Thursday, March 31, 2011
So that 1911...
So that 1911 I bought. I went to the range with it two weekends ago and got off a grand total of 17 rounds before I got a call and had to leave the range due to a prior engagement. That's hardly enough to make any determinations or write a review. I'm going to try and hit the range this weekend to shoot it and the steel Sig Sauer hogleg back to back. Have I mentioned how much I love the thinness of the 1911? It really makes me wish Sig made slim grips that would fit on my P220ST, but they don't. It's really quite sad when you think about it. In three weeks I managed only one range trip and 17 rounds through the gun.
Blood dancing in Delaware
How do you know a politician is a gun-grabbing scumbag? When he invites the family members of Virginia Tech shooting victims to speak to a committee in favor of new gun control laws.
I have no problem calling Gov. Jack Markell a scumbag. I have zero respect for politicians who show outright contempt for my rights and for the very Delaware Constitution they swore an oath to uphold. I have even less respect for those who dance in the blood of the dead and use appeals to emotion to influence public policy that would infringe upon my rights.
Of the NRA's opposition to his gun grabbing Markell said,
"They think we're going to roll over, and we're not,"
Sorry Jack, but the NRA and Delaware citizens aren't going to let you roll roughshod over the Delaware Constitution. You want a fight and you're going to get it. I hope you don't mind running to Sarah Brady & Paul Helmke and crying in their arms when you lose.
One of the things Markell wants is to close the non-existent "gun show loophole." There are only one or two small gun shows in the entire state of Delaware each year and there haven't been issues at these shows. This helps to highlight just how dishonest Markell and his ilk are being when they claim we need such a law.
I notice that WDEL refers to his gun control proposals as "gun safety." Gun grabbers are simply doing what liberals have done for years. They attempt to rebrand themselves with shiny new words when one becomes negative and unpopular. All bigots do this. It's the only way they can appear to be more moderate than they really are.
I have no problem calling Gov. Jack Markell a scumbag. I have zero respect for politicians who show outright contempt for my rights and for the very Delaware Constitution they swore an oath to uphold. I have even less respect for those who dance in the blood of the dead and use appeals to emotion to influence public policy that would infringe upon my rights.
Of the NRA's opposition to his gun grabbing Markell said,
"They think we're going to roll over, and we're not,"
Sorry Jack, but the NRA and Delaware citizens aren't going to let you roll roughshod over the Delaware Constitution. You want a fight and you're going to get it. I hope you don't mind running to Sarah Brady & Paul Helmke and crying in their arms when you lose.
One of the things Markell wants is to close the non-existent "gun show loophole." There are only one or two small gun shows in the entire state of Delaware each year and there haven't been issues at these shows. This helps to highlight just how dishonest Markell and his ilk are being when they claim we need such a law.
I notice that WDEL refers to his gun control proposals as "gun safety." Gun grabbers are simply doing what liberals have done for years. They attempt to rebrand themselves with shiny new words when one becomes negative and unpopular. All bigots do this. It's the only way they can appear to be more moderate than they really are.
Oil her up
Make sure you oil her up and use lube. Why? Because while pretty ladies are sexy rust isn't.
H/T to Laura. Read her whole RIA review, don't just look at the picture.
H/T to Laura. Read her whole RIA review, don't just look at the picture.
Blast from the past
So I found this old picture via Thirdpower from the Phoenix NRA Con 2009. It's pretty representative of the face you'll see in any pics taken of me in Pittsburgh this year. That is, unless someone manages to catch a shot of my goofy mug while I'm unaware a picture is being taken. I mean hell, if you only knew me through pictures you'd think I was some super serious dude. Me serious? Seriously? 
It's also a good reminder of how much I hate Hooters. The food is downright awful and the eye candy is usually not good enough to offset the poor experience of actually going to Hooters.
It's also a good reminder of how much I hate Hooters. The food is downright awful and the eye candy is usually not good enough to offset the poor experience of actually going to Hooters.
Something in common
What do these recent local news stories all have in common?
1. 51 year old man charged in 6 robberies
2. One arrested after robbery, shooting
3. Burglary spree suspect nabbed
4. Dover police charge ex-sheriff in standoff
5. 3 arrested in kent pill distribution bust
The criminals in each incident were ALL prohibited persons. Not one of them could legally possess the gun they used in their crime. This is the norm. Most violent crimes in this country are committed by people with long criminal histories who are already barred from possessing firearms. Gun control means nothing to these people nor is it intended to stop them. No, it's intended to keep guns out of my hands so that bums like these will have free reign over everyone.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Han Shotgunned First
And then he chugged Australia's Premium Lager.
for those of you show don't know what "shotgunning" is, shame on you!
H/T to thatsnerdalicious - one of my favorite sites.
Quote of the day - Abuse
"Some degree of abuse is inseparable from the proper use of every thing; and in no instance is this more true than in that of the press. It has accordingly been decided, by the practice of the states, that it is better to leave a few of its noxious branches to their luxuriant growth, than, by pruning them away, to injure the vigor of those yielding the proper fruits."
- James Madison
In other words, one bad apple does not spoil the whole lot. Madison clearly understands that some are going to abuse their free speech rights. He rightly observes that attempting to restrict such "noxious branches" would harm the rights of those who have done no wrong. My rights are always more important than the damage caused when fellow citizens abuse their rights in order to harm others.
- James Madison
In other words, one bad apple does not spoil the whole lot. Madison clearly understands that some are going to abuse their free speech rights. He rightly observes that attempting to restrict such "noxious branches" would harm the rights of those who have done no wrong. My rights are always more important than the damage caused when fellow citizens abuse their rights in order to harm others.
Carter and Inflation
Portions of this Time magazine article titled "Jimmy Carter vs. Inflation" dated March 24, 1980 could've easily been written today. Take a look at many of Carter's proposals to "fix" the problem and tell me Obama isn't Carter version 2.0.
I also got a kick out of the mention of Ted Kennedy calling for wage & price controls in the wake of the crisis. You learn in economics 101 that such controls do not work, yet there's Kennedy calling for measures that will be ineffective or even counterproductive simply because they fit his liberal ideology.
Time quotes then President Carter as saying, "Nothing will work until the Federal Government has demonstrated that it can discipline its own spending and its own borrowing"
Does anyone envision President Obama uttering such words in a speech? Such words would not only go against his ideology, but they would repudiate the very spending programs he has touted as having "fixed" the economy so far.
We are in for tough times folks, and Republicans seem to want to throttle things back only slightly while not addressing underlying issues like the cost of Federal entitlement programs.
I also got a kick out of the mention of Ted Kennedy calling for wage & price controls in the wake of the crisis. You learn in economics 101 that such controls do not work, yet there's Kennedy calling for measures that will be ineffective or even counterproductive simply because they fit his liberal ideology.
Time quotes then President Carter as saying, "Nothing will work until the Federal Government has demonstrated that it can discipline its own spending and its own borrowing"
Does anyone envision President Obama uttering such words in a speech? Such words would not only go against his ideology, but they would repudiate the very spending programs he has touted as having "fixed" the economy so far.
We are in for tough times folks, and Republicans seem to want to throttle things back only slightly while not addressing underlying issues like the cost of Federal entitlement programs.
When will TSA idiocy end?
The chef of One Flew South, a restaurant at Atlanta international Airport has to chain his kitchen knives to the table per TSA rules. I'd say I'm suprised but the idiocy of the TSA is legendary. I'm almost surprised they don't expect him to cook without the use of any sharp cutting utensils whatsoever.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Competing goals and the state of Mike
Back in January I wrote a post regarding some of my goals for this year. Usually I'm one of those people who makes a resolution and then never truly follows up on it. This is the 1st year that has been different.
2011 has been a year of change for me. I moved into a new place in November 2010, a move which was long overdue and which has done wonders for my overall well-being. (though not for my bank account) I'm now living with a buddy from work. It's worked out quite well and to some extent he treats me like a little brother, which is funny since he's 32, about the same age as my older brother.
When even your mother recognizes that a current living situation is messing you up it's time to do something about it. It's amazing how much better I feel now that I've removed myself from some constant stressors. Having to deal with a person or person(s) who constantly tear you down can wear on you after a while, especially if you're constantly butting heads. The lack of negative energy has been a great improvement.
Now, I can't say I've made good on all of the goals laid out in that January 3rd post. Truth be told I've primarily focused on goal #1. I've made good on #2 to some extent despite the fact that working out and drinking more beer are somewhat competing interests. I've actually managed to try some new beers while cutting my beer intake by ~75%. Beer is simply not good when you're working out almost daily, so for the most part beer has been replaced by 3 protein shakes a day.
Goal #1 has also made goal # 3 more difficult. I'm not one to half-ass things, and when I get to the point where I don't think I can possibly do one more rep I do more. I was so sore in the chest, arms and shoulders last Sunday that I could hardly bring a pistol up to eye level without a good deal of pain. When I do legs I am so spent by the end I can hardly walk back to my apartment. My legs are ridiculously weak and they fatigue easily due to my CP, but that's all the more reason to work them hard.
Every single New Year's I say I'm going to work out more and every year I start, don't see results and then fizzle out. A huge part of that was insecurities about not wanting to go to the gym where other people can actually see me lifting. (yay CP) My roommate is my height and a 200+ lb. gym rat. There's a gym in our complex which he actually has me going to and he's acting as my personal trainer. You see much better results when you're going to the gym versus just doing simple exercises in your living room. It also helps to have someone who knows what they're doing pushing you to the point of failure and beyond. Imagine that!
Now that we've gotten my base strength up I'm hitting the gym hard 4 or 5 times a week, focusing on different muscle groups each day. I'm also doing abs and balance workouts and changing things up regularly. Truth be told I'm really happy with this turn of events, despite the pain. I'm sick of being an in shape, ridiculously skinny weakling. I finally manned up and made the decision that if I was going to be in pain all the time anyway I might as well work out hard, be in pain and actually get something out of it. Next week I'm adding a supplement in addition to the protein, which should help increase my gains. I've got a long, long way to go.
I have a wedding to attend in June and my roommate said there's no way my suit jacket would fit by then. At the time I thought he was full of shit, but now I'm starting to believe him. I've got at least 40+ pounds I want to gain and plan to do it without gaining so much as an inch in my waist. I am not about to have to go buy all new pants.
I was going to tie this post into my cerebral palsy and use it as part two of that series, but it just didn't pan out that way. I'll have to do a separate post for part two of that series this week.
If any of my readers have fizzled out on their commitment to their New Year's resolution I urge them to get back on the horse. Trust me, you will be glad you did. I know I'm looking forward to seeing a whole new me come my 26th birthday in September.
2011 has been a year of change for me. I moved into a new place in November 2010, a move which was long overdue and which has done wonders for my overall well-being. (though not for my bank account) I'm now living with a buddy from work. It's worked out quite well and to some extent he treats me like a little brother, which is funny since he's 32, about the same age as my older brother.
When even your mother recognizes that a current living situation is messing you up it's time to do something about it. It's amazing how much better I feel now that I've removed myself from some constant stressors. Having to deal with a person or person(s) who constantly tear you down can wear on you after a while, especially if you're constantly butting heads. The lack of negative energy has been a great improvement.
Now, I can't say I've made good on all of the goals laid out in that January 3rd post. Truth be told I've primarily focused on goal #1. I've made good on #2 to some extent despite the fact that working out and drinking more beer are somewhat competing interests. I've actually managed to try some new beers while cutting my beer intake by ~75%. Beer is simply not good when you're working out almost daily, so for the most part beer has been replaced by 3 protein shakes a day.
