On Tuesday night, CNN's Don Lemon urged people to stop demonizing "any one group or any one ethnicity" and, in the very same breath, stigmatized "white men ... radicalized to the right" as "the biggest terror threat in this country." So, conservative white men are not "any one group or any one ethnicity"? Oh, right, according to "intersectionality," we're not people!Yeah, like the guy who opened fire on the whole Republican softball team? The same guy who shot Steve Scalise?
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Stigmatizing White Men
CNN seems ti feel that the largest terror group in the US are right-wing white men.
Half-Pint Sharps
Readers who have been with me a while know that I'm a big fan of falling block rifles. At the current time, I own only one, a Pedretti copy of an 1874 Sharps business rifle. Mine is in .45-70, weighs about 11 pounds, and I currently have it set up as a target rifle, with a tang sight and a Lyman 17 globe sight. The weight of the rifle is just right for target work, but it's a little heavy for tramping over the hills and woodlands. An 11 pound rifle gets heavier as the day goes on.
I am reminded, though, that Taylor's and Company imports several varieties of Sharps clones, including a "Half-pint" Sharps in smaller calibers, including .44-40 and .30-30 Win.
Oleg Volk led me to a photo of a comely lass with one of these smaller Sharps.
The American Hunter did a review of it here.
A rifle that size might be just the bees knees for tramping around the woods with. (That little gal might be too, but Belle would object.)
Before you turn your nose up at the old black-powder cartridges, remember that before the 1900s, they took all the game on this continent and every other. The .30-30 especially was touted as a high-velocity, smokeless powder wonder cartridge when it was introduced. It's still a fine cartridge for most game in the 150 pound class at 125 yards. I bet that little Sharps in .30-30 or 44-40 would be a fun little rifle. I'm just sayin'.
I am reminded, though, that Taylor's and Company imports several varieties of Sharps clones, including a "Half-pint" Sharps in smaller calibers, including .44-40 and .30-30 Win.
Oleg Volk led me to a photo of a comely lass with one of these smaller Sharps.
The American Hunter did a review of it here.
A rifle that size might be just the bees knees for tramping around the woods with. (That little gal might be too, but Belle would object.)
Before you turn your nose up at the old black-powder cartridges, remember that before the 1900s, they took all the game on this continent and every other. The .30-30 especially was touted as a high-velocity, smokeless powder wonder cartridge when it was introduced. It's still a fine cartridge for most game in the 150 pound class at 125 yards. I bet that little Sharps in .30-30 or 44-40 would be a fun little rifle. I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
At The Restaurant Supply
We have a local restaurant supply store and when we started building the kitchen in the shop, elder son told me that they had some really nice stuff there, at really reasonable prices. All of it, of course, restaurant quality.
I found something I really like, a big-ass salt shaker. In the business, it's called a "dredge" and whhile some of them are stainless steel, I like the10 oz polycarbonate ones, simply because they are clear and I can tell at a glance if it is filled with salt or pepper (or anything else). The ones I like have three lids with different size holes so you can adjust the pour. They cost about $2.00 each.
Today, while I was in there, I bought another scraper/turner for the griddle, some nice little a small stainless bowl with a lid, some small soup ladles and some nice small serving spoons. Oh, and a small stainless steel tong. All of my tongs are huge, and I thought a smaller tong might be useful. Total cost was under $40.00. I also looked at some really nice stock pots and I'll have to pick up one of those before too long. I'll be making a lot of gumbo this winter, and those pots would be a big help.
I found something I really like, a big-ass salt shaker. In the business, it's called a "dredge" and whhile some of them are stainless steel, I like the10 oz polycarbonate ones, simply because they are clear and I can tell at a glance if it is filled with salt or pepper (or anything else). The ones I like have three lids with different size holes so you can adjust the pour. They cost about $2.00 each.
Today, while I was in there, I bought another scraper/turner for the griddle, some nice little a small stainless bowl with a lid, some small soup ladles and some nice small serving spoons. Oh, and a small stainless steel tong. All of my tongs are huge, and I thought a smaller tong might be useful. Total cost was under $40.00. I also looked at some really nice stock pots and I'll have to pick up one of those before too long. I'll be making a lot of gumbo this winter, and those pots would be a big help.
Birthright Citizenship
There is some speculation that President Trump is thinking about an executive order that would end birthright citizenship for those born here to illegal aliens.
I think that's a bad idea. I'm no immigration expert, but it seems to me that a child born on US soil is a US citizen. That fact may present challenges if the parents are not US citizens, but it is nothing that cannot be overcome.
Certainly with the Honduran caravan making their way through Mexico, the President has plenty of opportunity to talk about a lot of things concerning immigration. We can certainly talk about limiting or ending unchecked benefits to illegal immigrants. We can certainly talk about strengthening border security, or any number of other topics.
Ending birthright citizenship is, in my eyes, a bridge too far. I advise against it.
I think that's a bad idea. I'm no immigration expert, but it seems to me that a child born on US soil is a US citizen. That fact may present challenges if the parents are not US citizens, but it is nothing that cannot be overcome.
Certainly with the Honduran caravan making their way through Mexico, the President has plenty of opportunity to talk about a lot of things concerning immigration. We can certainly talk about limiting or ending unchecked benefits to illegal immigrants. We can certainly talk about strengthening border security, or any number of other topics.
Ending birthright citizenship is, in my eyes, a bridge too far. I advise against it.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Just... Wow!
If I'm reading this correctly, Louisiana spends $19,991,809 (yeah, that's almost $20 million) on early childhood education. Granted, the Feds kick in a bit over $15 million, but that is still a lot of tax money to spend on child education before the child even gets to the public school system. We're talking day-care and Head Start here folks. And, this is just Louisiana. There is no telling how much tax money this is costing us across the board.
Nobody helped me raise my kids, and I can remember having such discussions while my kids were small. Dad (that's me) worked two jobs and Mom stayed at home until the kids were old enough for school. There is a lot to be said for that system of child-rearing.
Of course, most of this is for low-income folks who don't pay taxes at all. It may be a generational problem, but the Brookings Institute says that there are three things that we can do to eradicate poverty. They are:
Nobody helped me raise my kids, and I can remember having such discussions while my kids were small. Dad (that's me) worked two jobs and Mom stayed at home until the kids were old enough for school. There is a lot to be said for that system of child-rearing.
Of course, most of this is for low-income folks who don't pay taxes at all. It may be a generational problem, but the Brookings Institute says that there are three things that we can do to eradicate poverty. They are:
at least finish high school, get a full-time job and wait until age 21 to get married and have children.See how simple that was? I suggest we get started on that right now.
SPLC - Hate Group
Once upon a time, the Southern Poverty Law Center did great things in the name of civil rights. Those days are now long past. Lately, the SPLC has become a hate group. Really, they are largely bigoted, near-sighted and steeped in left-wing thought. They make tenuous relationships with the truth and try to make them into something that the facts don't support.
For example, they're blaming the Pittsburgh shooter on President Trump. Yeah, really.
The SPLC used to do good work in the venue of civil rights. That time is long past. Now, they are just another irrelevant hate group positing far fetched conspiracy theories. It's really sad.
For example, they're blaming the Pittsburgh shooter on President Trump. Yeah, really.
On Sunday, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) attempted to connect President Donald Trump to the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pa. The SPLC tried to blame Trump, even though the shooter said he did not vote for Trump and attacked the president for his close relationship with Jews.Who cares if President Trump has close ties with Jews? Certainly not me. And, certainly not any right-thinking person. And, so what if he does? It's certainly not his fault that a madman entered the synagogue and decided to shoot the place up, committing multiple murders.
Then came the Trump link. "These conspiracy theories are perpetuated and elevated by the increasing amount of hateful rhetoric flying from the mouths, or keyboards, of a growing cast of characters, up to and including President Trump," Beirich argued.Really? Because nut-jobs on the internet posit conspiracy theories, it's their fault if another nut-job decides to shoot up a synagogue? And, ultimately, it's the Presidents fault? Oh, gimme a break.
The SPLC used to do good work in the venue of civil rights. That time is long past. Now, they are just another irrelevant hate group positing far fetched conspiracy theories. It's really sad.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Sunday Lunch - Tacos
Belle decided that we should cook tacos today, so I went to the grocer early and got all the fixings.
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| The basic spread |
Elder son decided to get creative, so he cranked up the griddle to make a few taco shells out of nothing but shredded cheese. It seems that as cheese melts, it releases oils that keep if from sticking to the griddle.Let it toast until it's a solid mass, then use that as a soft-shell for a taco.
