10 Best

I know, it's still in the 90s here, but hope reigns eternal, and before too many more weeks, we'l be able to make a bowl of chili, so I'm going to link this right here so I can find it later.

It's the 10 Best Texas Chilis,  Oay, fine.  Although I'll pass on the turkey chili.  I do notice that they are all red chili,   This may not be Texas chili, but Belle makes a fine white bean chili..  And, we YouTubed it last year, so here goes.



I notice that Belle is wearing her fleece togs, so I'll bet that it was cool in the shop when we were cooking.  I probably had a propane heater going to keep her feet warm.

It's almost chili season, and I can't wait.

Weather Change

Sitting on the back porch this morning, I saw a flight of ducks.  Big ducks, not teal or scaup, but either mallards or pintaails, flying west by northwest.  They were headed either for Catahoula or the Saline/Larto complex.  Two huge duck havens that have been hunted for waterfowl for hundreds of years.

We're still sweltering under high 90s temps, but if the ducks are moving, there is a weather change afoot.  I notice my Facebook buddies telling me that Montana is having a blizzard, which is okay for them, I guess.  It's still too early to break out the flannel shirts here.

I cooked burgers today on the griddle, but I'd rather have been cooking a chili, or a gumbo, or any of the cool-weather foods.  I'm jones-ing to break out the big stew pots.

But, I have to wait.  I have switched over from hot weather vodka tonics to cool weather bourbon.  I'm finding that I enjoy the more highly proofed versions, and right now I'm working on a bottle of Eva Williams Bottled in Bond.  Very nice 100 proof whiskey.

I'll just have to wait for cooler temps, but October will be here next week, and the ducks are moving, so there is hope.

We Voted

Early voting started today, and after a monthly gunfight at the club, and after going to a funeral for a family member, Belle and I took the opportunity to participate in democracy.  We voted.

It was the first time I had ever seen my own name on a ballot so I went ahead and voted for myself.  I'll have to check the precinct totals after the primary election to see if Belle voted for me.  She says she did, but she was in the voting booth alone.  Primary election day is October 12th, but early voting is really easy.  The voting commissioner there tells me that they've had a steady stream of people coming through all day long.

Politicing

I was invited to an event today, a Women in Business conference sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce.  I went and made nice with the conference, talked about my plans as Sheriff.  I was well received, got a few laughs from the audience and maybe a few votes.  It was a good thing.

However, I knew that just a block away was a little downtown pub, Finnegan's Wake.  They were reported to have a pretty good selection of Scotch whisky.  So, I asked Belle to meet me down there for a cocktail after the conference.  After the conference, I walked down to Finnegan's Wake found Belle, ( who had already been served) and asked the barkeep about Scotch.  She poured me a wee dram of something called Bownmore 15.

It's a single malt, 15 year old Islay whiskey.  I'm not sure what I was supposed to taste, but the range of flavors that came out of that dram was amazing.  I know my way around a bourbon bottle, but I was not expecting what I found in that little pour of Scotch.  I still don't know if I like it or not, but it was not unpleasant, quite the contrary.  I believe I may have enjoyed it, but it was way outside my wheel-house.

However, talking politics with the patrons, I learned that I was the first candidate for Sheriff that had darkened their door and the patrons were quite welcoming.  I believe I may have picked up more votes at the pub than I did at the conference, which makes it a double-win.  I got some votes, and I started learning about single malt Scotch whisky.

I'm A'gin It

I have, in the past been critical of the penchant of people to name things after living Americans.  If you want to name a road or bridge after someone, wait until they are deceased and let their legacy be fairly judged. 

There has been a rush, lately, to name things after Barack Obama, and I caution discretion.  As heroic as he is to many Americans, it simply has been too soon to fairly judge his legacy.  However, there is one city in California who is rushing to name a road after Obama, and while I  think it is tongue-in-cheek, I still caution discretion.

Last week in the state of California, the Milpitas City Council voted 3-2 to rename Dixon Landing Road to Barack Obama Boulevard. As much I think the "Put-Obama’s-Name-On-Things" movement is inappropriate because of his terrible record, this latest effort actually is very fitting. Why? Because the road in question leads to the Newby Island Landfill, a recycling and composting plant notorious for causing a "putrid stench" in the area. 

Putrid stench, indeed.  Still, discretion.

Alfredo Sauce

Belle has an Alfredo sauce that goes well with anything.  It's fairly simple.

