MacBourne's Musings

Sad, innit?

2012-01-06T19:15:00.000-05:00

Just received this in my junk mail folder...even the spammers know where our current administration is taking us:

The Social Work job market is expected to grow 16% in the next 8 years!* Now's the perfect time to become a social worker.
Earn the degree you need to enter this fast growing industry. You can earn your Psychology Degree from the comfort of your own home. We can show you easy and convenient online degree portals that will help you get started in a Social Work career.
*According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Gee, d'ya think it might be becuz even more leeches will be suckin' on the ~~government~~ taxpayer teat?

Socialism: your tax dollars hard at work for those that won't.

Tell me again why Obamacare is such a good idea?

2012-01-06T08:54:00.001-05:00

Borrowed from an Australian friend's FB post:

"a good two years ago Emma had a lump on her eyelid, took her to the drs and got a referral to a specialist - tonight when I got home I finally have a letter from the hospital asking if we still needed an appointment. Public Health system working well. Its been so long Emma's eye has healed on its own."

Yeah, that's what I thought...

A Girl and Her Gun: The Give-A-Way

2012-01-05T13:07:00.000-05:00

A Girl and Her Gun: The Give-A-Way:

Awesome thing she's doing...and an excellent blog, too! The prize list grows...

What he said...

2011-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

Dear AG Holder,

2011-12-19T11:37:00.002-05:00

No, it's not because you're black and we are raaaaaaaaaaacist...
It's more along the lines of you are either incompetent or a lying sack...just sayin'...

Nothing like getting to finish a job...

2011-12-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

Regardless, glad you're all coming home safely.

Veterans Day 2011

2011-11-11T00:30:00.000-05:00

Today and every day my most heartfelt "Thank You" for your service to our country. Those of you who have gone in harm's way - and those who have not - have my deepest gratitude.

11/10/2011

2011-11-10T11:55:00.001-05:00

Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps

The Marines' Hymn*

From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Our Flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun.We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun.In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, You will find us always on the job, the United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps, which we are proud to serve.In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve.If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes,they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.

Ooh-Rah!!

*The first song I ever learned to play on the harmonica

Now that's bad breath...

2011-10-24T09:15:00.000-04:00

Sorry no embedding - but worth the click...
Zits - Bad breath test:

ZOMG! The irony, it BURNS!

2011-10-23T12:41:00.000-04:00

Tensions grow at Occupy Wall Street as money and power struggles fester behind-the-scenes - NYPOST.com: "Even in Zuccotti Park, greed is good.

Occupy Wall Street’s Finance Committee has nearly $500,000 in the bank, and donations continue to pour in -- but its reluctance to share the wealth with other protestErs is fraying tempers." RTWT

BTW - teh STUPID, it burns, too...I'm just sayin'.

Divided we fail

2011-10-22T15:41:00.000-04:00

Divisiveness has long been used as a political tactic. However, I don't believe we have ever witnessed it played to such perfection as by our current administration. Dr. Williams presents an outstanding analysis:

Pitting Us Against Each Other - Walter E. Williams - Townhall Conservative: "President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party have led increasingly successful efforts to pit Americans against one another through the politics of hate and envy. Attacking CEO salaries, the president -- last year during his Midwest tour -- said, "I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."" RTWT

I for one never understood the whole "class envy" thing - couldn't possibly give less of a rat's ass what salary someone else makes. No college degree, yet I'm solidly in the upper middle of the pay scale for my chosen field (Information Technology). What path brought me here? I got laid off - and after a short search took a job that was not at all what I was looking for - but it paid the bills and supported my family.

Deciding I wanted more, I bettered myself via reading, on-job training, schooling and certifications. Worked full time, grabbed all of the overtime that was available and worked the occasional side job, too. Attended school three nights a week and eight hours every other Saturday. Got my certifications and paid off the tech school loans in a little over a year. Now I work away from home for two weeks at a time - is that ideal? Nope - but it pays the bills and supports my family.

Mom and Dad taught me anything worth having was worth working for - and by rights, no one else is going to give it to me or do it for me.

Pity some other folks never learned those lessons...

*Crickets*

Excellent Rant

2011-10-03T22:10:00.001-04:00

So…. « Freedom Is Just Another Word…:

Good stuff...

Range Test - Kel-Tec Sub 2000

2011-09-27T12:08:00.000-04:00

I have recently had the opportunity to test and evaluate (read "send a bunch of ammo downrange") a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 in 9mm Luger. Kel-Tec offers the Sub 2000 configured to use a variety¹ of readily available pistol magazines and they were kind enough to send me a test unit configured to use Glock 17 magazines.

When I picked it up at my local FFL, the gun was packed in a no-frills but form-fitted corrugated box and included a sight adjustment tool and a "key" to lock it in the folded position. Prominent on the lid of the box appears a large amount of American pride. In addition to the stylized American flag Kel-Tec logo, there are a series of smaller flag logos signifying American-Owned, -Made and -Parts - yeah, I like that.

At 16.1" folded, the weapon is small enough to easily fit into a backpack, briefcase or laptop bag. (Or the available soft case from Keltec).

Spartan to the point of homeliness, this little ugly duckling comes into its own when you do what it was designed for - just shoot it. The cheek weld on the buffer tube leaves something to be desired (I believe a God' A Grip Customizable Cheek Pad ² would be a very nice addition) but "as-is" it is amazingly accurate.

The sights were off out of the box - but the groupings were tighter than this old man's eyes have a right to do. The sight adjustments are pretty straightforward - loosen a Phillips head screw with the supplied tool and then tweak the fluorescent blade up. Side-to-side sight adjustments are done with the hex end of the same tool by backing the locking pad out on one side and tightening by the same amount from the opposite side. Don't over tighten!

During my testing I've put over 300 rounds through the Sub 2K - a mix of Federal, Remington UMC and Tula. From the first magazine to the last - no failures whatsoever. That includes alternate loading the three different products in a single mag - still flawless.

Kel-Tec brought this little beauty (grin - it grows on you) in at a very attractive price point - $409 starting MSRP. Davidson's shows models other than "basic black" as high as $446 MSRP. It looks like they retail for $300-350 - if you can find one in the wild. These puppies are scarce!

The nice price point does open up some neat options - some I feel are must haves - some tacticool. For the must have list - the stock extension and more magazines. It works beautifully with the larger capacity mags as well. If you'd like to mount some type of optics and still retain the "foldability", you'll need the aluminum forend (available with two or four picatinny rails) and a good quick release scope mount.