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| Two shredded cheese taco shells on the griddle. A standard flout tortilla for scale. |
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| Grandson Zach give it thumbs-i[ |
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| Daughte-in-law seems to be enjoying it too. |
So, tacos and cookies on the belly, it's time to take a little nap and get ready for Monday.
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Spammers, Geez,
Spammes. We hates them, we does. Maybe at some point in the recent past, I clicked on something that interested me, probably in the evening after a couple of cocktails. That innocent click to see some innocuous content evidently gave them permission to flood my inbox with trivia. Mainly pleas for financial support.
Suddenly, I'm getting three or four emails a day from Donald J Trump. I'm sure that it's him because it has his name all over the header. And, frankly, I"m surprised that the President of the US has enough time to sit down three or four times a day and send me an email. I''d think that he would be busier than that. I mean... he's running the free world and hammering Democrats.
It's like hiring a guy to do a job, and you find him perched on our desk three or four times a day, telling you what a great guy he is, and how everyone is against him. It's disconcerting.
Hey, Mr. President, you're doing a great job. You have my vote. You don't need to check in three times a day. I'm going to put you ass in the spam folder.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare the range for a club shoot.
Suddenly, I'm getting three or four emails a day from Donald J Trump. I'm sure that it's him because it has his name all over the header. And, frankly, I"m surprised that the President of the US has enough time to sit down three or four times a day and send me an email. I''d think that he would be busier than that. I mean... he's running the free world and hammering Democrats.
It's like hiring a guy to do a job, and you find him perched on our desk three or four times a day, telling you what a great guy he is, and how everyone is against him. It's disconcerting.
Hey, Mr. President, you're doing a great job. You have my vote. You don't need to check in three times a day. I'm going to put you ass in the spam folder.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare the range for a club shoot.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Beautiful Day
Hereabouts in central Louisiana, it's a beautiful day. Sunny and 60, it's simply gorgeous outside.
I understand that they caught the bomber. That's good. Maybe we'll learn more about him later.
Great picture of an F-35 over the East China Sea.
It's a beautiful day. Y'all get out and enjoy it.
I understand that they caught the bomber. That's good. Maybe we'll learn more about him later.
Great picture of an F-35 over the East China Sea.
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| EAST CHINA SEA (Oct. 23, 2018) An F-35B Lightning II flies behind a KC-130J tanker aircraft during an aerial refueling mission above the East China Sea |
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Great Day At Wok
Today started out as just another day as a school-house cop. But, about lunch time, I looked up from my desk, and was very pleased to see a visitor enter. Miss Louisiana herself!
Miss Victoria Paul, the current Miss Louisiana was visiting, and I was bored anyway, so I spent the next hour escorting her and introducing her to anyone who wanted to meet her. It made an otherwise dull boring day quite memorable.
Miss Paul is a lovely lady, and exudes charm ad grace. Oh, and she brought cookies, did I mention that? At any rate, Pawaw really had a good hour in the middle of the day. It was quite a treat meeting the current Miss Louisiana, and I'm quite smitten. She really is a lovely, charming, warm person.
Miss Victoria Paul, the current Miss Louisiana was visiting, and I was bored anyway, so I spent the next hour escorting her and introducing her to anyone who wanted to meet her. It made an otherwise dull boring day quite memorable.
Miss Paul is a lovely lady, and exudes charm ad grace. Oh, and she brought cookies, did I mention that? At any rate, Pawaw really had a good hour in the middle of the day. It was quite a treat meeting the current Miss Louisiana, and I'm quite smitten. She really is a lovely, charming, warm person.
Politico... Sigh
Politco just can't help itself. The editorial board there doesn't understand basic constitutional principles. Take for example, this headline.
Years ago, as a commander of soldiers, I carried a quote, taped to the inside of my briefcase. By Cesare Beccaria:
Trump decries 'political violence' after years of stoking itTheir evidence? It's even more flimsy than their headline.
President Donald Trump once suggested that “Second Amendment people” could take matters into their own hands if Hillary Clinton won the election and stacked the courts with anti-gun judges.It may come as some surprise to the editorial board at Politico, but that's just exactly why we have the 2nd Amendment. To resist tyranny. The President wasn't stoking violence, he was simply stating a basic political truth. The 2nd Amendment is about shooting tyrants.
Years ago, as a commander of soldiers, I carried a quote, taped to the inside of my briefcase. By Cesare Beccaria:
every act of authority of one man over another, for which there is not an absolute necessity, is tyrannical.We, of course, as free people, have a right to resist tyranny, and the Founders believed that. We'll do as much as we can with the ballot box, but the unpleasant truth of freedom is that there might come a time when we have to resort to the ammo box. We have set that option aside for the time being, but that makes it no less an option.
Truth
Termite sent me this one.
Yeah, buddy, when they actually tell the truth, it sounds great, doesn't it?
Yeah, buddy, when they actually tell the truth, it sounds great, doesn't it?
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
C'mon, People
The big news today is that someone mailed what appears to be bombs to Hillay, Barack, and CNN. Why someone would want to bomb CNN is a mystery. They have less viewers than Nickelodeon.
But, the media is blaming Trump, because obviously he is sending coded signals, or something.
Yeah, right, Jeff. You go ahead with that logic.
In other news, the caravan seems to still be moving. It must be a logistics nightmare.
But, the media is blaming Trump, because obviously he is sending coded signals, or something.
Yeah, right, Jeff. You go ahead with that logic.
In other news, the caravan seems to still be moving. It must be a logistics nightmare.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Winter's Coming
Not much else to report today, but it looks like this little blast of cool weather is carrying on.
On my lunch hour today I went to the lumber yard looking for small heaters to keep the shop plumbing from freezing this winter. And, to keep Belle's feet warn when we're entertaining guests.
Two of these:
And one of these:
From last year, I still have one of these:
That big loud, sucker will knock the chill of the shop, pronto, but you can't hear yourself think when it's running, and it'll suck a 20 lb propane bottle dry in a hurry too.
My more northerly readers might think that this much heat is superfluous in a Deep South shop building, but we don't handle cold well in these climes and if the ladies are going to be in attendance, we want them comfortable.
On my lunch hour today I went to the lumber yard looking for small heaters to keep the shop plumbing from freezing this winter. And, to keep Belle's feet warn when we're entertaining guests.
Two of these:
And one of these:
From last year, I still have one of these:
My more northerly readers might think that this much heat is superfluous in a Deep South shop building, but we don't handle cold well in these climes and if the ladies are going to be in attendance, we want them comfortable.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Consistency
I see that Senator Cory Booker is having a MeToo moment. Some guy is accusing hiim of sexual assault in a public bathroom.
Until more substantial evidence comes froward, I'm inclined to give Senator Booker the benefit of the presumption. We don't know enough at this point to assess one way or the other, and I don't know why the guy didn't first go to the police rather than a media outlet. SO, there you have it.
The question is whether all victims of sexual assault are to be believed, or if we should require some sort of substantiation before we make a judgement. Is the accusation enough to keep someone from a position of great power?
Based on the activities of the MeToo movement over the past couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see how they react. Will they take the story of the accuser as truth, or will they soft-pedal this accusation? I suppose their choice is between consistency or hypocrisy.
For myself, I'll give Senator Booker the benefit of the doubt, but I admit that the irony is rich.
Until more substantial evidence comes froward, I'm inclined to give Senator Booker the benefit of the presumption. We don't know enough at this point to assess one way or the other, and I don't know why the guy didn't first go to the police rather than a media outlet. SO, there you have it.
The question is whether all victims of sexual assault are to be believed, or if we should require some sort of substantiation before we make a judgement. Is the accusation enough to keep someone from a position of great power?
Based on the activities of the MeToo movement over the past couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see how they react. Will they take the story of the accuser as truth, or will they soft-pedal this accusation? I suppose their choice is between consistency or hypocrisy.
For myself, I'll give Senator Booker the benefit of the doubt, but I admit that the irony is rich.
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Low-Life, Dirty Dog, Scoundrel.
I have an old 2001 F150 that we use around the place when we need a pickup truck. I don't need a truck every day, but we need one often enough to keep one around. It's paid for, it's mine, ad it starts every time we turn the ignition.
Belle needed it a couple of weeks ago to run an errand, so she took it out. About three days later I needed it and and noticed that the fuel gauge was about a quarter of a tank, so I stopped and filled it up. I got to the store, and when I came out, realized that I had a fuel leak. A substantial fuel leak. I got under the truck and saw a stream of fuel coming from the tank, so I looked i the console, found a pencil, and jammed it up in the hole, then duct-taped it in place. I am a redneck, after all.
