I got a search hit today for "should I use patches in my black powder pistol."  Unfortunately, I don't have a black powder pistol, but I think I can answer this.

If you're talking about a muzzle-loading pistol, the answer is yes.  You should load it with a lubricated patch just like a rifle.

If you're talking about a cap-and-ball revolver, I believe the answer is no.  I've never heard of anyone using a patch, and I think it might actually interfere with the operation of the revolver.  However, you should cap each chamber to prevent chain fire.  Some use grease like Crisco or some other bore lube to cap them, and I think there are pre-fabbed caps available.

A "chain fire" is when sparks from the cylinder being fired get into neighboring chambers, causing them to also ignite.  This is very bad, and will probably destroy the gun.  It won't do your hand a whole lot of good, either.

Oscar Poppa does a quick fisk of an article by gun-grabber Claire Stanard of Dallas.  A good read.

I sent a letter regarding H.R. 1022 to my representative several days ago, and today received this response:

Thank you for contacting my office about Second Amendment issues. I understand and appreciate your point of view on this topic, and I value this opportunity to respond to you.  

I have always supported the Second Amendment right of citizens to bear arms in a safe and responsible manner. Gun ownership is part of our nation's heritage. While I support reasonable gun laws designed to protect public safety, gun owners and dealers should never be singled out for politically motivated attacks. In order to preserve the rights of gun owners, I have worked closely with and been endorsed by organizations such as the National Rifle Association. As the legislative year continues, you can be sure that I will keep your views on this issue in mind, and that I will act to create laws that are consistent with our basic Constitutional rights.

I always get uneasy (to say the least) whenever I see that phrase "reasonable gun laws."  And I'm sure this is just a form letter.  But at least I was allowed to say something, unlike people who live in Illinois.

UPDATE:  I had to dig back into the archives--I'm glad Eponym's search tool works so well--but I posted something about Cuellar right at a year ago.  The old post is here.  He's a Democrat, of course, but last year during the primaries there were signs all over the southside of San Antonio proclaiming, "HENRY CUELLAR IS A REPUBLICAN."  I don't know what he did to be accused of such a heinous crime, but I found it greatly amusing.  This was about the same time that I found some handbills being distributed by the AFL-CIO of Texas that were against him.  So the union types didn't like him, either.  The two people who I saw posting these handbills looked like grungy, ill-kept teenagers to me, who really should have been in school at the time.  I don't know why they were passing out unionist propaganda.  None of which means he's a supporter of RKBA, of course.