Lest We Forget

With all the Biden-Harris talk of the great economy, it's time to revisit that old commodity that we all use on a daily basis.  Unleaded gasoline.  It has been my habit to take a photo at the gas pump on the last day of a president's term and compare it to reality later.  So, here is a picture I posted a while back.

As you can see, when Trump left office, unleaded gasoline at my favorite station was $1.979.  Below, a photo I took today at the same station.

Gas is still considerably higher than it was the day Biden took office.  That is complete and total failure.  Only one of many failures from the Biden cabal.

After I filled the car today, I went to the grocers, bout a 5 lb bag of potatoes, two pounds of sausage, and one bag of peanuts in the shell.  Over $20.00.  The Biden cabal might be touting a low inflation rate, but that only means that prices are steadily rising.  Unless I'm missing something.

Bears In The Air

It seems that yesterday, NORAD intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers closing on the Alaska Air Defense Zone.

NORAD detected, tracked, and intercepted two Russian TU-95 and two PRC H-6 military aircraft operating in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 24, 2024. NORAD fighter jets from the United States and Canada conducted the intercept.

They never crossed into our airspace, but the timing, just ahead of Biden's address, seems to send a message. We are not the only ones watching this election. 

Outrage

 I took my Mom to a routine doctor visit this morning.  I was off the net.

Got home, and turned on the computer.  I see that Cheatle has resigned.  Because no one would fire her.  Good riddance.  The Secret Service needs a complete overhaul, and they have to do it without a "stand down" period.

I also understand that DHS Sec Mayjerkus was outraged over the treatment of Cheatle yesterday in Congress.  He can be outraged.  No one gives a shit.  If this had never happened, we would not be talking about it at all.  It did happen, and we are outraged.  The failures of the security detail were covered on live TV for everyone to see.

I don't give a shit what Mayjerkus thinks.

Tradecraft

 In the early 1980s, there was a nationwide problem in law enforcement.  President Reagan came into office and solved that problem with is institution of Peace Officers Standard Training.  Federally mandated training that every cop must have, from the village marshal to the FBI.  Everyone.  Basic knowledge that every police officer must have.

Yesterday I watched most of the testimony of the Secret Service director, Kim Cheatle, and I was struck by how poorly she had prepared for the inquisition, and her apparent lack of basic tradecraft.  She could not answer very basic questions, like how many agents are assigned to the Trump detail, how many  were on duty at the time of the assassination attempt and why the glass building was unsecured.,  She didn't know how many shots had been fired, nor how many pieces of spent brass were found on the roof of the building.

She had no timeline, which is freely available from public news sources.  The timeline ain't a secret, it was broadcast live on television.  The fact that she didn't have a timeline is utter incompetence.

In short, she appeared totally clueless, totally unprepared, and totally unserious about the assassination.  She should be totally unemployed.

Mad Scramble

 After Joe's cowardly letter from yesterday afternoon, the Dems are in a mad scramble to put together a ticket.  We haven't seen the President, for all we know, the coroner is working on him.  Just the letter.  The manly thing to do would be for Joe to show his pasty face and tell us he isn't running.  So far he is a no-show.

Whether or not Kamala is the pick is yet to be seen.  And who the VP pretender might be.  It's all up in the air.  We're hearing lots of stuff, and the news will shake out eventually.  This morning, the Democrat party is a sh*t show.

It won't be a Harris-Newsome ticket.  That pairing has the same constitutional trouble as a Trump-Rubio ticket.  No rational candidate would throw away that many electoral votes.  The news will change 30 times today, and will appear to be utter chaos.

Kamala is the safest bet.  Other wise they disenfranchise everyone who voted in the primary. Today the largest threat to democracy is the Democrat party itself.

Biden Dumps

 It's Sunday afternoon, and I'm just learning that Joe Biden just took a dump on the Democrats.  He's out, done, fini.  Kamala is the heir apparent. He'll serve out his tern, because someone has to pardon Hunter, but he ain't running for a second term.

The Democrats are in complete disarray and the coming days may well tell the tale.  It will be interesting to see what they do at their convention.

What will the Democrat ticket look like?  Only time will tell.

Houston

 I see that the news-critters are reporting that Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas is deceased. Thirty-three years in the US House, she was a colorful soul, and Momma told me to never speak ill of the deceased.

To paraphrase Mark Twain, I will not attend the funeral, but that does not mean that I am opposed to it.

The Memes

 New recruiting ad

'Nuff said.

Plumbing

 I don't even like to say that word, but yesterday we noticed a lead under the sink in the kitchen.  That fixture was installed when the house was built n 2001and it was leaking, so I put Belle in the car and we went to Lowe's.  It has always been my practice to let the lady pick out the fixture she wants, and that practice has served me well.

Have you ever laid on your back under a kitchen sink, and cussed and cried trying to get tools between the basin and the wall, trying to disconnect a plumbing fixture?  Mo too.  This morning, I said "the hell with it" and went to a local place that specializes in plumbing.  I told the tech what I was doing, and be brought out a Ridgid EZ Change Faucet Tool.

This thing is the cat's meow.  It's basically an updated basin wrench.  The job still ain't fun, but there is a whole lot less cussing.  Tightening the supply lies to the faucet is easy-peasy.

If I had known I needed this tool, I might have done a little research.  It worked great, but I could have saved a few bucks  But, when water is running across the kitchen floor, it is no time to quibble over cents.

What's Up, Joe

 Running around this morning listening to talk radio, the news seems to be that Joe is being pressured to drop out of the race.  Evidently the pressure is ratcheting up.  Will he go?  Who knows?

A brokered convention would be a show-stopper  Would Kamala be at the top of the ticket?

Personally I don't think it would help.  The Democrat brand is damaged and the party is fractured  I don't know if even Michelle Obama could turn it around, or if she wants to.  Maybe they consider that this election could be lost, and prep someone for 2028.  Who knows what they are thinking?

If Trump wins, and that is looking more likely by the day, his era will be over in 2028.  The Dems have time to rebuild the bench and come up wiht a plan that does not consist entirely of Not Trump.

Bad News

It looks like Google is cancelling Hickock45 because... firearms.

Hickock45 and his son have been a huge resource.  We hope they figure out a way to move forward.

Have You Noticed?

 Trump was shot on Saturday.  Today is Wednesday

No rioting, no American cities burned.  No shops looted.

The Democrat machine is worried about retaliation.  Yet, there is no proof that anyone is going to retaliate about anything.

Secret Service director Cheatle is spouting bullshit.  Her "slant roof" alibi is utter nonsense.  The lunatic managed to use it, but it was unsafe for her counter-snipers?  Horse shit.

Have you noticed that no rioting has occurred?

Interesting

 Commenter Drew458 says

law enforcement says rifle is a DPMS AR-15 in 5.56, purchased by Cooks’ father over a decade ago. No other info. 

Interesting.  I happen to own a DPMS Model A-15.  I picked it up 2015-16 from a pawn shop.  I think I gave $300 for it.  It's a low-end AR with no frills.  No sights, no dust cover, no forward assist.   It has a middling trigger and is a flattop.