Aside from being a fun gun to shoot, I see some strong utility. Take it hiking/backpacking, four-wheeling, working the back forty - a handy little truck gun. Due to its compact size and accuracy, it could also easily fill a niche as a home defense gun. Hmmm...might need to cycle some defense rounds through it...any excuse to head back to the range!

I'd love to see it in God's own caliber - preferably using Springfield Armory XD .45 magazines. Being able to share mags would be wonderful. Even without that option, I'm loathe to return this little gem. I foresee another purchase in my near future.

___________________________________________________________________________

¹ The 9mm SUB-2000 is available in the following magazine types: GLK17, GLK19, S&W59, BERETTA92, SIG226.
The .40 SUB-2000 is available in the following magazine types: GLK22, GLK23, BERETTA96, S&W4006, SIG226.

² I bought one of God' A Grip's Cheek Pads and put it on my Ruger 10/22 - I'll likely buy more. Good products.

FTC Disclaimer: Kel-tec was kind enough to ship this weapon to me via my local FFL for testing and evaluation. I paid the requisite transfer fees and purchased my own ammo for this test. The God' A Grip cheek pad I mentioned, I purchased with my own money. I will very likely purchase a Sub 2000 in the near future. I received no wheelbarrows full of cash for writing this review.
(...and bite me).

America is a warfare/welfare state?

2011-09-27T08:52:00.000-04:00

Bob Livingston has an excellent article over at Personal Liberty Digest

Go RTWT - I'll wait.:

The money quote?

"Meanwhile, Helicopter Ben Bernanke continues to stoke the fires of hyperinflation with his ridiculous money-printing policies. Printing money steals the wealth of society’s producers to the benefit of the elites. It’s a hidden tax. It finds the cash you’ve stored under your mattress or in your savings account and plunders it. Few people understand this."

Constitution Day 2011

2011-09-16T00:10:00.001-04:00

The old girl is getting beat up on a daily basis...I think today might be a good day to read her once again. I know there's a few folks in DC that still believe in the things she stands for...maybe y'all can Gibbs Smack the rest of 'em into reading and understanding? Might be a good thing...

Bastards.

2011-09-11T01:05:00.000-04:00

Never Forget.

(lan astaslem)

I will not surrender

Social Security - I was gonna write a post...

2011-09-09T11:42:00.000-04:00

But Mike W. has it covered: Another Gun Blog: Social Security

But wait! Can't the Feds just print more money to cover it? That should work, right?
Oh, but they've already been doing that and it's working wonderfully...
What's that - you mean it's not working?
Gorram idiots.

R.I.P. Percie Anne

2011-09-09T10:26:00.000-04:00

Percie Anne was a sweet little rescue kitty we adopted back in 2004. One of our veterinarians had found her on the side of the road near death and nursed her back to health. Though she had pretty severe respiratory issues/allergies, she was a happy but sneezy little girl. (Still finding kitty snot in unusual, out of the way places.) She eventually grew out of those allergies and became our "greeter" cat. Unlike our other kitties, whenever friends came over, Percie was out in the midst of any activities. Paperweight, house mother - she ran the place...
Sadly, we had to make that tough decision on Tuesday. Cat-shaped hole in our hearts again...

Rest easy, little one.

Outstanding campaign ad...

2011-09-02T13:37:00.001-04:00

I'd vote for him - classic...

H/T VGOF

Scout26

2011-09-01T23:33:00.000-04:00

I don't know Dave (Scout26) personally, but he matters to some folks that I like a lot. Therefore he matters to me.
He's fighting a particularly nasty battle these days - and he's doing it with honor, good humor and aplomb. I'd appreciate it if you could stop by and let him know you are thinking of him and/or lifting up a prayer for him. I think he'd appreciate it - and I know I would.
Get better, Dave - I want to add you to my list of awesome folks I've met in person through blogging.

For those that don't believe The Feces Can and Will Hit the Whirling Blades

2011-08-29T20:53:00.000-04:00

For those that don't believe The Feces Can and Will Hit the Whirling Blades - I offer up this simple post that speaks volumes. It can happen, and it can happen that quickly...good post, CZ.

Outstanding analysis...

2011-08-18T16:26:00.002-04:00

I received this in an email today - kinda sums things up:

THE REAL PROBLEM WITH OUR GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM -
The folks who are getting free $hit,
Don't like the folks who are paying for the free $hit,
Because the folks who are paying for the free $hit,
Can no longer afford to pay for both the free $hit and their own $hit.

The folks who are paying for the free $hit,Want the free $hit to stop.
And the folks who are getting the free $hit,
Want even MORE free $hit on top of the free $hit they're getting already!

Now...the people who are forcing people to PAY for the free $hit,
Have told the people who are RECEIVING the free $hit,
That the people who are PAYING for the free $hit,
Are being mean, prejudiced and racist.
So...the people who are GETTING the free $hit,
Have been convinced they need to HATE the people who are PAYING for thefree $hit because they are selfish.
And they are promised more free $hit if they will vote forthe people who force the people who pay for the free $hit to to give them even more free $hit.

And that's the Straight $hit!

Heh...

Feeling a little "run down" lately?

2011-08-16T17:11:00.002-04:00

He definitely doesn't hear us...

'toon courtesy of A. F. Branco - Thanks, Tony

Andrew Klavan: The Facts of Life for Liberals - YouTube

2011-08-16T09:54:00.002-04:00

Andrew Klavan: The Facts of Life for Liberals - YouTube

H/T Lissa

O's blame game

2011-08-14T23:51:00.000-04:00

Mike's America: Obama's Approval Ratings Dip to All Time Lows as He Continues Blame Game

Just go read it.

Obummer - a song for our time

2011-08-14T12:49:00.000-04:00

Yup, sounds about right...

Viral - It should be, anyway...

2011-08-12T21:14:00.000-04:00

Viral - Day by Day

Installing common sense in DC

2011-08-02T20:19:00.000-04:00

Swiped from Facebook:

"INSTALLING COMMON SENSE IN WASHINGTON ███████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 44% DONE. Install delayed....please wait.........Installation failed. Please try again. 404 error: COMMON SENSE IN WASHINGTON not found. COMMON SENSE cannot be located. The program may be too large for intended recipient. Try removing “SPECIAL INTERESTS” before reloading."

From the comments:

"Error: Over-committed resources. TRY unloading some Programs and TRY AGAIN."

Heh.

That's inconvenient...

2011-07-28T12:55:00.000-04:00

New NASA Data Blow Gaping Hole In Global Warming Alarmism - Yahoo! News

So Gorebal warming is fabricated? Heh

Obama's policies stifle recovery?