Second son is a first-class mechanic with his own shop, so I talked to him about what I could do to fix the problem. I took it to his shop this afternoon for a more complete exam.
So, we got it up o the lift and drained the tank. Then made a close inspection to analyze the problem.
That's the hole in the tank, and it's obviously been drilled. That is not road-damage. Some dirty, low-life scumbag crawled under my truck with a drill and drilled a hole i the tank to steal gasoline.
We tapped the hole and put a bolt in it, the bolt covered with Yamabond, a gasket material that Yamaha uses to seal engine cases. Think Permatex on steroids, but impervious to gasoline. The truck is still in the shop. We're going to let it dry for 24 hours, then see if we have any leaks.
What kind of lowlife, dirty dog, scoundrel drills a hole in a gas tank to steal a little fuel? I ain't never seen nothing like that, and I've seen a lot of things.
Belle needed it a couple of weeks ago to run an errand, so she took it out. About three days later I needed it and and noticed that the fuel gauge was about a quarter of a tank, so I stopped and filled it up. I got to the store, and when I came out, realized that I had a fuel leak. A substantial fuel leak. I got under the truck and saw a stream of fuel coming from the tank, so I looked i the console, found a pencil, and jammed it up in the hole, then duct-taped it in place. I am a redneck, after all.
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| Pencil stuck i the hole, duct-taped i place. |
Second son is a first-class mechanic with his own shop, so I talked to him about what I could do to fix the problem. I took it to his shop this afternoon for a more complete exam.
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| Did I mention that he has a lift? Everyone needs a lift in the shop |
That's the hole in the tank, and it's obviously been drilled. That is not road-damage. Some dirty, low-life scumbag crawled under my truck with a drill and drilled a hole i the tank to steal gasoline.
We tapped the hole and put a bolt in it, the bolt covered with Yamabond, a gasket material that Yamaha uses to seal engine cases. Think Permatex on steroids, but impervious to gasoline. The truck is still in the shop. We're going to let it dry for 24 hours, then see if we have any leaks.
What kind of lowlife, dirty dog, scoundrel drills a hole in a gas tank to steal a little fuel? I ain't never seen nothing like that, and I've seen a lot of things.
Being a Jerk
I've seen quite a bit of this recently. Not around here, but in the news. It seems that it is quite fashionable to accost someone in public because you don't like their political activity. For example, Mitch McConnell was accosted recently in a restaurant. You can read about it here. It seems to be Republicans who are being hounded, but I understand that even Nancy Pelosi got a taste of it, here.
So, let's just say for the sake of fairness that it is happening across the political spectrum. Point being, it is a disconcerting trend. It is not cool to be a jerk, and I don't know why the restaurants put up with it. It certainly can't be good for business. The last thing any restaurateur wants in the diing room is a ruckus.
In the local latitudes, we arrest people for being jerks. At some point, running your mouth ceases to be free speech and becomes Disturbing the Peace, or Trespassing. While you have a right to petition your elected officials to address a grievance, you certainly don't have the right to harangue them in public. It's rude. That sort of behavior certainly has no place in polite society.
I feel a backlash coming against rude behavior. We certainly should not tolerate it.
Thanks, Woodrow.
So, let's just say for the sake of fairness that it is happening across the political spectrum. Point being, it is a disconcerting trend. It is not cool to be a jerk, and I don't know why the restaurants put up with it. It certainly can't be good for business. The last thing any restaurateur wants in the diing room is a ruckus.
In the local latitudes, we arrest people for being jerks. At some point, running your mouth ceases to be free speech and becomes Disturbing the Peace, or Trespassing. While you have a right to petition your elected officials to address a grievance, you certainly don't have the right to harangue them in public. It's rude. That sort of behavior certainly has no place in polite society.
I feel a backlash coming against rude behavior. We certainly should not tolerate it.
Thanks, Woodrow.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Grips Are In
Sunday past I talked about the Lipsey's Special. I had ordered a set of grips from the Altamont Company, and they cane in today. Very nice grips, they fit the frame well, ad Altamont event sent three (3) grip screws of varying length so that I could properly fit the grip to the revolver. Having those three screws was a nice touch.
I think that they look good on the gun. The checkering is nicely executed, much better than the photo and my poor skills with a camera would indicate.
I think that they look very nice indeed. This revolver might become one of my "barbecue" guns.
I think that they look good on the gun. The checkering is nicely executed, much better than the photo and my poor skills with a camera would indicate.
I think that they look very nice indeed. This revolver might become one of my "barbecue" guns.
Friday, October 19, 2018
Speaking of Old Overholt
Well Seasoned Foll mentioned Old Overholt, and like another fool, I googled it. I found these guys on YouTube, and frankly I like watching them.
They'll start out trying to review a whiskey, then have a few drinks and go completely of the rails.
Like this:
I really will have to look for a bottle of Old Overholt.
They'll start out trying to review a whiskey, then have a few drinks and go completely of the rails.
Like this:
I really will have to look for a bottle of Old Overholt.
Hat Creases
Choices and decisions, it's all about taste and style. While I'm certainly not a slave to fashion, I do like my hats, and one of the bigger decisions is which crease to get in a hat. There are our predominate creases in cowboy hats these days. The Cattleman, the Pinch Front, the Gambler and the Gus. Each of them are distinctive.
All of these hats are shantug straw, from the Stetson page.
So, if you're buying a cowboy hat, you have to choose a crease. I have several and today the shipping company delivered another one, the Diamond Jim hat with a Pinch Front.
I'm trying to decide if I like it. It's a whole lot nicer than my most recent hat, which Belle told me was getting a little tattered and filthy. She told me it was time for a new ht.
Decisions, decisions. This might become my SUnday hat, and I might go down to the western store next month and get another Cattleman's crease. The last time I was in there, that was the only choice they had.
All of these hats are shantug straw, from the Stetson page.
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| The Cattleman, probably the most common these days. |
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| The Pinch-Front. More often seen on a fedora, it was John Wayne's favorite crease |
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| The Gambler. I don't know why they call it that, but I have at least one hat with a Gambler Crease |
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| The Gus. An old hat crease, and a cross between the Cattleman and Pinch Front. It was popularized recently in the movie Lonesome Dove, worn by Gus McCrae. |
So, if you're buying a cowboy hat, you have to choose a crease. I have several and today the shipping company delivered another one, the Diamond Jim hat with a Pinch Front.
I'm trying to decide if I like it. It's a whole lot nicer than my most recent hat, which Belle told me was getting a little tattered and filthy. She told me it was time for a new ht.
Decisions, decisions. This might become my SUnday hat, and I might go down to the western store next month and get another Cattleman's crease. The last time I was in there, that was the only choice they had.
Bulleit Bourbon
Today, running errands, I was a t the grocers and decided to add to my bourbon stash. Now, we're not going to buy any rare or expensive bourbon at a discount grocery, but I did spy and interesting bottle on the top shelf. Bulleit Bourbon, which bills itself as a "frontier whiskey:,
I put it in the liquor cabinet in the barn. It might be an interesting sample to bring out the next time I am looking for something to amuse friends. I don't buy expensive whiskeys, believing hat keeping my stock under $30.00 per bottle is a useful metric. As you might see, we did get into the Jim Beam Double Oak last time they were over, and we find that to be an interesting bourbon.
I put it in the liquor cabinet in the barn. It might be an interesting sample to bring out the next time I am looking for something to amuse friends. I don't buy expensive whiskeys, believing hat keeping my stock under $30.00 per bottle is a useful metric. As you might see, we did get into the Jim Beam Double Oak last time they were over, and we find that to be an interesting bourbon.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Knob Creek
I"m no bourbon snob, by any means, but it amazes me how even bourbon snobs come back to Jim Beam. Of course Bean distilleries is an amazing corporation, turning out some really good whiskey in bulk, at reasonable prices.
Of course, The Knob is one of Beam's brands, and it's more whiskey than most people understand. Popularly priced, it seems to tower over other bourbons. Even Knob Creek Rye is better than some think it should be at the price point. Like these guys..
This evening, I finished the least short drams of a bottle o Maker's Mark, but I have a bottle of Knob Creek Rye in the barn. I may have to crack that one tomorrow evening.
Of course, The Knob is one of Beam's brands, and it's more whiskey than most people understand. Popularly priced, it seems to tower over other bourbons. Even Knob Creek Rye is better than some think it should be at the price point. Like these guys..
This evening, I finished the least short drams of a bottle o Maker's Mark, but I have a bottle of Knob Creek Rye in the barn. I may have to crack that one tomorrow evening.
Why Do We Care?