Alfredo Sauce

Small package chopped onions
Small package chopped green peppers
Tablespoon minced garlic
Small can Original Rotel
Half pint half-and-half
Small can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz standard Velveeta
vegetable oil.

In a cast iron dutch oven, heat the oil, then add onions and green peppers and let them saute.  Those frozen veggies have a lot of water in them, so let then sautee for a a while, and cut your velveeta cheese into small cubes.  About the time the wather is boiled out and the vegies are tender, add the Rotel and let them simmer for a bit, then add the mushroom soup, give it a stir, then the half-and-half, and add the velveeta, stirring to melt it.

That's the basic recipe.  You can add anything to it.  Chicken, seafood,  or tonight, I added some pre-packaged meatballs.  We served it with fresh french  bread as sandwiches.

The boys seemed to enjoy it.  I didn't get any negative feedback.

Basically, all I could hear was chewing.  We could have boiled some pasta ad served it over pasta, but we decided that sloppy sandwiches was the way to go tonight.

Even the old dawg got a ration.  A couple of cut-up meatballs and some sauce, and he licked it clean.    That's how we roll around here at Pawpaw's house.

So, Anyway...

So, it seems that a bunch of school kids has filed a suit in the UN to .... i dunno.... make the climate play nice?  It seems rather odd to me.  But, I guess the old truism applies; you can sue anybody for anything.  Good luck with that.

I note, with some reliance on science, that these kids, who hail for 12 countries, got over here to file suit, and I wonder what the combined carbon footprint was of their travels?  If they had stayed home they would have made a bigger contribution.

And, according to Insty, some publication that calls itself The Conversation is trying to diminish conversation.  That's 5-star irony, right there.

I again note, with some reliance on science, that human beings are carbon emitters, breathing oxygen ad expelling carbon dioxide.  Perhaps these tedious tyrants should just hold their collective breath and see if that makes any difference in the weather.  It would be a start.

In other news, this is officially the second day of Autumn, which doesn't mean a damned thing here in Louisiana.  It's not quite as hot as it was in last week, but it's not nearly time to break out the flannel shirts yet.

Gloom and Doom

Well, folks, it's been a good ride, but it looks like it's over.  We have now screwed up the planet so thoroughly that it will never recover.  We may have 50 years left.  I doubt I have 50 years let, so I won't be around to see it  That's better than the 12 years that AOC gave us.  I may have 12 years left.  I'm glad that we adopted the Green Nude Eel.

I note, as have others that the gloom ad Doom crowd is often wrong.  Maybe that's overly generous.  According to this, they're 0-41.  Nothing they've said yet has come to pass.

The one that makes me laugh, though, is this little gal.  Someone snatched her up from her lessons, brought her to a studio, and gave her a script.  She nailed the outrage.  In another few years, she'll be a proper little leftist.



Whoever gave her that script should be charged with abuse.

Making Likker

I used to watch my Daddy make moonshine, and while we never made it in the woods, the process was the same.  Corn, sugar, yeast, to make the beer, then distill the beer in a homemade still.  We ran a small still, about fifteen (15) gallons at a time, and generally two runs a year.  We were making it downtown, in an abandoned paint booth in an auto body shop  Hundreds of customers walked past that paint booth without knowing a moonshine still was within feet of them.



Moonshine is un-aged, white spirit made from grain, on which the tax is not paid.  If you've paid the tax and have a license, it is called White Dog.  If you age it in a barrel for a period of time it's called whiskey.

These days one can go into a good, specialty store and buy something that's called moonshie, but Dad would tun his nose up at that crap.  Generally, it's flavored and under 80 proof.  It's okay as a neutral mixer, but it's proofed-down to below what comes off a proper 'shie still.  Dad's was somewhere north of 150 proof, cleear as glass, and had absolutely no flavor.

Saturday Afternoon Music

Saturday Sloth

Belle and I have run our errands and are just hanging out today.  Not much going on, and we can do nothing with the best of them.  The one problem with doing nothing is that you're never really sure when you're through.

I do note this report coming out of the Middle East, via Insty:

There are new reports from devout Muslims living in the most repressive and intolerant corners of Islam of appearances of Jesus.

Evidently, something bizarre is going on.  Staunch Christians  are an endangered species in some parts of the Middle East, and reportedly, this is exactly where our Lord is showing up. 