2011-07-21T11:08:00.000-04:00

"Can a case be made that the Obama administration is a great hindrance to job creation?In a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey of 1,409 small businesses that was released last week, 84 percent of its respondents thought the country was headed in the wrong direction. Sixty-four percent said they are not expecting to add to their payrolls in the next year. Only 7 percent indicated there was a lack of credit.Typically at this juncture in a recovery, the economy produces 225,000 to 250,000 new jobs per month. Instead job creation has slowed to a crawl, not even generating the 150,000 new jobs required each month to absorb new entries into the work force." - Kent Engelke

RTWT Obama's policies thwart job growth | Richmond Times-Dispatch

"If vilifying the rich (aka the job creators) did not work then, why will it work today?"

I'd say that's a valid question...and the only response we'll get will be *crickets*...

Always better to cheat on tests, right?

2011-07-21T10:56:00.000-04:00

No Child Left Behind - a Bad Idea™ when it was first implemented in 2001 to broad bi-partisan support. In a nutshell, the .gov ties federal monies to standardized test results. If your teaching methodology leads to high student scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), your school system gets Buckets o' Cash™ from Uncle Sugar - if it doesn't, No Soup for You!

So what's a lagging school district to do? Why...cheat, of course:

"The situation is worse than we thought. U.S. News & World Report (7/7/2011) came out with a story titled 'Educators Implicated in Atlanta Cheating Scandal,' saying that 'for 10 years, hundreds of Atlanta public school teachers and principals changed answers on state tests in one of the largest cheating scandals in U.S. history, according to a scathing 413-page investigative report released Tuesday by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.' The report says that more than three-quarters of the 56 Atlanta schools investigated cheated on the 2009 standardized National Assessment of Educational Progress." - Walter E. Williams

So teachers just took it upon themselves to skew the results via a little assistance to the students? Perhaps not:

"The governor's report says that cheating orders came from the top and that widespread cheating has occurred since at least 2001. So far, no Atlanta educator has been criminally charged, even though some of the cheating was brazen, such as teachers pointing to correct answers while students were taking the tests, reading answers aloud during testing and seating low-achieving students next to high-achieving students to make cheating easier." - Lest you think this is a localized problem...RTWT

Oh - and I'd have never seen this particular development coming:

"Speaking to reporters during the American Federation of Teachers' biannual training conference, Randi Weingarten said the union would "obviously" represent teachers accused of cheating "to make sure that people have some kind of fairness — and that it's not some kind of witch hunt." RTWT

I'd have never in a million years have expected union involvement in anything that wasn't totally aboveboard. But it's for the chiiiiiiiillllldren, right?

Pitchforks, torches...ROPE.

Due diligence and forwarded emails

2011-07-19T10:17:00.001-04:00

I received an email this morning referencing an event purporting to have happened in Arizona on July 4, 2011. I’m gonna crawl up onmy soapbox for just a minute so y’all bear with me…

Please, folks – doyour due diligence before you forward emails.

Yes, the behavior referenced in the links below pisses meoff immensely – however, it didn’t just happen on 4 July, 2011. Ithappened in July 2010. There are morethan enough things going on out there to keep our Rage-O-Meters pegged withoutrecycling old events with new dates and commentary. (cites: Truthor Fiction and Snopes.com)

Excerptfrom Snopes .comarticle (emphasis mine).

“Also, however repugnant many people may find the defacement a U.S.flag to be, it isn't (as claimed above)an illegal act. U.S. Supreme Courtdecisions (Texas v. Johnson and U.S. v. Eichman) struck down PublicLaw 101-131 (pdf warning) (also known as the Flag Protection Act of1989), which set forth penalties of fines and/or imprisonment for"whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns,maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the UnitedStates," ruling that the desecration of a flag is a form of expressiveconduct protected by the First Amendment. (It is sometimes the case, however,that — depending on the circumstances — persons involved in public flagdesecrations may be arrested and charged with ancillary crimes, such astrespassing, disturbing the peace, or inciting a riot).”

All that said – here’s what we really should be pissedabout:

Illegal immigrants protesting on American soil.Not from any angle does this make sense – matter of fact, even if there wereactually legal immigrants among themit still doesn’t make any sense
The all-pervasive political correctness doctrinethat has overtaken our country
The idiots (Brennan, joined byMarshall, Blackmun, Scalia, Kennedy) that ruled flag desecration to beprotected First Amendment speech. Find another protest method, m’kay?
Any talk of amnesty for illegals – millionsof folks came here legally, through the front door as it were. Why shouldour country reward the ones who can’t be bothered to do things the right way?

Okay, that’s enough for now – {pushes soapbox back intocorner, hangs up curmudgeon hat and wanders off in search of his blood pressure medicine...)

Forgive me if I'm wrong...

2011-07-12T11:58:00.003-04:00

But isn't the fact that the phrase "professional politicians" is even being used is at least 95 percent of the problem? Professional politician? YHGTBSM.

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help...empty your pockets and ruin this nation."

A Charles Dickens Night

2011-07-08T23:19:00.000-04:00

Marcodi.com - Harpejji and voice...

Whodathunkit?

2011-07-07T10:20:00.000-04:00

"Well, you know, here's what I would say. I think we should acknowledge that some welfare programs in the past were not well designed and in some cases did encourage dependency. As somebody who worked in low income neighborhoods, I've seen it, where people weren't encouraged to work, weren't encouraged to upgrade their skills, were just getting a check, and, over time, their motivation started to diminish. And I think even if you're progressive you've got to acknowledge that some of these things have not been well designed."

Obama Acknowledges Welfare Programs Encourage Dependency

Thank you Cap'n Obvious...

In other breaking news: fire can burn you, overeating can lead to obesity, and cows fart a lot.

Happy 235th Birthday, America!

2011-07-04T10:56:00.002-04:00

The grand experiment has been sliding for a bit, but I am starting to see some evidence of an awakening. It is time to restore this Constitutional Republic - reject tyranny, socialism and suckling at the public teat. Restore honor, integrity and fortitude.

"We Are Not a Democracy: People often associate democracy with freedom. We hear this word used all the time by our politicians, by our neighbors, even sometimes by our educators. But the fact is we are not a democracy. We are a republic. Our Founding Fathers deemed this an important distinction to make and discussed the matter quite a bit. In the end, our Founding Fathers claimed that a democracy was both extreme and dangerous for a country as it would most assuredly result in the oppression of the minority by the majority. Take this one example from Founding Father, Elbridge Gerry: "The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy." And Thomas Jefferson said that democracy should never be practiced outside the limits of a town. Our Founders were very wary of power no matter who had it and thus limited it as much as possible -- this is why we have such a unique system of checks and balances."
read more at Fox News

The founders made it so - it's up to us to keep it.

“He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.”