Goal #1 has also made goal # 3 more difficult. I'm not one to half-ass things, and when I get to the point where I don't think I can possibly do one more rep I do more. I was so sore in the chest, arms and shoulders last Sunday that I could hardly bring a pistol up to eye level without a good deal of pain. When I do legs I am so spent by the end I can hardly walk back to my apartment. My legs are ridiculously weak and they fatigue easily due to my CP, but that's all the more reason to work them hard.
Every single New Year's I say I'm going to work out more and every year I start, don't see results and then fizzle out. A huge part of that was insecurities about not wanting to go to the gym where other people can actually see me lifting. (yay CP) My roommate is my height and a 200+ lb. gym rat. There's a gym in our complex which he actually has me going to and he's acting as my personal trainer. You see much better results when you're going to the gym versus just doing simple exercises in your living room. It also helps to have someone who knows what they're doing pushing you to the point of failure and beyond. Imagine that!
Now that we've gotten my base strength up I'm hitting the gym hard 4 or 5 times a week, focusing on different muscle groups each day. I'm also doing abs and balance workouts and changing things up regularly. Truth be told I'm really happy with this turn of events, despite the pain. I'm sick of being an in shape, ridiculously skinny weakling. I finally manned up and made the decision that if I was going to be in pain all the time anyway I might as well work out hard, be in pain and actually get something out of it. Next week I'm adding a supplement in addition to the protein, which should help increase my gains. I've got a long, long way to go.
I have a wedding to attend in June and my roommate said there's no way my suit jacket would fit by then. At the time I thought he was full of shit, but now I'm starting to believe him. I've got at least 40+ pounds I want to gain and plan to do it without gaining so much as an inch in my waist. I am not about to have to go buy all new pants.
I was going to tie this post into my cerebral palsy and use it as part two of that series, but it just didn't pan out that way. I'll have to do a separate post for part two of that series this week.
If any of my readers have fizzled out on their commitment to their New Year's resolution I urge them to get back on the horse. Trust me, you will be glad you did. I know I'm looking forward to seeing a whole new me come my 26th birthday in September.
Why would anyone want to carry in a Mall?
Oh, maybe because people get robbed at the mall too. It's funny, Christiana Mall has a strict anti-gun policy, yet that doesn't stop armed robberies in their parking lot nor shoplifters firing shots at unarmed mall security guards.
I seem to recall an incident where a DELOC member was OC'ing at the Mall and was told by a Delaware State Police officer to conceal his firearm so not to scare folks. When he responded that he didn't have a CCDW permit the cop said he was giving him permission to conceal.
Personally I don't see the point in Malls. I have to subject myself to droves of mindless sheep in condition white and enter a place where crime is enough of a problem that they have State Police actively patrolling inside. Shopping on the Eee in the buff without having to put on pants is easier, safer and infinitely less stressful.
I seem to recall an incident where a DELOC member was OC'ing at the Mall and was told by a Delaware State Police officer to conceal his firearm so not to scare folks. When he responded that he didn't have a CCDW permit the cop said he was giving him permission to conceal.
Personally I don't see the point in Malls. I have to subject myself to droves of mindless sheep in condition white and enter a place where crime is enough of a problem that they have State Police actively patrolling inside. Shopping on the Eee in the buff without having to put on pants is easier, safer and infinitely less stressful.
Chicks with guns
It looks like another gun chick has joined the gunblogger ranks. Drop by and welcome Jennifer of Guns, Glitter and Gossip to the blogging community.
In her own words,
"So what's my deal? Well, I'm a girl who loves guns, cars, animals, dancing, singing, and most importantly: doing MY own thing whenver I want to. I want to live."
*I'll admit that her blog header is really wigging me out. 4 rules violations eek!
In her own words,
"So what's my deal? Well, I'm a girl who loves guns, cars, animals, dancing, singing, and most importantly: doing MY own thing whenver I want to. I want to live."
*I'll admit that her blog header is really wigging me out. 4 rules violations eek!
Strange, very strange
I had two very strange dreams last night that I can actually remember.
In the first sumdood was trying to break down the door of the apartment. I went to reach for the 1911 but knocked it off the nightstand. When it hit the carpeted floor it broke into pieces and I just stood there hopelessly looking at it. Then, for no reason at all sumdood stopped trying to break in. Odd.*
In the 2nd I was drinking a few beers while washing my car. I went inside to grab old t-shirts and when I came back out a group of smarmy kids was sitting on my car drinking my Dogfish! When I came out they gave me a bunch of lip and told me to "chill out" so I called the cops. Then, when the cops showed up they stole my beer too and hammed it up with the asshole kids, telling them how much of a schmuck I was.
I have no idea what either of those dreams might mean, but damn were they odd. Clearly the 2nd one is a clear indicator that I'm old. I mean hell I called the cops on some kids for underage drinking like I was some crotchety old fogie.
*made even more odd by the fact that the DW wasn't on the nightstand last night.
In the first sumdood was trying to break down the door of the apartment. I went to reach for the 1911 but knocked it off the nightstand. When it hit the carpeted floor it broke into pieces and I just stood there hopelessly looking at it. Then, for no reason at all sumdood stopped trying to break in. Odd.*
In the 2nd I was drinking a few beers while washing my car. I went inside to grab old t-shirts and when I came back out a group of smarmy kids was sitting on my car drinking my Dogfish! When I came out they gave me a bunch of lip and told me to "chill out" so I called the cops. Then, when the cops showed up they stole my beer too and hammed it up with the asshole kids, telling them how much of a schmuck I was.
I have no idea what either of those dreams might mean, but damn were they odd. Clearly the 2nd one is a clear indicator that I'm old. I mean hell I called the cops on some kids for underage drinking like I was some crotchety old fogie.
*made even more odd by the fact that the DW wasn't on the nightstand last night.
Quote of the day - Going back
"Man, if I could go back in time and only change one relatively small thing, I might well pick going and having a little chat with Jimmy Madison in early 1789 about the wording of 2A. "Look, sir, in 200 years some of the people of this country are fantastically stupid. There are people then who honestly think that preamble means that you are preserving the right of the states to have professional militias, not the right of individual citizens to own arms. So if you'll just trim that down to 'The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed', I'd be mighty obliged. I know, it seems nearly unthinkable, but... have you never met a man of this era who was a bootlicking toady of King George? Well, we get those too."
- Sandro Rettinger - Commenting at Kevin's.
As someone who has always thought the "collective rights" state militia argument was one of the most moronic things to ever rear it's ugly head in academia Mr. Rettinger's comment made me smile. It was made of win!
- Sandro Rettinger - Commenting at Kevin's.
As someone who has always thought the "collective rights" state militia argument was one of the most moronic things to ever rear it's ugly head in academia Mr. Rettinger's comment made me smile. It was made of win!
Monday, March 28, 2011
PSA
Newsflash folks! I am not a gun dealer. I'm just a dude with a small collection. If you e-mail me asking if I have X gun in stock or whether I can get you X gun I can't, and I won't respond.
If you're a Delaware resident and want to buy a gun there are plenty of dealers. I'd suggest Diamond State Firearms or Patriot Firearms of Delaware.
If you're a Delaware resident and want to buy a gun there are plenty of dealers. I'd suggest Diamond State Firearms or Patriot Firearms of Delaware.
Quote of the day - practice freedom
"We cannot choose freedom established on a hierarchy of degrees of freedom, on a caste system of equality like military rank. We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it; our freedom must be buttressed by a homogeny equally and unchallengeably free, no matter what color they are, so that all the other inimical forces everywhere--systems political or religious or racial or national--will not just respect us because we practice freedom, they will fear us because we do.
" -William Faulkner - 1956 "On Fear: The South in Labor"
I thought that was an appropriate quote of the day, particularly on the heels of my last post. "We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it." Ain't that the truth?
" -William Faulkner - 1956 "On Fear: The South in Labor"
I thought that was an appropriate quote of the day, particularly on the heels of my last post. "We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it." Ain't that the truth?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What's that smell?
Ah yes, another uneventful Saturday open carrying in the land of mushroom farms.
What's that smell? Smells like freedom to me, mixed with the wonderfully pungent smell of mushroom farm manure. ;)
I met mom for lunch, got a haircut, dropped by the hardware store and got groceries at the store where I used to work as a teen.
The grocery store was busy and packed full of little old ladies and women with their kids. Sadly I didn't run into fellow Delawarean Sarah Brady. It's sad really, I'm sure the explosive PSH from Sarah would've been hilarious and legendary.
All in all my fellow Americans got to see a young man in black dress slacks, a polo shirt and a faded baseball cap help his mom and go about his business just like them. Every day OC'ing should be just like this. (most are)
I'm polite, unassuming, and even with the slight limp I don't stand out. I'm just like them, the only difference being I have a Sig on my hip. That's exacly what you want people to see.
Why am I writing this boring tale? Im writing it because mom had previously been very reluctant to go places with me while I OC'd. She's always worried about how folks will react. Today I got to show her. It was a good day.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
What's that smell? Smells like freedom to me, mixed with the wonderfully pungent smell of mushroom farm manure. ;)
I met mom for lunch, got a haircut, dropped by the hardware store and got groceries at the store where I used to work as a teen.
The grocery store was busy and packed full of little old ladies and women with their kids. Sadly I didn't run into fellow Delawarean Sarah Brady. It's sad really, I'm sure the explosive PSH from Sarah would've been hilarious and legendary.
All in all my fellow Americans got to see a young man in black dress slacks, a polo shirt and a faded baseball cap help his mom and go about his business just like them. Every day OC'ing should be just like this. (most are)
I'm polite, unassuming, and even with the slight limp I don't stand out. I'm just like them, the only difference being I have a Sig on my hip. That's exacly what you want people to see.
Why am I writing this boring tale? Im writing it because mom had previously been very reluctant to go places with me while I OC'd. She's always worried about how folks will react. Today I got to show her. It was a good day.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
As A Delawarean I Apologize
I apologize to the nation that my state brought you Joe Biden. I'm truly sorry....
What, pray tell, has Biden been up to lately? Oh, just referring to Conservatives as "barbarians" and still blaming Republicans for the current economic crisis. It dumbfounds me that the "this mess was all the Republicans / George Bush's fault" lines resonate with anyone possessing a functional IQ.
Democrats were in control of Congress from 2006 until the most recent midterm elections. It's now 2011. I guess "It's all the evil Republican's fault" is still the only card the left and the Obama administration can play.
Biden also refers to the Union folks as scapegoats and says they're being unfairly blamed. No mention of course of all of the violence and outright thuggery leftist union supporters in Wisconsin have been engaging in, nor any mention of SEIU thug tactics before that.
It's interesting, as the article points out, we've seen violent rhetoric coming from all kinds of folks on the left, including Democratic Congressmen and the President himself. Despite all of this the media won't even report on the violence being committed by the Left, nor will they attempt to make any connection between the violent rhetoric of leftist politicians and pundits and the resulting violent action by leftist thugs.
I particularly liked this one, of a Union supporter telling a Tea Partier "I'll break your godddamn neck!" I guess this is what the Left considers civility?
With the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Republicans et. al. lies were told, false accusations of racism made, and the media pushed incessantly to make connection between "right wing rhetoric" and violence or the threat thereof. Now that Democrats are acting like violent, petulant children and Democratic politicians are upping the incivility and rhetoric all I see is whitewashing. All I hear are birds chirping.
Here's a good roundup of the words and actions of the violent, unruly, uncivil liberal left. These are all things we'd never see if not for the internet, because as far as the liberal media is concerned none of it is happening. I mean hell, if a Republican pundit or Senator had told Tea Partiers to go out and "get a little bloody" it would've been headline news on CBS, ABC, MSNBC and CNN non-stop.
What, pray tell, has Biden been up to lately? Oh, just referring to Conservatives as "barbarians" and still blaming Republicans for the current economic crisis. It dumbfounds me that the "this mess was all the Republicans / George Bush's fault" lines resonate with anyone possessing a functional IQ.