“God is moving inside the Middle East with dreams, visions, and personal visitations,” Yazim told Platt in a voice disguised to protect his anonymity. As an example, Yazim described a Middle Eastern man who claimed to have received an extremely unusual visitor:

This is Good News, indeed.  Hiw will be done.

Gun News

My Facebook feed lit up this morning with news that Colt's Manufacturing has stopped producing rifles for the civilian market.  My first thought was a big yawn.  I have mine, and I'm sure that you have yours.  There is no shortage of ARs in the market.  But then I noticed that the folks celebrating the news are all diehard liberals, so I decided to dig a little further.  I found Colt's official statement: (clipped for brevity).

The fact of the matter is that over the last few years, the market for modern sporting rifles has experienced significant excess manufacturing capacity. Given this level of manufacturing capacity, we believe there is adequate supply for modern sporting rifles for the foreseeable future.

Yep, there is no shortage of manufacturing capacity for modern sporting rifles. Everybody is making them.  I have several Colt's firearms in the inventory, and that fact of the matter is that the only other one I'd like to have is simply out of reach.  I'd really like a NIB Peacemaker in .45 Colt, but I'm not willing to pay gouging  prices when so many other manufacturers are making them.

So, it's back to the big yawn.  If you want a modern sporting rifle (or a 1911, or a Peacemaker), there are lots of other options.  Let the banners express their glee; this is simply a marketing decision by Colt.

Fajitas

This morning before school, I asked the boys what they wanted for supper.  Fajitas!  Okay.  I went to the grocers today and picked up some chicken and other goodies that we needed.  Then came home and sliced the chicken ad marinated it in a good fajita seasoning that grandson Quinton recommended.  Put it in the fridge to marinate.  When the boys got home from school today, we sliced the veggies (onion, peppers, and tomatoes), sprinkled them with that same seasoning, then dropped them on the griddle, along with the chicken and some good local venison sausage.  Then, we drizzled everything with lemon juice and let it fester on that hot iron.

When everything got cooked, we pushed it op to the top of the griddle and started laying out flour tortillas.

Just damn!  That turned out.  I had never used this particular seasoning.

They turned out pretty damned good.

Editing Video

I have learned a lot about video since beginning my political campaign.  Those seemingly effortless videos we see on ouTube and Facebook are a lot harder than they appear to produce.  I'm doing it all myself, from the set to the script, to the editing, and I've found, roughly, that it take and hour to complete a minute of video.

I've been playing with a five-minute video all morning, and I'm still not sure that I have it right.  My quality control (Velle) will e home this evening, so I'll have her watch it and get her opinion and feedback.  I don't post anything online that she doesn't approve before-hand.

Goblin Down

News out of Conyers, GA from yesterday.  It seems that three masked teens tried to rob a man during the early morning hours Monday.  At least one of the teens fired on him, but he was a better shot.



So, three young men lost their lives yesterday, involved in what everyone agrees was a criminal episode.  It's tragic, but not nearly as tragic as if they had succeeded.  The law worked.  What is remarkable about this event is that the homeowner did something that the liberal media tells us is never done.  He used an AR in defense of home and family.  From everything that I've read, it was precisely the right tool for the job.

Warthogs At The Trough

A great photo from Strategy Page:

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, UNITED STATES08.27.2019 - A KC-135R assigned to the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing conducts air refueling operations with A-10s assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group, Moody Air Force base, Georgia. The A-10s received fuel during their cross-country flight enroute to Nellis Air Force base, Nevada. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John Winn)

This aircraft, more than any other, is the one that soldiers love to see  loitering.  The other fast-movers may have their place, but there is nothing quite as comforting as Warthogs overhead.

Ban Vending Machines

It's a specious argument, one that is readily dismissed.  But, it seems that vending machines kill nearly as many Americans as AR-15s do, on average, every year.

Again, analysis regarding the AR-15 — the so-called “weapon of choice” of mass shooters — produces less-than-impressive numbers. Between 2007 and 2018, 173 people were killed by mass shooters using an AR-15, according to a New York Times analysis — roughly, 15 per year. (For perspective, 13 people die per year from vending machines falling on them.) The fearmongering regarding this weapon becomes even more apparent when one considers the estimated 8 million AR-15s currently in circulation — the vast majority of which will never be involved in a crime.

Go, as they say, and read the whole thing, linked above.