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."

“These are the times that try men's souls.”

(Thomas Paine)

Drop by Newbius', Linoge's, John's, The Miller's, Kevin's, Peter's and Brigid's places for some excellent posts.

Enjoy the day, y'all.
*Yes, I used the quotes last year - they are worth remembering.

The Baracktopus

2011-06-30T21:37:00.000-04:00

Presented without comment - provide your own...courtesy Americans for Limited Government.

No wonder we are circling the drain as a country...

2011-06-28T15:23:00.000-04:00

One small example of why Washington is dragging us to hell in a handbasket:

– $175,920,000,000 – Agriculture’s share of the 2010 US GDP (1.2% of $14.660 trillion dollars)
Say it with me: "one hundred seventy-five billion nine hundred twenty million DOLLARS"
– $131,000,000,000 – USDA’s FY 2010 Annual Budget
Again: "one hundred thirty-one billion DOLLARS"

– 131,000,000, 000/175, 920,000,000 = 0.744656662 = 74.46%

– So the government entity responsible for oversight over US agriculture has an annual budget of 74.46% of all of the money made by farmers? Oh, and the USDA budget for 2011? A mere $148 BILLION DOLLARS. In a major recession, they raised the already bloated USDA budget by $17 Billion Dollars? Sad, isn’t it?

If my calculations or figures are incorrect - please let me know...dollar amounts from here and here(pdf).

Forgive me for skipping straight to the money quote...

2011-06-27T20:15:00.000-04:00

But I had to. By all means RTWT, but first bask in the truth:

David Limbaugh: "All of the GOP candidates have more than enough intelligence to serve as chief executive, far more common sense and wisdom than Obama, and an incomparably better handle on the steps necessary to preserve the republic and the willingness to take them."

Emphasis mine, and truer words never spoken. Huzzah, sir. Now all we have to do is get the right one elected.

Another mob attack

2011-06-27T14:13:00.000-04:00

Woman's leg broken, others hurt in Spring Garden mob attack | Philadelphia Daily News | 06/27/2011

Someday soon they'll mob the wrong person - gonna be ugly, but totally justified. Just a matter of time.

Is recoil therapy. Is good.

2011-06-27T11:38:00.000-04:00

Had an outstanding day at the range yesterday...

Things of note:
Though I still want to get a couple of new magazines for the Mauser 1914, after its visit to the gunsmith the FTF/FTE woes appear to be over. There's just something way cool about shooting a piece of 90+ year old history. Fast fire at 7 yards - 3.5" seven shot group - 2.1" if you discount a called flier. Not bad for an old mouse gun...

Range Bud's Sig Sauer P238 is a pleasure to shoot - very manageable pocket pistol. I'd like to do a range report on it after we get it broken in - so far only 50 rounds through it. No malfunctions at all.

Range Bud's Walther PPS 9mm is another nice shooter. IIRC, it has had about 150 rounds through it with no malfunctions. It's also on the list for a range report soon.

Range Bud's Phoenix HP 22 - fun plinking shooter - unusual safety setup. Probably a report on it as well...

The scope on my AR-15 is definitely dialed in - it's way more accurate than I am - heh. (Like there was ever any doubt there). I have also finally gotten the Ciener/Atchisson .22 conversion kit working right - part of the misfeed issues appear to be lube-related on the conversion bolt but the biggest part seems to be ammo choice.
It will eat Federal bulk pack all day, but it hates Remington Goldens. (CCI Stingers and Mini-Mags seem to be its favorites, though.) Even with the higher cost it's still a substantial savings over .223/5.56mm. Just have to bring point of aim slightly higher at 100 yards vs. point of aim for .223/5.56mm rounds.

My Saiga is breaking in nicely - either I'm getting better with it, or it's getting more accurate (maybe both?). I destroyed a couple of Dad's old Mac hard drives that Mom wanted to get rid of - Tula FMJs went clear through at 50 yards. One of the drives completely blew apart - the other just had holes punched in it. (Yes, I cleaned up and disposed of my trash!)

Range Bud is in love with my Ruger 10/22 - something about a dialed in scope aiding the eyes of old folks like us. He brought his old Browning takedown .22 - I think a scope is in its future, too. I picked up a God'a Grip cheek pad for the 10/22 at the NRAAM in Pittsburg. Easy to install and makes getting a good cheek weld much easier. Recommended.

My XD .45 is way too much fun to shoot - what's not to like about an accurate gun shooting God's own caliber? Now if I can only get my bro to share some of his mighty fine reloads - just until I get my own reloading equipment together...

Group therapy is a wonderful thing...

*FTC notice: NO compensation. I either bought 'em, borrowed 'em or I'm just recommending 'em. Bite me. However, anyone that wants to send me stuff to play with and try out, you can email me at scott dot mccray at gmail.com

Stickertramp - Do you trust your government?

2011-06-24T11:05:00.000-04:00

In a word, NO...

"Recently the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has been, well… under fire. Seems that some of the bureaucrats decided that it’d be a feather in their cap, and a nice big political favor from the current administration owed them, if they could prove that the US was running guns into Mexico via gun shows, federally licensed dealers in the border states, and the like.
Problem was, they couldn’t produce the data saying that was the case.
So they helped it along."

Go RTWT

Staring into the abyss continues...

Breda said so...

2011-06-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

Just not feelin' it the last few days - and Breda said when that happens you should post more kittehs.

Joseph has found a sunbeam...contentment.

Percie and Paddy recognize a good idea when they see it...

Mr. Darcey sez "Are you gonna help me play with this paracord?"

"If you don't wanna play, might as well nap..."

Seamus O'Tinky: Do not want sunbeam, haz pickle crock.

Click any of 'em to embiggenate...

I feel a bit better now...extra skritches for kittehs and purrs for staff members.

Happy Father's Day 2011

2011-06-18T23:07:00.000-04:00

Reading Keads' Father's Day post got me to thinking about my own Pop - the embedded Mike and the Mechanics video always gets me a tad misty. I'm fortunate that Dad and I managed to become really close several years before he passed. I revisited last year's Dad's Day post, and realized that it still says it pretty well. So here it is: MacBourne's Musings: Happy Father's Day, Dad

Yeah, I still miss you a lot, Dad...

Thanks to folks like Sean Sorrentino...

2011-06-15T09:59:00.000-04:00

We are winning, one conversation at a time.

"His response? A big grin, and “I see your point. I see your point.” The grin told me that he was hearing me loud and clear. I don’t think he’ll run right out to get a license to carry, but if he did, I wouldn’t be surprised. What I do know is the next time that conversation comes up for him, he’ll be telling them that he doesn’t think that the State should be prohibiting self defense if the Church permits it." RTWT

More flies with honey than vinegar - we could all learn a lesson here.