Democrats were in control of Congress from 2006 until the most recent midterm elections. It's now 2011. I guess "It's all the evil Republican's fault" is still the only card the left and the Obama administration can play.
Biden also refers to the Union folks as scapegoats and says they're being unfairly blamed. No mention of course of all of the violence and outright thuggery leftist union supporters in Wisconsin have been engaging in, nor any mention of SEIU thug tactics before that.
It's interesting, as the article points out, we've seen violent rhetoric coming from all kinds of folks on the left, including Democratic Congressmen and the President himself. Despite all of this the media won't even report on the violence being committed by the Left, nor will they attempt to make any connection between the violent rhetoric of leftist politicians and pundits and the resulting violent action by leftist thugs.
I particularly liked this one, of a Union supporter telling a Tea Partier "I'll break your godddamn neck!" I guess this is what the Left considers civility?
With the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Republicans et. al. lies were told, false accusations of racism made, and the media pushed incessantly to make connection between "right wing rhetoric" and violence or the threat thereof. Now that Democrats are acting like violent, petulant children and Democratic politicians are upping the incivility and rhetoric all I see is whitewashing. All I hear are birds chirping.
Here's a good roundup of the words and actions of the violent, unruly, uncivil liberal left. These are all things we'd never see if not for the internet, because as far as the liberal media is concerned none of it is happening. I mean hell, if a Republican pundit or Senator had told Tea Partiers to go out and "get a little bloody" it would've been headline news on CBS, ABC, MSNBC and CNN non-stop.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A safety reminder
From another Mike. Learn from his mistake, because negligent discharges are no fun. Always visually inspect the chamber. Always. I'm glad the only thing hurt was his pride and a basement floor.
I like big butts and I cannot lie....
I like big butts and I cannot lie! Big butts! Oh my! Oh my!
Bringing a little levity to the blog this Friday morning courtesy of Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Bringing a little levity to the blog this Friday morning courtesy of Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Quote of the day - tough times
"A significant percentage of the population will be demanding that “the government” DO SOMETHING, and that something will include confiscation of private property and virtual enslavement of the skilled.
The former Soviet Union didn’t get that because the people there were used to their government either ignoring or terrorizing the populace. Not so here. Here, the masses have been told since birth, the government is the solution to problems, not their source."
- Kevin Baker - In comments at Alan's
Read that last sentence again, because it is the truth. So many people grow up believing The Big Lie with every fiber of their being. Hell, just listen to any hardcore liberal for 10 minutes. Every problem can be fixed by government. Every problem was exacerbated because the government didn't do enough, or "the right people" weren't in charge. The concept of the government action itself being the cause of the problem(s) is simply inconceivable!
I still have liberals telling me all the stimulus spending was necessary to prevent a banking collapse and that we need to keep spending. They are in complete denial about the fact that the deck of cards can and will collapse, and that continuing down our current course is unsubstainable and will lead to insolvency.
Hell, I had a liberal just the other day tell me that even if Obamacare is unconstitutional he supports it because "it's the right thing to do." Yes folks, he believes that our "leaders" should intentionally ignore the Constitution when they believe they are morally justified in doing so. When pushed on this he said that the Constitution / Bill of Rights is just a document, constantly changing, and should not hold us back if it harms the country as a whole. With that view of the Constitution it's not even worth the parchment it's printed on.
That doesn't surprise me, but let me just say that the fact that my fellow citizens view the Bill of Rights in such a way scares the fuck out of me.
The former Soviet Union didn’t get that because the people there were used to their government either ignoring or terrorizing the populace. Not so here. Here, the masses have been told since birth, the government is the solution to problems, not their source."
- Kevin Baker - In comments at Alan's
Read that last sentence again, because it is the truth. So many people grow up believing The Big Lie with every fiber of their being. Hell, just listen to any hardcore liberal for 10 minutes. Every problem can be fixed by government. Every problem was exacerbated because the government didn't do enough, or "the right people" weren't in charge. The concept of the government action itself being the cause of the problem(s) is simply inconceivable!
I still have liberals telling me all the stimulus spending was necessary to prevent a banking collapse and that we need to keep spending. They are in complete denial about the fact that the deck of cards can and will collapse, and that continuing down our current course is unsubstainable and will lead to insolvency.
Hell, I had a liberal just the other day tell me that even if Obamacare is unconstitutional he supports it because "it's the right thing to do." Yes folks, he believes that our "leaders" should intentionally ignore the Constitution when they believe they are morally justified in doing so. When pushed on this he said that the Constitution / Bill of Rights is just a document, constantly changing, and should not hold us back if it harms the country as a whole. With that view of the Constitution it's not even worth the parchment it's printed on.
That doesn't surprise me, but let me just say that the fact that my fellow citizens view the Bill of Rights in such a way scares the fuck out of me.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Damn those Kind Eyes!
A word of advice for panhandlers. If you're trying to extort money from me starting out your plea with "I'm not a hooker"* might not be the best way to go about it. Just sayin.
*especially when you look like a really nasty hooker that I wouldn't touch with Paul Helmke's dick.
Nothing's better than the time some guy straight up asked me if I could spare $10,000. That was nuts.
*especially when you look like a really nasty hooker that I wouldn't touch with Paul Helmke's dick.
Nothing's better than the time some guy straight up asked me if I could spare $10,000. That was nuts.
I'm a sucker for chicks with guns
"I'm a vegetarian – I'm not the type to want to go shoot a gun... Then I actually got to the range and totally fell in love with an M4. It was kind of amazing."
- Abbie Cornish - Star of the new film "Sucker Punch"
Imagine that, people shoot guns and learn that shooting is fun! This is why we win folks. There is no fun anti-gun pasttime.
I mentioned on Facebook that I really want to go see Sucker Punch. This makes me want to see it even more. Chicks with guns, what's not to love?!
Also, in the same vein, Falnfenix tells me that Kate Beckinsale will be back for Underworld 4 in her trademark skintight leather. I have no clue why the hell they made a fourth movie, since the first three weren't exactly box office hits. That said, eye candy, lots of guns, and werewolves & vampires is my kind of movie. Perhaps now that she's older Kate will be carrying a little more junk in this film?
H/T to Miller
- Abbie Cornish - Star of the new film "Sucker Punch"
Imagine that, people shoot guns and learn that shooting is fun! This is why we win folks. There is no fun anti-gun pasttime.
I mentioned on Facebook that I really want to go see Sucker Punch. This makes me want to see it even more. Chicks with guns, what's not to love?!
Also, in the same vein, Falnfenix tells me that Kate Beckinsale will be back for Underworld 4 in her trademark skintight leather. I have no clue why the hell they made a fourth movie, since the first three weren't exactly box office hits. That said, eye candy, lots of guns, and werewolves & vampires is my kind of movie. Perhaps now that she's older Kate will be carrying a little more junk in this film?
H/T to Miller
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Way to cheer me up!
Kevin Bacon (mmm bacon!) always manages to do a great job of cheering me up regarding the direction of this country....
As for the 6 percent of people who couldn't circle Independence Day on the calendar, one wonders if they could wipe their own ass without assistance. Yup, we get the government we deserve, and the gradual destruction of our once great nation is the result. This is all entirely intentional since our public schools and universities indoctrinate rather than teach.
Sigh. Sometimes all I can think is "Ahhhh! I see stupid people!*"
*and that's before I look in the mirror :P
As for the 6 percent of people who couldn't circle Independence Day on the calendar, one wonders if they could wipe their own ass without assistance. Yup, we get the government we deserve, and the gradual destruction of our once great nation is the result. This is all entirely intentional since our public schools and universities indoctrinate rather than teach.
Sigh. Sometimes all I can think is "Ahhhh! I see stupid people!*"
*and that's before I look in the mirror :P
Impeach Obama?
Joe Biden thinks we should... Here's Joe talking about President Bush, war powers and impeachment back in 2007.
"And I want to make it clear, and I’ll make it clear to the President: that if he takes this nation to war in Iran, without Congressional approval, I will make it my business to impeach him."
So, now that Barack is his boss how long before Biden calls for Impeachment proceedings against Obama? After all, Obama didn't even try to get Congressional approval for the war with Libya.
Yet another in a long list of "Bad when Bush did it, awesome when Obama does it" policies.
H/T to Hotair
"And I want to make it clear, and I’ll make it clear to the President: that if he takes this nation to war in Iran, without Congressional approval, I will make it my business to impeach him."
So, now that Barack is his boss how long before Biden calls for Impeachment proceedings against Obama? After all, Obama didn't even try to get Congressional approval for the war with Libya.
Yet another in a long list of "Bad when Bush did it, awesome when Obama does it" policies.
H/T to Hotair
Quote of the day - Spendthrifts
"It is the highest impertinence and presumption, therefore, in kings and ministers, to pretend to watch over the economy of private people, and to restrain their expence, either by sumptuary laws, or by prohibiting the importation of foreign luxuries. They are themselves always, and without any exception, the greatest spendthrifts in the society. Let them look well after their own expence, and they may safely trust private people with theirs. If their own extravagance does not ruin the state, that of their subjects never will."
- Adam Smith
Of course their extravagance is done with other people's money and will eventually ruin this country. We cannot continue down the path we are going, yet no one seems willing to stomp on the brakes.
- Adam Smith
Of course their extravagance is done with other people's money and will eventually ruin this country. We cannot continue down the path we are going, yet no one seems willing to stomp on the brakes.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
All Linky
Not in much of a blogging mood today, but I did run across this thread on Calguns about snubbies. General consensus? They suck to shoot.
Ingenious!
A bottle opener hat!!
Too bad the 1st DFH Aprihop I opened with it exploded on me. I think someone shook it before handing it to me. Damn jokesters.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Too bad the 1st DFH Aprihop I opened with it exploded on me. I think someone shook it before handing it to me. Damn jokesters.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
President Obama vs. Candidate Obama
As anyone who reads this already knows, we are currently involved in a military conflict in Libya. Does anyone remember what the reaction was when GWB went into Iraq? He was questioned, chastised and ridiculed for doing so, even though Saddam had violated UN resolutions and even though Congress had authorized the use of force in Iraq.
That right folks, that Constitution hating George W. Bush got approval from Congress before going to war. Constitution hating President Barack H. Obama didn't bother with silly things like getting Congress to authorize the use of force against Libya. Things like that are for little people, and Mr. Narcissist-in-Chief" is not "little people."
Here are Candidate Obama's own words from 2007 regarding the Constitutional use of military force. Remember that this man taugh Constitutional law. (which explains why most Americans are so damn ignorant)
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
I guess there should be an addendum to the above statement that says "unless I am the President." I don't think anyone can even attempt to honestly say that Libya is an actual or imminent threat to the U.S. They have almost no military, no WMD's (suspected or actual) and are really not much of a threat to anyone. Gadafi isn't a serious threat to anyone except for the Libyan people. If he were engaged in genocide we might have reason to act, but he is not. That said, we let genocides occur all the time without taking unliateral military action.
As for Obama's war, he's making Bush look like a master planner. Not even the Liberal MSM can figure out what our "goal" is in this conflict. What U.S. interests does this serve? President Obama sure can't seem to explain himself.
I don't even want to speculate what the media onslaught would look like right now if President McCain or President Palin decided to go to war with Libya without even trying to get the support of a Democratically controlled Congress. How many times do you think we'd hear the word "warmonger?"
There's also a little issue of the "rebels" we're supporting not being a concrete group with one descernible political ideology. We really have no clue who we're supporting here. I mean it's not as if our history of both propping up and helping topple dictators in the Middle East has been a foreign policy success for the United States. It seems we repeat the same old mistakes over and over again. Sigh...