Mine is multi-caliber, marked on the receiver.  Both 5.56 and .223 run through it just fine.  It's not a high-end AR, quite the contrary.  It's the budget model, but it serves me just fine.  Mine has a Vortex red dot that cost about what the rifle did. As it's set up, it is capable of 3 minutes, probably better with a better trigger, better optics, and a better shooter behind the stock.

Questions

 We now know that President Trump has picked Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.  

We still don't know what rifle the shooter used against Trump and the crowd on Saturday.  We're told that it is an AR style rifle, purchased legally by the shooter's father.  We're told it was chambered in 5.56.  We don't know who manufactured it, nor whether he used an optic. I have heard that it only had iron sights on a rail, but I have no confirmation of that, one way or the other.

We still don't know why May-jerk-us still has a job.  He's hiding behind the tired old canard of "active investigation" to avoid answering questions.  He's worthless, and has been since he hired on.  The man has no honor at all, but Biden doesn't fire anyone.

If anyone has any info on how the rifle was kitted out, let me know.  The rarest AR in the world is the one that is bone-stock.  Curious minds, etc.

Trace

 I recall a time when I was training soldiers.  It was a beautiful morning and we were running a qualification range for the 1911. The sun was behind us and the targets were well lit, a perfect scenario.  From the tower, I began to pick up glints of copper as the bullets went down range.   They looked like angry bumblebees, steaking toward the berm.

In other times, I've been able to watch the trace of a bullet as it goes downrange.  There are those odd times when the combination of light and air density and humidity combine to give a visible trace as the bullet passes.

In the photo below, which I cannot couch for, the photographer seems to have caught the trace of the bullet as it passes Trumps head.  The photo is widely circulated and may be enhanced or manipulated, but it may be legit.

Either way, it is a cool photo.  And yes, sometimes we can see a bullet in flight.

I will thank God that President Trump survived, and I will pray for the peaceful repose of those that didn't. The evil act of the lunatic on the roof will reverberate long after we forget his name.

Tree of Liberty

 Three people were injured at the Trump rally by gunfire from the lunatic on the roof.  One dead on the scene, two injured. Those three have watered the tree of Liberty with their own blood.  Let us not forget the role they played, and the sacrifice they made.  I'm sure that we will learn their names in the coming hours or days, 

If Biden has any honor left in his decrepit body, he would immediately award then the Presidential Medal of Freedom. They are much more deserving than the political hacks who seem to get that medal.

Aftermath

 I'm watching the news about the Trump shooting.

Political violence is never the answer.  The shooter is to be condemned in the strongest terms.  We don't know who he is at this point.

CBS is calling this a "strategic failure" of the security detail.  I'm not going to blame the security detail.  There may have been a failure, but I know how these things happen.  This is the shooter's fault.  I understand that the shooter is dead, but we don't yet know who he was, which tells me that he wasn't a Republican.

Now is not the time for retribution.  We'll take that in the ballot box.  I'm just now hearing that the shooter was 200-300 yards away, using an AR style rifle.  We'll learn more later.

What strikes me as odd, CBS is not referring to the AR style rifle as a "high powered" cartridge.

Here is waht I'm listening to right now.

As we learn more, I'll have more.  I'd really like to learn how they reveal the identity and background of the shooter.

We'll learn more tomorrow.

Donald Trump Survives Assassination Attempt at Rally - LIVE Megyn Kelly ...

This Madness, This Cycle

Between normal day-to-day, and going to the doctor's office, I am struck by how weird this election cycle is getting.  It's so weird that even the Babylon Bee is stymied.

Every Republican I know wants Joe to stay in the race.  Popcorn sales are up, we're just watching the steady decline of a man who has won the Democrat nomination, fair and square.  Yet, there is an active coup d'état among the mainstream media, Hollywood, and some members of Congress.  It's stunning to watch.

Biden went through the primary process, say about it what you might, but he won the delegates.  He deserves the nomination.  Yet, they are actively plotting against him,   Trying to disenfranchise millions of voters who pulled the lever for Biden.  This is the party that tells us that democracy is at stake?

Trump, on the other hand, is simply sitting back, watching this unfold.  To paraphrase a great military mind, Never interrupt your opponent when he is destroying himself.

I really ned to run to the store and pick up some more popcorn.

It's Messy

 Joe's campaign is falling apart, even after the Monday letter where he doubled-down on staying in the race. Reports are coming in that Dr. Jill is the stumbling block, keeping Joe in the race.  She doesn't want to go.

It appears that the Democrat establishment is coming more closely to the simple fact that Joe no longer has what it takes to lead the country, much less to beat Trump.  The entire Democrat establishment has enabled this old geezer to get as far as he has gotten, but the debate two weeks ago showed the world that Father Time has caught up with Joe.

Joe told George Whathisname that only a message form God would take him out of the race.  Joe has a hgh-stakes presser this afternoon.  Everyone is going to be watching for any crack inthe armor, but I suspect that the armor has worn thin.  Joe still has the delegates, but later today it may become apparent to every delegate that they cannot in good conscience cast a vote for Joe.

Democracy is messy.  The next two weeks smacks of one connotational crisis after another.

I wonder who Trump is going to pick for his VP?  And, if the Angel Gabriel is going to show up at the debate tonight?

Doctor's Appointments

 Nothing major, but a bunch of routine appointments in our near future.  I an the sibling that takes my Mom to her appointments, and I am happy to be able to do that.  Belle has a couple of appointments in the next couple of weeks, and Mom has at least one (I'll have to re-check the calendar), and I have a couple.

This getting old crap keeps us busy, just going to the sawbones offices.  I can recall a ten year period when I never cast a shadow on a medical office.  Come to think of it, this all started after I had been dating Belle for a while.  She's an RN and talked me into going to the doc simply to establish a baseline.

This is all her fault.

The Plot Thickens

 So, the New York Times is reporting that a noted physician who specializes in motor diseases has been regularly visiting the White House.  The guy is the leading doc in Parkinson's disease.  But, the reporting from the White House doc leads to more questions than it answers.

For example:

Instead, Dr. O’Connor implied that most of Dr. Cannard’s visits were related to treating other people who work at the White House. “Prior to the pandemic, and following its end, he has held regular neurology clinics at the White House Medical Clinic in support of the thousands of active-duty members assigned in support of White House operations,” Dr. O’Connor wrote.

First question:  Why do we have thousands of active duty service members assigned to the White House?  I could see a couple of hundred, but thousands? 

Second question:  How many of then have Parkinson's?  Jeez, it sounds like an epidemic?

I sincerely doubt that we have thousands of "active duty members" assigned to the White House, who all have Parkinson's.  A more complete explanation is in order.

Biden Staying In

Driving to town this morning, I heard the news that Biden has told Democrats that he is staying in the race   Here's the deal.  He went through the primary process, and whatever else you may think about it, he won the delegates.  He is the only one who can release them.  It's his decision.  I'm sure that he was counseled by Jill, who really likes living in the White House, and by Hunter, who knows that when Dead retires, the gravy train is over.

Biden is convinced that he is the only person on the planet who can beat Donald Trump.  We all recall that Trump has been in only two political races in his life.  He won one and lost one.

A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for Kamala Harris.  That should make the Democrats sleep better tonight.

Beryl Ashore

 Beryl coma ashore southwest of Houston, TX this morning as a Cat 1 hurricane.  Not a particularly big storm, as hurricanes go.  It is probably a tropical storm as I type this and will quickly downgrade as it passes over land.