Campaigning

That was an interesting forum tonight.  It went way over-time, and the Sheriff's candidates were the last ones to be questioned.  In lieu of a closing statement, they asked us each to encourage our opponents.  They gave us 90 seconds to praise and exhort  our opponents to public service.   I was fourth in line.

The thing about this race is that we all know one another.  We have been co-workers and associates for many years.  It's been a clean race, with very little back-stabbing.  We've all taken the high road.

The first three candidates gave very generic encouragement to all of us to serve the public, take care of the little guy, and live up to the oath.  Then it was my turn.  I walked to the podium not knowing exactly what I'd say, but I launched into the standard rhetoric about service before self, a higher responsibility to the citizens, that sort of thing.

Then, I turned to address the candidates directly.  "How can I encourage my opponents? ... Gentlemen, after this election, I will need to hire a Chief Deputy.  I would like to encourage each of you to apply."

The laughter and applause erupted around the room.  I blew the rood off the place.  It felt very, very good.  There is one other forum before early voting starts on September 28th.  God's will be done.

The Problem

The Democrats have a huge problem, and it begins with that ignoramus O'Rourke, continuing with that bozo, Booker.  Their plan is to have a "mandatory buyback" and the idea that Americans will simply line up and comply.  The evidence suggests otherwise.

In recent years, states including Connecticut, New York, and California have passed laws mandating that assault weapon owners register their firearms. Each has faced extremely low compliance rates: reportedly around 15 percent in Connecticut, and below 5 percent in New York and California. Tony Guglielmo, a Republican state senator from Connecticut, told The Hartford Courant that many assault-rifle-owners were flatly ignoring the law.

They don't have a plan, they have a pipe-dream, and reality has a way of dealing with pipe-dreams.   Booker doesn't even understand the law he talked about in the link above.  He believes that fully-automatic weapons are illegal.  Those of us who know better immediately spotted the inaccuracies in his clip.  I personally know several Americans who legally own full-auto weapons.    They are expensive, and there are regulatory hoops to jump through, but they are legal.

The Democrat plan at this point seems to be:
1. Pass a law banning something they don't like.
2. ???????
3.  Gun Free America

That's not much of a plan, and point #2 is where they are going to run into Murphy's law.  With a low estimate of 12 million affected firearms in circulation in the United Stat es, who do they think is going to pick up all these guns?  Local law enforcement?  Don't count on it.  The National Guard?  Not likely.

What they have done is to excite the base.  And, not the base they intended to excite.  These two fellows have set back gun control for fifteen or twenty years. 

As for myself, not one more law, not one more regulation.  They've gotten all they are going to get from me.  They've unveiled the dream, and I don't share it at all.

More on Beto's Gift

Beto (that ignoramus) O'Rourke, gave America a huge git on Thursday night.  He dropped the veil on the Democrats wet dream.  Confiscate all the AR-15s in the country.  Other Democrats are starting to notice.

Sen. Chris Coons said while he appreciates former Rep. Beto O'Rourke's passion on the issue of guns, it remains to be seen if O'Rourke did more harm than good when he  said he was going to confiscate AR-15s during Thursday's Democratic primary debate.
Coons told CNN on Friday he does not support mandatory confiscation of AR-15s.
"And I, frankly, think that that clip will be played for years at Second Amendment rallies with organizations that try to scare people by saying, 'Democrats are coming for your guns,'" Coons said of O'Rourke's comment.

No, Senator.  Beto said it, and we're not trying to scare people.  We're simply reporting what was said at  Democratic national debate.  We're not trying to scare people.  We are just accurately reporting on what was said.  You want to see the clip, Senator?  I happen to have it archived.



We're not afraid of you, Senaotor, we're disgusted at you.  We think, generally, that the Democratic party over the past ten yeas has become despicable.  You have allowed the fringe to take over what was once a great party.  Nowadays, Democrats are generally laughable.

But, you're right.  I intend to play this clip every chance I get.

Two New Ads

The first, a GOP ad showing the face of socialism..



The second is an ad I cut today, dinging on Beto's rant last night and drawing my "conservative" Democrat opponents int the fray.



Mine may not be as slick as the GOPs professional ad, but I hope that it resonates with voters.

Pancakes

The boys wanted pancakes for supper, and that's no problem.  A little flour, milk, baking powder, and egg, and we have pancakes.  With sausage, choice of syrup, and get a beverage out of the fridge.