H/T to Breda
That right folks, that Constitution hating George W. Bush got approval from Congress before going to war. Constitution hating President Barack H. Obama didn't bother with silly things like getting Congress to authorize the use of force against Libya. Things like that are for little people, and Mr. Narcissist-in-Chief" is not "little people."
Here are Candidate Obama's own words from 2007 regarding the Constitutional use of military force. Remember that this man taugh Constitutional law. (which explains why most Americans are so damn ignorant)
"The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
I guess there should be an addendum to the above statement that says "unless I am the President." I don't think anyone can even attempt to honestly say that Libya is an actual or imminent threat to the U.S. They have almost no military, no WMD's (suspected or actual) and are really not much of a threat to anyone. Gadafi isn't a serious threat to anyone except for the Libyan people. If he were engaged in genocide we might have reason to act, but he is not. That said, we let genocides occur all the time without taking unliateral military action.
As for Obama's war, he's making Bush look like a master planner. Not even the Liberal MSM can figure out what our "goal" is in this conflict. What U.S. interests does this serve? President Obama sure can't seem to explain himself.
I don't even want to speculate what the media onslaught would look like right now if President McCain or President Palin decided to go to war with Libya without even trying to get the support of a Democratically controlled Congress. How many times do you think we'd hear the word "warmonger?"
There's also a little issue of the "rebels" we're supporting not being a concrete group with one descernible political ideology. We really have no clue who we're supporting here. I mean it's not as if our history of both propping up and helping topple dictators in the Middle East has been a foreign policy success for the United States. It seems we repeat the same old mistakes over and over again. Sigh...
H/T to Breda
In Memory
A year ago today you passed away
I'm sad that you're not here today
But I know you'd say, be happy, be gay, and celebrate life the right way
So I'll pour some Jameson, raise my glass, and try to enjoy life this and everyday
I love you and miss you Mom-Mom.
I'm sad that you're not here today
But I know you'd say, be happy, be gay, and celebrate life the right way
So I'll pour some Jameson, raise my glass, and try to enjoy life this and everyday
I love you and miss you Mom-Mom.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Ok then
It's not everyday that someone you knew growing up and hung out with in high school and college gets busted on a concealed weapons charge.* Good luck Bourdon, you're gonna need it. In other news, if you're absolutely going to break gun laws don't be an idiot about it and for the love of god don't carry while drunk, permit or not.
I have to admit I liked how they threw in "Officers did not believe he was planning to rob the store."
*or at least it's not a normal occurrence amongst the friends I hung out with.
I have to admit I liked how they threw in "Officers did not believe he was planning to rob the store."
*or at least it's not a normal occurrence amongst the friends I hung out with.
Quote of the day - dogs
"The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs. "
- Charles De Gaulle
- Charles De Gaulle
ME! ME! ME!
It's all about the big O!
"...as time passes, you start taking it for granted that a guy named Barack Hussein Obama is president of the United States, But we should never take it for granted."
Wow! The narcissism makes my head hurt.
H/T to Jim Treacher
"...as time passes, you start taking it for granted that a guy named Barack Hussein Obama is president of the United States, But we should never take it for granted."
Wow! The narcissism makes my head hurt.
H/T to Jim Treacher
So Libya
So with all that's going on in Libya I have to ask, what the hell are we doing getting involved? At least there was some justification for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, whether or not you agree with how they've panned out. But Libya? Have they even broken a UN Resolution? That's something Saddam did 10 or 20 times.
Why is it that anytime the UN decides to do something WE are the ones that have to do 90% of the grunt work? Also, since when did America start listening to France? They're French, the only thing worse are French Canadians. ;)
The media bias of the "war" coverage is disgusting but unsurprising. The MSM is all cheery, pro-war and hoorah! Funny how their demeanor takes a 180 when the guy dropping unicorn-fart laden bombs on the brown people is a Liberal Democrat.
How about Mr. Barack Obama himself? He promised to get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and has instead gotten us into a third Mideast conflict. He promised to close Guantanamo Bay, then decided to keep it open. He promised gays action on DADT, then flaked. About the only campaign promise he has made good on was to have the Dems pass a blatantly unconstitutional healthcare monstrosity against the will of the American people.
Why is it that anytime the UN decides to do something WE are the ones that have to do 90% of the grunt work? Also, since when did America start listening to France? They're French, the only thing worse are French Canadians. ;)
The media bias of the "war" coverage is disgusting but unsurprising. The MSM is all cheery, pro-war and hoorah! Funny how their demeanor takes a 180 when the guy dropping unicorn-fart laden bombs on the brown people is a Liberal Democrat.
How about Mr. Barack Obama himself? He promised to get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan and has instead gotten us into a third Mideast conflict. He promised to close Guantanamo Bay, then decided to keep it open. He promised gays action on DADT, then flaked. About the only campaign promise he has made good on was to have the Dems pass a blatantly unconstitutional healthcare monstrosity against the will of the American people.
Friday, March 18, 2011
A sad day for beer drinkers
Dogfish Head Brewery is pulling out of Tennessee, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Indiana.* I feel for you folks. I can get pretty much any Dogfish I want around here save for very limited run beers. Usually the worst that happens is I might have to go to a 2nd liquor store to find Burton Baton.
The good news? The reason for pulling out is that they simply can't keep up with demand. I'm noticing quite a few folks that are angry about this, but you have to remember that Dogfish is a relatively small Brewery that has seen a major increase in popularity (and demand) recently. I am sure that they'll be back in the market in those states as soon as they can get production and distribution ramped up.
*I'm happy to say I've had every Dogfish pictured in the article.
The good news? The reason for pulling out is that they simply can't keep up with demand. I'm noticing quite a few folks that are angry about this, but you have to remember that Dogfish is a relatively small Brewery that has seen a major increase in popularity (and demand) recently. I am sure that they'll be back in the market in those states as soon as they can get production and distribution ramped up.
*I'm happy to say I've had every Dogfish pictured in the article.
Snubnoes: A love story
The poor little snubbie asleep in his bed
With thought's of inadequecy awash in his head
Only two puny inches through which to spew lead
He thought, how will I ever find a cute pink lady to wed and bed?
Fret not dear readers. Mr. snubbie found his pink lady and they lived happily ever after, blissfully unaware that they were terrible guns for introducing new shooters to the world of gunniedom.
What? you didn't think you'd get a serious post out of me this afternoon, did you?
With thought's of inadequecy awash in his head
Only two puny inches through which to spew lead
He thought, how will I ever find a cute pink lady to wed and bed?
Fret not dear readers. Mr. snubbie found his pink lady and they lived happily ever after, blissfully unaware that they were terrible guns for introducing new shooters to the world of gunniedom.
What? you didn't think you'd get a serious post out of me this afternoon, did you?
Why fight?
Because anti-gun bigots never ever stop trying to restrict our rights.
Maryland Democrat Brian Frosh on the fact that his proposed infringements on the rights of Maryland residents got shot down,
"I'll bring them back next year"
Anti-gunners never stop trying to take away our rights. Not ever. We gain nothing by sitting down to "compromise" with them. They talk "compromise" yet there is never any talk of what they want to give up. There is no common ground between our sides nor should there ever be.
Like NRA President Wayne Lapierre said recently,
“Why should I or the N.R.A. go sit down with a group of people that have spent a lifetime trying to destroy the Second Amendment in the United States?”
I would no more expect pro-gunnies to sit down and "compromise" with the Obama administration than I would expect the NAACP to sit down and "compromise" with the racist bigots of the KKK. We would have nothing to gain from such an exchange. You cannot, nor should you compromise with someone who has absolutely no respect for your rights.
As for the anti-gun bills that were defeated, good riddance. The MSP having regulatory powers over the licensing of gun dealers would be very bad news for Maryland gunnies, since the MSP are notoriously anti-gun. The 10 round magazine limit was asinine, especially since Maryland already has some of the most draconian gun laws in the country.
H/T to Alphecca
Maryland Democrat Brian Frosh on the fact that his proposed infringements on the rights of Maryland residents got shot down,
"I'll bring them back next year"
Anti-gunners never stop trying to take away our rights. Not ever. We gain nothing by sitting down to "compromise" with them. They talk "compromise" yet there is never any talk of what they want to give up. There is no common ground between our sides nor should there ever be.
Like NRA President Wayne Lapierre said recently,
“Why should I or the N.R.A. go sit down with a group of people that have spent a lifetime trying to destroy the Second Amendment in the United States?”
I would no more expect pro-gunnies to sit down and "compromise" with the Obama administration than I would expect the NAACP to sit down and "compromise" with the racist bigots of the KKK. We would have nothing to gain from such an exchange. You cannot, nor should you compromise with someone who has absolutely no respect for your rights.
As for the anti-gun bills that were defeated, good riddance. The MSP having regulatory powers over the licensing of gun dealers would be very bad news for Maryland gunnies, since the MSP are notoriously anti-gun. The 10 round magazine limit was asinine, especially since Maryland already has some of the most draconian gun laws in the country.
H/T to Alphecca
Quote of the day - gun choice
"gun choice is as unique as the individual, but it seems to me that anyone who would recommend any kind of lightweight revolver as any kind of first firearm for any shooter needs to have their gunnie card revoked."
- Erik of Southeast Texas Pistolero.
Now, if that newbie is specifically looking for a small, easily concealable pocket carry piece then I might be inclined to say it's a good choice. If not then it'd be one of the last guns I'd suggest a newbie buy. These guns suck for anything other than easy CCW. Period.
- Erik of Southeast Texas Pistolero.
Now, if that newbie is specifically looking for a small, easily concealable pocket carry piece then I might be inclined to say it's a good choice. If not then it'd be one of the last guns I'd suggest a newbie buy. These guns suck for anything other than easy CCW. Period.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Celebrate responsibly today, listen to some bagpipes, and for the love of god stay away from green beer. Green beer is a disgrace. If you want to honor the Irish or celebrate your Irish heritage drink a Guinness!
Hope you're enjoying a nip of whiskey or a cold one up in the big house in the sky today Mommom. Slainte!
Quote of the day - your own good
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. "
- John Stuart Mill - "On Liberty"
Such a simple concept, yet try telling that to a liberal or "compassionate conservative." They'll look at you like you're crazy. That said, I guess the Wookie suit does tend to scare some folks ;)
- John Stuart Mill - "On Liberty"
Such a simple concept, yet try telling that to a liberal or "compassionate conservative." They'll look at you like you're crazy. That said, I guess the Wookie suit does tend to scare some folks ;)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
On Tax Cuts
Obviously we know that the Bush Tax cuts were extended, at least in part, back in December. Prior to the bill passing there was much talk about extending the Bush tax cuts. Liberals were of course opposed to this and were spouting all kinds of falsehoods. One of my favorite arguments is "We can't afford to give the rich more money"
Excuse me? Give? I know some people have trouble grasping this (see liberals) but the government can't "give" what was never theirs to give. The government doesn't give anyone a tax cut, they merely let productive members of society keep more of what they earn. If I steal your wallet and hand it back with half the cash missing I'm not giving you anything.
That's the problem with statists. They mistakenly think it's their money and talk about how "we can't afford it" because of massive deficits. If the Federal government can't afford to let Americans keep $700 billion of their own money they surely can't afford to engage in massive deficit spending. You know what we really can't afford? For our taxes to go up when most Americans are tightening their wallets. For our government to inflate and devalue our currency during an economic downturn.
Even the language about giving them a so-called "tax cut" is disingenuous. What's at issue here isn't whether we should cut taxes, it's whether or not to keep taxes at their current levels or raise them in the middle of a recession.