For those who have never been in the path of a hurricane, it is hard to imagine how large these storms are.  I went to Google maps and measured a straight line distance.  The eye of Beryl is currently 285 miles from us in central Louisiana but it is affecting our weather here this morning.  As the storm moves north today, we will get a little rain, but we're not expecting much wind.

By tomorrow, tis thing will be a remnant, dumping rain on the Midwest.

Constitutional Carry

 As one commenter noted, on July 4th, Louisiana became the 29th state to adopt Constitutional Carry.

Very nice to find out that Louisiana is now the 29th constitutional carry state. Somehow the tv news media here in the NE missed this story completely!

Honestly, it wasn't much of a story here either.  Louisiana is so very gun-friendly that this law was more of a hat-tip to culture than anything else.  It certainly won't change behavior.  

Beryl

 Storm Beryl is barreling toward the Texas coast.  By all appearances, it should make landfall near Matagorda Bay and promptly devolve into a rain maker.  Landfall is expected sometime during the overnight hours.

 Beryl is still a dangerous storm, but it should move fairly quickly, bringing rain to most of Texas and then north towards the Midwest.

The Morning After

 The morning after our national birthday celebration, we awaken to another hot, summer day.  The news is filled with a hurricane about to slam into the Yucatan peninsula and how long Biden will stay in the race.

There is nothing I can do about either of these issues.  However, I do understand that tonight ABC News will air an interview with our President.  That might be interesting, although I can't imagine that it will be unedited.

There are plenty of calls for the President to step aside, but I am struck by the number of pundits who have done the research and say that state laws and federal campaign laws are starting to catch up to the process, and every day that a decision is delayed makes it that much harder to change course.   Like a hurdle race where the farther you go down the track, the higher the hurdles get.  At some point it will be impossible to clear the hurdle. The campaign money is Joe's to spend, and the delegates are Joe's to keep or release.

This bleeds over to the Republican side too.  Donald Trump may well choose a running mate hased on who his opponent might be. The uncertainty of who the Democrats might eventually choose creates uncertainty everywhere.

Independence Day

Strong words from resolute men.

 When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Paul Harvey ~ The signers of the Declaration Of Independence

Where is Beryl Going?

 Shot answer, we don't know.  The models are all over the place and changing constantly.  What we do know is that the models will change and the hurricane will go where it will.

This is today.  Tomorrow might tell a different story.  I've seen models that take it into Louisiana, I've seen models that take it into Mexico.  This will firm up over time.

Rulings

 The Supreme Court published a decision today that ex-presidents have presumed immunity for official acts.  This covers Trump of course, as it will cover all ex-presidents.  I feel that this is the correct interpretation. of our Constitution.

Not everyone feels this way.  Some lunatics are saying that the only way to stop Trump now is through violence.  The very thought should give his security detail something else to consider.

We learned this weekend that Creepy Joe is doubling down on staying in the race.  His apologists are now saying that the debate disaster was just one bad night.  We've all watched aged relatives go through their final years, and there comes a time when the family is forced to take the keys away.  The fact that Joe has the nuclear football doesn't strike me as a comforting idea.

If Joe persists in running, we all know that a vote for Biden is really a vote for Kamala, and that thought makes me want to get up and pour a stiff drink.

Protractors

 If you've ever used one of these, we were soldiers in the same Army.  They were ubiquitous in the combat arms.  Supply rooms had stacks to them.  Cheap, easy to use, absolutely indispensable to maneuver branches, these things were simply everywhere.

This must be a new edition.  I've never seen this printing.  You may have to click the picture to get the full translation.

Heh.  I would have had a lot of fun with this edition.

Our Constitution

 The 25th Amendment is pretty interesting.  I'm going to leave Section 4 here for quick reference.

Section 4

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

We may need to refer to this in the near future.

Here Comes Beryl

 Checking the National Hurricane Center, we see a tropical storm that should become a hurricane very shortly.  This storm seems to be following a patch that will bring it into the Gulf of Mexico by late next week.  Of course, anything could happen and we'll keep checking.

We'll keep a weather eye on this one.

Who Is In Charge?

 Asking this question 36 hours after the CNN debate, we have to wonder:  Who is running the country?

What we saw was a sitting President in deep decline.  He was incoherent, had trouble maintaining a line of thought and seemed to be confused and disconnected.  His wife had to lead him off the stage.  This was no deep fake, or crafty editing job.  This was mental decline on plain display for the entire world to watch.

So, we have to ask, who is running the country?

We can draw an historical precedent to the end of the Woodrow Wilson presidency.  But this is not 1919 and Dr. Jill is not an elected official.  If the cabinet were not comprised of cowards and YES men, we might see the 25th Amendment invoked, but don't bet the farm on that happening.  Blinken, Majors's, et al, are happy to keep things the way they are.  Why upset the apple cart?

So, we ask again.  Who is in charge?  The nation deserves an answer.

Concerns

 I watched parts of the debate last night.  Joe clearly did not dominate.  If anything, he underperformed.  Trump had a pretty good night.  Last night, the buzz was about Democrat panic.  We'll see how long that lasts, or if they will come together to do the right thing and put Joe out to pasture.

This one screen grab from Fox News seems to capture the concerns that the Democrats have this morning.

From what I understand about the process, even if the cabinet gets together and invokes the 25th Amendment, the delegates at the convention are still pledged to Joe, and we would have the dystopia of him being removed from office and still being the party nominee. 

I knew ranchers who would keep an old horse around the place just because he was a good old horse.  But, they never let him run races.  It looks like the Democrats kept this old horse around too long.

The Debate

 I understand that Trump and Biden are going to debate tonight.  That's great.  I won't watch it tonight, but I will check the highlight reels tomorrow.

We have some people coming over tonight, and I'm serving pulled pork sandwiches and chips.  Just a light snack while we load 5000 rounds of CFDA ammo for our match in early August.  It should be a lot  of fun.

The trophies are ready, and I need to pick those up today.

I have places to be and people to see.  I'd best get cracking.

Potato Stuff:

I watch Bruce Mitchell's cooking channel, and when I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it.

I made a few changes, cooked it in a skillet on the stove top.  I par-boiled the potatoes while I got the meat and veggies.  Still, it turned out good, and Belle thinks we need to keep it in the rotation.

Potato stuff, it's whats for lunch.

Pastalaya

 It's a recipe I haven't played with much, but Belle wanted me to give it a try, and I did.  Kind of like jambalaya, but with pasta instead of rice, it is something different.  I'm not through with this recipe, so I'm not going to post it, but if you are interested, go over to YouTube and search for "platalaya".  You'll get a hundred different recipes.

I need to adjust proportions, and Belle wasn't crazy about the pasta.  She would prefer shells or bow-tie, but I used what was available.  It's still good, just not where I want it.  Next time, different pasta, less water.

Heat Wave

 I hear that some are complaining about a heat wave.  Today, we had a temp of 98F with a chill factor of 109.  Summer is upon is, and air conditioning is a real thing.

When I was growing up, we didn't have air conditioning.  We had an attic fan and a big shade tree in the back yard.  Dad didn't put central air in the house until the summer of 1973, when I left for basic training.