Michael Ramirez Editorial Cartoon, June 14, 2011 on GoComics.com

2011-06-14T11:04:00.000-04:00

Michael Ramirez Editorial Cartoon, June 14, 2011 on GoComics.com:

EPA Seeks to make yet another variety of "the only ones"...

Disgust. Gorram IDIOTS.

Happy 236th Birthday US Army!

2011-06-14T09:14:00.000-04:00

As always, Thank You to all of our service men and women and their families - for today - "Hooah!"

Flag Day 2011

2011-06-14T01:00:00.001-04:00

Flag Day 2011 - Keep 'em flying...

"In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.^[1]
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress." - Wikipedia

Home invasions - .gov edition(s)

2011-06-11T11:23:00.000-04:00

Go read it - short, to the point and on the money...

No-knock warrants ought to be abolished | Pithy Title Goes Here

Anyone care to lay odds that the Jose Guerena killing was started by poor trigger discipline and a negligent discharge? Disgusting.

Attribution, permission and general common sense

2011-06-08T11:07:00.000-04:00

Weerd Beard has an excellent post on the gunnie blogger community - and good behavior. Go read it, cuz the man makes sense. For immediate background go here as well. Proper permission and attribution is a good thing...

It's never a good idea to crap in the sandbox that you play in everyday - I'm just sayin'.

R.I.P. Maggie May

2011-06-06T16:18:00.000-04:00

From the little ball of fluff cornered by the neighbors' dog - to the grand lady you became...
You charmed us, stole our hearts and spent ten all-too-short years with us.

You will be missed, little one...

6 June, 1944

2011-06-06T09:44:00.000-04:00

Photo Gallery - National D-Day Memorial

I haven't been yet, but it's on my bucket list...maybe next trip home.

We lost another one of the good guys

2011-06-04T12:47:00.000-04:00

John “Johnny” Walton Myers of GOD, GUNS & GRITS lost his battle with cancer Monday, May 30, 2011.
I never met John in person, but I certainly would have liked to...I always enjoyed his no nonsense reviews and comments.

R.I.P. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

John “Johnny” Walton Myers, 63, of Rockingham, was called home to Heaven on Monday, May 30, 2011at his home. He was born Aug. 29, 1947, in Moore County, a son of the late Herbert W. and Katie Sugg Myers.
Mr. Myers graduated from University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Photo Journalism. He served in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam and was a member of Sweet Haven Baptist Church where he also taught Sunday School, as well as Vacation Bible School. John worked for many years as a photojournalist for several N.C. newspapers, including newspapers in Moore, Montgomery, Cumberland, Lee, and Richmond Counties. He also wrote and supplied photos for the Charlotte Observer. He was also a NRA instructor and NC Concealed Handgun Permit Instructor.
He was preceded in death by his brother, James L. Myers.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday, June 3, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Sweet Haven Baptist Church with Rev. Mitchell Roller officiating. Interment will follow at Candor Town Cemetery.
Surviving, his wife, Wendy Myers of the home; also a daughter, Layla Myers Mabe of Pinehurst; a son, Robby Myers and wife, Cindy of Pinehurst; a daughter, Jessica Teodorski and husband, Chris of Pittsburgh, Penn.; grandchildren, Trey Lewis, Logan Myers, Nicholas Mabe, Matthew Myers, Raina Teodorski and Phoebe Teodorski; a brother, George H. Myers and wife, Sue of Candor; sisters, Katherine Myers Young of Yokohama, Japan and Rebecca Myers Willis of Olanta, S.C., also several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 3, 2011, from 10 - 11 a.m. at the church prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Richmond Co. Hospice, 1119 US Hwy. 1 North, Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made atwww.watson-kingfuneralhome.com
Watson-king Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Myers family.

Read more:Richmond County Daily Journal - John 8220 Johnny 8221 Walton Myers

Quote of the day

2011-06-02T09:28:00.001-04:00

"Thanking Obama for killing Bin Laden is like going into McDonald's and thanking Ronald McDonald for the hamburger. It's the guy cooking the burger that should get the credit, not the clown."

-drjim in comments at Old NFO's place

That's a classic...

'Bout damn time...

2011-06-01T17:50:00.000-04:00

Saying it is "unfair for Florida taxpayers to subsidize drug addiction," Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday signed legislation requiring adults applying for welfare assistance to undergo drug screening.
"It's the right thing for taxpayers," Scott said after signing the measure. "It's the right thing for citizens of this state that need public assistance. We don't want to waste tax dollars. And also, we want to give people an incentive to not use drugs."

Florida governor signs welfare drug-screen measure - CNN.com

So - when will the other 49 (or 56, if you prefer) step up and get the job done?

This deserves a read...

2011-05-31T11:36:00.000-04:00

Lead and Fermentation: Memorial Day Thought

I know I'm late linking this, but this should be front of mind on a daily basis...well said, sir!

Remembering

2011-05-30T22:44:00.000-04:00

Today and every day.

Brigid says it better than I ever could

2011-05-28T19:25:00.000-04:00

I've been mulling over what I would post to memorialize those who gave all - after reading this I realized that what I wanted to say was wrapped up far better than I could say it.

"Memorial Day - It's not a barbecue, some beer, a car race or a post party hangover. It's a solemn day in which we remember those of courage who gave their all for something they believed in. Those that served their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Remember them."

Home on the Range: Memorial Day - The Last Thing I Saw

Go. Read. Remember.

An Autopen? YHGTBSM

2011-05-28T16:31:00.000-04:00

"According to this article from The Hill an autopen signed the Patriot Act extension just before it was set to expire."

RTWT

Your Action is Needed - Must Be Submitted by May 31, 2011

2011-05-27T15:45:00.000-04:00

Courtesy of John Richardson - NO LAWYERS - ONLY GUNS AND MONEY

"Thanks to reader P.T. we have our own form-letter generator to submit comments to the Office of Management and Budget on the ATF's proposed multiple rifle sale reporting requirement for the Southwest border states. There is a pre-written letter in the generator which you can modify as you wish.

Please forward this to all your friends, family, and others you know who believe in preserving our gun rights and freedoms. This really is an "Army of Davids" approach to use the Instapundit's term. Unlike the Brady Campaign and Mayor Bloomberg's Illegal Mayors, this is a totally grassroots effort done in less than 24 hours. We didn't need a grant from the Joyce Foundation to put this together!"

Please help OPPOSE the ATF's power grab

Please enter your name and email. Please enter any additional comments after the pre-filled text.