People forget, or perhaps refuse to acknowledge that Bush's tax cuts reduced the tax burden on earners in each tax bracket not just on those over the $250K threshold. That's right folks, those evil tax cuts for the "rich" actually cut the tax rates for everyone. Failure to renew the Bush tax cuts would be a tax increase. Democrats will never call it that but that's what it is nonetheless. I'm also shocked at the number of people who don't seem to realize that the $250K threshold really isn't. That $250K ceiling refers to joint income if you're married, a significantly lower threshold.
From a personal standpoint I can do nothing but view the expiration of the cuts as a tax increase. In 2000 I was 15 and working part-time at an ice-cream store. I've lived under the Bush tax rates for my entire working life, so you'll have to excuse me for not being sympathetic when people claim that this would only consititute a return to "normal" tax rates.
Failure to renew Bush's cuts would've caused capital gains and dividend taxes to skyrocket. Again, this would not apply only to the rich but to everyone. Then again, President Obama is a liberal ideologue who has proven he will ignore facts that don't suit his views. Recall this exchange where it's pointed out to him that lowering capital gains taxes actually increases overall tax revenue. His response was to ignore the facts and start talking about "fairness."
Failure to renew the cuts would've undoubtedly hurt small businesses. If you own a small business as part of an S-Corp you are required to report profits from the business on your individual tax return. If taxes were raised, especially on high-income earners, you'd be killing the profitability of these businesses. Those profits lost to higher taxes mean less money in the pocket of the business owner AND less money he can reinvest in the business. Most small businesses are these kinds of S-Corps and partnerships.
My roommate is a liberal. He opposes tax cuts "for the rich". He actually said to me in one of our discussions that the tax cut was a "subsidy" for the rich. He believes there's nothing wrong with saddling the rich and small businesses with substantially higher costs. His basic argument was that any business making $250K or more that is unable to "do without the subsidy" probably isn't viable and should fail. No matter how logical a position I had he was simply unwilling to admit that forcing businesses and those who start those businesses to incur substantial new cost would absolutely hurt economic growth. I cimply cannot wrap my head around the logic needed to say that allowing people to keep more of the money they earned is somehow a government "subsidy."
This should be basic common sense. Your employer brings in X amount. If changes in the tax code mean he now takes in X amount minus 10% that's 10% less he has to reinvest, innovate, grow the business or pay employees. I know small business owners who have had to lay off workers during this recession. Raise their taxes and they'll simply have to let a few more workers go in order to stay in the black.* The rules of economics don't change simply because you want them to, and tax increases are nothing but a direct cost for business owners. Every action has a reaction. It never ceases to amaze me that liberals cannot see past their ideology and recognize this.
*after all, businesses can't just print money like the Feds can...
Excuse me? Give? I know some people have trouble grasping this (see liberals) but the government can't "give" what was never theirs to give. The government doesn't give anyone a tax cut, they merely let productive members of society keep more of what they earn. If I steal your wallet and hand it back with half the cash missing I'm not giving you anything.
That's the problem with statists. They mistakenly think it's their money and talk about how "we can't afford it" because of massive deficits. If the Federal government can't afford to let Americans keep $700 billion of their own money they surely can't afford to engage in massive deficit spending. You know what we really can't afford? For our taxes to go up when most Americans are tightening their wallets. For our government to inflate and devalue our currency during an economic downturn.
Even the language about giving them a so-called "tax cut" is disingenuous. What's at issue here isn't whether we should cut taxes, it's whether or not to keep taxes at their current levels or raise them in the middle of a recession.
People forget, or perhaps refuse to acknowledge that Bush's tax cuts reduced the tax burden on earners in each tax bracket not just on those over the $250K threshold. That's right folks, those evil tax cuts for the "rich" actually cut the tax rates for everyone. Failure to renew the Bush tax cuts would be a tax increase. Democrats will never call it that but that's what it is nonetheless. I'm also shocked at the number of people who don't seem to realize that the $250K threshold really isn't. That $250K ceiling refers to joint income if you're married, a significantly lower threshold.
From a personal standpoint I can do nothing but view the expiration of the cuts as a tax increase. In 2000 I was 15 and working part-time at an ice-cream store. I've lived under the Bush tax rates for my entire working life, so you'll have to excuse me for not being sympathetic when people claim that this would only consititute a return to "normal" tax rates.
Failure to renew Bush's cuts would've caused capital gains and dividend taxes to skyrocket. Again, this would not apply only to the rich but to everyone. Then again, President Obama is a liberal ideologue who has proven he will ignore facts that don't suit his views. Recall this exchange where it's pointed out to him that lowering capital gains taxes actually increases overall tax revenue. His response was to ignore the facts and start talking about "fairness."
Failure to renew the cuts would've undoubtedly hurt small businesses. If you own a small business as part of an S-Corp you are required to report profits from the business on your individual tax return. If taxes were raised, especially on high-income earners, you'd be killing the profitability of these businesses. Those profits lost to higher taxes mean less money in the pocket of the business owner AND less money he can reinvest in the business. Most small businesses are these kinds of S-Corps and partnerships.
My roommate is a liberal. He opposes tax cuts "for the rich". He actually said to me in one of our discussions that the tax cut was a "subsidy" for the rich. He believes there's nothing wrong with saddling the rich and small businesses with substantially higher costs. His basic argument was that any business making $250K or more that is unable to "do without the subsidy" probably isn't viable and should fail. No matter how logical a position I had he was simply unwilling to admit that forcing businesses and those who start those businesses to incur substantial new cost would absolutely hurt economic growth. I cimply cannot wrap my head around the logic needed to say that allowing people to keep more of the money they earned is somehow a government "subsidy."
This should be basic common sense. Your employer brings in X amount. If changes in the tax code mean he now takes in X amount minus 10% that's 10% less he has to reinvest, innovate, grow the business or pay employees. I know small business owners who have had to lay off workers during this recession. Raise their taxes and they'll simply have to let a few more workers go in order to stay in the black.* The rules of economics don't change simply because you want them to, and tax increases are nothing but a direct cost for business owners. Every action has a reaction. It never ceases to amaze me that liberals cannot see past their ideology and recognize this.
*after all, businesses can't just print money like the Feds can...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Airweight Love & Hate
Breda's post today about snubnose revolvers for women reminded me that I had a barely started post sitting in the draft doldrums, so here it is.
I purchased an airweight snubbie for BAG day 2010. I opted for a S&W 432PD chambered in .32 H&R Mag instead of the more popular 642 .38 SPL. Why? Because I'm a "woman"* with girlie hands and wrists. :P In all honestly I purchased it because I didn't want a .38 and liked the versatility of being able to shoot .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag out of it. It's also Tam's everyday pocket gun. To date I haven't actually shot any .32 S&W, however I suspect recoil would be next to nothing, even in a little airweight.
Now, let's get into the nitty gritty of this post. As my post title says, I have a "love / hate" relationship with my airweight. I absolutely love the gun for CCW. Riding in a Desantis pocket holster it prints less than an iPhone in my front pocket. It comfortably rides in my pocket when I get home from work. It's light, easy to carry, idiot proof as far as loading / unloading, and in most situations no one is going to know you're carrying. I've actually told someone I was carrying and they couldn't pick out which pocket the airweight was in.
Everything that makes an Airweight a good CCW piece also makes it a less than ideal range gun for anyone, much less for a new shooter. A .38 snubby is lightweight, has heavy recoil, a short sight radius, terrible sights, small grip, and a god awful DAO trigger pull. As far as range trips are concerned none of that sounds like a good thing for a newbie. We want newbies to have FUN at the range, right?
I've never understood the urge to recommend Airweight snubbies to women or any newbie. Gun shops love to recommend cute, light, little guns for women. Frankly I find it ridiculous. Hand size issues aside there's no reason a woman can't effectively manage most semi-auto pistols. The "women are too weak" argument is complete BS as well. If a woman lacks the hand strength to manipulate the slide on a semi-auto how in the hell is she going to be able pull a heavy ass J-frame trigger? Weer'd dry fired my 432PD in Charlotte. He can attest to the general craptastic nature of the trigger.
Opinions are like assholes, and whether a particular gun is "good" depends on what the newbie wants the gun for. If they're buying a CCW piece where concealment is paramount then an Airweight might be a great choice. If not, then I think an airweight is not the best choice for a new shooter for a whole host of reasons discussed in the preceding paragraphs.
As far as I'm concerned the best question to ask is this. "Is the gun easy & fun to shoot?" If not then it's not a good newbie gun. That's subjective of course but I doubt most folks are going to honestly say an airweight snubby is fun & easy to shoot relative to most other pistols. I would bet money that most newbies are going to prefer a Bersa Thunder .380 over a 642 if given both to shoot at the range. I'd bet the large majority would shoot the Bersa better as well.
Airweight snubbies are great for what they're designed for. Easy CCW. They're simply not great range guns. I certainly don't enjoy shooting mine. I think I'd really dislike it if I had a .38.
As always YMMV.
*an inside joke from last years NRA con...
I purchased an airweight snubbie for BAG day 2010. I opted for a S&W 432PD chambered in .32 H&R Mag instead of the more popular 642 .38 SPL. Why? Because I'm a "woman"* with girlie hands and wrists. :P In all honestly I purchased it because I didn't want a .38 and liked the versatility of being able to shoot .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Mag out of it. It's also Tam's everyday pocket gun. To date I haven't actually shot any .32 S&W, however I suspect recoil would be next to nothing, even in a little airweight.
Now, let's get into the nitty gritty of this post. As my post title says, I have a "love / hate" relationship with my airweight. I absolutely love the gun for CCW. Riding in a Desantis pocket holster it prints less than an iPhone in my front pocket. It comfortably rides in my pocket when I get home from work. It's light, easy to carry, idiot proof as far as loading / unloading, and in most situations no one is going to know you're carrying. I've actually told someone I was carrying and they couldn't pick out which pocket the airweight was in.
Everything that makes an Airweight a good CCW piece also makes it a less than ideal range gun for anyone, much less for a new shooter. A .38 snubby is lightweight, has heavy recoil, a short sight radius, terrible sights, small grip, and a god awful DAO trigger pull. As far as range trips are concerned none of that sounds like a good thing for a newbie. We want newbies to have FUN at the range, right?
I've never understood the urge to recommend Airweight snubbies to women or any newbie. Gun shops love to recommend cute, light, little guns for women. Frankly I find it ridiculous. Hand size issues aside there's no reason a woman can't effectively manage most semi-auto pistols. The "women are too weak" argument is complete BS as well. If a woman lacks the hand strength to manipulate the slide on a semi-auto how in the hell is she going to be able pull a heavy ass J-frame trigger? Weer'd dry fired my 432PD in Charlotte. He can attest to the general craptastic nature of the trigger.
Opinions are like assholes, and whether a particular gun is "good" depends on what the newbie wants the gun for. If they're buying a CCW piece where concealment is paramount then an Airweight might be a great choice. If not, then I think an airweight is not the best choice for a new shooter for a whole host of reasons discussed in the preceding paragraphs.
As far as I'm concerned the best question to ask is this. "Is the gun easy & fun to shoot?" If not then it's not a good newbie gun. That's subjective of course but I doubt most folks are going to honestly say an airweight snubby is fun & easy to shoot relative to most other pistols. I would bet money that most newbies are going to prefer a Bersa Thunder .380 over a 642 if given both to shoot at the range. I'd bet the large majority would shoot the Bersa better as well.
Airweight snubbies are great for what they're designed for. Easy CCW. They're simply not great range guns. I certainly don't enjoy shooting mine. I think I'd really dislike it if I had a .38.
As always YMMV.
*an inside joke from last years NRA con...
Quote of The Day - Coercion
"Freedom, morality, and the human dignity of the individual consists precisely in this; that he does good not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it."