I asked him later about that unfortunate timing, and he said that when I left for basic, he didn't have to feed me anymore, so he thought he could afford air conditioning.

After commissioning, my first official officers' quarters at Knox didn't have air conditioning.

It's going to be a long, hot summer.  As it usually is in Louisiana.

Confessions

 I have a large, statewide competition coming up in five weeks, and our club is the host.  I'll be a bit busy until the first weekend in August, so there is that.

When I get up in the morning, I stumble into the kitchen, pour myself a cup of coffee and go outside to look at the morning.  Then I go inside and look at some news sites on the computer.  I fully expect to see that Joe Biden has passed away peacefully in his sleep and that Kamala has ascended to the big desk.  

That is truly what I expect to see every morning, and I am a bit surprised each day to learn that Joe is still breathing.

Oh, well, maybe tomorrow.

Our Digital World

I love this series of videos.  Frank is a traffic cop out of Pinal County, AZ.  In the first couple of interactions, he talks about our digital world, and the fact that we can store critical ID paperwork on our digital devices.  And, the confusion it creates in law enforcement.

This technology was becoming more commonplace when I retired in 2019 and it drove me crazy.  At the time, Louisiana Law required printed copies of your vehicle registration and insurance certificate.  And, of course, a physical drivers license. In your hand, to present to the cop at a traffic stop.

I understand that it is very convenient to have your ID on your phone, but what if your girlfriend is driving the car?  Does she have proof of insurance?

There are broader, 4th Amendment concerns.  Is it wise to hand your device to a cop?  When you hand your devise to a cop, I could argue that you have given him permission to look in the device.  Is that a good idea?

There a re lots of questions about our digital world, and some of them are best answered by having paper copies of license, registration, and insurance.  I'm just saying.

Celebration

A minor celebration to be sure, but one that i important to the people of the Deep South.  Today marks the day when the first vine-ripened tomatoes come off the vines that we plant each year.  Ours are a little late this year, normally coming earlier in June, but we are just as excited to see them.  There is nothing like the taste of a vine-ripened tomato, one that has traveled less than fifty feet from the vine to the table.

As is our habit, closer to lunch, I will fry some nice thick-sliced bacon.  These tomatoes are destined for bacon sandwiches.

I've Been THinking

 I've been thinking, and drinking whiskey, and those two things lead to some interesting conclusions.

This whole migrant thing is distressing, and before we can deport all the illegals (and there is huge support for that), we have to stanch the flow coming north..  Once the administration changes in January, the President should tell whoever is running Mexico to stop the flow, or we will.  Give then a reasonable period, like 14 days, then start making leaflet drops along the Rio Grande. Tell the residents there to head south and do not cooperate with the cartels.  We're only targeting the cartels.

The idea is to use the Israeli model, and I note that the 1st Cav and the 3rd ACR are twiddling their thumbs at Fort Cavasos.  It's just a road march down to Eagle Pass.  We can't use then against Americans, but we can use them against foreign nationals.  Ask the Afghans about that.  Or, the Iraqis.

Of course, if the Mexican government wants to clean up their act, so much the better.  If they don't, well, the 1sr Armored Division is at Fort Bliss, and maybe they would like to play.

The plan is a little rough, and could use some fleshing-out.  The Army has some assets that I probably didn't use when I was playing 30 years ago, so they might have better ideas, but planning operations was one of my fortes, back in the day.

Juneteenth

 I went to the bank this morning to discover it closed, only to remember that it is June 19th, a holiday of national independence, wherein slavery was abolished in the united States.

The Emancipation Proclamation was published on January 1, 1863.  The 13th Amendment was passed in Congress on January 3, 1865 and ratified in the states on December 6, 1865.

So, where does June 19th come in?  As history records, Union Major General George Granger, on June 19, 1865, ordered that the Emancipation Proclamation be enforced in Texas.

And now you know. Juneteenth was originally a Texas holiday.  I'm just saying.

Let Freedom Ring.

Day 18

 It is June 18, barely starting the hurricane season, and we already have one participant.  Potential Tropical Cyclone One, churning in the Gulf of Mexico.

That cone does not tell the tale. This storm is huge.  The rain we got yesterday in central Louisiana is directly attributable to this system.  The weather weenies are talking about rainfall concerns over a wide area,  including flooding concerns in Houston and Galveston.  This storm is a big mamma-jamma.

Three Felonies A Day

 Back in 2011, Howard  Silverglate published a book that details how, in our current regulatory climate, the average man commits three felonies per day.  It's an interesting work, and details how easy it is for the Feds to find a crime once they have found a person to target.

Now, Fox News is reporting that "experts" say that the Trump trial in Manhattan set a dangerous precedent for future prosecutors who may want to jail ex-Presidents.

No kidding.  When prosecutors pick a target and go looking for a crime, our justice system is in real trouble.

Tipping

Let's talk about tipping for a moment.  For those unaware, in the US tipping is the social norm where a customer gives a server a small gratuity in appreciation of service. Generally, about 20% of the bill. 

It is customary to tip, and some people depend on tips to make ends meet.  I get that, and I generally play along.  However, what pisses me off is when an establishment decides that tipping is an entitlement.  And don't get me started on the little theater where they hand you a tablet and then turn around so that you can add the tip without then seeing.  

Some establishment are real sketchy about how they handle tips.  Especially if you put them on the tablet where the management gets to decide who gets what.  That is sketchy as hell.

President Trump has floated a campaign promise to make tips non-taxable, and I applaud the initiative. Tips should not be taxable.  So, what I have started doing is paying tips in cash.  Let the server decide what to do with it.  If he or she wishes to share it, that's fine.  If he or she decides to pocket it and keep her mouth shut, that's okay too.

This requires a little pre-planning.  You need to keep a little cash on hand.  But, I generally applaud the idea that tips are not taxable.  It's even harder for the restaurant or government to track if the tips are in cash.  Let Freedom Ring.

Smash Taters

No, not mashed potatoes, smash taters  These came about in Cajun country after a big crawfish boil. When you have leftover red potatoes and need to use them.  At a crawfish boil, those little red potatoes get boiled in the crab boil and seasonings, and pick up a unique flavor. 

SMASH TATERS

In a pot, boil your red potatoes in heavily flavored water, using some sort of crab boil or seasoning.  Take them out of the water and cool them on a cookie sheet.  Then, take a drinking glass or coffee cup and smash them.  Get creative.  Top with smoked paprika, garlic powder, parmesan cheese,  whatever your heart desires and your taste buds crave.  Then run them into a 375 oven for about a half hour.

Serve as a side dish with fried fish, or fried chicken, or whatever your main protein is for the meal.

Belle said that today, I kind of "stubbed my toe" on the seasoning, which means they were a little hot, but I didn't notice her culling them.

Cats

 We're talking here about the back yard, garden variety meow cat.  We had a little calico show up on the back portch last spring, and because all calico cats are female, Belle kept saying that she wanted to take her to the vets and get her neutered.  Well, one thing led to another and we didn't get that done and eight weeks ago she surprised us with a litter of kittens.  Four of them.  Cute little buggers, but we got them weaned, and they're doing fine, 

Last night, Belle got out the little animal carrier and had me catch her for a trip to the vet today.  I caught her last night at about dusk, and put her in the cage.  She is outraged.  But, we told her that the vet had told us that she could not have any food nor water for 8 hours before surgery, and that she was getting her tonsils removed.