I'm not being flippant, I'm just a bit perplexed. It seems that this Saudi guy walks in to the Saudi consulate in Turkey and disappears. It's all over the news. And, evidently, the White House is interested, and I'm trying to figure out why?
Sure, it's an interesting story, and there is lots of speculation, but the guy was not an American citizen, he wasn't in the US, and both Saudi and Turkey are ostensible US allies.
I simply can't see any reason for official US government interest in this story, but I'm willing to be convinced. Yeah, the speculation and rumor is that this guy was killed in the consulate, hacked into pieces, and disappeared forever. It's a gruesome story, but it's half a world away, and doesn't affect a US citizen. Why are we interested?
Sure, it's an interesting story, and there is lots of speculation, but the guy was not an American citizen, he wasn't in the US, and both Saudi and Turkey are ostensible US allies.
I simply can't see any reason for official US government interest in this story, but I'm willing to be convinced. Yeah, the speculation and rumor is that this guy was killed in the consulate, hacked into pieces, and disappeared forever. It's a gruesome story, but it's half a world away, and doesn't affect a US citizen. Why are we interested?
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
The Army's New PT Test
Back in the '70s when I first put on a uniform, the Army had a five-event PT Test. It required equipment, and a training area, and it was hard to schedule and to conduct. The Army was "getting over" Vietnam, and trying to simplify things, and one of the things they simplified was the PT Test. The new PT test consisted of sit-ups, push-ups and two-mile run. It took no equipment or specialized training area. A Commander could run it anywhere.
It seems that the Army is considering changing the PT Test. You can read ll about it here. Now, they want a six-event PT test that will require a pull-up bar and deadlift equipment.
Bad idea, Army. You need a PT Test that measures the readiness of soldier, but that does NOT require any specialized equipment. Re-learn the KISS principle (Keep it simple, Stupid) and don't burden Commanders with extraneous nonsense.
It seems that the Army is considering changing the PT Test. You can read ll about it here. Now, they want a six-event PT test that will require a pull-up bar and deadlift equipment.
Bad idea, Army. You need a PT Test that measures the readiness of soldier, but that does NOT require any specialized equipment. Re-learn the KISS principle (Keep it simple, Stupid) and don't burden Commanders with extraneous nonsense.
More Democrat Sleaze
What is it about Democratic women, especially elected officials? I've been highlighting lately the unbelievable amount of unethical, sleazy, behavior that the Democrat women in the US Sentate are capable of.
LIz Warren of course, the prototypical white woman, claiming Native status.
Clair McCaskill, lying to her constituents.
This morning it's Heidi Heitkamp, the Dem out of North Dakota, outing survivors without their permission. And, listing some as survivors who weren't victimized. All for cheap political points.
LIz Warren of course, the prototypical white woman, claiming Native status.
Clair McCaskill, lying to her constituents.
This morning it's Heidi Heitkamp, the Dem out of North Dakota, outing survivors without their permission. And, listing some as survivors who weren't victimized. All for cheap political points.
The misstep has led some women misidentified in the ad to decry the Democratic candidate and question how their names landed on the list, with one group of women saying they are seeking “a lawyer who will take our case” because the ad has “interfered with, or downright ruined, our lives.” …This is despicable. Simply horrific. I understand that she's in a tight race, and I'd think that she wants to take the high road. Instead, she's now in the middle of a political disaster of her own making. Anyone who would do this to people doesn't deserve to be a US Senator, and I'm sure that the good people of North Dakota will do the right thing.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Screachy and Preachy
I've been watching this whole Liz Warren thing with glee. It's hilarious. She wanted to establish her bona-fides with a DNA test and instantly became the butt of right-wing mirth and left-wing disdain all within a 24 hour period.
Kellyanne Conaway summed it up n nicely.
Hillary is a known felon.
Claire McCaskill is a left-wing progressive mascaraing as a moderate.
Liz Warren just made a mockery our of affirmative action.
Lets not even talk about Rachel Dolezal. She's as white as Liz Warren.
And, today, no one in the whole US is whiter than Liz Warren. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, but she's not handling it real well.
Kellyanne Conaway summed it up n nicely.
“In a matter of minutes, she managed to alienate Native Americans, whom she claims as her own, and high-ranking Democrats, whom she would need to successfully run for president,” Conway said in an interview Tuesday. “We saw this in 2016, we don’t need another female candidate who has a causal relationship with the truth, can’t get her story straight, blames everybody else and is screechy and preachy to the electorate.”I laughed aloud at that paragraph. So, to sum up.
Hillary is a known felon.
Claire McCaskill is a left-wing progressive mascaraing as a moderate.
Liz Warren just made a mockery our of affirmative action.
Lets not even talk about Rachel Dolezal. She's as white as Liz Warren.
And, today, no one in the whole US is whiter than Liz Warren. That's not a bad thing, necessarily, but she's not handling it real well.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Pocahontas Steps In It
If you've been watching the hilarious travails of the Senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren, you know that she has claimed Native American ancestry. President Trump dubbed her Pocahontas.
Well, she got a DNA test that showed that, basically, she's a white woman and there might. Might. Be a little native blood in there somewhere. Probably not as much as the average American. But, she continues to maintain her Native status.
Now, the Cherokee Nation is disclaiming her.
Warren should let it go. I's not going to help her Presidential bid, and that's where this whole mockery is headed. The Cherokees don't want her, and neither do the rest of us.
UPDATE** John Hinderaker makes a good point{ This should be the death-knell of affirmtive action.
Well, she got a DNA test that showed that, basically, she's a white woman and there might. Might. Be a little native blood in there somewhere. Probably not as much as the average American. But, she continues to maintain her Native status.
Now, the Cherokee Nation is disclaiming her.
"It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven.”…Several years ago, my sister did the research and found that we have an ancestor on the Dawes roll. Does that make me Native American? Not to my mind. I have much more French, Spanish, German, Scots-Irish, and just plain American blood running through me.
Warren should let it go. I's not going to help her Presidential bid, and that's where this whole mockery is headed. The Cherokees don't want her, and neither do the rest of us.
UPDATE** John Hinderaker makes a good point{ This should be the death-knell of affirmtive action.
Here’s the point: Warren’s defense of her claim to being Native American is good for America. Because if Warren is an Indian, then so are most of the rest of us. And most of us are also African-American or Hispanic. If everyone is an Indian, then no one is an Indian. This logic is fatal to the whole corrupt affirmative action enterprise.Indeed.
Maybe Next Week
Like most Cajuns, I've been jonesing for gumbo. Thick, hearty gumbo. But, the weather hasn't cooperated. Too durned hot. Gumbo is for cool weather, and we haven't had much of that yet. However, the weather-weenies are telling me that I might see a break in the heat, long enough to put a pot of gumbo on.
Hopefully, this coming weekend it will cool down enough that I can make a pot. Some say that gumbo is an "anytime" meal, but Belle and I like to wait for cool weather.
Hopefully, this coming weekend it will cool down enough that I can make a pot. Some say that gumbo is an "anytime" meal, but Belle and I like to wait for cool weather.
F-22s Destroyed
It seems that almost 10% of our F-22 fleet is damaged or destroyed because someone didn't think to get them out of the path of Hurricane Michael. Yeah, really.
The US Air Force’s Tyndall Air Base in Florida has taken a direct hit. Many of its ultra-advanced F-22 Raptor stealth fighters have been caught on the ground.C'mon, guys. Those things fly, or are supposed to. IF a hurricane is coming, get them wheels-up and out of the danger zone. Letting an advanced jet fighter get destroyed by weather is simply unacceptable.
Exactly how many of the $475 million aircraft were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Michael has not yet been revealed.
Someone's head needs to roll over this.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
The Lipsey's Special
Last week we talked about the Keith #5, a favorite revolver of Elmer Keith. I linked to a video and you can go over and watch it. It's a fascinating story about an iconic revolver.
None of us can afford a Keith #5. It was a one-of-a-kind custom revolver that required the taleents of several gunsmiths, including the Colt factory. But, it had several attributes that made it what it is. A Colt Single Action Army in .44 Special, flat-top model with a ramp front ad adjustable rear sight. It had an intriguing base pin of Keith's design and a custom grip that employed a Bisley top strap and a standard Colt trigger guard. It was quite an iconic revolver.
In 2009 Lipsey's commissioned a run of revolvers from Ruger. Basically a standard Blackhawk in .44 Special. They sold like hotcakes and in 2010 Lipeey's commissioned another run, this time with a flat top ad a Bisley grip frame. Think of it as a Poor Man's #5.