- Mikhail Aleksandrovich Bakunin - "Man, Society and Freedom" 1871
Good quote. Unfortunately Bakunin was a proponent of Socialism / Collectivism and he thought it should (and would) come about naturally in society without the coercive power of the State. I will say you've got to love the delicious irony of a Socialist having his property confiscated by the Russian government.
- Mikhail Aleksandrovich Bakunin - "Man, Society and Freedom" 1871
Good quote. Unfortunately Bakunin was a proponent of Socialism / Collectivism and he thought it should (and would) come about naturally in society without the coercive power of the State. I will say you've got to love the delicious irony of a Socialist having his property confiscated by the Russian government.
Where's the MSM?
I'd like to know when we're going to hear "Barack Obama hates Asian people" circulating everywhere in the MSM. After all, Barry is hanging out, filling out his NCAA bracket, playing golf, and giving speeches that no one cares about. Meanwhile Japan, one of our allies, is suffering through what might be the worst natural disaster in Japanese history.
So, does Obama hate Asian people, or is he just an incompetent bum?
So, does Obama hate Asian people, or is he just an incompetent bum?
Oh hell yes!
I saw this ad on TV last night and said "Hell Yes!"
That ad is right on the money. One thing that really bugged me was the line about people being "willing" to give their cash to unions. Most union dues are not voluntary. I know mine weren't when I worked a union job. I was a college student working part-time, and seeing part of my paycheck going to two different unions really irked me.
What really bugs me about these private sector unions is this. They are government workerss, so we pay their salaries. Then that taxpayer money gets taken from them, goes into the hands of unions, who then use their massive monetary influence to elect liberals. Funny how you rarely hear much in the MSM about such things, yet they'll bemoan the massive lobbying interests of the big, bad NRA.*
Let's look at all-time lobbying donors. Hmm, I see quite a few unions at the top of that list, the scariest being the NEA. Given the lobbying clout of the NEA and the fact that 93% of their donations go to Liberals is it any surprise that our education system in America indoctrinates students with BS Liberalism?
* You'll note that the NRA is #39 on the list.
Any liberal politician who tells you he won't be beholden to special interests or lobbyists is 100% full of shit. Of the top 25 lobbying groups only 4 leaned Republican in who they gave money to.
"Show me the money!"
H/T to Hotair
That ad is right on the money. One thing that really bugged me was the line about people being "willing" to give their cash to unions. Most union dues are not voluntary. I know mine weren't when I worked a union job. I was a college student working part-time, and seeing part of my paycheck going to two different unions really irked me.
What really bugs me about these private sector unions is this. They are government workerss, so we pay their salaries. Then that taxpayer money gets taken from them, goes into the hands of unions, who then use their massive monetary influence to elect liberals. Funny how you rarely hear much in the MSM about such things, yet they'll bemoan the massive lobbying interests of the big, bad NRA.*
Let's look at all-time lobbying donors. Hmm, I see quite a few unions at the top of that list, the scariest being the NEA. Given the lobbying clout of the NEA and the fact that 93% of their donations go to Liberals is it any surprise that our education system in America indoctrinates students with BS Liberalism?
* You'll note that the NRA is #39 on the list.
Any liberal politician who tells you he won't be beholden to special interests or lobbyists is 100% full of shit. Of the top 25 lobbying groups only 4 leaned Republican in who they gave money to.
"Show me the money!"
H/T to Hotair
Sporadic blogging
Blogging is probably going to be sporadic around here for the rest of March. Oh sure, I'll still be updating the blog, but not necessarily daily. You see, it's that time of year again, Tourney time, March Madness, so much of the time I might spend on the couch blogging will be spent on the couch yelling at the TV.
I've also been spending a lot more time at the gym after work. I'm actually making good on a New Year's resolution two and a half months into 2011. Imagine that! I suppose the cutting back of my beer intake to about 1/4 of what it was is probably a more shocking change. That doesn't mean there won't be beer posts going up. I've got a few in the works, as well as a couple other things I've been meaning to write about.
I've also been spending a lot more time at the gym after work. I'm actually making good on a New Year's resolution two and a half months into 2011. Imagine that! I suppose the cutting back of my beer intake to about 1/4 of what it was is probably a more shocking change. That doesn't mean there won't be beer posts going up. I've got a few in the works, as well as a couple other things I've been meaning to write about.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Quote of the day - truth in liberty
"Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others."
-William Allen White
I have nothing to add to the above quote, aside from nitpicking that liberty is not "given."
-William Allen White
I have nothing to add to the above quote, aside from nitpicking that liberty is not "given."
Battle: Los Angeles
I went and saw Battle: Los Angeles on Friday night. It was actually quite good and held your attention throughout the whole thing. If you're looking for lots of shooting, aliens getting fucked up and U.S. Marines kicking ass and taking names then go see it!
The only thing that bugged me is the lack of civilians with guns, but then it was set in the anti-gun paradise that is California.
I suppose it could have used some eye candy, but that's always a given, right?
The only thing that bugged me is the lack of civilians with guns, but then it was set in the anti-gun paradise that is California.
I suppose it could have used some eye candy, but that's always a given, right?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Abrogating Responsibility
Saw this in comments at an anti-gun blog.
I had never heard the term "hue & cry" used in this context before.
"By the statute of Winchester, 13 Edw. I cc. 1 and 4, (1285) it was provided that anyone, either a constable or a private citizen, who witnessed a crime shall make hue and cry, and that the hue and cry must be kept up against the fleeing criminal from town to town and from county to county, until the felon is apprehended and delivered to the sheriff. All able-bodied men, upon hearing the shouts, were obliged to assist in the pursuit of the criminal, which makes it comparable to the posse comitatus. It was moreover provided that a hundred that failed to give pursuit on the hue and cry would become liable in case of any theft or robbery. Those who raised a hue and cry falsely were themselves guilty of a crime."
How far we have fallen as a civilized society. Now in the UK people have to summon "the authorities" for tasks so simple as using a fire extinguisher. It's interesting that not only were able bodied men expected to assist in pursuing criminals, they were actually held liable if they failed to do so.
Now? Now the attitude of many in the general public is "not my problem" or "not my responsibility." We have abrogated all responsibility unto the police who, paradoxically, have no legal obligation to protect any of us. Where has that attitude gotten us? Oh, only instances like that of Kitty Genovese.
I had never heard the term "hue & cry" used in this context before.
"By the statute of Winchester, 13 Edw. I cc. 1 and 4, (1285) it was provided that anyone, either a constable or a private citizen, who witnessed a crime shall make hue and cry, and that the hue and cry must be kept up against the fleeing criminal from town to town and from county to county, until the felon is apprehended and delivered to the sheriff. All able-bodied men, upon hearing the shouts, were obliged to assist in the pursuit of the criminal, which makes it comparable to the posse comitatus. It was moreover provided that a hundred that failed to give pursuit on the hue and cry would become liable in case of any theft or robbery. Those who raised a hue and cry falsely were themselves guilty of a crime."
How far we have fallen as a civilized society. Now in the UK people have to summon "the authorities" for tasks so simple as using a fire extinguisher. It's interesting that not only were able bodied men expected to assist in pursuing criminals, they were actually held liable if they failed to do so.
Now? Now the attitude of many in the general public is "not my problem" or "not my responsibility." We have abrogated all responsibility unto the police who, paradoxically, have no legal obligation to protect any of us. Where has that attitude gotten us? Oh, only instances like that of Kitty Genovese.
A First
Carrie gets her very first piece of tupperware. A Glock 19! Even better, it was a gift from this guy, who has apparently graduated from 9mm to my favorite caliber.
Go congratulate her! Your first gun is a very special thing.
Go congratulate her! Your first gun is a very special thing.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Question for my readers
If someone had never read a single novel by Robert Heinlein or Terry Pratchett which of their works would you recommend?
No, I have never read anything by either author, and no, I never did get all the way through "Atlas Shrugged."
No, I have never read anything by either author, and no, I never did get all the way through "Atlas Shrugged."
Odd moments of vulnerability
Over this past weekend my sisters came home and I stopped by my parents house so we could all go out to dinner. Dad isn't one to share his feelings and in fact none of us dubya men are particularly adept in that regard. *Sure, I can usually tell when something is bothering him, but rarely does he open up, come out & talk about it.
That's why the ride back from dinner was so surprising. Out of the blue he asked me how I thought Mom-Mom was doing. She passed away this time last year and he really hadn't opened up and talked about it much.
It caught me so off guard that I really didn't know what to say other than Pop-Pop no longer has to wait for her and she now has an unlimited supply of Manhattan's. We ended up talking about all manner of Mom-Mom related things, weird things that will randomly remind us of her, and his realization of his own morality now that both of his parents are gone. The whole conversation was just very atypical for dad. I think he really needed to just get things off his chest and I happened to be around at the moment to talk to.
Come to think of it I can't remember the last time I saw my dad cry. I've seen him visibly upset many times, but I'm not sure I've ever seen him cry.
*we are horrible at communicating. My brother got hit by a drunk driver last year and was in the hospital. He didn't tell any of us because "he didn't want to worry anyone, especially dad." I might be the best of the three of us, and that's not saying much.
That's why the ride back from dinner was so surprising. Out of the blue he asked me how I thought Mom-Mom was doing. She passed away this time last year and he really hadn't opened up and talked about it much.
It caught me so off guard that I really didn't know what to say other than Pop-Pop no longer has to wait for her and she now has an unlimited supply of Manhattan's. We ended up talking about all manner of Mom-Mom related things, weird things that will randomly remind us of her, and his realization of his own morality now that both of his parents are gone. The whole conversation was just very atypical for dad. I think he really needed to just get things off his chest and I happened to be around at the moment to talk to.
Come to think of it I can't remember the last time I saw my dad cry. I've seen him visibly upset many times, but I'm not sure I've ever seen him cry.
*we are horrible at communicating. My brother got hit by a drunk driver last year and was in the hospital. He didn't tell any of us because "he didn't want to worry anyone, especially dad." I might be the best of the three of us, and that's not saying much.
Quote of the day - Blame game
"One of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty of finding somebody to blame your problems on. "
- P.J. O'Rourke
I believe in free will and personal responsibility, but I've got no issue finding someone to blame things on. I just blame the voices in my head. ;)
- P.J. O'Rourke
I believe in free will and personal responsibility, but I've got no issue finding someone to blame things on. I just blame the voices in my head. ;)
Liberals are delusional
"the Affordable Care Act doesn’t do any of those things. It doesn’t make any decisions for you or your family, it doesn’t mandate any decision at all -- not even the decision to have health insurance. If you don't want health insurance you pay a fee (or call it a tax if you prefer.)"
- Violent, anti-gun liberal SoBeale. (see here for proof)
I can't tell if liberals like this woman are flat out dishonest liars or delusional "useful idiots." Either way it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the bullshit they spew is 100% false.
SoBeale reiterates her lie above again saying,
"The Affordable Care Act doesn’t say you must have insurance or that you can or cannot have this or that procedure."
That statement, as well as her original quote are both completely false. Obamacare DOES require me to have health insurance. Saying it's not a requirement is like saying I'm not "required" to pay my taxes. Sure, that individual mandate is 100% unconstitutional, but it is dumbfounding to hear someone come out and claim there is no such mandate. It's even more dumfounding when you consider that said mandate was just recently struck down in court and the entire law ruled unconstitutional. Additionally, anyone who says that Obamacare does not regulate individual healthcare decisions is living in a fantasy world.
In fact, Obamacare requires me to purchase health insurance under penalty of law. It also punishes all manner of individual decisions via both bureaucratic fiat and taxation. Snooky is an idiot and even she realizes that the "tanning tax" in Obamacare punishes individual decision making via punitive taxation.