We took her howling to the vet this morning, and if everything goes right, we'll pick her up this afternoon.

I like having a cat in the yard.  It keeps the mice nervous.

What's Next?

 After the intriguing verdict yesterday, we're left with some questions.  What next?  Well, sentencing will be in about 120 days, and I don't look for Hunter to go to jail.  He's a first offender and this was a non-violent crime. No one got hurt.

What we did learn is that the "laptop from hell" is a real thing.  The FBI has it and it was entered into evidence We also know that Hunter has another trial on the calendar, this one dealing with tax charges. That is supposed to start in September, square in the middle of the election season, and these tax charges may fall closer to Joe than any campaign would like. I look for Hunter to try and cop a plea, which only makes sense.  The FBI has the laptop and tax cases tend to grow tentacles.

This may get very interesting indeed.

Hunter Biden Guilty

 News reports from all over are saying that Hunter Biden has been found guilty by  Delaware jury on all counts.  He was charged with three counts relating to purchasing a frearm while addicted to and using cocaine.  The maximum sentence is 25 years.

The next big question is: will his dad pardon him?

We have to divide this question into two scenarios.  Pre-and-post election.   There is no way in hell Joe Biden pardons him prior to the election.  However, once Joe is beaten and the Secret Service is packing his stuff for a move back to Delaware, it would not surprise me if Joe pardons his boy on the way out the door.

But, everyone is reporting that Hunter was found guilty by a jury.  Well done.

Ditches

I got down in the ditches this morning for the first time this  mowing season.  Finally, the rains have slacked off enough that I was blowing more dust than mud and the yard is mowed from the blacktop road to the front door. 

My front yard is a mix of weeds and bahia grass.  I spent the formative years of my adult life with cows and pastures, so having an immaculate front lawn has never been on my list of goals.  Grass is something to mow, not fret over.  It stops erosion and if livestock isn't eating it, it's more off a liability than an asset.

I have neighbors on either side of me who think that having a manicured lawn is a goal, and I suppose that I make them look good by comparison.

When we move into the place in November 2004, the realtor gave me a sheet of paper that said we had a Homeowners Association.  I put the word out that I would tolerate no foolishness.  I don't know if the HOA is still active, but I've never ben bothered.

But, the ditches are mowed and that is a good thing.  Belle tells me that she is trying out a new recope for lunch, so I'll sit patiently in the expectation that something wonderful is about to happen.

Deliberations

 From what I'm hearing (and I have absolutely no inside scoop) it appears that the jury will soon get the case on the Hunter Biden trial.

Probably the most interesting thing to come out of the trial was the infamous laptop, which was entered into evidence with the FBI testimony that the laptop indeed belonged to Hunter.  This puts the lie to the whole "Russian disinformation" tale and makes those 31 intelligence experts to look like the political hacks that we all know they are.  Every one of those fools needs their security clearances revoked, and a grand jury empaneled to see if they have violated one or more federal laws.

Of secondary interest is what the jury might find.  I feel that Hunter's guilt has been established, but I have long been a fan of nullification.  The jury should try both the facts and the law.  Either way, it is going to be interesting.

Rodeo

The church hosted a youth rodeo last night, and I was in the cook shack, managing a griddle and a two-basket propane deep fryer.  Mainly on that fryer.

You never know what a rodeo crowd is going to want to eat.  Sometimes it's hot dogs, sometimes it's burgers, sometimes they aren't interested in french fries.  Last night it was all about the fries.  Oh, I cooked 100 burgers, but the fryer was running hot from 6:00 till 10:00. Only because we quit cooking at 10:00.

Running a concession stand is work.  I've never been in the restaurant business, but I love to cook, so I don't mind helping out.  It was interesting to push the limits of that fryer last night.  It deserves further study.

Felon

 Now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, it appears that the NYPD is going to revoke his concealed carry license. I screen-capped this from the Gutfeld! show.

Wow!  I get it, but it begs the question:  Would you rather have a President who is competent to stand trial, or a President who most folks believe is incompetent to stand trial?  It's an interesting question.

While I am a staunch 2A advocate, I do note that Trump has Secret Service protection, and is a resident of Florida. He may simply be ineligible for a NY permit.  It's an interesting question.

Horse Soldier

My son sent this to me, and I think it's a catchy little tune.

This Day in History

 I am reminded that 80 years ago today, the western Allies launched Operation Overlord and hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen launched the largest amphibious assault in history to wrest Europe from the grip of the Nazis.

It is stunning to realize that the 18-year-old private who waded from the surf and was lucky enough to make it to seawall would be 98-years-old today.

I am in awe of such men.

Oh, My!

 Did y'all see this?  A truck had a meat spill on a California highway and the traffic never let up.

Oh, that is enough to knock a buzzard off a gut wagon.  Enough to gag a maggot.  Enough to give a coyote the dry heaves.

A Few Thoughts

 Interestingly, in this year of political trials, we see the tragic clown, Hunter Bidden on trial in a Delaware court for the offense of lying on a Form 4473 to purchase a firearm while an addict. This is patently against the law. It should be a slam-dunk for the prosecution.

One of the first pieces entered into evidence was a laptop computer, the infamous "laptop from hell" that Huter left in a computer shop.  We've all heard the story. This is the same laptop that Biden apologists said was a fake, the same laptop that 51 intelligence experts claimed had all the earmarks of Russian disinformation, and the same laptop that the FBI claimed they could not find.  Yet, an FBI agent sat on the witness stand and declared that this particular laptop did in fact belong to Hunter Biden and is strong evidence that Hunter was an addict during the time in question.

This is a very interesting turn.  Were I the defense attorney, I would spend some time plumbing the "chain of custody" on this computer.  This would be a very interesting line of questioning, and might prove useful at other trials.

Next, we turn to the jury.  A collection of Delaware residents who live in a town where Biden is the favorite son.  Some wags are already pointing out the fact that jury nullification is a real thing.  That a jury can look at all the evidence and simply decide that the law is unreasonable on its face and refuse to convict.  As a strong advocate of the 2nd Amendment, some might say an absolutist, I believe that filling out a Form 4473 is an infringement. A minor infringement, but an infringement, nonetheless. So, I admit that I am conflicted on this point.

Regardless, this is an interesting case. A laptop that the FBI could not find for several years is now being used as evidence for a crime that may infringe on a basic constitutional right. The defendant is a huge sleazebag, an entitled son of a corrupt politician.  I hold no sympathy for Huter Biden.  I believe that he is a huge dirtbag who deserves the scorn of polite society.  He is guilty in my eyes, yet it would not bother me if the jury nullified.  Either way, it is a win.

The Border

 We are given to understand that President Joe is going to sign an executive order today that will fix the border problem.  He's pissed off at Republicans for not giving him a legislative solution that the really doesn't need.

All he really need do is to inform DHS to start enforcing current law.  Start locking up illegals and generally put out the message that the joyride is over.  No amnesty, no asylum, and no staying here illegally.  Just go home, wherever that might be.  Put enough pressure on illegals that they flow south across the border just like they came north.

But, he won't do that.  It will be left to the next president to clean up the mess.