Please note that your name and email may be released at a later date by the ATF under FOIA as opposing this measure.

Name

First

Last

Email

City (not required)

State (not required)

Re: OMB Control Number 1140-New

I am writing to OPPOSE the Information collection action to register multiple sales of certain rifles with BATFE from the 04/29/2011 Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-29/pdf/2011-10355.pdf   This information collection is both illegal and unnecessary. Specifically addressing your request for comments on whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility, the collection of this additional data will impede the proper function of ATF field operations. Even when firearm dealers in the Southwest voluntarily provided information on multiple semi-automatic rifle sales to the ATF in an effort to prevent straw purchases and illegal sales, the ATF could not keep up with the volume of information. Adding a requirement that ALL dealers submit this information will create information overload. Because of this it would not have practical utility and would impede proper performance of the agency. This regulatory action should not be approved.

Please enter your own text if you want.

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Awesome...

2011-05-25T09:20:00.000-04:00

Borepatch: TheOnesDay® humor

The snark is strong...still chuckling.

Quote of the day

2011-05-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

Found in a comment over at Ol' Broad's place

"Real freedom starts with the individual. Real slavery starts with the collective. Race is irrelevant."

I have defective guns...

2011-05-22T00:25:00.000-04:00

Apparently.

I went to the range today.
I fired over 200 rounds of various calibers.
The only thing destroyed was paper targets.
No one was injured or killed.
I interacted with *shudder* other gun owners and we laughed and talked and even handled and shot each other's guns.

Hmmm. Wonder what caused the malfunctions?

What's that? Maybe that's how it's supposed to be?

Whodathunkit?

Oh, yeah...recoil therapy is good...

Sabra's Open Letter Re: Campus Carry

2011-05-21T11:25:00.000-04:00

Nicely done, Sabra -
Now if only we'd see a rational response...

In case it was missed before...

2011-05-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

I still stand with Israel.

Didn't have the "green" thing

2011-05-20T15:16:00.000-04:00

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”

The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment.”
He was right, that generation didn’t have the green thing in its day. Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didn’t have the green thing back in that customer’s day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.

But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didn’t have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead
of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn’t have the green thing back then?

Borrowed from Traction Control

RKBA and Self-Sufficiency

2011-05-20T15:12:00.000-04:00

It is not just about guns. It is about self-reliance.

Go RTWT -

Your home value? It hasn't bottomed out yet...

2011-05-20T15:08:00.000-04:00

How's that whole Hopey-Changey thing working out for you?

"If you thought the housing crisis was bad, think again.

It's worse.

New data just out from Zillow, the real-estate information company, show house prices are falling at their fastest rate since the Lehman collapse.

Average home prices are down 8% from a year ago, 3% over the quarter, and are falling at about 1% every month, according to Zillow.

And the percentage of homeowners in negative-equity positions — with a home worth less than its mortgage — has rocketed to 28%, a new crisis high.

Zillow now predicts prices will fall about 8% this year and says it no longer expects the market to bottom before 2012.

"There's no way we can get to flat, from these depreciation levels, in the last nine months of the year," says Zillow economist Stan Humphries. "Demand is a lot more anemic than we had previously thought."

When in 2012 does Zillow see the market bottoming out? Humphries won't say.

What a foolish boondoggle those tax breaks for home buyers have turned out to be. The government spent an estimated $22 billion between 2008 and 2010 on tax breaks to prop up the housing market. All it achieved was a brief suckers' rally that ended last summer.

"As we said at the time, it was a giant waste of money," says Mark Calabria, economist at the conservative Cato Institute. "None of these things really turned the housing market around. They just put off the adjustment for awhile."

It's hard to overestimate the scale of the carnage in the housing market. Zillow found prices fell in all but four U.S. metro areas."

RTWT at Yahoo! Finance

That certainly gave me an all over warm fuzzy feeling...

It's been done elsewhere - but I like it

2011-05-20T15:07:00.000-04:00

Florida Business Giving Away a Shotgun With Every Air Conditioner Purchase - FoxNews.com

Entrepreneurship - it'll drive business to both of their stores...

Situational Awareness and Self Defense

2011-05-11T14:05:00.001-04:00

Laura had an incident this morning...and Jennifer has a similar story from some time back. Both stories are deserving of a read (comments, too) and should be followed up with this:

"Carry your gun - it's a lighter burden than regret." --Breda

If you can't carry a firearm, carry a knife (or two), or a tactical pen - or any number of other items - anything to level the playing field. Oh - and support these guys:

- they are working all around the country to regain our stifled rights.

Glad y'all are OK.

Gee, d'ya think?

2011-05-11T11:40:00.000-04:00

Why the Hurry to Gloat About Bin Laden?

By Jonah Goldberg

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | For a week people have been asking, "Why won't the president release Osama bin Laden's photo?" That's the wrong question. We should be asking, "Why was Barack Obama in such a hurry to tell us bin Laden was dead?"

The White House says the information in bin Laden's compound is the equivalent of a "small college library," potentially containing incalculably valuable and unique data on al-Qaeda operations, personnel and methods.

"It's going to be great even if only 10 percent of it is actionable," a government official told Politico's Mike Allen.

I'm no expert on such matters -- though I've talked to several about this -- but even a casual World War II buff can understand that the shelf life of actionable intelligence would be extended if we hadn't told the whole world, and al-Qaeda in particular, that we had it.

It's a bit like racing to the microphones to announce you've stolen the other team's playbook even before you've had a chance to use the information in the big game.

But that's exactly what President Obama did. He raced to spill the beans. The man couldn't even wait until morning. At just after 9:45 p.m., the White House communications director,Dan Pfeiffer, informed the media: "POTUS to address the nation tonight at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time."

The announcement came less than three hours after Obama had been informed that there was a "high probability" bin Laden was dead and that the Navy SEAL helicopters had returned to Afghanistan.

In other words, it seems that the White House planned to crow as soon as possible. Why? Nobody I've talked to can think of a reason that doesn't have to do with politics or hubris.

Yes, killing Osama bin Laden is a big secret that would be hard to keep for long. Certainly Pakistan would grow agitated if we simply said nothing about the incursion, though sweating the Janus-faced Pakistanis with silence for a couple of days might yield its own intelligence rewards. In other words, even waiting 24 hours might generate some interesting "chatter." The Pakistanis working with al-Qaeda certainly would have been the first to spread the news that bin Laden was dead or captured.

Go RTWT

Gee, do ya think the immediate release was political chest-puffery? Surely pResident Unicorn would never stoop so low - this is after all the Transparent Administration ™. Heh. I've finally come to realize that he truly is transparent - anyone with a lick of sense can see right through him. Just sayin'...