My son knows my love for the .44 Special cartridge and he found one of those Lipsey's on the market. He picked it up right and brought ti to me for an early Christmas present
It's a beautiful gun and well appreciated. It has a ramp front adjustable rear, that lovely Bisley grip ad best of all, it's chambered in .44 Special. It should be a perfect woods gun, especially when stoked with a cylinder of Skeeter's Load. I had a hundred of those loaded and the boys wanted to shoot, so we went to second-son's place to burn a little powder.
We put five shots o paper to make sure that the sights were regulated, then I gave younger son the honor of first ringing the gong with it. Watch the video below.
It's a shooter, all right, and I'm very happy with it. Thanks, son.
None of us can afford a Keith #5. It was a one-of-a-kind custom revolver that required the taleents of several gunsmiths, including the Colt factory. But, it had several attributes that made it what it is. A Colt Single Action Army in .44 Special, flat-top model with a ramp front ad adjustable rear sight. It had an intriguing base pin of Keith's design and a custom grip that employed a Bisley top strap and a standard Colt trigger guard. It was quite an iconic revolver.
In 2009 Lipsey's commissioned a run of revolvers from Ruger. Basically a standard Blackhawk in .44 Special. They sold like hotcakes and in 2010 Lipeey's commissioned another run, this time with a flat top ad a Bisley grip frame. Think of it as a Poor Man's #5.
My son knows my love for the .44 Special cartridge and he found one of those Lipsey's on the market. He picked it up right and brought ti to me for an early Christmas present
It's a beautiful gun and well appreciated. It has a ramp front adjustable rear, that lovely Bisley grip ad best of all, it's chambered in .44 Special. It should be a perfect woods gun, especially when stoked with a cylinder of Skeeter's Load. I had a hundred of those loaded and the boys wanted to shoot, so we went to second-son's place to burn a little powder.
We put five shots o paper to make sure that the sights were regulated, then I gave younger son the honor of first ringing the gong with it. Watch the video below.
It's a shooter, all right, and I'm very happy with it. Thanks, son.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Finally Friday
What a Friday. On the way to work this morning, I stop to pick up breakfast, ad when I get back to the van, it won't start. Battery is dead. Well damn. I found a redeck with jumper cables, ad made it to work. When it was getting-off time, I got it started and headed home. Got it i the driveway. LIfe is good.
Jumped int he truck and headed back to town with two empty propane bottles. Belle is having a party tomorrow and I need propane. Looked at the gas gauge on the truck and decided to fill up on the way to town. Put $40.00 worth of gas in the truck and went to the grocer who also sells propane.. Got out of the truck, and smelled gasoline. Looked down, and saw a steady stream of gasoline spilling out t the parking lot. Got down on my back and looked under the truck. I've ot a hole i my gas tank. Found a pencil inn the console, jammed it into the hole and duct-taped it into place. Got the cylinders filled and started home.
Some asshole on Highway 28 ran a red light. and t-boned an innocent motorist. Traffic shit-the-hell down. Major loblolly on the highway. No traffic moving at all. I re-routed. Took an alternate route. Got the truck home, scratching my head about the hole in the tank. Called my expert mechanic son. He's thrilled I'm home. Doesn't have to tow a truck off the road. Scratching his head over fuel tank repair. We'll figure it out.
Tomorrow is a club shoot, then a party for Belle's co-workers. In the meantime, I need a battery for the van and a patch for a fuel tank. The van is important, the truck can wait a day or two.
In the near time, it's Happy Hour. I'm home safe and all the vehicles are in the yard. My weeked is going to be interesting as hell.
Jumped int he truck and headed back to town with two empty propane bottles. Belle is having a party tomorrow and I need propane. Looked at the gas gauge on the truck and decided to fill up on the way to town. Put $40.00 worth of gas in the truck and went to the grocer who also sells propane.. Got out of the truck, and smelled gasoline. Looked down, and saw a steady stream of gasoline spilling out t the parking lot. Got down on my back and looked under the truck. I've ot a hole i my gas tank. Found a pencil inn the console, jammed it into the hole and duct-taped it into place. Got the cylinders filled and started home.
Some asshole on Highway 28 ran a red light. and t-boned an innocent motorist. Traffic shit-the-hell down. Major loblolly on the highway. No traffic moving at all. I re-routed. Took an alternate route. Got the truck home, scratching my head about the hole in the tank. Called my expert mechanic son. He's thrilled I'm home. Doesn't have to tow a truck off the road. Scratching his head over fuel tank repair. We'll figure it out.
Tomorrow is a club shoot, then a party for Belle's co-workers. In the meantime, I need a battery for the van and a patch for a fuel tank. The van is important, the truck can wait a day or two.
In the near time, it's Happy Hour. I'm home safe and all the vehicles are in the yard. My weeked is going to be interesting as hell.
We're All Going To Die!
Well, yes we are, because death is endemic to the human condition. No one has escaped it yet, in a worldly, physical sense.
It seems that the left is blaming the devastation of Hurricane Michael on science deniers. Yeah, really.
Hurricanes aren't anything new, and the gloom-and-doom crowd needs to read their history. A hurricane is weather, it's not climate. While Michael was devastating, it's nothing new.
It seems that the left is blaming the devastation of Hurricane Michael on science deniers. Yeah, really.
Victims of Hurricane Michael voted for climate deniers | John Abraham
We know that climate change is making these storms stronger. The storms feed off of warm ocean waters, and those waters are much warmer now because of climate change. I have written about the science in more detail here and here. But basically, Michael strengthened because it passed over really warm waters. Waters that were hotter because of human-caused warming.Dude! It's a hurricane. They called this one Michael to differentiate it from the other dozen that preceded it this year. Folks in Florida know how to do hurricanes. If you live in the deep South, your life is punctuated by hurricanes, and those hurricanes mark life events. I remember Hurricane Audrey, which knocked our roof off in 1957. I was three years old. I remember Betsy in 1965, and Camille in 1969. I could make a list, but you get the idea. Of course, Katrina, Rita, and Gustav all affected my life, and recently, Harvey screwed-over the Texas coast.
Hurricanes aren't anything new, and the gloom-and-doom crowd needs to read their history. A hurricane is weather, it's not climate. While Michael was devastating, it's nothing new.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
One LOad
I think that we can get it all in one load.
I ca remember cutting that much firewood to keep a house warm during a Louisiana winer. Thankfully I don't have to do that anymore.
I ca remember cutting that much firewood to keep a house warm during a Louisiana winer. Thankfully I don't have to do that anymore.
Slow News Thursday
Looking at the websites, it appears that the Democrats are still butt-hurt and the Republicans are hoping for a Kavanaugh bounce. That's not news.
On my lunch hour, I went to Academy in town to look for some .44 Special ammo. I have lots of Skeeter's Load, but I wanted some standard mouse-fart ammo. No luck. I guess that if I want mouse-fart ammo I'll have to load it myself. But, all my .44 Special brass is loaded with Skeeter's load.
I did find some soft handgun cases on the rack, for less than $5.00 apiece. I bought the three hanging there because we can never have enough handgun cases. I also picked up a box of .38 Special +P ammo because the cartridges in my carry gun are probably 30 years old.. I'm sure that they would go BANG, but it's probably time for fresh carry ammo.
Not much to report today, it's just another slow news day.
On my lunch hour, I went to Academy in town to look for some .44 Special ammo. I have lots of Skeeter's Load, but I wanted some standard mouse-fart ammo. No luck. I guess that if I want mouse-fart ammo I'll have to load it myself. But, all my .44 Special brass is loaded with Skeeter's load.
I did find some soft handgun cases on the rack, for less than $5.00 apiece. I bought the three hanging there because we can never have enough handgun cases. I also picked up a box of .38 Special +P ammo because the cartridges in my carry gun are probably 30 years old.. I'm sure that they would go BANG, but it's probably time for fresh carry ammo.
Not much to report today, it's just another slow news day.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Grips
So, there's this gun coming, and from the pictures I've seen, it screams for ivory. Nowadays, we can't get ivory in this country, so we settle for the next best thing. Some kind of faux ivory made from synthetics. It's going to be okay. They look fine, and I won't have to run afoul of the import laws.
So, we're stuck with faux ivory. I ordered a set from these fine people, and got a reply email today. Words to the effect of "will be made to order and is estimated to take 1 day to 4 weeks." They gave me the option to cancel, but this revolver is screaming for nice grips. So I told them I'd wait. It's no big hurry, and I like the way these grips look.
One day to four weeks? In this time of instant gratification and two-day shipping we tend to lose patience when ordering stuff.. Patience is fine, and I'm okay with waiting. I can remember a time when I'd order something by filling out an order form, putting it in the mail, knowing as sure as shooting that I wouldn't see my package for four weeks or longer. This four week wait will give me time to start learning the gun before I switch grips. And, they said "1 day to 4 weeks" so it might be here much earlier. We'll see.