Today in History

 I am reminded that 82 years ago today, Chester Nimitz fulfilled Isoroku Yamamoto's prediction that Japan could run wild for six months, but after that had no expectation of success.

There are several reasons why Nimitz won this match, not the least of which is the fact that we had broken the Japanese naval codes.

Rye Whiskey

 Rye whiskey, rye whiskey, rye whiskey I cry.  If I don't get rye whiskey I surely will die.  That's the refrain of an old hilbilly song, and I believe that everyone needs a little rye whiskey in their liquor cabinet.

Today, at the liquor store, I picked up a bottle.  Bulleit 95 Rye, which I think is the quintessential rye whiskey on the market today.

This is quintessential rye whiskey, not because I think that Bulleit makes good whiskey.  I'm not convinced that Bulleit makes any whiskey, but they sure do bottle good whiskey. The juice in the bottle is distilled by Midwest Grain Products (MGP), which is a huge distiller and makes whiskey for a number of brands, both large and small. This whiskey is 95%rye and 5% msled barley.  It has no age statement and is bottled at 90 proof.

Locally, this bottle runs ~$26.00.  A great value.

Tis The Season

I am reminded that today is the last day of May, and that means that tomorrow is the first day of the hurricane season.

 The National Hurricane Center shows nothing for the next 48 hour.

We are in an el Nino pattern, which tends to suppress hurricane activity across the southern US, but that doesn't mean that we can fail to pay attention.  The NOAA is saying that we have an 80% chance of an above normal season, whatever that might be. 

Guilty

 It looks like the jury found Donald Trump guilty, as many predicted.  It's the Democrats wet dream, because now they can claim that he is a "convicted felon".

From what I've heard and read, the the list of reversable error is long and tedious.  The appeals will take a while, and it will certainly not be concluded before the election.

Which puts me in a position to cast a positive vote for a convicted felon.

The Democrats are playing a dangerous game here.  If we make political persecutions and prosecutions part of the normal course of an election, then it should come as no surprise when the other side starts using it as well. What works for the goose also works for the gander.

But, the Democrats will be cheering tonight, partying like it is Super Bowl Sunday.  Let them have their little fun, but when someone starts locking them up in January, I don't want to hear a word out of them.

Deliberations

 The judge gave the Trump case to the jury yesterday, and deliberation began.  The jury had some questions and got clarifying instructions, and eventually was sent home for the evening.  They begin again this morning.

Juries normally do the right thing. Whatever that is at the time. Our jury system is both the strength and weakness of our judicial system.  At the same time, and in equal measure.

I like the metaphor of the question once poised to the football coach about the forward pass.  He reportedly said that "When you throw a football, three things can happen.  Two of them are bad."  Well, our jury system is a lot like that.  We literally never know what a jury might do, and of the three possible outcomes, two of them are bad.

I personally cannot believe that the case has gone this far. There are still questions about what the underlying crime is. If you can't succinctly and simply define the crime, how can you possibly convince a jury? Yet, that is where we are.

The Generations

 I've often been confused about what to call a given generation, mostly because I don't really care, but I was watching a Friday with Frank video and the subject came up, so I paused everything and went to look it up.

Boomer - born between 1945 and 1964

Generation X - born between 1965 and 1980

Millennial - born between 1981 and 1996

Generation Z - born between 1997 and 2010

Generation Alpha - born between 2010 and 2024

It was a simple Google search, and now I have an idea of what we're talking about.

If you're not watching Friday with Frank, he is Pinal County AZ traffic cop, and he is a hoot.

Alternatives

 Since Joe Biden took office, eating at restaurants has become more expensive.  McDonalds is the most common example, but only because they are so ubiquitous.  Let's face it, Mickey Ds is everywhere.

This one short video is an example of an alternative.

Locally, right across the street from our McDonalds is a little restaurant called The Pelican.  It serves a variety of meals from a varied menu.  Last week, Belle asked me to run down to the Pelican and get some fish plates.  Four fried catfish plates, with fries, slaw, and hush puppies cane to just $43.00.  They make a great burger there too, and a burger plate is about $10.00.  Any time I can feed four people for $40.00, I'm all in.

I don't feel sorry for McDonalds.  Or BK, or Wendy's.  They are in a competitive market and they have had a good run.  If they price themselves out of the market, that is on them. Right across the street, another restaurant is doing fine, making better burgers.  They are not as fast as the chains, but they make a better burger.

Taking Chance. A Memorial Day Tribute

It's Memorial Day.

"Mansions of the Lord" | West Point Band and West ...

It's Sunday Morning, with a fitting hymn for this Memorial Day Weekend.

Angel Flight (Radio Tower Remix) - w/ Lyrics

Memorial Day Weekend.

Memories

 Entering full time active duty in 1975, I had the pleasure of serving while the Army used a series of vehicles and equipment that seemed like a good idea at the time, but turned out to be not-so-grand.  Like this abortion.

For your consideration, the M561 Gamma Goat. A six-wheel drive, semi-amphibious vehicle, it carried 1.25 tons and required a two-man crew. It was so loud that the crew required earmuffs. It steered with an articulating hinge behind the engine compartment. Which means that it had a pinch area that was dangerous to stand in.

It was supposed to be a transition vehicle between the jeep and the humvee  By the time we got them, after the Vietnam war, they were mostly worn-out and a danger to anyone driving or standing near one.

Squad Bay Barracks

 A buddy recently asked me if I had ever slept in a wooden, two-story barracks.

Yeah, I've slept in those.  For several years, with 40 of my closest friends.

I've slept in them at Riley, Knox, Polk, and Dix, that I can recall.  At Knox, as a company commander, I was personally signed for eight of those, with a supply room, a mess hall, a day room and an orderly room.  I had quite the little fiefdom.

Any of y'all ever sleep in these things?

Making Waves

 I see that President Trump is going to the Bronx tonight, to rally and gauge the temperature.

No Republican has won the Bronx precincts in my lifetime.  This is a bold move, and you can bet that his advance team has already done some groundwork.  It will be interesting to see how he is received.

I understand that counter-organizers are on the ground as well.    Trump is poking the tiger and this may get very interesting indeed.

Gassing

 There is a bill working its way through the Louisiana statehouse that would remove gassing as a form of execution in the state.

The Jewish community is in favor of this bill.  With their history, I can see why they object to putting people to death using gas. Other folks oppose the death penalty and would remove every form of execution.  For myself, I feel that the death penalty should reman an option.

There are plenty of arguments to be made on both sides of this question.  Both moral and legal.

Belle's Dipping Sauce

 Come lunch time, I was hungry for a chicken sandwich, and I has some chicken tenders I needed to cook.  So, I put them in plastic wrap and pounded them flat, the seasoned them with salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Then, into flour, then an egg was, then into breadcrumbs.  I heated the oil to 350, then dropped them until they were golden brown.

Belle decided to make a dipping sauce, based on a popular restaurant chain.

Belle's Dipping Sauce

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup catsup

5 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon hot sauce (We used something they make at Angola penitentiary.  Y'all probably can't get it.  Use Tabasco, or Crystal, or Frannks.)

A friend dropped by for lunch, and said that the chicken was good, but that Belle had nailed the dipping sauce.  Grandson Zach came out and gave the whole thing two thumbs up.