Suit Filed

2011-05-10T20:01:00.001-04:00

SAF CHALLENGES INTERSTATE HANDGUN SALES BAN

For Immediate Release: 5/10/2011

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed suit in U.S. District Court in Virginia challenging the constitutionality of federal and Virginia provisions barring handgun sales to non-residents.

SAF is joined in the lawsuit by Michelle Lane, a District of Columbia resident who cannot legally purchase handguns because there are no retail firearms dealers inside the District. The Supreme Court’s 2008 Heller ruling struck down the District’s handgun ban, confirming that individuals have a constitutional right to possess handguns.

SAF and Lane are represented by attorney Alan Gura of Gura & Possessky, PLLC, who won both the Heller ruling and last year’s Supreme Court victory in McDonald v. City of Chicago. Named as defendants are Attorney General Eric Holder and W. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police.

“This is an important issue in the era of the national instant background check,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The NICS check should allow law-abiding citizens like Miss Lane to exercise their Second Amendment rights regardless their place of residence.”

“Americans don’t check their constitutional rights at the state line,” said Gura. “And since Michelle Lane is legally entitled to possess firearms, forcing her to seek a non-existing D.C. dealer to buy a handgun is pointless when perfectly legitimate options exist minutes across the Potomac River.”

“The Supreme Court has ruled that District residents have an individual right, protected by the Constitution, to have a handgun in their home,” Gottlieb noted. “The high court has also ruled that the Second Amendment applies to the states. Existing state and federal statutes violate both the spirit and letter of recent court rulings and the Constitution, and our lawsuit seeks to remedy that situation.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers and an amicus brief and fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.

-END-

Thanks to Alan Gura and Alan Gottlieb!

Could not agree more...

2011-05-10T10:44:00.000-04:00

"We need to change tactics. As big a pain in the tuckus as we were to Democrats and establishment Republicans in 2010, we need to be even more painful to them. We need to expose and shame 'conservatives' who vote against our interests so that they can gain favor with the President and his cabal of too-cool-for-school 'progressives'. We need to make the slumbering masses wake up and smell the house burning."

Go RTWT Daddy Bear's Den: Fetchez La Vache

'Cause if we keep doin' the same things, we're gonna keep gettin' the same results.

Baaaaaaaconnnnnn

2011-05-09T15:10:00.000-04:00

Laughin' my butt off...

What he said...

2011-05-09T12:37:00.000-04:00

h/t to DBS

Obfuscation in .gov? Surely you jest...

2011-05-09T10:05:00.000-04:00

Here's a bit of news..... if inflation was still calculated the way it was in 1978, we would have in excess of 10% inflation right now. How did this 'magic' inflation reduction happen? Well, the Fed's have changed the math more than two dozen times since then...

h/t Carteach0

WTF, indeed...

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T12:41:00.001-04:00

To my Mom and all of the other moms out there - Happy Mother's Day.

Today is one more opportunity out of 365 to thank and give thanks for the women that did so much to shape us into who we are today. I know that every time I see a kid acting like a little liberal in public, I give thanks that I had good "home raising". There's no substitute for being taught the value of good behavior, honesty, integrity and responsibility for one's life choices.

Thanks, Mom!

I have been remiss...

2011-05-05T14:56:00.000-04:00

The get-together at Lidia's was a wonderful gab-fest - good food and awesome company. There was however, one small drawback: the walk to the restaurant had moved Mom and me even further away from where we parked (across the river near the Warhol Museum). When it was time to head out on our hike, Ed aka Red very graciously offered to give us a lift. Once again proving that gunnies are the coolest people!

Thank you, Ed!

Beauty in surroundings...

2011-05-05T11:58:00.001-04:00

The sunlight was glowing like a path to Heaven. Pity I only had my phone with me - but still worth taking the shot. (Click to biggerize)

Go read this now...it'll make your day

2011-05-05T09:52:00.000-04:00

North: Faith

Seriously good stuff...

A HUGE Thank You...

2011-05-04T22:17:00.000-04:00

...to the Second Amendment Foundation and Old NFO for masterminding two absolutely awesome get-togethers - y'all rock!

Thank you.

After being around these all weekend...

2011-05-04T21:35:00.000-04:00

All I can say is DO WANT!

The pictures *do not* do the holsters justice - Dennis needs to post some larger pictures (Nudge-nudge!)
Most assuredly on my wish list - time to start saving my cookie money.

Go check 'em out if you haven't already...Dragon Leatherworks

FTC Notice: I don't have one yet, I've just looked at a bunch of them. They look really nice - I want one, and expect to pay for it. Bite me, or something...

Folks I met at the NRA Convention...

2011-05-04T20:43:00.004-04:00

Newly met blogroll denizens (some have been on the roll, just haven't met them before):

Brad Kozak - The Truth About Guns
Bubblehead Les - No blog - c'mon, man! I know there's a ton o' stuff tryin' to get out!
David Codrea - Gun Rights Examiner
Dennis from Dragon Leatherworks
Frank W. James - CORN, BEANS, SPENT BRASS, AN EMPTY PAGE AND A DEADLINE
Heath J from 18 wheels and a 1911
John Richardson and his lovely wife from No Lawyers - Only Guns and Money
Kathy Jackson - The Cornered Cat
Laura(falnfenix) and Chris from insert witty title here
Link P - Peace Love and Ammunition
Old NFO - Nobody Asked Me
TBolt - New Jovian Thunderbolt
Tom/Daddy Bear - Daddy Bear's Den

The usual suspects:

Breda - The Breda Fallacy
Chance - Say Uncle
Jay G - Marooned
Mike W - Another Gun Blog
Nancy R (SH and SD, too) - Excels at Nothing
Newbius* (and his lovely wife)
Weerd - Weer'd World

Met Mom Fallacy and saw Mike from across the room, but never got to talk to him...and a ton of other bloggers that I only saw in passing. My feet are glad it was only three days, but a couple more days to visit would be cool - just close the show floor down and hang out and jaw!

Alan Gura, Alan Gottleib, John Lott and LTC Robert K. Brown? Wicked Smaht...all of 'em. But then, so are the rest of the folks listed above - see y'all in St. Louis...

Good times.

If I inadvertently left anyone out, please let me know...

*Oversight number one corrected (hangs head in shame and mutters to self)

Impressions from the first day...