Belle, working the griddle.  That thing cooks a bunch of pancakes, fast.

When we turned the boys loose on them, it didn't take long to gnaw through the pile of pancakes Belle had made.

Yeah, he's putting peanut butter on those pancakes.  With cane syrup made locally down the river.

The belly is full, and I'm enjoying a cocktail to aid the digestion.  Tomorrow is another day.

Democrats Selling Guns

The national Democrats are the very best thing that the gun manufacturers can hope for.  They sell guns like crazy.  The Washington Examiner reports that gun sales spiked in August after the national Dems called for more gun control and an expansion on background checks.

Analysts said that it might be the start of a 2016-style buying binge. Then, calls by Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton for gun control and an assault weapon ban led to the highest yearly sales and background checks ever.

Yep, those were heady times.  With the combined assault of Obama, Holder, Lynch, Clinton, et al, to abrogate the 2nd Amendment, Americans bought a hell of a lot of guns.  Now Schumer and Pelosi are driving sales.  They should be on commission.

Regular readers may recall that PawPaw hisself picked up another example in August.  One of my teenage grandsons remarked yesterday that we need to take it to the range to sight-in.  He's right, and we'll take care of that very soon.

Campaign Finance Reporting

When you run a political campaign, finance reporting is a requirement, and the Louisiana Board of Ethics has certain dates that are set in stone.  Don't miss it.

I haven't missed a report yet, but it's something I have to stay on top of.  Along with everything else.  I'm just saying.  If I'm reading the literature correctly, I have three more reports to tun in by the end of the campaign.  The election date is October 12th.

Brenda Potatoes

Forty years ago, my good friend Brenda gave me a recipe that I'd forgotten about.  It was a staple around the house for twenty years, then I forgot about it.  Today, I was out in the shop, casting about for something to cook with a meatloaf, and thought about Brenda Potatoes.  Oh, it's good with meatloaf.  Potatoes and onions baked in butter and cheese.

Brenda Potatoes

5 lb russet potatoes,washed and scrubbed.
1 large yellow onion
Salt, pepper
Margarine (tub butter)
2 cups grated cheese.  Your choice.

Prep

Scrub those potatoes and cut them into circles.
Peel the onion and cut it into rings.
In a large Dutch oven, coat the inside liberally with tub butter.
Layer potatoes, onions, seasoning between layers.  Continue until you're finished, then add the cheese across the top.   Put the lid on the Dutch oven and bake at 375 for one hour.

Bon apetit!

The Wal Mrt Brouhaha

Like many of you, I've followed the brouhaha over Wal Mart deciding not to sell certain guns and ammunition.  I think that it is silly and short-sighted, and don't believe that it will help business, quite the contrary.  However, that's their business and I have nothing to do with that.  I shop at Wal Mart infrequently, simply because it is inconvenient to shop there.

There are several large chains where I shop regularly that doesn't sell guns or ammo.  I spend a lot more money at the Dollar General down the road.  They don't sell guns or ammo.  My local auto pars house doesn't either.  For that matter, I don't recall seeing ammo on the shelves at my favorite grocers.

None of my readers doubt that I am a fervent 2nd Amendment supporter.  I believe in the whole Bill of Rights.  I believe that I have certain rights, regardless of where I live, whether in rural Louisiana, a suburb of a large city, or (God forbid) in downtown Manhattan.  But, I also believe that any business has the right to do business the way they see fit.  There are still stores in town that sell ammo, and I know where they are.  There are also online stores that sell ammo, and they are only a click away.

let Wal Mart do what Wal Mart will do.

Ralph Sets Them On Fire

My congressman (LA 5th District).  We love Ralph here in central Louisiana, because he is a veteran, an aviator, a veterinarian and a medical doctor.  He hasn't been in politics long, but he's making waves.  He's also running for Governor.

One of his ads has twisted the LGBT crew into knots.  They're calling him incendiary.  But, let's take a look at the ad and judge for ourselves.



Personally, I don't see anything remotely "incendiary" in that ad.  It sounds to me like plain common sense.

Converstions Over Lunch

Sunday lunch around here is quite entertaining.  Belle and I invite friends and family, and today, was quite enjoyable.  The menu was pork chops with rice,  purple hull peas, okra and tomatoes , and cornbread.  Assorted soft drinks.