Of course, your taste buds may differ, adjust to your preferences.  Some say a little celery salt is good, others might use a sprinkle of salt. Make it your own.

Fog and Mountains

 It looks like they have found Raisi's body.  All the footage I've seen shows searchers working through dense fog. Clouds, if you will.  Can't see anything past arm-length.

Chuck Schumer was quick to declare it an accident.  Iranian sources say that American sanctions on aviation equipment played a large part. Linky here as my source for those two tidbits.

Terrain avoidance really is a thing.

Hard Landing

 It seems that the Iranian president's helicopter has crashed in a remote area of Azerbaijan.  Reports are mixed and confused. Some reports say it a "hard landing", which may be a metaphor for a smoking hole in the desert.

I'm told that locals cautioned the rescue teams about entering the area, because bears and wolves us that area to hunt at night.  Hungry bears and wolves could complicate an already confused rescue attempt.

Even if it is Sunday afternoon, I think I'll have a drink and toast this guys entrance into hell.

The Last American Cavalry Charge

Horse cavalry, that is.  Surprisingly, in the Philippines during WWII.

Nova?

 Not the Chevy, an exploding star.  It seems we might be able to see this event in the coming months.

T Coronae Borealis is a white dwarf 3,000 light-years from Earth and will be the focal point of the highly anticipated outburst. It last flashed in the sky in 1946 and is predicted to happen again before October.

You can search YouTube, or NASA for more information. 

Target Maintenance

 In August we host a titled event, and I've already begun getting ready.  Lots of stuff to do, and today I began target maintenance.  Our targets were "thrown together" several years ago, and they have served us fine, but suffer from a lack of maintenance.

Today, I started getting them ready  Degreased then, then took them to the bench, swapped hardware, Changed old bolt heads for new, countersunk screws, and found a conveniently round object to put over the glass when we paint them.

I think that is a lot better. It will certainly be easier to grease the targets between stages, and a new paint job will help make scoring easier.  I got half done today, and I'm charging the batteries on the drill motors.  We'll finish up tomorrow.

Debates

 Newsmax is reporting that Joe Biden and Donald Trump have set the dates for two presidential debates, in June and September. This could be fun.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed Wednesday to hold two campaign debates  — the first on June 27 hosted by CNN and the second on Sept. 10 hosted by ABC — setting the stage for the first presidential face-off in just weeks.

With ABC Hosting, I'm not overly impressed, but if ABC steps out and gets some good moderators, this could be wonderful.  I'm thinking Joe Rogan.  That would be a hoot.

Who do you think might be some good moderators for this shenanigan?

Wednesday notes

 Watching a news show, I learned that the Board of Trustees at UNC-Chapel Hill has decided to move the DEI funding to the campus police.  Wow. That is interesting.  It also sounds like a good idea. From what I've seen from the DEI movement, it is a divisive, repugnant idea that flies in the face of merit-based selection, whether in the public or private sector.  It advances race over accomplishment and is diametrically opposed to the goals of a color-blind society.

In other notes, a commenter recently asked which brand of hot dog I prefer.  If I'm forced to buy a hot dog, I generally buy Ball Park or Nathans.  What I'm more likely to do is buy a selection of good smoked sausage, or bratwurst, or both, and serve them on a bun.

Sausage is a regional thing, but there is no reason to limit ourselves to a particular regional sausage.  A good kielbasa, or andouille will fit nicely on the smoker beside a bratwurst or Hillshire Farms.  If there is one place where diversity is always well appreciated, it is on the sausage grate in the smoker.  Embrace inclusion.

Kittens

 Our backyard cat had a litter of kittens last month, and she has been hiding them under the deck.  With the torrential rains we got this weekend, she moved them to the back porch, which is considerably drier than under the deck.

Belle has been taming them, one at a time.  Here, she has a little blonde one in her lap. There are four kittens, which is plenty.  We'll find suitable homes in a month or so.

Sunshine

 Maybe the rain is over for a while  It started raining on Saturday afternoon, rained all day Sunday, and when I awoke this morning,  I was still hearing thunder.  In the past hour, the skies started to clear and we have sunshine on a Monday morning. That is better.  The back yard is awash, and maybe things can start to dry out.

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I am fortunate to still be able to talk to my Momma.

I have a list in my pocket of errands to run.  The bank, the Post Office, the grocers.  Belle wants a homemade chili-cheese dog for lunch.  I've been with that woman for over 20 years and I've never had her ask for a hot dog for lunch.  A good hot dog is hard to beat, and they have always been one of my guilty pleasures.

Back when we were both working, there would be times when our schedules overlapped.  She'd be working and I was off.  There is a little Indian casino not far from here that had a hot dog stand inthe lobby, and they made great hot dogs. Sold them for one dollar.  Sometimes I'd drive up the road, just to get a hot dog. Or two.  It was a cheap meal that I didn't have to cook. But, I have my list in my pocket and I guess I'd better get busy.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Friday Notes

 I was awakened last night by the god bouncing off the bedroom door.  We were having a wild and wooly thunderstorm and he doesn't like heavy weather.  I got up so that Belle could sleep and went outside to watch the light show.  It was spectacular.

Getting up this morning, I see that the tomato plants took a beating in the storm last night.  They'll be okay, and I'm looking forward to fresh, home-grown tomatoes in the coming weeks.

Scrolling through YouTube reels lately, I'm seeing something that they call First Amendment Auditors or some such nonsense.  These bozos go about filming at places that attract attention to themselves.  Then they get upset when the attention they attract is negative.

The law is, as yet, unsettled.  We generally accept that a citizen can film police.  Indeed, in my last ten years of police work, I not only assumed, but took comfort in the knowledge that my actions were being recorded.  I never had any problem with being recorded, but then I am a First Amendment absolutist.

What I did have problems with are people getting in the way.  If I'm working a scene and someone wants to film, that's fine.  No problem, stay out of the way and film to your hearts content. Just don't get in my way.  What I do not want is some bozo leaning over my shoulder trying to get a better camera angle.  If you are in the way, I'll tell you to move, but I'll only tell you once.

Louisiana Law makes it illegal to interfere with a law enforcement officer while conducting official duties.  What the "citizen journalist" needs to understand is that the police decide who is interfering, not the citizen.  If I tell you to move, you have been warned.

Again, I don't care if you film, just don't get in the way.

Biden Backtracks on Israel

 Joe Biden said yesterday that he would not send munitions' to Israel of the type used offensive operations.

Biden, in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, said that the U.S. was still committed to Israel’s defense and would supply Iron Dome rocket interceptors and other defensive arms but that if Israel goes into Rafah, “we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used.”

Biden acknowledged that “civilians have been killed in Gaza” by the type of heavy bombs that the U.S. has been supplying -- his first validation of what administration critics have been loudly protesting, even if he still stopped short of taking responsibility. His threat to hold up artillery shells expanded on earlier revelations that the U.S. was going to pause a shipment of heavy bombs.

Hamas must be decisively defeated.  Eradicated. The fact that Hamas hides behind the civil population should have no bearing on the  prosecution of the war.  If Hamas wanted to protect its citizens, it could.  Hamas does not want to protect the civilians.

Fridays With Frank

Frank is a traffic cop in Arizona,  He has a YouTube channel that deals with the motoring public.  With 37 years as a police officer, I sympathize with Frank.,  In this episode, he is dealing with impaired driving. Impaired driving of the THC variety.