2011-04-29T23:07:00.000-04:00

Dayyyyyummm my dogs are a-barkin'...
Like some of the others have said, Pittsburgh was *not* ready for this...traffic/parking was horrendous. Had go across the river to find parking.
Good-sized crowd - unfailingly polite. Gunnies are a good bunch of folks...
Always cool to add to my "folks I've met" list - Old NFO and Frank W. James - and sightings of folks I met last year, too.
Gonna have to get one of those leash/harness deals for Mom - she kept wandering off muttering "Ooooh, shiny..."
Thought we'd go over to the Tilted Kilt, but bailed on it - too crowded and noisy for old folks - me included (heh).
Back to the hotel, grabbed dinner, a little computer time and then time to retire...

See y'all tomorrow!

First order of business...

2011-04-29T07:46:00.000-04:00

Breakfast...nom-nom-nom.

Second and third orders of business...seeing gunny friends and gun Pr0n.

Lather, rinse, repeat...

Yes, that is borderline SQUEEE...

Made it...

2011-04-28T18:15:00.000-04:00

Hotel...check.
Windy as all get-out...check.
Road-weary...check.
Must find food...

More to come...

You know that "Wicked Smaht" label?

2011-04-24T13:07:00.000-04:00

Well deserved - Borepatch: Beacon - go read...

Thank you, Borepatch...

Dr. Seuss would approve...

2011-04-22T15:40:00.000-04:00

"In the kingdom of Whatsis, on the Island of Ooze,
Lived a gaggle of Spendits of two different hues.
Each Spendit was feathered, each Spendit was plump,
Each walked with a kind of galumpety-lump.
They all looked alike, although it is true
Some Spendits were Red, and others were Blue."

The Jubjub Hole - Barton Hinkle/Reason Magazine:

Things that make you go HMMMM?

2011-04-22T12:06:00.000-04:00

Some very interesting thoughts here...

Irons in the Fire: Two things on the Gunwalker mess and Mexico wanting to sue

I can certainly see the possibility of more widespread administration and crony involvement...this bears watching.

See if this doesn't twist yer knickers

2011-04-18T11:18:00.000-04:00

Budget crisis? What budget crisis? YHGTBFSM.

Random Nuclear Strikes » That is very kind of you!

So tell me again how conservatives are the angry ones...

2011-04-18T00:36:00.000-04:00

Potty mouth alert...

Just wow...sigh.

H/T Conservative Byte

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2011-04-15T22:27:00.000-04:00

Magic in the air, indeed...family harmonies. MMMM-MMMM, good.

The Song Remains the Same

2011-04-13T08:55:00.000-04:00

A rational voice in Washington? Whodathunkit?

Unfortunately, he is wrong - only a few Republicans actually stand for solvency - the rest of them are joining in for the same old song and dance...

R.I.P. Patrick Leister

2011-04-12T18:23:00.002-04:00

I think we all know a "That Guy" - unfortunately this particular That Guy's family just lost him way too damned soon. Read here, here, here and then go here if you can...
This really hits home for me - this fine young man was just a little younger than my son...
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

North Strikes a Chord...

2011-04-07T11:03:00.000-04:00

...on nurturing your inner child - go read it and the comments. Good stuff.
North: Live to be 120

Zombie Watch

2011-04-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

News of the weird

2011-03-30T13:52:00.001-04:00

Woman's protest delays tree removal in Asheville - CharlotteObserver.com

Seriously? A Bradford Pear? The Southern Urban Plague? Moonbats have never been known for their sound judgement - but couldn't you at least pick a tree with a life expectancy of greater than 20-25 years? Say an oak or a maple?

I love it when hippies cry...

Snerk

2011-03-30T07:52:00.000-04:00

I must be living right...

2011-03-29T23:19:00.000-04:00

Even though the server migration is still kickin' my butt, two afternoons of recoil therapy this week has kept me on an even keel. Went out both Sunday afternoon and this afternoon (Tuesday). Met a cool bunch of folks both days - makes the trip even more enjoyable.

Still shooting the Saiga with iron sights, but it's a fun gun - looking forward to putting optics on it - it's more accurate than I first thought.
I've gotten the the scopes on the AR15 and the 10/22 dialed in to "SRSLY, you're in range, so get off my lawn..." mode. Also shot the XD .45 and Lee's Taurus 9mm - much fun.

Shooty goodness - highly recommended therapy...

MacBourne's Musings

Sad, innit?

Tell me again why Obamacare is such a good idea?

A Girl and Her Gun: The Give-A-Way

What he said...

Dear AG Holder,

Nothing like getting to finish a job...

Veterans Day 2011

11/10/2011

Now *that's* bad breath...

ZOMG! The irony, it BURNS!

Divided we *fail*

Excellent Rant

Range Test - Kel-Tec Sub 2000

America is a warfare/welfare state?

Constitution Day 2011

Bastards.

Social Security - I was gonna write a post...

R.I.P. Percie Anne

Outstanding campaign ad...

Scout26

For those that don't believe The Feces Can and Will Hit the Whirling Blades

Outstanding analysis...

Feeling a little "run down" lately?

Andrew Klavan: The Facts of Life for Liberals - YouTube

O's blame game

Obummer - a song for our time

Viral - It should be, anyway...

Installing common sense in DC

That's inconvenient...

Recommended reading...

Obama's policies stifle recovery?

Always better to cheat on tests, right?

Due diligence and forwarded emails

Forgive me if I'm wrong...

A Charles Dickens Night

Whodathunkit?

Happy 235th Birthday, America!

The Baracktopus

No wonder we are circling the drain as a country...

Forgive me for skipping straight to the money quote...

Another mob attack

Is recoil therapy. Is good.

Stickertramp - Do you trust your government?

Breda said so...

Happy Father's Day 2011

Thanks to folks like Sean Sorrentino...

Michael Ramirez Editorial Cartoon, June 14, 2011 on GoComics.com

Happy 236th Birthday US Army!

Flag Day 2011

Home invasions - .gov edition(s)

Attribution, permission and general common sense

R.I.P. Maggie May

6 June, 1944

We lost another one of the good guys

Quote of the day

'Bout damn time...

This deserves a read...

Remembering

Brigid says it better than I ever could

An Autopen? YHGTBSM

Your Action is Needed - Must Be Submitted by May 31, 2011

Awesome...

Quote of the day

I have defective guns...

Sabra's Open Letter Re: Campus Carry

In case it was missed before...

Didn't have the "green" thing

RKBA and Self-Sufficiency

Your home value? It hasn't bottomed out yet...

It's been done elsewhere - but I like it

Situational Awareness and Self Defense

Gee, d'ya think?

Suit Filed

SAF CHALLENGES INTERSTATE HANDGUN SALES BAN

For Immediate Release: 5/10/2011

Could not agree more...

Baaaaaaaconnnnnn

What he said...

Obfuscation in .gov? Surely you jest...

Now that's bad breath...

Divided we fail

Snerk