So, we're stuck with faux ivory. I ordered a set from these fine people, and got a reply email today. Words to the effect of "will be made to order and is estimated to take 1 day to 4 weeks." They gave me the option to cancel, but this revolver is screaming for nice grips. So I told them I'd wait. It's no big hurry, and I like the way these grips look.
One day to four weeks? In this time of instant gratification and two-day shipping we tend to lose patience when ordering stuff.. Patience is fine, and I'm okay with waiting. I can remember a time when I'd order something by filling out an order form, putting it in the mail, knowing as sure as shooting that I wouldn't see my package for four weeks or longer. This four week wait will give me time to start learning the gun before I switch grips. And, they said "1 day to 4 weeks" so it might be here much earlier. We'll see.
Tuesday, October 09, 2018
More Socialistic Moon-Battery
It looks like New York is going to elect a died-in-the-wool socialist as one of their representatives.
You see, there are ways to amend the Constitution, and the most common way is to have two-thirds of both Houses of Congress approve it, then have three-fourths of the state legislatures approve it. How does she intend to get thirty-eight (38) states to approve such a lame-brained idea?
Like most Democratic/Socialist ideas, this is a pipe dream of the left. Simply, it ain't gonna happen. New York needs a whole new political class.
Lest we forget, barring some last-minute divine intervention, New York Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is on her way to an easy election victory next month and a seat in the House of Representatives.One of the things she wants to do is abolish the Electoral College. Good luck with that. Her pie-in-the-sky idea is one we've heard before. And the chances of it happening is just about zero.
You see, there are ways to amend the Constitution, and the most common way is to have two-thirds of both Houses of Congress approve it, then have three-fourths of the state legislatures approve it. How does she intend to get thirty-eight (38) states to approve such a lame-brained idea?
Like most Democratic/Socialist ideas, this is a pipe dream of the left. Simply, it ain't gonna happen. New York needs a whole new political class.
Competing Polls
I'm putting this down just as a place marker. It seems that on the Tuesday, four weeks from the midterms, there are competing polls, trying to take the pulse of the political climate.
Politico says that the House is in play.
Axios says that the GOP is set to make big gains in the election.
Of course, both may be right. The GOP could lose the House and make gains in the Senate. The idea here is not to get cocky, and don't get complacent. We have to vote. This is going to be a big election, both at the national level and locally. This is going to be interesting.
Politico says that the House is in play.
Axios says that the GOP is set to make big gains in the election.
Of course, both may be right. The GOP could lose the House and make gains in the Senate. The idea here is not to get cocky, and don't get complacent. We have to vote. This is going to be a big election, both at the national level and locally. This is going to be interesting.
Monday, October 08, 2018
Newtonian Politics
Simply stated, Newton's Third Law says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. We see this played out in the natural world and the mechanical world. Recoil, for instance, is one example.
Reflecting on the political world and the news cycle of he past weeks, I am reminded that this law might also play out in politics. Culminating this weekend, in a wailing crescendo, it showed the whole world just how reasonable and measured the Left can be. ( I jest here. Surely you can recognize sarcasm.) The absurd wailing and gnashing of teeth were as like unto a tantrum of toddlers who don't get their way.
The November midterms are just five weeks away. Hopefully the adults will turn out in droves to remind the Godless Democrats that we are still a nation of laws, the a person is innocent until proven guilty and that elections matter.
Reflecting on the political world and the news cycle of he past weeks, I am reminded that this law might also play out in politics. Culminating this weekend, in a wailing crescendo, it showed the whole world just how reasonable and measured the Left can be. ( I jest here. Surely you can recognize sarcasm.) The absurd wailing and gnashing of teeth were as like unto a tantrum of toddlers who don't get their way.
The November midterms are just five weeks away. Hopefully the adults will turn out in droves to remind the Godless Democrats that we are still a nation of laws, the a person is innocent until proven guilty and that elections matter.
Sunday, October 07, 2018
The Unhinged Left
Civility.
The next time someone tells you that you should be civil i your arguments with Democrats, show them this clip.
They sound unhinged. This is the result of the past twenty or thirty years of trying to reason with people who don't understand civil discourse. It's like listening to three-year-olds throwing a tantrum. This is what happens when the unhinged left does't get its way.
These people don't want civil discourse, they want to be spanked and sent to bed. It's sad,but true.
The next time someone tells you that you should be civil i your arguments with Democrats, show them this clip.
They sound unhinged. This is the result of the past twenty or thirty years of trying to reason with people who don't understand civil discourse. It's like listening to three-year-olds throwing a tantrum. This is what happens when the unhinged left does't get its way.
These people don't want civil discourse, they want to be spanked and sent to bed. It's sad,but true.
The Keith #5
The tale of American handgunning can't be told without Elmer Keith. There are others, of course, but Keith tended to be a dominate voice in the 20th century and was instrumental in shaping onions about what constituted the perfect revolver. He is best known for his work with bog bore magnum revolvers and is considered the father of the .44 Remington Magnum.
In his long-range work prior to the introduction of the .44 Magnum in 1955, Keith worked with the .44 Special cartridge for a number of reasons. Basically, both calibers were chambered in the same gun and the cylinders were the same size. The .44 Special had a smaller diameter , so there was more steel in the .44 cylinder than the .45, so the cartridge could be loaded to a higher pressure without running the risk of a burst cylinder. Plus, the .44 Special brass had a stronger web than the balloon-head brass of the .45 Colt of the era.
Keith's work in this regard also focused on the revolver itself. Better sights, a stronger base-pin latch, a different grip. This work culminated in a gun that he called the #5. In 2015, Keith's #5 cane up for auction and Forgotten Weapons did a video on this remarkable revolver prior to the sale. They tell the story better than I do, so I'll let them tell it.
I'm a big fan of the .44 Special, preferring it over the .44 Magnum. While the magnum has its place, and if you are enamored of it, by all means, use it. Were I going up north, where I might encounter big bears, I might carry more than the .44 Special could provide, but for the little bears we have hereabouts ad the other fauna lurking around here, the .44 Special provides all the thump I think I"ll ever need from a belt-carried revolver.
In the .44 Special, I prefer Skeeter's Load. Promulgated by the late, great Skeeter Skeltonn, it features a hard-cast 240 or 250 grain Keith bullet over 7.5 grains of Unique. My research tells me that Skeeter found it in Elmer Keith's writings, which ties us back to Keith, but it was Skeeter who talked about the load. What I like about it is that it has more thump than the standard .44 Special at 750 fps. This load runs the bullet out at about 950 fps which makes it perfectly suitable for 95% of whatever you want a big bore handgun to do.
I tell you all this because my love affair with the .44 Special ain't over, and I'm about to open another chapter inn my infatuation with this cartridge. More to come, soon.
In his long-range work prior to the introduction of the .44 Magnum in 1955, Keith worked with the .44 Special cartridge for a number of reasons. Basically, both calibers were chambered in the same gun and the cylinders were the same size. The .44 Special had a smaller diameter , so there was more steel in the .44 cylinder than the .45, so the cartridge could be loaded to a higher pressure without running the risk of a burst cylinder. Plus, the .44 Special brass had a stronger web than the balloon-head brass of the .45 Colt of the era.
Keith's work in this regard also focused on the revolver itself. Better sights, a stronger base-pin latch, a different grip. This work culminated in a gun that he called the #5. In 2015, Keith's #5 cane up for auction and Forgotten Weapons did a video on this remarkable revolver prior to the sale. They tell the story better than I do, so I'll let them tell it.
I'm a big fan of the .44 Special, preferring it over the .44 Magnum. While the magnum has its place, and if you are enamored of it, by all means, use it. Were I going up north, where I might encounter big bears, I might carry more than the .44 Special could provide, but for the little bears we have hereabouts ad the other fauna lurking around here, the .44 Special provides all the thump I think I"ll ever need from a belt-carried revolver.
In the .44 Special, I prefer Skeeter's Load. Promulgated by the late, great Skeeter Skeltonn, it features a hard-cast 240 or 250 grain Keith bullet over 7.5 grains of Unique. My research tells me that Skeeter found it in Elmer Keith's writings, which ties us back to Keith, but it was Skeeter who talked about the load. What I like about it is that it has more thump than the standard .44 Special at 750 fps. This load runs the bullet out at about 950 fps which makes it perfectly suitable for 95% of whatever you want a big bore handgun to do.
I tell you all this because my love affair with the .44 Special ain't over, and I'm about to open another chapter inn my infatuation with this cartridge. More to come, soon.