It's interesting what the cops do these days for THC impairment.  Back in my day, we'd get a urine screen.

Wednesday Mowing

We were busy yesterday entertaining Belle's older brother on the auspicious occasion of his birthday.  

This morning, I'm meeting a friend at the church and we're going to do some mowing.

The news hasn't changed much lately. We're in the middle of an election and the Trump trial is proceeding apace. I did learn yesterday that my  youngest son is at a Firearm Instructors Course so that he can be a police trainer in New Mexico.  That's good news.

Looking at the clock, I see it is time to travel toward the church.  I'll try to catch up with y'all later.

Cheese Steak

 My take on the cheese steak sammich, kind of like that place on the east coast with the Liberty Bell.

Find a nice flank steak and slice it thin.  I then slice the other way, cutting it into small cubes.  Likewise, chop an onion and a bell pepper.  In a medium skillet, melt a pat of butter and drop your steak.  Salt and pepper.  When the meat is about halfway done, add the onion and pepper.  Continue to stir it around until the steak is done and the onion is translucent.  Turn off the fire and add a layer to provolone cheese to the top, letting it melt into the mix.

Serve on a nice po'boy roll.  It's what's for lunch.

Weather Monday

 Awoke this morning to fog on the back porch. Mild temps, no breeze.  Still, foggy air.  Went inside with my coffee and sat down at the computer.  Clicked on weather.  It's going to be humid today.  No shit, I can literally see the water hanging in the air.

Checked the extended weather while I was there.  It's probably going to rain one day this week.

The weather-weenies are on top of it this morning.  Lots of radar and computer simulations, and it's going to be humid in Louisiana, and it may rain this week.  That's news, right there.  I bet they went to college to get those mad skills.  In other news, it will get dark tonight.

Bizarre

Okay, so Denver has a water problem.  A supply issue.  So, the Denver water department got together an put together a video to educate the public.

I have two sons running water districts.  I'll have to ask them what they think of this.

Rain

 I was planning to set a fence post this morning, but when I got back from the lumber yard, the bottom dropped out.  It's supposed to slack up closer to noon, so I might be able to get it done today.  Or not.  We'll see.  Nearly 20 years ago, I built a privacy fence around the back yard.  The standard at that time was to use metal posts.  Over the years, they have blown down during hurricanes, or rotted off at the base, and I've replaced them one at a time with 4X4 treated posts.

I really want to get this post in the ground, but I'm not willing to stand out in a thunderstorm swinging a post hole digger.

Belle says that she is hungry for crawfish today, and she will go to the boiler at noon to buy a few pounds.  I'm sitting in the shop, listening to the rain on the roof, and that may be my main activity, at least for the next few hours.

**UPDATE**  That job is done and the post is set.  I had the opportunity to teach my grandson how to use a post hole digger.  That is a skill every man should have. With the rain we had yesterday and today, the water table was high, and every time he would drop the tool into the hole, he got a splash of mud in his face.  Very instructive.  When he goes out tonight, he'll be freshly showered.

Rainy Thursday

 It's raining on the back porch, and looking at the weather radar, it looks like we'll be in the rain for most of the day.

On an earlier post, a commenter noted:

Historically speaking when cops try to arrest a determined bad guy with a rifle it often goes very badly for them.

That is a fact, and I can tell you stories from my own career about arrests that went horribly wrong.  We don't yet know the details, and we may never know, but you can be assured that the investigators are still poring over the data. 

Historically, the two main examples of this phenomenon are Ruby Ridge and Waco, but other less well known example abound.  Those could have been handled much easier, with no loss of life, but the cops fixated on a plan that was flawed.

For example, in Waco, the FBI knew that Koresh started each morning with a jog down the road.  He went running.  What better place to serve the warrant than on his morning run?  He's alone, easy to scoop up.

When I was running my team, back in the late 80s, I stressed to each team member that if they saw a flaw in the plan, to speak up.  Everyone had the right to critique a plan before we put it into action. And there were no SOPs.  

The commenter is right.  A determined man with a plan and a rifle is going to cause havoc. 

Wednesday Notes

 I paid $3.179 for unleaded fuel today.  Thanks, Joe Biden.  When I last filled up two weeks ago, it was $2.899.

I see that NYPD went in last night and cleared the Palestine apologists out of the building.  I wonder if any of them will be prosecuted, or face any sanctions at all.  I'm not holding my breath. The DA there is too busy making up stuff on Trump to actually prosecute wrongdoers.

I'm tumbling 5000 rounds of pistol brass, prior to loading them all for the Louisiana match in early August.  Looking at the calendar, that is only 90 days away.  It'll be here before we know it, and it's time to get busy.

Officer Down

 It looks like something went horribly wrong in Charleston.

Four officers were killed in a shooting while attempting to serve a warrant at a home in Charlotte, North Carolina, including one deputy US marshal and two local task force officers, authorities say.

Four others were wounded.

Details will be sketchy for a while.  I'll offer prayers to all affected. 

Is This Really The Ultimate Carry J-Frame?

Scrolling through my YouTube feed this morning, we find this video from Lucky Gunner.  Evidently, Lipsey's has talked Smith and Wesson into coming out with a new carry J-frame.  It can be had in either .38 Special or in .32 H&R Magnum.  As it turns out, I have a wicked fondness for J-frame revolvers, and Belle has a wicked fondness for the .32 caliber .  He father taught her to shoot with a .32 revolver, and she thinks it is the bees knees.

She owns three.  A Colt Police Positive, a Charter Arms Professional, and a Smith Model 30. 

Lucky Gunner makes the argument, below, that the .32 is eminently suitable as a defensive carry round.  Others may disagree. As in all handgun calibers, shot placement is king. When friends get serious with the questions, I simply remind then that Belle is a top competitor in a revolver game where shot placement is king.  She has won money, at last count, in Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana.

All that having been said, I see that Lipsey's has commissioned a bunch of really nice J-frames in .32.  Just about the time I think that the .32 is as dead as Kristi's dog, someone else brings out a new revolver chambered for the old cartridge.

Busting Up Protests

 It seems like the protests at Columbia University are thumbing their noses at administrators trying to bring order to the campus.

They could take a cue from Emory in Atlanta, or the University of Georgia, who don't coddle those who flaunt privilege.  Anti-Semitism is so 1930s, And, trespass is still a criminal offense in many jurisdictions.

Thunder

 That slow moving weather front that has been mauling Texas for the past couple of days has finally made its way into Louisiana.  Awakened by thunder at 5:00 am, I got up when I heard the dog scratching on the bedroom door.  Rather than disturb Belle, I decided to get up and make coffee.

The dog is afraid of heavy weather, and the thunder is rolling out there right now. I doubt I'll get anything accomplished in the yard today.  But it is Monday, and traditionally that is laundry day.

Small Town Rodeo

 Our church hosted a rodeo tonight, and we had a pretty good turnout from the small town we live in.  PawPaw did his part in the cook shack, flipping burgers and grilling sausage to feed this crowd.

Families bring lawn chairs or sit in the small bleachers.  Either way, the weather was pleasant, the crowd amicable, and the rodeo was just fine.  Small town America at its best.