left.)

After having shared with YouTube that this wasn't an appropriately targeted ad (see earlier blog entry), and I'm still being targeted. Stop it!

YouTube is being odd...or is it?

I've been monitoring a lot of things lately...well...nearly always actually. It's my nature to critically analyze the effects of media and what games are being played. Sometimes it's interesting, sometimes boring and occasionally I don't care.

Anyway, I've been spending some time tonight on YouTube watching a few DC Talk videos, thinking about performing some of their music at church. I was also catching up NRA news, videos about Gun Appreciation Day (yesterday), which I spent part of shooting with friends, some of my subscriptions, and researching the Rock River Arms 458 SOCOM I'm considering for large game a hunting rifle. During my meanderings I noticed a pattern.

I know YouTube targets ads toward the viewer. As I'm navigating my way around YouTube I found coming up with increasing frequency ads for checking my criminal background. My criminal background. I know for a fact I don't have one, so why would YouTube assume I might.

Before changing jobs last May I worked with criminal data regularly. Part of getting clearance for that included becoming certified by the Illinois State Police and getting finger printed. (My thanks to the Cook County Sheriff's Police for doing that for me. It was an educational experience and I appreciate all that you have to deal with.) I was essentially certified to run criminal data inquiries on myself.

So why, oh why would YouTube think I was interested in those adds? What sort of faulty logic would lead them to believe I would be interested in checking my criminal background when I'm one of the good guys? I'm a God fearing, law abiding gun owner, member of the NRA and ISRA in a blue state.

I was finally able to "mute" the ads, letting YouTube know I wasn't interested in those ads. After clicking to mute the add, YouTube explained that they'll do their best to show me more relevant ads in the future. Ya think? Quite frankly, I'm offended at the selection of ads with which they targeted me. At the very least it was rude and I took offense. In reality I think it exposes a mindset and prejudice for targeting ads. Whether the logic for targeting that ad was developed by YouTube, the advertiser, or both remains a question.

Oh man...I'm getting tired and will be signing off. As a parting suggestion for YouTube and to whom it concern, what the h**l was that in YouTube? I can appreciate trying to target ads. However, get it right.

Great news! Our Rights Preserved!

From IllinoisCarry.com

* We Win Again - No Vote on Gun Ban During Lame Duck Session
Jan. 6, 2012 We Win Again! IL House Judiciary Committee Chair Elaine Nekritz just announced that there would be no vote on SB2899 or any other assault weapons ban during the lame duck session!!
Rest up, folks, and lets get ready to fight this fight again when the new 98th General Assembly in sworn in next week!

Hurray for the good guys! I'm thinking about going to IGOLD this year. How about you?

-ShootinUgli

BAN ON GUN RANGES AND BAN ON ALL SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS ON THE MOVE IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE

I've done my part. I've called and written my elected officials, posted this on my blog, notified friends, family, and the press. Have you done your part?

I've read the bills. These are bad folks, but don't take my word for it. You can read them yourselves.

-Shootin' Ugli

From the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA)
URGENT ALERT – BAN ON GUN RANGES AND BAN ON ALL SEMIAUTOMATIC FIREARMS ON THE MOVE IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE

YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

A pair of nightmare bills is on the move at this moment in the Illinois Senate.

These two bills would:

1. Run all gun ranges out of business by imposing heavy fees, imposing special staffing requirements, warrant-less searches of ranges and customers, unlimited unannounced “inspections.”

2. Ban all semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns as well as pump action shotguns.

Here are direct links to the two bills:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09700HB0815sam001&GA=97&SessionId=84&DocTypeId=HB&LegID=56601&DocNum=0815&GAID=11&Session=

and

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09700HB1263sam005&GA=97&SessionId=84&DocTypeId=HB&LegID=57242&DocNum=1263&GAID=11&Session=

EITHER OF THESE TWO BILLS WOULD END YOUR GUN RIGHTS ENTIRELY

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOUR GUN RIGHTS.

1. Follow the instructions below and contact your Illinois State Senator. Politely tell your senator that you are a law-abiding gun owner and you want them to vote AGAINST HB815 and HB1263. CALL NOW!

2. Pass this information on to your gun owning friends and family, tell them to call as well.

3. Post this alert to all Internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong.

The worst of the two bills, HB815 is being sponsored and pushed by anti-gun Senator Dan Kotowski. Go to his link: http://www.ilga.gov/senate/senator.asp?GA=97&MemberID=1724 Call him at the numbers listed and tell him that you do not appreciate him trying to shut down gun ranges and taking your guns away from you. He needs to hear from you!

ISRA Urgent Alert - Illinois Near Total Gun Ban January 2nd!

Citizen patriots of Illinois, I'm taking action and have renewed my family's ISRA membership for two years. What are you doing?

URGENT ALERT – YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

CULLERTON TO INTRODUCE NEAR TOTAL GUN BAN ON JANUARY 2ND

The ISRA has learned from a credible source that Illinois Senate President John Cullerton will introduce a so called “assault weapons” ban on Wednesday when the legislature returns for its “lame duck” session. Cullerton hopes to ramrod the bill through and get it to Governor Quinn for signature by Friday. If he is successful at doing so, nearly every gun you currently own will be banned and will be subject to confiscation by the Illinois State Police.

Based on what we know about Cullerton’s bill, firearms that would be banned include all semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Pump action shotguns would be banned as well. This would be a very comprehensive ban that would include not only so-called “assault weapons” but also such classics as M1 Garands and 1911-based pistols. There would be no exemptions and no grandfathering. You would have a very short window to turn in your guns to the State Police to avoid prosecution.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SAVE YOUR GUNS.

1. Beginning Wednesday, call your State Senator and politely tell him or her that you are a law abiding firearm owner and that you strongly oppose Cullerton’s gun ban. Also, be sure to call your State Representative as well and politely deliver the same message. If you do not know who your State Representative please call the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141.
2. Forward this alert to all your gun owning friends and family members. Be sure to tell them to call their senators and representatives as well. 
3. Post this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards and blogs to which you belong. 
4. Join or renew your membership in the ISRA. Encourage your friends and family to join as well. 
5. Make a generous donation to the ISRA by clicking the link below. We are in desperate need of your financial support to help beat back the onslaught of gun grab bills coming our way in 2013.