I can't honestly tell you to go read her whole post. It will make your brain hurt, especially since her conclusion is twofold and patently false. First, she claims that our capitalistic healthcare system has failed. Our healthcare system is not even close to being a free market system, so to claim that it failed because capitalism doesn't work ignores the fact that it is one of the most heavily regulated markets in the U.S. Hell, regulation is so heavyhanded that we are barred from engaging in interstate commerce in the healthcare market. 2nd, she claims the solution is more government involvement. Yes, because we've all seen what an outstanding success medicare & medicaid have been.....
It amuses me just how out of touch with reality your average liberal is. It's sad of course, but still amusing. This is what happens when the MSM spreads misinformation and our education system indoctrinates rather than teaching students how to think rationally.
- Violent, anti-gun liberal SoBeale. (see here for proof)
I can't tell if liberals like this woman are flat out dishonest liars or delusional "useful idiots." Either way it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the bullshit they spew is 100% false.
SoBeale reiterates her lie above again saying,
"The Affordable Care Act doesn’t say you must have insurance or that you can or cannot have this or that procedure."
That statement, as well as her original quote are both completely false. Obamacare DOES require me to have health insurance. Saying it's not a requirement is like saying I'm not "required" to pay my taxes. Sure, that individual mandate is 100% unconstitutional, but it is dumbfounding to hear someone come out and claim there is no such mandate. It's even more dumfounding when you consider that said mandate was just recently struck down in court and the entire law ruled unconstitutional. Additionally, anyone who says that Obamacare does not regulate individual healthcare decisions is living in a fantasy world.
In fact, Obamacare requires me to purchase health insurance under penalty of law. It also punishes all manner of individual decisions via both bureaucratic fiat and taxation. Snooky is an idiot and even she realizes that the "tanning tax" in Obamacare punishes individual decision making via punitive taxation.
I can't honestly tell you to go read her whole post. It will make your brain hurt, especially since her conclusion is twofold and patently false. First, she claims that our capitalistic healthcare system has failed. Our healthcare system is not even close to being a free market system, so to claim that it failed because capitalism doesn't work ignores the fact that it is one of the most heavily regulated markets in the U.S. Hell, regulation is so heavyhanded that we are barred from engaging in interstate commerce in the healthcare market. 2nd, she claims the solution is more government involvement. Yes, because we've all seen what an outstanding success medicare & medicaid have been.....
It amuses me just how out of touch with reality your average liberal is. It's sad of course, but still amusing. This is what happens when the MSM spreads misinformation and our education system indoctrinates rather than teaching students how to think rationally.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Quote of the day - Asking for it
"... Give an invading goblin what they ask for - and if they're busting down your front door with a weapon in hand, they're asking for a 230 grain to the sternum..."
- Jay G. - The man with the dead goblin count.
I personally use 185. grain WST's but I think they'll get the job done just as well.
- Jay G. - The man with the dead goblin count.
I personally use 185. grain WST's but I think they'll get the job done just as well.
The Bigotry Meme
I'm happy to see the concept of anti-gunners as bigots being espoused in the MSM. It brings a smile to my face to hear it in reference to President Obama as the bigot. Why? because Obama is a bigot and I find many of his positions contemptible.
From the Washington Times,
"It’s unfortunate this common-sense bill has no chance of getting past the Oval Office as long as it is occupied by a bigoted man who derisively describes small-town America as a place where people “cling to guns.”
H/T to Mike of Oneinchgroup.com
From the Washington Times,
"It’s unfortunate this common-sense bill has no chance of getting past the Oval Office as long as it is occupied by a bigoted man who derisively describes small-town America as a place where people “cling to guns.”
H/T to Mike of Oneinchgroup.com
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I did not know that
Apparently my great uncle climbs and photographs volcanoes for a living and is still doing so. He lives in Stromboli, Italy pretty much on a volcano. It seems as though his photos are in pretty much every Discovery video about volcanoes.*
To quote the Discovery Channel volcano episodes,
"Photographer Wolfgang Muller is so obsessed with volcanoes that he has made a career out of observing them."
He's the guy with the big, gray beard seen in the thumbnail in this video and the "Meet the Lava Junkies" video here.
See photo here and some very old ones here.
You learn something new everyday.
*between he and my poppop it's no wonder my mom likes to take a million damn pictures of everything.
If he had made a career out of observing big butts instead I think I would've died of laughter.
To quote the Discovery Channel volcano episodes,
"Photographer Wolfgang Muller is so obsessed with volcanoes that he has made a career out of observing them."
He's the guy with the big, gray beard seen in the thumbnail in this video and the "Meet the Lava Junkies" video here.
See photo here and some very old ones here.
You learn something new everyday.
*between he and my poppop it's no wonder my mom likes to take a million damn pictures of everything.
If he had made a career out of observing big butts instead I think I would've died of laughter.
The right to arm bears
Sure, there's a right to arm bears in Soviet Russia, but I'll bet you need a license for that in Mass. Comrade Jay G. should be an expert on this.
Federal XM9001
Palmetto State Armory has 115. gr. 9mm Federal XM9001 ammo for sale at $16 a box. That's a great price on defensive ammo if you're anything like me and keen on having a longterm stash of at least a few hundred rounds of JHP's in addition to your range ammo.
I haven't been able to find out too much about this ammo, however it appears to be a military / LEO contract overrun of Federal 9BP.
I haven't been able to find out too much about this ammo, however it appears to be a military / LEO contract overrun of Federal 9BP.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Quote of the day - Liberty
Never could an increase of comfort or security be a sufficient good to be bought at the price of liberty. "
-Hillaire Belloc
And yet that is what we have been consistently doing to this country, buying the mere illusion of comfort and security at the price of liberty. That liberty, once sold, is hard to buy back.
-Hillaire Belloc
And yet that is what we have been consistently doing to this country, buying the mere illusion of comfort and security at the price of liberty. That liberty, once sold, is hard to buy back.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Winchester .223 soft point recall
The Firearm Blog has all the details regarding Winchesters recall of several lots of their .223 soft point RA223R2 load. This is the 64. gr. soft point load which looks like this.
I just checked the few boxes RA223R2 I have left and mine are not from the recalled lots. If you have any lying around check it. If you have lot #'s ending in DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41 or DK51 do not shoot it!
I just checked the few boxes RA223R2 I have left and mine are not from the recalled lots. If you have any lying around check it. If you have lot #'s ending in DK01, DK11, DK21, DK31, DK41 or DK51 do not shoot it!
Breathalyzing CCW'ers
Unc has the rundown on a proposed Iowa law that would require gun owners to submit to a breathalyzer test if it's suspected they're intoxicated. Anyone who declines the test immediately loses his CCW permit, no due process needed.
I wont even get into the 4th Amendment issues I have with breathalyzer testing, but I do think such a law is massively stupid and unnecessary. Where is the evidence of a rash of drunk CCW'ers in Iowa? I'm pretty sure you can drink & carry in Delaware and I know you can in PA. Shockingly these lax laws don't seem to be an issue around here.
While I rarely look at things through the prism of "disability" (god I hate that word) this is exactly the kind of law which I could see being an issue for CCW'ers with physical impediments.
From wikipedia CP article (I know...)
"The main difference between spastic diplegia and a normal gait pattern is its signature "scissor gait — a style that some able-bodied people might tend to confuse with the effects of drunkenness."
Having watched myself walk on gait analysis video it does look a bit like a drunk person walking, with the foot/knee turning in, bobbing up & down and general aura of unsteadiness. My gait is actually far more "normal" at a full sprint than it is when I'm just walking around.
When I got busted on Spring Break in college I was the last person out of the hottub and unfortunately the first person the cop spoke to after he had all of us out. Officer Bob asked if I had been drinking at which point I calmly stated "no officer", was breathalyzed and blew a .07. At trial the cop testified that I had told him I wasn't drinking but that he had watched me get out of the tub and come over to him and that I was "clearly under the influence" I would've looked clearly drunk to him even if I hadn't had a drop of alcohol.
So, are CCW'ers with ambulatory problems going to be unfairly submitted to breathalyzers without just cause under such a bill? More than likely, since IMO they have a better chance of being confused as intoxicated. Also, how would such a requirement work anyway, since concealed means concealed and even cops don't have x-ray vision?
Frankly, I'm against any law that would give the State more power over individual citizens, particularly when the justification for its passage is a problem that is entirely nonexistent.
Also, the immediate revocation of permits illustrates the key issue with requiring a permit to exercise that which as always been a Right.
Frankly, I'm against any law that would give the State more power over individual citizens, particularly when the justification for its passage is a problem that is entirely nonexistent.
Also, the immediate revocation of permits illustrates the key issue with requiring a permit to exercise that which as always been a Right.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Quote of the day - Morality
"Unfortunately, it happens that the need to render the aggressor incapable of causing harm sometimes involves taking his life. In this case, the fatal outcome is attributable to the aggressor whose actions brought it about, even though he may not be morally responsible because of a lack of the use of reason."
- Pope John Paul II, (1995)
I do sometimes discuss guns and self defense with people who are religious. Sometimes these folks get hung up on the concept that it is immoral to take a life, even in self-defense. Hypocritically of course, these same people think nothing of calling a man with a gun, expecting him to risk his life and perform that moral wrong on their behalf.
It is also my personal belief that if you truly believe in such a concept you probably shouldn't own a gun for self-defense. At least I can't see how one would reconcile a fervently held belief that taking life in self-defense is wrong with the desire to own a gun for home defense. After all, if you truly believed that enough to actually abide by it in practice then such a belief would negate the entire reason for keeping a gun for home / self-defense.
I suspect that, if the situation warranted it and a gun was avaliable, "belief" would go out the window and many of these folks would pick up the gun and use it in self-defense. I suppose that would depend on social conditioning and whether or not that belief had such a hold on them that it overrode their basic instincts.
- Pope John Paul II, (1995)
I do sometimes discuss guns and self defense with people who are religious. Sometimes these folks get hung up on the concept that it is immoral to take a life, even in self-defense. Hypocritically of course, these same people think nothing of calling a man with a gun, expecting him to risk his life and perform that moral wrong on their behalf.
It is also my personal belief that if you truly believe in such a concept you probably shouldn't own a gun for self-defense. At least I can't see how one would reconcile a fervently held belief that taking life in self-defense is wrong with the desire to own a gun for home defense. After all, if you truly believed that enough to actually abide by it in practice then such a belief would negate the entire reason for keeping a gun for home / self-defense.
I suspect that, if the situation warranted it and a gun was avaliable, "belief" would go out the window and many of these folks would pick up the gun and use it in self-defense. I suppose that would depend on social conditioning and whether or not that belief had such a hold on them that it overrode their basic instincts.
So I'm down a kidney....
It took a while longer than expected, but I finally picked up the 1911 discussed here. A brand new Dan Wesson RZ-45 Heritage.
It cost me a damn kidney, but at least now I can say I've got a 1911........and beer.
I left work, picked up my 1911 from Kegs's house where he preceeded to call me a damn hippie because my hair is so long right now. I then went across the street to the liquor store. There's a tobacco shop right there as well. Yes, a FFL dealer, liquor store and tobacco shop all within about a 2 minute walk. No one tell the ATF about the convenience with which I can purchase all of these dangerous vices.....
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Blood in the streets
Wyoming becomes the 4th state in the U.S. to allow carry, open or concealed, without a government permission slip.
Wyoming, Arizona, Vermont and Alaska are now the four states where no permit is needed to carry a concealed firearm.
Mark my words, soon we will see Washington DC level violent crime rates in those states and Paul Helmke & Sarah Brady running around like chickens with their heads cut off screaming "BLOOD IN THE STREETS" Afterall, guns are bad M'kay?