Today, in addition to the children and grandchildren, we had a Registered Nurse, an old cop, a PhD educator, and a pharmacist.  Oh, and a prison correctional officer.  An eclectic group.

After lunch we were talking about past jobs, and bar tending came into the conversation.  I told them about a cocktail I used to make at the country bar where I bar tended.  The Colorado Bulldog.  Of course, the ladies demanded that I get up and make a round.  Because... cocktails.

COLORADO BULLDOG

1.5 oz vodka
1.5 oz coffee liqueur
1.5 oz Irish cream
Milk
Coca-Cola.

In an 8 oz cocktail glass, add ice and the booze.  Fill nearly to the brim with milk, then add a skim of Coca-Cola to the top.  Shake or stir.  Be advised that this is a three-shot drink, so pace yourself.

The Hunt Continues

According to the Army Times, the service is looking at next-gen replacements for the M4 and M249 SAW.

Chambered in 5.56mm, the M4 and SAW has a lethal range of about 300 meters, service officials have said.
The new rifle and automatic rifle must be able to engage targets out to 600 meters, industry insiders say.
“This is a weapon that could defeat any body armor, any planned body armor that we know of in the future,” former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley has said. “This is a weapon that can go out at ranges that are unknown today. There is a target acquisition system built into this thing that is unlike anything that exists today. This is a very sophisticated weapon."

The M16 was first adopted in 1964 and the variants of that system are familiar to anyone who humped a rucksack since then. The platform in the semi-auto version arguably one o the most popular rifles in the US.  I grew up with it and my grandson is learning to use one.  THe rifle has been in service for 55 years.

I wonder what they're going to come up with?

Dog Days

Here in hot, humid, Louisiana, we are in the dog days of summer.  It's hot.  And, don't let the fact that it is dry convince you that the humidity is low, quite the contrary.  With the heat, the lakes, bayous, rivers and swimming pools are evaporating.  Late afternoon humidity runs about 80%.  Here is the weather screen for today and tomorrow.

With temps in the triple digits, we'll do well to stay indoors during the worst of the afternoon.  It's hot, by Gawd, and as Belle is apt to say. "Let's go inside.  It's cool in there, and we pay extra for that."

That Candidate Forum

On August 27th, the realtors association hosted a forum for Sheriff's Candidates.  It's a little long, but I wanted to capture it.  LINKY HERE:

When my tech support gets a few minutes, I'll have him save it.  But, anyone who wants to watch it is welcome to click the link.  It's two hours.

Arrow v Armor

Great video of archaic weapons v archaic armor, vis a vis Agincourt.



I figured the arrows would have penetrated, but I'd be wrong.

Lying, or Just Stupid

Ol' whatshisname, Smollette is back in the news.  Evidently the city of Chicago is billing him for his failed excursion into racial politics.

Look, when he made his preposterous claim, even I didn't believe him.  When the news broke, I did a shallow dive into the available coverage, and was like: "WTF?  That didn't happen!"   The story just didn't add up.  As the investigation (ad the media coverage) ground on, it soon became apparent to anyone with two firing synapses that the only person guilty of anything was Smollett himself.

Now, it seems, the city of Chicago is suing Smollett for the cost of the investigation.  His defense?  He didn't now that the city would actually investigate.

But the latest court filing contends even if Smollett did make a false report, there is no way the city can assert he would have known the city would investigate — and investigate it to the extent cops did.

C'mon, Jussie.  Everyone knows that the police were going to investigate.  Fire your lawyers, pay the fine, and get on with your life.  At this point, you're a laughing stock, even to Dave Chappelle.



It's over, Jussie.  It was a bad idea then, it's a bad idea now. 

San Fran Goes Bat Guano Crazy

According to recent reports, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has declared the NRA a domestic terror organization, and says that the NR incites acts of violence.  I shit you not.

The resolution, which passed Tuesday and says the U.S. is “plagued by an epidemic of gun violence,” accuses the NRA of using “its considerable wealth and organization strength to promote gun ownership and incite gun owners to acts of violence.”

 This is ludicrous.They need a bogey-man and the NRA is a convenient target.  I understand that the NRA responded to this shameless slander against five million patriots.

"This ludicrous stunt by the Board of Supervisors is an effort to distract from the real problems facing San Francisco, such as rampant homelessness, drug abuse and skyrocketing petty crime, to name a few,” the statement said, according to  KTVU. “The NRA will continue working to protect the constitutional rights of all freedom-loving Americans."