Saturday, October 06, 2018
Favorite Clips
One of my favorite clips from Clear and Present Danger.
I'm liable to watch movie clips on Saturday afternoon in lieu of football.
I'm liable to watch movie clips on Saturday afternoon in lieu of football.
I Like Melania
I'm a huge fan of our First Lady, Melania Trump. Elegant, refined, she seems to me to epitomize what a First Lady should be. Belle is also a fan, comparing her to Jackie Kennedy. The Trump-haters deplore her, of course, because she is the President's wife. It turns out that she is in Kenya on a goodwill tour, and had the opportunity to tour a national park. Sensibly, she decided to wear a hat to keep the sun off her head. The left predictably went ape-shit. From CNN:
I think that the hat is stylish, practical, and more importantly, I think that she is rocking it. The pith hat makes perfect sense in that location, which is why it's been worn there for a hundred years or more.
But, the media losers gotta lose, and haters gotta hate.
Melania Trump's latest white hat evokes colonialist comparisonNo, you imbeciles. Hats make sense in many locations, and the location often determines which hat you wear. The sun in equatorial Africa is murderous. You want a hat that is lightweight, light colored, and stands off the head. You want air to be able to circulate between the hat and the head, and you want that hat to be white, to reflect the sun.
I think that the hat is stylish, practical, and more importantly, I think that she is rocking it. The pith hat makes perfect sense in that location, which is why it's been worn there for a hundred years or more.
But, the media losers gotta lose, and haters gotta hate.
Friday, October 05, 2018
Belief Is A Funny Thing
For the past couple of weeks (particularly the past couple of weeks), we've seen the signs.
I'd like to, I really would, but belief is a funny thing. It requires evidence. I have several beliefs that I hold dear. For some I have evidence, for some I don't. Those require faith. I am a Christian, after all, and faith is the bedrock of my salvation. I can testify to my faith, but non-believers will scoff.
On the one hand, I've known some women (personally, not professionally) who would rather climb up a tree and lie to you than stand on the ground and tell the truth. Three of them come to mind, and they were so toxic that I soon removed them from my social circle. Their drama was simply so unrelenting, so hurtful, and so unbelievable that I quit associating with them.
I'm also a cop. I've been a cop for 37 years. I've run a sex-offender unit and I have investigated claims. Many of them proved true and we were able to obtain convictions. Some of them did not prove true and we were unable to obtain convictions. That's how the law works. It is a hard thing to tell a survivor that while she may be sincere, her testimony compelling, her story heart-wrenching, that we simply cannot move forward. We have no corroborating evidence. Belief is one thing, proving it is something else. Reasonable doubt is a tough standard, but it is the standard that has kept us civilized for hundreds of years. Which brings us to the Kavanaugh conundrum.
In that case, there is no corroborating evidence, either testimonial or physical, so we must presume innocence. Many have rightly pointed out that this is not a criminal inquiry, but that it is a job interview. This argument is specious, because there are simply some questions that you can't ask in a job interview.
So, we're left with the political. The Supreme Court is supposed to be above politics, (which is also a specious argument in my opinion) but the Senate is not. The Senate is all about politics, and I feel that they correctly reflect the partisan mood of the country. For better or worse, this is the Senate that we have today. Is Kavanaugh the best pick? Well, he's Trump's pick and that's what matters in this case. Honestly, I don't know one thing about Brett Kavanaugh. Supposedly, he's a good man, a solid conservative and has wide experience in the judiciary. Can he serve credibly as a Justice? We'll see. I've been disappointed in the Supremes before.
I'd like to, I really would, but belief is a funny thing. It requires evidence. I have several beliefs that I hold dear. For some I have evidence, for some I don't. Those require faith. I am a Christian, after all, and faith is the bedrock of my salvation. I can testify to my faith, but non-believers will scoff.
On the one hand, I've known some women (personally, not professionally) who would rather climb up a tree and lie to you than stand on the ground and tell the truth. Three of them come to mind, and they were so toxic that I soon removed them from my social circle. Their drama was simply so unrelenting, so hurtful, and so unbelievable that I quit associating with them.
I'm also a cop. I've been a cop for 37 years. I've run a sex-offender unit and I have investigated claims. Many of them proved true and we were able to obtain convictions. Some of them did not prove true and we were unable to obtain convictions. That's how the law works. It is a hard thing to tell a survivor that while she may be sincere, her testimony compelling, her story heart-wrenching, that we simply cannot move forward. We have no corroborating evidence. Belief is one thing, proving it is something else. Reasonable doubt is a tough standard, but it is the standard that has kept us civilized for hundreds of years. Which brings us to the Kavanaugh conundrum.
In that case, there is no corroborating evidence, either testimonial or physical, so we must presume innocence. Many have rightly pointed out that this is not a criminal inquiry, but that it is a job interview. This argument is specious, because there are simply some questions that you can't ask in a job interview.
So, we're left with the political. The Supreme Court is supposed to be above politics, (which is also a specious argument in my opinion) but the Senate is not. The Senate is all about politics, and I feel that they correctly reflect the partisan mood of the country. For better or worse, this is the Senate that we have today. Is Kavanaugh the best pick? Well, he's Trump's pick and that's what matters in this case. Honestly, I don't know one thing about Brett Kavanaugh. Supposedly, he's a good man, a solid conservative and has wide experience in the judiciary. Can he serve credibly as a Justice? We'll see. I've been disappointed in the Supremes before.
Thursday, October 04, 2018
Church In The Dirt
Our church holds Prayer and Practice on Thursday nights, and I got there tonight just as the devotional was finishing up.
Young riders, on horseback, listening to the pastor preach a devotional.
Our pastor, Brother Herb, delivers the devotional on horseback. I caught him, in this photo, either at the start or end of the prayer.
That's how we spend Thursday nights at the church.
Young riders, on horseback, listening to the pastor preach a devotional.
Our pastor, Brother Herb, delivers the devotional on horseback. I caught him, in this photo, either at the start or end of the prayer.
That's how we spend Thursday nights at the church.
The Big Nothing-Burger
Fox News is reporting that the FBI has forwarded their supplemental report to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The findings? Nothing.
Personally, I think that this whole smear campaign has hurt Democrats more than it helped them. It certainly hasn't done the MeToo movement any good. Believe the survivor, but don't go off half-cocked. Take a minute to review the details and see if the story makes any sense. Not all "survivors" are believable.
The cruelest smear, though, is the newest one. Can her be fair after what we've put him though? Realy? After smearing him, wrecking his family life, and trotting out wild accusations, you're worried that he might not listen to your arguments?
One thing I learned a ling time ago, as a rookie cop. Don't piss off the Judge.
A source familiar with the supplemental report told Fox News it shows no evidence corroborating the allegations of sexual assault or misconduct against the nominee. Other specifics from the report were not immediately available, but Fox News is told the review included interviews with nine people, along with a sworn statement from another. This went beyond the original Senate request for interviews with four people, though the FBI did not dive into Kavanaugh's drinking habits in high school, one area of contention, because the Senate did not formally request the information.Well, okay. Confirm the guy, already. I understand that the Senate has already voted for cloture, so the final vote should be almost immediate.
Personally, I think that this whole smear campaign has hurt Democrats more than it helped them. It certainly hasn't done the MeToo movement any good. Believe the survivor, but don't go off half-cocked. Take a minute to review the details and see if the story makes any sense. Not all "survivors" are believable.
The cruelest smear, though, is the newest one. Can her be fair after what we've put him though? Realy? After smearing him, wrecking his family life, and trotting out wild accusations, you're worried that he might not listen to your arguments?
One thing I learned a ling time ago, as a rookie cop. Don't piss off the Judge.
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
Screw Islam
It seems that the New York Times is complaining that we don't consider Islam a valid religion.
But sharia is a political system disguised as a religion. They hate gays,, lesbians, transgendered, the whole LGBTQ EIEIEO crowd and would happily push them off buildings or hang them or whatever other bit of barbarity they can dream up. Women have no rights, and are chattel.
I have a huge problem with sharia, which forms the backbone of the political arm of Islam. Besides, I still have't gotten over the fact that they fly airplanes into buildings.
Remember what William Churchill said:
It’s a “disturbing trend,” says Asma T. Uddin, a Muslim attorney, in the New York Times: “In recent years, state lawmakers, lawyers and influential social commentators have been making the case that Muslims are not protected by the First Amendment. Why? Because, they argue, Islam is not a religion.”It doesn't disturb me at all. One family that runs the Exxon station down the road might be Islamic, but they may not be. I don't know. The women dress in Western clothing and seem quite comforable selling beer and Jack's Links sausage, so I'm not concerned that they are a problem. If they were, we'd take our business elsewhere.