Wyoming, Arizona, Vermont and Alaska are now the four states where no permit is needed to carry a concealed firearm.
Mark my words, soon we will see Washington DC level violent crime rates in those states and Paul Helmke & Sarah Brady running around like chickens with their heads cut off screaming "BLOOD IN THE STREETS" Afterall, guns are bad M'kay?
Add it to the list
Dogfish Head's seasonal brew "Aprihop" starts hitting store shelves this month. This is one of their beers I've yet to try. I'll have to remedy that. This is afterall my "year of the beer" per one of my New Year's resolutions.
Bring on the beer!
Bring on the beer!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sigh, the violent left
As usual we see the predictable behavior of the violent, uncivil, unruly left get no coverage in the MSM. I find it interesting (I.E. boringly predictable) that the liberal media is not using the events in Wisconsin to paint all Liberals as violent, unruly, uncivilized thugs.
If Tea Partiers were acting the way these Union thug protesters are it'd be headline news everywhere and proof positive of pervasive and endemic violence, intolerance and hate on the right. Kudos to Rep. Brett Hulsey (D) for protecting his Republican colleague and trying to calm these leftists down.
On a related note, why aren't all the liberal talking heads jumping all over Democrat Rep. Michael Capuano’s call “to get out on the streets and get a little bloody” That is far worse than anything Sarah Palin has purportedly said.
Where is the outrage? Where are the calls for civility? Where are the calls for infringement of free speech? Calls to "tone down the rhetoric?" Oh right, those only come out when the Right is "perceived" without any actual evidence, as being uncivil and violent. When the Left actually IS uncivil and violent it's just no big deal.
If Tea Partiers were acting the way these Union thug protesters are it'd be headline news everywhere and proof positive of pervasive and endemic violence, intolerance and hate on the right. Kudos to Rep. Brett Hulsey (D) for protecting his Republican colleague and trying to calm these leftists down.
On a related note, why aren't all the liberal talking heads jumping all over Democrat Rep. Michael Capuano’s call “to get out on the streets and get a little bloody” That is far worse than anything Sarah Palin has purportedly said.
Where is the outrage? Where are the calls for civility? Where are the calls for infringement of free speech? Calls to "tone down the rhetoric?" Oh right, those only come out when the Right is "perceived" without any actual evidence, as being uncivil and violent. When the Left actually IS uncivil and violent it's just no big deal.
7 Things....
Since I've been tagged for this meme by the shiny-headed rageaholic Jay G., here's 7 things you probably don't know about 15 year old me. :P
1. I actually got held back in school. Between 1st and 2nd grade I was held back for about 2 weeks. I had CP and was much smaller than the other kids you see, so it was decided I needed to stay in 1st grade for my own good. After a few weeks of my parents and teachers saying "this kid is bored out of his mind here, he needs to be in 2nd grade" they wised up and let me in.
2. I don't like libraries. They've always creeped me out and I don't know why. Maybe because they're just a little too quiet for a public place. Even in college I'd go almost anywhere but the library to study. It probably didn't help that librarians were grouchy and mean to me when I was little. Of course they had good reason to be, since I almost never brought books back on time.
3. In highschool our school paper wanted to write a piece on my running cross country with CP. My coaches, teammates, and my journalism teacher / newspaper advisor knew I'd never go for it, so they did most of the research, interviews etc. for the article without telling me. Then they bugged the hell out of me and interviewed me last. I'm glad I agreed, because something my XC captain said has stuck with me through the years, and I quote, (from memory so let's hope it's accurate)
"I have run XC with Mike for two years. No one works harder or gets more satisfaction from doing his best. He's a beast and an example to all other athletes."
I'm not so sure I ever lived up to that, but if it's the perception others had of my kicking my own ass day in and day out then I'm glad that perception made a positive impact on them.
4. My aunt Syl passed away in 1996 after being hit by a lady in a minivan who ran a red light. I came across these photos last year and cried for the 1st time in a long time. I miss her.
5. In college I worked a part-time job at a grocery store where I had to join not one but two unions. This was not optional. By taking the job I had to join both the regular union and the deli / meat department union. This is part of why I don't like unions today. Involuntary union membership goes against basic freedom of association. Freedom of association necessarily includes the freedom not to associate.
6. A couple of years ago I farted in church. The thing is, it was Christmas mass and I ripped a huge, long, reverberating one conveniently placed during a moment of silence. The only thing more embarrassing would've been if I'd shit my pants. I'm not quite old enough for incontinence just yet. :)
7. I am so fast I once ran out of my shoes. At a Cross Country race at Bellevue State Park I made the right turn to start the long, flat straightaway to the finish line, picked up speed and ran right out of my shoes.
So, was that as good for you as it was for me? ... ;)
Hmmm, who shall I tag....
1. Bonnie
2. Mr. Apple himself
3. Breda
4. Christina LMT
5. Laura
6. TBolt
7. Pistolero
8. Speaker Tweaker
9. Newbius
10. Weer'd
11. Sabra
12. Snarky
13. Rusty
14. David
15. Linoge
1. I actually got held back in school. Between 1st and 2nd grade I was held back for about 2 weeks. I had CP and was much smaller than the other kids you see, so it was decided I needed to stay in 1st grade for my own good. After a few weeks of my parents and teachers saying "this kid is bored out of his mind here, he needs to be in 2nd grade" they wised up and let me in.
2. I don't like libraries. They've always creeped me out and I don't know why. Maybe because they're just a little too quiet for a public place. Even in college I'd go almost anywhere but the library to study. It probably didn't help that librarians were grouchy and mean to me when I was little. Of course they had good reason to be, since I almost never brought books back on time.
3. In highschool our school paper wanted to write a piece on my running cross country with CP. My coaches, teammates, and my journalism teacher / newspaper advisor knew I'd never go for it, so they did most of the research, interviews etc. for the article without telling me. Then they bugged the hell out of me and interviewed me last. I'm glad I agreed, because something my XC captain said has stuck with me through the years, and I quote, (from memory so let's hope it's accurate)
"I have run XC with Mike for two years. No one works harder or gets more satisfaction from doing his best. He's a beast and an example to all other athletes."
I'm not so sure I ever lived up to that, but if it's the perception others had of my kicking my own ass day in and day out then I'm glad that perception made a positive impact on them.
4. My aunt Syl passed away in 1996 after being hit by a lady in a minivan who ran a red light. I came across these photos last year and cried for the 1st time in a long time. I miss her.
5. In college I worked a part-time job at a grocery store where I had to join not one but two unions. This was not optional. By taking the job I had to join both the regular union and the deli / meat department union. This is part of why I don't like unions today. Involuntary union membership goes against basic freedom of association. Freedom of association necessarily includes the freedom not to associate.
6. A couple of years ago I farted in church. The thing is, it was Christmas mass and I ripped a huge, long, reverberating one conveniently placed during a moment of silence. The only thing more embarrassing would've been if I'd shit my pants. I'm not quite old enough for incontinence just yet. :)
7. I am so fast I once ran out of my shoes. At a Cross Country race at Bellevue State Park I made the right turn to start the long, flat straightaway to the finish line, picked up speed and ran right out of my shoes.
So, was that as good for you as it was for me? ... ;)
Hmmm, who shall I tag....
1. Bonnie
2. Mr. Apple himself
3. Breda
4. Christina LMT
5. Laura
6. TBolt
7. Pistolero
8. Speaker Tweaker
9. Newbius
10. Weer'd
11. Sabra
12. Snarky
13. Rusty
14. David
15. Linoge
Incompatible with liberty
Sharia law is entirely incompatible with liberty. The implementation of any law which treats more than half of the population as subhuman property should be rejected, if necessary, with hot lead.
You can sit here and tell me "all religions are equal." I don't care. When the implementation of a particular religious doctrine calls for the subjugation of a gender and the wholesale violation of fundamental Constitutional rights it should be treated with hostility and purged from American society. America was founded on individual liberty. Sharia law has no place in a free society.
Sharia law is barbaric. As for the radical islamists who would seek to implement such law in the U.S. Well I'd just remind them that American women own guns and can and will shoot back.
H/T to Breda
You can sit here and tell me "all religions are equal." I don't care. When the implementation of a particular religious doctrine calls for the subjugation of a gender and the wholesale violation of fundamental Constitutional rights it should be treated with hostility and purged from American society. America was founded on individual liberty. Sharia law has no place in a free society.
Sharia law is barbaric. As for the radical islamists who would seek to implement such law in the U.S. Well I'd just remind them that American women own guns and can and will shoot back.
H/T to Breda
Quote of the day - Nanny state
The care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills.
– Thomas Jefferson
Try telling that to a contemporary liberal or religious conservative and see how far you get. Our founders were right-winger Tea Party extremists after all. I mean hell, they threw the biggest Tea Party of all in Boston a ways back.
– Thomas Jefferson
Try telling that to a contemporary liberal or religious conservative and see how far you get. Our founders were right-winger Tea Party extremists after all. I mean hell, they threw the biggest Tea Party of all in Boston a ways back.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Ur doing it wrong!
Robb Allen has an illustrated reminder of what not to do when visiting your friendly, neighborhood librarian. I laughed out loud.
Minus the shotgun I'll bet Breda actually gets patrons like that in her neck of the woods.
*yes, I schedule stuff like this ahead of time and pick random times in the middle of the day for the post to go up. Why? Because I'm cool like that :P
Minus the shotgun I'll bet Breda actually gets patrons like that in her neck of the woods.
*yes, I schedule stuff like this ahead of time and pick random times in the middle of the day for the post to go up. Why? Because I'm cool like that :P
An election note
I'm noticing on the TeeVee that names like Romney and Huckabee are popping up again in reference to a 2012 Presidential run. *headdesk*
Hey Stupid Party! Quit bein' stupid! If you run either of those spineless liberal idiots you deserve to lose. One's a spineless idiot RINO, the others a spineless idiot RINO with an extra helping of religious fanaticism. Great, so we get liberal nannystatism and fanatical religious nannystatism. Ain't that just a big ole' helping of awesomesauce?... sigh.
As for Palin, I'm not a huge fan of her's but she's a hell of a lot better than any of the other Republican offerings.
Hey Stupid Party! Quit bein' stupid! If you run either of those spineless liberal idiots you deserve to lose. One's a spineless idiot RINO, the others a spineless idiot RINO with an extra helping of religious fanaticism. Great, so we get liberal nannystatism and fanatical religious nannystatism. Ain't that just a big ole' helping of awesomesauce?... sigh.
As for Palin, I'm not a huge fan of her's but she's a hell of a lot better than any of the other Republican offerings.
The "civilized" UK
A story from the UK. Ten months ago a father is murdered in a machete attack in the park in front of his two sons after coming to protect them from an armed mob. Now one of those sons has been the victim of a knife attack. Ah yes, the "civilized" gun-free utopia that is the UK, where an armed mob can stab a man to death while he and his two sons stand by helplessly because they lack the means to repel such an attack.
"The 41-year-old was stabbed to death in front of his two sons after attempting to save them from an armed mob."
The UK, where the strong and the many have a monopoly on the use of force and the citizenry have been disarmed. Sure looks like all of that strict gun control, knife control and even knife amnesty back in 2006 has done wonders for increasing the safety of the average Brit.
"The 41-year-old was stabbed to death in front of his two sons after attempting to save them from an armed mob."
The UK, where the strong and the many have a monopoly on the use of force and the citizenry have been disarmed. Sure looks like all of that strict gun control, knife control and even knife amnesty back in 2006 has done wonders for increasing the safety of the average Brit.
Dogs don't know it's not bacon...
If your dog fetches the mail you probably don't want to receive anything sent in these. Cool idea, but poorly thought out for those of us with canine friends.
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