The Board of Supervisors just slandered me.  I am the NRA.

Weather

While the east coast is focused on Hurricane Dorian there is a lot going on in the Atlantic basin.  Three named storms are rumbling around, and each bears watching.

Dorian is whacking the east coast, while Ferdinand is going ashore in Mexico.  Gabrielle is ginning up in the mid-Atlantic.  September and October are the height of the hurricane season and we will continue to watch this map closely.

Locally, it's hot and dry.  Very hot, very dry, and we'll adjust our routines accordingly.

Okay, You're Crazy

David Cicilline is the Dem rep out of Rhode Island.  He does the tweets and shows that he's an idiot.

Everybody is calling him crazy.  I haven't been following it, but I understand that the Odessa shooter was a 2nd felony offender, who bought his AR at a private sale.  It's regrettable, but it shows that criminals don't obey gun laws.

And, that David Cicilline wants us to call him crazy.

Jameson

Wandering through Sam's Club today, I happened upon the liquor aisle, and looked at a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey.  I've never sampled Irish whiskey, but I know that Jameson is supposed to be the gateway to the type.  At 40% ABV, it's not an especially strong whiskey.  While I do drink 80 proof, I prefer something with a bit more heft.  Still, I dropped it in the buggy and took it to the checkout.

The bottle I brought home was the big one, not the 750 ml, and I reckon that if I don't like it, I can always serve it with ginger ale.  But, getting home, I poured a wee dram into a glencairn.  Light and sweet on the nose, I detected a hint of sweet-bread cookie.  It stayed light on the tongue and went down easily.  Not at all complex, but very friendly.  Very nice indeed.  I've heard that folks like it with ginger ale, and I can imagine that it would be almost effortless.

It's not nearly as complex as some of the bourbons I keep in the cabinet, but it doesn't rough-you-up like some of those bourbons do.  I wonder why I wanted so long to pic up a bottle?

Osprey Rappel

Rappelling is a technique  of vertically traversing a distance by using rope.  Below, a Marine departs an Osprey using this technique.

AUG 19, 2019 A U.S. Marine with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion rappels out of an MV-22 Osprey during helicopter rope suspension technique training at the parade deck on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan

I learned to rappel in the '70s when I was playing with the Air Cavalry.  I've never departed an Osprey, but I have departed from Huey's using this technique.  It's a very cool way to get out of an aircraft when for some reason, the aircraft can't actually land.

Labor Day

Labor Day used to be a big deal.  First recognized in 1894 as a holiday celebrating the American labor movement, it was a day off for workers.  In this modern era of 24/7 commerce, Labor Day is mainly a day off for government workers.  Some government workers.  Police, fire and public safety professionals are working today.

I was surprised this morning to see the garbage-men working.  But, around here, the waste company is a private concern, not beholden to government. 

Back in the '50s my dad was a union hand, and some of my earliest memories are at the huge barbecues the union threw on Labor Day.  I probably drank my first Nehi Grape at a Labor Day barbecue.

I'm off today because I am retired, and the grandsons are still abed because it is a school holiday.  So, today is just another day.  Belle happens to be off today, and we'll spend it puttering around.

Fascinating Conversation

It's long, but it's really interesting.



This is good stuff.

Love a Happy Ending

From the Virginian-Pilot.

He walked into a Virginia Beach 7-Eleven for a Big Gulp. He ended up shooting 2 robbers, killing 1.

This guy, who was down on his luck, but working through it, did everything right.  He ended a potentially horrific robbery,  protected the clerk and other customers, and did his best to secure the scene.  Then the realization set in.

“You just shot and killed somebody in 7-Eleven. You just told these people to call the cops and they’re coming. You got to stand here and wait for them. Of course, you can’t be standing here with a gun in your hand. You’re a black man with a gun. You’ll probably get shot.”

 “I said to the clerk, ‘Look man, I’m removing the ammunition from my gun,’ and I made sure he knew where all the guns were.

“He was like, ‘Man, you’re my hero. You need a Gatorade or anything? Anytime you come in here, you’re good.' And I was like, ‘Thanks, but the cops are here now and we got to put our hands up.’”

Our hero was not charged.  He was released by police after a round of questioning.   It's a cautionary tale:  If you have to shoot someone, you will probably be detained and questioned.  It is part of the process and you need to understand that.