But sharia is a political system disguised as a religion. They hate gays,, lesbians, transgendered, the whole LGBTQ EIEIEO crowd and would happily push them off buildings or hang them or whatever other bit of barbarity they can dream up. Women have no rights, and are chattel.
I have a huge problem with sharia, which forms the backbone of the political arm of Islam. Besides, I still have't gotten over the fact that they fly airplanes into buildings.
Remember what William Churchill said:
Winston Churchill 1899: “Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.”If the New York Times wants to live under Sharia, I think that they should try it for a while. But, they'd better be ready to fire all the gays and women. I'm just saying.
Credible?
Much has been made of Dr. Blaey Ford's credibility. I would submit three items that tend to work against her credibility.
1. Fear of flying. Much was made of this early last week, but testimony elicited shows that she flies regularly for fun and profit.
2. The second front door on the home was put there not because she's claustrophobic, but she rents that room out to other practitioners or student/interns.
3. She passed a polygraph, but she coaches others on how to game the polygraph test.
As I mentioned yesterday, she's demanding an FBI interview, and I suspect that she might get one. She might consider, before speaking with the agents, taking the 5th amendment. This might not be a job interview. It might well be a criminal investigation.
Be careful what you pray for.
1. Fear of flying. Much was made of this early last week, but testimony elicited shows that she flies regularly for fun and profit.
2. The second front door on the home was put there not because she's claustrophobic, but she rents that room out to other practitioners or student/interns.
3. She passed a polygraph, but she coaches others on how to game the polygraph test.
As I mentioned yesterday, she's demanding an FBI interview, and I suspect that she might get one. She might consider, before speaking with the agents, taking the 5th amendment. This might not be a job interview. It might well be a criminal investigation.
Be careful what you pray for.
Tuesday, October 02, 2018
Ford's Lawyers Demand Interview
It seems that Dr. Ford's lawyers are demanding that the FBI interview her as part of the FBI background investigation. Yeah, really.
Katz should go pound sand. She should know better than to make demands of the FBI.
"It is inconceivable that the FBI could conduct a thorough investigation of Dr. Ford’s allegations without interviewing her, Judge Kavanaugh, or the witnesses we have identified in our letters to you," attorneys Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich wrote to top FBI officials in a letter obtained by POLITICO.Katz is going to be interviewed soon enough, I'm sure, to testify as to who in Feinstein's office referred Ford to her firm. I don't know why the FBI would want to interview Ford. Her testimony is already on record, and from what I understand, an FBI background check doesn't carry a possible perjury charge, like testifying to the Senate does.
Katz should go pound sand. She should know better than to make demands of the FBI.
Finally, the 21st Century
Finally, the 21st century might be turning out more like I expected.
For more than half a century, rockets have been the only way to go to space. But in the not-too-distant future, we may have another option for sending up people and payloads: a colossal elevator extending from Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 22,000 miles, where geosynchronous satellites orbit.Imagine a huge cable, stretching from Earth's surface to a geosynchronous orbiting platform, with people and payloads traveling the cable, without rockets.
NASA says the basic concept of a space elevator is sound, and researchers around the world are optimistic that one can be built.Let's get after it, fellows! (Then, get to work on my flying car.)
So, She Lied To Congress
Much has been made about the testimony of Dr. Ford being traumatized by the alleged event, even to the point of having two doors on the front of her home, so that she might always have an escape route. Except that:
“The door was not an escape route but an entrance route,” said an attorney familiar with the ongoing congressional investigation. “It appears the real plan for the second front door was to rent out a separate room.”Oh, really, but I thought she testified that she had the door added during a renovation over the wishes of her husband because she always wanted an additional exit route because of the trauma of the sexual assault. Well, maybe not.
Palo Alto city records show that a building permit for an additional room and exterior door was issued to Ford and her husband on Feb. 4, 2008 — more than four years before the May 2012 therapy session where, she says, she first identified Kavanaugh as her attacker.So, she had not told her husband at the time the renovation occurred. It looks like the whole double-front-door story was a lie. And much was made about a legal assumption that if someone will lie about one thing, they'll lie about another thing, which throws the whole testimony into doubt.
Elasticity
Turning away from crass national politics we find a report from Bloomberg Economics that talks about the impact of $100 oil.
Here's the deal with oil. Oil companies exist to make a profit. If it costs $XX.XX to take a barrel of oil from the ground, then if the price falls below t hat cost, t hey turn the pumps off and let the oil stay in the ground. I know of at least one oil field that is sitting idle right now, not because it's dry, but because the price of oil is less than the cost to pump it out of the ground.
Right now, WTI spot prices are at $75.30 and Brent is running at about $84.90. Let the price of oil rise to $100 and all across the US, pumps will whir to life and the supply curve will shift. It's basic economics, and it's all based on equilibrium and elasticity of supply.
The good news is that Bloomberg Economics found that oil at $100 would mean less for global growth in 2018 than it did after the 2011 spike. That’s partly because economies are less reliant on energy and because the shale revolution cushioning the U.S.Elasticity. When the quantity demanded increases, the supply tends to increase and the equilibrium price floats on the new supply curve. That's basic economic theory. It's taught in most college classes in Eco 101.
Here's the deal with oil. Oil companies exist to make a profit. If it costs $XX.XX to take a barrel of oil from the ground, then if the price falls below t hat cost, t hey turn the pumps off and let the oil stay in the ground. I know of at least one oil field that is sitting idle right now, not because it's dry, but because the price of oil is less than the cost to pump it out of the ground.
Right now, WTI spot prices are at $75.30 and Brent is running at about $84.90. Let the price of oil rise to $100 and all across the US, pumps will whir to life and the supply curve will shift. It's basic economics, and it's all based on equilibrium and elasticity of supply.
Monday, October 01, 2018
If You Don't Listen to Anything Else Today
Listen to Ben Shapiro.
The Democrats cannot be allowed to hold power. They simply can't be trusted with it.
The Democrats cannot be allowed to hold power. They simply can't be trusted with it.
Not A Bad Gig
Searching around the internet today, I saw a reference to a GoFundMe for Dr. Blasey Ford. So, I did a quick google. Here's a screenshot.
If I'm reading that right, it's over a half-million dollars to fly across the country and testify to Congress. Who says that there is no profit in victimhood?
Just wow!
If I'm reading that right, it's over a half-million dollars to fly across the country and testify to Congress. Who says that there is no profit in victimhood?
Just wow!
Fear of Flying
We've had the weekend to digest the ongoing drama of the testimony offered by Dr. Blasey Ford last week, and I admit that it was compelling. What, to me, was compelling is her fear of flying. Much was reported in the week prior that she didn't want to fly to Washington from her home on the west coast, because she was afraid of flying. She also testified that she has two front doors on her home because she doesn't want to feel trapped; she wants a way out. I suppose (although I am no psychologist), that this is some form of claustrophobia. Yet, she also testified that she flies for work and vacation. This is inconsistent.
The other thing that bugs me is her attorneys. The Senate reportedly offered to come to her to take her testimony in private and to respect her privacy. During her testimony, I think that she was surprised that they had made the offer. Her attorneys evidently wanted her to testify in public for the maximum political advantage. I'm sure that one of the local bar associations will look into this matter. They certainly did their client no favors, unless they were serving two clients simultaneously and decided to favor one over the other.
I'm hoping that by weeks end, we'll have a better idea of what the FBI finds, but I have no great optimism in that regard. Hopefully, they will also investigate how Dr. Ford's story went from confidential to mass-media-viral. There should be a price to be paid for that particular brouhaha, but again, I have no great optimism that regard either. Dr. Ford was used publicly by her elected representatives for political gain, and that may be the biggest rape of all.
I'm disgusted at the whole lot of them.
The other thing that bugs me is her attorneys. The Senate reportedly offered to come to her to take her testimony in private and to respect her privacy. During her testimony, I think that she was surprised that they had made the offer. Her attorneys evidently wanted her to testify in public for the maximum political advantage. I'm sure that one of the local bar associations will look into this matter. They certainly did their client no favors, unless they were serving two clients simultaneously and decided to favor one over the other.
I'm hoping that by weeks end, we'll have a better idea of what the FBI finds, but I have no great optimism in that regard. Hopefully, they will also investigate how Dr. Ford's story went from confidential to mass-media-viral. There should be a price to be paid for that particular brouhaha, but again, I have no great optimism that regard either. Dr. Ford was used publicly by her elected representatives for political gain, and that may be the biggest rape of all.
I'm disgusted at the whole lot of them.
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